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When designing or updating your kitchen, you might not pay as much attention to your faucet in favor of the more showy appliances, like your refrigerator or stovetop, but don't take it so lightly. Take a minute to consider everything you use the kitchen faucet for in a single day, and it's easy to see how important it is to have one that functions well and looks good. Rinsing fresh produce and cleaning up after your meal are just a few everyday uses for your kitchen faucet.

Your kitchen faucet isn't something you replace often, so you'll want to make sure you're purchasing one you love. That said, consider your current sink configuration, the type of faucet you want, and your style preference. To help make things easier for you, we've researched the best kitchen faucets on the market and found the Delta Faucet Leland Touch to be our favorite model. Read on to learn about all our top picks.

Also available at Home Depot and Lowe's.

Pros: This faucet has a long-lasting, leak-free construction with many beneficial features.

Cons: It can sometimes be tricky to find the preferred temperature setting.

Sitting at the top of our favorites, we have the Delta Faucet Leland Touch. Made with durable brass and patented technology that reduces leaks, this kitchen faucet has valuable features that help it stand out from others on the market. Firstly, we like that it has a pull-down sprayer since that increases the usability of a faucet. But more than that, this sprayer has an extra capability: You can keep the water as a concentrated stream, change it to a spray, or activate the ShieldSpray technology, which makes a powerful "shield" of water to get rid of stubborn food debris without splattering all over the place. Anything that cleans up a mess without making a mess is a win.

It's normal for faucets to get some kind of calcium or lime buildup over time, but this kitchen faucet's design allows you to wipe it away with your finger thanks to its touch-clean spray holes. And speaking of touch: This faucet can be turned on and off with a simple touch anywhere on the spout, so if your hands are messy from cooking, you can conveniently use your wrist, back of your hand, or forearm to get the water going. That's a thoughtful addition that cooks of any skill level will love.

Pros: It's inexpensive and has three sprayer settings to help you with every task.

Cons: It might not feel as sturdy as other models.

One of the best things about this kitchen faucet is its affordable price, but that's not the only thing we love about it. This model has a retractable pull-out spray with three different settings. You can keep the stream setting on if you're trying to fill up a bowl or pot with water, and you can use the spray mode for rinsing and washing. Then, there's the handy pause setting when you need to stop the water flow when moving the spray around (better than constantly wiping up messes with your dish towel).

With some of the more affordable faucets, you may feel like you have to sacrifice style for budget-friendliness. This one, however, has seven different finishes, ranging from shiny gold to contemporary matte black. The only con is it may feel lighter or flimsier than some of its high-end counterparts, but certainly not to the point that it feels cheap.

Also available at Home Depot.

Pros: This smart kitchen faucet has a pull-down sprayer with two modes and two sensors.

Cons: It has a pretty basic design.

There are many reasons why people choose touchless kitchen faucets. They prevent the spread of germs and cross-contamination, provide extra convenience when washing large pieces of cookware, and help you save water (and money). If all of that has you sold, this kitchen faucet is for you.

This model has two sensors: One in the front that activates for a quick rinse and another on the top where the faucet curves, for which you can wave on and off for tasks like filling up big pots. Having both makes it useful for people of different heights and mobility ranges. Aside from its motion-sensor capability, this faucet has a flexible pull-down sprayer with a button that allows you to change between the regular water stream and a more powerful shower spray mode. The sprayer has a trademarked Reflex system that helps it retract smoothly and dock securely. While the faucet might not have the same charm as others on this list, its user-friendly functionalities make up for that.

Related: 15 Smart Kitchen Cleaning Tools for Home Cooks

Pros: It features durable construction, a high arc, and a swivel spout.

Cons: It's more expensive compared to other models on the market.

There's a lot to love about this faucet, between its attractive design and high-quality construction. Starting with the former: Although the design is inspired by the 18th century, it doesn't look old-fashioned and won't seem outdated anytime soon. Audrey Scheck, the founder of Audrey Scheck Design, says, "The high arc on the spout paired with the traditional curves on the levers make it both unique and timeless." It also comes in seven different finishes, so you can find one that perfectly matches your kitchen.

Not only is the faucet easy on the eye, but it's also easy to use. "It has a swivel spout, which allows access to any portion of the sink, and it comes with a side sprayer, which always comes in handy," Scheck says. Looking closer at its construction, the faucet is made from solid brass, providing more durability, so even though your initial investment is higher, the faucet is built to last.

Pros: This faucet turns on and off with a simple touch or a voice command via your smart device.

Cons: It requires an outlet under the sink.

At first glance, this high-tech faucet looks pretty simple with its sleek, understated design, but as soon as you use it, you'll see it has a number of cool features. While some modern faucets have motion sensors, this faucet takes things further with its smart device connectivity that allows you to use voice commands. For example, you can tell this faucet to pour one cup of water and even create a custom command to fill your favorite stockpot. Another unique feature is that you can tap anywhere on the spout or handle to start and stop the water flow. That's a plus when you have messy hands and want to get the water going with a simple elbow tap.

There's nothing worse than being caught off guard with too hot or too cold of water. Thanks to this faucet's LED light display at its base, it changes color from blue to pink to red to show you what the water temperature is. Keep in mind that you need an under-sink outlet to install and use this kitchen faucet, but if you've got one or can install one, you'll get access to some great features.

Pros: This faucet has an elegant design available in a wide variety of finishes.

Cons: Made from zinc, it's less durable than other materials.

There are some faucets that just fade into the background, but not this one. This kitchen faucet has a gorgeous, detailed design approved by the pros. "The gooseneck silhouette allows this faucet to make a statement in the kitchen," Scheck says. You can take your pick from six finish variations, like aged brass, brushed gold, and stainless steel, in order to match the other appliances in your home.

It's not just about good looks, though: The shape is also functional because it allows for plenty of clearance for pots and pans, according to Scheck. If you need more flexibility with your water stream, you can just use the pull-down spray, which has two functions depending on how much power you need. It's nice to have such a useful modern feature with a faucet that retains its classic, elegant look. Since this faucet is constructed of zinc, it may not be as strong as one made from stainless steel or brass, but Scheck says, "Given the efficient price point, you really can't go wrong with this faucet!" In the off chance something does go wrong, you're covered by a 25-year limited manufacturer warranty.

Pros: This affordable faucet has a 20-inch sprayer hose with two functions.

Cons: Not as user-friendly as high-arc models.

A low-arc kitchen faucet is when the spout is only three to eight inches from the sink itself. While many people prefer high-arc kitchen faucets because they give them more room, some people may need a low-arc faucet if they have a cabinet hanging above their sink, a window view they don't want to block, or a small sink they want to match visually. This kitchen faucet is a good choice for anyone in those categories. With an overall height of nearly eight inches and a spout height of five-and-a-half inches, it falls into the taller range of low-arc faucets, so you still feel like you have a good amount of room under the spout.

The other great thing about this faucet is that it has a pull-out sprayer, so even if you're limited height-wise, you can always take out the sprayer to fill and wash things that might not fit fully in the sink under the spout. Plus, the sprayer has two functions that allow you to toggle between a more powerful, centered stream and a lighter, wider spray. Given its low price, it's an even better value considering you get those extra features that other low-arc faucets don't have. There's only one finish, but it's a classic, standard look that works in many kitchens.

The Delta Faucet Leland Touch is our overall top pick because of its unique features and durable, attractive design. It has a high arc, comes in multiple finishes, and features innovative technology that lets you turn it on with a simple wrist tap.

The two main types of kitchen faucets are single- and dual-handle. Single-handle faucets take up less space and are easy to install and use, while double-handle models offer greater water temperature control. There are also pull-out and pull-down faucets that have integrated sprayers you can take out for a wider range of usage. Then, there's the whole assortment of high-tech touchless faucets, too. It's important to choose a faucet that will be the most beneficial for you and your kitchen's needs and, of course, match your sink configuration.

Before deciding on a kitchen faucet, check how many holes you have in your current sink configuration. It's common to find sinks with anywhere from one to four mounting holes, so it's best to find a kitchen faucet that will be compatible with the number you currently have unless you're preparing for a big renovation. Additionally, if you're working with a double basin sink, Scheck says you'll want to make sure that the spout swivels in the correct direction. She explains, "Regardless of whether you go with single or multiple handles, you'll need the spout to adjust to direct water into either basin."

Whatever your personal taste or kitchen design may be, there's a kitchen faucet to match your style. You'll find some that look more elegant and vintage, others that look more streamlined and modern, and everything in between. Once you choose a specific style, you may also be able to choose from a range of finishes like brass, chrome, bronze, and stainless steel. Aside from the difference in look, Scheck says that you should consider how some finishes are more difficult to keep clean. "Polished chrome, satin nickel, and bronze finishes are durable and will maintain their finish for years to come," she says. "Brushed and satin finishes with a dull shine can be more difficult to keep clean because they have a coating that isn't as durable as metal. Certain brass finishes will also require more maintenance such as polishing."

There can be a difference of hundreds of dollars in the cost of installing a new kitchen faucet depending on several factors, like what type of faucet you choose and whether or not you're hiring a professional to do the installation. "The biggest factor to take into consideration is how many holes you'll need to drill in your countertop stone to properly install the hardware," Scheck says. "Most countertop fabricators will charge more for a widespread faucet which requires more holes to be drilled." And don't forget about the plumber's role in the installation. Scheck adds, "Most of them will charge more for widespread faucets because of the additional labor required to connect multiple levers and outside components, such as detached sprayers."

There's no universally agreed upon winner between kitchen faucets with one handle and those with two. It really comes down to personal preference in terms of functionality and aesthetics. That said, Scheck says that most of her clients prefer single-handle faucets for a few different reasons. "They are easier to use because the water temperature and pressure are both controlled by one single lever," Scheck says. Her clients also like them because "they tend to be easier to keep clean," and "they only require one hole to be drilled in your countertop stone compared to the multiple holes, which are needed for widespread faucets."

Quality and maintenance make or break the lifespan of your kitchen faucet. Scheck says, "Most faucets can last well over a decade if installed correctly and properly maintained." On top of that, the kind of water you have in your home will also affect your kitchen faucet's longevity. She explains, "Hard water may cause more sediment to build up and deteriorate the valve, which will require a replacement."

This piece was written by Cindy Brzostowski, a freelance writer and avid home cook who has previous experience in cookbook publishing. Her work has been published in Blue Apron, The Kitchn, and EatingWell among others. She used her background in food (and her many hours spent in the kitchen) as well as the expert insights from Audrey Scheck, the founder of Audrey Scheck Design, to determine the best kitchen faucets.

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