KOHLER Simplice Touchless pull-down kitchen sink faucet with three-function sprayhead
8.6/ 10
Editorial score
Activation
9.0
Power
8.0
Spray & fit
9.0
Warranty
8.0
Why this score?
Activation & sensor · 9.0
Response motion sensor under the spout; wave of hand or sweep of a pan
Power source · 8.0
120 V AC, no batteries; needs unswitched outlet within 5 ft of control box
Sprays, docking & fit · 9.0
Stream, Sweep and Boost sprays, DockNetik docking, 1 or 3 holes, 9 inch reach
Electronics warranty · 8.0
Lifetime Limited Warranty; electronics terms not itemized on spec sheet
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forBusy cooks who want reliable wave-on control without changing batteries
KOHLER's Response motion sensor sits beneath the spout and turns the water on or off with a wave of your hand or the sweep of a pan, and it runs on household AC power rather than batteries. You also get the full Simplice spray set (stream, Sweep spray and a 30 percent Boost), DockNetik magnetic docking and temperature memory.
Strengths
AC-powered motion sensor, so no batteries to replace
Three sprays with Boost; DockNetik magnetic docking
Weaknesses
Needs an unswitched 120 V outlet under the sink, within 5 ft of the control box
1.5 gpm maximum flow outside Boost
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
Overall height 16-9/16 in, maximum spout reach 9 in
Material
Premium metal construction; Vibrant Stainless finish
Power source
120 V AC (plug-in, unswitched outlet below the sink; 60 in power cord); no batteries
Flow rate
1.5 gpm (5.7 lpm) max at 60 psi
Mounting holes
Single-hole or three-hole (escutcheon plate included)
Moen Essie MotionSense One-Handle High Arc Single Sensor Pulldown Kitchen Faucet
7.6/ 10
Editorial score
Activation
8.0
Power
7.0
Spray & fit
7.5
Warranty
7.5
Why this score?
Activation & sensor · 8.0
MotionSense Wave sensor on the base; lever handle still works normally
Power source · 7.0
6 AA batteries, or optional AC adapter with power splitter
Sprays, docking & fit · 7.5
Power Clean spray, pause, soap dispenser, 1 to 4 holes; 7.84 inch reach
Electronics warranty · 7.5
Limited lifetime trim warranty; digital components covered 5 years
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forBudget-minded kitchens that want wave-on convenience and a soap dispenser
The Essie uses Moen's MotionSense Wave sensor on the base, so a wave of the hand turns the water on and off while the lever still works normally. Moen's spec sheet lists metal construction, Power Clean spray, a pause button and a soap dispenser in the box.
Strengths
Wave sensor plus manual handle; soap dispenser included
Fits 1 to 4 holes; Spot Resist stainless finish
Weaknesses
Runs on 6 AA batteries unless you add the optional AC adapter
Electronics are covered for 5 years, not lifetime
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
Spout height 15.86 in, spout reach 7.84 in
Material
Metal construction (spec sheet); Spot Resist stainless finish
Power source
6 AA batteries or optional AC adapter with power splitter
Flow rate
1.5 gpm (5.7 L/min) max
Mounting holes
One to four holes (deckplate included)
Warranty
Limited lifetime trim warranty; 5 years on digital components
Delta Essa Single Handle Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet with Touch2O Technology in Arctic Stainless
7.6/ 10
Editorial score
Activation
7.5
Power
7.0
Spray & fit
8.0
Warranty
7.5
Why this score?
Activation & sensor · 7.5
Touch anywhere on spout or handle; TempSense LED; not a true motion sensor
Power source · 7.0
Batteries included; AC adapter sold separately
Sprays, docking & fit · 8.0
MagnaTite docking, 9-3/8 inch reach, deck plate included; two-function wand
Electronics warranty · 7.5
Lifetime limited for parts and finish; 5 years on electronics, batteries excluded
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forPeople who prefer tapping the faucet with a wrist or forearm over waving at a sensor
Delta's Touch2O lets you start and stop the water by touching anywhere on the spout or handle, at the temperature where the handle is set, and a TempSense LED changes color from blue to magenta to red as the water warms. It keeps Essa's DIAMOND Seal valve and MagnaTite magnetic docking.
Strengths
Touch anywhere on spout or handle; TempSense LED shows water temperature
MagnaTite magnetic docking; deck plate included for 3-hole sinks
Weaknesses
Touch-activated rather than a true motion sensor
Batteries (or an optional AC adapter sold separately) required
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
Overall height 15-3/4 in; spout reach 9-3/8 in (spec sheet)
Material
Arctic Stainless finish; diamond-coated ceramic cartridge (body material not stated)
Power source
6 AA batteries (included) or 6 C batteries, or optional 120 V AC adapter EP102157 (sold separately)
Flow rate
1.8 gpm @ 60 psi
Mounting holes
1 or 3-hole, 8" centers (deck plate RP47274 included)
Warranty
Lifetime limited (parts and finish); 5 years on electronic parts; batteries not covered
American Standard Southport Touchless Single-Handle Pull-Down Dual Spray Kitchen Faucet 1.8 GPM/6.8 L/min
7.1/ 10
Editorial score
Activation
8.0
Power
7.5
Spray & fit
6.5
Warranty
6.0
Why this score?
Activation & sensor · 8.0
Selectronic infrared sensor, 4-minute auto shut-off, can be disabled for cleaning
Power source · 7.5
4 AA batteries included with low-battery reminder; optional AC adapter
Sprays, docking & fit · 6.5
Two sprays plus pause, no boost; soap dispenser and deck plate included
Electronics warranty · 6.0
5-year warranty only, shorter than lifetime coverage on most picks
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forTransitional kitchens that want a hands-free faucet with a soap dispenser and deck plate in the box
The Southport Touchless uses American Standard's Selectronic infrared sensor: wave a hand within about 2 inches to turn the water on or off, and it shuts off by itself after 4 minutes. The spec sheet lists a metal body, brass swivel spout and metal lever handle, and a soap dispenser and deck plate are included.
Strengths
Selectronic sensor with 4-minute automatic shut-off; sensor can be disabled for cleaning
Deck plate for 1, 2 or 3 holes and soap dispenser included
Weaknesses
5-year warranty, shorter than the lifetime coverage on most picks
Two spray modes plus pause, with no boost
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
Height 16-1/2 in, spout reach 8-9/16 in (spec sheet)
Material
Metal body, brass swivel spout and metal lever handle (spec sheet); Stainless Steel finish
Power source
4 AA batteries (included) with low-battery reminder, or optional AC adapter (sold separately)
Flow rate
1.8 GPM
Mounting holes
Single-hole; deck plate included for 2 or 3-hole sinks
GROHE Zedra Single-Handle Pull Down Kitchen Faucet Triple Spray 1.75 GPM (6.6 L/min) with Touch Technology
7.4/ 10
Editorial score
Activation
8.0
Power
7.0
Spray & fit
8.0
Warranty
6.0
Why this score?
Activation & sensor · 8.0
Tap activation, 60-second auto shut-off, 8-second cleaning mode; not motion-sensing
Power source · 7.0
6 V CR-P2 lithium battery included
Sprays, docking & fit · 8.0
Stream, shower and blade spray plus pause; single-hole only, 9-3/16 inch reach
Electronics warranty · 6.0
5 Year Limited Warranty per spec table
Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How we score
Best forDesign-focused kitchens that want touch control and a blade spray
The Zedra Touch turns on and off when you tap it with a hand, wrist or arm, shuts off automatically after 60 seconds, and has a cleaning mode you activate by touching the faucet for 8 seconds. Its three-function spray head adds a powerful blade spray and a pause button, and it runs on an included lithium battery.
Strengths
Touch activation with 60-second auto shut-off and cleaning mode
Three sprays including blade spray, plus pause
Weaknesses
Touch-activated rather than motion-sensing
Single-hole installation only; body material not stated
Dimensions, material and details
Dimensions
Faucet height 16 in, spout reach 9-3/16 in, aerator height 8-9/16 in
Material
SuperSteel InfinityFinish (GROHE StarLight coating); body material not stated
Plan the power supplybattery installs anywhere, plug-in needs an under-sink outlet
Check the manual overridehandle should still work if batteries run down
Frequently asked questions
What is the best touchless kitchen faucet?
The KOHLER Simplice Touchless is the best overall pick: its motion sensor turns the water on and off with a wave of your hand and runs on household AC power, so there are no batteries, but it needs an unswitched 120 V outlet under the sink. The Moen Essie MotionSense is the budget pick and its lever still works normally. If you prefer tapping to waving, the Delta Essa with Touch2O responds to a touch anywhere on the spout or handle.
How are touchless kitchen faucets powered?
It depends on the model. The KOHLER Simplice Touchless plugs into a 120 V outlet under the sink and uses no batteries, the Moen Essie runs on 6 AA batteries, the Delta Essa Touch2O takes 6 AA or 6 C batteries, the American Standard Southport Touchless uses 4 AA batteries, and the GROHE Zedra Touch uses a 6 V CR-P2 lithium battery. Moen, Delta and American Standard also sell optional AC adapters.
What is the difference between touch and touchless faucets?
A touchless faucet uses a motion sensor, so you wave a hand (or, on the KOHLER Simplice, a pan) to start the water; the Moen Essie and American Standard Southport Touchless work this way too. A touch faucet such as the Delta Essa Touch2O or GROHE Zedra Touch turns on when you tap the spout or handle with your wrist or forearm.
Are the electronics covered by the warranty?
Usually for less time than the faucet itself. Moen covers digital components for 5 years with a limited lifetime trim warranty, Delta gives 5 years on electronic parts (batteries excluded), and American Standard lists a 5-year warranty on the Southport Touchless. GROHE's specification table lists a 5 Year Limited Warranty for the Zedra Touch, and KOHLER refers buyers to its website for full terms.
