Touchless is cool in theory, but I’ve seen too many kitchens grind to a halt over dead batteries or sensors acting up.
That’s been my experience too—one client had a sensor faucet that would randomly refuse to turn on unless you waved your hand just right. It was like playing Simon Says with the sink. Mechanical still feels safer for busy households.
It was like playing Simon Says with the sink.
That’s a pretty accurate way to put it. I’ve seen a few projects where the touchless models just didn’t hold up—especially in high-traffic kitchens. Mechanical might not be flashy, but it’s reliable and easy to fix if something goes wrong.
Mechanical might not be flashy, but it’s reliable and easy to fix if something goes wrong.
Honestly, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had to explain to clients that “less tech” sometimes means “less headache.” Touchless is cool until you’re waving your hands around like a magician just to get water. For high-traffic areas, I’d go manual every time—at least you know what you’re getting.
Manual all the way, especially if you’re the one who ends up fixing stuff when it breaks. I tried those touchless faucets in my last reno because, yeah, they look slick and supposedly save water. But half the time, you’re just standing there, hands dripping, waving around like you’re at a bad magic show. Batteries die, sensors get finicky—then it’s back to the wrench anyway.
I get why people want the “smart” features, but honestly, there’s something satisfying about a solid handle that just works every time. Plus, if something goes wrong, it’s usually a washer or cartridge swap... not some obscure sensor you have to special order.
Not saying tech is always bad—there are places it makes sense—but for high-traffic sinks? Give me old-school reliability. Less drama, more water where you want it.
Totally get where you’re coming from. I’ve seen those touchless faucets go sideways in commercial spaces too—maintenance calls pile up fast. Manual handles just keep things simple, and you can usually fix them with parts from any hardware store. I’ll admit, the tech looks cool on paper, but when you’re dealing with volume or tenants, reliability wins out. Maybe one day the sensors will catch up, but for now, I’m sticking with what works.
