Touchless is cool until you’re waving your hands like an idiot and nothing happens.
That line sums it up. I spec’d a “high-end” touchless for a client’s kitchen remodel last year—looked great, but the sensor started acting up after about 10 months. Ended up replacing it with a manual lever. Batteries, sensors, random ghost activations... just not worth the hassle in most homes, honestly. Manual might be boring, but at least it works every time.
Yeah, I hear you. We tried a touchless faucet in our mudroom—figured it’d be perfect for messy hands after yard work. It was great for about six months, then started randomly turning on at 3am. Nothing like waking up to running water and thinking you’ve got a leak somewhere. Gave up and swapped it back for a plain old lever. Sometimes simple really is better, even if it’s not as “fancy.”
Honestly, I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve had the opposite luck. We put in a touchless faucet in our kitchen—mainly to cut down on water waste—and it’s been solid for two years. Maybe it’s brand luck or just better batteries? I do think the tech can be worth it if you find the right one.
Maybe it’s brand luck or just better batteries?
Could be both, honestly. I’ve spec’d a few different brands for projects, and the variance is wild. Some of the cheaper models are basically glorified squirt guns after six months, but the higher-end ones seem to hold up. Battery life is a big one too—if you end up with the kind that eats through AAs like candy, it’s a headache. One thing I’ve noticed: sensor placement makes a difference. If it’s too sensitive, you’ll set it off just waving your hand nearby and get a surprise soak... had that happen more than once.
I’ve wondered if water pressure plays a part too. My kitchen faucet’s sensor is super touchy, but the one in the bathroom barely responds unless you wave your hand like you’re landing a plane. Both are supposedly the same brand, just different models. Maybe it’s not just the batteries or sensors, but something about the plumbing setup? Anyone ever swap fixtures between rooms and notice a difference?
