
Do you like the appearance of a nickel finish for your faucet but debating on regular satin nickel vs. a brushed nickel finish? They both provide a similar appearance, but brushed nickel provides a softer feeling in your home.
In this PlumbingNav guide, we will cover:
- What are the best brushed nickel faucets available?
- What are the different types of brushed nickel faucets to consider?
- How does a brushed nickel faucet work?
- What do you look for when choosing a brushed nickel faucet?
What's In This Guide? | |
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Brushed Satin Nickel Faucet Reviews:
Image | Product | |||
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Good Option ![]() | Good Option | Delta Faucet Essa Touch Kitchen Faucet Brushed Nickel, Kitchen Faucets with Pull Down Sprayer, Kitchen Sink Faucet, Touch Faucet for Kitchen Sink
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| View on Amazon |
Best Budget ![]() | Best Budget | HANEBATH Brass Wall-Mounted Bathroom Sink Faucet with Rough-in Valve, Brushed Nickel
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| View on Amazon |
Best High-End ![]() | Best High-End | Aolemi Brushed Nickel Freestanding Bathtub Faucet Floor Mount Tub Filler Single Handle Brass Tap with Handheld Shower and Swivel Mixer Spout
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| View on Amazon |
Good Option ![]() | Good Option | Touchless Kitchen Faucet, DICOYA Stainless Steel Sensor Kitchen Faucet with 4 Function Smart Sprayer
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| View on Amazon |
Good Option ![]() | Good Option | Pfister LF-049-JDGS Jaida Waterfall Widespread Bathroom Sink Faucet, Spot Defense Brushed Nickel
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| View on Amazon |
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated On March 27, 2025
Our #1 Rated Pick: Delta Faucet Essa Touch Kitchen Faucet Brushed Nickel, Kitchen Faucets with Pull Down Sprayer, Kitchen Sink Faucet, Touch Faucet for Kitchen Sink
Efficiency – 1.8 GPM
Size – The spout height is 15.75”, and the spout reach is 9.25”.
Features – Touch technology allows you to turn the faucet on and off with a simple touch so that you don’t need to touch the handle. LED lights indicate the water temperature. The pull down sprayer has two modes and magnetic docking technology.
Design – This faucet uses a high arc design and a single-handle
Installation – Single hole installation with PEX supply lines attached to the faucet for one less leak point.
Our Top Brushed Nickel Faucets (Summary Quicklist)
- Delta Faucet Essa Touch Kitchen Faucet Brushed Nickel, Kitchen Faucets with Pull Down Sprayer, Kitchen Sink Faucet, Touch Faucet for Kitchen Sink (Good Option)
- HANEBATH Brass Wall-Mounted Bathroom Sink Faucet with Rough-in Valve, Brushed Nickel (Best Budget)
- Aolemi Brushed Nickel Freestanding Bathtub Faucet Floor Mount Tub Filler Single Handle Brass Tap with Handheld Shower and Swivel Mixer Spout (Best High-End)
- Touchless Kitchen Faucet, DICOYA Stainless Steel Sensor Kitchen Faucet with 4 Function Smart Sprayer (Good Option)
- Pfister LF-049-JDGS Jaida Waterfall Widespread Bathroom Sink Faucet, Spot Defense Brushed Nickel (Good Option)
How is Brushed Nickel Made?
Brushed nickel receives a textured finish (as opposed to a smooth finish) with a wire brush as one of the last steps of the fabrication process.
You can see the brush marks in the material when it’s finished, providing a warm tone that offers subtle yet more dynamic light and shadow effects compared to smooth materials.
The small ridges do require a bit more upkeep. However, it’s completely manageable. If you do allow the finish to tarnish, you can remove the tarnish with vinegar and baking soda.

Why Choose Brushed Nickel?
Brushed nickel exceeds chrome in appearance and quality. It also provides a more natural appearance and comes at a lower price tag than polished nickel and stainless steel. Brushed nickel doesn’t provide as much shine as chrome or stainless steel (the muted tone is preferred by most homeowners). It also won’t show fingerprints like chrome and some steel.
What are the Different Types of Brushed Nickel Faucets?
Bathroom Sink Faucet
Your bathroom sink faucet mounts to your sink or your wall and generally offers high-efficiency levels and simple operation since they’re generally only used for washing hands and brushing teeth.
Look for touchless models to eliminate germs and even potentially save money, especially if purchasing faucets for a commercial building.
Kitchen Sink Faucet
Your kitchen sink faucet should reach every corner of your sink, with most homes opting for a high-arc design (space permitted) and a pull down sprayer option to ensure full coverage and various functions for different tasks. Most kitchen faucets are installed directly into the sink.
Look for products with the Water Sense label to reduce water waste and save on utility bills!
Tub Faucet
A tub faucet must have a relatively high flow rate to ensure it can fill the tub quickly. Tub faucets tend to reach out further than bathroom sink faucets, but they can be interchangeable in some cases.
Tub faucets may come as part of a shower system and include a valve and diverter.
Bar/Prep Faucet
A bar faucet or prep faucet resembles a kitchen faucet, but it’s usually smaller since it only needs to accommodate a small sink. It probably doesn’t need the extra features of the main kitchen faucet, either.
What to Look for in a Brushed Nickel Faucet?
Brand
Look for a popular brand in the industry as well as a brand that offers a quality warranty on its products.
Some of the most reliable brands include:
- Delta
- Kraus
- Moen
- Kohler
- Pfister
- Kingston Brass
- American Standard
Keep in mind that this is not an inclusive list. However, stick to a trusted brand instead of a brand you never heard of.
All respectable brands will include a warranty. However, you should compare warranties to see exactly what’s covered on similar products, as they vary greatly.
Usability
Some faucets are easier to use than others.
As simple as it sounds, sometimes this comes down to the handle. You can usually choose between a single-handle design or a double-handle design.
Some faucets also have additional features that make them easier to use, such as LED water temperature indication, touchless sensors, and connectivity capabilities.
Installation Requirements
Faucets install into holes that allow you to connect them to the plumbing underneath the sink.
You can leave the faucet as is or use a faceplate to cover the holes. You may also be able to use a faceplate to cover holes you don’t need.
Faucets usually require anywhere from 1 – 4 holes.
If you don’t have enough predrilled holes in your sink, tub, or wall, you can drill additional holes yourself. (Like this below.)
Materials
Certain materials last longer, especially when they come into contact with hot water on a regular basis.
Stainless steel provides a great option, but solid brass tends to last longer thanks to its anti-corrosive properties (hollow brass, however, won’t hold up).
Avoid plastic faucets and components when possible, as they don’t usually last as long as metal products.
It’s not always only about the durability of the material, though. You also have to ensure that whatever faucet you choose matches the rest of your decor.
Home Design and Metals: Should You Mix?
You’ve already decided on brushed nickel for your new faucet, which accommodates both classic and modern interior design styles.
Do you have a modern kitchen? Read our review of the best modern kitchen faucets!
Luckily, brushed nickel is a very common material in interior design these days. You can easily select brushed nickel for the other faucets around your home and the hardware as well to create a cohesive design.
Some daring designers don’t mind mixing metals, and creative designs can truly show off your interior design skills and increase the aesthetic appeal of your home (if it’s done properly).
If you do decide to mix metals, stick to two or three options.
Some mixed metal interior design ideas include:
- Use one metal for all faucets and a different metal for all hardware
- Use one consistent metal except for certain items you want to stand out
- Complete chaos with various metal faucets and hardware seemingly picked at random
- Drastic contrast between two drastically different materials
Best Brushed Nickel Faucets Reviewed
Here are our in-depth reviews so you can evaluate the best choice for yourself.
Our #1 Rated Pick: Delta Faucet Essa Touch Kitchen Faucet Brushed Nickel, Kitchen Faucets with Pull Down Sprayer, Kitchen Sink Faucet, Touch Faucet for Kitchen Sink
Efficiency – 1.8 GPM
Size – The spout height is 15.75”, and the spout reach is 9.25”.
Features – Touch technology allows you to turn the faucet on and off with a simple touch so that you don’t need to touch the handle. LED lights indicate the water temperature. The pull down sprayer has two modes and magnetic docking technology.
Design – This faucet uses a high arc design and a single-handle
Installation – Single hole installation with PEX supply lines attached to the faucet for one less leak point.
Pros
- Touch technology
- Touch-clean spray holes
- Two spray modes
Cons
- Plastic components
- Requires batteries or AC adapter
- Not appropriate for tight spaces
Our #2 Rated Pick: HANEBATH Brass Wall-Mounted Bathroom Sink Faucet with Rough-in Valve, Brushed Nickel
Efficiency – 1.5 GPM
Size – The spout reach is 8.18”, and it’s 8.7” wide
Features – The spout swivels 360°.
Design – This faucet has a modern design with two handles
Installation – Wall mount 3 hole installation
Pros
- Wall-mount installation
- Suitable for bathroom sink or bathtub
- 360° swivel
Cons
- Not available for international delivery
- General picture instructions
- Difficult to reach customer service
Our #3 Rated Pick: Aolemi Brushed Nickel Freestanding Bathtub Faucet Floor Mount Tub Filler Single Handle Brass Tap with Handheld Shower and Swivel Mixer Spout
Efficiency – 1.21 GPM
Size – 34.6” tall with a reach of 10.2”.
Features – This freestanding faucet swivels all the way around and comes with an additional handheld shower.
Design – Modern, single-handle design
Installation – Floor mount installation with the supply lines included.
Pros
- Highly efficient 1.21 GPM water flow
- No predrilled holes required
- Showerhead included
Cons
- Takes up floor space
- Shows stains
- Takes a long time to fill the tub
Our #4 Rated Pick: Touchless Kitchen Faucet, DICOYA Stainless Steel Sensor Kitchen Faucet with 4 Function Smart Sprayer
Efficiency – 2 GPM
Size – 9.7” in height with a 20” pull down hose
Features – A sensor allows you to activate the faucet without using your hands. The pull down sprayer provides 5 different modes (spray, stream, gas, double blade, and pauce).
Design – Modern high arc design
Installation – One or three hole deck mount installation with supply lines attached.
Pros
- Easy installation
- 5 modes
- Doesn’t show stains
Cons
- Made of stainless steel
- High water flow
- Sensitive sensor
Our #5 Rated Pick: Pfister LF-049-JDGS Jaida Waterfall Widespread Bathroom Sink Faucet, Spot Defense Brushed Nickel
Efficiency – 1.2 GPM
Size – 5” tall with a spout reach of 4”
Features – Enjoy a pleasant waterfall effect and a spot defense finish that prevents stains.
Design – Classic or modern design with two handles and a low arc.
Installation – 3 hole installation with the drain assembly included.
Pros
- Highly efficient 1.2 GPM
- Versatile design
- Spot defense finish
Cons
- Not suitable for wall mount installation
- Limited customization
- Low water flow
Final Thoughts On Best Brushed Nickel Faucets
A brushed nickel faucet gives you a lot to work with in terms of design, and it’s a finish that holds up well next to the competition.
Once you find the brand and style you like, the possibilities are endless. Just don’t forget to buy a faucet that meets your installation needs (unless you don’t mind doing some work yourself).
Not sold on brushed nickel? Take a look at our review of the best polished nickel faucets!
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FAQ’s on Brushed Nickel Faucets
Do brushed nickel faucets tarnish?
Thanks to the little ridges created by the wire brush strokes, brushed nickel can tarnish if you don’t keep up with it. However, you can simply remove tarnish with vinegar.
Is brushed nickel hard to keep clean?
No. However, it is slightly harder to keep clean than smooth options, such as stainless steel, polished chrome, and satin nickel.
Is brushed nickel still popular?
Yes! Brushed nickel is still extremely popular in large part thanks to its versatility and lack of shininess.
Which is better, brushed nickel or chrome?
Brushed nickel far exceeds chrome in quality and appearance (unless you like the appearance of a mirror covered in fingerprints).
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