The pull down vs pull out faucet choice comes down to spout shape and where the spray head travels. A pull down has a tall, arched spout and a head that pulls straight down into the sink. A pull out has a lower spout and a head that pulls toward you, past the sink edge. If you have a deep sink and plenty of space above it, a pull down is usually the easier fit. If the faucet sits under a low cabinet or window, or you want to fill a pot on the counter, a pull out makes more sense.
Pull down vs pull out faucet: the short comparison
Ferguson’s guide to kitchen faucet types describes a pullout head as one that detaches from the spout and moves freely around the sink on its hose, while a high arch, pre-rinse style lets the head drop straight down from the spout and limits how far it travels. The tradeoff: less range, less stray spray.
| Factor | Pull down | Pull out | Standard with side sprayer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spout | High arch, often gooseneck | Lower, more compact | Fixed spout, separate sprayer |
| Spray head direction | Straight down into the bowl | Out toward you and past the sink | Sprayer lifts from the deck on its own hose |
| Best sink | Deep single bowls | Shallow or smaller sinks | Sinks with a spare hole |
| Overhead clearance | Needs the most | Works under cabinets and windows | Depends on spout |
| Holes needed | Usually 1 | Usually 1 | Usually 2 |
| Main drawback | Splash in shallow sinks | Head is heavier to hold for long rinses | Extra hole and extra part to clean |
Pros and cons of each
Pull down faucet
- Pro: the tall spout leaves room to rinse stock pots and sheet pans under the stream.
- Pro: you aim straight down, which keeps spray inside the bowl.
- Con: needs vertical room above the sink.
- Con: in a shallow sink, water falling from a high spout splashes more.
Pull out faucet
- Pro: the low spout fits under cabinets, shelves and windows.
- Pro: the head reaches past the sink, handy for filling a pot on the counter.
- Con: less room under the spout for tall cookware.
- Con: more range means more ways to spray the backsplash by accident.
Match the faucet to your sink size and depth
A deep single bowl suits a pull down, since the bowl catches the splash and the high spout clears big pans. A shallower or smaller sink, or a bar or prep sink, often works better with a pull out, which also tends to suit double bowl layouts where you want to swing the head between sides. Our single vs double bowl kitchen sink guide covers bowl layouts, depth and cabinet fit, so we will not repeat that here.
Clearance under cabinets and windows
Measure from the deck to the lowest thing above it, such as a window sill, shelf or cabinet. Compare that to the listed spout height, leaving room to swing the handle and lift the head from its dock. If the gap is tight, choose a pull out or a lower standard faucet.
Spout reach, spout height and hose length
Spout reach is how far the outlet extends from the base. Aim for water landing near the middle of the bowl. Hose length is rarely listed on our faucet pages. Two of our pull out listings give a sprayer reach instead: 12.6 in. on the Bell and 13.4 in. on the Rodeo. If hose length matters for your layout, call us and we will check with the manufacturer.
Hole count and deck plates
Count the holes in your sink or countertop before you shop. Most pull down and pull out faucets we list are single hole installs. A side sprayer faucet usually needs two. If your sink has three holes and you want a single hole faucet, you need a deck plate (escutcheon) to cover the extras. Check the listing or ask us whether one is included before you order.
Kitchen faucet types we carry
Specs below are copied from our product pages. Flow rate is shown only where the listing gives it. This is a spec based comparison, not a hands-on test.
Pull down kitchen faucets
- ANZZI Singer Series Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet in Polished Chrome ($144.99): single hole, 8.58 in. spout reach, 360 degree spout, two spray settings, listed flow of 1.95 gpm inner and 1.9 gpm outer. Spout height is listed differently on our two Singer finish pages, so confirm with us.
- ANZZI Orbital Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Nickel ($159.99): 9.69 in. spout height, 9.44 in. spout reach, two spray settings.
- ANZZI Eclipse Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet in Polished Chrome ($314.99): 8.19 in. spout reach, two spray settings. Confirm spout height with us before you plan clearance.
- Blossom Kitchen and Bath Pull Down Kitchen Faucet F01 206 ($280 to $344 depending on options): brass, offered in brush gold, brush nickel, chrome and matte black. The page lists no dimensions, so ask us for spout height and reach.
Pull out kitchen faucets
- ANZZI Harbour Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Nickel ($296.99): single hole, 12 in. spout height, 9.25 in. spout reach, listed flow of 1.53 gpm inner and 1.4 gpm outer.
- ANZZI Bell Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Nickel ($177.99): single hole, 7.87 in. spout height, 9.45 in. spout reach, 12.6 in. sprayer reach, 1.8 gpm, 3/8 in. connection.
- ANZZI Rodeo Pull-Out Kitchen Faucet in Brushed Nickel ($126.99): single hole, 7.87 in. spout height, 9.45 in. spout reach, 13.4 in. sprayer reach, 1.8 gpm.
Standard faucets with a side sprayer
If you prefer a fixed spout and already have a second hole, a side sprayer is the third option. Ferguson notes it can be part of a single hole or multi hole setup.
- ANZZI Highland Kitchen Faucet with Side Sprayer in Brushed Nickel ($175.99): two hole install, 8.46 in. spout height, 7.09 in. spout reach, 1.8 gpm.
- ANZZI Farnese Kitchen Faucet with Side Sprayer in Oil Rubbed Bronze ($272.99): two hole install, 8.66 in. spout height, 6.69 in. spout reach, 1.8 gpm.
See the full lineup on our ANZZI brand page.
What about a touchless kitchen faucet?
A touchless kitchen faucet starts and stops water with a sensor and needs batteries or power under the sink. We do not currently carry one. If you want touchless, pick the spout style first, then look for a sensor model in that shape.
Finishes
Our kitchen faucets come in polished chrome, brushed nickel and oil rubbed bronze, plus brush gold and matte black on the Blossom F01 206. Chrome is easy to match. Brushed nickel hides water spots better. Bronze and black suit darker hardware.
Installation notes
Most single hole faucets connect to the hot and cold shutoff valves under the sink with flexible supply lines. Several of our ANZZI listings give a 3/8 in. connection size, so check that your shutoffs match. Pull down and pull out models also need room under the sink for the hose to slide and for any weight on the hose that pulls the head back. A licensed plumber and your local code have the final word on any plumbing change.
For the bathroom, see vessel sink vs undermount sink and freestanding tub faucet types.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, a pull down or pull out faucet?
Neither is better for every kitchen. A pull down suits deep sinks with open space above. A pull out suits shallow sinks, tight clearance and filling pots outside the sink.
What are the main kitchen faucet types?
The common kitchen faucet types are pull down, pull out, standard with a side sprayer, two handle bridge or widespread, and wall mounted pot fillers.
Do you sell a touchless kitchen faucet?
Not at the moment. Our kitchen faucets are handle operated pull down, pull out and side sprayer models.
Can I put a single hole faucet on a three hole sink?
Yes, with a deck plate to cover the unused holes. Check whether the faucet includes one, or ask us before you order.
Not sure which spout fits? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship free, and a $200 flat rate applies below that. Review our return and refund policy before you order.
