The short answer on vessel sink vs undermount sink: a vessel sink sits on top of the counter, so it adds about 4 to 6 inches of bowl height and needs a tall vessel faucet or a wall mount faucet. An undermount sink hangs below the counter, keeps the counter surface clear, and works with a standard deck faucet, but it needs a countertop that can support a true undermount install. Your choice mostly comes down to vanity height, faucet, cleaning habits and countertop material, not looks alone.
Vessel sink vs undermount sink at a glance
| Model (listed price at the time of writing) | Type | Bowl size | Height above counter | Overflow / drain notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANZZI Vista LS-AZ081 ($107.13) | Vessel, tempered glass | 16.5 x 16.5 in | 5.125 in | ANZZI pop-up drain included |
| ANZZI Accent LS-AZ047 ($131.49) | Vessel, tempered glass | 16.5 x 16.5 in | 5.5 in | 1.75 in drain opening |
| ANZZI Ajeet LS-AZ301 ($219.99) | Vessel, solid surface | 21.7 x 15 in | 5.7 in | 1.5 in drain opening, drain not included |
| ANZZI Pascal LS-AZ520a ($367.99) | Vessel, solid surface | 19.7 x 11.8 in | 5.9 in | Hidden drain cover, 2 in drain |
| ANZZI Deux LS-AZ119 ($84.00) | Vessel, vitreous china | 16.5 x 16.5 in | Not listed | No overflow |
| ANZZI Deux LS-AZ124 ($212.99) | Vessel, vitreous china | 18.3 x 22 in | Not listed | Back side overflow, one faucet hole |
| ANZZI Pegasus LS-AZ103 ($81.19) | Undermount, vitreous china | 18.25 x 15 in | None, sits below counter | Front overflow, no faucet holes |
| ANZZI Lanmia LS-AZ105 ($142.99) | Undermount, vitreous china | 24 x 15 in | None, sits below counter | Back overflow, no faucet holes |
Most of these listings say the drain assembly is not included, so budget for one unless the page says otherwise. You can browse the full range on our ANZZI brand page.
Vessel sink height and vanity height for a vessel sink
With an undermount sink, the counter is the rim. With a vessel sink, the bowl sits on the counter and adds to the total height.
Vessel maker Vigo says in its guide to vessel sinks and wall mount faucets that standard vanities range from 32 to 36 inches, and that you should factor in an additional 4 to 6 inches for the vessel. It recommends a vanity several inches lower than standard, especially if children use the sink. The bowls in our table fall right in that range, at 5.125 to 5.9 inches tall.
Here is the math for one example. Put the 5.5 inch Accent bowl on a 30 inch counter and the rim lands at 35.5 inches. Put the same bowl on a 36 inch counter and the rim is at 41.5 inches, which is high for most people washing their hands. Measure a counter height you find comfortable, then subtract the bowl height to get your vanity height. Our bathroom vanity sizes guide covers standard and comfort height cabinets and how to tell whether a listed height includes the top.
Vessel sink faucet height and placement
Because the rim is raised, a standard faucet often will not clear it. You need one of two options:
- A tall vessel faucet mounted on the counter behind the bowl. The ANZZI Nettuno L-AZ181BN ($79.20) lists an 8.7 in spout height and 4.72 in reach. The ANZZI L-AZ904BN ($97.30) lists an 8.62 in spout height and 6.34 in reach, and includes a pop-up drain without an overflow hole.
- A wall mount faucet, which frees counter space and lets you set the spout height on the wall. Plan the in-wall supply lines before the drywall goes up.
With an 8.6 to 8.7 inch spout over a 5.5 inch bowl, the spout sits about 3 inches above the rim (our math). Vigo recommends positioning the faucet head over the drain or center of the basin to limit splashing, so check the spout reach against the distance from the faucet hole to the drain.
The undermount basins in our table have no faucet holes, so the faucet goes through the countertop. A regular deck mount bathroom faucet works there, which gives you far more choice.
Countertop material for an undermount bathroom sink
A vessel sink sits on top of the counter. The ANZZI listings describe it as a top mount install, which only needs a drain hole (and a faucet hole if the faucet goes on the counter). That makes it easier to drop onto a finished top.
An undermount sink attaches to the underside of the counter, so the cut edge of the countertop is exposed around the bowl. Karran, which makes sinks designed for this problem, says on its E-520 product page that true undermount installs were traditionally limited to stone and quartz, and that laminate and solid surface counters traditionally could not support them. If your counter is laminate, ask your fabricator or check the sink maker’s instructions before you choose an undermount basin.
Vessel sink pros and cons
Pros
- Strong design statement. Our listings include tempered glass, vitreous china, solid surface, natural stone and handmade copper bowls in many colors.
- Simple top mount install on a finished counter.
Cons
- Total height can get too high on a standard or comfort height vanity.
- Needs a tall vessel faucet or wall mount faucet.
- Splashing if the faucet height or reach is wrong. Vigo points to the wide basin and close faucet as common causes.
- Many have no overflow. Vigo notes that most vessel sinks do not offer one, and our Deux LS-AZ119 lists no overflow, while the Deux LS-AZ124 has a back side overflow. Check each listing.
Undermount bathroom sink pros and cons
- Pro: clean counter line. You can wipe water and debris straight into the bowl.
- Pro: standard faucet and standard vanity height work together.
- Pro: the ceramic basins we list include a built in overflow (front on Pegasus, back on Lanmia).
- Con: needs a countertop and installer suited to undermounting, and is harder to swap later because it sits under the top.
Are vessel sinks hard to clean?
They take a little more effort. You clean the outside of the bowl as well as the inside, plus the joint where the bowl meets the counter and the space behind it. Vigo suggests leaving a generous gap between the back wall and the vessel so you can reach it, and wiping off water spots every evening to avoid lasting stains. An undermount sink keeps its seam under the counter edge, out of the way.
Cost
In our catalog, ANZZI vessel sinks are listed from $84.00 to $489.30 at the time of writing, and ANZZI ceramic undermount basins from $81.19 to $142.99. The real cost difference is the extras: a vessel faucet (ours start at $79.20) or a countertop suited to undermounting. Shipping is free on orders of $999 or more and $200 flat below that, so pairing a sink with your vanity or faucet in one order can make sense. Questions about fit? Call 866-777-2590, Mon to Fri 9AM to 6PM PST. See our return and refund policy before you order.
Planning a full bathroom refresh? Our freestanding bathtub buying guide covers the other big fixture.
Frequently asked questions
What vanity height should I use for a vessel sink?
Work back from the rim height you want. Vigo recommends a vanity a few inches lower than the 32 to 36 inch standard, since the bowl adds 4 to 6 inches. With a 5.5 inch bowl, a 30 inch counter puts the rim at 35.5 inches.
How tall should a vessel sink faucet be?
The spout must clear the rim with room for your hands. Our ANZZI vessel faucets list spout heights of 8.62 to 8.7 inches. Vigo suggests aiming the spout at the drain or center of the bowl.
Do vessel sinks have an overflow?
Many do not. Vigo says most vessel sinks lack one, but some of ours, like the Deux LS-AZ124, have a back side overflow. Match the drain to the sink: use a drain without an overflow hole for a sink with no overflow.
Can I put an undermount sink in a laminate countertop?
Traditionally, no. Karran notes true undermounting was limited to stone and quartz, and it now sells special sinks for laminate. Check the sink and countertop maker’s instructions first.
