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Sometimes a leak precipitates the change; other times it’s simply a matter of style. No matter the reason, it’s likely every homeowner will eventually have to replace a kitchen faucet. When the time comes, many of us are surprised by the vast array of choices. Dozens of brands tackle the simple matter of moving water from point A to point B with scores of pipe configurations and finish options to match any home interior. From the seeming chaos, a clear trend has arisen, replacing the traditional straight faucet with a high-arc kitchen faucet. I recently did just that in my own kitchen with the Moen Arbor one-handle pulldown kitchen faucet, and I’m glad I made the switch.
Choosing a new kitchen faucet often comes down to three American brands: Moen, Delta, or Kohler. Plumbers and DIYers alike place their loyalty and trust in all three of these brands, as they each offer a full range of high-quality choices. Delta is often seen as a dependable value brand; Kohler is often considered a premier style brand with more feature upgrades; and Moen takes the middle ground, blending competitive pricing with excellent durability and style. All three are U.S.-based companies with manufacturing facilities and partners here and abroad.
I chose the Moen Arbor based on research and product testing for another assignment about The Best Kitchen Faucets. Ahead, find out more about my Moen Arbor installation and why I’m so happy with the results.
Moen Arbor One-Handle Pulldown Kitchen Faucet: At a Glance
Rating: 9.2/10
PROS
- High-arc faucet increases the practical working space in the sink
- Pulldown hose retracts smoothly and nests securely in the faucet body
- Kit includes everything needed for installation on 1-hole or 3-hole sinks
- Spot-resistant finish looks great and cleans up easily with soapy water and a soft cloth
- Also available in chrome, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, and classic stainless finishes
CONS
- The premium price point may be over budget for some projects
- ⅜-inch compression fittings require adapters if the supply lines have ½-inch fittings
- Hose retractor weight must be kept free and clear of obstructions beneath the sink
Get the Moen Arbor kitchen faucet at:
What is the Moen Arbor one-handle pulldown kitchen faucet?
The Moen Arbor is a high-arc kitchen faucet with a single handle for on/off and temperature control, and an integrated pulldown spray nozzle. The one I tested featured a spot-resistant stainless finish, but buyers can also choose from chrome, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, and classic stainless finishes. Other standout features include a push-button Power Boost sprayer, a 68-inch sprayer hose with Reflex retraction system, and a flexible design for installation on one-hole or three-hole sinks. I installed a manual version of the faucet, but the Moen Arbor is also available in a touchless design.
Specs
- Type: Single-handle high-arc faucet
- Connection size: ⅜ inch
- Arc height: 15½ inches
- Arc width: 7⅞ inches
- Operation: Right-side single-lever flow control
- Sprayer height (nested): 8¼ inches
- Sprayer reach (pullout extended): 29 inches
- Spray functions: Aerated stream, boosted stream, rinse (shower), boosted rinse
- Water usage: 1.5 gallons per minute (GPM) at 60 pounds per square inch (psi)
Although this faucet cost a bit more than some of the other gooseneck kitchen faucets out there, I was happy with the choice. Installation was fast and easy, and everything about the faucet appears to be well designed and built to a high standard. With its alloy-steel construction and premium finish, it looks great, works well, and should last as long as I care to keep it. The only part that will eventually wear out—the cartridge—is readily available to order when the time comes.
How easy is the Moen Arbor kitchen faucet to install?
Easy. I removed my old straight faucet and installed the Moen Arbor kitchen faucet in about 20 minutes. The kit included a deep socket to install the mounting nut and a deck plate to cover the two extra holes in three-hole sinks. It may be installed with or without the deck plate on one-hole sinks.
The only required tools were a screwdriver to leverage the socket and an adjustable wrench to tighten the supply connectors. I hand-tightened the sprayer to the pullout hose, threaded the hose through the faucet body, and used the quick-connect system to attach the pullout hose to the cartridge without tools.
How well does the Moen Arbor work in a busy kitchen?
The 1.5 GPM standard flow rate meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense standard for bathroom fixtures, but it felt somewhat weak and filled slowly compared to the maximum 2.2 GPM allowed in my area. But codes in some states and municipalities require a lower flow rate, and the stream-boost function allowed for faster filling and increased flow for cleaning on demand.
As for the reach of the pullout hose, the manual lists the length at 68 inches, but that is the total length, measuring from the point where it attaches to the water supply beneath the countertop. When I fully extended it from the end of the faucet, the reach measured a generous 29 inches. The weighted retraction system worked flawlessly but required adequate clear space beneath the sink to do so. The spray head was equipped with two buttons to control the four flow modes; one adjusted from stream to rinse, and the other was the power-boost button that temporarily increased the flow.
The ADA-compliant control lever worked effortlessly. According to the operator’s manual, it requires “less than 5 pounds of force” to operate, but in reality, it requires even less effort. I easily operated it with one finger.
Is the Moen Arbor kitchen faucet worth the money?
The roughly $300 price was higher than average for a gooseneck kitchen faucet, but the durable steel construction, smooth operation, and limited lifetime guarantee make it a fair value. After installation, the Moen Arbor faucet looked great and paired well with my extra-large double kitchen sink. It left plenty of overhead clearance for filling and cleaning large pots and pans in the sink, and the pullout made it an easy reach to fill pitchers and pots on the adjacent countertop.
Should you buy the Moen Arbor kitchen faucet?
My kitchen sink needed an update, and I wanted to go with a high-arc model for the additional sink clearance. A pulldown spray hose made sense, too, since it would simplify installation and streamline the countertop by eliminating the sprayer on the side. After comparing it with the Delta Leland and the Kohler Simplice, I chose the Moen Arbor for a few reasons. I liked the style, the price point was competitive, and Moen has a good reputation for making well-built products. In addition, I appreciated the ease of installation and the availability of parts for potential future repairs.
Shoppers in need of a new kitchen faucet could get by with a less expensive model, such as the Leland, which is also made by a reputable brand.
Where to Buy the Moen Arbor One-Handle Pulldown Kitchen Faucet
Get the Moen Arbor kitchen faucet at:
Meet the Tester
Mark Wolfe is a writer with an extensive background in the green industry and an avid DIYer who lives in a 50-year-old home. When he isn’t writing, he spends his time upgrading, repairing, and replacing anything and everything in his home, yard, and garden. He tests and writes reviews about hand tools, lawn-care and home-repair products, and outdoor-living goods.