Hardwired touchless is definitely the way to go if you’ve got the walls open anyway. Batteries dying mid-cooking is a pain, and I’ve seen a few folks get pretty frustrated with that. Just make sure the wiring’s done safely—seen some DIY jobs where things weren’t grounded right, and that can get risky around water.
That said, I get missing the old lever style. There’s something to be said for simple mechanics—less to fail, and if something does go wrong, it’s usually an easy fix. Touchless is great for hygiene, though, especially if you’re dealing with raw meat or sticky dough all the time.
Honestly, both have their place. If you’re set on touchless, hardwiring is worth the extra effort. But yeah... sometimes I do wonder if we’re just making things more complicated than they need to be.
Had a buddy who put in a battery-powered touchless faucet and it drove him nuts—he’d forget to check the batteries, then end up with soapy hands and no water. I get the appeal for sure, especially when you’re elbow-deep in something messy, but I’m always a little wary about mixing electricity and water. Hardwired seems safer if you can swing it, but I still lean toward the old-school lever. Less to go wrong, and honestly, I just trust it more. Maybe I’m just set in my ways...
Definitely get where you’re coming from. I actually went down the rabbit hole on these when we moved in:
- Battery-powered seemed cool until I realized I’d 100% forget to swap batteries, just like your friend.
- Hardwired is tempting, but my kitchen’s not set up for it without some serious rewiring.
- Old-school lever is just...reliable. No hunting for a sensor sweet spot, no “why isn’t this working?” moments.
I do wish there was a middle ground—like a touch sensor that’s not as finicky or dependent on batteries. For now, sticking with the lever. Maybe I’ll change my mind if tech gets less fussy.
Touchless Taps And Other Faucet Surprises
I hear you on the battery-powered ones—mine died right in the middle of a big holiday dinner and I ended up elbow-deep under the sink, hunting for AAs. The hardwired option sounded good until I saw the quote for running new lines. Honestly, I’m starting to think the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach might be best with faucets. Has anyone tried those hybrid models that work as both touch and manual? Wondering if they’re any less temperamental or just double the trouble.
Honestly, I’m starting to think the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach might be best with faucets.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had pretty good luck with the hybrids. The manual override is a lifesaver when the sensor acts up or the batteries die—no crawling under the sink mid-dinner. Sure, there’s a bit more going on under the hood, but in my experience, they’re not really “double the trouble.” If anything, they save you from those awkward moments when tech fails at the worst time. Just make sure you get a reputable brand; some of the cheap ones are a headache.