Table of Contents
The best outdoor faucets
Not getting warm water from the faucet to pour into your kids’ pool?
Well, this is your first reason to purchase a good outdoor faucet. As you will see in the below reviews, many faucets come with the ability to flow at the exact temperature of the water that you need. So, whether you want to have a water fight with your family in your backyard, fill up the pool, or wash your car on the porch, you can get the ideal temperature each time. However, all faucets do not offer this so make sure to check out the specifications before purchasing a faucet.
In addition to this, almost every house needs a well-working faucet for many different reasons. It is an integral part of your irrigation system. Many people have a misconception about outdoor faucets and they perceive them to be the same as indoor ones. Wrong! Outdoor faucets have a higher water pressure since they are designed to fill up containers via hoses.
It makes watering your garden easier. Furthermore, you can look for frost-free faucets which are ideal for winters! It keeps the water from freezing in the pipes and also prevents leaks as well. Anti-siphon valves keep the clean water separate from contaminated water which makes the water ideal for watering your lawn, using for the pool/pond, or for any reason at all. In a nutshell, outdoor water access makes life exponentially easy for you.
Best overall
American Valve 3/4 Inch M71QT Outdoor Faucet
American Valve 3/4 Inch M71QT Outdoor Faucet
The most unique as well as an attractive feature of this particular unit is its ball valve design. It works perfectly and displaces the right quantity of water whenever the handle is turned. Furthermore, it offers a full port for maximum water flow. Contrarily, it would have been better if there was enough length of the nut flats. You can only use a 1-1/8-inch wrench to tighten it.
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Made from top-quality brass, the American Valve M71QT is 14 x 3.7 x 7.2 centimeters in dimensions and has a ¾ inch MIP inlet. Furthermore, the handle of the value is sturdy yet turns smoothly whenever you use it. It has a quarter turn so that you can easily use it.
The unit has a ball valve design which basically is a flow control device. It uses a hollow, pivoting, and perforated ball that controls the flow of liquid through it. When the ball’s hole is in line with the inlet, it is open, and hence the water flows and vice versa. This type of design is ideal for reliable and efficient operation and will be perfect no matter the type of fixtures and plumbing your place has.
Best affordable
American Valve M71HD 3/4 Inch Outdoor Faucet
American Valve M71HD 3/4 Inch Outdoor Faucet
This unit is ideal for all those looking for a turning tap handle instead of a lever handle. The tap turns smoothly and gives you just the perfect pressure and flow of water. However, many customers complained that they had a hard time finding the size of this particular hose in the hardware stores.
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If you do not like the lever, then don’t worry! This particular outdoor valve is ideal for you. Made from brass, the America Valve’s M71HD has dimensions of 9.8 x 3 x 8 centimeters and has a ¾ inch MIP inlet. It also sports a ¾ inch hose end outlet which conveniently gives you a flow of water without any splashes.
The tap handle works flawlessly and does not leak any water at all. Moreover, it takes only a few minutes to install this outdoor hose. Under 70 PSI, the hose flowed at minimal CV loss which was quite impressive.
Best for replacement
Central Brass 0465 2-Handle Outdoor Faucet
Central Brass 0465 2-Handle Outdoor Faucet
The feature that makes this unit unique among the assortment of similar products is its durability and versatility. Most customers have sung praises for this product since it didn’t corrode or lose its quality if hard water was used. Furthermore, it can easily be used as a replacement for any outdoor faucet you had! However, on the other hand, there is a major flaw; the swivel drainpipe is designed poorly. It becomes loose with movement and you cannot over-tighten it because it would restrict spout movement.
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If you are someone whose outdoor fixtures have succumbed to corrosion due to hard water, then this specific outdoor faucet is for you. Central Brass’s 0465 outdoor faucets are made with two handles and offer the ideal flow of water with each turn of the lever. Hard water has a high concentration of minerals. It is usually most common in places where limestone, gypsum, or chalk are found commonly.
While it made have moderate benefits regarding one’s health, they are absolutely detrimental to faucets and other outdoor equipment. Hence, if you have flaky build-up on your faucets, it is due to hard water. In any case, this outdoor faucet is ideal. It is made from brass, has a six-inch tube swivel drainpipe and hose thread, ½-14 NPSF inlets, and lastly, 3-1/2 inches centers. So what are you waiting for? Buy these now!
Best frost free
Prier P-164D12 Quarter-Turn Frost Free Outdoor Faucet
Prier P-164D12 Quarter-Turn Frost Free Outdoor Faucet
The faucet is perfect for everyone; it is frost-free and anti-siphon so if you want to keep the drinkable water safe and pure, then this valve will definitely put your mind at ease. While you can install it yourself easily, some people found it tricky and recommended that you should call a plumber to correctly install it.
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Looking for an outdoor hydrant that can stand the test of time? Well, here is one for you. Prier’s P-164D12 outdoor faucet is made from brass with nickel-plating. It is perfect for wall mount and has a knob-styled handle. The unit has a quarter-turn handle and is frost-free which makes using the unit a piece of cake.
The outdoor faucet is anti-siphon. Anti-siphon devices are the ones that sport a one-way valve that is designed to inhibit the flow of water which is potentially contaminated from mixing into drinkable water. No matter the quality of water in your area, an anti-siphon valve should not be left off your supply list. This one owns a ½ inch MIP and a ½ inch SWT and it is 12-inch in length.
Best provides hot & cold water
Woodford 22CP-10-MH Horizontal Freezeless Outdoor Faucet
Woodford 22CP-10-MH Horizontal Freezeless Outdoor Faucet
Apart from accurately managing the hot and cold inflow of water, its construction is certainly praiseworthy. It is heavy-duty and will definitely last for years to come. Unfortunately, the issue with this faucet is its faceplate angle. If you do not own the proper tools, tying the faucet with your existing plumbing can become problematic.
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Woodford’s 22CP-10-MH is for you if you are looking for a faucet with an aluminum knob handle that can easily be mounted on a wall. The CP inlets feature a ½-inch male pipe thread and the inlets are approximately five inches away on center. Overall, the inlet pipe has a length of 11 ¾ inches if measured from the wall flange to the tip.
The unit feels solid and works miraculously well. You will find absolutely no trouble while trying to get a warm or cold flow of water. Whether you want to fill up your children’s pool with warm water in the summers or wash down your car with cold water, you would get exactly what you want with this outdoor faucet.
Best anti-siphon
Homewerks VFF-ASP-G19PA Anti-Siphon Outdoor Faucet
Homewerks VFF-ASP-G19PA Anti-Siphon Outdoor Faucet
The unit has sturdy and robust brass piping and it can be easily installed using pex lines. While the overall unit can last for years given its brass construction, the handle might not stand for rough use. It is made from plastic and seems frail. However, given the price point, the faucet is ideal for everyday use.
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Homewerks’s VFF-ASP-G19PA is a brass outdoor faucet that has dimensions of 42.5 x 6.4 x 8 centimeters. It has a size of 0.75 -inches by 12-inch and is ideal for people who are looking for an integral vacuum breaker. Furthermore, it has a ¾-inch hose thread outlet and offers the ideal pressure of water flow.
Apart from its durable construction, it works perfectly as a replacement. You can use it for any plumbing you might have installed. It is also pretty easy to install. You can do it yourself, especially if you know plumbing basics and have the right kind of tools. Lastly, it sports an anti-siphon valve which operates efficiently in delivering clean water at all times.
What to look for in a good outdoor faucet
Faucets look like such a simple fixture to install, right? Well, they are not. There is so much that you need to evaluate before settling on one. However, don’t worry. In this section, we have listed down all of the important features that you need to check to find one special and unique outdoor faucet that works perfectly for your place.
Type of outdoor faucets
As you might have noticed in the above reviews, there are many different types of faucets. Hence, the first thing that you need to do is decide the type of unit you want for your garden/backyard.
- Spigot faucet
This is one of the most common and traditional choices in the market. It is a straightforward faucet that works ideally in most situations. You just have to turn the handle and the water will flow out.
However, these are not recommended for places with cold climates since they are usually not weatherproofed and you would either end up with a leaking faucet or extremely cold freezing water.
- Hose bib faucet
These are also known as spigot or sillcock faucets. They are mostly used for outdoor faucets as compared to indoors. They are used to attach a water hose to its source and have a utilitarian construct.
You will usually find these with a globe valve that aids to control the water flow. Like spigot faucets, these are also not weatherproof.
- Ball valve faucets
As explained above, these usually have a ball that is tightly fitted inside the valve, and water passes when the ball is inline with the inlet. While this is pretty easy to use, there is a downside to this as well. You do not have any control over the flow variations or the pressure. Either the ball is open or it is not.
- Frost-proof faucets
They are ideal for people who live in cold climates. These, as the name suggests, are constructed so that they can resist the colder climates and are susceptible to frost. While they do not have any downside, you need to be careful how to use these.
For example, when the faucet is not in use, you need to detach the hose so that the water does not freeze in the faucet. If you do not detach the hose, the water will not drain fully.
- Anti-siphon faucets
These are ideal because they allow the water to only flow in one direction through them. This means that there is no way of the water flowing in the opposite or backward direction which consequently keeps the contaminations out of the supply.
These are extremely important if your outdoor faucet is attached to your supply of drinkable water. No one wants the contaminants from the outdoor faucet to end back in your indoor faucets.
Although, you need not worry. Many faucets, especially the outdoor ones have this feature already installed. In the above reviews, you would have noticed products that have this feature in addition to another one like frost-proof design. Hence, when buying make sure to buy the ones which offer additional features instead of just one.
However, if you do not have an anti-siphon faucet, you can buy an anti-siphon valve that is compatible with your faucet. Then, just screw the valve at the end of the spout and that’s it!
Durability
After deciding on the type of faucet you want to install, you need to check the durability of the particular type. No one wants a fixture that would corrode or leak water within just a few months of use. To check the durability, check the material it is made from.
Most of the time, faucets are made from either brass or aluminum with some plastic counterparts. Brass is an outstanding material because of its rust-resistant properties which are essential when you are dealing with running water. Some faucets also have titanium which resists tarnishing and scratches. Comparatively, aluminum faucets are anti-rust, corrosion-proof, and have temperature resistance.
You need to also inspect the quality of the tap as well. A robust tap will help you control the flow of water and prevent leaks. Taps made from thick plastic are ideal for cold weather since they do not seize up.
Installation process
Are you planning to install the outdoor faucet yourself or do you want to call a plumber? If the former is true, then you need to purchase a faucet that is easy to install and has a straightforward process. Many types of faucets would require you to call a plumber because of complex plumbing connections.
Sometimes, you might need to involve pex lines or copper piping so make sure to check this out! Ideally, you should be able to fix leakage problems or replace an old faucet yourself. In many models, all you have to do is to unscrew the valve and attach the new unit in its place.
Water pressure efficiency
With water bills soaring at an all-time high, you do not want an outdoor faucet that adds additional dollars to your existing water bills. So, inspect the water pressure of the faucet you are thinking of buying.
A simple rule is that any unit that does not give you proper and full control over the water flow will most probably have leaks and will be less efficient hence costing you a lot of dollars. The best way to evaluate the efficiency of water pressure is by reading customer reviews.
FAQ
Is it better to drip or cover outdoor faucets?
No, do not let your outdoor faucets drip. Dripping faucets mean when you let approximately five to ten drops of water drip per minute. This is usually done to reduce the pressure inside the plumbing system. However, this is not recommended, especially in the winters because the fixtures are exposed to the weather and dripping might not work.
A better option is to drain the outdoor faucet completely so that the water does not freeze inside the pipe. This will also help to keep the faucet insulated.
How do you insulate a faucet?
Faucets are susceptible to freezing, especially in areas where the temperature falls drastically during winters. Hence, the best way to keep our faucets running is by insulating them.
These are the steps that you need to take to insulate your outdoor faucet:
1. Check the faucet and inspect it for cracks or deformations. If you find any, replace the faucet before trying to insulate it.
2. Drain the faucet pipe. Either turn on the faucet to drain the water from the pipe or turn the gate valve to stop the water supply to the pipe
3. Install an insulator such as a foam insulator. These protect the two most important components of a faucet; the faucet hole and the stopping mechanism. It also keeps small insects from using the faucet as a shelter from the cold
4. Check up the insulator frequently to ensure there are no leaks.
However, if your faucet is attached to the plumbing system of your house, then you might not need the insulator. The warm temperature from inside faucets and pipes should be enough to keep the outdoor ones from freeing.
Why is my faucet water flow weak?
One of the reasons why your faucet water flow is weak is a leak and this might not be from the faucet but the overall plumbing system intact. So, check up on all the valves and threads that are around the faucet to ensure that nothing is loosened up and is causing the water to leak out.
However, if the problem is with your garden hose, then detach it from the tap and check the water pressure. If the faucet has ideal pressure, the problem lies in the hose and it is time to replace it.
If you have ruled out all other possibilities and you still cannot figure out why the pressure is low then maybe you have an inadequately designed hose bibb. So, get a plumber to check it out and if they found it to be the problem too, replace it.
Final verdict
When it comes to planning your house, never forget the small details. Like it is usually said; it is the small things that matter and yes, this holds true when it comes to fixtures at your house too. So, make sure to choose the right faucets and plumbing system for both inside and outside of your home.
In the end, given so many options, choosing a faucet comes down to personal choice and what fits your aesthetic. Whether it’s a lever design or a hydrant make sure to evaluate the design, water efficiency, features, and durability.
