Best Outdoor Faucets in 2022 – Reviewed
Outdoor faucets take a beating and that’s just a fact. Not only are they prone to the wear from being turned on and off constantly, but cold weather conditions can also put them through the wringer. That’s why every homeowner is going to need to replace their garden faucet at some point in time. If the consumer decides to save themselves the installation cost of hiring a plumber and do it themselves, then they’re going to need to find the best outdoor faucet that fits their needs. To help our readers find that ideal faucet, we’ve reviewed three of the best of them and listed them below.
Quick Summary of Best Outdoor Faucets
Reviews
Editor’s Choice: Mueller Industries 1/2-inch Hose Bibb
We think that this is an outdoor faucet that many people are going to appreciate. It has more water pressure than most other faucets and it seems to be well enough made that it will hold up to regular use. All in all, we think that this is probably one of the best outdoor faucets we’ve reviewed thus far and one that should provide years of service to the consumer. This faucet isn’t fancy or anything, but it is a solid and well-built faucet that works well. For most people, that’s more than enough to place this at the top of their lists as well.
- This is a reasonably priced outdoor faucet.
- This product has a 125 PSI working pressure.
- This faucet is made from a durable copper/brass alloy.
- None that we can find.
Also Recommended: American Valve M71HD 3/4-Inch Hose Bibb
It should also be mentioned that this product isn’t a lead-free faucet. It’s a product that’s made with low-lead brass, so the consumer is not going to want to use it for potable water supplies. This makes it a product suitable for watering the lawn or using a power washer, but it’s not one that’s suitable for drinking from.
The one thing that we did like about this faucet was that it had extended garden hose threads. This allows the consumer to tighten down the hose more securely and prevents it from leaking. We also liked that this unit had an adjustable packing nut that can be tightened or loosened as needed. This allows the consumer to tighten it down if it does begin to leak.
- It has a high-quality brass body.
- It’s available in a 3/4-inch size.
- It has a nice look to it.
- This product is either all on or all off.
- This product isn’t suitable for potable water supplies.
Also Consider: B&K Mueller Outdoor Lawn Faucet
This product is approximately 6.18x21x1.93-inches in size and weighs about 14.5-ounces, which gives it a nice hefty feel. This faucet also has a classic design that’s been around for quite some time, so it’s been time-tested. We feel that it’s a design that will fit in with just about any house or outdoor décor.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, we would like to say that this is an outdoor faucet that we liked and wanted initially to place at the top of our list. We would’ve too if it would’ve been suitable for potable water. We think that this is a great product that does a great job as an outdoor lawn faucet. It’s also one that feels like the old faucets used to feel like it’s heavy and durable. that gives us quite a bit of confidence in the longevity of this product.
- This is a well-made high-quality outdoor faucet.
- It features a brass body and cast iron handle.
- It has a flow rate of 1-gallon per minute.
- This is not for potable water.
The Ultimate Guide To Outdoor Faucets
Now that we’ve gone over our choices for the best outdoor faucets, it’s time to turn our attention to giving our readers a buying guide that will not only help them select which of the three faucets we’ve reviewed is the best one for their needs but also give them the ability to choose a different faucet if their needs diverge from what we anticipated them to be. With that said, below are some things that consumers are going to want to think about before purchasing their next faucet.
First Step: Choose An Outdoor Faucet Type
The one thing that many people fail to realize when they’re shopping for a new outdoor faucet is that these faucets actually come in a wide variety of different styles. Yes, we know that many homes use standard faucets that all look the same, but there are also other models that the consumer may want to consider. Below a brief overview of some of these outdoor faucets, so our readers will have a good idea of what might be available.
Spigot Faucets
One of the most widely used outdoor faucets is the good ‘ole fashioned spigot faucet. These models are usually made out of brass, but there are some others that are made out of steel. The main advantage of these spigots is that they use simple compression to shut off the water, so if they do begin to leak, then they’re easily repaired.
Ball Valve Faucets
Another type of faucet is the ball valve. This is another simple faucet design that is usually very affordable. The valves in these faucets are tight-fitting, which means that they don’t leak as often as other types of faucets.
Frost-Free Faucets
These are faucets that are specially designed in extremely cold areas. They are equipped with a large tube that helps to protect the valves from freezing. These faucets can cost more than simpler ball or spigot valves.
Yard Hydrants
These types of faucets are used for opening valves that are used on faucets that extract water from outdoor sources such as a well. They are simply operated by pulling the handle and are known for being extremely reliable.
Second Step: Make Sure It Fits
The next thing that the consumer is going to want to do is to make sure that their potential new outdoor faucet is going to fit. The consumer should first locate where the hose bib is connected to the water supply and figure out whether they have a female iron pipe connection (FIP), or a male iron pipe connection (MIP), or even a sweated connection. This is so the consumer can buy the right one for their needs.
Once the consumer has determined whether they need a MIP, FIP, or sweated connection faucet, they will then need to find out what size they need. The simplest way of doing that is by them measuring their existing faucet bib and then choosing one that matches that size.
Third Step: Does The Faucet Need To Be For Water Potable?
The next thing the consumer is going to determine is whether they need to be able to drink from their outdoor faucet. This is an important consideration because most outdoor faucets are not for potable water supplies. Most of them contain lead, so the consumer shouldn’t drink from them. This is usually fine for faucets where the consumer is merely going to water their lawn or power wash their home. However, if they need to drink from it, they’re going to want to make sure that it’s made with lead-free brass.
Last Step: Consider The Faucet’s Price
The last thing that the consumer is going to want to consider is how the faucet fits into their budget. Fortunately, most of these faucets are under $20, so consumers don’t have to worry too much about whether it’s going to break their budget. Sure, there are some models of faucets that are more expensive, such as frost-free faucets, but by and large, these are inexpensive purchases with only a few dollars separating one from another.
In Conclusion
As we hope most of our readers can see, there’s not a whole lot of things to worry about when purchasing the best outdoor faucet for your needs. As long as you remember to do your homework and purchase the faucet that best suits your needs. While shopping for a new faucet, you should also keep in mind the tools that are going to be required to remove the old faucet and install the new one. This usually involves a pipe wrench, but some faucet types need to be soldered onto the pipe.