The best bathroom faucets: compiling a rating of manufacturers

The water faucet is an ingenious invention of the early 20th century that allowed hot and cold water to be mixed not in the bathtub or sink, but in the plumbing system. As a result, water flows out of the drain, the temperature of which can be adjusted to the most comfortable value. This made it possible to use running water for hygiene procedures, which significantly increased the general living standard of the population and the quality of the procedures themselves.

Over the years of mixer evolution, a number of independently developing directions for its improvement have appeared. Various materials and technologies were also tested. In this article, we will give a brief overview of the most famous manufacturers of faucets and their design features, as well as try to rank the most popular bathroom models.

Many companies are engaged in the production of bathroom faucets, among which there are brands with almost a century of history and relatively new companies that are actively and successfully conquering the market. Let's start the rating of the best manufacturers with the most famous and value their reputation, whose product quality is a kind of benchmark. It is to him that their numerous competitors are striving, often copying products of famous brands.

Of course, first of all it should be mentioned European firms that have long and reliably held the lead in terms of the quality of their products and are proud of their long history.

One of the oldest sanitary ware manufacturers in the world - Grohe, currently transforming into a transnational company with production not only in Germany, where it was born, but throughout the continent, has long and reliably held the world leadership in quality and quantity of products.

The company's products are perfectly adapted to each other, which allows them to be easily mounted in various combinations, which is very convenient for designing a bathroom in almost any style. True, quite a lot of fakes appear on the company's faucets, discrediting the brand. However, it is quite simple to define them - by the gigantic difference in price. Genuine Grohe products will last for a long time, providing not only comfort, but also significant water savings due to the wealth of know-how offered by this constantly evolving company.

Longtime competitor Grohe - a company with the consonant name of Hansgrohe, is considered one of the oldest manufacturers of sanitary ware and is in no way inferior in terms of product quality requirements. Production is concentrated in Germany, USA, France, the Netherlands and China.

Wasserkraft is another German manufacturer of sanitary ware. Products under this brand in no way contradict the "true German quality" formula. One of the company's credo is reliability. The faucets are thoroughly tested. According to the technical documentation, they must withstand at least 500,000 opening-closing cycles, which in practice means at least 20 years of impeccable work.

A relatively young German manufacturer Kludi also produces mixers of the highest quality, which, of course, seriously affects their price. The lineup of the company is huge. Only the most modern technologies for mixing and supplying water are used, as well as various mounting methods. One of the drawbacks could be considered a very high price, but in this case it is justified by the quality and reliability of the product.

Danish firm Damixa has been confidently holding on to the market for over 50 years, expanding sales. Today it is the largest European manufacturer of sanitary ware. Continuous improvement of products leads to the creation of highly functional, high-tech, convenient, safe and economical products. High requirements for product quality ensure long-term maintenance-free use.

Very expensive and stylish products are offered by an Italian company Bandini. Numerous series of mixers satisfy almost any consumer need. The widest range of products makes it possible to choose plumbing fixtures for any style - from classic to high-tech. Moreover, as you would expect, the quality does not suffer at all.

One of the oldest mixer manufacturers is a French company Jakob delafon, on the European market for over a century. The products of this manufacturer have always been distinguished by their quality and the highest design requirements. Modern products continue these traditions. In the widest range of models, you can choose a solution for both the most sophisticated styles and modern minimalism. One of the areas of work of the company's specialists is to constantly take into account the opinions of buyers. One of the advantages of Delafon products remains relatively low price.

Producers from Eastern Europe are catching up with recognized leaders in the sanitary ware segment and, in particular, bath mixers. Czech company LeMark manufactures a wide range of relatively inexpensive mixers. Imported components ensure the durability of the products. Mixers are usually installed without problems, since the company provides configuration options in various conditions.

Bulgarian company Vidima also offers relatively inexpensive mixers. Sales of this brand in Russia have remained one of the highest for the second decade.This can be largely attributed to the low price, but the quality of the products remains high.

Russian-Chinese manufacturer Iddis perfectly settled in the market of Russia and the post-Soviet space. The products are maximally adapted to domestic water supply systems. The company confidently gives a 10-year guarantee for its products, but in practice, with careful care, this period can be doubled.

Its main competitor in the Russian market is Finnish-Russian company "Varion". The production is located in St. Petersburg at the facilities of the Soviet Znamya Oktyabrya plant, where the latest technologies have been introduced and are actively used. The lineup includes over 500 models. The products are of the highest quality.

The choice of mixers is currently not difficult, there are many of them. However, as often happens, one of the main selection criteria is still the price of the product.

Those for whom functionality remains the most important selection criterion, and design or new technologies fade into the background, often purchase the least expensive models.

Russian manufacturers offer a fairly wide selection of inexpensive mixers. Most often they are distinguished by a classic design, without any know-how.

Mixers with a simple name "ProfSan PSM" it is distinguished by high quality, classic forms and an important indicator in the budget segment - maintainability.

However, more often in this price category, you can still find Chinese models. The most popular classic-shaped mixer Loffrei LF82310 Is a vivid example of this. Keeping the technical basis unchanged, the manufacturer is experimenting with colors. There are also Chinese replicas and more modern designs such as Oute N31, Ledeme H38 or Frud R22.

Products of well-known European manufacturers also fall into this category, but do not forget about the widest possibilities of counterfeiting for well-known brands.

Mixers belonging to the so-called middle class are widely represented on the market. Almost all well-known brands offer products in this price range.

Almost all popular models of the Czech company LeMark fall into the middle class category. The stylish LeMark LM 4712G can be considered a classic in this group. Reliability is combined with exquisite appearance, but this model is not suitable for everyone. But for lovers of retro style, it will help to solve some problems, as it has a number of new technologies hidden in a stylized case.

Stylish and reliable middle-class mixers are also produced by German firms. The Grohe Euroeco model is represented by a number of modifications, which have a common aerator design, creating a so-called soft jet that reduces noise and water consumption.

Hansgrohe Logis also has a number of modifications, it is characterized by the highest quality and durability.

Company Roca also offers a range of models in this price range. For example, Moai 5A for bath and shower. Modern design and quality, combined with a relatively low price, often play in favor of this particular model.

Of course, the range of leading manufacturers of sanitary ware has not been without premium models. Functional and reliable products of this price group are disproportionately expensive in comparison with budget options, sometimes their cost exceeds the model of the previous category by ten times... Not many can afford such equipment.

Grohe Essense New - Functional Bathtub System... At the same time, only the most necessary flow control elements go out, a drain and a shower head, a flexible hose of which is hidden in a special hole. The system completely frees up the bathroom space from any technical clutter.

Very expensive floor-standing model Hansgrohe Metris suitable only for a very large bathroom, as it is mounted next to the bath on a special rack. There are similar models in the Grohe arsenal, for example, Grohe Grandera.

A number of premium models are offered by an Italian company Bandini. Thermostatic mixer Bandini antika with classic valves, it looks elegant and modern.

Structurally, bathroom faucets were divided into several independent, independently developing directions.

Faucets with a long spout are a widespread option. This versatile design allows the spout to be swiveled to direct the flow as desired into the bathtub or sink. Such mixers were produced by the Soviet industry. They are very suitable for small rooms where the bathtub and sink are placed side by side.

Iddis Vane and Iddis Praktic continue the classic line of domestic mixers. They are adapted for the conditions of bathrooms and combined toilets, which are still widespread in typical apartments in the post-Soviet space.

Vidima orion has almost the same design, and the spout reaches 40 cm in length.

Wasserkraft Aller and Grohe Costa - rather expensive models with a long spout, distinguished by the highest build quality and a long service life.

Faucets with a short spout are also widespread. They function well in bathrooms that are installed separately from the sink, or in showers. Such a spout is made cast in the body of the mixer, it does not rotate, which significantly increases the service life of the product.

Grohe Euroeco and Hansgrohe Logis are examples of this classic mixer. There is an adapted model Roca Moai 5A.

When the bath and sink are installed separately, faucets without a spout are used to connect the shower. This design is widely used for bidet-mounted hygienic showers.

Grohe Eurosmart New, like many models of this German company, is equipped with water saving systems and a temperature controller.

A variant of the popular Hansgrohe Logis modelswithout a spout is another example of the highest build quality.

Hygienic shower LeMark Pramen LM 3318C can also be installed in the shower stall by changing the hygienic shower head to a regular one.

The name of this category of faucets comes from the fact that all their technical elements, except for those that regulate the flow of water, a spout and a hose with a watering can, are hidden either in the wall, or under the bathroom or in some other way. This frees the bathroom room from any excesses as much as possible.

Grohe bauclassic is a high-tech built-in shower mixer that can regulate the temperature of the water mixture and save water consumption.

Grohe lineare built into a niche behind the bathtub or mounted in special openings on the side of the bathtub.

There are several key factors to consider when choosing a bathroom faucet.

• Learn how to install the right mixer for your room... In many ways, it is determined by the way the supply water pipes are laid. Only with this in mind can you decide which mixer is right: wall-mounted, built-in, vertical or stand-alone.
• If there is a sink next to the bathroom, the length of the swivel spout must be determined in advance, otherwise it may be short.
• The experience of long-term operation of mixers and other plumbing equipment suggests that it is not worth saving on the material for the manufacture of this plumbing. Brass remains the best material for making such items.
• When buying, it is important to check the package contents. The kit may not include a hose or shower fittings, and this should be indicated in the technical documentation.

For information on which mixer to choose for the bathroom, see below.