Does a Black Touchless Kitchen Faucet Work as Well as It Looks?

Yes, the black touchless kitchen faucet works reliably when installed correctly, and the Sumerain model delivers solid performance at an affordable price.

Updated 3 Sep 2026 4 min read 8 sections

Sumerain Faucet black touchless kitchen faucet with sensor technology — Black touchless kitchen faucet$204.46Image from the merchant

A black touchless kitchen faucet turns water on and off through an infrared sensor instead of a handle, so you never need to touch the spout with wet or messy hands. The black touchless kitchen faucet from Sumerain also keeps a manual touch mode, so you can tap the spout when you prefer that over the sensor.

How the sensor works

An infrared motion sensor sits under the spout and watches for your hand or a dish passing below it. When it detects motion, it triggers a solenoid valve that opens the water supply. Move away and the water shuts off on its own. Sumerain also builds in a touch mode as a backup, so tapping the spout works the same way a touch-activated faucet does.

The sensor on this model is tuned to pick up objects 2 to 8 inches from the spout. That range is meant to catch your hands reliably while ignoring movement further away, such as someone walking past the sink. Setup involves connecting a battery pack (four AA batteries) and calibrating the sensor to your sink depth, which the included instructions walk through.

Does touchless save water

The main case for a touchless faucet is less water waste, because the tap shuts off the moment you step back instead of running while you reach for a towel or finish rinsing a dish. Touchless kitchen sink faucets from major manufacturers are reported to cut water use by 20 to 30 percent compared with a standard handle faucet, largely by removing that lag between use and shutoff. The Sumerain model also has an adjustable aerator, so you can dial in a flow rate that still feels normal at the sink.

Battery life and upkeep

The sensor and solenoid both run on the battery pack. Sumerain rates four AA batteries at 12 to 18 months of typical use, and a low-battery indicator light warns you before they die. Swapping batteries takes a few minutes and does not require shutting off the water supply.

Touchless faucets can drift out of calibration over months, usually from mineral buildup on the sensor lens. Wiping the lens occasionally with the cleaning brush Sumerain includes is the simplest way to keep the sensor responding consistently.

Black touchless vs other kitchen faucet styles

Style	Hands-free	Needs batteries	Look
Black touchless	Yes	Yes	Matte black, modern
Oil rubbed bronze	No	No	Warm, traditional
Touch-activated	Partial (tap on, manual off)	Yes	Depends on finish

Sumerain Faucet oil rubbed bronze kitchen faucet with pulldown spray — Oil rubbed bronze kitchen faucet$119.99Image from the merchant

The oil rubbed bronze kitchen faucet suits a traditional kitchen and skips batteries entirely. A touch-activated faucet lets you tap the spout on but still needs a tap to shut off, sitting between a standard handle and a fully touchless design. The black touchless model adds hands-free operation and the potential water savings on top of that.

Installation and fit

If you can swap a standard pull-down kitchen faucet, you can install this one. The sensor bracket clips under the spout and connects to the battery pack with a single cable. Most installs need a small hole drilled for the battery pack, usually in the cabinet below the sink, unless you tuck it beside the sink instead.

The faucet works with most standard sink depths. If your sink is unusually deep (over 10 inches from rim to basin), check the sensor range before you commit to the install, since it may need recalibrating at the included adjustable spacer. It installs the same way on granite, quartz or laminate countertops.

Matte black finish and care

The matte black finish resists fingerprints better than polished chrome or stainless steel, which is one reason buyers choose it for a kitchen sink that gets a lot of use. Sumerain uses a PVD (physical vapor deposition) powder-coat finish, a mid-tier coating that holds up well for home use, backed by a two-year warranty against finish defects.

Wipe the faucet with a soft cloth and mild soap. Avoid abrasive scrubbers and harsh chemicals, which will dull the coating faster than normal use does.

Who should buy a touchless faucet

A touchless kitchen faucet suits anyone who cooks often, has kids, or wants to avoid touching the spout with raw meat or sticky fingers. It is also useful for anyone with limited hand mobility or arthritis, since the sensor removes the need to grip and turn a handle.

Sumerain Faucet wall mount tub faucet with sleek chrome finish — Wall mount tub faucet$190.00Image from the merchant

It matters less if you live alone, cook rarely, or prefer to keep batteries out of your kitchen fixtures. If you are outfitting a bathroom instead, look at the wall mount tub faucet or the roman bathtub faucet from the same range, so finishes match if you upgrade both rooms.

Where to buy

The Sumerain black touchless kitchen faucet is sold directly and through a number of retailers, with pricing that varies by seller. Before you order, see the current Sumerain Faucet discount code for the latest price. For a broader look at how touchless faucets perform across brands, Better Homes and Gardens covers the category in more depth.

Questions

How long does the battery last in a black touchless kitchen faucet?

Sumerain rates four AA batteries at 12 to 18 months of typical use. Battery life depends on how often the sensor triggers, so heavier cooking and hand washing will use them up faster. A low-battery indicator light lets you know when to replace them.

Can you use the black touchless kitchen faucet in manual touch mode too?

Yes. The Sumerain model includes both a touchless sensor mode and a manual touch option, so you can tap the spout to start water flow whenever that suits what you are doing.

Does the sensor work with a very deep sink?

The sensor range is 2 to 8 inches, so a very deep sink, over about 10 inches from rim to basin, may need the calibration or mounting height adjusted. Sumerain includes an adjustable spacer for this, and it is worth checking the sensor range before you finish the install.

Do touchless kitchen faucets actually save water?

Touchless faucets can use less water than standard models, mainly because the water shuts off the moment you step back instead of running while you finish a task. The Sumerain model also has an adjustable aerator so you can tune the flow rate.

Is the matte black finish durable on the Sumerain model?

Sumerain uses a PVD powder-coat finish designed to resist fingerprints, backed by a two-year warranty against defects. Wipe it with a soft cloth and mild soap, and avoid abrasive scrubbers, to keep it looking clean.

Do I need a plumber to install the black touchless kitchen faucet?

No. If you can swap a standard kitchen sink faucet, you can install this one. The sensor mounts under the spout and connects to a battery pack with one cable, and you may need to drill a small hole in the cabinet for the battery pack.