Kohler Malleco Touchless Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet Review

The smallest equipment or appliance upgrade in the kitchen can make a massive difference to its operation, so selecting the right product is essential for the optimal function, continuity, and design of your kitchen.

The Kohler Malleco Touchless kitchen faucet is a high-end, durable, versatile, and functional option that answers all your dishwashing and cleaning needs! Kohler has a formidable reputation in the home appliance and accessories industry and offers a wide range of equipment and products ideal for updating your kitchen space.

If you’re searching for the ideal kitchen faucet without knowing what to look for, you may find yourself trapped reading countless reviews to find the right one.

This kitchen faucet from Kohler showcases ¾ among other brilliant features ¾ superior design quality with ScratchShield technology; excellent cleaning through SweepSpray; and an intuitive Response technology that effortlessly turns the faucet on or off as you need it.  Also, its DockNetik docking system locks the spray head in place to prevent accidental flooding.

We’ve taken a closer look at this kitchen faucet to help you determine whether it’s the right product for your kitchen to enable you to enjoy a more hygienic and seamless kitchen experience.

Kohler Malleco Touchless Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet

• Premium metal construction and high-quality ceramic disc valves ensure durable performance for life; ScratchShield technology withstands even the most robust daily use.
• DockNetik technology, a magnetic docking system within the spout, smoothly glides and securely locks the spray head preventing accidental flooding.
• High-arch spout offers superior clearance for cleaning and quickly filling pots.
• It comes with an ample soap or lotion dispenser.
• Pre-assembled supply lines and color-coded fittings make DIY installation hassle-free.
• MasterClean technology features an easy-to-clean surface that withstands hard water mineral build-up.
• Battery operated and comes with six AA batteries, AC power adapter-compatible (sold separately).
• Intuitive Response technology provides touchless on and off operation using a precision sensor that responds in milliseconds.
• The single-lever handle makes adjusting water temperatures effortless.
• SweepSpray features angled nozzles that form a broad, powerful blade of water for superior cleaning of the sink, utensils, and dishes.
• Two-function pull-down spray head with touch-control enables switching between the stream and SweepSpray modes a breeze.
• Compatible with 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-hole sinks with escutcheon plate included.
• Longer mounting shank works with countertops of up to 2½ inches thick.
• ProMotion technology for light, quiet operation of the braided hose and swiveling ball joint to make the pull-down spray head more comfortable to use.

Key Features

• Weight: 6.55 pounds
• Dimensions: 9 x 2 x 15.5 inches
• Colors: vibrant stainless steel or matte black
• Material: metal (machine brass)
• Number of holes for sinkhole compatibility: 4
• Comes with 6 AA batteries

Description

The Kohler Touchless Pull-down faucet stands out for its striking, seamless, and modern design. It is elegant with a minimalist silhouette thanks to its hidden sensor, which makes it look more expensive than it is. It has a high-arch design that stands out above the sink and makes it easy for water to flow, regardless of whether you’re cleaning or filling a cooking pot.

It comes in two finishes: matte black and vibrant stainless steel, which, although limited, fit in with most modern kitchen refurbs. The machine brass surface on both finishes further ensures that this faucet retains its high-end look over time.

This Kohler kitchen faucet doesn’t just look good; it offers superb functionality as well. The faucet features scratch-proof surfaces and a high arch design that stands 15½ inches tall and reaches 9 inches into the sink for optimal functionality, whether you’re washing veggies, dishes, or your very own pooch. This faucet stands slightly taller than others in the market, so you need to ensure that there are no overhead impediments that could make it challenging to use the sink area before buying.

A sleek and easy-to-operate braided hose that offers quiet operation and 360-degree flexibility makes it a breeze to use. The pull-down hose is metal and of medium weight, enough to keep it from seating when retracted. It will work comfortably with a close backsplash. The soap dispenser bottle is 2″ in diameter, so it also extends conveniently towards the backsplash.

The high-quality spout ensures a water flow of at least 1.5 gals/min with a water pressure of 60 psi. At the same time, the 3¼-inch single lever minimizes touching of the faucet with “chicken hands” to ensure more hygienic and cross contamination-free cooking.

This faucet also comes with an extended mounting shank for easy installation, and the included escutcheon plate makes it compatible with 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hole sinks. The longer mounting shank makes it ideal for installation with countertops up to 2½ inches thick.

Features and Benefits

The Kohler Malleco Touchless Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet features a wide range of technologies incorporated into its intuitive and modern design. These design features make everyday kitchen tasks more comfortable and seamless while helping to prevent the spread of pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella in the kitchen. Its single-lever handle also contributes to safer, more hygienic operation and makes adjusting water temperatures hassle-free and instantaneous.

Malleco’s state-of-the-art sensor enables precise activation of the on and off function, eliminating false activations. This faucet also includes SweepSpray technology, which forms a powerful and wide blade of water that washes food and debris away from utensils and dishes into the drain, providing a superior clean.

The dual-function pull-down spray head with touch-control ability allows you to switch from Stream to SweepSpray mode quickly, and the high-arch spout offers superior clearance for cleaning or for filling cooking pots. The spray function locks in for as long as you need it; if you’d like to change the mode from spray to stream, there is a small switch at the backside of the nozzle, which when pressed changes from spray to stream mode, and vice versa.

DockNetik technology features a magnetic docking system that secures the spray head in place. This magnetic system, located in the spout, smoothly glides and securely locks the spray head to prevent the continuous flow of water, which could cause accidental flooding in the kitchen.

ProMotion technology makes operating the braided hose and pull-down spray head effortless; expect smoother and quieter operation for more comfortable use in the sink area.  Also, MasterClean and ScratchShield technology features that are a part of the faucet’s premium metal construction, along with the high-quality ceramic disc valves, ensure that this faucet serves you optimally for years to come. This product is easy to clean and maintain and can withstand hard water mineral build-up that quickly corrodes cheaper faucets. 

Available in two colors ¾ matte black and vibrant stainless steel ¾ this faucet fits in brilliantly with modern kitchen designs. The machine brass surface also guarantees longevity, durability, and performance.

The Malleco comes with six AA batteries for longer-lasting function and an optional AC adapter, purchased separately, for even longer use. It does not come with a power plug adapter to give you the option to install it with a plug, but purchasing the additional plug is not that expensive.

This faucet also comes with color-coded fittings and pre-assembled supply lines, which make it easy to install for DIY enthusiasts. Due to the longer mounting shank, this Kohler pull-down faucet fits brilliantly with countertops up to 2½ inches thick, and as it includes the escutcheon plate, it is compatible with 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hole sinks.

Pros

• Easy to install; compatible with 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-hole sinks and works with countertops up to 2½ inches thick.
• Excellent water pressure with fan spray for superior cleaning.
• Flexible, sturdy, and quiet ProMotion braided hose operation.
• Single lever handle promotes safe practices in the kitchen, reducing the transfer of harmful pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli.
• MasterClean technology prevents hard water mineral build-up on the surface, increasing durability.
• Soap dispenser holds a convenient amount of liquid.
• Touchless Response technology for more natural motion reliability and adjustment of temperatures.
• DockNetik and Response technologies prevent false activations and accidental flooding in the kitchen.
• Works with a portable dishwasher.

Cons

• Limited color options and styles available.
• The faucet turns itself off after 4-5 minutes, which could be inconvenient for some.
• Longer-lasting batteries could be beneficial; you may need to purchase a separate power adapter to bypass the battery pack.
• Not easy to use and get used to in the beginning; it can be especially challenging to locate the sensor placement.
• Slightly expensive compared to similar faucets.

Value and Price

When it comes to pricing, this Kohler touchless faucet is somewhat more expensive than similar models in the market. Cumulative reviews are mostly positive ¾ focused on its attractive and seamless design-build, a wide range of functionality, durability, and high performance.

Although there are only two finishes available, matte black and vibrant stainless steel, it first seems like it limits the possible décor in which you can install this faucet, but these colors fit in with virtually any modern kitchen refurbishment and so likely suit most homes.

This Kohler faucet model offers superior performance over a long period, with perhaps its only major hiccup being the batteries, which don’t last that long, and the need to purchase an AC adapter separately.

Overall, it makes an excellent investment.

Warranty

Kohler warrants all its plumbing products, including the Kohler Malleco Touchless Pull-down kitchen faucet with soap dispenser, to be free of any defects for one year from date of purchase. The warranty applies only to faucets purchased and installed in North America, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America (excluding Brazil).

Provided you use the faucet in standard residential functions, the company will repair, replace, or make the necessary adjustments after inspection of the defects. Removal or installation costs are not covered, and improper care and cleaning such as the use of in-tank toilet cleaners to clean the faucet voids the warranty.

Should you wish to make a warranty claim in the US, you may contact Kohler through the dealer, home retail center, plumbing contractor, or e-commerce platform where you bought the faucet. You may also write to the company at their Customer Care Center located at 444 Highland Drive, Kohler, WI 53044, or call 800-456-4537 for more information.

Ensure that you provide all the relevant information regarding your warranty claim to include: the product color and model number, a complete description of the defect, the date the product was purchased and from whom; and the proof of purchase, e.g., an original sales receipt.

Why You Should Consider Buying this Faucet

The Kohler Malleco Touchless faucet is a prudent pick for your kitchen that’s guaranteed to give you years of service. The neutral color designs of matte black or vibrant stainless steel are sure to stand the test of time, which saves you having to upgrade your kitchen faucet every few years to match your kitchen remodel.

This faucet is sleek, fashion-forward, and highly functional with an intuitive touch response, stream or spray water flow, anti-flooding technology, scratch-proof and corrosion-proof surfaces, and a striking, timeless aesthetic.

The inclusion of a limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer is a massive plus that helps provide you with peace of mind that is often not available from cheaper brands.

Overall, Kohler Touchless faucets are an investment purchase that is slightly higher than mid-range faucets. Still, they are also reliable, excellent value, and guaranteed to give you consistently high performance over long periods. The auto-functionality and convenience it offers will ensure that you never go back to a manual kitchen faucet again!

Consider buying this kitchen faucet if you want a value-adding investment to your kitchen and home that offers striking design features and fantastic functionality.