"Smart" hygiene: TOP-5 touchless washbasin taps

The products of the Finnish manufacturer of sanitary equipment Oras are a guarantee of comfort and long-term trouble-free operation. The Optima 1714F is a compact $200 electronic basin faucet that works out with a vengeance.

The device is traditionally made of brass with a chrome finish. The surface is easy to clean and retains its original shine for a long time. The design is installed horizontally and has a short rectangular bend. Looks simple and cute.

The faucet works with ORAS Autofocus proprietary photocell sensor. It works perfectly and does not require configuration before starting work. On the right side of the case from the user, there is a temperature adjustment knob that allows you to adjust the water supply up to + 70º C.

The device is equipped with a dirt filter and a flow restrictor(up to 5 l/min). The average duration of automatic water supply, if you remove your hands from the field of action of the sensor, is 2 - 3 seconds. The maximum continuous use time is 2 minutes. The pressure is delivered at a convenient angle, the jet is soft and voluminous.

The solenoid valve with pulse control allows you to significantly save battery power. By the way, here it is 6-volt lithium, with the expectation of many years of operation (3-4 years) at home.

In general, Oras Optima 1714F does not raise any complaints and leaves only a pleasant impression of use. It is affordable, installs quickly, and is simple and practical to use.

The faucet of the German plumbing manufacturer Grohe Eurosmart Cosmopolitan E 36327001 represents the brand's line of modern smart devices. The model is controlled both traditionally manually and with the help of a universal remote control, which is purchased separately and costs almost the same as the device itself - about 250 USD.

As with most Grohe faucets, the Eurosmart Cosmopolitan E 36327001 uses proprietary technologies: Starlight - ensures the perfect shine and durability of the chrome finish over many years of operation, EcoJoy - saves water consumption (5.7 l / min), and QuickFix - provides quick and easy mounting.

But the main thing in the model is an infrared controlled sensor, which provides a wide range of settings for the mixer. This includes cleaning, for which the sensor can be turned off for 3 minutes and the surface of the device can be quietly wiped, and thermal disinfection with a choice of duration and interval, when the mixer will supply boiling water, cleaning from dirt and plaque, and setting the duration of water supply.

In order to set all the settings in accordance with your own requirements, it is advisable to call the installation wizard from Grohe, who will perform all the steps guaranteed to be correct. Having set up the mixer once with the help of a specialist, you actually do not need to buy a remote control.

The device is powered by an external 6V lithium battery, the resource of which is designed for 150 cycles of daily operation for 7 years. The same IR sensor helps to see the remaining battery capacity, thanks to the sensor's blinking frequency.

The manufacturer did not forget about the water temperature control lever. It is located on the right, at the base of the housing, and makes it possible to adjust the flow temperature to 70º C. And the dirt filter will extend the life of the device and provide primary water purification.

For all its high cost, Grohe Eurosmart Cosmopolitan E 36327001 is a practical perfect washbasin faucet, with many useful features that make life easier for the modern user. A high level of comfort, you see, is worth a lot.

ORAS faucets are considered among the best in the world, and the company began producing electronic models back in 1990. The Electra 6120F mixer is a pleasure that will cost almost 350 USD, but will meet the user's expectations 100%.

The device has a compact size, ergonomic streamlined shape, so it is perfect for public places with a large flow of people. This factor is also supported by the possibility of setting the temperature during installation and the further use of the device without a temperature control lever, which runs the risk of quickly breaking down from intensive use. During installation, the mixer is adjusted to a certain temperature, and the lever is blocked or completely removed.

In addition, the mixer is not powered by a battery, but by a 12V transformer, to which you can connect up to 5 devices at the same time. Another useful feature for public washrooms.

But the main advantage of the Electra 6120F can be considered the proprietary photocell sensor Oras Autofocus. Unlike a conventional infrared sensor, its functionality does not depend on the level of illumination and the quality of the surfaces. It works under any conditions, even high humidity and dust.

The design did not do without a dirt filter, as well as a water flow limiter (up to 6 l / min). After the sensor loses contact with the hands, the flow stops after 2 - 3 seconds, which means that there is no need to worry about high losses of an important resource.

As a result, not cheap at first glance, Oras Electra 6120F turns out to be not only hygienic, but also economical, and when installed in a public place, it pays off many times over. For home use, it is better to consider a battery-powered model, for example, Oras Optima 1714F , which is cheaper, but at the same time, is not inferior in functionality and convenience to the Electra 6120F.

The German company Kludi is one of the five world leaders in the production of sanitary equipment. Electronic faucet series Zenta 3810005 is a compact functional device for a sink in a bathroom or public toilet, with a long service life.

The faucet is made in the laconic design of the correct geometry, characteristic of all Kludi products. The brass body has a solid high-gloss chrome-plated finish that is resistant to scratches and abrasion, and retains its shine for a long period of operation.

An optical motion sensor ensures contactless use of the device, and a cascade aerator provides a uniform and soft flow of water with a flow rate of up to 5 l / min and a jet angle of 8º. A convenient temperature adjustment lever is traditionally located on the right side of the case, under the right hand. His move is smooth and precise.

The electronic part of the faucet is powered by a 9-volt "PP3" battery. If you use alkaline, then it will be enough for several years of operation of the device without any problems.

Like all models of the Zenta line, this one embodies the symbiosis of simplicity, practicality and reliability inherent in all branded German technology. All this, of course, results in a considerable cost, almost 350 USD. But, by and large, justified.

In a public place, Kludi Zenta 3810005 should last at least 5 years without problems, according to the guarantee, and for home use, based on practice, the period can be safely doubled.

The German brand Hansgrohe is distinguished by the high quality of its products. The PuraVida 15170 touchless washbasin faucet embodies the elegance of form along with the high functionality provided by innovative technologies.

The product is offered in a case with a classic chrome finish and in a chrome/white combination. Looks expensive, but it's worth it. The price of the device reaches 800 USD, which raises a completely fair question: Why so much?

The PuraVida 15170 is definitely something to be proud of. Firstly, the infrared sensor does not require adjustment during installation and calibrates itself. Secondly, it has two range modes - the maximum, set by default (up to 20 cm), and reduced, by only 5 cm.

The device is powered by a 6-volt battery included in the kit, designed for an average service life of 2 years. The fact that it is time to change it will be notified by a continuously burning LED on the sensor.

Also, the faucet supports the hygienic flush function, which occurs by draining the water for 10 seconds every 24 hours after the last use. It is activated automatically after connecting the mixer to the power source. If the power is turned off, the function will be lost and it can be reconfigured by setting a new time.

In addition, the mixer provides the possibility of thermal disinfection. Simply put, this is a drain of hot water (70º C) for 3 minutes to clean the “insides” from plaque and dirt. And to wipe the mixer surfaces without activating the flow, you can turn off the sensor for 1 minute. To do this, just close it with your hand for 5 seconds.

Like many similar models of competitors, Hansgrohe PuraVida 15170 has a water temperature adjustment lever ranging from 10 - 60º C. But in our model, the upper range can be limited, for example, set the threshold to 38º C, for which you need to remove the lever and turn the regulator screw to the desired position with a screwdriver.

It is worth noting that all the above settings, due to certain difficulties for a simple layman, are best performed by a qualified master during the installation process. A properly configured device will work for a long time and without problems, coping with any intensity of loads.

But is it worth spending $ 800 on such a mixer, against the background of almost the same functionality, but three times cheaper Grohe Eurosmart Cosmopolitan E 36327001 from 11 507 up to 14 490 ₴, you decide. For every commodity has its own merchant.