1. Check the Main Material First: Don’t Be Misled by the Words “All Brass”

Common materials used in faucets today include:
• Brass: Widely used in high-end faucets and supported by mature manufacturing technology.
• Stainless steel: Corrosion-resistant, cost-effective, and also a high-quality choice.
• Zinc alloy: Less expensive, but less durable than brass and more prone to corrosion when exposed to water. It is generally not recommended as a primary faucet material.
• Composite materials: For example, a metal exterior combined with plastic internal waterways.

When choosing a faucet, it is best to ask directly:

What material is the faucet body made of? Are the internal waterways also made of brass?
Do not judge the material solely by weight. Brass is indeed significantly denser than zinc alloy, but some manufacturers may increase wall thickness to make a faucet feel heavier. Therefore, weight should only be used as an additional reference.

2. “Higher Copper Content Does Not Necessarily Mean Better Quality

This is an area where consumers can easily be misled.

Faucets are generally not made from pure copper. The copper content is typically below 60%. A higher copper content not only increases production costs but may also increase the risk of cracking during casting.
A high quality faucet is not simply about having “the highest possible copper content.” More importantly, you should consider the specific brass grade, lead content, and whether the material is suitable for direct contact with drinking water.

For example, NSF standards require faucets to undergo relevant safety evaluations such as NSF/ANSI/CAN 61, which focus not only on lead but also on other potentially harmful substances that may leach into water.
So instead of simply asking:
“Is the faucet made of brass?”
it is better to ask:

Is it made from lead-free or low-lead brass?
Do the materials used in the water-contact components comply with applicable national standards?

These considerations are particularly important for kitchen faucets, as they come into direct contact with drinking water and are used in the preparation of meat, vegetables, fruit, and other food.

3. For Kitchen Faucets, Pay Special Attention to the Materials of the Water-Contact Components

In my opinion, this is even more important than simply checking the material of the faucet body.
Some faucets may have a brass exterior, while certain internal water-contact components are made from other materials.
For example, the internal components may include:
• Water passages made from materials that are not heat-resistant, or even recycled plastic;
• Zinc alloy components;
• Inlet hoses, connectors, or other components that do not meet drinking-water requirements.

Therefore, make sure to ask:
What materials are used for the internal water-contact components?

NSF also emphasizes that various materials in a drinking-water system that come into contact with water may affect water quality.

4. Summary

When purchasing a faucet, I recommend considering the following factors in this order:

1. What is the main body made of? Prioritize brass or stainless steel.
2. Do the water-contact components comply with applicable standards?
3. What warranty and after-sales service are provided?
4. For surface finishes, PVD or chrome plating is generally preferred