For today’s workforce, sanitation and convenience are no longer a luxury, but an expectation. Touchless faucets have become an indispensable improvement to the office bathroom due to reduced cross-contamination, water savings, and overall design improvements.
These three are the major players in the commercial touchless faucet market: Fontana, Sloan, and Kohler. Each of these brands has strong reasons that set them apart. A comparison based on five key factors has been made in this review: design, sensor technology, water efficiency, installation/maintenance, and value.
1. Design & Aesthetics
Fontana: Fontana focuses on modern design and will offer European-inspired thinner profiles and silhouettes with high-end finishes such as brushed gold, matte black, antique brass, and polished chrome. This appeals to offices looking for a genuinely modern or high-end look.
Sloan: The style of Sloan tends towards a minimalist and functional one, with the stainless steel and utilitarian forms easily fitting into high-traffic/institutional settings, though perhaps sacrificing some of the visual character for durability.
Kohler: Kohler’s design combines the traditional with the modern. The aesthetic finishes and forms are beautiful; many evoke residential styling, which may or may not fit with commercial branding objectives.
Summary:
- Best for high-design offices: Fontana
- The best for industrial or institutional settings: Sloan
- Kohler: Ideal for classic or hospitality spaces
2. Sensor Technology & Performance
Fontana: Newer models of Fontana include high-sensitivity infrared sensors whose range and timing can be adjusted to reduce false triggers and to make them more responsive in changing light conditions.
Sloan: Products by Sloan are highly regarded for their dependability and consistency in most critical environments. Sensor systems are simple, rugged, and proven, but not as customizable as some modern alternatives.
Kohler: Kohler does a great job with its sensor performance on the hybrid-powered options. A few of its models tend to be a bit over-sensitive, which, with some bathroom designs, may cause an intermittent premature activation or two.
Summary:
- Most customizable: Fontana
- Most reliable for heavy use: Sloan
- Strong but sometimes sensitive: Kohler
3. Water Efficiency & Eco Credentials
Fontana: Fontana offers a number of models under the WaterSense certification, most of them below 0.5 GPM flow rate. Aerators help to support performance and save water. Suitable for offices with LEED or sustainability goals.
Sloan: Sloan is a leading manufacturer in water-saving devices, from low-flow models to even real-time monitoring tools. They are great for large institutions, but their many features may be beyond the needs of a standard office.
Kohler: Their faucets are all WaterSense-certified by Kohler, ranging from 0.35–0.5 GPM; these complement larger eco-friendly product lines. Upscale products tend to gravitate toward the higher price level.
Summary:
All three brands offer very good performance regarding sustainability; each one differs depending on the budget and use-case intensity.
4. Installation & Maintenance
Fontana: Fontana faucets are available with deck-mount and wall-mount options for ease of installation. Made of solid brass, maintenance is easily performed with components readily accessible.
Sloan: Sloan is built to last and designed for longevity. Installation can be more complicated at times, as it may require integrated diagnostic modules or hardwiring, which is suitable for those facilities that hire a constant maintenance staff.
Kohler: Overall, installation of Kohler is user-friendly, and parts used in it are easy to find. Proprietary parts are some of the components, but that reduces interchangeability.
Summary:
- Easiest for small offices or facility teams: Fontana or Kohler
- Best for buildings with on-site maintenance staff: Sloan
5. Value for Money
Fontana: The pricing by Fontana is mid-to-premium, but the long life, solid construction, and high-end aesthetic can justify the investment for offices aiming at both design and performance.
Sloan: Sloan offers superior long-term ROI in high-traffic environments. Moreover, for a regular office, the industrial-grade features might be overkill regarding practical needs.
Kohler: Kohler offers quality and brand appeal, though the pricing is a bit high. Offices that do not need full premium packages may find options that will be more cost-efficient.
Summary: Value depends a great deal on specific office needs-design, traffic level, and brand preference.
Overall Winner
Overall Assessment Rather than declaring one “winner,” the better approach is to understand which brand best fits specific office priorities:
Fontana Ideal for offices believing in avant-garde aesthetics, customizable sensors, and a perfect mix of performance with design.
Sloan Ideal for high-traffic applications requiring maximum durability, low maintenance, and institution-grade reliability.
Kohler Excellent fit for offices where brand heritage, traditional design options, and integrated bathroom system packages are valued.
| Criterion | Fontana | Sloan | Kohler |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design & Aesthetics | Luxury finishes and custom upscale look | Functional and institutional | Stylish but more traditional/commercial |
| Sensor Tech | Advanced ToF sensors, sub‑30 ms response | Reliable IR sensors, proven in heavy‑use settings | Accurate sensors, mainstream hybrid tech |
| Water Efficiency & Hygiene | ~35–40% water savings; 85% bacterial reduction | Strong low‑flow efficiency and diagnostics | WaterSense certified, solid eco performance |
| Adoption & Case Studies | Used by major architectural firms and venues | Widely utilized in schools, airports, public spaces | Common in commercial restroom installations |
| Maintenance & Support | Low maintenance, multifeed support, responsive | Easy servicing but less architectural support | Readily available parts; moderately flexible |
| Sustainability Features | WaterSense/LEED-ready; integrated systems | Water-efficient, long-lasting build | Eco-oriented with range of certified products |
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts A choice between Fontana, Sloan, and Kohler depends on the type of office environment, expected traffic, design goals, and sustainability standards.
Design-forward corporate spaces may favor Fontana. Sloan may be preferred in airports, schools, hospitals, and busy campuses. Hospitality-driven or brand-specific spaces might naturally lean towards Kohler.
Each of these manufacturers provides reliable touchless technology; the key to it all is to align the product’s strengths with the restroom’s purpose and the company’s identity.
