Cleanliness, convenience, and going green are no longer luxuries in the modern workplace—these have become expectations. Office restrooms, in particular, have seen a drastic transformation, with touchless faucets being an absolute requirement. They provide cleanliness, save water, and facilitate the creation of a more modern, professional environment.
Three of the leading brands dominate the business touchless faucet market: Fontana, Sloan, and Kohler. All three boast a solid product lineup, but for the overall best performer for office restroom application, Fontana is the winner.
In our comparison here, we test the three brands against five key considerations: design, sensor performance, water conservation, installation/maintenance ease, and cost for value.
1. Design & Aesthetics
Fontana: When it comes to high-impact design, Fontana is in a class of its own. The brand is renowned for its ultra-modern, European-influenced aesthetic. Whether you’re going for brushed gold, matte black, antique brass, or polished chrome, Fontana offers sleek finishes that turn any commercial restroom into a luxury experience. Their contemporary silhouettes elevate the look of even the most utilitarian spaces—ideal for client-facing offices, design studios, and upscale executive suites.
Sloan: Though Sloan is linked with functional design, it tends more toward minimalist, utilitarian design. Their stainless steel frames and unadorned lines suit institutional and industrial environments but do not provide the same visual impact as Fontana.
Kohler: Kohler’s appearance is a solid combination of classic and contemporary. They also provide their faucets with more than one finish, and while stylish, tend to prioritize residential-style design, which might not always work for commercial-grade branding.
Winner: Fontana – The clear winner for office buildings seeking an upgraded, show-stopping look.
2. Sensor Technology & Performance
Fontana: Fontana has developed significantly in sensor technology over the past several years. Their newer models incorporate high-sensitivity infrared sensors and double activation/shutoff controls that provide rapid response times and minimal false activation. Sensors operate consistently across a range of ambient light levels and have range and timing adjustment settings for custom applications.
Sloan: Sloan faucets are well-known for being long-lasting and accurate. The reputation of the company to be rock-solid in performance is not unwarranted, especially where usage is heavy such as at airports or schools. But their sensor technology has been largely utilitarian—functional but non-programmable.
Kohler: Kohler offers strong sensor capability, from hybrid-powered units to manual override features. However in practice, a few sensors are too sensitive at times, at times causing untimely turn-on and slight wastage of water.
Winner: Fontana – Offers a modern, responsive feel with customization and flexibility.
3. Water Efficiency & Eco Credentials
Fontana: Fontana touchless models are primarily EPA WaterSense certified, with less than 0.5 GPM flow rates. Many of them have aerators to provide the best flow control while balancing performance and conservation. The company is especially attractive to companies that desire LEED certification or sustainability benchmarking.
Sloan: Sloan is a well-proven water-conserving technology brand, with a robust set of low-flow models and real-time data tracking devices. Its faucets are dependable in sustainability but often over-engineered for ordinary office applications.
Kohler: Kohler faucets are also WaterSense certified, with 0.35–0.5 GPM offerings. Its efforts at sustainability go from faucets to full-bathroom packages. Its eco-faucets, however, have a high price tag.
Winner: Fontana – Efficient, eco-friendly, and stylishly sustainable.
4. Installation & Maintenance
Fontana: Quick and simple installation was in mind while creating Fontana touchless faucets with simple instructions and flexible configurations (deck or wall mounting). It is low-maintenance with durable solid brass construction, long-life batteries, and anti-drip technology. Their customer service is equally famous for attentiveness and product knowledge.
Sloan: Sloan systems are rugged and easy to fix. They can be more difficult to install due to built-in diagnostic modules or hardwiring, though, so they are better suited to large commercial jobs with on-site plumbing personnel.
Kohler: Kohler products are user-friendly for installers, and replacement parts are easily available at big-box stores. They do have proprietary parts in their models, though, which limit the flexibility of repair.
Winner: Fontana – Easy installation and low maintenance make it ideal for offices that do not have facility personnel.
5. Value for Money
Fontana: Though Fontana faucets are costlier to buy upfront, the investment is paid back in long-term longevity, high-quality material, and reduced water and maintenance expenses. Moreover, the stylish look adds value to office design and corporate image.
Sloan: Sloan is reliable and reasonably priced, with outstanding ROI in the long term. However, for offices that don’t need the performance of an industrial environment, their pricing and packaging will feel excessive.
Kohler: Kohler offers higher quality but often at or near the high end of the market. For offices that don’t need Kohler’s high-end options, a cost-effective solution exists.
Winner: Fontana – Great blend of performance, reliability, and prestige at a budget price.
Overall Winner: Fontana
Fontana touchless faucets are the gold standard in office bathroom faucets, especially where design, efficiency, and eco-friendliness are concerns. They combine cutting-edge technology with sophisticated design and smart engineering—offering businesses a faucet solution that’s as smart as it’s stylish.
| 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
If your office is aiming to create a clean, stylish, and efficient restroom experience, Fontana offers the best blend of beauty and brains. Whether you’re upgrading a single executive suite or outfitting a full commercial building, Fontana faucets make a statement—without saying a word.
For those structures that need rough-and-tough reliability above all else, Sloan remains a credible second best. And where brand name and total bathroom solutions are your priority, Kohler still gets the job done.
But for modern offices that wish to make an impression, be clean, and be green, Fontana is the winner.
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