Friday, March 29, 2024

Kohler Simplice Kitchen Faucet K-596

Kohler Simplice Kitchen Faucet K-596 Review

Kitchen Faucets

Product Grade
Report Card Grade
0 Reviews
Best Feature:
Elegant, functional design with pulldown sprayheads
Worst Feature:
Some complaints about leaks and overall quality
Best Uses:
Great affordable faucet for any kitchen style
Pricing:
$300 - $400 (Lifetime Limited Warranty)
Manufacturer:

Where to Buy

Store Name
Price

Overview

We give the Kohler Simplice® K-596 kitchen faucet a B+ because we love that the design combines elegance with ergonomics, durability and functionality. We like that it features a gooseneck spout with 360° of rotation and has a pulldown sprayhead with a touch pad that can pause water flow or switch between spray and aerated flow. It is also convenient that the K-596 is available in a slightly smaller model (K-597) that could work well as a faucet for a secondary/prep sink. We deducted a couple of points because there were a few complaints about leaks and some other isolated complaints surrounding manufacturing quality. We also wish there were more finish options and a high temperature limit setting, but, overall, the K-596 is a *very* highly rated faucet that we would definitely recommend to our members.

You can see how the Kohler Simplice® K-596 kitchen faucet compares to other kitchen faucets in our Kitchen Faucets Review.

Photos

The Kohler Simplice® K-596 kitchen faucet.
Simplice® spouts can rotate 360°, so they can easily be cleared away from the sink area if necessary.
The single lever handle features ceramic disc valves and is ADA-compliant.
The faucet's handle is ergonomically designed and allows for precise control over the water flow and temperature with just one hand.
With a transitional style design, Simplice® faucets will look great in contemporary or traditional style kitchens.
The K-596 is available in a slightly smaller version (K-597), which is ideal for a secondary bar/prep sink.
The sprayheads have a touch pad control system where water flow can be stopped or changed between spray and aerated flow.
Both the K-596 and the K-597 have pull-down sprayheads, which were designed with an easy-to-clean MasterClean™ sprayface and use Kohler’s nylon hose and ball joint technology known as ProMotion™.
The Simplice® faucets are constructed with premium metals for durability and come in three different finishes that resist corrosion and tarnishing (polished chrome, vibrant stainless and matte black).

 
This Product
Most Popular
Teacher's Pet
Overall Score
72%
82%
72%
Our Awards
Date Reviewed
October 2012
October 2012
October 2012
Pros
great value; great warranty; versatile design; easy to install; high arching pull-down spout can rotate 360°; sprayhead touchpad with spray, stream & pause functionality
great warranty; meets CA/VT low lead requirements; reasonably priced; versatile design available in 5 finishes; easy to install; excellent functionality; high arching spout can rotate 360°; handle can be installed on the right or left
Affordable; great warranty; versatile design; Forté® is large collection of kitchen and bath products; easy to install; convenient pullout spout; swivel spout and arch are both helpful when filling or cleaning large pots
Cons
A few complaints about leaks; only available in 3 finishes; doesn't meet CA/VT low lead requirements
A few complaints about the design of the sprayhead's swivel joint
Some complaints about the faucets leaking; a few complaints about touch pad buttons not working well and occasionally breaking; not ADA-compliant; doesn't meet CA/VT low lead requirements
Price (MSRP)
$265 - $366
$307 - $417
$264 - $345
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
Limited Lifetime
Limited Lifetime
Collection Description
Part of collection with 4 different models
Part of collection with 4 different models
Part of collection with 8 different models
Installation Type
Deckplate or Non-Deckplate
Deckplate or Non-Deckplate
Deckplate or Non-Deckplate
Style
Transitional
Transitional
Transitional
Faucet Hole Options
1 or 3
1 or 3
1 or 3
Spout Reach
9"
7.9"
10.1"
Spout Height
9.6"
8.3"
8.7"
Overall Height
16.6"
15.5"
11.8"
Escutcheon Plate
Optional - 10.5" long
Optional - 10.3" long
Optional - 8" long
Degree of Spout Rotation
360°
360°
180°
Maximum Flow Rate
1.8 gpm
1.5 gpm
2.2 gpm
Adjustable Flow Rate Kit Available?
Yes - 1.5 gpm or 2.2 gpm
No
Yes - 1.5 gpm or 1.8 gpm
Handle
One attached lever handle (right-hand side mount)
One attached lever handle (right- or left-hand side mount)
One attached lever handle (top mount)
Valves
Ceramic Disc
1255™ Duralast™ cartridges (a proprietary ceramic disc design)
Ceramic Disc
Finishes
Matte Black, Vibrant Stainless and Polished Chrome
Matte Black, Chrome, Classic Stainless, Oil Rubbed Bronze and Spot Resist™ Stainless
Polished Chrome, Brushed Chrome, Vibrant Brushed Nickel, Vibrant Stainless and Vibrant Brushed Bronze
Spout Type
Pull-down sprayhead with ProMotion™ technoloy and a MasterClean™ sprayface is easy to use and clean
Pull-down sprayhead with a 68" flexible hose uses Reflex™ technology that is "40% easier to unlatch and extend"
Pull-down sprayhead with ProMotion™ technoloy and a MasterClean™ sprayface is easy to use and clean
Operating Modes
Pause, spray or aerated flow options
Pause, spray or aerated flow options
Pause, spray or aerated flow options
Temperature Memory
Yes
Yes
Yes
High Temperature Limit Setting
No
No
Yes
Built-In Water Filter
No
No
No
Optional Accessories
Soap/lotion dispenser, a deep roughing-in kit, and a low flow kit or a high flow kit for these faucets (sold separately).
Soap/lotion dispensers available in a 2 different sizes (depending on your finish)
Soap/lotion dispenser, deep roughing-in kit and 2 low flow kits.
ADA-Compliant
Yes
Yes
No
Codes/Standards Applicable
ICC/ANSI A117.1; CSA B651; OBCl ASME A112. 18.1/CSA B125.1; NSF 61; Energy Policy Act of 1992; All applicable US Federal and State material regulations
3rd party certified to IAPMO Green, ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1 and all applicable requirements referenced therein including NSF 61/9; meets CalGreen and Georgia SB370 requirements; complies with California Proposition 65 and with the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act; backflow protection system
ASNE A112 18.1/CSA B125.1; NSF 61; Energy Policy Act of 1991; All applicable US Federal and State material regulations

ProductReportCard Editors' In-Depth Review


Specifications

Construction

Like all models in the Simplice® collection, the K-596 has a durable metal construction, high arching spout and a single ADA compliant handle. It has a deckplate mount and will fit one- or three-hole sinks since it comes with an optional escutcheon plate. Additionally, it meets CalGreen requirements for kitchen faucets and has a maximum flow rate of 1.8 gallons per minute (gpm). However, if you want, you also have the option of purchasing a low flow kit, which reduces flow to 1.5 gpm, or a high flow kit, which increases flow to 2.2 gpm. In terms of valves, the faucet is designed with a "one-piece, self-contained" ceramic disc valve, which is extremely durable and offers users more precise control over the water’s temperature and flow rate.

The single lever handle features ceramic disc valves and is ADA-compliant.
The single lever handle features ceramic disc valves and is ADA-compliant.
Credit: Mary Griffin

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Simplice® kitchen faucets are truly built to last and are backed by Kohler's lifetime limited warranty. Kohler's lifetime limited warranty covers all original owners of faucets manufactured after January 1, 1997, installed in North America and used in a normal residential setting. With the exception of gold, non-Vibrant® and non-chrome finishes, Kohler also guarantees the faucets to be free of defects in material and workmanship. *Please note that all warranty claims must be accompanied by proof of purchase (original sales receipt).

With a transitional style design, Simplice® faucets will look great in contemporary or traditional style kitchens.
With a transitional style design, Simplice® faucets will look great in contemporary or traditional style kitchens.
Credit: Mary Griffin

Bonus Features

Kohler designed the Simplice® kitchen faucets to have exceptional ergonomics and functionality. With a pull-down sprayhead and a high-arching spout that has the ability to rotate 360°, you no longer have to worry about your faucet getting in the way while you are using your sink. Simplice® kitchen faucets will make it even easier to perform a variety of tasks from rinsing delicate produce to powerwashing/filling the biggest pot in your cupboard. The sprayhead is equipped with a sculpted touch pad that allows you to control the water flow while you are using it. Depending on what you are doing, you can stop the water completely or alternate between spray and aerated flow. Since it was designed with Kohler’s ProMotion™ technology and a tangle-free hose, the sprayhead can be maneuvered around the sink quietly and effortlessly. The sprayhead also features a MasterClean™ sprayface, which can be easily wiped clean to prevent the build-up of lime and other minerals, and it has DockNetik™ technology, a magnetic docking system inside the faucet that smoothly retracts and securely locks the sprayhead in place. The faucets can even remember the previous temperature setting, so you can turn the water on and off at the same temperature. Unfortunately, unlike the K-647 and K-649 models, the K-596 does not feature the setting that will limit how hot the water can become to avoid scalding your hands. Lastly, all of the Simplice® kitchen faucets are available with matching soap/lotion dispenser, a deep roughing-in kit, and a low flow kit or a high flow kit if you are interested in purchasing them separately.

The sprayheads have a touch pad control system where water flow can be stopped or changed between spray and aerated flow.
The sprayheads have a touch pad control system where water flow can be stopped or changed between spray and aerated flow.
Credit: Mary Griffin

Style and Design

Given the universally appealing design, impressive functionality and durability of the four faucets in the Simplice® collection, it isn’t surprising that it is one of Kohler’s more popular kitchen faucet collections. In general, the faucets come in two different sizes with two different options in terms of handle placement. The K-596 and K-597 models are both designed with the single lever handle attached to the side of the spout, while the K-647 and K-649 models have a remote single lever handle. Simplice® faucets can be characterized as having a transitional style given their sleek, simple lines and graceful gooseneck spouts. They have a modern classic feel with an understated elegance that fits with almost any kitchen décor. They are available in three different finishes (polished chrome, vibrant stainless and matte black), all of which are specifically formulated to resist corrosion and tarnishing.

The Simplice® faucets are constructed with premium metals for durability and come in three different finishes that resist corrosion and tarnishing (polished chrome, vibrant stainless and matte black).
The Simplice® faucets are constructed with premium metals for durability and come in three different finishes that resist corrosion and tarnishing (polished chrome, vibrant stainless and matte black).
Credit: Kohler

Customer Feedback

The Kohler Simplice® K-596 kitchen faucet has received great feedback from customers online including a 4.8/5 on Faucet.com (211 reviews), a 4.1/5 on Amazon.com (111 reviews), and a 4.5/5 on HomeDepot.com (75 reviews). In fact, 93% of reviewers on HomeDepot.com said they would recommend their Simplice® K-596 faucet to a friend. Happy customers raved about the faucets’ look, performance, quality and exceptional overall value. While almost all of the reviews were positive, a few customers mentioned problems with leaks, and there also seemed to be a few isolated reports of poor manufacturing quality. However, given Kohler’s exceptional limited lifetime warranty offer, I don’t think those reviews should be too concerning. It is evident that they are extremely confident in their products and focused on providing great customer service.

While it doesn’t sound like you could go wrong with any of the Simplice® faucets, you just want to be sure that you consider the size and depth of the kitchen sink you have (or want) before buying one of the faucets. This is true when buying any faucet, but it is especially important given the spout reach and height of the Simplice® models. If your faucet is too big for your sink, water will constantly be splashing onto you and your countertops. Beyond that, which Simplice® faucet you prefer for your kitchen is a strictly personal decision. If given the choice, I would prefer the K-596 (or K-597) because I find the attached handle to be more convenient, and I also like that there is less clutter on my counters to clean around.


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