Moen Essie Mediterranean Bronze MotionSense Wave One-Handle

The Verdict

If you’ve ever stood at the sink with raw chicken on your hands and thought, “I really don’t want to touch that handle,” the Moen Essie MotionSense Wave answers that prayer. This is a touchless kitchen faucet that doesn’t require you to wave frantically like you’re hailing a cab — a quick pass of your hand or forearm near the sensor gets the water flowing.

The Essie line sits in Moen’s mid-tier lineup, and this particular model pairs the MotionSense Wave sensor with a classic single-handle design in Mediterranean Bronze. That finish is the first thing you’ll notice. It’s not a flat bronze — it’s a living finish with copper undertones that catch light differently throughout the day. As one reviewer put it, “The color is gorgeous and changes in different lighting — sometimes it looks more copper, sometimes more bronze.” It also does a respectable job hiding hard water spots compared to chrome or stainless.

What’s in the box: You get the faucet body, the sensor module, a battery pack with mounting hardware, supply lines, and the Duralock quick-connect fittings. No sprayer, no soap dispenser — this is a bare-bones package. The box also includes the deck plate, so it works with both 1-hole and 3-hole sink configurations.

Real-world performance: The MotionSense Wave sensor is the star here. It uses two sensors — one at the base and one at the spout. Wave your hand near the spout to turn it on, wave again to turn it off. The base sensor is for continuous use — tap it once and the water stays on until you tap again. That’s genuinely useful when you’re filling a pot and don’t want to keep waving. The sensor range is about 3-4 inches, which is tight enough that it won’t trigger accidentally when you’re just reaching for a sponge.

Water flow is solid at 1.5 GPM — meets current EPA WaterSense standards without feeling weak. The single-handle temperature control is smooth, and once the handle breaks in after a week or two, it moves with a satisfying, solid feel.

What buyers consistently praise:

• The finish. Multiple reviewers called it “the most beautiful faucet I’ve owned.” The Mediterranean Bronze does look premium, especially against white or cream cabinetry.
• The touchless convenience. One reviewer noted, “I love not having to touch the faucet when my hands are messy — it’s made cooking and cleanup much easier.”
• The installation. The Duralock system genuinely simplifies things. Most DIYers report getting it done in 30-60 minutes with basic tools.

Where it falls short: Let’s be honest about the battery situation. The MotionSense requires a battery pack that mounts under the sink, and it chews through 4 AA batteries every 6-12 months depending on how much you use the sensor. There’s no hardwired option, so if you hate changing batteries, this might annoy you. One reviewer complained, “The battery life is shorter than I expected — about 4 months with a family of four.”

Also, this is not a pull-down faucet. The spout is fixed, which means filling tall stockpots or rinsing the far side of a deep farmhouse sink requires some maneuvering. If you’re used to a pull-down sprayer, this will feel like a step backward.

Who should buy this:

• Home cooks who want touchless convenience without paying for a top-tier smart faucet
• Anyone with arthritis or limited hand mobility who benefits from not gripping handles
• DIYers who want a weekend install, not a plumber’s bill

Skip it if:

• You need a pull-down sprayer — this model doesn’t have one
• You want a hardwired sensor — batteries are your only option here
• You’re on a tight budget — the MotionSense tech adds a premium over standard single-handle faucets

FAQ:

Does the sensor turn on accidentally? Rarely. The sensor is directional and only triggers when something passes within a few inches directly in front of it. Reaching past it for a towel won’t set it off. That said, if you have a cat that likes to jump on the counter, it will absolutely turn the faucet on.

Is the Mediterranean Bronze finish durable? Yes, it’s a PVD finish, which means it’s bonded at the molecular level rather than painted on. It resists scratching and tarnishing better than most electroplated finishes. It will still show water spots if you have hard water, but far less than stainless.

Will this fit my existing sink? It works with 1-hole or 3-hole setups (the deck plate covers extra holes). The spout reach is about 8.5 inches and height is about 15.5 inches, so it clears most standard sinks. Measure your counter space first if you have a shallow or narrow sink.

The Verdict:

The Moen Essie MotionSense Wave is a genuinely good touchless faucet that earns its 4.1-star rating. It’s not perfect — the battery dependency and lack of a pull-down sprayer are real limitations. But if you want the convenience of hands-free operation and a finish that looks far more expensive than it is, this is a solid choice.

Buy it if: You want reliable touchless tech without paying smart-faucet prices, and you value a finish that stands out from every stainless faucet on the block.

Skip it if: You need a sprayer, hate changing batteries, or want a fully featured faucet with all the bells and whistles.

Rating: 4.2/5 — A strong mid-tier touchless faucet with a beautiful finish and a few honest tradeoffs.

Where to Buy

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.