Moen Preston Collection Polished Chrome

The Verdict

The Moen Preston: The $80 Faucet That Feels Like It Costs Twice as Much

Here’s the thing about bathroom faucets: most people buy them out of desperation. A leak. A corroded finish. A guest bathroom remodel that’s spiraled out of control. You’re not looking for a design statement — you’re looking for something that works, looks decent, and doesn’t require a second mortgage to install.

The Moen Preston Collection Polished Chrome fits that brief almost perfectly. With a 4.7-star average across 235 ratings, it’s not a hidden gem — it’s a proven workhorse. But is it the right faucet for your sink? Let’s dig into the details.

What You Actually Get

The box contains the faucet body, two lever handles, a deck plate, and the mounting hardware. As shown in the product image, this is a classic two-handle design with a high-arc gooseneck spout — a timeless look that pairs well with everything from farmhouse to contemporary bathrooms.

The key spec here is the 5-1/2-inch deck plate. That’s significant because it covers the standard 3-hole, 4-inch centerset configuration found in most American homes. If you’re replacing a builder-grade faucet from the 1990s, you won’t need to patch drywall or buy an escutcheon plate. It just drops in.

Build Quality and Real-World Performance

Moen’s reputation rests on two things: materials and warranty. The Preston is built from solid brass — not the zinc alloy you’ll find on cheaper faucets — and finished with a vacuum-plated polished chrome. In practice, that means it doesn’t develop those chalky white calcium deposits that plague cheap chrome finishes. One reviewer noted, “Three months in and it still looks like the day I installed it. My old faucet had spots within a week.”

The Duralock quick-connect system is the standout feature for DIYers. Instead of wrestling with nuts and washers in a cramped cabinet, you snap the supply lines into place and hand-tighten the mounting nuts. Most buyers report completing the swap in under 30 minutes. No plumber’s putty required — the faucet ships with a silicone gasket that seals against the sink deck.

Water flow is smooth and aerated, with no splashing at full pressure. The lever handles operate with a satisfying, damped action — not loose, not stiff.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

Across the 235 ratings, three themes dominate:

• Finish durability. Multiple reviewers mention the chrome’s resistance to water spots and fingerprints. “I have well water with high mineral content,” one buyer wrote. “This is the first chrome faucet that hasn’t etched in six months.”
• Ease of installation. The Duralock system gets consistent shout-outs. “I’m not handy. At all. This took me 20 minutes,” another reviewer admitted.
• Value. At this price point, buyers repeatedly compare it favorably to $150+ faucets from Kohler and Delta.

Where It Falls Short

No product is perfect, and the Preston has two honest flaws.

First, the lever handles are compact. If you have large hands or arthritis, the small levers can feel finicky — especially when your hands are wet and soapy. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth noting if you’re shopping for an aging-in-place bathroom.

Second — and this is the bigger gotcha — the faucet does not include a pop-up drain assembly. You’ll need to buy one separately (typically $15–30) or reuse your existing drain if it’s in good shape. That’s an extra trip to the hardware store and an extra expense that isn’t obvious from the product photos.

One more minor note: the polished chrome finish is a fingerprint magnet in the first week. It settles down once the factory oils wear off, but don’t be alarmed if you’re wiping it down constantly at first.

Who Should Buy This

• DIY homeowners replacing a dated faucet — the Duralock system makes this a genuinely easy weekend project.
• Landlords and property managers who want a durable, good-looking faucet that won’t generate service calls.
• Anyone with a 3-hole sink who doesn’t want to deal with deck plate adapters or hole covers.

Who Should Skip It

• Bathrooms with 8-inch widespread spacing — this faucet won’t fit without modification.
• Accessibility-focused remodels — the small levers aren’t ideal for limited hand strength.
• Anyone who wants a matching drain — budget for a separate pop-up assembly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this faucet fit a single-hole sink? A: No. It’s designed for 3-hole, 4-inch centerset configurations. The included deck plate covers the holes, but you can’t use it on a single-hole vanity without a separate base plate.

Q: Is the polished chrome finish really durable, or will it peel like cheap faucets? A: The finish is vacuum-plated over solid brass — the same process used on faucets costing twice as much. With normal cleaning (mild soap and water), it should last a decade or more. Avoid abrasive cleaners.

Q: Can I install this without a plumber? A: Yes, if you’re comfortable with basic hand tools and have access to the supply lines under your sink. The Duralock connections are genuinely tool-free. If you have galvanized pipes or unusual plumbing, call a pro.

The Verdict

Rating: 4.6/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Buy it if you want a solid brass, great-looking faucet that installs in under 30 minutes and won’t develop unsightly water spots. The finish quality alone justifies the price.

Skip it if you need an ADA-compliant lever design or want a complete package with a drain included. Also skip if your sink has 8-inch widespread spacing.

The Moen Preston Collection Polished Chrome is exactly what a bathroom faucet should be: unpretentious, durable, and genuinely easy to live with. It’s not flashy — but it’s the kind of product you’ll forget about, and that’s the highest compliment a faucet can earn.

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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.