My apprentice, bless his heart, almost lost a finger trying to wrestle a recalcitrant faucet from a particularly stubborn homeowner. The old beast wouldn’t budge. He’d wrestled with more of those cheap, plastic-bodied abominations than I’d care to count. This memory, seared into my brain, is why I was genuinely intrigued when the Moen Arbor landed on my workbench.

First impressions, the Arbor’s weight speaks volumes. This isn’t flimsy. The spot-resist stainless steel finish gleams, a clear upgrade from the chrome nightmares of the past. Beyond the aesthetics, however, is the real game-changer: the Reflex docking system. This means the pulldown sprayer actually docks. It doesn’t droop. It doesn’t sag. It stays put, flush against the spout. I’m telling you, this is a minor revolution in faucet design, saving you from a constant battle against gravity. This is huge for anyone who’s ever wrestled a sprayer back into place.

My initial field test: installing it in a client’s kitchen remodel. This is where the Arbor truly shines. The single-handle operation is buttery smooth, offering precise control over water temperature and flow. I particularly appreciate the Power Boost feature. It does what it says: blasts water out when you need it. Scouring stubborn, caked-on food? Sorted. Plus, the high arc design gives you plenty of room for filling pots, a boon for anyone with large cookware.

Now, a small caveat. The pull-down hose, while generally excellent, feels a tad stiff initially. The flexibility improves with use, but a few customers might find it a bit resistant at first. No major drama, though. A little extra care when pulling it out initially does the trick.

Compared to a similar Delta faucet I installed last month, the Moen just feels… better built. While both offer a similar range of features, the Moen’s heft and the superior docking system give it the edge, in my book.

So, who is this faucet for? If you’re tired of fighting with your current faucet and want a reliable, easy-to-use option that looks good, the Moen Arbor is a solid investment. Go ahead; buy the thing. You won’t regret it.