Comparison Vitra Q-Line A40798 vs Grohe BauClassic 32868000

— Straight. Spout that have straight or almost straight shape and directed almost horizontally (other arrangements are highlighted in a separate paragraph — see “At right angle”). Generally, such a spout combines simplicity, practicality, and versatility. In particular, it can be of any length, and can also be rotary (see “Spout”), while being inexpensive to manufacture. Nowadays, straight spouts are extremely popular, and in almost all types of taps (see “Suitable for”). The exception is perhaps the kitchen application: this form is inconvenient for washing dishes by itself and leaves less space for dishes in the sink than other shapes (for example, angled or gooseneck spouts).

— Gooseneck. Taps with a spout in the shape of an arc, usually semicircular and rather steep. This design is most popular in kitchen taps, as it provides the necessary space for washing large dishes. Many models with such a spout are designed for washbasins — they also use a vertical installation, for which the arc is very convenient. And gooseneck bath taps are most often original premium models installed directly on the side of the bath (also horizontally).

— L-shaped. Spout in the shape of the letter “L” — with a vertical base and a horizontal “crossbar” extending from it. Thanks to this shape, the spout can be positioned at a sufficiently high height, which is especially conveni...ent when used in the kitchen or with a washbasin. Most of the L-shaped models refer to these specialization options (see “Suitable for”). According to the type of the tap (see the corresponding list), they are usually single-lever, while the joystick is located on the side; however, there are other options — both in the location of the joystick, and in the type of control.

— U-shaped. Spouts of this category resemble L-shaped models (see the relevant paragraph), in which the end of the spout is noticeably bent downwards. This gives them an original shape, as well as some resemblance to gooseneck models. U-shaped spouts are typically taller and are intended for use in kitchens or washbasins. At the same time, they are not as popular as the mentioned L-shaped ones, and even more so the gooseneck ones. In particular, because of the higher cost with no obvious practical advantages (although this form may well be optimal in terms of design).

— S-shaped. A variant that is predominantly found in bath models (including bath and washbasin solutions) as well as in some kitchen taps. The spout in this arrangement has the shape of the letter “S”, laid “on its side”. This design is well suited for wall-mounted models, where the spout outlet must be placed noticeably below the tap itself.

— At right angle. A straight spout located at a right angle relative to the tap body — directed from the base of the body up or down. This shape is especially suitable for washbasins and kitchens, and it is mainly found in taps of those specializations (see “Suitable for”). Most models with a similar spout have a fairly modern appearance, thanks to that they fit well into modern, high-tech interiors, etc.

— Curved at an angle. A spout that leans upward from the base of the tap and curves slightly downward at the end. The shape is in many ways reminiscent of the “at right angle” option, but it has its own characteristics. Firstly, such a spout can be made somewhat longer, which is convenient for kitchen use: the outlet is at a sufficiently high height and there is enough space under it to wash even large dishes without any problems. Most of the models in this category are just made for the kitchen. Secondly, for some users, this form is preferable from an aesthetic point of view (although, of course, this is a matter of personal taste). These spouts look more “cheap” compared to the products of the “at right angle” form factor and are extremely rare among top plumbing brands.

— Vertical jet. This type of spout is found among bidet taps. It involves vertical spraying of a water jet for taking a hygienic shower after visiting the toilet. The mortise vertical spray module is installed separately from the tap. Usually, the design also assumes a water return valve.

— Connected to overflow. Taps with a spout in the form of a flexible hose that connects to the overflow of the bathtub, and the water is poured through it. Thanks to such taps, minimalism is ensured in the appearance of the bathtub, which is caused by the absence of a classic spout. In addition, there is no need to make extra holes in the side of the bathtub to install the tap.

Distance from the fixing point (for vertically mounted taps) or from the centre of the mounting hole (for horizontally mounted taps) to the middle of the spout. It is a characteristic that determines the "reach zone" of the tap.

The jet height is usually specified for taps with horizontal installation (see "Type of installation"). It is measured from the base of the tap to the spout outlet. The large height of the spout is important primarily for kitchen models (see "Suitable for"), because it allows you to place large dishes in the sink. This parameter is directly related to the height of the spout (see above): the height of the jet cannot be greater than the height of the spout. Thus, in fact, one has to find a compromise between the height of the jet and the dimensions of the tap, especially if there is little space for its installation.

The angle of the water jet produced by the tap, relative to the vertical. Generally stated for full head; with partially blocked water, this angle is smaller. Anyway, the water jet is usually directed towards the user, and the greater the angle of inclination, the farther from the spout the point of incidence of the jet will be placed. However, in most cases this point is not critical; problems can arise only in very cramped conditions, with small basin sizes.

The functions of a mixer mainly consist of design features, among which are the presence of a check valve, a pop-up waste, cold start, LED lighting, a temperature control lever, a display, auto-drain (hygienic rinse), a switch for washing machine/dishwasher, and a shelf for accessories. More details:

— Check valve. A check valve prevents water from moving backward through the mixer, for example, when there is a significant pressure difference between hot and cold water. This feature is relevant for those planning to install water meters: the presence of check valves on mixers is often a mandatory condition for installation requests, as such valves prevent meters from running backward. Additionally, it's worth noting the presence of a check valve in the mixer (especially single-lever ones, see "Mixer Type") if your home's water supply is prone to interruptions — such mixers perform much better during pressure surges in the plumbing.

— Pop-up waste. A device that allows you to close the drain hole in a sink, kitchen sink, or bidet (depending on the purpose of the mixer). It comes in two types:

— Lever pop-up waste. This type of valve is operated by a small...lever located behind the mixer, to the side, or at the front of the body. Raising and lowering it opens and closes the sink's drain plug.

— Push-button pop-up waste. Valves of this type are locked and unlocked by pressing the drain hole plug, which requires wetting your hand.

— Cold start. A feature found exclusively in single-lever models. The general principle of "cold start" is as follows: if you open the mixer with the joystick in the central (default) position, only cold water will flow out, not mixed warm water (as in more traditional single-lever devices). To add hot water and increase the temperature, you need to move the lever from the default position. This operation format can provide noticeable savings: by default, cold water flows from the mixer, and hot water is added only as needed.

— LED lighting. A lighting system based on LEDs — an efficient and economical light source. The purpose and functionality of such lighting can vary. In some models, it is installed on the spout and directed downward, allowing you to see the space under the mixer well even in low external lighting. Sometimes this lighting also illuminates the water stream, giving it an unusual appearance. There are also quite original systems — for example, with a transparent spout and LEDs at its base, creating the effect of a mixer glowing from within; in some models, the lighting even changes color depending on the water temperature. However, in any case, this feature significantly affects the cost, so it is mainly characteristic of premium-class products.

— Auto-drain (hygienic rinse). This system is equipped in mixers with additional electronics — mainly contactless models, as well as products with a thermostat or button activation. Auto-drain works as follows: at certain intervals (for example, once every 12 hours or once a day), the automation briefly turns on the water. This washes out harmful bacteria that tend to multiply on the internal surfaces of the spout and in the "stagnant" water inside the mixer. At the same time, the water consumption for hygienic rinsing is small, usually almost unnoticeable against the background of overall consumption.

— Temperature control lever. A feature found in mixers whose design initially does not include a temperature regulator — primarily contactless models, as well as products with one main lever or button activation (see "Mixer Type"). As the name suggests, the temperature control lever allows you to use such a mixer not only for controlling the flow but also for changing the water temperature.

— Display. Mixers that display the temperature and/or current water consumption. The display provides a clear visualization of settings and allows you to see what water and in what volume is flowing from the tap. However, the presence of a screen significantly affects the cost of the mixer.

— Switch for washing machine/dishwasher. A feature that can significantly simplify the connection of a washing machine or dishwasher to the water supply system. Mixers with a switch for a washing machine/dishwasher have a separate pipe for connecting the machine, as well as a switch that allows you to open and close the water supply to this pipe. Thus, to connect a washing machine or dishwasher, there is no need to install additional bushings, splitters, etc. — just connect the device to the existing outlet. And you can control the water supply directly from the mixer body, without having to crawl under the sink or into another hard-to-reach place.

— Shelf for accessories. Most often, the role of such a shelf is played by the upper part of the body, specially made flat. This feature is mainly found in mixers for baths and/or showers (see "Purpose"): it is convenient to keep shampoos, gels, soap, and other cosmetic/hygienic products on the shelf.

Note that this feature is rare — mainly in high-end mixers (in particular, thermostatic ones) that initially have large body sizes. In more traditional models, there is no point in providing this design element — it is more reasonable to purchase a shelf as a separate accessory for the bathroom.

The diameter of the cartridge used in the tap.

The cartridge is called the "heart" of the tap — the part directly responsible for adjusting the pressure and/or temperature of the water (in some models — also for switching between spout and shower). The main dimension of this part is precisely the diameter. However, in fact, this size becomes relevant only if it is necessary to replace the cartridge. But when choosing a tap, it does not really matter — from the point of view of characteristics, only the overall dimensions of the device depend on the diameter of the cartridge, and then quite approximately and without a fundamental difference between individual models.

The maximum water flow during the operation of the tap, in other words, the maximum amount of water that it can pass through in a minute. This characteristic is important, foremost, for models designed for baths (see "Suitable for"): the greater the throughput, the faster the bath will fill. However, the meaning of this paragraph is not limited to this. First, flow information can be useful in certain calculations related to water supply — for example, to calculate the required pump capacity. Secondly, high-end taps can be equipped with aerators to achieve a powerful and efficient jet with low water consumption; the consumption indicated in the characteristics allows you to evaluate the efficiency of such devices in comparison with analogues.

The height of the tap, measured from its base or lowest point to the highest point of the spout. The height of the spout partly determines the installation possibilities — in fact, this is the minimum vertical free space that is required for the tap. In addition, in models with horizontal installation (see "Type of installation"), the spout height is related to the jet height (see below).

Country of origin of the brand under which the tap is marketed. Usually, it is indicated by the "homeland" of the manufacturing company or by the location of its headquarters. The brands under which modern mixers are produced come mainly from the following countries (in alphabetical order): Austria, Belgium, Germany, India, Spain, Italy, China, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Sweden.

There are many stereotypes associated with the “nationality” of brands and products, but most of them have no basis nowadays. First, the actual place of production is often different from the brand's country of origin. Secondly, the quality of the goods depends not so much on geography, but on the policy of a particular company and how carefully this very quality is controlled in it. Therefore, you should pay attention to the country of origin of the brand only if you fundamentally want or (do not want) to support a manufacturer from a certain state. Quality is best judged by the reputation of a particular...brand and the overall price category of the tap.