What’s the Difference Between Brushed Nickel and Chrome?

When it comes to choosing hardware materials, nickel and chrome are two popular options for door handles, faucets, showers, and drain fixtures. Both metals have an aluminum color and are pretty resilient to daily wear and tear, making them a go-to choice for homeowners. But these two choices aren’t interchangeable—read on to learn the differences between brushed nickel versus chrome.

Chrome vs. Brushed Nickel: Key Differences

Chrome and brushed nickel may look similar at a glance, and they do share some characteristics, but these two finishes are different. Both options are easy to clean, durable against scratches and heavy use, and easy to find when purchasing one. However, chrome doesn’t hide fingerprints and smudges like brushed nickel can, and you’ll have to clean it more often. 

What Is Brushed Nickel?

Brushed nickel has a sheen that resembles stainless steel, so it’s a perfect pairing if your kitchen has stainless steel appliances. If you’re looking for a new faucet and fixtures for your bathroom, call a local faucet installer who can help you upgrade your finishes.

The Pros of Brushed Nickel

• The satin nature of brushed nickel makes fingerprints, smudging, and general dust or dirt buildup a thing of memory.

• Brushed nickel is easy to maintain when used in a faucet or knob.

• Regular cleaning is a simple process that doesn’t require a huge amount of effort with brushed nickel.

• The etched-looking metal is super resilient to abuse. 

The Cons of Brushed Nickel

• Brushed nickel has a rather run-of-mill feel.

• It’s the most commonly used material in home renovations, so it can seem a little too bland.

• Not the best choice if you’re going for a unique look in your home.

What Is Chrome?

Aesthetically, many homeowners like the look of polished chrome. It has a mirror-like sheen that makes it look sparkling clean.

The Pros of Chrome

• Chrome is ubiquitous—it’s easy to find and easy to replace when you need new hardware. 

• Chrome is very durable.

• Chrome is used frequently in schools, hospitals, gyms, and other commercial spaces because it’s highly resistant to wear.

The Cons of Chrome

• You have to clean chrome often.

• Chrome is less appealing for some homeowners who prefer their fixtures to be low maintenance.

• If it’s not paired with the right appliances or sinks, chrome can look a little sterile, like your high school bathroom.

Chrome vs. Brushed Nickel

So chrome versus brushed nickel—which is it? If you still haven’t made your ultimate decision, here’s how each metal breaks down.

Appearance​: Tie 

Choosing chrome versus brushed nickel for the look alone is entirely up to personal preference. If you’re going for a shiny, super-clean look, chrome is the clear winner. If you don’t want that super shine, you may prefer brushed nickel, a softer-looking metal that complements stainless steel appliances.

Options and Customizations​: Chrome 

Both metals come in a seemingly infinite variety when it comes to style and utility. Some fixtures evoke the mid-century modern era by using clean, geometric angles and curves, while other types hint at the classic Victorian period, with flowery, tulip-shaped handles or rosette covers for knobs and fixtures. 

Still, others are suited for a more modern, minimalist look by breaking down the functional parts to their most elemental form, with exposed valves and water lines that pair very well with concrete countertops and industrial design. 

Ultimately, chrome has been around longer than brushed nickel; therefore, you likely have more diverse options with chrome.

Durability: Tie ​

Chrome and brushed nickel are pretty much made from the same strength metal, so they're about equal in terms of which is more durable. Faucets have a life span of 10 to 20 years, with most repairs being to their internal parts, which are made out of plastics and rubbers and are not as strong over the long term. 

Price​: Tie 

Both chrome and brushed nickel are popular metals to use in the home due to affordability, and while there was a period of time when brushed nickel was more expensive. Today, the two are pretty neck-and-neck in cost when you look at comparable features. For example, a kitchen sink faucet with a removable spray wand will cost between $250 to $350, regardless of material. 

Maintenance​: Brushed Nickel

Chrome is more time-intensive to keep at a high polish because every smudge shows, and if the metal is poor quality, it will get scratched and then rust. While brushed nickel is useful in rentals or high-traffic spaces like a kids’ bedroom, it doesn’t have the ability to buff out to a mirror shine and instead maintains an even sheen.  

Length of Life​: Tie 

Both chrome and brushed nickel will last as long as you need them to—the valves and seals are the likely failure points. If you want them to last, you’ll want to spend a bit more on the front end to buy a high-quality fixture or plan on having a local bathroom repair professional replace valves and seals more often throughout its life.

ROI: Chrome 

ROI for metal fixtures depends entirely on how you’re using the building. Spending the extra money for higher-end chrome fixtures will have a better return on investment in terms of resale value. On the other hand, brushed nickel is perfectly designed for rental units or fixtures that receive a high amount of abuse.