Kitchen Faucet Aerators Built for Working Kitchens

M22×1 is the most common thread in North American kitchen faucets. M24×1 is standard in most European products. To confirm: unscrew the existing aerator and measure the outside diameter of the male thread (or inside diameter of the female thread) with a caliper. M22 measures approximately 22mm OD on the male thread; M24 measures approximately 24mm. If you're sourcing aerators to pair with kitchen faucets you're also buying from us, we confirm the thread spec from the faucet drawing — no measurement required on your end.

A swivel aerator has a rotating joint that allows the aerator head to pivot independently of the spout — useful for kitchen faucets where users frequently redirect the stream. A fixed aerator threads directly onto the spout with no rotation. For kitchen applications, swivel is the standard specification; fixed aerators are typically used on bathroom faucets where directional adjustment isn't needed. The swivel joint adds a wear point, which is why we test swivel joints at 30,000 rotation cycles — a fixed aerator doesn't have that failure mode.

Hard water deposits calcium and magnesium scale on the aerator mesh, progressively restricting flow. Our kitchen aerators use a 3-layer mesh stack — a coarse outer screen catches larger particles before they reach the fine inner mesh, extending the time between cleanings. The housing is designed for tool-free disassembly so the mesh can be cleaned without replacing the unit.

For markets with consistently hard water (above 200 ppm hardness), we recommend our filter faucet aerator line, which adds a replaceable sediment pre-filter upstream of the mesh stack. The pre-filter extends mesh life significantly and is replaceable without removing the aerator housing.

California CEC (California Energy Commission) requires kitchen faucets to deliver no more than 1.8 GPM. For kitchen aerators sold in California, specify 1.8 GPM or lower. If you're also selling into markets without flow restrictions and want to minimize SKU count, a 1.8 GPM aerator works across California and most other North American markets — it meets federal WaterSense kitchen faucet requirements (≤2.2 GPM) and is acceptable in Canada.

The only market where you'd need a separate SKU is if you're targeting WaterSense-labeled product specifically, which requires ≤2.2 GPM but with third-party certification.

Yes. Cache aerators recess into the spout end and require a special key tool for removal — they can't be unscrewed by hand. We supply cache kitchen aerators for commercial and institutional applications where vandalism or unauthorized removal is a concern: hotels, restaurants, school cafeterias, and public facilities.

Cache configuration is available in M22 and M24 thread sizes, in chrome and brushed nickel finishes. MOQ for cache kitchen aerators is 200 pieces. If you're building a hospitality or food service product line, specify cache — it's a recognized feature in those segments and a legitimate selling point to facilities managers.

MOQ is 200 pieces per SKU. For standard OEM orders using existing tooling — new finish, new flow rate, new packaging, or logo engraving — lead time is 15–20 days from order confirmation. New housing profiles or non-standard thread sizes requiring new tooling add 20–25 days for die fabrication.

Tooling cost for a new aerator housing die typically runs $800–$1,200, quoted separately and amortized over the first production run. Sample orders (5–10 units) ship within 7 days and include flow rate test reports and compliance documentation.