This is a straight to the point guide to the best copper sinks.
Here you’ll find:
- Our top recommendations with scroll-down links to our full reviews.
- A how-to on choosing the perfect copper sink for your kitchen. Including; What gauge sink should I buy?
- A thickness comparison copper gauge chart to show you what those gauge numbers look like.
- A how-to on looking after your copper sink.
- Other stuff you may be wondering about, such as – Will My Copper Sink Turn Green?
- And a sprinkling of pretty photos to show you how beautiful they look.
Up for that?
If you want to skip all the talk and just want to know which copper sinks to pick, then they’re all here in the table below.
| Editor’s Award | Product | Scroll |
|---|---|---|
Best Luxury Copper Farmhouse Sink | HEAVY-GAUGE Copper Farmhouse 30″ Sink by Fossil Blu Hand-hammered. Its higher price tag is justified by the almost 50 pounds of 99% pure copper and a super heavy gauge of 12. Includes – Basin Rack, Disposal Flange, and Strainer Drain. From Amazon | Read More |
Best Mid Range Copper Farmhouse Sink | Lange Copper Farmhouse 30″ by Sinkology Hand-hammered. A more affordable 16 gauge option. Available in lots of sizes, and both twin or single bowl options. Includes – Disposal Flange option or Strainer Drain option. Free Copper CareIQ Kit included. From Amazon | Read More |
Best Double Bowl Drop In Copper Sink | 1-Hole Drop-In 33″ by Sinkology Very affordable 1 or 3 holes option, 17 gauge drop-in double bowl sink. Compatible Disposal Flange and Strainer Drain available. Lots of sizes and single or double bowl sinks available in this range. From Amazon | Read More |
Best Budget Drop In | Undermount Sink | Pure Copper Hand Hammered Milan Single Bowl Kitchen Sink, 21″ by Monarch Abode Fantastic 18 gauge, 17″ or 21″ budget option for a smaller kitchen. From Amazon | Read More |
Click to jump straight to each topic.
- Why You Need a Copper Sink
- What to Look for in a Copper Sink
- The Best Copper Sinks Reviewed
- Other Worthy Mentions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why You Need a Copper Sink in Your Life
The easiest way to transform your farmhouse style kitchen into a Pinterest worthy dream kitchen is with a beautiful copper sink.
And the beauty of choosing a copper sink is that whether you choose to invest in a super-high quality one, or, spend half the amount on a lighter gauge copper, you will only enhance the design of your kitchen however grand or small!
Without question, a copper sink will always look more beautiful and bespoke than the tied old standard sinks most of us grew up with.
And did you know they can do the same for your bathroom too!
Pro tip – Did you know that copper has been scientifically proven* to be naturally antimicrobial? Copper surfaces in hospital trails have shown a 71% reduction in bacteria.
What to Look for in a Copper Sink
You may have already have considered whether you want to go for a single bowl or double sink. (And just so you know, farmhouse copper sinks do come with the option of a single or double bowl too.)
If you want to go for the look of a traditional farmhouse kitchen then a copper farmhouse sink will look fabulous.
Alternatively, for a more contemporary | modern look, choose a drop-in, or, an undermount copper sink.
The difference between these last two is that with a drop-in sink you will see the lip of the sink. It will sit proud of your kitchen countertop.
Drop-in sinks are pretty easy to install yourself. Mainly because you have more leeway when cutting the countertop hole for the sink to sit in. This makes them a great option if you just want to update an existing kitchen.
The edge of the sink will cover small irregularities that may occur when cutting a hole in the countertop. You can see the effect you get with a drop-in sink in our image at the top of this page.
An undermount copper sink sometimes referred to as a self-rimmed sink, on the other hand, sits under your kitchen countertop.
The surface of your countertop will lay over the lip of the sink. As you can see in the image above, the countertop needs to be cut very precisely. So for this reason it’s better to have this type of sink professionally fitted.
What Gauge Sink Should I Buy?
A gauge is a measure of the thickness of a sheet of metal. The lower the number, the thicker the metal. For example, a very high-quality sink may have a gauge of 12. As you can see in the chart above, that translates to a thickness of 0.108 inches.
A gauge of 16 or 18, on the other hand, would mean the copper has a thickness of 0.065″ and 0.049″ respectively. So you get the idea of what the gauge number actually means in real terms.
Why Copper Sinks Vary in Price
Mainly because of the different weights and thicknesses of copper that go into these sinks, prices do vary considerably. Admittedly, some are expensive, but that’s doesn’t mean you should always go for the most expensive one. You don’t really need a heavy-gauge copper for a small single drop-in or undermount sink, for example.
For a larger sink, particularly a farmhouse one where much of the copper will be on show, you should consider a heavier gauge. The thicker the copper the less likely you are to dent it.
As you’d expect, the lower the gauge, the more costly the sink is likely to be. Additionally, farmhouse sinks have an apron front so more surface area is on show. This will inevitably add to the cost.
You may, however, only want, (or be able to accommodate) a small drop-in or undermout sink in your kitchen.
The 17″ version of our budget option is well under $200. $200 in comparison with high-end ones that cost north of $1000, is pretty much a bargain-basement price. Especially so considering the increase in value it will likely add to your kitchen – or even possibly your property.
The gauge of copper that you get with a budget option sink is most often in the 16 – 18 gauge range. But given that the surface area is relatively small, with a little care, there’s no reason you should find yourself with a dented sink.
Care and Maintenance of a Copper Sink
It’s important to take into account that copper does naturally change color over time, but remember that is part of its charm!
Unless treated with wax, copper sinks will more often than not darken and look more rustic as they age.
If your sink is untreated and you want to preserve the color at any given stage in the process, you can. Simply apply a wax every 2 to 3 weeks or as needed.
A word of caution though. It’s important to avoid leaving anything acidic in the sink. Grapefruit and tomato, for example, will leave behind a bright shiny stain.
That being said, don’t panic, it’s not the end of the world if this happens. The copper will gradually heal itself over time. So sooner or later it will blend back in to a natural-looking mix of coppery tones.
How to Clean your Copper Sink
Frequency is the key. Use a soft cloth (to prevent scratching your sink) and just soap and water, nothing else. Wipe any residue away – and that’s basically it, you are good to go.
Tip:
If you want to add a protective barrier try Skinkology’s Copper CareIQ Kit. (Many of their sinks actually include a free kit).
Will My Copper Sink Turn Green?
Simple answer? No.
Your copper sink is very unlikely to turn green. Copper will only turn green when exposed to certain conditions – usually only found outdoors. Extreme temperature changes, salty air, and other harsh weather conditions all play a part.
So, putting all of this together, let’s now take a look at our recommendations for the best copper sinks.
The Best Copper Sinks Reviewed
Best Luxury Copper Farmhouse Sink: HEAVY-GAUGE Copper Farmhouse 30″ Sink by Fossil Blu
Best Luxury Copper Farmhouse Sink
HEAVY-GAUGE Copper Farmhouse 30″ Sink by Fossil Blu
If you are looking for a high-quality farmhouse style sink, this heavy-gauge copper sink by Fossil Blu is absolutely the one you should go for.
Weighing in at a full 50 pounds of 99% pure copper, this 12 gauge copper sink is thicker and heavier than just about any you’ll on the market today.
Safe to say this one is built to last.
Fossil Blu are a US, family-run company, who have been designing and sourcing high-quality fireclay and copper sinks since the year 2000.
Renowned for their quality and craftsmanship, each sink is individually hand-hammered by skilled artisans to avoid uniformity and retain a more natural patina.
Needless to say, Fossil Blu intentionally avoid sourcing their sinks from any county that mass produces cheap products.
This one comes with a copper-plated 304 stainless steel disposal flange and stopper (making it disposal ready). As well as a standard copper-plated 304 stainless steel drain.
You also get the basin rack that you see in the photo, above – it’s actually capable of holding a whopping 200 lbs of dishes.
Final thoughts?
If you have the budget, this one is a fabulous choice. It’s solidly built and much thicker than the standard 16 gauge you’d normally expect to find.
It’s certainly built to last and it won’t scratch or dent easily. That being said, just as with anything you want to keep looking good, you’ll want to take a little extra care with it.
If you are looking for something a little more affordable though, take a look at our next pick.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Mid Range Copper Farmhouse Sink: Lange Copper Farmhouse 30″ by Sinkology
Best Mid Range Copper Farmhouse Sink
Lange Copper Farmhouse 30″ by Sinkology
This stunning farmhouse copper sink is part of a range by Sinkology.
The whole range is more affordable than the Fossil Blu one we have just looked at – costing as much as a few hundred dollars less.
-And they look just as beautiful!
What’s the catch? Well, none really. They are made from 16 and 17 gauge pure copper, depending on the size you go for (larger sizes having a thicker gauge). so they are lighter and a little thinner than the fossil Blu one.
That said, they are still durable enough to withstand everyday knocks and scratches.
Sinkology sinks are hand-hammered by a team of skilled artisans for a bespoke appearance. They come in a wide range of sizes and styles, and accessories such as a disposal flange, strainer, or basin rack are easily available – if not included.
Sinkology offer an excellent range of well made and affordable farmhouse sinks.
Check the latest price on Amazon. View the whole range.
Best Double Bowl Drop In Copper Sink: 1-Hole Drop-In 33″ by Sinkology
Best Double Bowl Drop In Copper Sink
1-Hole Drop-In 33″ by Sinkology
Drop-in sinks are an ideal option if you are renovating or upgrading an existing kitchen – simply because they are easier to install yourself.
Sinkology’s range of drop in sinks offer a touch of luxury at an affordable price.
It’s worth mentioning again that Sinkology copper sinks are handcrafted/hand-hammered by a team of skilled artisans for a more natural-looking patina.
This one is made from 17-gauge pure solid copper. It comes pre-drilled with either one or three holes and has a reinforced faucet deck. This adds strength and makes faucet installation stress (and accidental damage) free.
Check the latest price on Amazon. Or view the full range of sizes.
Best Budget Drop In | Undermount Sink: Pure Copper Hand Hammered Milan Single Bowl Kitchen Sink, 21″ by Monarch Abode
Best Budget Drop In | Undermount Sink
Pure Copper Hand Hammered Milan Single Bowl Kitchen Sink, 21″ by Monarch Abode
Available in 17 or 21 inches, this drop this 18 gauge copper sink can be used as a drop-in or an undermount sink.
And the best thing is, it’s low price doesn’t mean it’s any less well made than our other choices.
It’s just smaller and the copper isn’t as thick. It’s still handcrafted, hand-hammered by skilled artisans.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Other Worthy Mentions
Vine Design Farmhouse Single Basin Copper Kitchen Sink by Signature Hardware
We just want to give a mention to the stunning decorative apron fronts designs that are available out there. And this one is cheaper than our Fossil Blu pick!
- Attractive filigree design.
- 16 gauge copper.
- Lifetime warranty and expert customer support offered.
- 30.125 x 20 x 10 inches.
Rounded Apron Front Farmhouse Kitchen Double Bowl Mexican Copper Sink by Color y Tradicion
What not to love about this one? It’s full of rustic charm!
- 17 Gauge pure copper.
- Handmade in Mexico.
- 33 X 22 X 9 inches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are copper sinks easy to maintain?
Although special consideration should be taken into account when caring for them, that doesn’t means copper sinks arn’t easy to maintain.
All you need to do is regularly clean them with a soft cloth, soap, and water. Wipe away residue – and you are good to go.
Just remember, don’t leave food (especially if acidic) in the sink to prevent staining.
And enjoy the naturally changing coppery tones that develop and darken over time.
If you want to preserve the color at any given stage in the process you can. Just apply wax every 2 to 3 weeks or as needed.
Do Copper Sinks turn green?
No. Your copper sink is very unlikely to turn green. Copper needs certain conditions in order to turn green.
The good news is that those conditions are generally only found outside in salty, harsh weather with extreme variations in temperature, and other conditions that you are unlikely to find in your kitchen.
Can you use bleach in a copper sink?
You should avoid using harsh chemicals on your copper sink and you should take care not to leave any acidic foods and drink in the sink.
Bleach will stain your sink and it will also etch the surface where it makes contact – this makes it hard to fix.
With acidic foods, the stain left behind will brighten the copper in the shape of whatever was placed there.
Acidic foods are therefore easier to rectify and eventually, the coppery tones and the natural patina of the copper will darken and heal itself over time.
How much does a copper sink cost?
Prices vary considerably. A larger farmhouse copper sink with a thicker gauge of 12, for example, may cost upwards of $1000.
But you can buy a lighter gauge one for a few hundred dollars.
You can find a good quality smaller 17 or 21-inch drop-in or undermount sink for less than $200.
*Metallic Copper as an Antimicrobial Surface Gregor Grass, Christopher Rensing, Marc Solioz
We hope this list of the best copper sinks has been helpful.
If there’s anything good that you think we’ve missed, or if you have any questions about anything, then let us know down in the comments below.
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