A user-friendly outdoor faucet? This just might make your day.

If we held outdoor water faucets to the same standard as indoor faucets, we’d need to change a whole lot of outdoor spigots. Mostly unattractive, often drippy and seldom appreciated, outdoor faucets are tolerated for their base functionality. Then we shut them off and go indoors. The Aquor outdoor faucet system changes that.

I got an Aquor House Hydrant V1+ to replace a leaky eyesore on the back side of my house. Then I realized it would work better on our Getaway project. As a replacement or for new construction, the Aquor Hydrant is designed to eliminate leaks and simplify hose connections. The stainless steel unit has a freezeproof design, adding security for those of us in cold climates. Installation is simple, whether your home has copper or PEX piping.

To “turn on” the Aquor Hydrant faucet, you plug in the quickconnect hose coupler; there is no screw-type valve. Water pressure and a stainless steel spring keep the interior valve closed until you insert the coupler. Remove the quick-connect coupler and the valve seals shut with the exact same pressure each time. At first glance, I thought the coupler was plastic, and I tend to avoid plastic fittings for outdoor faucet connections. But Aquor makes the coupler from a heavy-duty commercial polymer called Delrin that withstands high water pressure and the weight of your errant riding mower.

Aquor has years of experience in the marine industry and uses an extra-low-carbon alloy known as “marine-grade steel” for the Hydrant’s piping. It’s corrosion resistant and more durable than brass. This stainless steel piping is a better insulator than a brass faucet, but the real freeze protection is engineered into the design. An internal valve stops water flow in the heated portion of the wall. Plus, gravity removes excess water whenever you unplug the coupler.

With the coupler unplugged, the attached cover folds over the opening and blends in cleanly with the exterior wall. The Aquor Hydrant also answers security concerns because the faucet can be turned on only with the provided coupler. You can buy the V1+ hydrant online for $85.

The Aquor Hydrant meets all our requirements for ease of use, drip-free watering and improved appearance. I appreciate the outdoor faucet again.