For those of us who embrace the unexpected, from seasoned vanlifers to cautious preppers, having reliable access to water is non-negotiable. My go-to for years has been Dometic's battery-powered Go Faucet, a cornerstone of my mobile setup. So, when I got my hands on the new Dometic Recon 360 Faucet, it took me all of two minutes to realize it's a significant upgrade. After a week of rigorous testing, my initial impression was confirmed: this is a better faucet in every way that matters.
The Recon 360 Faucet is designed to bring the convenience of a traditional faucet to places without plumbing. Imagine having instant access to water inside your boat, cabin, or van, or even at the beach, a job site, or a campground. It works by drawing water from a storage container. A flexible silicone hose connects to the back of the faucet and snaps into the CPC quick-connect fitting found on Dometic’s Go Jug or Recon Hardside Coolers. But, here's a pro-tip: you can easily adapt it to any jerry can using a third-party CPC adapter. It's also compatible with inline filters, like the ones from LifeStraw and Camelbak, giving you peace of mind about water purity.
Now, let's dive into the upgrades. The Recon 360 Faucet ditches the sometimes finicky touch surface for real, tactile buttons. One button provides a standard flow, perfect for brushing your teeth or filling a glass. The second, larger button unleashes a more powerful stream, ideal for washing dishes, your hair, or quickly filling a water bottle before a hike. The water flow stops with a second press of the active button, or it automatically shuts off after 90 seconds or 1.5L/3L, helping to conserve water.
During my tests, the smaller button dispensed a liter of water in 41 seconds (at a noticeable 52dB from arm's length), while the fast button delivered a liter in a mere 24 seconds at a louder 60dB. The low-flow mode is quieter than the original Go Faucet, with a less irritating sound. However, it's still too loud for stealthy midnight water runs while others are sleeping. The bright LED light illuminating the stream does make it possible, though.
And as the name suggests, the base now rotates a full 360 degrees, offering more placement flexibility. This is a welcome change that should reduce the number of times I have to clean water off my counter. The new tap has also moved from Micro USB to a USB-C connector for charging, and the battery still provides about 150 liters (about 40 gallons) of water. The Recon 360 Faucet also boasts a 4-stage LED meter on top to indicate the remaining charge.
While slightly smaller, the new faucet is a bit heavier than the Go model. It comes with metal pucks that can be adhered to a countertop or water jug, creating a secure platform for the faucet's magnetic base. The new magnet feels about twice as strong as the older model, which should hold the faucet in place better when driving down bumpy roads. That's a good thing, because I've sent my Go Faucet flying through the van several times, yet it keeps on pumping. I'm hoping the Recon 360 Faucet is just as durable.
But here's where it gets controversial: the price. The Recon 360 Faucet costs $149.99, compared to the Go Faucet's $99.99, which Dometic still sells. While the Go Faucet is excellent, the Recon 360 addresses so many minor issues that I believe it's worth the extra cost. Sure, there are cheaper alternatives available, but if you regularly need a portable faucet, like I do, Dometic's durable and feature-rich faucets won't disappoint if you can afford them.
What are your thoughts? Are you a fan of the new features, or do you think the price increase is too much? Share your opinions in the comments below!
