Phoenix Lexi MKII

Phoenix Lexi MKII: linear tapware, showers and accessories

Phoenix Lexi MKII is a contemporary update to the original Lexi collection, built on a strong linear profile. The slender outlet and the pin handle are elongated and sit vertically, which gives each mixer a sleeker, more architectural line than the first Lexi. The range covers basin and vessel mixers, a pull out sink mixer, SwitchMix wall mixers and outlets, a wall shower system and matching accessories, in chrome, matte black and brushed nickel.

People search for it as Phoenix Lexi, Phoenix Lexi MKII and Lexi MK II tapware. This page sets out each piece with the ratings and sizes that decide fit, and how the SwitchMix wall system works. For Phoenix tapware from other ranges, see Phoenix basin mixers and Phoenix kitchen mixer taps.

What is in the Lexi MKII range

Finishes

Lexi MKII is made in chrome, matte black and brushed nickel. Chrome is the plainest and the brightest. Matte black is flat and strong against pale tiles and shows the linear shape clearly. Brushed nickel is a soft silver, and on the SwitchMix wall mixer it is a PVD finish, a hard coating bonded to the metal in a vacuum chamber. The same three finishes run across the tapware, the shower and the accessories, so a full set can match without compromise.

Cold Start basin and vessel mixers

The Lexi MKII basin mixer and vessel mixer use a Cold Start cartridge, an energy saving cartridge that delivers cold water only when the lever sits in the centre position. In the middle you get cold, and you move the lever to the hot side only when you want hot water. That saves the energy that a conventional mixer wastes every time a hand is rinsed. Both mixers have achieved a WELS 6 star rating for water efficiency, which is the highest rating.

Choose the height from the basin. The basin mixer is the lower choice for a basin that sits close to the bench. The vessel mixer is taller and is made for an above counter basin, where the spout must clear the bowl wall so the water lands inside. Each connects with 450mm braided hoses for hot and cold, so check that the hoses reach the isolating taps in your vanity, and compare the height of a vessel mixer with the height of the basin above the bench. See Phoenix basin mixers for more.

The pull out sink mixer

The Lexi MKII pull out sink mixer brings the same linear profile to the kitchen, with a pull out spray so you can reach the corners of the sink and rinse large pots. It is rated WELS 4.5 star. A kitchen mixer takes a larger flow than a basin mixer, so it carries a lower rating than the 6 star basin mixers, which is normal for a sink. Check the overall height against the window or the cupboard above the sink before you order. See Phoenix kitchen mixer taps.

SwitchMix wall mixers

The SwitchMix pieces are wall mounted mixers supplied as complete kits, with a rough-in kit that goes inside the wall and a fit-off kit that shows on the face. The SwitchMix system uses a patented cartridge, and the visible fit-off can be swapped later for a different look without disturbing the plumbing behind the wall. All of the SwitchMix mixers use a 35mm ceramic cartridge and solid lead free brass, with an operating pressure of 150 to 500 kPa and a temperature range of 1 to 75 degrees Celsius.

Settle the spout reach and the handle position while the wall is open, because the rough-in goes in before the tiles. A 200mm reach should land the water close to the centre of the basin or the bath outlet, so measure from the finished tile surface to the centre of the drain. The diverter mixer switches the water between two connected outlets, such as a shower and a bath spout, and the shower and wall mixer controls a single outlet. See Phoenix shower mixers and Phoenix spouts for other mixers and outlets.

Wall shower system

The Lexi MKII wall shower system puts the lever mixer, a ceramic 180 degree rotary diverter and a single function hand shower on one backplate. The diverter switches between the hand shower and a second connected outlet. The backplate is solid brass, the system has dual check valves, and the hand shower has an easy clean hose. It is rated WELS 3 star at 8 litres a minute and works at 150 to 500 kPa.

A shower carries a lower star rating than a basin mixer because the flow has to be large enough to rinse, so 3 star is expected. The 140mm gap between the tap and the hand shower is the dimension to check against tile joints. See Phoenix showers for other showers in the range.

Towel rails and accessories

The Lexi MKII accessories are zinc alloy with a squareline design that matches the tapware. The towel rails come in single and double designs, in 600mm and 800mm lengths, with dual fixing for a secure mount. The toilet roll holder has a twin screw mounting plate for a stable fix, and its shape lets it double as a small storage shelf. See Phoenix towel rails and toilet roll holders for other accessories.

Choosing between the basin mixer and the vessel mixer

Both mixers fix through one tap hole. The hoses connect underneath, so a plumber can fit the mixer from below the vanity without touching the wall. If you are replacing an older tap, check the hole count first, because a Lexi MKII mixer needs one hole and a three hole basin needs a cover plate or a different tap. Check the height of any shelf, mirror or window above the basin as well, since the vessel mixer stands well above the bench.

What Cold Start means in daily use

On most single lever mixers the centre position gives a mix of hot and cold, so a quick rinse of the hands asks the water heater to fire and sends hot water that is never used down the pipe. With the Cold Start cartridge, the centre of the lever gives cold water only. You move the lever to the hot side when you need hot water, which keeps small jobs, such as rinsing a toothbrush or a glass, from using heated water. The saving is small each time and adds up across a household over a year.

Planning a Lexi MKII bathroom

Start with the basin. Choose the basin mixer or the vessel mixer by the height of the basin, and note that both are Cold Start mixers. Then choose the wall pieces, settling the rough-in while the wall is open. Add the shower and the towel rails in the same finish. The linear profile suits a modern room with flat panels, square tiles and a plain vanity, and it works against softer shapes where the contrast is deliberate.

Before you order

Confirm the finish across the room. Confirm the mixer height for the basin and the hose reach for the vanity. For wall pieces, confirm the spout reach and settle the rough-in before the lining goes up. Check the 150 to 500 kPa working range against your supply. Read the rating on the exact piece, because the flow differs between a Cold Start basin mixer, a SwitchMix wall set at 5 litres a minute, and a shower at 8.