Types of Shower Heads
Choosing the right shower head for your bathroom is a game changer. There are a variety of shower heads available, from fixed to handheld models, mounting styles, spray patterns, finishes and more. Another factor to take into consideration is the size of your shower as this could sway your choice of shower head.
Below is a list of the best shower head types to help you decide on the perfect fit for your bathroom.
Fixed Shower Heads
A fixed shower head is mounted directly to the shower wall or ceiling. You can mount some fixed shower heads on an arm or bar so you can adjust the height. Fixed shower heads are smaller in size and minimal in style making them an easy fit in most bathrooms. They are also easy to replace, even if you are renting, and an inexpensive upgrade if you don’t have a big makeover budget.
Handheld Shower Heads
A handheld shower head is connected to the wall with a flexible hose, allowing a range of motion. Handheld shower heads with a hose often have a fixed-mount bracket, but the long hose is useful for bathing children and pets and makes cleaning the shower and tub easier.
Rain Shower Heads
Rainfall or waterfall shower heads are typically mounted on the ceiling but there are wall-mounted versions too. Rainfall shower heads are larger than other shower heads but offer more coverage and a calming, rainfall effect. Installing rain shower heads are an inexpensive way to create a spa-like experience every time you shower.
Dual Shower Heads
If you can’t decide whether a fixed or handheld shower head is best, consider a dual shower head, with one of each. A combo shower head or a two-in-one unit is where the handheld unit attaches to a fixed shower head. A dual shower head gives you the flexibility to personalize your shower experience by alternating between the fixed and handheld shower heads.
Mounting Types
There are two different ways to mount a shower head — via the wall or the ceiling. Wall mount shower heads are the most popular type. Depending on what you purchase, you can adjust some shower heads using an arm or a sliding bar. You can mount a rain shower head on the wall using a shower arm. If you have a ceiling-mounted shower head, consider upgrading to a rain shower for a luxurious experience.
Spray Patterns
For the most flexibility, look for a unit in with an adjustable spray pattern. Most shower heads offer three different spray patterns including:
- A wide coverage angle that feels like rain and is ideal for kids and rinsing soap off your body.
- A drenching spray pattern that's good for rinsing heavy suds.
- A targeted pattern producing a sharp spray that's ideal for massaging sore muscles.
Materials and Finishes
Most shower heads are made of metal, stainless steel or plastic and come in a wide range of finish options to complement the other hardware and fixtures in your bathroom. The most popular colors include:
Shower Faucets
Shower faucets are the shower head plus the valve that controls the flow of water and its temperature. Lever, cross or knobs are the most common handle type. A scald guard or pressure balancer prevents a sudden drop in cold water from being a burn hazard. If your shower system includes a tub, you’ll need a faucet with a diverter to control both the shower and the tub.
Shower Systems
If you need a total bathroom upgrade, consider a shower system that includes the shower head, temperature and pressure knobs and the bath faucet. Shower systems can include other luxurious elements for your shower, like a handheld shower head, steam shower or wall jets.
Shower Bar Systems
A shower bar system contains several components, including a shower head, a hand shower and a diverter to easily switch between the two. These components come together on a long slide bar. A shower bar system is easy to install because you can mount it over a pre-existing trim kit, so you won’t have to drill into or damage the tile. You’ll need to purchase the shower or tub faucet separately.
Built-In Shower Systems
A built-in shower system includes the same components as a shower bar system, but is built-into the shower wall. Some built-in shower systems include massage sprayers, side sprayers and a steam feature.
Adding a new shower system is best kept for major bathroom renovations since you will likely need to hire a professional to handle the installation. The valve box is typically concealed in the wall, so you’ll have to cut into the existing tile when installing this type of system for the first time.
Shower Panel Systems
A shower panel system has all the shower components built into a long vertical panel. The components include the shower head, the diverter controls, a hand sprayer and, sometimes, body-targeted massage sprayers. This allows you to get a spa-like feel without dealing with difficult installation or cutting into existing tile.
Shower Head Features and Other Considerations
Besides the regular features like spray pattern and pressure control, shower heads are designed to include other features like built-in filters, wireless speakers and energy saving models that help enhance your experience.
Shower Heads with Filters
Shower heads with built-in filters are an easy way to remove impurities like chlorine and mineral deposits from your home’s water. They require little to no installation, but don’t forget to check the mounting details before you get one for your bathroom shower.
Shower Heads with Built-in Speakers
Love listening to music while you shower? Consider a shower head with a built-in wireless speaker. It can stream your favorite playlist or even get you caught up on the morning news. This shower head syncs with any Bluetooth-enabled device and lasts for several hours before needing to be recharged.
Shower Heads with Water and Energy Saving Features
For energy savings, look for shower heads with a WaterSense® label to save water and money. These low-flow shower heads use less water than a standard model. Some shower heads also come with a cut-off valve that allows you to stop the flow of water while bathing, which reduces the amount of water used in every shower.
Shower Heads and Water Pressure
If you're not getting the strong water pressure that you normally expect from your shower, the root of the problem could be a number of reasons. The problem could lie in a faulty water pressure regulator, a leak in the shower head, a build up of mineral deposits or heavy simultaneous water demand in the household.
There are ways to deal with low water pressure. Probably one of the best shower heads for shower pressure may be the shower heads with high pressure that are designed to deliver pressurized water even if the normal flow is low pressure. Some rain shower heads are designed to provide a high-pressure experience, as well, while aerating shower heads, which have larger water droplets, give the feel of higher water pressure.
Shower Head and Shower Systems FAQs
1. How do I Know Which Shower Head to Get?
There are multiple factors to consider like mounting type, spray pattern, fixed or handheld models, cost of the shower head and installation. Consider your lifestyle, like if you have kids or pets, and shower usage (is this for your main bathroom or a rarely used guest bathroom?) before deciding.
2. Does a New Shower Head Make a Difference?
Yes, a good shower head can influence the water pressure, direction and flow. If your shower head is more than a few years old, it may become clogged with mineral deposits or hard-water build-up, and it could be time for a new one.
3. How do I Choose a New Shower Fixture?
There are a few things to consider before you choose a new shower fixture, like what part of the shower you need to update or replace. Consider what type of shower system, shower faucet or shower head will fit your space, style and budget.
4. How Much Does a Shower Head Cost?
The cost of a shower head depends on its material. A plastic shower head costs less than a stainless steel or a metal shower head but may need to be replaced sooner.
5. What Shape Shower Head Should I Buy?
Once you know how to choose a shower head, you should then be able to narrow down your choices as to which shape you want along with the features you want in a shower head. There are round, rectangular, polygonal, octagonal and square shower heads available to suit your style preference.
6. What is the Standard Shower Head Height?
While contractors consider a standard shower head height to be 80 to 84 inches from the shower floor, the ideal height depend on the comfort and needs of your household. For households with individuals of varying heights, try a height-adjustable shower head.