Having a shower is how most of us start (or end) each day, and a good shower experience makes all the difference. You may not have considered it before, but which shower head you choose actually has a huge impact on everything from how you feel after a shower to your energy bills and even the interior design of your house.
Whatever factors you take into account, such as low-pressure or high-pressure, eco-friendly, or filters, finding the right shower head can make a surprisingly noticeable difference to your lifestyle. And if you feel like all showerheads look the same or you don't know where to start, don't fear. Our handy guide and top 10 are here to make choosing a new shower head nice and simple so that you only have to worry about which song to sing while you shower!
With such a diverse range of shower heads available on the market, there are many factors that you may wish to take into account. When it comes to showers, many features are very much a matter of personal taste, so make sure you know what you like.
The look of your shower head can make a big difference to the overall feel of your bathroom - you may wish to think about how the shower head coordinates with the rest of the room, and the impression it will give to guests. Moreover, different materials will affect your personal experience when using the shower.
Most cheaper shower heads will be made of plastic, which generally breaks more easily and may show up scratches more easily than their metal counterparts.
While an advantage of a plastic shower head is that it won't rust, a good quality metal shower head shouldn't rust either. The main difference between a plastic and a metal shower head is that a metal shower head may look slightly more refined and be more durable than a plastic shower head.
Chrome is a solid favourite in British bathrooms, and for good reason. With its stylish, lustrous finish, chrome looks modern and reflects light to make your bathroom seem brighter. Compared to some other materials, chrome is also much lighter in weight and cheaper.
As many bathrooms will already feature chrome in other fittings, such as taps and shower temperature controls, it's often very easy to coordinate a new chrome shower head with an existing bathroom.
However, it's worth bearing in mind that chrome is not quite as durable as other, heavier metals. It can dent and become scratched relatively easily, and any marks and blemishes will show up on its shiny finish.
If the look you're going for in your bathroom is more classy, you might want to consider getting a showerhead made of brass. What's good about this material is that it's extremely durable and can withstand quite a lot. On top of that, it's very easy to clean as you won't have to worry about rust or water residue stains.
For the ultimate retro feel, get a 'Victorian'-style brass shower head, these tend to be shaped a bit like an old telephone, giving your bathroom a wonderfully elegant and timeless touch to your bathroom.
Looks-wise, stainless steel is very similar to chrome, but the difference is that it is heavier and more durable. It will resist scratches and dents very well, which is the reason that it is often the metal of choice for objects that you use every day, such as cutlery.
While not completely immune to wear and tear, stainless steel is still corrosion-resistant and tarnish-resistant. This means that it is a great material for families with young children, whose fingerprints would show up very easily on its chrome counterpart.
How you like your showers is very much a matter of personal preference, and there's no element of a shower so divisive as the strength of the water flow. Some people may prefer a power shower head, where water shoots out at a higher pressure, while others may prefer a rainfall shower which feels more like the water is falling like soft rain, giving you a more relaxing experience.
Luckily, there's a sizable range of showerheads to cater for all pressures and densities. If you really want an all-over massage from your shower, you might like to consider a 'shower tower' with a head above and multiple horizontal jets.
Many of us are increasingly concerned with living a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, and something that can help contribute towards doing this is using an eco-friendly showerhead. On average, eco-friendly showerheads reduce water flow up to an average of 40%, which can make a huge difference for the environment and your water bills.
There are now loads of eco-friendly showerheads available on the market, so whether you choose an electric or a power shower, it's easy to save water. Many eco-friendly shower heads will give you just as good a shower experience as any normal showerhead.
A less exciting but very important factor to consider is the maintenance and cleaning of your shower head. As mentioned above, some materials may require less upkeep than others, so it's important to take the material of the shower head into account.
Moreover, many shower heads today are self-cleaning, which means that the nozzles of the shower won't get easily blocked by limescale. You still have to clean the rest of the showerhead, but this will save you from messing about with limescale.
Another element that will make maintenance easier is a silicone or rubber ring around the nozzle area of the shower, which will absorb shocks and make the showerhead less brittle in case you accidentally drop it or bash it against something.
While showers can be relaxing, they are not the most interesting part of the day, so you may wish to spice things up by getting a showerhead with some special features. The most basic function you'll find will be a rotating spout that allows you to adjust to your preferred level of pressure and coverage.
You will also find LED shower heads, which can set the ambience of your shower. These lights can have varying functions such as lighting up in different colours depending on the temperature of the water. Also, Ionic filters that use mineral balls to soften and purify hard to supposedly make it better for your skin are also great options to consider.
If you like hot tubs, you'll love shower towers, which include loads of settings so that you can find what suits you. The multiple jets mean that you can target areas that need massaging, such as your back or legs. Some shower towers even have multiple features rolled into one like LED lighting and even a built-in radio.
Now that you know the important factors to look for in a shower head, let's move on to our top 10 recommendations!
£9.99
Material | Plastic |
---|---|
Pressure | High |
Eco | No |
Special Features | Combine with any Mira shower hose to increase water flow by up to 25 percent |
£28.99
Material | Chrome shower head, stainless steel hose |
---|---|
Pressure | High |
Eco | No |
Special Features | Water pressure boosting |
£20.45
Material | Plastic, Stainless Steel |
---|---|
Pressure | Low |
Eco | No |
Special Features | 7 automatic colour changing LED lights |
£9.99
Material | Stainless Steel |
---|---|
Pressure | High |
Eco | No |
Special Features | Cylindrical shape, clog-free nozzles |
£14.86
Material | Plastic |
---|---|
Pressure | High |
Eco | Yes |
Special Features | Ionic water filter |
£165.00
Material | Stainless Steel |
---|---|
Pressure | Many |
Eco | No |
Special Features | Multiple jets, LED, digital temperature display |
£21.99
Material | Brass, chrome |
---|---|
Pressure | Low |
Eco | No |
Special Features | Victorian-style design |
£85.00
Material | Chrome |
---|---|
Pressure | Medium |
Eco | Yes |
Special Features | Satinjet® technology |
£21.99
Material | Stainless Steel |
---|---|
Pressure | Low |
Eco | No |
Special Features | Brushed nickel finish |
£83.60
Material | Chrome |
---|---|
Pressure | Medium |
Eco | Yes |
Special Features | Halo shape, limescale resistant |
Image | 1 ![]() Methven | 2 ![]() Derpras | 3 ![]() Methven | 4 ![]() Skybath | 5 ![]() Onyzpily | 6 ![]() Rymerce | 7 ![]() H&S | 8 ![]() Aigend | 9 ![]() Couradric | 10 ![]() Mira |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Aio Aurajet Shower Head | Stainless Steel Round Rain Shower Head | Kaha Efficient 2 Function Shower Head | Brass Victorian-Style Shower Head | Multi-Function Shower Tower | Ionic 3 Setting Shower Head | Handheld Pencil Shower Head | LED Shower Head | Low Water Pressure Boosting Handheld Shower Head | Shower Head 90mm Universal Fit |
Features | A Sleek and Modern Design Combined With Low Water Usage | An Understated and Stylish Steel Rainfall Shower Head | A Subtle Look With Unique Water-Saving Capabilities | A Retro Shower Head that Adds a Splash of Class | A Luxury Shower that Can Do (Almost) Everything | A Powerful Shower Head With Popular Ionic Technology | A High Pressure Shower Head With a Unique Design | A Fun, Rainfall-Style Shower Head With Innovative LED Lighting | High Pressure Even in Low Water Pressure Showers | A Universal Fit Shower Head for a Fuss Free Shower Experience |
Price | £83.60 | £21.99 | £85.00 | £21.99 | £165.00 | £14.86 | £9.99 | £20.45 | £28.99 | £9.99 |
Material | Chrome | Stainless Steel | Chrome | Brass, chrome | Stainless Steel | Plastic | Stainless Steel | Plastic, Stainless Steel | Chrome shower head, stainless steel hose | Plastic |
Pressure | Medium | Low | Medium | Low | Many | High | High | Low | High | High |
Eco | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Special Features | Halo shape, limescale resistant | Brushed nickel finish | Satinjet® technology | Victorian-style design | Multiple jets, LED, digital temperature display | Ionic water filter | Cylindrical shape, clog-free nozzles | 7 automatic colour changing LED lights | Water pressure boosting | Combine with any Mira shower hose to increase water flow by up to 25 percent |
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Once you've chosen the perfect showerhead for your shower, it's time to consider other purchases to complete your bathroom, whether its a shower squeegee, an air freshener or even bath salts. Luckily we've already found some of the best products for bathrooms to buy online.
As we've discovered, the quality of your shower can really affect your mood, so it's important to understand what kind of shower experience is right for you. So whatever your taste, make sure you enjoy your shower, and we hope this article has made it a little bit easier to know what to look for. Don't forget to scrub behind the ears!
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