9 Best Showerheads (Let it Rain) in 2021 – Toiletable

The best shower head for your bathroom is the one that’s durable, inexpensive, and above all, provides you with the water pressure you need. Many brands label their products as the best in the market, but it is rarely the case.

However, there are some crucial features you must consider while purchasing the best shower head for your bathroom.

• Reliability and flexible
• Adjustable spray patterns for a customized shower experience
• Choose a sleek style that fits your bathroom décor
• Water conservative with proper GPM
• Sufficient pressure

Types of Showerheads

Here is a list of eight commonly used types of showerheads for your bathroom.

#1. Single Spray

Single Spray shower is one of the most commonly used showerheads that you’d find in almost every home. It provides the user with a single stream of water while staying fixed to the ceiling. These shower heads are suitable for most bathrooms, cost less, and have consistent water pressure.

#2. Handheld

A handheld provides a much more flexible shower experience than their fixed counterparts. It typically comes with an attached steel hose with reinforced bearings so you can better control the direction of the water spray. More importantly, this type lets you choose between a full body shower or a body part cleanup.

You can also use these handheld units to give a bath to your baby or your pet. It comes in various pressure settings, and you can adjust the directional spray even to rinse your washroom floor.

#3. Rain System

Rain Shower is becoming widely popular among most households due to its steady and rain-like water flow design. This luxurious shower system features a broad shower face that evenly spreads the water flow and covers more area, so you don’t have to move a lot. They usually cost more than regular units and might have installation prerequisites such as plumbing expenses and tools.

Due to their massive size, rain showerheads might not fit every bathroom, and you’ll need to make sure you have the required space before making a purchase.

#4 Shower Panels

A shower panel or body spray showerheads are expensive and luxurious shower systems. They consist of several water outlets at different heights that spray directional water onto the bather. You can adjust the direction of each showerhead, while the height stays the same. These usually require a full bathroom renovation, and you’ll need a professional to install it in your bathroom.

Shower panels are a popular washroom accessory among modern hotels, spas, etc. As these require a significant amount of initial and maintenance costs, people tend to avoid installing them in their homes.

#5. Ceiling Mount

A ceiling mount is another type of luxurious showerhead that saves a lot of space by inserting the it into the ceiling. It is expensive, might require professional help, and you’ll need to alter your plumbing for it to become operational.

The ceiling mount is similar to a rain showerhead as it spreads out water evenly but costs a lot more.

#6. Sliding Bar

The sliding bar is a unique shower system that ensures an easy bath time for you and all your family members. It features a sliding showerhead, and you can adjust its height as you desire. This one usually has an extra-long hose that is made out of stainless steel.

#7. LED Showerheads

Although relatively new, this type of showerhead is becoming more and more popular. With built-in LED lights, it will take your shower experience to the next level. It will be a beautiful addition to your bathroom, but be sure to investigate the power source before you buy it.

Look for  interesting additional features on some units. For example, some showerheads allow you to set specific colors for hot and cold water, allowing you to see the color change as the water becomes colder.

#8. High-Pressure Showerheads

Often, the main reason for low pressure while showering is the showerhead itself. Luckily, if you want to increase water pressure while showering, there are plenty of showerheads to choose from. Many units on the market provide a flow rate of over 2 GPM, which is definitely considered high-pressure.

Increasing Water Pressure

Many shower heads have an adjustable design that lets you control the outward water-flow with just a turn of the knob. You can choose from various settings that range from a hard massage to a soft water spray.

There could be several reasons your showerhead is underperforming, so let’s dive right into it.

• Water restrictor 

  Newer models usually come with a rubber or cardboard piece that restricts the flow of water. Make some holes in it or remove it entirely if you’re having pressure issues

   

• Old Models 

  Older shower heads have a high flow rate with a lower PSI. Investing in a unit with lower GPM can increase the pressure with the same plumbing

• Shower Cleanup 

  Another reason for your shower to underperform is hard water or mineral deposits inside the shower. The perforated nozzles can accumulate substances to block the pathway, resulting in pressure decrease. Make sure to clean the nozzles with a strong cleaning agent regularly

Quick Comparisons

Top 9 Showerheads Reviewed

#1 Kohler Forte Showerhead

If you want a showerhead that offers powerful settings and easy installation, this model might be your best choice. Simply attach it to a standard ½-inch NPT connection and it will provide you with a very good flow rate of 1.75 GPM. It features three settings: full coverage, massage, and spray.

This model comes in six colors, and each variant is attractive, however, certain colors come with a higher price tag. We like its polished chrome finish which is easy to clean and prevents mineral buildup.

#2 Glacier Bay Modern Square Raincan

Among all the rain showerheads that we tested, this model is the best. It looks much more expensive than it is, and it has outperformed many models three times the price. It also provides a very good flow rate of 1.8 GPM, which is more than enough for most people.

This showerhead’s size will provide you with a true rainfall experience, however, you might need to buy a shower arm extender which is sold separately. Like most units that we tested, this model is also WaterSense and IAPMO certified. With its rub-clean spray nozzles, you won’t have to worry about the mineral buildup.

#3 Speakman Anystream Showerhead

This showerhead is an excellent solution if you want an affordable unit with decent performance. According to the manufacturer, Anystream showerhead is a good choice for homes with low water pressure. It has plungers inside which control the force intensity and the materials from which they are made are resistant to mineral buildup.

You can buy this showerhead in four different colors which makes it a good fit for any bathroom. Also, you can choose between 1.75, 2, and 2.5 GPM flow rates, depending on your house’s water pressure.

#4 Delta Faucet H2Okinetic Showerhead

The first thing that caught our attention was the design of this showerhead. Especially in black, it looks not simply modern, but futuristic. Its unique wave pattern provides three times more coverage than a standard showerhead, plus it’s both a hand shower and showerhead in one.

This model offers five powerful spray options, including H2Okinetic PowerDrench spray and massaging spray. The docking is magnetic and will keep your showerhead secure at all  times. Also, the unit comes with a lifetime warranty, allowing you to install and use it with confidence.

#5 High Sierra All-Metal Showerhead

If you are concerned about the environment, this showerhead will be your perfect choice. According to the manufacturer, this is a “green” product that uses less water and energy but still delivers good performance. Its nozzle is award-winning and provides a strong spray of large drops. Although it uses 40% less water than standard showerheads, it is still able to deliver around 1.5 gallons of water per minute.

The showerhead is sold in four variations: Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Oil Rubbed Bronze, and Polished Brass. Not only is each finish attractive, it’s also made from metal, giving it strong, solid construction. One drawback of this unit is that it can be quite loud.

#6 MOEN Aromatherapy Showerhead

This showerhead is a high-quality unit that will provide you with a beautiful aromatherapy experience. It features INLI technology which allows you to add capsules that infuse essential oils directly into the water. Of course, capsules are sold separately, but four capsules are included in your starter pack.

What we like the most about this model is that it’s very simple to use. You just need to slide the capsule into the dial and select a setting. It will last up to ten minutes and won’t leave any residue on your hair or in the tub. Like the previous model, the MOEN showerhead also features magnetic docking, which can be very useful.

#7 SparkPod Showerhead

If you are looking for a less expensive solution, you should definitely check out this showerhead. It is very simple to install, requiring no tools. The unit comes with easy-to-clean nozzles and has ABS plastic around, which is durable and rustproof.

The SparkPod showerhead has a 1.8 GPM flow rate, but still uses slightly less water than standard showerheads. The company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year replacement warranty.

#8 AquaHomeGroup Luxury Showerhead

Having your water filtered is essential in areas with hard water. To prevent damage to your skin and your hair, buying a showerhead with a built-in filter is a must. Among all the showerheads with filters, this unit is definitely one of the best. It has a 15-stage filtration system, which also removes rust, sand, and heavy metals.

It is made of ABS plastic and sold only in one color. However, it is attractive and would be a good fit for most traditional bathrooms. When you order, you will also get a gift package with five shower caps in different colors and a Teflon tape.

#9 Delta Faucet 7-Spray Showerhead

What we noticed first about this showerhead is that it’s insanely powerful. It provides a flow rate of up to 2.5 GPM and features 7 spray settings. Among all the settings is the energy-saving mode, which is excellent for those who want to cut their monthly bills.

The showerhead even has massaging jets that are excellent for relieving sore and tired muscles. With its lifetime warranty, you can use it without any fear that something will break and that you will have to buy a new unit.

Main Features and Benefits

Here we list many features and highlights about showerheads to help you make the best decision.

Saving Water

Yes, newer shower heads provide you with an adequate amount of water-saving options. These options can be built-in or optional for the consumers and can help you save up to 13-liters per minute. According to watercalculator.org, conventional showerheads flow at 5 gallons per minute or more, whereas low-flow showerheads typically flow at 2.5 gallons per minute (or less!).

Note that leaky faucets play a significant role in your water usage, and it might amount to massive water wastage in the long run. A study suggests that approximately five to ten percent of US homes have easy-to-fix leaks that drip away 90 gallons a day or more. Make sure you replace your existing unit with a durable, non-leaky one to manage your water usage.

Cleaning a Showerhead

Cleaning a shower head is a necessity as mineral build-up can significantly reduce your shower’s efficiency. You can use active cleaning agents to break down mineral deposits and unclog the pores

Here’s a step by step for unclogging.

• Remove from the mount bracket
• Place it face-down inside a wide container
• Pour vinegar in the container until the face of the unit is immersed
• Leave in the container for 30 minutes or overnight
• Take out from the container, wash it and scrub the leftover residue with an old toothbrush
• Re-mount onto the bracket and let the water run for a few minutes to clean out the internal residue.

Today, most new showers come with a self-cleaning design that prevents the pores from clogging and keeps them clean. However, they still require occasional rub-down to remove any substance on the handle or outside the pores.

Pressure

If the PSI of your home plumbing not enough for the showerhead, it won’t function as efficiently as it should. The low water pressure can result in annoying baths, and your new purchase can go to waste. Note that most need between 40 to 60 psi to operate normally.

Spray Patterns

Many showerheads nowadays have adjustable or customizable water flow patterns. They allow you to choose from several pattern options by merely turning a knob. You must look for one with all the settings you need, such as full spray for bathing a baby or targeted spray for cleaning the toilet floor.

• Mist Spray Pattern

This pattern is very specific and creates a soothing feeling on the skin. These showerheads have small nozzles and when the water exits, it comes out in thousands of small droplets. Since the drops are small, they will quickly evaporate and provide a cooling effect. It’s an excellent after-workout choice.

• Standard Spray Pattern

This pattern is found in most showerheads on the market. It’s a basic pattern that usually comes with different settings. Although it looks simple, a standard spray pattern can provide you with a relaxed and comfortable shower experience.

Energy Efficiency

Given the current circumstances, energy and water efficiency is a highly-rated trait among washroom products. Many options can cut back on your electricity and water bill. E.g., a showerhead with a WaterSense label could save 27,000 gallons of water per year for an average family. Since they cut down the heating cost too, you can save up to 330 KW of electricity.

Bathroom Size

Last and arguably, the most important thing to consider while purchasing is the size of your bathroom. Usually, they are compatible with most washrooms, but some high-end showerheads can require extra room for plumbing or just won’t fit an average best toilet. Make sure you have the correct measurements for the shower as well as the bathroom space to avoid any inconvenience at the time of installation.

Another thing to consider meanwhile is to make sure it goes with your bathroom’s décor and doesn’t look odd.

Installation Process

Installing a shower head is very simple, but you should always check the manual before you start. First, you will need to remove the old one by twisting the head off. Using a sponge, scrub the remaining Teflon tape. If you are installing a handheld model, make sure to clean the pipe properly after you remove the old showerhead. Then, attach the pipe threads and make sure that all the seals are strong. Slowly turn on the water and check if there are any leaks. If there are, you should add more Teflon tape to the supply pipe and that should solve the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions