12 Different Types of Showerheads

Quicklist: Showerheads

1. Fixed Showerheads
2. Handheld Showerheads
3. Dual Showerheads
4. Energy-Saving Showerheads
5. Different Showerhead Finishes
6. Body Spas
7. Rain Showerheads
8. Slide Bar Showerheads
9. Low-Flow Showerheads
10. Voice-Activated Showerheads
11. Filtered Showerheads
12. Lighted LED Showerheads

Two out of three people in the U.S. take a shower once a day or even multiple times a day.  Those people probably don’t spend a whole lot of time thinking about the showerhead that’s providing the water, but maybe it’s time to start.

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Look up next time you’re in the shower. There are many different types of showerheads available depending on spray patterns, size and other features. Maybe you’ve been using one that really doesn’t suit you all along. 

Related: Top Showerheads | Types of Shower Faucets | Types of Shower Doors | Outdoor Shower Ideas | Parts of a Bathroom Shower | Types of Shower Handles

The Basic Types

There are many different styles of showerheads out there but when you get right down to it, there are three basic types. 

Fixed Showerheads

Fixed shower heads are permanently mounted to the shower wall or unit. Some showerhead designs are actually mounted to the ceiling. Any showerhead that is directly and permanently mounted is fixed. This just means that the showerhead stays where it is and you move to it in order to enjoy the water spray. Fixed showerheads are usually adjustable. They often move up / down and right / left so you can exercise some control over where the water falls.

Handheld Showerheads

Handheld showerheads are still mounted to the wall or ceiling but they are connected with a flexible hose. The other end of the hose is connected to pipes that provide water. Handheld showerheads usually hang on a wall bracket.

The showerheads are useful for bathing children and pets. They also give you control over where the water goes, which means it easier for you to keep your hair dry while showering.

Handheld showers are useful when you need complete control the water spray.

Dual Showerheads

The third option is a hybrid between the two types, dual showerheads. This is a showerhead that doubles as a hand shower.

It stays fixed on the wall when you want it to and it can be removed from its mount and used a handheld when you like. This gives you the best of both worlds and still gives you complete control over where the water goes.

Types of Showerhead Designs

Within the three main types of showerheads, there are many different styles to choose from. Showerheads range in size, style and appearance. They even have different water spray patterns.

Energy-Saving Showerheads

Energy-saving showerheads, also known as low-flow showerheads, are available in any type. These have a WaterSense label that shows they are more energy-efficient than other styles of the showerhead.

No showerhead can have a flow rate that is greater than 2.5 gallons per minute, with a standard pressure of 80 pounds per square inch. Low-flow showerheads provide water at a reduced rate to help you save energy.

Different Showerhead Finishes

Showerheads come in a variety of different metal finishes as well. Typical finishes are off-white, white, antique brass, copper, polished nickel, chrome and oil-rubbed bronze.

Size and style are always important but don’t forget that you want your showerhead to be practical. Look for a showerhead that has the spray pattern you want. Most showerheads are designed with one of three different patterns: a wide spray, a drenching downpour spray, or a targeted spray pattern designed for massaging.

Showerhead Styles

Though there seems to be an almost endless amount of choices when you’re shopping for showerheads, there are some common styles that you’ll end up seeing again and again. The designs may vary in size, look and finish, but they still perform the same basic function.

Body Spas

Body spas are designed to shoot water out in a jet-like fashion to provide a massaging shower spray.

Rain Showerheads

Rain showerheads, also called top-mount showerheads, pour water down on you from above. These showerheads are typically mounted on the ceiling. They also usually have a low-water flow rate.

Slide-Bar Showerheads

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a showerhead that adjusts in height? That’s a slide-bar showerhead for you. It is as convenient as adjusting the driver’s seat in a car. Say, for example, you are tall and live with someone short. Each of you can adjust the showerhead height to the right position each time you shower.

Slide-bar showerheads also come in handy for homes with older adults. They might need to shower while seated, without the hassle of holding the showerhead in hand. However, some slide-bar showerheads also have the handheld feature, making it easy to spray hard-to-reach areas.

Low-Flow Showerheads

As you would guess from the name, a low-flow showerhead lets out smaller amounts of water than ordinary showerheads. It restricts the water flow, and even then, the shower knob is on maximum.

Most people assume that low-flow showerheads have low pressure. While that was the case with older models, newer versions have better technology, creating stronger pressure for a pleasant shower.

Voice-Activated Showerheads

Voice control has been an integral part of smart homes. While this technology has been most common in the kitchen, it seems to be making its way to the bathroom. You can now turn your showerhead on using your voice. Brands like Kohler and Moen have added voice-activated showerheads to their collection. You can integrate these showerheads with Siri and Alexa controls.

Filtered Showerheads

As the name suggests, a filtered showerhead improves the water quality before it touches your skin. It gets rid of impurities such as mineral deposits and bacteria. Studies show that this water is gentle on the hair, preventing dryness and irritation.

It also helps prevent hair frizz and dryness, and scalp irritation. Besides, a filtered showerhead significantly reduces the water streaks that form on the shower glass and walls of the shower.

Lighted LED Showerhead

You’ve probably heard that water and electricity never go well together, so you might be wondering how LED showerheads work. Actually, the lights are powered by the water in the showerhead which acts as a small dynamo, generating power and conveying it to the lights.

The power output depends on the water pressure. As the water pressure goes up, the lights get brighter. Some advanced showerheads have temperature sensors, so the color of the lights change depending on the temperature.

Building a Better Showerhead

A showerhead can range from as little as $5 to more than $1,000 in price, depending on the size, style, and extras it may have. Think about what kind of shower experience you want to have and what’s going to work best for you. If you have a little extra to spend and you want to splurge a little, go ahead.

Choose the finish that’s going to match your existing décor and make sure you stick with a showerhead that’s going to work with the plumbing you already have. If you want to switch from a wall-mounted showerhead to a ceiling-mounted shower head, you’re going to have to call a plumber and pay lots more money to upgrade your shower.

However, you may be able to use a shower arm to change up the style of your showerhead if you like. Some ceiling-mounted showerheads can be mounted to a shower arm, which can be connected to a wall mount. The arm will come out and point down. If your wall mount is too low for the showerhead you want to use, get an arm that rises up and then points downward.

By knowing more about your options, you’ll find it much easier to go shopping to find the exact showerhead you want.

Top Brands of Showerheads

1. Kohler

Source: Kohler

Kohler has been serving people’s lifestyle needs for over 140 years now. John Michael Kohler founded the company on December 3, 1873, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Interestingly, the company, which was initially named Kohler & Silberzahn, used to make plows and other farm implements.

Over the years, Kohler has continued to showcase outstanding technology. In 2017, they launched the real rain showering system, which mimics rainfall down to the last drop. They also make hand showers and body sprays.

2. High Sierra

Source: High Sierra

Like Kohler, High Sierra showerheads stem from working with agricultural technology. The founder, David Malcolm, spent over a decade designing and manufacturing high-efficiency FCI nozzles for agricultural and golf course irrigation systems.

Malcolm was the brain behind a unique hose-end nozzle for hand-watering golf course greens in 2004. It would be the first time golf green irrigators had nozzles with such precision. He continued experimenting and created a nozzle that erupted a stream of uniform droplets — in size and distribution.

That formed the foundation of a 1.5 GPM low-flow showerhead, highly efficient in saving water and energy. Notably, all High Sierra showerheads are made of solid metal, giving them an upper hand in durability.

Besides the novel technology, High Sierra also boasts excellent customer service. All their showerheads have a two-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

3. Moen

Source: Moen

Moen is one showerhead brand that has been in the business long enough to understand customer needs. They make some of the highest quality shower heads on the market, including a line of unique digital shower systems. They also have classic showerheads, which are just as durable.

Moen features a wide range of showerhead designs, making sure that there is something for everyone. Their showerheads are also EPA-certified, designating them efficient regarding water usage.

4. Hopopro

Source: Hopopro

Hopopro sell both fixed and handheld showerheads. Among their best-selling products is the Hopopro six-function handheld shower head set.

The set comes with a 59-inch stainless steel hose, anti-leakage teflon tape and an adjustable brass overhead bracket. Other products include the Hopopro nine-mode showerhead, and the Hopopro High-Pressure Showerhead, 2022 Rainfall Spray Showerhead.

5. Hansgrohe

Source: Hansgrohe

Hansgrohe is a tap and shower specialist founded by Hans Grohe in 1901. Interestingly, it started as a metal pressing workshop in Schiltach in the Black Forest, where the company headquarters are still based.

The Hansgrohe group boasts a global reach but manufactures in Germany, France, China and the United States. The company’s showerheads feature state-of-the-art AirPower technology to save water. The spray disc sucks in a significant amount of air and enriches the water with it. The water flows as soft beads of shower rain – all while reducing water consumption. Hansgrohe has both fixed and hand-held shower heads, each with three-jet selections.

6. WASSA

Source: eBay

WASSA is known for producing affordable yet high-quality showerheads. An example is their high-pressure showerhead with a three-inch face and 45 jets. The shower head also has a removable stainless steel filter and silicon jets, which prevent the buildup of lime and hard water deposits.

7. SparkPod

Source: SparkPod

SparkPod features luxury showerheads, such as their High-Pressure Rain Showerhead which jets out high-pressure rain and guarantees you energy savings.

All SparkPod showerheads connect to any standard shower arm, and don’t require installation tools. They also have easy-to-clean rubber jets to remove hard water deposits.

Should your SparkPod showerhead show any problems, you can take advantage of their one-year free replacement warranty or 30-day money-back guarantee.

Best Type of Showerhead For Various Uses

Low Water Pressure

Low water pressure can be annoying in the shower. You don’t want to waste extra time trying to rinse off shampoo and conditioner. Lucky for you, there are showerheads designed to boost the water pressure, our best pick being Speakman S-2005 HB Hotel Anystream High-Pressure Showerhead. 

This showerhead has patented plungers that control the spread of the water as it leaves the nozzle. These plungers allow pressure to build up, making it an excellent choice if you struggle with low water pressure. Besides, the plungers are self-cleaning and resistant to hard water and sediment buildup.

High Water Pressure

A hot shower after a long day feels nice, but it can pinch your wallet greatly — especially if you have a big family. Solution? Getting a low-flow shower head to reduce your water consumption. Our winner in this category is the High Sierra Classic Plus showerhead. 

This showerhead features an award-winning patented nozzle, saving up to 40% water and the energy to heat it. The showerhead also has an easy-to-adjust swivel so that you can set your desired spray angle. It comes with a self-sealing gasket, meaning you won’t need a plumber’s help to install it.

Hard Wate

Hard water is not the best for your skin. Due to its high calcium and magnesium content, it requires more effort to remove soap from your skin. That means there are higher chances of some residue building up on your skin. That could lead to a nasty breakout. That’s why it pays off to invest in a filtering showerhead.

Barclay’s Buys Better Home Goods Filtered showerhead takes the day in this category. This showerhead has a calcium sulfite filter cartridge with a filter sponge. That means it reduces sulfur odor, chlorine and scale. Besides the novel filtration system, this shower head is also enhanced with micro-hole technology to improve the water pressure.

RV/ Camper

If you spend several hours traveling in an RV or a camper, my intelligent guess is that you spend hours on outdoor activities like biking and hiking. So all you want at the end of the day is a long comforting shower. But there is a caveat — you are not connected to an endless water supply. So you need a showerhead that, above all, conserves water.

Consider the Oxygenics 26781 White Body Spa showerhead. This showerhead is self-pressurizing and has a 60-inch hose, making it easy to use. Even better, the company offers you a lifetime warranty, not to mention it won’t clog. The only downside with this showerhead is that the water pressure might be slightly low.

Small Shower

Having a small shower doesn’t mean you have to give up luxury. You can still find a compact showerhead that will give you a spa-like shower experience. You are spoilt for choice — but one of the best options is the Moen Engage Magnetix handheld showerhead. This showerhead is only 3.5 inches, making it ideal for your small space. 

Besides its compact design, this showerhead has six spray settings, so you can be sure to find a perfect setting. You can also adjust the head to your desired height. Even better, it is backed by Moen’s lifetime warranty, so you have nothing to worry about if something goes wrong.

Handheld Combo

A handheld shower head is a great addition to your bathroom. It makes it easier for you to wash those hard-to-reach areas. And Moen makes it to the list again. This time, we go with the Moen Attract Magnetix 26008.

It is a 2-in-1 combo showerhead, so you can use the rain shower head, handheld shower head, or both together. Its chrome finishing is also eye-catching — definitely a worthy purchase.

The Elderly

It can be challenging for seniors to take a luxurious shower. They might have challenges standing for a long time. But handheld showers to the rescue. With a handheld shower featuring a long hose, the elderly can enjoy a luxurious shower while seated. Our best pick here is the Vive Health handheld showerhead. 

It fits in any standard shower fixture and allows for a tool-free installation. With five spray modes, the older adult will surely find something perfect for them. Another favorite feature is the pause function, which saves water while maintaining water temperature settings. Besides, the hose is 6.5 feet, reaching the entire shower.

Gravity Fed System

Gravity-fed systems are becoming popular by the day. However, the pressure might be lower than in other water systems. That’s why you need to get a showerhead to fix the pressure issue. The Aqua Elegante showerhead would be the perfect fit. This showerhead has a subtle yet, stylish design. 

You can get it in chrome, brushed nickel or polished brass. Besides, it has a removable flow limiter which works for all pressure levels. It is made of durable thermoplastic resin, making it corrosion and rust-resistant.

Hair (and Hair Loss Concerns)

Culligan WSH-C125 wall-mounted filtered showerhead is the best pick if you want to protect your hair. It has a filter cartridge, which reduces sulfur odor, chlorine and scale. Besides, it features a patented filter media bacteriostatic, which prevents the passage and growth of bacteria. 

Once you buy this showerhead, you get to enjoy the one-year warranty that comes with it. You also don’t have to worry about compatibility — it works on any standard threaded shower arm.

Hot Tub/ Jacuzzi

Everybody loves a good time in the hot tub or Jacuzzi — so you want to pick the most luxurious showerhead out there. You can always bet on the AquaBliss TheraSpa hand shower. This showerhead has six massage modes with high pressure. 

The extra-long hose is perfect since it reaches all ends of the tub or Jacuzzi. It also has a universal fit; you can install it independently without any plumbing tools.

Thermostatic Shower Mixer

Source: Eisen Home

A thermostatic shower mixer ensures you don’t experience sudden changes in the water temperature, even when there are changes in the water supply. But can you find the perfect showerhead to go with it?  Lucky for you, there are many options for you in the market.

But if we have to pick one, it would be the Wasser Solid Brass shower faucet. This three-function showerhead has simple geometric forms, making it a great addition to any bathroom. The brass resists rust and corrosion, which is a big plus.

Where to Buy

Are you looking for the best places to buy showerheads? Well, look no further! Here is a list of the top 10 best places to buy showerheads.

The Showerhead Store

The Showerhead Store was founded to provide the best showerheads and shower systems to its customers. They offer you a lot of choices when it comes to finding the perfect showerhead. Their line of products, Hammerhead Showers, ranges from mounted showerheads to handheld showerheads. Their all-metal construction makes them versatile and eye-catching. 

Kohler

Kohler is a company that designs and manufactures plumbing products like faucets, showerheads, toilets, and more. Kohler’s showerheads come in a variety of styles and colors, so no matter what kind of aesthetic you’re after for your bathroom, there’s one for you.

There are even high-pressure options for those who want a high-power experience or need more water pressure due to their water pressure being too low due to older pipes or fixtures.

Hansgrohe

Hansgrohe showerheads are for people who want to feel like they’re in a luxury resort every time they take a shower.

Hansgrohe showerheads are designed to make your daily routine feel like a getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Their products are crafted to deliver exceptional performance and style, so you can enjoy every moment of your morning routine. They sell products for the kitchen and bathroom including showerheads, handheld sprayers, faucets, and more.

Moen

Moen is a company known for its high-quality products, from faucets and showerheads to sinks. They make products for people who want to feel like they’ve stepped into a spa whenever they turn on the water. They carry high-quality materials in a range of styles and finishes to complement any decor.  

Oxygenics

Oxygenics is in the business of showering and has been for over 40 years. They make showerheads for every person and every use. From handheld pet sprayers to RV showerheads, they offer something for everyone. Their innovative design and quality materials make them efficient and durable.

Waterpik

They became a household name for their dental products, but make many other essentials for everyday living. Waterpik is known for its unique approach to water pressure—they’ve developed a patented technology called PowerSpray+™, which allows you to choose between 3 different water pressures with just the touch of a button.

Waterpik showerheads come in a variety of styles, so there’s one that will fit your bathroom decor and personality perfectly. They’re easy to install, and they’re also incredibly easy to use. 

Delta Faucet

Delta is a company that makes high-quality plumbing products. They are known for their high-quality faucets, showerheads, and other products that help you take a nice hot shower. They offer a large selection of options to fit any need or taste. Delta is committed to quality and has been manufacturing plumbing fixtures since 1928.

Pfister Faucets

Pfister showerheads are designed to make your shower experience better. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your old showerhead or get a new one, we have products that will fit the bill. Their selection of showerheads includes models that are designed to match your bathroom décor, so you can be sure that they’ll look great in any bathroom.

They offer many different models with different features, including pressure-balancing technology and water conservation devices (which reduces water consumption).

Grohe

GROHE is a brand dedicated to providing innovative water products for complete bathroom and kitchen solutions. They make products for the kitchen and bath designed to create a luxury experience. From faucets to showerheads to smart controls, their mission is to recreate a spa experience in your own bathroom every time you shower.

Their showerheads are some of the best in the world. They’re designed to give you a refreshing, invigorating shower experience every time you use them. They’re also designed to be easy to install and maintain, so you don’t have to worry about any installation issues or maintenance costs—just enjoy your new showerhead!

American Standard

American Standard makes a wide range of products and is a leader in kitchen and bath products. The company has been making products for the home since 1929. Their showerheads are designed to bring you the best shower experience ever.

They’re made with advanced technology that helps improve your showering experience by making it more comfortable and enjoyable. You can find an American Standard Showerhead that fits your style and budget!