More categories
More categories

Smart Shopper is reader supported. When you shop our picks, we may receive a commission.

Find the best shower head to upgrade your bathroom

Check out our picks for the best shower heads that will turn your bathroom into a mini spa — or something more functional.

Published Jul 25, 2023
6 min. reading time
three of the best shower heads for bathrooms

Whether you shower in the morning, at night — or just like to hop in and think through life questions or test out your vocal cords, the key to a great shower experience starts with purchasing the right shower head.

To help you shop smarter, our editors put together a list of the very best shower heads on the market. These range from water-saving to rainfall models — and we’ve even included a great budget-friendly option. There’s truly something for everyone.

Read more: Make laundry day a breeze with the best washing machines

Browse through the most recommended shower heads

square dual shower head with a handheld spray
Best dual shower head
Dual Shower Head Combo 8 Inch Square Rain Shower Head With Handheld Spray
$58.99 at Wayfair
chrome wall mounted shower head in silver
Best water-saving shower head
Methven Kiri Low Flow 40% Water Saving Shower Head
$59 at The Home Depot
R Flory 5 Function Fixed Shower Head
Best budget rain shower head
R FLORY 5-Function Fixed Shower Head
$32.13 at Wayfair
shower head with filter beads and a handheld spray
Best filtering shower head
PHANCIR Shower Head with Handheld, High-Pressure Shower Heads with Filter Beads
$17.99 at Walmart

Specifications

  • Material: Plastic

  • Shower Head Functions: Three

  • Type: Dual Shower Head

Pros & Cons
  • Rainfall and jet sprays

  • No tools needed for installation

  • Can divert the water in three different ways

  • Shower arm sold separately

  • Only available in two colors

If you’re looking for a full-body, rain shower experience, then this Bright Showers model may be the one for you. It comes with an overhead, eight-inch square shower head along with a handheld unit that easily attaches to the wall with a suction bracket. You can divert the water three ways — overhead, handheld, or both. 

The 5-foot PVC hose is the perfect length for daily use and you can choose from three different spray settings.

For the end of a rough day, you can relax under strong jets with the massage spray or opt for the luxurious full-coverage spray. If you can’t make up your mind, you can also do both. 

Another great point about this combo is that you won’t need any special tools and it’s easy to install yourself. It comes with a three-way diverter that easily attaches to your shower, though the maker recommends that you purchase the shower arm to get the best experience.

Best water-saving shower head

Specifications

  • Material: Chrome

  • Shower Head Functions: One

  • Type: Wall Mount

Pros & Cons
  • Full-body coverage 

  • Easy DIY installation

  • Uses 40% less water

  • One spray setting

  • May be too soft for those wanting more pressure

If you are looking for a full immersive shower experience using less water, you’ll enjoy this Methven brand shower head. It uses 40% less water thanks to the combination of a 1.5 GPM flow rate and patented Satinjet technology. It has ultra-wide coverage that creates a full soft spray that will envelop your entire body.

The wall-mounted shower head comes with everything you need for an easy do-it-yourself installation. Plus, for those who want a more ergonomic, clean design, it will fit perfectly into your shower. It may look more like a traditional shower head, but it certainly won’t feel that way once you get under its gentle spray.

Best budget rain shower head

Specifications

  • Material: Plastic

  • Shower Head Functions: Five

  • Type: Rainfall shower head

Pros & Cons
  • Rotates 360 degrees

  • Easy to install without additional tools

  • Five high-pressure modes

  • Does not include shower arm

  • Not available in all states due to water flow rate regulation

Get that spa feeling on a decidedly smaller budget. This model comes with multiple settings, meaning you can pamper yourself with the standard rain setting, work out those sore muscles with the massage, or lather up in the gentle mist.

Additionally, it's easy to install in your bathroom and you won’t need any tools. That said, you’ll want to make sure your pipe is 1/2 inch, as it won’t fit 3/4-inch pipes. Within minutes, you’ll be relaxing in your very own mini spa. Plus, the sleek design will upgrade any bathroom look.

Best filtering shower head

Specifications

  • Material: Plastic and stainless steel

  • Shower Head Functions: Three

  • Type: Handheld

Pros & Cons
  • Comes with all accessories for installation

  • Cuts water usage by 30%

  • Features a double-filter design

  • Doesn’t come with shower arm

  • Only available in one color

Take better care of your skin with this double-filter handheld design from Phancir. It includes two different mineral balls inside that work to filter impurities from water. Plus, the added minerals promote skin smoothness and blood circulation while also delaying skin aging.

It also has micro-nozzle technology that can make the high-pressure outlet hole smaller and denser. This increases the flow speed and water pressure and can save you up to 30% of your water use. You can choose from three settings — rainfall, jetting, and massage. With the hand unit, it’s a great shower head for giving the kids or your pets a bath.

It’s one of the lower-priced filter heads on the market and the kit comes with all the accessories that you’ll want. You also won’t need any tools to install, though you do need a shower arm.

Best rain shower head

large stainless steel square rainfall shower head
Photo: Amazon

Specifications 

  • Material: Stainless steel

  • Shower Head Functions: One

  • Type: Rainfall, Ceiling Mounted

Pros & Cons
  • Comes with adjustable, brass arm

  • Strong, high pressure

  • Comes in three finishes

  • One spray setting

  • 12-inch design could be too big for smaller stalls

A top-rated shower head among Amazon reviewers, the PinWin rain shower head gives you a high-end shower experience on a more affordable budget. This stainless steel shower head is one of our favorites because it comes with a sturdy, adjustable brass arm that you can move around to hit any angle and height — and it easily installs in minutes. Just screw it on and you can start showering immediately.

Larger than most rainfall shower heads on the market, it can easily shower up to two people. Although there is only one spray setting, its impressive pressure and coverage will ensure you feel surrounded by an appropriate amount of water as you bathe.

Additionally, it comes with replaceable, self-cleaning silicone nozzles that won’t clog or drip once the water is turned off. The head is optimized for any water pressure, so you won’t have to worry about low pressure. And its high-end design will class up any bathroom, whichever of the three finishes you choose.

Best shower head for low-pressure home water systems

high pressure handheld shower head in chrome
Photo: Amazon

Specifications

  • Material: Stainless steel and plastic

  • Shower Head Functions: Three

  • Type: Handheld, wall-mounted

Pros & Cons
  • Good for low-pressure water pipes

  • Comes with extra hose gasket

  • Easy to clean jet nozzles

  • Requires more installation

  • Could be too hard for those who want gentler shower

If you have low-pressure water pipes, then you’ll want to consider this HO2ME model that will increase shower pressure.

With three different spray settings, you can massage out sore muscles with the powerful spray setting, massage setting, or both. The shower head itself is made from high-quality ABS plastic, though the hose is stainless steel which protects from rust and is leak-resistant.

Additionally, the softened rubber jet nozzles can stave off the build up of minerals and are easy to clean. This kit also comes with an extra hose gasket, should you need it in the future. 

With a lower price point, you won’t break the bank getting a hard-hitting shower that will wake you up in the morning or relax you at night.

Best shower head to boost pressure

Specifications 

  • Material: Brass

  • Shower Head Functions: Three

  • Type: Wall-mounted

Pros & Cons
  • Self-cleaning nozzles

  • Works with low-pressure water systems

  • Three different spray options

  • Small shower head

  • Higher price

Sometimes big things come in small packages. The small-but-mighty Speakman shower head packs a powerful, high-pressure punch. How? It features three different spray patterns and six precision jets to create 48 full-coverage sprays.  

Made from brass, this stylish model is one of Speakermans’ best-rated shower heads. This is because its smart design allows you to curate your shower experience.

With a rotating arm, you can easily transition between different spray settings, including needling, gentle rain or drenching flood. Plus, it even works with low-pressure water systems to provide you with a consistently powerful spray. 

The smooth black matte shower head fits standard U.S. plumbing connections and has Speakerman’s patented plunger system and self-cleaning nozzles. And it’s fairly easy to install, though you will need to get additional tools, such as a wrench and Teflon tape. 

Which shower head is right for you?

We get it. There are a ton of options out there when it comes to shower heads and it can be overwhelming to figure out which one is the best for you. Here are some things to consider as you shop.

  • Durability. What your shower head is made out of can quite possibly make or break your experience. Materials like chrome and brass are sturdier, but more expensive. Plastics are cheaper. However, they sometimes leak or break sooner.

  • Rainfall vs Jet. Are you the kind of person who enjoys standing under a gentle spray or do you want the option of a high-power burst of water? Not every shower head comes with both, and those that do can be more expensive, so you may have to choose.

  • Read the reviews. If you’re unsure about a shower head, browse through what other shoppers have written about it. You’ll often find out more about durability and actual spray patterns in customer reviews.

  • Price point. As with any purchase, it’s good to keep your budget in mind. Do you need to pay extra for all those bells and whistles? Do you want to pay more for something that will last longer or pay less for a shower head that works for now? These types of questions can guide your decision.

Our verdict

All of the shower heads on our list are great options, depending on your shower habits and budget. If we had to choose, our top two picks would be the following.


Prices updated on 08/04/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.

Emma-Kalka-Professional-Headshot
Written by
Emma Kalka

A former music writer, Emma Kalka works to help customers find little ways they can save at their favorite brands. Emma previously worked at The Korea Herald and Groove Korea. Today, she lives in Florida and writes murder mysteries in her free time.

Specialized topics
Bathroom