What’s the difference between a bath bomb and a shower steamer?

Both bath bombs and shower steamers are similar products. They both fizz up and give you an amazing aromatherapy experience, but steamers tend to be either a flat disc or a small cube, and they’ll stay in place in the shower. Bath bombs tend to be round, which causes them to rotate as they dissolve and mix into the water more efficiently. Bath bombs often use essential oils blended with a carrier oil and moisturizers to make the water hydrating. Since steamers generally don’t come in contact with the skin when you use them, they use essential oils for fragrance only and generally avoid heavy oils to prevent the shower floor from becoming slippery.

Do shower steamers make showers slippery?

Although shower steamers release a higher concentration of essential oils, they don’t contain moisturizing oils, which would make the floor slippery.

Can you reuse shower steamers?

You can reuse most shower steamers a few times. To make sure they last longer, keep them from getting too wet—keep them in the corner or on a shelf away from a direct stream of water. Once they get soaked, they begin to dissolve.

The 9 Best Shower Steamers of 2023

Two of the best shower steamers on a pink dotted background. — The Spruce / Kristin Kempa

Whether you shower in the morning to get energized for the day ahead or at night to relax before heading off to sleep, it’s important to add moments of mindfulness into your day. One easy way to do that is to add a shower steamer to your daily routine.

Shower steamers—sometimes called "shower bombs" and "shower fizzies"—are basically bath bombs for your shower. These products fizz and release essential oils into your shower to create a therapeutic, spa-like experience. Just place a tablet in the corner of your shower, and the water activates and releases an amazing mix of scents into the air. “Steaming with essential oils is beneficial because you’re not only inhaling the essential oils, but you’re also getting the topical benefits absorbed through the skin,” says Chrissy Cabrera, MA, certified aromatherapist and founder of the health and wellness company Naturally London.

If you’re looking to pamper yourself with an at-home spa experience, a shower steamer is the perfect solution. After researching different products and considering details like ingredients, fragrance, duration, and quantity, our overall pick is the Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers set for its natural ingredients, delicious scents and long-lasting effects.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers at Amazon

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Best for Stress:

BodyRestore aromatherapy shower tablets at Amazon

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Best for Colds:

Vicks VapoShower Plus at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Moen Aromatherapy Combination Hand Shower at Amazon

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Best for Relaxation:

Lush Sleepy Dreamy Little Cloud at Lushusa.com

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Best Slow-Dissolving:

Uncommon Goods Awaken And Refresh Shower Steamers at Macy's

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Best Organic:

Laguna Moon Organic Aromatherapy Shower Steamers at Amazon

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Best for Waking Up:

Aura Cacia Reviving Peppermint Shower Tablets at Amazon

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Best for Gifting:

Mazzi and Erez Peled Birth Month Flower Shower Steamers at Uncommon Goods

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Cleverfybeauty.com

What We Like

Variety pack
Vegan and cruelty-free
Soothing and relaxing

What We Don’t Like

Dissolves quickly

With more than 31,000 passionate reviews, Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers are an Amazon favorite that gets high marks on everything from the scents to the gift-worthy packaging. This six-pack of individually wrapped tablets, each featuring a different aromatherapeutic scent, is made from pure essential oils and natural ingredients for a relaxing at-home spa experience.

These non-slip tablets are vegan and cruelty-free and last up to 10 minutes. Relax with lavender, boost your mood with vanilla and orange, refresh with watermelon, invigorate with peppermint, let grapefruit lift your mood, or breathe easy with menthol and eucalyptus. Just place a puck-sized tablet in the bottom of your hot or cold shower, and take a calm, deep breath to de-stress and unwind. Customers call these a game-changer because the fragrant steamers are invigorating and refreshing. The long-lasting tablets bring a little luxury and indulgence into your shower at a budget-friendly price.

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Quantity: 6 per pack | Scents: Lavender, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Menthol & Eucalyptus, Vanilla & Sweet Orange, Peppermint | Active Time: 5 to 10 minutes}

Amazon

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What We Like

Slow dissolving
Long-lasting scent
Non-slip ingredients

What We Don’t Like

The scent isn’t as strong as we’d like

Give yourself some well-deserved me-time during your shower with Body Restore Essence Shower Bombs. These shower melts are made with organic essential oils and natural ingredients to create an aromatherapy home spa experience. We love the tea tree oil scent’s calming, grounding effect, which can help reduce stress. This particular fragrance is also effective at relieving congestion.

Each package contains 15 individually wrapped, long-lasting bombs that diffuse their fragrance over 10 to 30 minutes. It’s recommended that you use one tablet per shower, but you can use two to double the strength if needed. These tablets won’t make your floor slippery, and since they don’t contain petals, they will dissolve easily to create a no-mess, no-drain-clog experience.

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Quantity: 15 per pack | Scent: Tea Tree | Active Time: 10 to 30 minutes}

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Dissolves cleanly
Intense, minty scent
Clears sinus congestion

What We Don’t Like

Scent is somewhat medicinal
Discs can crumble

These Vicks VapoShower steamers boast the same distinct scent of Vicks VapoRub that you remember from your childhood but without the medication. When you’re tired and rundown, blast your shower — and your sinuses — with the intense aromas of eucalyptus, camphor, and menthol to help clear sinus congestion or give you a little boost at the end of a long day.

Each pack contains 12 revitalizing shower steamers, and each tablet lasts about 10 minutes, dissolving cleanly without leaving any residue on your shower floor. Customers report getting immediate relief from sinus congestion as a result of colds and allergies. However, you may find the scent a bit medicinal (these are by Vicks, after all!), compared to other more spa-like alternatives, but we don’t find it to be an issue, since they work especially well for stuffed-up sinuses.

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Quantity: 12 per box | Scent: Eucalyptus, Menthol, Camphor | Active Time: 10 to 15 minutes}

4.5

Moen Aromatherapy Combination Hand Shower

Walmart

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What We Like

Doesn’t leave residue in your shower or on your body
Easy to use
Comes with multiple scent options

What We Don’t Like

Expensive
Capsules must be purchased separately

Turn your shower into a luxury spa with the Moen Aromatherapy Hand Shower. This bath accessory is equipped with a patented technology that allows capsules to infuse essential oils directly into your shower water. Simply slide an essential-oil-infused shower capsule (which looks like a single-serve coffee pod) into the dial on the back of the showerhead, and select your preferred dilution setting to infuse the water, creating an extravagant experience that lasts anywhere from three to 10 minutes, depending on the shower setting.

The handheld shower features a magnetic dock that allows for easy release and return of the shower head. Your initial purchase includes a 14-capsule starter pack with four scents: Zen Time, Tropical Day, Energetic Morning, and Sweet Morning, but from there you’ll need to purchase individual scents separately in packs, which does add to the long-term cost of the shower head. However, if you want to create a spa-like shower at home, it’s well worth the investment.

Price at time of publish: $119 for brushed nickel

_{Quantity: 14 capsules | Scents: Zen Time, Tropical Day, Energetic Morning, Sweet Morning | Active Time: 3–10 minutes}

Lush

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What We Like

Reusable
Can double up as a body wash
Luxurious scent

What We Don’t Like

Doesn’t come in a pack

Drift off into dreamland with this fizzy shower bomb from Lush. Infused with their signature Sleepy scent, which is a calming blend of lavender oil and ylang-ylang oil, this steamer is a soothing addition to your evening shower. Although they call it a steamer, it’s more like a frothy body wash. It releases the scent under the running shower water, but unlike other steamers, you can scoop up the sudsy foam and use it to get clean. The bomb also contains a fine oatmeal that gently exfoliates the skin.

This product is pricier than others on our list, but it does come with some added perks. Unlike other shower steamers, this innovative shower bomb is actually reusable. Just keep the cloud-shaped bomb dry between uses. Even though you only get one small shower bomb, you should be able to get multiple showers out of each.

Price at time of publish: $5

_{Quantity: 1 | Scent: Sleepy (lavender, ylang ylang) | Active Time: Not listed}

Uncommon Goods

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What We Like

All-natural ingredients
Five blissful scents
Slow to dissolve

What We Don’t Like

Can be slippery if placed on the shower floor

Turn your shower into a mood-transforming spa with Awaken And Refresh’s Shower Steamers. These essential oil-infused shower tablets were created by a former occupational therapist who began making bath and body products to nourish her body and mind while experiencing postpartum depression. She decided to inspire others to prioritize self-care by transforming her daily routines into rejuvenating rituals.

These shower steamers are made from all-natural ingredients, are vegan, and come in five spa-inspired scents that mingle with the steam for that feeling of bliss. Place one on the floor of your shower, and when the water drizzles on the tablet (keep it away from the direct stream of water), it will gently fizz, releasing those therapeutic scents. Because these are oil-based pods, we suggest taking precautions in the shower to prevent slipping.

Price at time of publish: $16

_{Quantity: 4 per box | Scents: Breathe (eucalyptus), Calm (lavender, geranium), Balance (rose), Energize (pink grapefruit), Focus (orange, mint) Active Time: Not listed}

Laguna Moon

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What We Like

Larger tablets
Highly concentrated scents
Organic ingredients

What We Don’t Like

Scent isn’t as potent in larger showers

If you’d love to schedule a spa day, but don’t have time, pop one of Laguna Moon’s handmade Organic Aromatherapy Shower Steamers in your shower, and you’ll feel as pampered and indulged as if you spent the day there. Made with pure essential oils, this aromatherapy set includes 12 shower steamers (two each of each fragrance). Thicker than other brands, these pucks last about three to four showers each, giving you more uses and value for their price.

These individually wrapped steamers are steam-distilled for a longer-lasting fragrance, and they dissolve easily without leaving behind any residue, which means they keep the shower floor clean and are non-slip. These steamers are vegan and contain no parabens (artificial preservatives) or GMOs. We love the gift-worthy packaging and the fact that they're also sustainable and made from recycled components. However, some customers do note that the fragrance can be less strong in larger showers, but we don’t think that’s a deal breaker!

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Quantity: 12 per pack | Scents: Cypress Sage & Patchouli, Virgin Forest, Lavender Field, Lemongrass Tea, Menthol & Eucalyptus, Rose Garden | Active Time: 10 minutes}

Aura Cacia

View On Amazon View On Auracacia.com

What We Like

No synthetic fragrances
Energizing
100 percent organic

What We Don’t Like

Aroma is weak

Since the brand is well-known for its essential oils, it’s natural that Aura Cacia makes essential oil-infused shower steamers, too. If you need a jolt to get energized in the morning, reach for one of Aura Cacia’s Reviving Peppermint Shower Tablets to wake up and be more alert. We also like the eucalyptus and lavender versions. Unlike other brands of shower steamers, these effervescent tablets need to be placed directly in the stream of water, and you should face the tablet for the most effective results.

There’s nothing artificial about these individually wrapped tablets. There are no synthetic preservatives, fragrances, or colors. Each ingredient is sustainably sourced, and they’re 100 percent organic. However, in comparison to other steamers, these do offer a weaker overall aroma, likely because peppermint has such a strong scent already!

Price at time of publish: $8

_{Quantity: 3 per box | Scent: Reviving Peppermint | Active Time: Not Listed}

Mazzi and Erez Peled Birth Month Flower Shower Steamers

Uncommon Goods

View On Uncommon Goods

What We Like

Personalized scent
Can be used as a body scrub
Beautiful packaging

What We Don’t Like

Doesn’t dissolve cleanly

Birth months are usually represented by birthstones, but each birth month is also represented by a flower. That’s why the husband-and-wife team of Mazzi and Erez Peled designed their handmade Birth Month Flower Shower Steamers. Ideal for gifting, they’ll brighten up anyone’s big day. These fizzy aromatherapy pucks are made with essential oil blends inspired by the 12 birth month flowers, with coordinating colors and designs to match. For example, February smells like lavender and sage (Violet), and November boasts a Frankincense and orange scent (Chrysanthemum).

These steamers will turn your shower into a pampering, mood-boosting spa. Each box includes four steamers, and the beautiful packaging makes these a thoughtful birthday gift for friends and family. Instead of placing these on the shower floor, it’s recommended that these steamers be placed higher up so you get the full aromatherapeutic benefits. Just keep in mind that customers say these don’t fully or cleanly dissolve, so you may find some residue in your shower after using.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Quantity: 4 per box | Scents: Snowdrop, Violet, Daffodil, Daisy, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Water Lily, Poppy, Morning Glories, Cosmos, Chrysanthemum, Holly | Active Time: 10 minutes}

Final Verdict

If you want shower steamers that contain natural ingredients, pure essential oils, and a variety of mood-boosting scents, our choice is Cleverfy’s Aromatherapy Shower Steamers. For a long-lasting, soothing addition to your shower that can be reused multiple times, we like the Lush Sleepy Shower Bomb.

Ingredients

To reap the benefits of shower steamers, avoid harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances, especially if you have sensitive skin. Instead, look for ones that contain pure and natural essential oils that will not only smell amazing, but also enhance your mood. If you want to go beyond organic ingredients, you can look for products that are third-party certified and contain vegan, cruelty-free, or even sustainable ingredients.

Fragrance

Shower steamers are all about the scents and how aromatherapy can help your mood. “Aromatherapy is essentially taking the aromatics of plant-based materials and using them to improve your physical, physiological, and mental well-being,” says Cabrera. Shower steamers come in a variety of fragrances that are designed to uplift your mood, help you relax and unwind, and everything in between. “If you want to boost your mood, use something citrusy, like lemon, and scents like clary sage can help reduce anxiety,” suggests Cabrera. Lavender can help relax you when you’re stressed and eucalyptus, menthol, and other minty scents are great for clearing congestion.

Duration

Most shower steamers are intended to last for just one shower — typically five to 10 minutes — but there are larger options that can last for multiple showers. They will typically last longer if you place them in the corner of a shower, away from direct running water, which makes them dissolve quickly.

Quantity

You can buy shower steamers in almost any quantity from a single steamer to a multi-pack of four or more. The single steamers are generally larger than the ones that come in larger-quantity packs.

FAQ

What’s the difference between a bath bomb and a shower steamer?

Both bath bombs and shower steamers are similar products. They both fizz up and give you an amazing aromatherapy experience, but steamers tend to be either a flat disc or a small cube, and they’ll stay in place in the shower. Bath bombs tend to be round, which causes them to rotate as they dissolve and mix into the water more efficiently. Bath bombs often use essential oils blended with a carrier oil and moisturizers to make the water hydrating. Since steamers generally don’t come in contact with the skin when you use them, they use essential oils for fragrance only and generally avoid heavy oils to prevent the shower floor from becoming slippery.
Do shower steamers make showers slippery?

Although shower steamers release a higher concentration of essential oils, they don’t contain moisturizing oils, which would make the floor slippery.
Can you reuse shower steamers?

You can reuse most shower steamers a few times. To make sure they last longer, keep them from getting too wet—keep them in the corner or on a shelf away from a direct stream of water. Once they get soaked, they begin to dissolve.

Maureen Farrar is a contributing writer who covers home design for The Spruce. She researched the products in this roundup, considering scent, active time, and the quality of the ingredients. For insight, she interviewed Chrissy Cabrera, MA, a certified aromatherapist and the founder of the health and wellness company Naturally London.