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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
The right showerhead can make a big difference in your shower. Not only can a showerhead transform the way your shower looks—it can also change the way your shower feels. And no, you don’t have to stick with the one that came with your shower when you moved in.
“For most people, a good shower is the way they start their day,” says Chris Fallon, general contractor and owner of Fallon Contracting. “They want to feel comfortable and relaxed while getting clean. [And] good water pressure and flow can make all the difference.” If you’ve ever taken a lackluster shower, you likely had a bad showerhead to blame. Thankfully, there are tons of showerheads out there—so you can find the exact blend of water flow, water pressure, and sleek style you’re looking for.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up the best showerheads money can buy.
Best Overall: Kohler Forté 2.5 Gpm Single-Function Wall-Mount Showerhead
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Diameter: 5.5 inches | Material: Metal | Mount Type: Wall-mounted | Flow Rate: 2.5 gallons per minute | Spray Pattern: 1, Standard
Even, intense water pressure
Equipped with air induction technology
Easy to install
Available in 6 finishes
Single-function
May be loud
May not be very durable
Kohler’s Forté Single-Function Showerhead is proof that you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on a showerhead to get an intense, luxurious shower. The single-function showerhead comes lined with 66 tiny nozzles, all of which draw on air-induction technology to deliver a steady and intense flow of water. Translation: the showerhead infuses the water with 2 liters of air every minute to make your shower feel stronger and more powerful.
To make matters even better, this showerhead boasts an easy-to-install wall-mount design. And since it’s available in six versatile finishes, it shouldn’t be hard to find an option that perfectly suits your bathroom.
"While you can’t change the spray setting on the Kohler Forté, the nozzle itself is fully adjustable; you can aim the showerhead up, down, right, or left for more targeted water flow. We were a little worried about only having one setting but we were so pleased with the water pressure and pattern that we didn’t even think about it after our first shower."—Andrea Jordan, Product Tester
Best Budget: PowerSpa 5-Setting Deluxe Showerhead, Chrome
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Diameter: 4 inches | Material: Brass, stainless steel | Mount Type: Connects to shower arm | Flow Rate: Not listed | Spray Pattern: 5, Including Rain, Massage, and Mist
Incredibly budget-friendly
Even, well-dispersed water pressure
Large dial with three nozzle zones
Boasts 5 settings (including 2 water-saving settings)
Available in 6 finishes
May not be very durable
May not be very high-quality
Searching for a sweet deal on a showerhead? Look no further—PowerSpa’s 5-Setting Deluxe Showerhead is a solid option available at a ridiculously reasonable price point. The showerhead boasts a big dial with three different nozzle zones, so it promises plenty of water flow. And since the showerhead comes equipped with five pressure settings, you can customize each shower based on your preferences. Choose between a generous rain shower, an intense massage, and a lightweight mist. And take full advantage of the water-saving rain and pause modes whenever you’re looking to cut down on your water use.
Best Rain: SparkPod Shower Head
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Diameter: 6 inches | Material: ABS plastic | Mount Type: Connects to shower arm | Flow Rate: 1.8 gallons per minute | Spray Pattern: 2, Rain and Full
Even, intense water pressure
Classic rainfall design
Easy to install
Easy to clean
Available in 5 finishes
Smaller than some other rainfall showerheads
May not be very durable
May not be very high-quality
Rainfall showerheads may seem like a luxury. But thanks to SparkPod, you can easily add one to your shower—and you can do so without spending a small fortune. SparkPod’s High-Pressure Rain Shower Head boasts a classic rainfall design. Its wide, flat head will maximize your exposure to water flow, recreating the experience of getting caught in a (very warm, very luxurious) rainstorm. And since the showerhead can output up to 1.8 gallons of water per minute, you can rest assured knowing your showers can get as intense as you want them to be. The wall-mount showerhead promises to be easy to install and easy to clean. And it comes in five sleek finishes, from brushed nickel to oil-rubbed bronze.
Best Handheld: Waterpik 6-Spray Twin Turbo PowerPulse Massage Handheld Showerhead
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Diameter: 3.5 inches | Material: Wall mount | Mount Type: Metal | Flow Rate: 2.5 gallons per minute | Spray Pattern: 6, Including Standard, Full, Jet, Massage, Mist, Vigorous
Lined with anti-clog nozzles
Turbo massage jets promise plenty of coverage
6 spray settings
Comes equipped with a flexible, 5-foot-long hose
Stiff to adjust
Only available in chrome
Handheld showerheads put you in control of your showers—allowing you to direct the water flow exactly where you want it. And Waterpik’s Twin Turbo Handheld Showerhead promises to be one of the best options around. The showerhead comes lined with anti-clog nozzles. And it boasts two turbo massage jets, which are designed to maximize the amount of water that hits your body. The showerhead offers six different spray settings, which you can toggle between to adjust the intensity of your showers. And its 5-foot-long hose should give you all the flexibility you need during your showers.
"My 6-foot, 3-inch husband remarked that he liked how adjustable the showerhead is and can angle it up to accommodate his height. He often has to crouch down, especially with our previous standard showerhead. The Waterpik showerhead can be angled up, down, and side-to-side. I liked that each of us could angle the showerhead to our preferences."—Katie Begley, Product Tester
Best Dual: Bright Showers Multi-Function Dual Shower Head
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Diameter: 7.8 inches | Material: Plastic | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.8 gallons per minute | Spray Pattern: 3, Full/Standard; Massage/Jet; Rain
A rainfall showerhead and a handheld showerhead in one
Comes equipped with a flexible, 5-foot-long hose
Boasts 3 settings, which allow you to activate one or both showerheads
Available in 2 finishes
May not be very durable
The handheld showerhead mount may be hard to use
If one showerhead simply isn’t enough, a dual showerhead may be just the thing you need—and Bright Showers’ Multi-Function Dual Shower Head is a particularly solid option. The showerhead comes with three simple parts: a wall-mount rainfall showerhead, a smaller handheld showerhead, and a flexible 5-foot hose that connects the two. Lined with 81 anti-clog nozzles, it promises plenty of steady water coverage. The handheld showerhead comes equipped with 36 nozzles and 8 massage jets, which combine to offer a more intense, targeted shower experience. Toggle the settings to switch back and forth between the two, or get the best of both worlds by activating both showerheads at once.
Best Filtered: Feelso High-Pressure Filtered Shower Head
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Diameter: 4 inches | Material: Premium ABS | Mount Type: Wall mounted | Flow Rate: 1.8 gallons per minute | Spray Pattern: 5, Including Rain, Massage, Mist, Rain & Mist, and Rain & Massage
Easy to install
5 intensity settings (including 2 combination settings)
360-degree range of motion
Comes with a filter that sifts out heavy metals and other substances
May not be very durable
May be hard to see the results of the filtration system
Filtered showerheads are a lot like normal showerheads. The main difference is that they come equipped with a filter that sifts through shower water, removing chlorine, heavy metals, and other substances before the water makes its way out of the showerhead and onto your body.
Feelso’s High-Pressure Filtered Shower Head is one of the most popular and budget-friendly filtered showerheads around. The wall-mounted showerhead is adjustable, giving you a 360-degree range of motion to play with every time you shower. It comes equipped with five different spray settings you can use to customize the intensity of your showers, including a luxurious rainfall mode, a targeted massage mode, and a serene mist mode. You can even combine some of these settings to enjoy a rainfall-mist hybrid—or a rainfall-massage hybrid.
Best High Pressure: Hopopro High-Pressure Shower Head
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Diameter: 4.1 inches | Material: ABS chrome | Mount Type: Connects to shower arm | Flow Rate: Not listed | Spray Pattern: 5, Including Rain, Massage, Mist, Rain & Mist, and Rain & Massage
Anti-clog and self-cleaning
Easy to install
5 spray settings
360-degree range of motion
May not be very durable
May not be very high-quality
If you love an intense shower, nothing beats a high-pressure showerhead. And thanks to Hopopro, you don’t have to break the bank to get one. The brand’s High-Pressure Shower Head comes lined with 47 silicone nozzles, which promise to be anti-clog and self-cleaning—plus it boasts another 19 chrome nozzles for good measure. And since it offers five different spray settings, it’ll put you in control of how your shower feels. Choose between rain, mist, and massage modes—or opt for a combination of the three. (You can choose a rain and mist mode or a rain and massage mode.) And take advantage of the showerhead’s 360-degree range of motion to get the full and thorough clean you’re looking for.
Best Low Flow: Speakman Low Flow Adjustable Shower Head
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Diameter: 4.13 inches | Material: Brass | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.7, 2 or 2.5 gallons per minute | Spray Pattern: 3, Including Full and Two Low Flow
Offers a choice between two low flow rates
Self-cleaning
Available in 3 finishes
May not be very durable
May not be very high-quality
If you’re looking to cut down on water usage, a low-flow showerhead can be a great option. And Speakman’s Low Flow Adjustable Shower Head promises to be a particularly solid choice. The sleek showerhead offers a choice between two flow rates: 2 gallons per minute and 2.5 gallons per minute. (For context, the Department of Energy recommends a flow rate under 2.5 gallons per minute.) And since the showerhead is available in three shiny finishes, you shouldn’t have any trouble snagging an option that suits your space. The wall-mount showerhead boasts three spray settings, giving you plenty of options every time you take a shower. And since the showerhead is lined with self-cleaning nozzles, it promises to be easy to keep in tip-top shape.
Best Antimicrobial: AquaDance Antimicrobial Dual Shower Head
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Diameter: 7 inch rainfall showerhead, 4 inch hand shower | Material: Chrome plated ABS, stainless steel | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 2.5 gallons per minute | Spray Pattern: 30, Including Power Rain, Pulsating Massage, Gentle Mist, Rain/Massage, and Rain/Mist
A rainfall showerhead and a handheld showerhead in one
6 spray settings
Lined with easy-to-clean rubber nozzles
Antimicrobial
Available in 3 finishes
May not be very durable
May not be very high-quality
The handheld showerhead mount may be hard to use
Looking for a showerhead that requires very little upkeep? AquaDance’s Antimicrobial Dual Shower Head may be just the thing you need. The dual showerhead is lined with anti-clog rubber nozzles that should be easy to clean. (Simply rub them with your fingers to dislodge build-up!) Since it’s antimicrobial, it promises to cut down on mildew, too.
Of course, cleanliness isn’t the only thing this showerhead has to offer. Thanks to its dual design, it offers the flexibility of a handheld showerhead—plus the spa-like experience of a rainfall showerhead. And even better: It boasts six different spray settings, giving you even more control over your showers.
Sleek and luxurious, Kohler’s Forté Single-Function Showerhead (view on Wayfair) is worth the buy. The powerful showerhead promises plenty of water pressure, and it’s available in six different finishes so you can easily find an option that suits your space. If you're on a budget, check out PowerSpa’s 5-Setting Deluxe Showerhead (view on Walmart). The showerhead is available at a ridiculously reasonable price point—but still promises to deliver the intense, luxurious showers you’re looking for.
What to Look for in a Showerhead
Type
There are three main types of showerheads: fixed, handheld, and dual (a combination of fixed and handheld). Fixed showerheads are mounted to the wall, while handheld showerheads are connected to the wall via a flexible hose. Handheld or dual showerheads are particularly useful for pets, kids, and anyone with limited mobility.
Spray pattern
Showerheads come in many different spray patterns, and some even come with adjustable spray patterns. Some common ones include rain, massage, and jet. Rain provides wide, gentle coverage, while jet and massage are more targeted and forceful.
Mount
Showerheads are either wall mounted or ceiling mounted. Unless you’re renovating your home (or building a new one), the type of mount you choose depends on your existing plumbing configuration. Wall mounts are much more common, especially in older homes and apartments.
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The Spruce / Katie Begley
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How do you clean a showerhead?
Over time, your showerhead can become clogged with build-up—so cleaning it is a must. If your showerhead is lined with easy-to-clean rubber nozzles, you should be able to clean it by gently massaging the nozzles with your fingers or an old toothbrush.
If not, you can soak your showerhead with vinegar for several hours, run the shower, and clean up any remaining build-up with an old toothbrush. That said, this method may damage your shower tiles or other natural stone in your bathroom. “[Vinegar] can be really bad for the tile in the shower if it is real stone,” says Sharon Sherman, owner of the kitchen and bath design firm Thyme & Place Design.
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Can showerheads improve water pressure?
Yes, showerheads can improve water pressure. “Most showerheads have water restrictors built-in to keep you from wasting water, and your city’s water pressure may limit the maximum pressure you experience in the shower,” Fallon says. “But installing a new showerhead after having an old one can actually make you feel like you have better water pressure.”
Why? For starters, your showerhead can get clogged with build-up over time, and this can decrease water flow. Additionally, older showerheads may have “subpar or faulty restrictors,” Fallon says. And because of this, they may give you less control over water flow than a more modern showerhead might.
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Can a high-efficiency showerhead save energy?
Yes, high-efficiency showerheads are specifically designed to save water and energy. If you’re looking for a more efficient showerhead, consider a low-flow option—and rest assured knowing that a low-flow showerhead doesn’t have to mean a lackluster shower. “Low-flow showerheads are not necessarily low-pressure,” Sherman says. She recommends testing a showerhead in person to determine how high- or low-pressure it is.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Lindsey Lanquist has spent years covering home and lifestyle products for a range of publications. For this article, she prioritized showerheads that were powerful, budget-friendly, and well-reviewed by those who’d tried them. To increase the likelihood that you’d find a showerhead that suited your needs, your preferences, and your space, she included a range of different options—and she looked for showerheads with customizable finishes.
For additional insight on what to look for in a showerhead, Lindsay also spoke with two experts, Chris Fallon of Fallon Contracting and Sharon Sherman of Thyme & Place Design.
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