The 8 Best Showerheads for Powerful, Full-Coverage Spray in Any Type of Bathroom
Stop settling for sub-par water flow in the shower.
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No one likes a showerhead with a weak stream. Showerheads should provide a powerful, wide-coverage spray that helps you unwind and comfortably clean your body, even if your home has low water pressure. And replacing them is easy: most of these fixtures are installed with a simple twist, making for an easy upgrade without using tools. Really, the most challenging part of upgrading your showerhead is knowing which option is best for you—and believe us, there are plenty.If you’re ready to upgrade to a more dynamic, versatile showerhead, read our guide to factors you should consider before grabbing one of our recommendations for fixed, handheld, and combination units.
For more ways to upgrade your bathroom, check out our picks for the best bathroom vanities, best bath towels, and best bath mats.
The Best Showerheads
- Best Overall: Delta Round Fixed Showerhead
- Best Upgrade: Kohler Forte Multifunction Showerhead
- Best 2-in-1: Delta In2ition Round Dual/Combo Showerhead
- Best Rainfall: SparkPod Showerhead
- Best Handheld: Moen Engage Magnetix Handheld Showerhead
What to Consider
Installation
Check your potential new showerhead’s connection size—½ an inch is standard for most fixtures—before buying, as well as if the design requires a shower arm. If it does need an arm for installation, be sure to check if this component is included in your packaging or needs to be purchased separately.
Type
Showerheads come in fixed, handheld, and combination designs, each at varying prices and distinct styles.
- Fixed: These showerheads are mounted to the shower wall via a shower arm. While the angle of the showerhead can sometimes be adjusted, the fixture cannot be moved. These models are the most basic and affordable. Rainfall or waterfall showerheads, which have a wide diameter and plenty of jets that create a full-coverage spray, are a popular fixed style.
- Handheld: Handheld models are attached to a hose, letting you remove the showerhead and manually aim it as needed. They typically come with a bracket that attaches to your shower arm and holds the handheld unit in place when you’re not using it. These are very convenient when sanitizing your shower and rinsing away soaps and cleaning chemicals.
- Combination: Combo units, sometimes marketed as 2-in-1s, have a fixed and handheld element. These tend to be more expensive and feature two showerheads, with the option to switch from one to the other or, sometimes, pull water through both. Many hotels have this type of showerhead.
Flow Rate
According to the EPA, showerheads are given a flow rate, generally between 1.5 to 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM). Flow rate isn’t synonymous with water pressure. Rather, it indicates how many gallons of water comes out of a showerhead per minute. A showerhead with a lower flow rate is more efficient, saving you money on your water bill.
If you want a showerhead that conserves water, look for a WaterSense label on its packaging. This indicates the product uses no more than 2 GPM and performs “equal to or better than conventional showerheads.” To earn the label, showerheads must be independently certified and meet specific requirements for spray force, spray coverage, and pressure.
Some states, such as New York and Colorado, require homes to use showerheads with a GPM of 2.0 or lower, while California’s standard is even less—1.2 GPM. Check your local regulations and remember that lower flow rates can have high water pressure. Waterpik provides a handy chart of flow rate requirements by state.
Water Pressure
Water pressure, on the other hand, is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI) and impacts how forcefully water comes out of your showerhead. Most homes have water pressure between 30 and 80 PSI, but a range of 60 to 70 PSI is ideal. If you’re unsure of your home’s PSI, you can measure it using a water pressure gauge. You can always increase your water pressure by installing a pressure booster.
If your home has low water pressure, your showerhead might trickle rather than spray. Assuming your showerhead doesn’t need to be cleaned, a high-pressure showerhead can solve this problem. These units increase water pressure for a more powerful and consistent flow. If you know your bathroom has issues with low water pressure, avoid a wide showerhead, often known as a rain showerhead. These distribute the same amount of water across a larger surface and through more nozzles, causing you to feel less pressure.
Spray Patterns
Many showerheads feature multiple spray patterns, including wide spray, pulsing, drenching, and massage. They work by blocking specific nozzles on your showerhead for more concentrated spraying. Some even have a pause setting to temporarily stop the water flow instead of having to turn your shower off. While spray options aren’t essential, they’re still nice to have—especially massage, which can target tension with a concentrated, pulsating blast.
How We Selected
To find the best showerheads, we looked at options from brands like Delta, Kohler, Moen, and American Standard, which are known for their high-quality products and solid warranties. As we sorted through dozens of showerheads, we looked for models with various spray settings, quality materials, and easy installation.
We also considered our experiences with showerheads when selecting products for this list. I’ve personally used a few Delta fixtures over the past several years and found them reliable and well-priced, never having issues with breaking or leaking. Outside of Delta products, I selected each pick based on various use cases, finding options for different styles, types, and spray patterns, as well as a WaterSense-labeled showerhead, a filtered option, and one best for homes low-water pressure homes. Finally, we noted if and when these showerheads needed additional components (filters, plumber tape, etc.) for installation.
![Headshot of Camryn Rabideau Headshot of Camryn Rabideau](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/5cc3fa66-c3ba-460e-af5d-7a45bb58e932_1614977324.jpg?fill=1:1&resize=120:*)
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.
Paige Szmodis is an editor for Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics, who researches and writes home, tech, and outdoor product reviews and news.
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