We prefer metal construction. We also appreciated its sturdy, all-metal construction. It also tilts up so you can angle the flow outward (like with a standard showerhead) or have the flow pour down from above (as though its installed in the ceiling). It mounts easily to the wall in less than 5 minutes and requires only a wrench to tighten the shower head. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. This fixture is made of durable ABS plastic with chrome plating and feels durable. Nebia by Moen also makes a less expensive spa shower, the N214R0, that doesn't have a handshower. But we found these often blended into each other and were individually less impressive than the Fortes three distinct options. And even thats beyond the norm. When selecting a rain shower head, durability is key; however, style selection creates cohesion with other design elements. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time).
We independently review everything we recommend. Offering the best of both worlds, this models added handheld shower head with a 5-foot stainless steel hose was a major bonus feature. Its important to note up front the people the Nebia by Moen is not for: fans of thumping massage settings and (according to Moens own literature) folks with hot-water heaters that cant reach and maintain a temperature of 115 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. (It felt pretty good on ours, too.) The main, 6-inch head is more than wide enough to provide an enveloping waterfall, while the handhelds 3-inch head has higher-pressure sprays that can easily clear out shampoo. A rain shower may seem extravagant, but its an affordable way to elevate a shower by simply switching out the existing shower head. When its not detached, the handheld nestles in a pivoting cradle, just like its attached counterpart, allowing you to adjust both water flows in all directions and hit different areas. The Delta In2ition 58620-25-PK comes with a detachable handheld thats shaped like a wand, instead of the usual circular attachment. Many rain shower heads are an easy DIY project with standard piping. We did appreciate its heft and quality metal lever (which smoothly glides between three settings, instead of clicking from one to the next, like most showerheads do). A lot. Based on our tests, however, we believe they likely received a damaged model (the Freespin comes with a limited lifetime warranty, which might come in handy if anything happens beyond Home Depots return policy). Between its rain-shower and handheld settings, the 26008 also offers every possible shower experience, including pulsating, massage-like sprays; drenching rain-shower sprays; gentler, wavy ones; effusive mists; and the traditional concentric rings of a silky, ropelike spray. The High Sierra has just one setting, making it less versatileespecially if its strong spray pattern feels too overwhelming. The Freespin is all about choices. We also agreed that the DreamSpa Rainfall Shower offers a lot for the price point. Typically, the larger the shower head, the weaker the pressure since the water distributes over a greater surface area. We asked Jason Symeon, the companys director of industrial design, if theres an optimal number of settings when theyre brainstorming new designs. You simply connect the fixed showerhead, and then attach the handheld via the hose. Each fixture was examined for its overall makeup, feel, and durability. The shower feels just as wet as a normal shower, but it uses about 30 percent less water. Constructed of stainless steel and a 10-layer chrome-plated finish, the rain shower head is oversize at 12 inches to cover more of the body with water at the same time. To help, weve tested a variety of fixtures so that we can share the pros and cons of each based on the criteria above. This saves water, and it retains your current temperature setting (which wont happen if you turn the shower off with the faucet handle). In 2020, Delta debuted an internal-components design called UltraSoak in some of its new showerheads; Delta claims this technology sculpts droplets in a way that imitates a dense rainfall sensation. We were impressed with the thickness of the spray on the H2OKinetic UltraSoak 52460, but unfortunately, there just isnt enough of it. Along with its height and aim versatility, this showerhead features a relaxing atomized steam and drenching soak (which is strong enough to thoroughly rinse thick hair), making it a worthy splurge for some. With 2.5 GPM, it gives off the maximum pressure for a rain shower. Made of coated brass, it feels solid yet lightweight. Other docks (like the Kohler Converge and the Delta In2ition) required a lot more fiddling to make the magnetic connection work. Its the most powerful low-flow showerhead we tested, spraying heavy, drenching droplets that felt more powerful than the 2.5-gpm settings on some other showerheads. Here are a few important factors to think about when selecting a rain shower head. 
Get the Qomolangma 16-Inch Brushed Shower Head at Sears. But a friend of Tims who suffers from mild tinnitus also tried this showerhead and told us he found the sound to be a bit uncomfortable. This time around we paid closer attention to the sound while testing. But theres only one (strong) setting, which may feel overwhelming to some. SparkPods rain shower head is available in two options for water pressure: The 1.8 GPM gives lower pressure to conserve water, and the 2.5 GPM blasts higher pressure in the rain setting. Our previous upgrade pick, the combination Delta In2ition 58480, performed poorly in 2019, 2020, and 2021 tests against other models. Spray settings found in some rain shower heads may include other relaxing settings, such as a mist spray that turns the water into fine water droplets or a waterfall setting that has the water come out in a thin and wide stream instead of droplets. Beyond the basic categories of fixed and handheld (the former being the one mounted up on the wall, and the latter the one with a hose that you can pick up, aim, and spray where you need to), the world of showerheads presents an abundance of aesthetic choices. Like all fixed models, the Forte lacks the flexibility of a handheld. This sleek, modern shower head from Suptaps offers a lot for its compact size and affordable price point, making it one of our favorites. We turned the handshower off on the model we tested to see how it felt and much prefer the dual option. A 15.7-inch metal shower arm is included to make sure the water falls over the users head. With this in mind, we think the SR SUN RISE is best suited for a remodel rather than a simple upgrade. Renters can and should upgrade a showerheadjust save the old one and put it back in when you move out. We love that the 4.5-inch handheld shower head has five settings including power mist, power rain, rain mist, rain massage, and pulsating massage, all working equally well depending on the users preference. Lower GPM is for eco-friendly models, and higher GPM indicates higher pressure. Included is Teflon tape to help ensure there will be no leaks. We tested all of the rain shower heads on our awards list by installing each either overhead or on the wall, taking note of the tools needed for installation and the level of difficulty. We tested a dozen other showerheads and never had this problem. Or do! The Forte was notably easy to rotate and adjust after installation. He has written and edited for numerous outlets, including Country Living, Modern Farmer, The New York Times, V and VMAN, Marie Claire, Jane, and Food Network Magazine. Out of the box, Grohes Euphoria 260 rain shower head feels durable and looks attractive.
After new tests in 2021, weve added two new also-great picks: the Kohler Freespin Bellerose and the Nebia by Moen. The only drawbacks we found to this product are the higher price tag and the plastic construction, although we didnt feel the latter affected the overall look or feel. Get the SparkPod Shower Head on Amazon, SparkPod.com, or at Walmart. Additional installation requirements (like the minimum distance required from your existing shower outlet to the ceiling) are detailed on Moens website. And the Fortes brass ball joint securely pivots the head to hit the far corners of a tub or stall. According to David Malcolm, High Sierras founder and designer, traditional showerheads separate water into discrete mini-streams via a constellation of nozzles. Six nozzles turn the droplets into a fine mist, with a much wider range of coverage than you get with a standard showerhead. Its a truly bizarre design flaw, considering no other handheld we tested had a similar issue. Oversize shower heads offer a feeling of showering in the rain, and they are designed to prompt relaxation. The Speed Clean nozzles are integrated into the head, allowing the user to easily wipe away limescale. The first thing we noticed about this large 16-inch showerhead was the ample water pressure. And 4 inches or more is preferable, because that gives the head its full range of motion. Weve had a few readers request that we test the popular Speakman Signature Icon Anystream, so we ordered its 1.75 GPM S-2252, a highly rated model on Amazon. If this doesnt describe your predilection or circumstance, and you love steam rooms but wish the warm, soothing vapor also had enough downward force to properly bathe in, the surprisingly easy-to-mount Nebia by Moen N207C0 shower system is worth the cost. We attached it to the wall, but it can be mounted overhead as well.
And any good showerhead is likely to be an upgrade over what you inherited when you moved in. Then you insert the included installation keybasically a metal ruler that doubles as a tighteneruntil it meets resistance from the pipe inside. Therefore, we would suggest using this model with a regulator. Theres a limit to what you can do in a space you dont own, but these bath upgrades make it feel a lot more like its yours. As this guides original author, Sabrina, put it, Before writing this guide, I didnt realize Id been living with an uneven and sparse spray and a ring of cold mist encircling a too-hot center. Unlike most rain showers on the list, this model features adjustable spray settings that can be controlled by a button in the center of the shower head. Get the AILUKI 8 High Pressure Rainfall Shower Head on Amazon or at Kmart. The Kohler 22169-G-CP Forte Multifunction Showerhead has the best rain-shower spray of any showerhead we tested: It produces a powerful, dense full soak that envelops your entire body. Our High Sierra low-flow budget pick now also comes with a handheld option, but we found it to be heavy and cumbersome. Its second setting, with six swiveled jets of water that come out from the head in pairs of two, creates uncomfortably cold gaps at the center, under a higher showerhead. The showerhead installs easily, and you can adjust the spray settings smoothly with one hand. The High Sierras metal ball joint ensures the head pivots smoothly in any direction. The unit features a modern design made from stainless steel and brushed with a nickel finish, is rust resistant, and feels durable while handling. Read on to find out how our top shower head picks performed. Remove the shower head (and shower filter if applicable) and soak it in a container of distilled white vinegar for about an hour, then rinse with water and scrub any parts that need additional attention. Simply mount it to the wall where the old shower head was previously. The powerful Moen Attract Magnetix Chrome Rainshower Combo 26008 pairs a handheld and a rain-shower head, along with six spray patterns, to produce an exceptional variety of great showering options. And the face of the handheld is molded at such a sharp downward angle toward the handle that its difficult to find a comfortable way to rinse off. The first time we showered with the Nebia, we forgot to turn on a fan, and we witnessed actual rivulets winding down the walls afterward. For jets, there are 100 silicone nozzles on the rain shower head and another 73 on the handheld shower head, which are self-cleaning and prevent hard-water buildup. Kohler confirmed this partnership, which speaks to the powers of this showerhead: People tried it, realized they couldnt live without it, and actually took the time to track down the model. The handheld units magnetic dock snaps securely into its own dedicated socketwhich is far easier than maneuvering a handheld shower into a narrow holster within the main showerhead (as is found on some competitors). Weve personally tested each fixture so that we can report on its performance. Aside from taking notes on the feel of the spray, we noted how easy each head was to install, whether there was any leakage, how it felt to adjust the settings, and how clunky or sleek the head looked in our bathrooms. The best rain shower head revitalizes a shower routine, helps bring you to a place of relaxation, and feels like a spa inside a home. A center knob switches water flow to either the handheld or the fixed mountor to both at once. The Moen Attract Magnetix Chrome Rainshower Combo 26008 is the luxury SUV of showerheads: huge and powerful. We easily mounted it overhead as well as on the wall. To detach the handheld, you push it forward by its handle, like shifting from first to second gear in a manual-transmission car. The wand sits on a half-globe magnetic dock, so you can angle the two additional sprays anywhere on your body, for even more coverage. While a shower head may seem like an easy-to-use home addition, how they work and what they require may generate more questions for the user. And though we appreciate a function designed with children in mind, a well-placed hand is just as good at keeping water out of a wee ones eyes during bath time. We tried it with 2.5 GPM of output, which offered ample pressure, but it is also available in 1.8 GPM for those looking to conserve water without sacrificing comfort. Unlike with fixed showerheads, the 26008s detachable handheld head can rinse every corner, to clean the shower or wash kids or a dog. (Homeowners, you already know you can upgrade.) However, we found the shower head to offer plenty of coverage at 12 inches and an even spray with medium pressure. But the High Sierras single spray setting may be a bit strong for some people, and if you dont like it, theres no way to adjust it. If the option of more water pressure is desired, a combo rain shower head and handheld shower head may provide the best of both worlds. This guide builds on the work of Sabrina Imbler, who spoke (on the phone and in person, at the gargantuan Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas) with product managers (the folks who oversee every aspect of a showerhead, from design and engineering to materials, manufacture, and quality control) at Moen, Kohler, Delta, Toto, and High Sierra. The model broke as we were trying to assemble it (a surprisingly difficult task), which probably speaks to the quality and longevity of the head. Shower time is your time. But a good showerhead, with a gushing, steady spray of evenly heated water under any pressure, will significantly improve your daily routine. We preferred it overhead, but wall mounting should work just fine in spacious showers with the right arm attachment. The 1.75-gpm models six spray settings meet almost every possible showering need, and its hand shower connects (and disconnects) more easily than those of its competitors. Editor Joshua Lyon met virtually with industry reps at IBS/KBIS in February 2021, interviewed Moens director of industrial design, and spent four months showering with our previous picks and testing new models. Constructed from BPA-free ABS plastic, this shower heads finish is chrome-plated. But of its eight settings, only one (the concentrated massage) hit the spot, and none provided wide enough body coverage. We liked the Moen Magnetix 26100EP, an affordable handheld showerhead with six spray settings. When we last updated this guide, we noticed during testing that the High Sierra had a more-audible sound than your typical showerhead. Inspired by his background as a nozzle manufacturer for agricultural irrigation, Malcolm instead created a nozzle that breaks a low-pressure stream of water into heavy, coarse droplets. The 6-inch rain shower head has 90 easy-to-clean rubber jets that make it a low-maintenance shower head as its rustproof and resists water deposits, such as limescale. The 26008 is almost as easy to install as a fixed showerhead, and it includes a pause button, which allows you to halt its 1.75-gpm spray without losing your temperature setting. Instead of nozzles, the High Sierra has a wider water passageway thats resistant to clogging from mineral buildup. The rain-shower height is vertically adjustablea whopping 17 inchesand glides smoothly along the bracket, stopping exactly where you want it to. The size provides great coverage with an even, comfortable spray. The Nebia started out as a Kickstarter campaign (one of the cofounders is a former Apple engineer), before Moen partnered with the company. The face of a handheld shower head is generally around 4.5 inches across. The Forte has only three spray patterns. Made of stainless steel and an all-chrome finish, this shower head feels durable and resists rust. The ultrathin design and added air-in technology aims at using less water to create a stronger water flow. A preference may be to match the rain shower head to the other bathroom fixtures, such as the shower faucet set, so nothing seems out of place. If so, how does it compare to the rest? Some rain shower heads come in a combo with a handheld shower head as well. We tested the 1.5 gpm Niagara N2915CH, which is similar to the High Sierra. For this model, we were only able to test the shower head since the handheld system requires access to internal piping and professional installation to be embedded into the wall. The fixture comes with a swivel ball connector that allows the user to easily adjust the angle of the spray. The Kohler K-15996-CP Flipside is a popular but strange model that changes settings by rotating a nozzle-filled disk nestled inside a circular holster. Get the NearMoon High Pressure Shower Head on Amazon or NearMoon.net. The Nebia by Moen requires a few preexisting shower and plumbing conditions for proper installation. Broad shoulders? Plumbing can vary as much as preference. For shoppers with smaller shower space, the company offers a 12-inch model as well. The wand spray turns on and off, but theres no option for using just the wand with no rain shower. Our previous budget pick, the Delta Faucet 75152, compared poorly in 2019 tests against some newer models released since our 2016 tests. At 8 inches, though. This device is better than rain shower heads to target specific areas in the shower. The 26008s massage setting was the most powerful we tested. We appreciate subtle design, but the switch is easy to miss. Typical sizes for rain shower heads are between 8 and 10 inches wide. We love that this fixture comes in matte black in addition to chrome and brushed nickel, an option only available in two other selections on this list. Combined with 324 spray nozzles, this showering experience could be intense for those who dont like water in their faces. Its also not as attractive as our other picks. We easily mounted it on the existing arm without the use of tools. You can get more with some other showerheads. Its 1.75-gpm flow felt too low to create a satisfying rain-shower experience. BobVila.com and its partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links. DreamSpa Ultra-Luxury 9" Rainfall Shower Head Combo, SR SUN RISE 12 Inches Rain Mixer Shower Combo Set. We think this is a worthwhile splurgethe satisfaction-to-effort ratio of a showerhead upgrade is off the charts, and completing the job is surprisingly easy. On your first outing with the Freespin, plan to take a leisurely shower so you can play around with all the adjustments, and try not to think about how you look like a naked WWII radio operator. This three-spray model has two other excellent settings: a pummeling massage function and a silky-soft fine spray.