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The best shower heads balance excellent water pressure with rainforest-like tranquility—but before you add one to your cart, you’ll want to keep in mind that not all of these devices are created equally. Consider factors like mount type (do you want it to protrude from your wall or ceiling?), material (is stainless steel more your thing, or will matte bronze do the trick?) flow rate and more. Some shower heads also offer up nifty massaging features and helpful water filters that deliver targeted relief to aching muscles. If you’re looking for a shower head that delivers different spray patterns, look. toour top pick in 2023, Kohler’s 22169-G-CP Forte Multifunction Showerhead; it’s our all-around favorite for its versatility and sleek look. But there are several other top-quality contenders on our list to suit every bathroom style and budget.
Ultimately, the best shower head for you depends on your personal preferences and needs, along with your décor style. “A shower head can definitely add flare to a bathroom design,” says Tatiana Seikaly of Studio Seikaly. “It can either be a statement piece or seamlessly blend into the other plumbing fixtures.” While there are a lot of shower head options out there, some rise above the rest in terms of quality and features. To help you narrow down the options, we’ve curated a list of the best shower heads on the market in 2023 below. (While you’re at it, check out our lists of the best bath towels and bath sheets to maximize your showering experience.)
- Best Shower Head Overall: Kohler 22169-G-CP Forte Multifunction Showerhead
- Best High-Pressure Shower Head: Waterpik PowerPulse
- Best Rain Shower Head: Grohe Euphoria 260 Shower Head
- Best Dual Shower Head: Moen Engage Magnetix Shower Head 2-in-1 Combo
- Best Low Flow Shower Head: High Sierra 1.5 GPM Low Flow Shower Head
- Best Budget-Friendly Shower Head: Gurin Shower Head
- Best Filtered Shower Head: Kohler Aquifer Three-Spray Pattern Shower Head
- Best Shower Head With Multiple Stream Settings: Speakman Anystream Filtered Polished Chrome Fixed Shower Head
Best Shower Head Overall
A Sleek Option That Offers Three Different Spray Settings
Kohler K-22169-G-CP Forte 1.75 GPM Multifunction Showerhead
Mount type: Wall | Material: 6 options to choose from including French gold and oil rubbed bronze | Spray pattern: Full coverage, pulsating massage or silk spray | Flow rate: 1.75 GPM (gallons per minute)
The Kohler K-22169-G-CP Forte is a great option for most needs. It delivers three different sprays—full coverage, pulsating massage or a lighter silk spray—to let you mix things up in the shower. Just push the lever on the head over and enjoy. The shower head infuses two liters of air per minute into the spray, giving you plenty of power and volume to rinse off shampoo bubbles and soap residue in the form of large droplets. Choose from six different finishes for the look that’s right for you bathroom.
Best High-Pressure Shower Head
A Shower Head That Delivers 2.5 Gallons Of Water Per Minute
Mount type: Wall | Material: Chrome | Spray pattern: 7 options including massage, and PowerSpray | Flow rate: 2.5 GPM
Whether you have thick hair that takes forever to rinse or just prefer a more forceful spray, a high pressure shower head is the way to go. Waterpik’s Powerpulse delivers an impressive 2.5 gallons per minute to get you washed off fast. This detachable shower head features seven different spray options—including three massage features—to help you customize your cleaning experience. A five-foot hose gives you plenty of room to move about your shower while you clean yourself.
Best Rain Shower Head
A Shower Head With A Generous 10-Inch Diameter
Grohe Euphoria 260 Shower Head
Mount type: Ceiling | Material: Chrome or nickel | Spray pattern: Rain, jet and smart rain | Flow rate: 2.5 GPM
A rain shower head isn’t for everyone—particularly those who don’t want to get their hair wet every time they shower—but it delivers a soothing feel like getting caught in a gentle downpour. This option from Grohe offers up two finishes, along with a generous 10-inch spray face to cover your body. Flip between three different spray selections, including the vigorous jet spray, pulsating rain spray and water-conserving smart rain spray.
Best Dual Shower Head
A Dual Shower Head Option With A Kink-Free Metal Hose
Mount type: Wall | Material: Chrome | Spray pattern: Downpour, massage, rinse and more | Flow rate: 2.5 GPM
The Moen Engage gives you two options for shower heads. The larger head delivers a rain shower while the detachable option allows for up-close rinsing. Enjoy a reflective chrome finish that looks sleek in your bathroom. A really cool feature: This dual shower head has a magnetic docking system that lets you easily detach the handheld shower head and just snap it back in place with the help of a magnet. The kink-free metal hose won’t tangle, even over time.
Best Low Flow Shower Head
A Shower Head That Saves 40% More Water Than The Competition
High Sierra 1.5 GPM High Efficiency Low Flow Shower Head
Mount type: Wall | Material: 5 options to choose from including matte black and polished brass | Spray pattern: Full | Flow rate: 1.5 GPM
The High Sierra shower head offers up a 1.5 gallons per minute flow rate to help conserve water. This ends up using 40% less water than high-pressure heads, saving you money on utilities in the long run. Choose from five different finish options, including a trendy matte black and nickel. And, while this shower head is low flow, it still delivers enough force to help you feel thoroughly rinsed after.
Best Budget-Friendly Shower Head
An $18 Shower Head That Delivers A Powerful Rainfall-Style Flow
Gurin Shower Head
Mount type: Wall | Material: Chrome | Spray pattern: Rain | Flow rate: 1.8 GPM
At $21, the Gurin shower head is a total steal. It delivers a powerful rainfall-style flow with a luxury look. Anti-clog silicone jets—there are 90 of them total—push out more than enough water to get you clean. A nice perk: The shower head comes with a filter for hard water to protect your skin and hair. Choose between 1.8 and 2.5 GPM models.
Best Filtered Shower Head
This Rainfall-Style System Filters Out Chlorine
Mount type: Wall | Material: Chrome | Spray pattern: Full coverage, PowerZone and silk spray | Flow rate: 1.75 GPM
Hard water can do a number on your hair and skin. That’s where a shower head with a filter comes in. Kohler’s Aquifer reduces chlorine and scale in your water to help your hair stay at its healthiest. This shower head features three sprays—full coverage, silk and PowerZone—and has a concentrated spray in the center. (Flip between sprays with the push of a button.) Installation is simple: Just attach this shower head to an exposed shower arm.
Best Shower Head With Multiple Stream Settings
Choose From 57 Different Stream Options
Mount type: Wall | Material: Chrome | Spray pattern: Invigorate, Immerse, Massage and more | Flow rate: 2 GPM
The Speakman Anystream gives you options in the shower. Flip between spray patterns like Invigorate, Immerse, Massage and 54 others to find the stream that’s right for you in any given moment. Just rotate the plunger in either direction to mix things up. This shower head features an internal filter that traps 99% of contaminants, including chlorine, iron and dirt to deliver clean water to your hair and body. The filter also reduces calcification buildup, saving you clean-up time. Another major perk of this shower head? It blends in with just about any style.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Does A Good Shower Head Make A Difference?
A shower head serves the dual purpose of combining function and fashion, so yes, it can certainly make a big difference in your bathing experience. But in order to maximize the device’s effect, it’s important to consider your specific needs, including the flow rate you need (if you have long or thick hair, a higher flow rate of 1.75+ GPM is ideal) and how many spray pattern options you want to have. But a shower head can also elevate your bathroom. “The hardware for a shower is just as important as the tile and layout to the overall success of a design,” says Erin Sander of Erin Sander Design. “Shower heads are so personal, yet a great place to make a design statement... Shower heads are not something that’s just added at the end, it's an integral piece to the architectural design of the space.”
What Should I Look For In A Shower Head?
It really depends on your personal preferences and lifestyle. “When looking to choose the right shower head for your bathroom, start by thinking about how you plan to use the shower,” says Melanie Hay of Melanie Hay Design. “Are you a fan of rain heads or do you prefer an angled wall mounted shower head? Is the shower very large? Would you like multiple shower heads or sources of water?” Hay says she “always recommends high quality shower fixtures, as plumbing gets used every day and replacement plumbing valves and parts are costly to fix and replace.” And of course, it’s important to make sure your shower head fits in with your overall bathroom décor. “Shower heads are one area where form and function have to be in complete harmony,” says Jess Weeth of Weeth Home. “We always recommend our clients think about their comfort and priorities in terms of location and pressure, and from there we guide them to find a finish and style.”
Which Brand Makes The Best Shower Heads?
Our top pick is the Kohler 22169-G-CP Forte Multifunction Showerhead, which offers up three different shower sprays—Kohler has a reputation for making quality bathroom fixtures, including shower heads, and this one’s no exception. That said, there are a lot of great shower heads out there made by a slew of different companies.
Are There Shower Heads That Increase Water Pressure?
Yes, there are—these are known as “high-pressure shower heads.” They can work in different ways, but they typically increase pressure by decreasing the flow rate or using a compression chamber to push out more water at a higher rate.
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