The included 1.5-metre stainless steel hose with a PP tube will not be tangling or kinking. The braided nylon is resistant against explosion and protected from heat, salt, acids, and or leaking. There's a nice little button on the shower head's side that lets you switch between its spray patterns with one hand.
The model is a little fiddly.
Despite featuring 6 spray patterns, the best thing about the Newentor Pelagia is that this spray pattern selection but the square design that delivers even coverage, something that you cannot quite say about standard shower heads. Also, the pearlescent frosted panel makes the model look a little more nuanced.
Shower head, hose
11.5 x 10 cm
Chrome-plated ABS plastic, Stainless steel
6 (spray, mist and spray, mist, mist and massage, spray and massage, power massage)
1/2" connector
Anti-limescale silicon nozzles
1 year
The multi-layer chrome finish creates an upscale reflective look. The high-strength brass construction protects the model from daily corrosion, scratches, as well as tarnishing. The anti-limescale nozzles minimise limescale buildups and let you remove debris/sediment with ease.
There's only one spray pattern.
Measuring 6 x 2 centimetres, the Acefy ART16005N requires quite a bit less space than your average shower head. But, even though one might assume otherwise, the model is as effective as circular 'heads (as long as you don't mind not having additional spray patterns).
Shower head
~6 x 2 cm
Brass with chrome finish
1 (spray)
1/2" connector
Anti-limescale silicon nozzles
5 years
The rub-clean nozzles are immune to calcium and, made from silicone, will not fall victim to limescale. The 5 spray patterns that this shower head comes with include at least 2 massage modes, so you can choose between taking a quick shower or relaxing under it.
The head's difficult to turn.
Mira Showers 2.1957.001 will let you save quite a bit of money initially as well as down the road. With its integrated water restrictor and the power rain spray pattern, the model will allow you to shower wasting 25-30% less water.
Shower head
11 cm dia.
Chrome-plated ABS plastic
5 (power rain, pulsating massage, power mist, rain and massage, rain and mist)
1/2" connector
Anti-limescale silicon nozzles
1 year
The cathode balls soften the water, removing different heavy metals, toxins, chlorine, fluoride, rust, as well as unpleasant odours. The negative balls, incorporating negative ions, restore the pH level of your skin and provide several health benefits.
The chrome plating is not scratch-resistant.
The Magichome Ionic Shower Head, with its 3-layer filtration system packing mineral, cathode, and negative balls, filters out calcium, selenium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, iron, and potassium, making sure that you shower under the purest water.
Shower head, replaceable beads, spare rubber plate
~7 cm dia.
Chrome-plated ABS plastic
3 (rain, massage, rain and massage)
1/2" connector
3-layer filtration system
1 year
The 10-layer plating lets you handle this 'head without worrying about scratches or abrasions. The TRP nozzles are heat- as well as cold-resistant. The model can be installed without a single tool. The heavy-duty sealing gaskets reinforce the connection points.
The modes are not great with low pressure.
The Y-home H05015 will cost less than 15 quid. Nevertheless, the model should serve you about as well and virtually as long as high-end shower heads. We especially like the rain and massage spray pattern, relaxing, invigorating, and cleaning you at the same time.
Shower head
12 cm dia.
Chrome-plated ABS plastic, Chrome-plated POM material
4 (spray, power rain, pulsating massage, rain and massage)
1/2" connector
Anti-limescale TPR nozzles
5 years
Square Shower Head
The Newentor Pelagia does everything. The first selling point is that, along with the shower head, this package includes a hose, so you won't have to purchase one separately. The second and more impressive selling point is the 6 (spray, mist and spray, mist, mist and massage, spray and massage, power massage) spray patterns that this model comes equipped with.
But, as much as we can get behind these, most people seldom use more than 2-3 patterns anyway. With that in mind, one could argue that the more important part is the shower head's ergonomic square design, delivering even coverage that circular 'heads cannot match. Plus, the pearlescent frosted panel makes this model look a lot more interesting than the usual chrome-treated alternatives.
Construction-wise, the anti-explosion as well as heat-, salt-, acids-, and leak-proof braided nylon will have no trouble withstanding the highest water pressure. Likewise, the rubber gasket on the connectors will remove leakage from the equation. Setting aside the 'head, the above-mentioned hose features double interlocked connector, preventing it from tangling or kinking.
Some might find this package a little fiddly but very few will regret spending a little extra time initially on this shower head since, in every other regard, the Newentor Pelagia splashes circles around its competition.
Last updated price | £26.99 |
Stock | In stock |
ASIN | B089GZZZC1 |
Ditching the Circular Approach
The Acefy ART16005N does not quite fit the usual fold that most shower heads are working with. To start with, even the 'head' term does not necessarily apply here since this one looks more like a rod than a noggin. As you would imagine, with the model's unique design come certain advantages and disadvantages. Sticking with the former group, this 'head' measures 6 x 2 centimetres, taking up a lot less space than its orthodox peers. Belonging to the latter group is the fact that, with its reduced size and round cylinder shape, the model offers only one spray pattern, meaning that you will not be able to make it rain (speaking pretty much literally) or have the water massage you as you bathe/take a shower.
From an appearance angle, this little fellow is quite alright, primarily owing to the multi-layer chrome finish that creates a shiny and reflective look. Also, made from high-strength brass, the model resists everyday corrosion, scratches, and tarnishing with relative ease.
Despite approaching from a different angle, the Acefy ART16005N comes outfitted with the same anti-limescale silicon nozzles that most shower heads incorporate today. Using these nozzles, the model prevents limescale buildups and lets you easily remove debris and sediment.
Last updated price | £17.99 |
Stock | In stock |
ASIN | B01GVDWR64 |
Borrowing Chrome
The Mira Showers 2.1957.001, also named Mira Citrus, is an affordable but, at the same time, pretty brilliant model. First things first, this model implements 5 (power rain, pulsating massage, power mist, rain and massage, rain and mist) spray patterns, letting you choose between showering as fast as possible, relaxing under the rain, or having the 'head massage you with at least 2 different massage modes.
Apart from allowing you to fine-tune the showering experience, Mira Citrus also borrows its chrome-plated ABS plastic makeup from more premium shower heads, making the model resistant to rust and corrosion as well as improving its appearance. Looking at its size, the 11 centimetres in diameter that this 'head reaches put this product somewhere in the middle, above more compact models that measure around 7-8 centimetres and the largest options that go above 12.
The only area where the Mira Showers 2.1957.001 displays its value orientation is where you turn to head to change the water jets. A little stiff, the mechanism makes this task more inconvenient than it should be. Assuming you're fine with that, the Mira Showers 2.1957.001 will serve you basically just as well as the most expensive shower heads you can find on the market today.
Filtering the Water
The Magichome Ionic Shower Head, as you can tell from its transparent body filled with these interesting-looking little beads, is cut from a somewhat different cloth than its competition. With these beads comprising the model's 3-layer filtration system, the 'head removes or, at the very least, minimises >30 mineralised substances that tap water usually contains, including calcium, potassium, selenium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese, and phosphorus. In doing so, the model softens the water, removes chlorine, fluoride, toxins, various heavy metals, rust, and unpleasant odours, making the showering experience as pure as it gets.
Besides cathode balls and mineral balls, the filtration system includes negative balls. Delivering negative ions, these balls can restore the skin's pH level, provide a decent analgesic effect, decrease fatigue and anxiety, and, in some cases, even minimise anxiety and depression symptoms.
Where the model falls a little flat is with its housing. Because the chrome-plated ABS plastic is not scratch-resistant, we would recommend treating this 'head with extra caution. As unfortunate as it is, the 3-layer filtration system makes the Magichome Ionic Shower Head a lot more interesting than the majority of similar products that we've come across.
Last updated price | £12.99 |
Stock | In stock |
ASIN | B07T472T27 |
Relaxing and Efficient
The Y-home H05015 is the least budget-hostile option on this list and it's not even close. As such, the model is also a little more flawed than its less affordable analogues.
On the one hand, the 4 (spray, power rain, pulsating massage, rain and massage) spray patterns that this handheld shower head integrates is respectable. The power rain hits you with very fine jets, keeping the pressure low (relative to its stablemates), the pulsating massage invigorates you, and the rain and massage mode combines the previous two spray patterns, making the showering experience both relaxing and efficient. The problem with these modes (and the biggest problem with this product in general) is that they're not necessarily great with low pressure, which means that certain households will not benefit from them as much as people with sufficient water pressure.
On the plus side, you can install this 'head without a single separate tool. Hand tightening is a-okay, and the connection points adopt hard-wearing sealing gaskets, so you don't have to worry about the whole thing coming apart.
In short, provided you have decent water pressure at home, the Y-home H05015 will improve your showering experience without you paying more than ~15 quid.
Last updated price | $0.00 |
Stock | May be out of stock |
ASIN | B07NL7SV41 |
What Is a Shower Head?
A few things can be more pleasant than a relaxing shower after a long working day. In the morning, on the other hand, the flowing water wakes us up, rejuvenates our bodies after the sleep and gives us the necessary boost for the day. The great responsibility for these tasks rests on a shower head. It is a piece that’s attached to plumbing fixtures and sprays the water through little nozzles onto you in a bath or a cubicle. These bath attachments are designed to not only wash your body but also for water saving that you'd spend when using the tap. The federal law regulates that a home shower shouldn’t output more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute to prevent the wastage. Moreover, a high-quality shower head can become an effective piece of decoration that will emphasise the style of your bathroom.
You might also be interested in our picks of the best bathroom scales that will tell you not only your weight but also half a dozen other body parameters. For those who want to always be aware of the latest TV news, we can recommend our reviews on the best small bathroom and kitchen TVs.
What Features to Compare
Type
For starters, if you want to get the right shower head, check out its type. All models fall in one of the following categories:
- Handheld. As the word suggests, you can take these in hand and point the sprays onto yourself from any angle. Generally, they are supplied with a bracket to fix it in when you've finished. Good for bathing kids and pets.
- Fixed. These models are attached firmly to a wall or a ceiling mount arm.
- Adjustable. Exactly the same as the previous one but with one little difference: they also have a pivot to change the head's angle.
- Combo type. Simply a combination of the previous two. They have both a fixed head and an additional handheld. They also come with a lever to direct the flow from one head to another. Or to both at once.
Size and Materials
As a rule, the size of a head directly influences its spraying coverage. If the sprays can cover a large area, you might consider installing it by attaching to a top mount. Otherwise, almost every model can be attached to a wall mount. Also, take a look at the materials it's made of. Casing made of stainless steel or lightweight plastic has proved to be the most effective and reliable one. However, plastic is a bit more fragile. The brass metal is a common solution for the threaded fittings as well.
Modes
Maximum flow rate shouldn't be higher than 2.5 gpm as it is restricted by the USA laws. Accordingly, manufacturers have to cap a throughput rate of showerheads to prevent water wastage. At the same time, some households may have low pressure in the pipes that can't provide even 2 gpm. If that's the case, take a look at the high-pressure models. Anyhow, many modern heads can be used universally, regardless of the pressure strength, owing to the special nozzles design or different modes with concentrated streams. In addition, the more modes they have, the better the overall process will be. For instance, most of the modern heads feature at least two modes: soft relaxing rain and concentrated rinsing streams.
Extra Features
Extra features may include everything else that makes the usage more comfortable: adjustable overheads, a long hose or holding brackets for handhelds, a unique mode switching handle design, and so on. Some heads have a built-in color-changing LEDs or Bluetooth speaker that can play the music from your mobile. All in all, we've analyzed the whole showering process and have found 5 great models for you to choose from. Take your pick!
Sources:
1. Choosing a Showerhead, Lowe's.
2. Emily Burns Morgan Shower Heads 101, Bob Vila.
3. 125 Ideas to Make Any Bathroom Feel Like an At-Home Spa, HouseBeautiful. October 20, 2016.
4. 50 Modern Bathrooms, HOME DESIGNING.
5. How to Replace a Shower Head and Arm, Instructables.
6. Shower, Wikipedia. October 2, 2016.
7. Bambi Turner Top 5 Reasons to Get a Handheld Shower Head, HowStuffWorks. October 25, 2011.
8. Choosing the right shower head, SheKnows. November 1, 2012.
9. Showerhead Buying Guide, Consumer Reports.