5 Best Shower Heads of 2024
1. BEST OVERALL SHOWERHEAD
Kohler Forte Showerhead
PROS
- Multiple finishes work with a range of styles
- Easy to install with no tools
CONS
- No pause setting
The simple elegance of this Kohler showerhead is matched by its stellar performance. “The Forte impressed us right out the box with its clean lines and compact design,” says DiClerico. “The fact that our testers installed it in under a minute with zero tools added to its appeal.”
The showerhead comes in seven finishes including gold, nickel and oil-rubbed bronze — all of which have different prices. In hands-on testing, the Forte earned the highest scores, thanks to its exceptional performance across all spray settings, from pulsating massage to misting spray.Consumer testers all appreciated how easy it was to switch between settings. The only downside is the lack of a pause setting, which some people like to flick on when shaving or lathering up with soap and shampoo.
Our experts also highly rate Kohler’s Purist line of showerheads, praising its superb performance (“the strong water flow feels luxurious compared to our old showerhead,” observed one tester) and expansive finish options, including matte black and vibrant brushed moderne brass. The Purist 2-in-1 Showerhead stands out as a recent GH Home Reno Award winner, “combining form and function as well as any system on the market,” our judges noted.
2. BEST VALUE SHOWERHEAD
Speakman Hotel Anystream Showerhead
PROS
- Great for when your water pressure is low
- Several different showerhead settings
CONS
- Hotel model has less durable plastic construction
Speakman has been a favorite brand in the showerhead category with our experts for many years. The Hotel Anystream Showerhead is the way to go if you’re looking for an ultra-cheap showerhead that still delivers great output.
There’s a reason why this no-frills model is commonly found in hotel bathrooms. Plungers inside the showerhead nozzle control the spray force intensity, which the brand says makes it the best showerhead for low water pressure homes. The plungers also resist buildup, keeping the showerhead relatively easy to maintain. We like that you can switch between Intense, Massage and Combination settings for a customizable spa shower experience. The Hotel Anystream is available in several finishes, including nickel, chrome and brass.
Our experts also love Speakman’s Signature Icon Anystream, which was another winner in our Home Reno Awards. Spending more on the upgrade gets you more durable solid brass construction as well an expanded line of finishes, including matte black and oil rubbed bronze. Our testers raved over the performance. “This may be the best showerhead I have ever used, and I have sampled/used over a dozen top-quality ones in the last three years alone,” one reported.
3. BEST RAIN SHOWERHEAD
Glacier Bay Modern Square Raincan Fixed Showerhead
PROS
- Large showerhead for large amounts of coverage
- Extremely easy to install
- High-end design
CONS
- One showerhead setting only
For less than the cost of a massage, you can make every shower feel like a day at the spa. Glacier Bay’s rain showerhead looks much more expensive than it is, our testers observed, and it outperformed similar models costing several times as much.
Our consumer panelists commented on its stellar coverage and super-easy installation, but especially liked the design, saying the shape brought a high-end look and feel to the bathroom. “It made my shower feel as if I was in a fancy hotel or spa!” said one.
We like the versatility of the fixture: Position it at a slight angle to make room in the shower to lather up or have it completely horizontal for a true rainfall feel. One note: You’ll likely need to buy a shower arm extender to take full advantage of its versatility. The showerhead also only has one setting, so it’s best for people who like a good soak in the shower, rather than the option of softer sprays.
4. BEST HANDHELD SHOWERHEAD
Delta Faucet H2Okinetic Technology Showerhead with Wand
PROS
- Can be handheld or overhead
- Great docking mechanism
- 5 different spray settings
CONS
- Claims of materials feeling a bit flimsy
Two-in-one showerheads combine an overhead spray with a handheld one, the latter being good for body washing and also to rinse down the shower when cleaning. This version from Delta has a clever, space-saving design: The handheld wand pulls right out of the overhead showerhead, and a powerful docking magnetism lets you store it easily into place each time.
Thanks to the high velocity wave pattern that comes with this showerhead, you’ll experience three times the coverage of a standard showerhead,according to Delta. With five different spray settings, this showerhead internally controls the speed, movement and droplet size of the water, which the brand says helps to create the feeling of more water.
While most Amazon reviewers loved the steady flow of water and optimal pressure, some complained about the materials feeling cheap.
5. BEST DUAL SHOWERHEAD
Delta Faucet 4-Spray In2ition 2-in-1 Dual Showerhead
PROS
- Two showerheads in one
- Great water pressure and flow
- Easy to install
CONS
- Occasionally need to fiddle with reattaching the showerheads
Our test engineer was so impressed with the water pressure of Delta Faucet’s 2-in-1 showerhead during Lab tests that he installed the same fixture in his home.
In addition to the vigorous stream, our experts like that the two sprays on the fixture can be controlled individually. The handheld part of the showerhead attaches to the middle of the showerhead, allowing you to experience two flows at once, for a wide, powerful spray. One small ding against the fixture: Testers sometimes had to do a bit of fiddling when re-attaching the two showerheads.
Within the handheld spray, there are three different settings to choose from to adjust the pressure. We also like that the handheld hose is 60 inches long, allowing you to spray your entire body while the showerhead sprays your head. If you feel like only using one part of the showerhead, you can turn off the other one, which would then provide even stronger water pressure coming out of whichever showerhead is still on.
