Shower Head Types: Modern Features and Benefits
Stepping under a shower can be the perfect wakeup call or a blissful end to your day. Choosing a shower head, however, can be tricky business. Pick the wrong one and you may be left unsatisfied after your morning, or evening routine. Whether you need to replace a showerhead or are simply looking to peruse your options, here is what you need to know about different showerheads.
What to Know about Standard Wall-Mount Shower Heads
The wall mount is the most common type of showerhead and this is probably the type that currently exists in your home. This type of showerhead is fixed to the wall but can usually be adjusted in different directions.
Pros: The wall mount is super simple and most of the parts are stationary. There is plenty of variety within the wall mount showerheads and they can pack a good amount of pressure. Some wall mounts even come with a handheld attachment.
Cons: If you have a bathtub or are a stickler for cleaning your shower space, the wall mount may not reach every corner. As a result, you’ll have to splash a bit of water in the harder to reach areas until your cleaning solution is properly rinsed. The standard wall mount can also be intimidating for younger children and can make bath time a bit tricky.
what to know about Handheld shower heads
This type of shower head can usually be mounted on the wall but has a detachable portion hose, that can be used at varying at various levels and distances.
Pros: These shower heads usually have a good amount of pressure and make your life easier when it’s time to clean your shower or bathtub. The handheld showers also make baths easier for little ones since they can be detached and held at various levels. This type of showerhead is also great for pet baths!
Cons: The handheld requires just a little bit more maintenance since you’ll need to keep both the showerhead and the hose in good condition. Turning on the showerhead before it is secure, or dropping the showerhead while it’s running, and also result in a good amount of splashing.
What to know about Rainfall shower heads
The rainfall is similar to the wall mount, but, while the wall mount is usually set at an angle, the rainfall shower is typically positioned directly overhead. There are many types of rainfall showers and there is plenty of room to find the right size, height and pressure options to fit your needs.
Pros: Super trendy and super relaxing, this type of shower lets you enjoy the feeling of standing in the rain without the drawbacks of soaked clothing. These types of showerheads typically have more coverage than the standard wall mount and may also have an attachable hose. Contrary to popular belief, the rainfall showerheads are not huge water wasters and you can look for the WaterSense label if you are particularly environmentally conscious.
Cons: If you don’t have the hose attachment, you may have trouble cleaning your bathing area and bathing pets and little ones. You may end up using a bit more water with the higher-pressure showers- or because you are having too much fun and taking longer showers in general.
what to know about Body Spray shower heads
This is a wall-mount showerhead that sprays you from different levels at the same time giving you a very thorough clean.
Pros: Stepping into a body spray shower feels a lot like getting a spa treatment. You can customize various jets to different strengths for optimal cleanliness and comfort. If you love feeling pampered in the shower, the body spray is the ideal choice.
Cons: These to take up a bit more water and are a little more difficult to install. You may not have the same reach as the handheld showerhead to clean your bathing area and it may be confusing for children.
A Bit of Good News: Why you can usually choose any shower head you like best
While showerheads come in a variety of types, shapes, and sizes, they are typically made to fit the standard shower arm. In the US, the shower arms are ½ inch NPT for the modern versions so unless you are ordering from another country or have a really old shower arm, you don’t have to worry about the fit. Of course, if you have a very old shower arm, you may want to consider replacing for something a bit more modern and reliable.
Resources— Home Guides, A Great Shower, Environmental Protection Agency
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