Facts have it that the average person spends between half a year and one year of his or her life showering. And you can’t blame one for enjoying it – after all, what could be better than a relaxing hot shower after a long day? It’s like a mini spa session straight from your home – and without the big bucks. However, for the experience to be as relaxing as possible, you might need to invest in the right shower equipment as well. Well, actually, there’s no right or wrong to choosing a shower head. Rather, the question is whether you prefer a fixed showerhead, offering a one-direction water flow, or a mobile one, also known as a handheld shower head (‘cause you hold it in your hand to change the direction of the water and/or hit some particular spots the fixed one wouldn’t be able to reach). Most people enjoy handheld showerheads more – they’re more versatile, and really convenient if you need to wash anything or anyone else besides yourself. Owning one means less stress when bathing your little ones, your pets, or even cleaning the bathtub or shower cabin! If you consider yourself a partaker of this kind of showerhead, this guide is for you. Here, we shall compare the most popular picks in handheld showerheads that are currently on the market.
Top Rated Handheld Shower Heads of 2018
Ana Bath SS5450CBN
The unit comes with two 5-inch showerheads, a 60-inch hose, Teflon tape and a water diverter system. Mounting and installing it should not require professional help, as the product comes with a pretty easy-to-understand instruction manual. You should be able to mount and un-mount it yourself, in well under five minutes.
The dual showerheads have 50 jets and 5 unique shower modes, ranging from a light drizzle to saturating, bubbling and include even a pulsating massage option. You can even use two different modes at once – for instance having a spray from the wall-mounted head and massage from the handheld one.
As far as aesthetic aspect goes, you need not worry about the Ana Bath SS5450CBN. Its nickel finish for both the heads and the hose will make for a clean, shiny and modern aspect, which goes well with pretty much any bathroom design.
A negative aspect about this unit is the water consumption. As you pretty much have to use two heads at the same time. Another bummer is the water diverter on this device – it does not install perfectly and resists poorly to high water pressure. However, you might still want to consider it, as users reported it to work well for over 3 years, even with constant use and the rather week diverter.
Peerless 76311WH
Both showerheads feature three modes, including spray and massage options. These can be easily switched by rotating the dial. The unit also comes with a 6-foot long hose, however, several customers have reported that it came in with a 5-foot one instead. If hose length is an important feature for you, you might want to check out other options as well.
This unit comes in a shiny white finish, which goes well with almost any bathroom design. It’s also about half as cheap as the Ana Bath one. Check it out here:
Delta 75700WH Handheld Unit
The shower head features 7 different modes, including full body spray, full body spray with massage, shampoo rinsing spray, drenching spray, and energy saving. The spray dial is very easy to turn around, making the transition from a light spraying to an intense water massage ever so satisfying.
The unit also comes with anti-clog nozzles, which make the mineral sediment build up on the outside of the head, which makes cleaning it a lot easier.
For installation, the unit comes with an instructions manual, and the steps are pretty simple. While you might not need professional help, a wrench or a pair of pliers is required to install it.
Delta 75700WH Handheld Shower Head has a white finishing, making it an elegant option for minimalistic and elegant bathroom designs.
Delta Faucet 58467 Handheld Shower Head
This design is called the In2ition feature, which makes the head look like the parts are fixed together, but the middle section is actually detachable, and you can use it to apply pressure to the areas you need most. The design is completed by two different types of finishing, Chrome and Stainless, so you can choose whichever takes your fancy and fits your bathroom’s design better.
One negative aspect about this unit is that it is pretty pricey, and it comes without any accessories. The package will include the showerhead and a 6-foot hose, but no flange or shower arm. While you might have those left from the previous shower head, it might be a bit of a bummer if they are too old or you have none at all.
However, a good thing about is the fact that this unit is futuristic in all its aspects. How come? Besides the design, it also features 4 modes, including the classic massage and spray ones, and an innovative pause button. This way, you can put it on pause while you’re shampooing, shaving or doing anything else that does not require water, and start it again when you’re done. Really environmentally friendly!
Find it here:
Delta 58065-RB In2ition
In addition, you’ll have the same problem with this unit if you don’t already have a shower arm mounted into the wall, as the product comes with just a 69-inch hose in the package. Despite that, the installation process is really easy, as you do not need to seek professional help or even use any tools to install it.
The most spectacular thing about this head is its design – and the producers are well aware of that. That’s why you should definitely consider the Delta 58065-RB In2ition if you’ve put great thought into your bathroom’s design. You wouldn’t want to ruin it with a non-matching showerhead! This product comes in 4 different colors, and they’re probably fancier than you expected – a showerhead in Venetian Bronze, Champagne Bronze, or the classic Chrome and Stainless are sure to make a statement. However, this statement might cost you, depending on which color you prefer.
KOHLER K-17493-CP
Kohler is a reputable brand that offers only the best quality products for their customers. This showerhead is not an exception – it is made of heavy duty plastic, and is available in a variety of finishes, including Polished Chrome, Brushed Nickel, Vibrant Polished Nickel and Oil-Rubbed Bronze.
This product comes with a complete package and it’s ready for installation. You’ll have a handle, hose, wall mount and slide bar included in the box if you order this product.
It has a water consumption of 2.5 CPM, which respects the legal limits in the US. Price-wise, this showerhead is fairly cheap, mostly due to its plastic construction. Check out the latest price here:
Delta Faucet 51521-WHB
All the advantages of a slide bar showerhead apply to this unit – you can place it to your desired height and angle if you want it fixed, or you can detach it and use it as your normal handheld head.
A unique feature of the Delta Faucet 51521-WHB is that the head has its own on/off button. You can use it to have the water temperature just right, pause the spray when you are shampooing or shaving, and start it again when you’re ready to go. This is really satisfying for all of you who want to save some water, but hate those few minutes when the water has to re-heat after turning it off completely.
Available in a classic white finish, this unit can be purchased here:
Rejuvenator MBS-2011V2
If you’re looking for a Jacuzzi massage experience right in the shower cabin, this unit is the right choice for you. Featuring a unique technology, which they call ‘Microbubble’, this showerhead supposedly creates microbubbles within the water jet, which massage your skin and cleanse deep within your pores, much like a Jacuzzi session.
The Rejuvenator MBS-2011V2 set is available here:
Hansgrohe 04072000
However, this showerhead is a really great unit by itself. Measuring 4 inches in diameter, it features 75 nozzles protected by their Quick Clean technology, making every shower (and cleaning!) experience a bliss. The head runs to three modes: full, massage and intense turbo spray, which you can easily switch by rotating the head.
This unit is also available in several color variations, including Brushed nickel, Chrome, Red and Rubbed Bronze, so you can always choose the right color to suit your needs. This showerhead can be purchased here:
Grohe 28 897 000
This unit is in mid-priced, making it a really great deal for those looking for a good balance between quality and quantity. Check it out here:
Further Information & Conclusion
There’s really no right answer to “What is the best handheld shower head?”. As is the case of any other product in the world, you want it to fit your particular needs. That’s why you might need to ask yourself a couple of questions and consider the answers to them when choosing the right shower head for your needs.
1. Do I need a whole new showerhead set or am I good with just the head itself?
If you have all the parts like the hose and water diverter in good condition, rust-free and running well, you probably need not consider getting a whole new set and setting yourself back some extra $40.
2. Do I want a system that works both as hands-free and a handheld head?
If you want a combo option, consider one of the two-headed products listed above. However, do remember that those will naturally cost more, and will also add to your water bill- after all, you’ll be using almost twice as much water! Another option for you is a slide bar which mounts into the wall. While you can not get the “double experience” itself, you can still secure it onto the bar and adjust the desired height and angle, or detach it and use it as a normal handheld head.
3. Do I need any specific patterns? Do I struggle with muscle pain, do I need to save some water, do I prefer a certain type of spray?
Then you might need a showerhead with a pause option, different massage modes, a strong spray or any other feature you might be looking for. Compare each unit against the others and choose one to fit your needs best.
4. Am I good with installing it myself?
Let’s face it – not everyone has the necessary tools and skills to install things on their own. If you’re one of these people and you don’t really want to spend extra on a plumber’s services, stick with a set or unit which can be easily installed by yourself and does not require any extra tools.
5. Is it important for me that the showerhead fits the bathroom design?
If that is the case, look into heads that come in different colors besides the classic chrome and white finishes. However, be warned, as a Venetian Bronze faucet will usually cost you twice as much as something more common.
Besides these criteria, you might want to invest in a good-quality product. While the internet is swarming with dime-a-dozen, low-quality products, a showerhead is something you want to last for at least several years. You might not realize it, but there’s nothing worse than it giving in to the water pressure in a short while, and having to shower directly from the hose until you get another one. All the products mentioned above are very good quality, and you’ll get a lot of use out of your buck. So good luck and may you choose the best option for you and your family!
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