A shower is a great way to relieve the stresses of the day or wake up in the mornings. Unfortunately, low water pressure is a common problem, so does this mean you can’t enjoy a great shower?
High pressure shower heads can tackle the problem of low water pressure, transforming your shower experience. However, not all top rated shower head brands are as good as they seem. If you think you know what to look for in a high pressure shower head, you may be mistaken.
In our search for the best high pressure shower head, we’ve looked at a variety of types of shower head. We’ve examined the flow rate, diameter and spray settings, which impact performance. But, we’ve also looked at the finish and materials, to ensure that your new shower head also looks the part and complements your bathroom decor.
Other features: self-cleaning silicone nozzles, 2 mixed modes, durable brass fittings, screw-in installation
The Aqua Elegante H4D125-PC Luxury Shower Head consistently receives high scores from customers and this is why it’s our editor’s choice. If you’re in the market for one of the best fixed high-pressure shower heads this is the product for you. This shower head has six different jet functions, it works well in low water pressure homes and it comes in four different finishes, they are: polished brass, oil rubbed bronze, chrome and brushed nickel.
Aqua Elegante have added a restrictor valve into the neck of this shower head to adhere to a 2.5 gpm flow rate. If you remove this restrictor valve your new shower head will output a considerably higher flow rate. This excess of used water may constitute a waste of water for some but the ability to remove the restrictor valve is left up to the user. Showering with this head blows the dirt and grime off your skin and hair easily.
All of those positives cannot be wrong and this shower head is certainly worth the modest investment. The choice of jet settings is perfect for this type of shower head and the different finishes make this product easy to incorporate into your bathroom decor. Aqua Elegante have even included some Teflon tape to fit this shower head securely and the product is backed with a generous 5-year warranty.
What we liked: This shower head has six different jet functions.
What could be better: The body of Aqua Elegante H4D125-PC is made from plastic.
Other features: rustproof ABS plastic construction, easy-to-clean rubber nozzles, brass swivel ball joint, 1-year free replacement warranty
The SparkPod RSH-C High Pressure Shower Head is a fixed shower head with more than 90 jets to choose from. The circular head is 6” wide so you get a larger volume of water compared to many of its rivals. This shower head can be adjusted with the swivel metal ball to ensure that you get the water direction that you need. There are two different finishes, they are: a simple chrome or black and chrome.
Like many modern shower heads this product has a removable water restrictor. The manufacturers pay lip service to saving water but they want you to know that the decision is firmly in your own hands. But, take care, removing the restrictor will increase the water flow and it may empty your water heater in next to no time.
This SparkRod shower head features self cleaning nozzles to prevent the buildup of scale. The jet nozzles are protected with an anti-clogging silicon coating that does counter the effects of water hardening mineral deposits. This makes the shower head low maintenance and it helps to ensure an even flow of water when showering.
What we liked: The self-cleaning nozzles.
What could be better: It is only chrome plated.
Other features: 79” stainless steel hose, adjustable shower bracket, water flow regulator, silicone rubber jet nozzles
With almost 10,000 mostly positive reviews, the HO2ME High Pressure Handheld Shower Head may be one of the best high pressure shower head with wand products on the market today. This is a best seller for many good reasons, the level of water pressure feels higher than the 2.5 gpm limit thanks to the “2XP Turbocharger” flow rate booster- There are two water pressure controls, they are: strong stream and water conservation. When you really want a powerful showering experience, a strong stream feels amazing.
Other shower heads in the price range may have more settings to choose from but the HO2ME gives you everything you really need. There are 3 basic settings, they are: massage, powerful and mixed spray and all three transform a low incoming water pressure into a showering paradise. This would be a great product for people using well water, RV users, campers and cabin owners. It’s also worth noting that the supplied hose is around 30% longer than other shower heads on our list.
What we liked: The 2XP Turbocharger
What could be better: It only has three settings.
Other features: 7 self-cleaning nozzles, 19 ABS nozzles, flow restrictor, 360° rotatable swivel brass ball joint
The Hopopro High Pressure 4-Inch Fixed Shower Head is full adjustable with a 360º brass ball mount and it comes with 5 different spray settings. This unit has an optional flow restrictor for those that want to conserve water at 2.5 gpm. The 4” head has nozzles that are protected with silicone to prevent the buildup of water hardening minerals that cause scale. This is a great shower head for people that like to alternate between a massage or rain setting when they take a shower.
This shower head is easy to install in just a few minutes and everything that you need is included in the package. Simply snap the shower head into place on your existing shower arm and attach it with the supplied wrench. There are 5 settings to choose from, they are: rain, rain/mist, mist, massage and rain/massage. These settings are more than capable of producing a gentler or more rigorous showering experience to meet your needs. The shower head may have a smaller 4” diameter, but the adjustability of the ball mounting makes this a minor inconvenience.
What we liked: The easy installation.
What could be better: This shower head has a small diameter.
Other features: rub-clean jets, patented 3-way water diverter, anti-swivel lock nut, angle-adjustable overhead bracket, 10-year limited warranty
The Hydroluxe 1433 Handheld Showerhead & Rain Shower Combo is one of the best dual head high-pressure shower heads on the market. Hydroluxe back this product with a 10-year warranty which demonstrates considerable manufacturer confidence. The hose is stainless steel but it’s important to mention up front that the shower heads are made from plastic with a faux chrome finish. Despite this, the shower head feels like a high-quality product and it is considerably less expensive than a solid steel equivalent.
One of the best parts about this shower head is the dual design that allows the user to switch between a hand held and fixed shower experience instantly. If you’ve ever experienced a cold back when showering that will be a thing of the past with this product. Both showering heads can run at the same time although this will lower the water pressure at each shower head. There are 5 settings to choose from, but the sheer number of jets can make some of them feel weaker than others. If you want to reach the 2.5 gpm water pressure you need to be using the “power massage” setting using a single shower head.
What we liked: The five settings and number of jets.
What could be better: The water pressure on certain settings.
Other features: eco-pure water filtration, micro nozzle technology, see-through design, 12-months warranty
The Nosame High Pressure Stone Stream Showerhead is an eco-friendly design with a transparent casing and micro nozzle technology. This unit can be held by hand and it’s designed to save 30% more water than other shower heads of this size. The flow rate is limited to only 1.6 gpm, this may seem low, but the clever nozzle design ensures that you get plenty of water for showering.
Nosame have included 3 different showering modes for this product, they are: rainfall, jetting and massage. On every setting the water feels exceptionally fine and the micro nozzle outlets really boost the water flow to a healthy level. When you look at the eco-friendly ABS casing you can see the Bio.active stones inside the handle. The incoming water passes through these stones and this improves the pH balance when showering. This improves the water quality for showering by softening the water for softer hair, smoother skin and healthier hair.
This shower head is very easy to install, screw it into a standard shower hose and place it in the shower cradle. The shower head is designed to avoid water shedding or leading and Nosame products come with a 30 day money back guarantee and a 12 month warranty.
What we liked: It improves the pH balance of your water supply.
What could be better: The clogging of the nozzles.
Other features: 45 silicon jets, removable stainless steel filter, brass swivel ball joint, lifetime warranty
The Aisoso High-Pressure Shower Head is equipped with 45 jets to improve your showering experience. This is surprising because when you take the unit out of the packaging you may be surprised by the small size. But, don’t let the smaller dimensions fool you, this shower head can transform low incoming water pressure into a considerable water flow for showering. In fact, the dense flow of water almost acts as a massage setting that you would expect to find in more expensive shower heads.
Although this shower head only has a 3” diameter it is fixed with a full ball joint to easily change the direction of the water. This makes showering simple and these silicone jets are designed to prevent the buildup of scale that could inhibit the flow of water. Installation is simple. The brass ½” connection thread is designed to prevent cracking and water leaks. Aisoso has included everything you need to install the unit including some Teflon tape if you need it.
What we liked: The 45 Jets!
What could be better: The lack of a gentle mode.
Other features: rain shower head design, premium ABS body, self-cleaning nozzles, built-in removable flow restrictor
The Aisoso GLP21651 Shower Head provides a fantastic showering experience at an affordable price and it’s our budget pick. The shower head is 4.1” in diameter with silicone self cleaning nozzles and an ABS plastic body. The high-pressure showering can be a rhythmic pulsing action that massages away aches and stress. This shower head has a flow restrictor but many people will remove this and this provides a water flow of around 1.75 gpm.
The ABS construction has a faux chrome finish and a 360º brass ball joint to direct the water flow efficiently. This must be the least expensive way to get a spa showering experience at home. There are 5 different settings to try, we liked the rainfall and massage modes. The installation is simple, Aisoso have included everything you need to get started, but if you want to remove the restrictor you will need a pair of needle nosed pliers. The ABS chrome finish is attractive, but as one would expect at this budget price it’s not the most durable casing.
What we liked: The pulse action.
What could be better: The amount of water used.
With so many shower heads on the market, it can be tricky to choose the best one. So, here we’ve compiled a buying guide with answers to frequently asked questions and features to consider to help you make your purchase decision.
Many people prefer a high-pressure shower head such as the Aqua Elegante H4D125-PC Luxury Shower Head on our list. Showering with a higher water pressure allows the user to wash themselves and rinse the soap away easily. We often feel better after a high-pressure shower and a hotter shower feels great when you need to get up on a colder morning. Showering with a high-pressure shower head allows the user to get a satisfying flow of water without using the volumes of water associated with a standard shower head.
As we have discovered, there are lots of high-pressure shower heads in today’s marketplace. So, here we’ll look at the features you should consider to help you choose the best one for your home.
Anyone carrying out serious research on high-pressure shower heads will soon notice that they come in two broad but distinct types, they are: aerated and laminar flow. Understanding the differences between them is essential if you want to make an informed purchasing decision. Let’s take a look at both in more detail:
An aerated shower head works by infusing air into the water treat to create the high water pressure. Water that comes from an aerated shower head can be described as intermittent or misty. The induction of air that occurs will feel softer and lighter when compared to a single and powerful stream of water. Some people like this feeling, but it can be tricky to clean certain parts of your body because the water spray is more diffuse in nature. It’s also worth noting that an aerated shower head will create more steam when showering. So, if you’re living in a more humid climate this will relieve dry coughs but it could introduce other problems in your home, such as: mold and mildew growth. For this reason, we can only recommend an aerated shower head for people living in dryer climates where humidity is less of a problem.
Laminar flow shower heads seem like an unfamiliar term, but it’s likely that you’re already familiar with this type of shower head. When most people think about a “regular shower head” that are actually envisioning a laminar flow shower head. This type of shower head is typified by a uniform stream(s) of water with no introduction of air. Unlike an aerated shower head, a laminar flow unit would work well in any type of environment.
The diameter of the shower head influences the volume of water that it can handle and the number of nozzles on the surface. If you want a more luxurious showering experience it makes sense to get a shower head with a larger surface diameter that accommodates more settings. A prime example on our list would be the 6” diameter SparkPod RSH-C High Pressure Shower Head.
However, there are other factors that can mitigate the potential shortcomings of a smaller shower head diameter. Some of the products on our list such as the Aisoso GLP21651 Shower Head are fitted with a 360º ball joint. This allows the user to easily angle the water flow of a smaller diameter shower head. This may not be a perfect solution, but it works well and it’s a viable solution.
Another way around this problem is to use a dual head high-pressure shower head. The only example on our list is the excellent Hydroluxe 1433 Handheld Showerhead & Rain Shower Combo. This allows the user to use a pair of showerheads at the same time but in a home with very low water pressure this could affect the water flow from both heads.
Let’s face it, most people like a luxury bathroom, it makes us feel like we have a spa at home. But, luxurious bathroom fixtures come at a premium price that makes them a less attractive option. The classic bathroom finishes are classy and clean looking, they include: chrome, nickel, brass, white and gold. However, we don’t have any of those genuine materials on our list, they are more likely to be found in a high-end store that specializes in bathrooms. But, all of the shower heads on our list do look great and the ABS models often have faux metal finishes.
If you’re on a budget and you like seeing the inside of an eco-friendly product consider the Nosame High Pressure Stone Stream Showerhead on our list. If you don’t have much experience in bathroom design don’t worry when you’re purchasing a shower head. Just look for a model that has a similar color to the spout or temperature handles in your tub or shower stall and you can’t go wrong.
As far as durability is concerned it’s a good idea to avoid dropping less expensive shower heads. Some fare better than others but they are made of cheaper plastic materials. On the plus side they are lighter and less likely to damage a shower stall or tub surface if they are dropped. All of the shower heads on our list are affordable and if they break it’s easy to purchase a new one as needed.
The number of jets influences the coverage of the showerhead, while ensuring water efficiency. If you have more jets, the pressure will feel greater for a rejuvenating shower experience
Many people misunderstand the flow rate when it comes to the water they use for showering and bathing. The best way to think of the water flow rate is the volume of water that can pass through a pipe in a given unit of time. A water flow rate is calculated with a mathematical formula that includes several parameters, including: friction loss, square footage, the pipe diameter and the water velocity. This can be confusing because a slow flow rate can be caused by a number of issues.
An average home requires around 100 up to 120 gallons of water for each person per day! This may seem like a lot but when you consider how we use water in our homes it starts to make more sense. The average domestic water flow rate is typically from 6 up to 12 gallons per minute. So, if you have a water flow that’s less than 6 gallons per minute (gpm) your water flow would be considered to be slow.
The water flow rate in your home can have a significant impact on your plumbing systems. The water filtration or softener systems may not function correctly. Certain water using appliances may not work as efficiently as they should and this will affect how you bathe and shower. This is why many people with a less than optimal water flow rate choose to purchase and install a high-pressure shower head.
As we mentioned earlier it’s worth considering a shower head with a wide face or larger diameter to get the best possible water coverage when showering. This may also affect the number and types of spray patterns or settings that are available to use. Some people like to vary their shower patterns and they may even change the pattern part way through the shower!
Some of the shower heads on our list such as the Aisoso GLP21651 Shower Head have as many as 5 or 6 shower patterns. This particular shower head has a 4.1” diameter head plus a 360º ball joint which offers excellent water coverage. If you want a true spa like experience at home you need to look for a shower head such as the Hopopro High Pressure 4-Inch Fixed Shower Head that has a “rain” setting.
Many people use their shower to massage away aches and pains after a hard day at work or a gym workout. This can be an effective way to relax but you need the right massage settings to get the maximum benefits. A unit such as the HO2ME High Pressure Handheld Shower Head is a good option. This shower head is handheld so it can be easily applied to any tight muscle groups to relieve tension and stress.
Unless you have plenty of plumbing experience you’re going to need a shower head that’s easy to install. Every shower head on our list fits the bill, they all include everything that you need to install your new shower head. Expect to find the shower head, a disposable wrench, the pipe and even Teflon tape! The only possible exception would be a flow restrictor removal that’s possible on certain shower heads. A flow restrictor can be removed with a pair of needle nosed pliers that are not included with any shower head on our list. A typical shower head installation should take less than 10 minutes and you need no plumbing experience,
It’s easy to be dismissive of a warranty when you’re purchasing less expensive products. However, if you do buy something that doesn’t work as advertised you shouldn’t have to bear that cost. Every shower head on our list has at least a 12-month warranty and this is a good indicator of manufacturer confidence. It’s always a great idea to check the warranty supplied with any purchase to check what it does and doesn’t cover. Some manufacturers only offer a limited warranty on shower head parts and others will offer a warranty that also covers the finish. This is useful, if your shower head coating fails you can exchange it for a unit that should look great for years to come. The best warranty for a product on our list would be the WASSA WS1201 High Pressure Shower Head which is backed with a lifetime warranty.
As we’ve demonstrated there are some excellent high-pressure shower heads on the market. From the popular HO2ME High Pressure Handheld Shower Head with its 2XP Turbocharger, longer shower hose and two water pressure controls to the SparkPod RSH-C with more than 90 jets and self-cleaning nozzles, there are some fantastic options.
However, the stand out as the best high-pressure shower head has to be our editor’s choice, the Aqua Elegante H4D125-PC. This impressive model is available in four finishes to complement your bathroom, but it also has a restrictor head in the shower head neck to adhere to the 2.5 gpm flow rate. There is an impressive choice of jets and it is even backed by a five-year warranty. So, it is certainly worth some serious consideration if you’re thinking about replacing your shower head.
