These 9 Showerheads Were the Best We’ve Tested for A Quick Bathroom Upgrade (2024)

Our Top Picks

Of all the options we tested, the Waterpik 12-spray 5 in. High PressureDual Shower Head is our top pick because it proves that you don’t have to spend a fortune on a showerhead to get an intense, luxurious shower experience. After six months of using this showerhead, we’re happy all the features continue to work well with no leakage or changes in overall performance.

This dual-function showerhead offers the benefits of both a fixed and handheld showerhead, allowing for more range and flexibility. The shower head has 12 different spray settings (nine on the fixed head and three on the wand) with adjustable flow rates, including full, massage, mist, soft, and vigorous. We especially loved the massage setting, which provided a high-pressure stream for ultimate relaxation.

Upon arrival, we were impressed by the simple installation process. It took us less than five minutes to remove and replace the old showerhead since the instructions were easy to follow. Using the handheld wand proved to be simple as well, and we appreciate that it has ample hose length to maneuver comfortably.

The fixed showerhead also has great range, as it can turn 360 degrees and has an up-and-down tilt. The product has a pivoting diverter that allows you to quickly switch between the two heads without much fuss, but you do have to manually adjust it to the setting you want. We also love that the showerhead features rubber anti-clog nozzle tips to prevent buildup and allow easy cleaning.

The showerhead is made with plastic parts, which may not be as durable as stainless steel or brass in the long run—but it’s a commonly used material for showerheads, so we can’t fault this pick too much for that. We think the reasonably priced model offers just about everything you’d want and need in a showerhead, making this our favorite option of the bunch.

_{Diameter: 5 inches | Material: Stainless steel, plastic | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.8 gallons per minute | Spray Patterns: 12 (including mist, massage, and full)}

Rain showerheads may seem like a luxury, but you can add one to your shower without spending a fortune. This high-pressure SparkPod showerhead boasts a classic rainfall design—a wide, flat head recreates the experience of getting caught in a (warm and pleasant) rainstorm.

It provides full-body coverage with no gaps in the water stream. While this showerhead doesn’t include any additional water flow settings, it’s still a great option for those who don’t need all the bells and whistles of more feature-packed models. Three months into our testing, the water pressure is still impressive, and because of the dark bronze color we opted to try, the minimal water spots that have appeared are barely noticeable.

It’s also simple to adjust the position of the showerhead, with a sufficient range of motion for any direction you may need it to point. We found the wall-mounted showerhead easy to install while following the instructions, and we appreciate that the manufacturer included a QR code for a video tutorial. Plus, it comes in eight sleek finishes, including brushed nickel and oil-rubbed bronze.

_{Diameter: 6 inches | Material: ABS plastic | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.8 gallons per minute | Spray Patterns: Rain}

If you love an intense shower, nothing beats a high-pressure showerhead—and thanks to the AquaCare High-Pressure 8-mode Handheld Shower Head, you don’t have to break the bank to get one. Through testing, we’ve confirmed that this showerhead offers high-end performance, at a relatively low price point.

This showerhead offers eight settings, including wide rain, massage, and point jet. Some settings offer a more concentrated stream with higher pressure, which can also be used to clean the shower itself. At 2.5 GPM, the flow rate is higher than many options on this list, which can enable better water pressure (confirmed by our months of usage!), but keep in mind that this may also lead to higher water bills.

We found that the installation instructions were clear when setting up this showerhead. The handheld wand is easy to detach, and even has an additional mount to place the showerhead at a different height if needed. This thoughtful feature is especially helpful for those living with kids or a roommate/partner with a height difference. The hose length was plenty long, too.

Plus, the product features antimicrobial anti-clog nozzles to keep the showerhead clean. In testing, we did notice slight leaks around the showerhead due to the plastic construction, but it was not majorly concerning to us. We’ve cleaned the showerhead by wiping the surface with a shower cleaner, which helps keep it looking it as good as new.

_{Diameter: 6.5 inches | Material: Stainless steel, acrylonitrile, butadiene styrene | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 2.5 gallons per minute | Spray Patterns: 8 (including wide rain, massage, and point jet)}

Handheld showerheads put you in control of your showers—allowing you to direct the water flow exactly where you want it. The Moen Engage Magnetix Spot Resist Six-Function Eco-Performance Handheld Showerhead features a magnetic docking system, making it extremely simple to attach and detach the showerhead from the wall. We were impressed by just how convenient the mechanism was in our testing.

The wand feels very lightweight, making it easy to use for longer periods. Even after rinsing two kids in a long bath, our tester’s arm never got tired. While the hose could have been a little longer, it still got the job done.

In terms of performance, we found that this showerhead held up exceptionally well, with a consistent and even water flow. However, the spray area isn’t particularly wide, which can be an issue for those who prefer more of a rainfall effect. But with six different spray patterns, we still found that the product is highly effective and customizable to your liking.

We also love how easy the showerhead is to move around, as it uses a swivel-action adjustment to change the direction of the stream.

_{Diameter: 3.5 inches | Material: Nickel, metal | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.75 gallons per minute | Spray Patterns: 6 (including rinse, massage, and wide coverage)}

Singing in the shower has never been easier with the Kohler Moxie Showerhead, which features a waterproof Bluetooth speaker that wirelessly connects to your smartphone. The removable speaker is securely held in place by a magnetic docking system, which allows you to easily remove it for charging or on-the-go listening.

And not only does the speaker feature a quick-charging battery, but it also allows for up to nine hours of playtime. We were highly impressed with the sound quality of the speaker—it plays music clearly and loudly.

While the speaker may be the product’s main selling point, the showerhead delivers on performance, too. We were impressed with the strong water pressure and wide-range spray. So, although there’s only one shower setting, we think it should work for most people.

We did notice that the product developed a few water spots, but it was overall easy to clean with some wet wipes or a dry towel. Additionally, it boasts a solid and durable construction, so if you’re looking for a long-lasting showerhead that can also blast your favorite tunes, it's a solid bet.

_{Diameter: Not listed | Material: Nickel | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.75 or 2.5 gallons per minute | Spray Patterns: 1}

If you’ve ever wanted to track your water usage and take advantage of high-tech features, you’ll want to check out the Hai Smart Showerhead. The showerhead connects to the Hai app via Bluetooth so you can view your time spent in the shower, how many gallons of water you’ve used, and even your average shower temperature. The app also saves this information to track your environmental impact over time.

We found that downloading and pairing the software to the showerhead took some time, so you might not be able to use the app immediately. But once you’re set, there are many features to enjoy, including customizable LED lights that alert you when the water is at your desired temperature or if you’ve reached your target water limit

The showerhead is also fully detachable, which is great for those who prefer a handheld wand over a fixed showerhead. It also boasts a high-quality stainless steel construction but isn’t too heavy to use for long periods.

You’ll want to note that there are only two water settings—a high-pressure stream and a spa-like mist—which you can switch between using the built-in slider. And while its overall performance was effective, we think the hose length could have been longer. You can choose between a low-flow showerhead with a flow rate of 1.8 gallons per minute or a standard one of 2.5 gallons per minute.

After six months of testing the Hai Smart Showerhead, we’ve found that it performs exactly as it did when we first installed it—all features still work with no leakage. The finish on the hardware camouflages any water stains, so we appreciate that it always looks clean. That being said, given the price point of this showerhead, we would really only recommend it for those who want to track and lower their water usage. If this isn’t a priority, you’ll be able to find other similarly effective showerheads at lower price points.

_{Diameter: 4.45 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.8 or 2.5 gallons per minute | Spray Patterns: 2 (rain shower and fine mist)}

We’ve tested some of the most popular filtered showerheads on the market, and the Act + Acre Filtered Showerhead remains our overall favorite for its consistent water pressure and convenient filter replacement. We’ve been using this filter for over six months at home and have noticed a difference in the way our skin and hair feel.

While we have not been able to accurately test how effective the filter is at removing specific contaminants, we don’t think it can hurt to add an additional layer of filtration to your shower. Aside from its built-in filter, we really enjoyed this showerhead’s water pressure and felt that it was a durable, well-designed option.

Cleaning this showerhead is also relatively easy. The one quirk we’ve noticed is that water staining tends to accumulate around the rim of the showerhead, which we’ve never experienced with previous designs. When it’s time to replace the filter, all you have to do is twist off the front of the showerhead and place a new filter cartridge inside.

Aside from this showerhead’s upfront cost, we recommend considering the cost of filter replacements before opting for this design. This showerhead is one of the less expensive options on the market (we’ve also tested the Jolie Showerhead and Canopy Filtered Showerhead, which are both slightly more expensive) with reasonable subscription plan pricing. However, the cost of replacing the filter over a year adds up to almost the same cost as the showerhead itself.

With that said, we still think this showerhead is a strong choice for anyone who knows they live in a region with particularly hard water and higher amounts of chlorine in their water.

_{Diameter: Not listed | Material: Not listed | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.8, 2.0, or 2.5 gallons per minute (flow restrictors provided to adjust based on your region) | Spray Patterns: 1}

Shelling out extra cash for a quality, sleek showerhead can be a great way to upgrade your daily routine. While the Delta HydroRain Two-in-One Shower Head doesn’t come cheap, after putting this showerhead to the test, we think its dual design, variety of settings, and high-quality construction justify its price tag.

We love the two-in-one design, which features both a fixed and handheld shower for added convenience. During our tests, installing the showerhead was incredibly easy and took less than two minutes. The directions were helpful and no tools were required.

We did notice that the handheld wand was a bit tricky to detach at first, as it clips in very securely. We think it could loosen slightly over time, making it easier to remove—but in the meantime, we appreciate that you don’t have to worry about the wand falling off the holder.

Additionally, we found that the length of the hose allows for comfortable maneuvering. While the manufacturer doesn’t list the exact material, we think the showerhead is on the heavy side, and it feels very solid and sturdy. It also looks and feels higher quality than many of the other options we tested, and you can pick from ten different finishes to match the rest of your bathroom.

With five different spray settings, there are plenty of ways to customize the stream to suit your needs and preferences. So while we recognize that the Delta HydroRain Two-in-One Shower Head is pricey, we think its performance and construction can make it a worthwhile investment.

_{Diameter: 6 inches | Material: Not listed | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.75 gallons per minute | Spray Patterns: 5 (including full body, massage, and shampoo rinse)}

While all of the showerheads we’ve tested have only required removing the old fixture and screwing the new one in place, this particular design from SR Sun Rise was much more labor-intensive. We preface this upfront as an explanation for its title as the best showerhead for bathroom renovations. Despite requiring the help of a plumber, we still recommend this showerhead for anyone who wants a visual upgrade to their shower fixtures.

Once the showerhead and its coordinating handheld nozzle were installed, we experienced no issues while using it. We loved the wide coverage that this showerhead offered. This was partially from the showerhead itself and its 16-inch arm also further centered the water spray in our shower.

The water pressure on both the showerhead and its handheld counterpart was strong, so we never had an issue fully rinsing shampoo from our hair. The additional knob on this showerhead's control panel also made it seamless to switch between using one of the fixtures solo or at the same time.

We’re pleasantly surprised by this showerhead’s water pressure, especially given its larger size and complex installation. While not every household will be in the market to change their entire shower fixture setup, this is a great contender for anyone who is already completing major bathroom renovations and wants to modernize their shower aesthetic.

_{Diameter: 8, 10, 12, or 16 inches | Material: Brass, 304 stainless steel | Mount Type: Wall mount | Flow Rate: 1.75 gallons per minute | Spray Patterns: 1}

Final Verdict

Powerful and packed with features, the Waterpik 12-spray 5 in. High PressureDual Shower Head earns the spot as our overall best pick. The showerhead is reasonably priced, easy to maneuver, and offers nine different settings. If you’re on a budget, check out the SparkPod Shower Head (our best budget pick). The wallet-friendly rain showerhead has a ton of value considering its low price point—but delivers on the luxurious, full-body coverage water flow you’re looking for.