Best High Pressure Shower Head 2022: How To Choose Your Shower

July 1, 2022

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Choosing the Best High-Pressure Shower Head

Buying the best high pressure shower head is a great way to enhance the water pressure in your shower. If you suffer from low water pressure, these shower heads can make the process easier and less stressful.

With so many options available, choosing the best one for your bathroom can be tricky. But we’ve put together a guide to help you select the right shower head for your needs.

I am sure all of You will agree with me that nothing beats an energizing shower to get your day started. Our handy guide will assist you in selecting the ideal product for your bathroom, from aesthetic objectives to practical considerations.

Because the shower is such an essential part of your daily routine, selecting the right product is more than just picking a design that looks beautiful. It’s also critical to research and define your shower’s performance requirements.

For example, if you live in a family home, you may require a hand-held design that offers flexibility for young children. If you’re hoping to create a greener home, a water-saving shower head is a must-have.

For some, re-creating a spa-like haven might be a top priority. Fail to choose your shower correctly, and you could end up with a disappointing water flow rather than the refreshing deluge you envisioned.

From practical points to aesthetics, our guide covers what you need to know to select the perfect shower for your bathroom, en suite, or wetroom.

Where To Start

Table of Contents

One of the first factors to consider is the bathroom space itself.

Will you be using the shower in a large wet room, or will it be tucked away in a smaller area of the bathroom, sharing the space with a tub, washbasin, and toilet?

The next aspect to consider is who will be using the space. The needs of a practical family bathroom will be very different from a luxurious wetroom and will determine the layout and design choices.

For instance, incorporating an overhead shower head and a hand-held hose will provide flexibility and convenience in a busy family bathroom.

Depending on the scope of your update, retrofitting a shower into an existing space can be more challenging than starting from scratch.

Your choice of the shower may be influenced by the existing plumbing system, as pipework alterations can be costly.

If you’re starting from scratch, bring in the experts from an early stage. Your builder will manage all the trades involved, including your plumbers, tilers, fitters, and so on.

The next step is to decide on which type of shower will best suit your requirements:

Mixer Showers

This system draws from the hot and cold water supplies, combining the two flows as they leave the shower head.

Though manual mixers are easy to install and use, incorporating thermostatic controls means the water temperature remains consistent – even if someone turns on the hot tap to wash up in the kitchen, for instance.

This gives peace of mind if you’re living with children or elderly relatives, as it removes the risk of scalding or freezing water.

Electric Showers

An electric system might be the best solution if your house has a small hot water tank. Electric batteries heat water on demand, so unlike mixer showers, they only require a cold water feed.

Using this type of shower means you’ll never run out of hot water, as water is heated when needed, rather than heating and storing it in a tank. This approach can be more economical, as you’re not heating water you won’t use.

Plus, the water temperature won’t be affected when someone starts running taps elsewhere.

Don’t confuse an electric shower with a power shower. Though they may look similar, a power shower draws water from hot and cold water feeds. It features a built-in pump to enhance the water pressure.

Will Water Pressure Affect My Shower?

Your home’s water pressure will determine how powerful your shower is. Therefore, understanding which system feeds your shower is the key to creating the drench experience you’ve after. In the UK, there are 3 main versions.

The first is a gravity-fed setup, common in older properties. Typically, this comprises a cold water tank in the loft and a water cylinder in the airing cupboard.

This setup can result in low pressure – but you can always fit a shower pump for an additional boost.

The second type is fed by a combi boiler, which heats water when you use it. No tanks or cylinders are involved, and typically, a combi boiler will provide the highest possible water pressure.

That said, the flow rate will drop if multiple showers are used simultaneously. Finally, with an unvented system, a water cylinder is warmed by an immersion heater or boiler, which, depending on the cylinder size, can supply large volumes of hot water, meaning it’s a good option for homes where multiple showers are used at once (think busy family homes).

Always ensure your pressure is checked by a professional – even if you’re doing the installation work yourself.

We have customers that improve their showers, but the new output necessitates the installation of a pump to provide the bare minimum supply.

This is frequently overlooked while upgrading, particularly for gravity-fed systems.

What Style Of Shower Will Suit My Bathroom?

There are a plethora of options for choosing the right design for your bathroom. Traditional showers can make just as much of a visual statement as contemporary alternatives.

Heritage-style showers can work across both traditional and modern spaces. They can have exposed pipework and separate valves, but when used alongside modern tiling, will have a big impact.

Circular shower heads with looped arms offer a traditional feel, with warm, brushed metal effect finishes for extra panache.

Contemporary showers come in simple shapes, with clean lines and no decorative embellishments.

Minimal valve controls featuring no back plate create a streamlined look that complements square, ceiling-mounted drench shower heads. Along with chrome, look out for powder-coated matt-colored brassware.

Which Valve?

Shower valves go into two main categories: exposed or hidden. The working parts are fitted externally to the shower wall with an exposed setup. Exposed systems come in various designs, the most common of which is a bar valve.

The shower hose is attached directly to the valve. Exposed valves are cost-effective and easy to install. They’re typically easy to repair or replace, too.

Concealed valves establish a streamlined aesthetic, where all the moving parts are hidden within the wall cavity. Space-saving concealed products are ideal for compact bathroom designs because the mechanics of the system are behind the wall.

Usually, the only parts you can see are the controls, which sit on a back plate affixed to the wall. The shower hose will feed into the wall via an outlet, or you can have a fixed showerhead that feeds straight into the wall or ceiling.

Are There Eco Options?

Modern showers have evolved to meet the demand for water-saving features without compromising the temperature or flow rate.

Some water-saving shower heads integrate a flow of air into the water, reducing the amount of water you’re using without any noticeable change in the pressure.

Other products come with restricted flow technology, which limits the amount of water per minute.

Is A Water Softener A Good Idea?

A water softener may help prevent the build-up of limescale on your appliances, using resin beads to extract calcium and magnesium from the water.

This could help keep your bathroom looking shiny and new without you needing to spend hours scrubbing away limescale residue.

Whether or not you install a water softener is completely down to personal preference. Hard water areas can cause build-up on the shower screen or showerhead.

However, with regular care and maintenance, this can easily be kept on top of and won’t present any problems.

Are Digitial Showers Easy To Retrofit?

Digital showers can be installed alongside almost any type of boiler or hot water system, so upgrading to a state-of-the-art model needn’t be complicated.

The first thing to check is that the shower you want to buy can be used alongside your existing boiler.

For instance, if you have a combi boiler, you’ll need a digital shower with high pressure/combi valves.

Alternatively, if you have a gravity-fed system, your shower must be compatible to get the right amount of pressure.

Unlike a traditional mixer, your digital shower responds to digital signals rather than the manual turning of valves and handles.

However, digital showers are similar to mixers in that they draw from hot and cold water connections, leading into a digital mixing processor.

The shower’s internal digital thermostat controls the flow and temperature of the water, monitoring the output precisely.

All the controls and mixing valves are separate, making a digital shower easy to install. The physical components are compact, so there is some versatility regarding where they can be placed.

However, it’s always advisable to have a professional come and fit your new shower, as they’ll need to ensure that your pipework is up to the task.

You’ll also need to allow for direct access to the digital mixing processor, too, should any maintenance work be required in the future.

When Should My Shower Be Fitted?

If you’re self-building or ripping out your old bathroom and starting from scratch as part of a renovation, pipework (including hot and cold water supply, plus the soil stack for the toilet) will be the first consideration.

This should be installed at the first fix stage, ready for the shower to be installed later.

By planning, you can incorporate voids and stud walls in your bathroom to hide the pipework, establishing a clean finish.

This is frequently the most effective way to arrange your fittings wherever you like; however, this will restrict the amount of floor space in the area.

The final step is fitting the shower to the prefixed pipework after completing the tiling.

Who Will Fit My Shower?

If you’re upgrading an existing shower with a like-for-like product, it may be possible to undertake the work yourself if you’re a competent DIYer. If you’re going for a completely different setup, it’s best to bring in an experienced tradesperson.

Anyone working on new or adapted bathing spaces must ensure the pipes are done correctly, so seeking guidance from a professional plumber is always a good idea, even if you’re tackling the task yourself.

Always test the pipework by capping and pressurizing the system before installing the shower. A professional should also carry out the cabling and testing for an electric shower.

Building Regulations

If upgrading an existing shower with a like-for-like replacement, you probably won’t need to seek approval. However, if you’re changing the layout of the appliances, altering pipework connections, or installing new pipes, you’ll need Building Regs’ approval.

The installation of new appliances, including showers, is covered under Part G, while alterations to the waste system and drains are under Part H. Electrical works, including the installation of new circuits, are outlined under Part P.

There are also rules regarding the length of your shower hose and how close it is to your toilet bowl. This is due to the risk of backflow, where the clean water supply runs the risk of getting contaminated by the waste supply.

The shower hose should be fitted with a double-check valve to eliminate the risk of backflow.

How Much Should I Spend?

Updating your shower doesn’t necessarily require an enormous budget. If you’re only looking to replace the shower itself, rather than the enclosure, tiling, and shower tray, you could complete your project for less than $150.

Standard mixer bars or electric showers can start at $60. More expensive ranges or pressure-boosting showers can be more than $ 1,500 per unit.

Usually, people spend approximately $4,500 on a bathroom renovation, including the fixtures and fittings. You’ll need to take into account labor costs, too, which will vary to reflect the complexity of the job.

For example, alterations to your existing plumbing system will drive costs up significantly.

Abasic shower with PVC wall boards and a lower budget dual feature can start at around $1,500 on a supply-only basis.

However, more expensive wall boards, tiles, and high-quality pressurized showers can increase this value substantially to more than $4,000.

Choosing A Shower Style

When selecting the appropriate shower for your bathroom, consider more than just style and decor. Water pressure, safety features, and installation convenience will all be considered. We’ve made a list few of our favorites:

CONCEALED VALVE: A mixer shower with hidden thermostatic valves, like the HOMEDEC Heavy Solid Brass Concealed 3-Outlet Thermostatic Shower Diverter Mixer Valve, creates a sleek and stylish look.

The only elements on display are the controls, with a back plate that sits flush with the wall. Ideal for streamlined, compact bathrooms. Buy It On Amazon for $339

SMART TECH: This setup, from Methven, provides an overhead drench showerhead plus the convenience of the flexible Aui handset. Buy It On Amazon for $89

POWER SHOWER: Backnets Full Body Shower System Thermostatic

The best part of this shower system is the body massage spray jets, which come with a ‘‘handle’’ allowing you to adjust the flow as you want. Also, you can close each jet when you want. Buy It On Amazon for $ 493.99

Kohler 23219-2MB Purist Shower Packages: 44 Powered Anti-Clogging Silicone Jets,

Prevent lime and hard water deposits, strong shower stress Wash off easily Shampoo on thick hair. Buy It On Amazon for $402.08

BEST OF BOTH: Grohtherm SmartControl thermostatic concealed shower allows you to switch between – or even combine – the head and hand shower. Using the control pad, you can select your desired spray source and water volume at the touch of a button. Buy It on Amazon for $702.80

MIXER: 3 Outlet 3-Function Solid Brass Shower Diverter Concealed Thermostatic Mixer Valve.

A thermostatic mixer shower features a thermostatic valve to maintain water flow at a constant temperature, making it well suited to family bathrooms.

Featuring a powder-coated brass finish, Buy It On Amazon for $325.99

EXPOSED: The working parts are fixed to the wall externally, making this type of shower easy to install. The thermostatic shower valve features anti-scald technology. American Standard 9035804.295 Spectra Versa System.

Buy It On Amazon for $324.00