The addition of a handheld shower head has the potential to remarkably improve your bathroom’s utility and look. If you’re amid a bathroom renovation, you’re likely to spot a wide assortment of shower heads on offer. Of course, your aim would be to land the top-notch handheld shower head. Nonetheless, you could be unsure about the most favorable strategy or starting point for your search.
Keep reading and we’ll fill you in on the qualities and features you should look for in the top-rated handheld shower heads, but we will also give you five mini-reviews of our favorite options.
Features To Look For In The Best Handheld Shower Head
When you are looking for your next handheld shower head, there are a few things that you’ll want to take into consideration before making that purchase.
1. Fixed, Unfixed, Or Combo
Handheld shower heads can be incredibly useful because as the name would suggest, you can hold it in your hand while bathing. This is going to prove to be incredibly useful if you have small children or pets, or even if you just want to be able to clean your shower easier.
With a fixed unit, you are mounting it to the wall via a bracket. The bracket can be positioned from side to side, but it cannot be moved up or down.
An unfixed shower head is going to have a mount where you can attach it to the wall. The shower head is attached to a hose and you can put it in the little cradle until you’re ready to use it as a handheld.
A combo is a combination of these two. There is a fixed shower head and there is also a handheld shower. These units will usually have a diverting switch that will allow you to direct the water through one shower head or the other at a time, or it could go through both at once.
2. Water Pressure
No matter where you go across the country, there is a regulation in place that is called “Water Sense.” This regulation dictates that homes cannot use faucets or shower heads that use too much pressure.
To enforce this restriction, many companies have included a water restrictor into the valve. This is okay for those who have good water pressure, but if you don’t you aren’t going to enjoy the shower head very much. Fortunately, many companies make this feature removable, thus providing you with greater water pressure.
3. Size And Style
There are a wide variety of sizes and styles for a handheld shower head. Depending on what you’re looking for, you’re going to want to make sure that it is going to compliment your current bathroom scheme. You don’t want to buy a fixture that is too large (or too small), nor do you want a fixture that is one finish where the rest is another.
Also, you are going to want to make sure the hose on the handheld is going to be long enough for your intended use. Maybe you need a long hose because you have a large shower to clean. Maybe you need it to make bathing your dog a little easier.
Whatever your reason, you’ll find that a long hose is going to greatly enhance the versatility of your shower head.
4. Installation And Mounting
Although most handheld shower heads are easy to install, you still want to make sure the instructions are easy to follow and that you can do it yourself. You don’t want to get a fixture where you have to call a plumber to install because that is just going to cost you a lot more than you probably bargained for.
When you do make your purchase, you’re going to want to double-check to make sure you have all the items that are supposed to be included so you can install the shower head. Sometimes you may even find a product that will include Teflon tape, too.
Another thing, if you are purchasing a shower head to replace an existing one, you’re going to want to make sure that the new unit is going to be able to fit onto the previous connection. If your new shower head doesn’t come with a mounting kit, you will want to make sure that it will fit onto the mount you already have.
Shopping for a new shower head doesn’t have to be all that hard, especially when you have a general idea of what you’re looking for. Here are five options that we feel are worthy of being called the best handheld shower head.
Best Handheld Shower Head Over $70
If you want to add a bit of class to your shower and don’t mind splurging a little bit, check out these handheld options!
1. Delta Faucet Kinetic Technology Two-in-One Hand Shower Head
If you’re looking for the best shower head with handheld combo, then you’re going to want to check out this product by Delta. This nested handheld shower head features a unique design that you aren’t likely to find in many showers.
Also, it has some pretty cool features as well. This shower head can deliver 2 gallons of water per minute, which is a nice feature for those who are concerned about preserving water but don’t want a weak shower. Delta uses a delivery system called H2Okinetic, which causes the water to spray out in a wave pattern, which will create heavier droplets of water.
You can use the 6-foot extendable hose to massage your back, bathe your children and pets, or clean the bathroom.
When looking at the reviews for the product, most of the customers left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, customers said that this shower head was able to create strong water pressure where they normally have weak.
Customers have said that the overall look of this is beautiful and they were thankful for how simple the installation was. People have also said that the handheld shower head part of the unit fits snuggly inside the fixed shower head cradle. They reported that they aren’t afraid that it will come loose while showering.
They were also pleased by how flat the hose rests against the shower wall, whereas other models tend to stick out in one way or another.
Of the remaining customers who left 3-star reviews or lower, the common complaint was that the shower head was pretty expensive—priced under $120. Where some customers said they liked the water pressure that came from this shower head, others felt that it wasn’t strong at all and it was a disappointment.
Some people did mention that the fixed head gives ample pressure, but the handheld barely had a trickle. Customers also were disappointed that the shower head doesn’t have the “high end” look that they were hoping for.
Conclusion
If you’re going through a pricey bathroom renovation, it’s understandable that you may be looking for a shower head that is going to give you that “high end” look that will bring everything together.
Not only will the budget come into play, but so will the overall look you’re trying to achieve, considering both of them have vastly different finishes.
Best Handheld Shower Head Under $70
Not everything worthwhile in this life has to cost a small fortune. Here are some of the best handheld shower heads under $70.
2. Moen Multi-Function Hand Shower Package With Hose
Many homes across the country will have some kind of Moen product in their bathroom because Moen is known for quality and excellence. If you have low shower pressure, this particular model is going to be the best handheld shower head for low water pressure because it delivers a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute.
You can also choose the spray pattern you want, allowing you to choose the setting that feels the best on your body.
When looking at the reviews for the product, most of the customers left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, customers said the installation of the shower head was really fast and easy. They also commented that they liked how lightweight the shower head felt in their hand.
Customers revealed that they felt comfortable using the shower and they were able to get a good grip on it without worrying about it coming out of their hands while bathing or cleaning.
Of the remaining customers who left 3-star reviews or lower, the common complaint was that the product was made completely from plastic and they questioned the integrity of the plastic mounting bracket over some time.
Other customers complained that the hose was either too short, it was too flimsy and kinked up a lot, or it wouldn’t sit flat against the wall because of the way the hose was packaged.
3. Ana Bath 5 Function Handheld Shower
For those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on a quality shower head combination set, then perhaps this 5 function handheld shower from Ana Bath will exceed your expectations. This unit is designed to offer you an affordable solution for your renovating needs.
The shower head features five different water flow settings, but it also combines three functions that include saturating shower spray, massage, and bubble spray. With these combinations, you’ll be able to get a unique shower experience that you can customize to your liking.
The unit also features a 60-inch hose that you can use to reach those hard to reach places, but also make bathing your children or pets that much simpler.
When looking at the reviews for the product, most of the customers left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, customers said they enjoyed taking a shower with this unit. People have said that they have been using this particular shower head for several years and it is still working perfectly.
Some people have said that this is the best high-pressure handheld shower head they have tried and they especially appreciate the affordability of the product. Some people have even said that this is a “rare” find and it is a “game-changer” in terms of water pressure, as the water comes out strongly in both the fixed shower head and the handheld one.
Of the remaining customers who left 3-star reviews or lower, the common complaint was that it was cumbersome and difficult to adjust the different settings. Some people have said that in person, the shower head looks “clunky” and not nice at all.
People also didn’t like that you had to point the handheld head away from you when switching from the fixed shower head because there is cold water in the hose for the handheld, which can be a shock when you aren’t expecting it.
4. Vida Alegría Handheld Shower Head
Sometimes you want a simple shower head that is going to get the job done because you don’t need the bells and whistles that other devices have. With the Vida Alegría Handheld Shower Head, you get exactly that.
This is the perfect shower head that is simple to install, easy to use, but still can enhance your shower experience. This shower head features a flexible stainless steel hose that you can stretch up to 7 feet without it ever becoming a tangled mess.
Because it is a tangle-free hose, you never have to worry about kinks that could decrease the water pressure as you bathe. This shower head is designed for those who do have low water pressure because it has a two-part flow restrictor that you can remove to increase the flow of water.
When looking at the reviews for the product, most of the customers left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, customers said that this shower head feels as good as it looks. People especially like how easy it is to remove the water pressure restrictor so they can increase the water pressure.
Customers like that there are several flow settings to which they can cycle through to get the best shower ever. Several people feel that although this was intended on being a replacement shower head for a more expensive option, they feel that this is a product that is going to last.
Of the remaining customers who left 3-star reviews or lower, the common complaint was Some people stated that shortly after they purchased it, it broke on them. They commented that the hose felt weak and after they installed the unit, the hose began leaking.
Upon requesting another hose from the company, they revealed that the replacement hose leaked as well. Customers were disappointed that this unit was made from plastic and they felt that it was a cheap quality plastic at that.
5. Speakman Napa Multi-Function Hand Shower Head
Speakman has been a plumbing company that has been around for more than 100 years. The company believes in craftsmanship, performance, and superior quality, which is something they bring to this handheld shower head.
With the Speakman Anystream Technology, you can customize the spray stream to something you like. You can have an intense pattern where no streams of water intersect the other. You can have a massaging stream where you can use the pounding water to massage those tight and sore muscles.
Then you have a combination of both of the previous settings.
When looking at the reviews for the product, most of the customers left 4 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, customers said that they were able to install the shower head easily and once you remove the flow restrictor in the mount, they said the power of the water that comes out is incredible.
Many people commented that they enjoyed the polished brass look, which worked with their retro-inspired bathroom. Customers do point out that polished brass is just the name of the color—the unit is made out of plastic. With that said, people commented that the finish holds up well and they haven’t discovered it to flake or chip.
Of the remaining customers who left 3-star reviews or lower, the common complaint was that over time, the shower head leaks where the handle and the hose connector. Customers tried using Teflon tape, but even that couldn’t help remedy the problem.
Customers also commented that when the shower head isn’t being used, it will slump down. While it isn’t a problem in terms of performance, it doesn’t look nice. Customers also point out that the spray settings are “laughable” and there is no middle between “normal shower” and what one person called a “death ray.”
Conclusion
Of these three mini handheld shower reviews, you can easily see that the Vida Alegría Handheld Shower Head is going to be the best choice. Most of the customers who purchased this unit loved it and it is affordably priced. Although the unit is pretty basic, it functions well and it can even adjust to give you the shower that you want.
Our Recommendation
When you’re looking for the best handheld shower head, it’s understandable that you are going to do some research first, which is why you’re here. We feel that any of these handheld shower heads would be a great option, but for the price that you’re going to pay, you can’t go wrong with the [amazon link=”B00YJUWHWG” title=”Vida Alegría H5+ Handheld Shower Head” /].
If you’re looking for a high-quality handheld shower head combo, then the Delta Faucet Kinetic Technology Two-in-One Hand Shower Head is a great choice. It can give your shower stall an elegant look but it can also give you a spa-like shower in the comfort of your own home.
