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One of our biggest findings is that price does correlate with quality.
The Spruce
Luckily, we rounded up the best rain shower heads for every budget.
We had no issue switching out our old shower head with this new one in just 15 minutes.
We enjoyed the even, yet light pressure that this shower head had.
PHOTO: The Spruce
The three flow prefs on the nozzle also made up for the actual shower head’s single flow setting.
Overall, we couldnt be more pleased with this shower heads design from installation to aesthetics.
This small but mighty shower head has four flow configs, including a rain shower spray.
We liked the addition of the handheld nozzle on the DreamSpa Ultra-Luxury Rainfall Shower Head.PHOTO: The Spruce
Our favorite spray setting was the Kotton which feels like a fine water mist.
Hard water spots were visible on the polished chrome finish, but they were easy to wipe off.
This shower head is the perfect no-frills upgrade with consistent water pressure.
While we love the spa-like spray that this shower head has, it is not adjustable.
Some users may find it lacks the water pressure they prefer.
We recommend wiping the chrome with a soft cloth duringregular cleaningsto keep it looking spotless.
Plus, this shower head is available in a 10-inch width, which we tested and loved.
We loved the pressure it provided and felt it was a happy medium.
While the water pressure is adjustable, this shower head doesnt have multiple spray patterns.
However, we love the sleek design of the handheld nozzle sitting directly below the main shower head.
So, users looking for both features will be happy.
We recommend our best value pick, theKohler K-15996-CP Flipside Showerhead, for anyone wanting multiple spray patterns.
The Kohler Flipside Showerhead has four spray settings, which are easy to switch between.PHOTO: The Spruce
We not only tested rain shower heads but also tested standard shower heads and those with filters.
In total, we tested 17 shower heads, 7 of which had rain shower functions.
First, we evaluated the ease of setup, installation requirements, and the clarity of instructions.
We loved the high power spray on the Kohler Flipside for targeted rinsing.PHOTO: The Spruce
We made sure to test any additional features, too.
We also evaluated the durability of each shower head, including resistance to hard water stains and calcium buildup.
Shower heads with a larger diameter can overpower small spaces.
In general, rain shower heads are larger than your average shower head.
In comparison, standard shower heads are 3 to 6 inches wide.
Rain showers may be bigger, but they have the same flow rates as traditional shower heads.
Federal restrictions mandate that shower head flow rates cant be higher than 2.5 GPM to help conserve water.
Most homeowners with basic skills can replace a shower head, says Smedley.
Stephenson agrees and says, Ceiling-mount installations require a different bang out of rough-in than your standard wall-mounted showerhead.
All of the shower heads on our list can be installed on short wall arms.
Plastics like ABS are tough and resistant to both water and heat.
Brass is often used as well and is most resistant to corrosion compared to other metal options.
We liked the wide coverage area the American Standard 1-Spray Rain Shower Head provided.PHOTO: The Spruce
We loved how well-made it felt in weight and in performance.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Emma Asheis an editor for The Spruce and has been a member of the team since 2022.
Despite our short shower arm, we installed this American Standard shower head in five minutes.PHOTO: The Spruce
She also appreciates the ease of maintenance, as she cleans the nozzles with a toothbrush when buildup accumulates.
Phelps reviewed our testing to learn which rain shower heads our team enjoyed using at home.
The Kohler Awaken Rain Showerhead’s 10-inch diameter offers good coverage and perfect pressure.PHOTO: The Spruce
The adjustable shower arm we purchased ensured optimal positioning and clearance from the wall.The Spruce
We found it easy to adjust the water pressure, but note that this shower head does not offer any additional spray settings.PHOTO: The Spruce
We liked that the Moen Verso Shower Head features a handheld nozzle with a magnetic dock.PHOTO: The Spruce
We love how easy it is to switch between the settings on the Moen Velocity Rain Shower Head.PHOTO: The Spruce
This shower head would also be a great choice for a ceiling-mounted shower arm.The Spruce