These Are the 5 Best Handheld Showerheads, Tested by BHG
By Barbara Bellesi Zito,
1 days ago
These made a splash with our at-home testers
Better Homes & Gardens / Ashley Craiger
If you want to upgrade your bathroom in just minutes, consider installing a new showerhead. While there are many showerhead styles out there , we’re partial to handheld showerheads that offer plenty of settings. Plus, you can’t beat those long hoses that make it easy to bathe your little ones and fur babies.
We take shower time seriously, which is why we tested a selection of handheld showerheads over several months in our own homes. Every model was evaluated based on ease of installation, performance, features and settings, and durability.
In addition to our squeaky-clean research, we consulted Roy Barnes and Hendrik Vandepoll , co-owners of Service Force Plumbing, for their insight on what to know when purchasing and installing a new showerhead in your home. Spoiler alert: It’s a fairly easy DIY task if you have a wrench and some plumber’s tape handy.
What We Tested
We evaluated over 30 showerheads on their ease of setup, features, performance, settings, and durability. For more information on how we tested handheld showerheads, check out our testing process below.
Best Overall: Waterpik 12-Spray 5- Inch High-Pressure Dual Shower Head
It’s easy to switch between spray settings, and the water flow is strong from both showerheads.
Keep in Mind
Water only flows from one showerhead at a time.
Overall, our favorite handheld showerhead is this option from Waterpik. It took less than five minutes to remove our old showerhead and install the new Waterpik, thanks to our trusty wrench and easy-to-follow instructions. Although it looks like it’s made from metal, it’s actually made from durable yet lightweight plastic. Overall, we were impressed at how well it held up during long-term testing.
There are nine spray settings on the main showerhead and three on the wand; we found the flow to be strong for both heads. We loved that we could adjust the spray and pressure just the way we wanted.
During testing, we preferred a strong pressure—we really liked the massage setting—and appreciated that it was easy enough to switch up the settings with just one hand. We did tighten the head slightly and found it made adjusting between the settings easier.
We also were impressed with the main showerhead, which seemed to be a good height for even the taller members of our household. Plus, it turned 360 degrees and tilted up and down for an even better spray range.
Six months into testing, the water pressure was still as strong as when we first installed the showerhead. We felt that it was an upgrade to our former stationary showerhead, and we loved that it was adjustable.
The wand had a lengthy hose that we thought would make cleaning the shower easier —it’s good news if you’ll be bathing pets, too. After three months, there wasn’t much buildup on the showerheads, or at least nothing that a little vinegar and a soft toothbrush can’t handle. However, six months into testing, we gave it a soak in vinegar and it looked good as new.
Product Details: Number of Settings: 12 | Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM | Material: Plastic
Key Terms to Know
Flow Rate: The flow rate refers to the amount of water that comes out of your showerhead and is measured in gallons per minute (GPM). To conserve water, flow rate is regulated at the federal, state, and local levels. The federal maximum is 2.5 GPM, but there are some states that cap it at 2.0 or even 1.8 GPM.
Best Budget: Kohler Daisyfield 6-Spray Wall-Mount Handheld Shower Head
It’s easy to install and is offered in three finishes.
Keep in Mind
The lightweight plastic might not hold up over time.
This pick from Kohler is a great option if you want to upgrade your bathroom on a budget. It’s offered in matte black, polished chrome, and brushed nickel to fit well with various bathroom designs. Plus, we found it easy to install, with no tools needed as advertised.
The spray settings include an intense, targeted massage and a softer rainshower, as well as combinations of both. A touch of the simple lever on the back of the showerhead is all it takes to adjust the flow and pressure of each setting.
We noticed that water pressure remained strong regardless of shower length. We were impressed by the pause feature that allows you to stop the spray without turning off the shower—a great way to conserve water, especially if you like to shave in the shower.
The showerhead is made from lightweight plastic. It felt so lightweight that we do question how it will fare in the long run, but it was so far, so good during testing.
Product Details: Number of Settings: Six | Flow Rate: 1.75 GPM | Material: Plastic
It tracks water usage stats, including the cost of heated water.
Keep in Mind
There are only two spray settings.
After testing the Hai Smart Showerhead at home for months, we think it’s worth the investment. For starters, it was simple to install, thanks to an easy-to-follow instruction video in the showerhead’s app. Pairing the showerhead is easy, but note that it does take a bit of time to download the software to the head. You must run the water while it’s pairing, so consider timing the download with a shower to conserve water.
Once paired, the app tracks your shower stats, including usage time and amount of water used. A temperature sensor tallies up the cost of your heated shower water, so you’ve got plenty of data on hand to make economical choices about your shower time.
For the price of this showerhead, we were surprised it has only two spray settings, adjustable by engaging a slide switch. However, we did note that the water flow and spray coverage were adequate for our needs.
Overall, the showerhead construction is sturdy without feeling too heavy. The handheld head is easy to detach/reattach, but we noted that the mount might be too high for some. Plus, we thought the hose length could be a bit longer.
During the months of testing, we found the showerhead worked consistently well. There was no buildup of mineral or hard water deposits, so there was no need to clean the water jets—there were no water stains elsewhere on the showerhead, either.
Product Details: Number of Settings: Two | Flow Rate: 1.8 GPM | Material: Stainless steel handle, PVC hose
Better Homes & Gardens / Tammy Gardini
Best Magnetic: Moen Engage Spot Resist With Magnetix Eco-Performance Handheld Shower
The magnetic mount is really a game-changer for your shower time.
Keep in Mind
You might not notice a difference between the spray settings if you have low water pressure.
After testing the Moen Engage Magnetix Handheld Showerhead at home, we think you’ll appreciate the convenience of this pick as much as we did. It was easy to reattach the handheld portion after using it, which we thought would come in handy especially during early mornings when you’re still waking up.
We found the water flow consistent, though all but a couple of the six settings seemed interchangeable—we blame that more on our home’s weak water pressure than the showerhead, though.
Spray coverage is decent if not overly wide, but the swivel-action feature makes up for that. This handheld showerhead is lightweight yet durable—no arm fatigue here, even after helping two little ones bathe. We did wish the hose were slightly longer, but it did the job.
Product Details: Number of Settings: Six | Flow Rate: 1.75 GPM | Material: Nickel and metal
Better Homes & Gardens / Anna Knief
Best Combo: Moen Verso Combination Shower With Infiniti Dial
There is a wide range of spray settings for a customizable shower experience.
Keep in Mind
You might need some time to find the right flow for your perfect shower.
Two heads are always better than one, especially when it comes to your handheld showerhead. This combo showerhead from Moen is easy to install, but keep that Teflon tape handy to seal up connections and avoid leaking.
We were impressed by the water pressure and settings on this showerhead, especially the rainshower setting on the larger head and the cool misting option on the handheld wand. There are three different levers that regulate spray settings and water output, which sounds like a lot, but we had no problem adjusting the spray setting midshower during testing.
Note there is a “limitless” number of settings, so it might take a few showers to find what you like. We’re fans of the magnetic mount that makes it easy to return the wand to its home base without even looking at it. Plus, you can adjust the settings so the water flows out of one or both heads for a customized and luxurious shower experience.
Six months into testing, this showerhead is still working as well as the day it was installed, with no need for cleaning or other maintenance. The high-quality construction of the showerhead makes us confident about its long-term durability, so it’s worth the higher price tag.
Product Details: Number of Settings: Not listed | Flow Rate: 1.75 GPM | Material: Plastic
For each showerhead we tested, we followed the manufacturer’s instructions for installation (a wrench and/or plumber’s tape was all we needed). We showered during a two-week testing period, evaluating the variety and intensity of the spray settings as well as other features, such as aromatherapy, lights, or Bluetooth capabilities.
We observed how easy it was to detach/reattach showerheads. For filtered showerheads, we noted how our hair, skin, and nails felt after each shower, and we observed how easy it was to install/replace the filter.
Post-shower, we noted if the showerhead ever leaked or dripped when not in use. After two weeks, we looked for any clogged heads or hard water buildup and cleaned the showerhead according to the manufacturer’s guidelines, if warranted.
We continued to test these showerheads for a longer period, checking in at three months and six months to see how well the showerheads were still performing. We made our final choices for our best handheld showerheads list based on ease of setup, features and settings, performance, and durability.
Better Homes & Gardens / Kate Donovan
What to Know About Handheld Showerheads
Number of Settings
There’s no magic number as to how many settings your new handheld showerhead should have, but all the ones on our list have at least a few. If you like having the ability to adjust water pressure, then you’ll want your new showerhead to have several different settings, including gentle options and more intense massage settings. The Moen Verso Showerhead boasts “limitless” spray options thanks to its dual design.
Aside from the number of settings, you’ll also want to see how easy it is to switch between them so you can create a luxurious experience every time you shower.
Flow Rate (GPM)
The flow rate refers to the amount of water that comes out of the showerhead. “Flow rate is perhaps the most important factor when choosing a handheld unit,” says Barnes.
However, he notes that many manufacturers cap the flow rate to conserve water per the law; the federal maximum is 2.5 GPM, but some states lower the max to 2.0 or even 1.8. The highest flow rate on our list is 1.8 GPM.
Material
The showerheads on our list are either made from plastic or metal, which are some of the most common options. Vandepoll says plastic is common for more budget-friendly models, but you might want to pay a bit more for metal.
“Metal inside and out is almost always better for durability and performance, unless you know you have some type of caustic water that is hard on metal parts,” he says. For a metal option, we recommend the Moen Verso Showerhead , our best combo pick.
Finishes
Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder regarding the type of finish you choose for your new showerhead. While black matte is a trendy option, chrome, nickel, and bronze are classic choices.
If you have a glass shower, you might want to match the showerhead finish with hardware in the bathroom, including the faucet. But if your showerhead is behind a curtain, feel free to focus on its features rather than a coordinating finish.
Other Handheld Showerheads We Tested
AquaCare AS-SEEN-ON-TV High Pressure 8-mode Handheld Shower Head
AquaDance High Pressure 6-Setting 3.5" Chrome Face Handheld Shower
While we appreciate the AquaDance High Pressure 6-Setting 3.5" Chrome Face Handheld Shower ’s lightweight plastic construction, this was so lightweight that it felt cheap. Although it is quite budget-friendly in comparison to other models, we’d be concerned about its long-term durability.
Better Homes & Gardens / Laura Ellefson
Your Questions, Answered
How much can I expect to spend on a handheld showerhead?
Barnes says you can expect to pay around $50 to $60 for a quality single-head unit; for two-headed models that still connect to the existing shower arm, you’ll likely pay $100 to $150.
Keep in mind that more complex systems that require adjusting or adding plumbing behind the wall will cost you more, though it will depend on the system and shower. “There are so many options on the market, and the cost to have a plumber do the work will vary based on the situation and the region,” Barnes says. For reference, our best overall pick, the Waterpik High PressureDual Shower Head , is $70.
What are the benefits of a handheld showerhead?
While there are some stationary showerheads with major tilting action, none come as close to the flexibility of a handheld showerhead. They come with multiple spray settings so that you can adjust the water pressure the way you like it. And while a luxurious bathing experience is paramount, you’ll likely find—as we did during testing—how much easier it is to clean the inside of a shower when you’ve got a handheld showerhead.
Are handheld showerheads easy to install?
If you’re simply installing a new showerhead on an existing shower arm—that’s the bent pipe sticking out of the wall—then both Barnes and Vandepoll are confident that you can DIY your showerhead installation with just a wrench and a bit of Teflon tape. However, if you want to make major changes to your shower that involve moving pipes or valves, then it’s time to call in a pro for installation.
Better Homes & Gardens / Jodi Espinosa
Who We Are
Barbara Bellesi Zito is a freelance writer from Staten Island, New York, covering all things home and lifestyle for Better Homes & Gardens . To compile this list of the best handheld showerheads, Zito analyzed lab insights from our testing site in Des Moines, Iowa. She also consulted Roy Barnes and Hendrik Vandepoll , co-owners of Service Force Plumbing, for their expert insight on choosing the best handheld showerheads.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval . Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they're worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn't an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.
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Bodhi Says
1d ago
... ... ... Wish I'd read this article before - * A plastic bracket cracked on my plastic shower head. * The plastic bracket cracked on the first replacement bracket as I tightened it. * An old spare plastic bracket cracked as I cleaned it (in preparation for installing it. * I finally installed another brand plastic replacement that has lasted 2 weeks and counting. *An honest employee at REDACTED told me that Big Box stores sell cheap plumbing parts. * I learned it's best to purchase stainless steel parts at plumbing supplies stores. Alas, I have been reborn with plumbing experience and wisdom from a past life ... ... ...
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