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ByKorin Miller, Contributor Content written by Forbes Vetted Contributors is assigned, reviewed and edited by Forbes Staff
The best shower heads balance excellent water pressure and functionality with your preferred bathroom style. There’s a wide range of options on the market, from traditional fixed shower heads to high-end models equipped with extras like filters to protect your hair. Our top pick: The Kohler Forté, which impressed our tester with its reliable performance, moderate pressure and classic look. We also found the Moen Engage Magnetix to be the best dual shower head—it’s versatile, sleek and comes with a nifty magnetic docking system. And there are several other top-quality shower heads on our list to suit every bathroom style and budget.
Ultimately, the best shower head for your household depends on your shower mount type and pressure preferences, as well as décor style. “A shower head can definitely add flare to a bathroom design,” says Tatiana Seikaly of Studio Seikaly. “It can either be a statement piece or seamlessly blend into the other plumbing fixtures.” While there are a lot of designs out there, some rise above the rest in terms of quality and features. Ahead, find our list of the best shower heads on the market.
Best Shower Head Overall: Kohler Forté 1.75-GPM Shower Head
Best Dual Shower Head: Moen Engage Magnetix 2-In-1 Shower Head
Best Budget Shower Head: Gurin Shower Head
Best Rain Shower Head: Grohe Euphoria
Best High-Pressure Shower Head: Waterpik Powerpulse XRO-763E
Best Low-Pressure Shower Head: High Sierra Customizable Classic Fixed
Best Filtered Shower Head: Brondell Vivaspring
Best Handheld Shower Head: Moen Engage With Magnetix Eco-Performance
Best Shower Head Overall
Simple But Sleek, With Three Different Spray Settings
MOST POPULAR
Kohler Forté 1.75-GPM Shower Head
Mount type: Wall | Material: 6 options, including French Gold and Oil Rubbed Bronze | Spray pattern: Full coverage, pulsating massage or silk spray | Flow rate: 1.75 GPM (gallons per minute)
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Ample diameter for those who like a wider stream
- Some like the light, luxurious feeling of aerated water droplets
Cons:
- Those who like stronger pressure might look elsewhere
The Kohler Forté is a great option for most needs. It delivers three different sprays—full coverage, pulsating massage or a lighter silk spray—to let you mix things up in the shower. Just push the lever on the head over and enjoy. The shower head infuses two liters of air per minute into the spray, giving you plenty of power and volume to rinse off shampoo bubbles and soap residue in the form of large droplets. Choose from six different finishes for the look that’s right for you bathroom.
What our experts say: “This is a great, relatively basic shower head,” says senior home and kitchen editor Amanda Arnold, who tested the model over the course of multiple months. “It’s a significant upgrade from the shower head pre-installed in my Brooklyn apartment, and both my partner and I love its moderate pressure.”
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Best Dual Shower Head
A Couple-Friendly Option With A Sturdy Magnetic Holder
Moen Engage Magnetix 2-In-1 Shower Head
Mount type: Wall | Material: Chrome | Spray pattern: Downpour, massage, rinse and more | Flow rate: 2.5 GPM
Pros:
- Stable, easy-to-use magnetic attachment
- Main head offers strong water pressure
- Removable head offers multiple shower patterns
- Reviews say it’s easy to install
Cons:
- Made more of plastic than metal
The Moen Engage gives you two options for shower heads. The larger head delivers a rain shower while the detachable option allows for up-close rinsing. Enjoy a reflective chrome finish that looks sleek in your bathroom. A really cool feature: This dual shower head has a magnetic docking system that lets you easily detach the handheld shower head and just snap it back in place with the help of a magnet. The kink-free metal hose won’t tangle, even over time.
Best Budget Shower Head
A $20 Pick That Delivers A Powerful Rainfall-Style Flow
Gurin Shower Head
Mount type: Wall | Material: Chrome | Spray pattern: Rain | Flow rate: 1.8 GPM
Pros:
- Good value for those who like a wider, rain-like stream
- Several users say it installs easily
- Comes with a flow limiter for those who want to save water
Cons:
- Some wish it were built more durably
At $20, the Gurin shower head is a total steal. It delivers a powerful rainfall-style flow with a luxury look. Anti-clog silicone jets—there are 90 of them total—push out more than enough water to get you clean. A nice perk: The shower head comes with a filter for hard water to protect your skin and hair. Choose between 1.8 and 2.5 GPM models.
Best Rain Shower Head
Enjoy A Soothing Stream And A Generous 10-Inch Diameter
Grohe Euphoria
Mount type: Ceiling | Material: Chrome or Nickel | Spray pattern: Rain, jet and smart rain | Flow rate: 2.5 GPM
Pros:
- Offers enough pressure while maintaining rainfall effect
- Diameter of water stream is adjustable
- Simple to use and install
Cons:
- Some say they expected more of a metal construction, considering the high price
A rain shower head isn’t for everyone—particularly those who don’t want to get their hair wet every time they shower—but it delivers a soothing feel like getting caught in a gentle downpour. This option from Grohe offers up two finishes, along with a generous 10-inch spray face to cover your body. Flip between three different spray selections, including the vigorous jet spray, pulsating rain spray and water-conserving smart rain spray.
What our editors say: “This is a rain shower head, so the pressure isn't comparable to a regular shower head, but I thought it was still great,” says executive strategy editor Lindsay Boyers. “Normally it takes me forever to get the shampoo out of my hair with a rain shower head, but this one felt more powerful while still having a nice trickling effect.”
Best High-Pressure Shower Head
Offers A Strong Spray And A Massage Setting
Waterpik Powerpulse XRO-763E
Mount type: Wall | Material: Chrome | Spray pattern: 7 options, including massage and PowerSpray | Flow rate: 2.5 GPM
Pros:
- Users say it’s easy to install
- Great for fans of high water pressure
- Several users like the massage setting
Cons:
- Hose is made of plastic, but users say their old metal hoses work well with this shower head
Whether you have thick hair that takes forever to rinse or just prefer a more forceful spray, a high pressure shower head is the way to go. Waterpik’s Powerpulse delivers an impressive 2.5 gallons per minute to get you washed off fast. This detachable shower head features seven different spray options—including three massage features—to help you customize your cleaning. A 5-foot hose gives you plenty of room to move about your shower while you clean yourself.
Best Low-Pressure Shower Head
A Low Flow Rate Helps Save 40% More Water Than The Competition
High Sierra Customizable Classic Fixed
Mount type: Wall | Material: 5 options, including matte black and polished brass | Spray pattern: Full | Flow rate: 1.5 GPM
Pros:
- Good water pressure, considering the flow rate
- Energy-efficient and saves water
- Some say it’s great for slow-draining tubs
- Looks and feels high-quality
Cons:
- Some say it can be noisy
The High Sierra shower head offers up a 1.5 gallons per minute flow rate to help conserve water. This ends up using 40% less water than high-pressure heads, saving you money on utilities in the long run. Choose from five different finish options, including a trendy matte black and nickel. And, while this shower head is low flow, it still delivers enough force to help you feel thoroughly rinsed after.
Best Filtered Shower Head
Easy To Install And Filters Chlorine, Lead And More
Brondell Vivaspring
Mount type: Wall | Material: Metal, copper | Spray pattern: Rain spray | Flow rate: 1.8 GPM
Pros:
- Helps curb effects of hard water on skin and hair
- Inhibits unwanted growth on shower surfaces
- Many say installation is very simple
Cons:
- Some say filter may last shorter than six months
Hard water can do a number on your hair and skin. That’s where a shower head with a filter comes in. We recommend Brondell Nebia Vivaspring, our top pick in our best filtered shower heads story. Featuring 60 nozzles that create a wide rain spray, this shower head can reduce the levels of chlorine, copper, lead and mercury from your water. What’s more, it can also inhibit the growth of algae, bacteria, fungi and scale on the surfaces of your shower. The filter can treat up to 10,000 gallons of water, which means you should only need to replace it every six months or so.
Best Handheld Shower Head
Features A Convenient And Durable Magnetic Dock
Moen Engage With Magnetix Eco-Performance
Mount type:Wall |Material:6 options, including French Gold and Oil Rubbed Bronze |Spray pattern:Full coverage, pulsating massage or silk spray |Flow rate:1.75 GPM
Pros:
- Convenient and easy-to-use magnetic dock
- Aesthetically pleasing design and finish
- Several users say installation is simple
- Comes with a limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Several users say they had to remove restrictor valve for a stronger flow
Similar to the aforementioned Moen Engage Two-In-One, this Moen Engage handheld pick (the top pick in our dedicated piece on the best handheld shower heads) also features a unique magnetic dock that several reviewers highlight for its user-friendliness and durability. This Eco-Performance model also conserves water, thanks to its reduced flow rate of 1.75 GPM (though there’s also a standard version available). The Engage Handheld offers six spray patterns you can choose by rotating a dial. Better yet, it’s backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
MORE FROMFORBES VETTED
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Forbes Vetted’s home editorial team has published dozens of roundups of bathroom products we deem worth the investment or upgrade, including our rigorously tested roundup of the best bath towels.
- For this article, we consulted four home and design pros to get their insight into what they look for in a shower head: Erin Sander of Erin Sander Design, Jess Weeth of Weeth Home, Melanie Hay of Melanie Hay Design and Tatiana Seikaly of Studio Seikaly.
- We also made sure to include shower heads that two of our experienced editors have personally tested themselves—senior home editor Amanda Arnold and executive strategy editor Lindsay Boyers.
- The publishing of this article and its iterations is overseen by our team of experienced home editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
- We regularly review this story to make sure our recommendations and guidance are up to date. It was last updated in May 2024.
How We Chose The Best Shower Heads
Here are the steps we took to determine the best shower heads available.
- We identified the most popular models from top brands like Kohler, Grohe, Waterpik and more.
- We consulted four home and design experts for features to look for in quality shower heads. We then took a closer look at each model’s construction, mount style, water pressure and flow settings to help you make the right decision for your home.
- We included two models our staffers tested and recommend: the Kohler Forté and the Grohe Euphoria.
Are Expensive Shower Heads Worth It?
A shower head serves the dual purpose of combining function and fashion, so yes, it can certainly make a big difference in your daily shower routine. But in order to maximize the device’s effect, it’s important to consider your specific needs, including the flow rate you need (if you have long or thick hair, a higher flow rate of 1.75+ GPM is ideal) and how many spray pattern options you want to have. But a quality shower head can also elevate your bathroom. “The hardware for a shower is just as important as the tile and layout to the overall success of a design,” says Erin Sander of Erin Sander Design. “Shower heads are not something that’s just added at the end, it's an integral piece to the architectural design of the space.”
What Shower Head Gives The Most Water Pressure?
Based on our home editors’ research and insights from experts, we found Waterpik’s handheld Powerpulse XRO-763E to be the best shower head for high water pressure, offering 2.5 gallons per minute. And it doesn’t just offer a strong spray; the Powerpulse also features seven spray settings, including three massage modes, to further customize your shower routine. If you want the relaxing sensation a rainfall-style shower head provides but still want ample water pressure, we recommend the editor-tested Grohe Euphoria, which executive editor Lindsay Boyers says “felt powerful while still having a nice trickling effect.”
How Much Should I Spend On A Shower Head?
Based on our in-depth research for this piece, you can expect to spend anywhere between $20 to $200 dollars for a good-quality shower head, though there are certainly very pricey high-end exceptions. You’ll find an editor-recommended pick from both ends of the cost spectrum on our list, from the Gurin Shower Head in the $20 range to the Grohe Euphoria Rain Shower Head, which costs just under $200.
Ultimately, the amount you spend depends on your preferences in terms of a shower head’s type, finish and included extra features. For example, a traditional fixed and single-spray shower head like High Sierra’s low-flow option shouldn’t cost you more than $50 (and this one rings up at $40). Rainfall or ceiling-mounted shower heads (or, in the case of the Grohe Euphoria, both) tend to have a higher sticker price of between $50 to $200 or more.
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