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The Best Rain Shower Heads of 2022 - Tested by Bob Vila

By Kat Hodgins and Kristen Mosier | Updated Nov 1, 2022 5:59 PM

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The Best Rain Shower Heads of 2022 - Tested by Bob Vila

The average shower lasts 8 minutes—that time can be used trying to clean your whole body under a tiny shower head, or those few minutes can be spent letting the warm water almost completely cover you because of a larger shower head. Oversize shower heads offer a feeling of showering in the rain, and they are designed to prompt relaxation.

The best rain shower heads distribute water that flows down over the top of your head at just the right pressure, and many are made with low-maintenance parts. A rain shower may seem extravagant, but it’s an affordable way to elevate a shower by simply switching out the existing shower head.

This guide can help you decide which rain shower head is the best one for you by comparing specs and offering the pros and cons of each. We’ve personally tested each fixture so that we can report on its performance.

We tested all of the rain shower heads on our awards list by installing each either overhead or on the wall, taking note of the tools needed for installation and the level of difficulty. Each fixture was examined for its overall makeup, feel, and durability. Once it was up, we tested each a minimum of two times, adjusting spray patterns and shower head direction and taking note of any leaking or sputtering, changes in water pressure, and hot water longevity.

We observed the spray settings, water pressure, coverage, and ability to distribute water evenly, along with the overall level of comfort for differing shower preferences. We considered the features for the price point as well as the shower head’s overall attractiveness and amount of finish options available. Our top picks were chosen for seamless integration, good design, even and ample water pressure, and spray options to suit differing needs.

The best rain shower head for your bathroom will meet your needs in terms of space, water pressure preference, and style. There are so many models available that it can be difficult to choose one. To help, we’ve tested a variety of fixtures so that we can share the pros and cons of each based on the criteria above. Read on to find out how our top shower head picks performed.

Out of the box, Grohe’s Euphoria 260 rain shower head feels durable and looks attractive. We easily mounted it overhead as well as on the wall. We preferred it overhead, but wall mounting should work just fine in spacious showers with the right arm attachment.

Unlike most rain showers on the list, this model features adjustable spray settings that can be controlled by a button in the center of the shower head. We loved having options and found it perfect for those who like a gentle rain shower but still want some added pressure at times. The construction features three concentric circles serving as varying spray zones.

When used on its own, the innermost circle offers a powerful, directed jet spray that delivers on comfortable pressure. The second ring features the company’s SmartRain Spray, which offers the rain shower experience while saving on water output. When the outermost ring is turned on, users get a full 2.5 GPM for more body coverage with an even, comfortable spray. The Speed Clean nozzles are integrated into the head, allowing the user to easily wipe away limescale.

The only drawbacks we found to this product are the higher price tag and the plastic construction, although we didn’t feel the latter affected the overall look or feel.

Get the Grohe Euphoria 260 on Amazon, at The Home Depot, or at Grohe.com.

Offering the best of both worlds, this model’s added handheld shower head with a 5-foot stainless steel hose was a major bonus feature. We loved that it can be mounted overhead to offer a higher pressure spray and waterfall option in addition to the standard rain shower head. It also comes with a suction-cup mount for those who prefer to hang it on the wall. The drawbacks are that it can’t run simultaneously as the rain shower and the diverter switch is on the shower head, which can be out of reach with use in bathrooms with higher ceilings.

Made with a chrome finish over ABS plastic, this shower head feels slightly less sturdy than other models, causing some concern about its long-term durability. We easily mounted it on the existing arm without the use of tools. A solid brass ball joint nut allows for easy angle adjustments.

Get the DreamSpa Ultra-Luxury 9″ Rainfall Shower Head Combo on Amazon, at The Home Depot, or at Lowe’s.

SR SUN RISE’s rain shower head elevates the style in a shower as well as the functionality to give a spa-like experience with the rain shower or a quick clean-and-go option with the handheld shower head. Constructed of stainless steel and a 10-layer chrome-plated finish, the rain shower head is oversize at 12 inches to cover more of the body with water at the same time. The L-style brass handheld shower head propels water farther outward than other types of shower heads, so it doesn’t have to be held as close to the body to target areas. The incorporation of air energy technology aims to offer powerful pressure so water flows well even under low-water-pressure conditions.

For this model, we were only able to test the shower head since the handheld system requires access to internal piping and professional installation to be embedded into the wall. With this in mind, we think the SR SUN RISE is best suited for a remodel rather than a simple upgrade. However, we found the shower head to offer plenty of coverage at 12 inches and an even spray with medium pressure.

The sleek modern style comes in five finishes to match the rest of most bathrooms. A 15.7-inch metal shower arm is included to make sure the water falls over the user’s head. The arm doesn’t adjust, so an extension may be needed during installation to mount the shower head higher for concealed installation.

Get the SR SUN RISE Rain Mixer Shower Combo on Amazon or SRSunrise.com.

Considering the track record of its manufacturer, it’s no surprise that the Studio S by American Standard is a solid midrange choice for a rain shower. We love that this fixture comes in matte black in addition to chrome and brushed nickel, an option only available in two other selections on this list. Out of the box, we were struck by the matte black’s super-sleek, high-end look. Made of coated brass, it feels solid yet lightweight. It was simple to install, but it doesn’t come with a shower arm, so users will need to purchase one separately or use an existing one.

The 8-inch round head offers a medium-pressure spray that is even and comfortable. We tried it with 2.5 GPM of output, which offered ample pressure, but it is also available in 1.8 GPM for those looking to conserve water without sacrificing comfort. The latter model is WaterSense certified for up to 30 percent water savings.

Get the American Standard Studio S on Amazon, at The Home Depot, or on AmericanStandard.com.

AILUKI’s rainfall shower head is a two-in-one solution for both relaxing or efficient showers. Use the rainfall spray, handheld spray, or both functions at the same time, which is unlike other shower combos that only have independent functions instead of operating simultaneously. However, we found the pressure to be on the low side while utilizing both.

We love that the 4.5-inch handheld shower head has five settings including power mist, power rain, rain mist, rain massage, and pulsating massage, all working equally well depending on the user’s preference. The 8-inch-square rain shower head has an ultrathin design and air-booster technology with a rain spray of 2.5 GPM. We found it to have good pressure but also ran out of hot water on both occasions we tried it, giving us some concerns about water usage. Therefore, we would suggest using this model with a regulator.

Made of stainless steel and an all-chrome finish, this shower head feels durable and resists rust. Included in the design are a 5-foot steel hose for the handheld and a durable brass 11-inch-tall and 180-degree-angle shower arm, which we found easy to adjust to our preferred height and angle. For jets, there are 100 silicone nozzles on the rain shower head and another 73 on the handheld shower head, which are self-cleaning and prevent hard-water buildup. This combo set has tool-free installation and comes with an adhesive bracket to mount the handheld shower head in the shower.

Get the AILUKI 8″ High Pressure Rainfall Shower Head on Amazon or at Kmart.

This sleek, modern shower head from Suptaps offers a lot for its compact size and affordable price point, making it one of our favorites. After turning it on, the first thing we noticed was the strong water pressure. However, with four spray patterns, lighter rain shower selections are also available, making this option perfect for sharing with family members with differing shower preferences.

Rotating 360 degrees, the 6-inch shower head offers the ability to select saturating spray, slice-dot massage spray, misty spray, or waterfall spray, each one working equally well. In order to change the spray, we had to manually turn the shower head, which felt a bit awkward at first but was simple once we got the hang of it. The shower head can be adjusted 180 degrees to suit various height requirements. To make the positioning of this shower head even more versatile, it attaches to standard shower arms (sold separately).

This fixture is made of durable ABS plastic with chrome plating and feels durable. It has 64 silicone jets, which help concentrate the water pressure instead of having to spread out over a greater surface area. It mounts easily to the wall in less than 5 minutes and requires only a wrench to tighten the shower head. Included is Teflon tape to help ensure there will be no leaks.

Get the Suptaps 6″ High Pressure Rain Shower Head on Amazon. 

Through our testing, we found the best feature of this shower head to be its even, comfortable water spray. The ultrathin design and added air-in technology aims at using less water to create a stronger water flow. To be mindful of conserving output, we tested it with the regulator on, which offers a flow of about 1.8 GPM, and found the pressure to be on the light side. Without the restrictor, it was much stronger at about 2.5 GPM pressure.

The fixture comes with a swivel ball connector that allows the user to easily adjust the angle of the spray. There’s no need for a longer shower arm, but the company offers other options to suit different showers. The unit came with a small wrench tool for a simple installation. We attached it to the wall, but it can be mounted overhead as well. At 8 inches, though. we feel it’s best suited to a smaller shower, especially when using the regulator.

The unit features a modern design made from stainless steel and brushed with a nickel finish, is rust resistant, and feels durable while handling. It features 90 flexible, self-cleaning silicone jets to prevent limescale buildup, and a fine stainless steel mesh prevents medium-size sediment from accumulating.

Get the NearMoon High Pressure Shower Head on Amazon or NearMoon.net.

The first thing we noticed about this large 16-inch showerhead was the ample water pressure. With 2.5 GPM, it gives off the maximum pressure for a rain shower. Combined with 324 spray nozzles, this showering experience could be intense for those who don’t like water in their faces. Luckily, a swivel connector allows for 360-degree rotation so it can be angled to each user’s comfort level. It can be mounted on the wall or overhead, the latter more ideal due to its large size. For shoppers with smaller shower space, the company offers a 12-inch model as well.

Though it’s ultrathin at 2 millimeters, it feels durable, weighing in at 4.8 pounds of brushed stainless steel. The many silicone nozzles make it susceptible to losing one or clogging; however, the company offers five replacements. Installation was simple to complete with only a wrench needed to screw the head to the existing overhead pipe. The unit comes with Teflon tape to protect from leakage.

Get the Qomolangma 16-Inch Brushed Shower Head at Sears.

SparkPod’s rain shower head is available in two options for water pressure: The 1.8 GPM gives lower pressure to conserve water, and the 2.5 GPM blasts higher pressure in the rain setting. We found the 1.8 to be a little light on the pressure while offering an even spray for more of a traditional rain shower feel than others. Constructed from BPA-free ABS plastic, this shower head’s finish is chrome-plated. We liked the simple, modern design and love that it is available in six finishes to match many aesthetics.

The 6-inch rain shower head has 90 easy-to-clean rubber jets that make it a low-maintenance shower head as it’s rustproof and resists water deposits, such as limescale. Installation of this rain shower head is easy; no tools are required. Simply mount it to the wall where the old shower head was previously.

Get the SparkPod Shower Head on Amazon, SparkPod.com, or at Walmart.

The best rain shower head revitalizes a shower routine, helps bring you to a place of relaxation, and feels like a spa inside a home. While shopping, there are some considerations to factor in before purchasing a rain shower, such as installation, fit, material, and more. Here are a few important factors to think about when selecting a rain shower head.

There are two places to install a rain shower head, either on the wall or on the bathroom ceiling.

Rain shower heads increase the sophistication and elegance of a shower. When selecting a rain shower head, durability is key; however, style selection creates cohesion with other design elements. A preference may be to match the rain shower head to the other bathroom fixtures, such as the shower faucet set, so nothing seems out of place.

The finish of a rain shower head is a coating that gives it a visual aesthetic but doesn’t represent what the shower head is made from (which is generally ABS plastic or stainless steel). Some popular types of finishes include chrome, brushed nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze.

A rain shower head is quite a bit bigger than standard shower heads so they can give more area for the water to mimic rainfall. Rain shower heads start at 6 inches, but they can be 16 inches or more in diameter—extra-large sizes may require professional installation. Typical sizes for rain shower heads are between 8 and 10 inches wide. In general, the larger the shower head, the more water coverage you get in the shower.

Some rain shower heads come in a combo with a handheld shower head as well. The face of a handheld shower head is generally around 4.5 inches across. This device is better than rain shower heads to target specific areas in the shower.

Rain shower heads aren’t typically high in pressure as they’re made to feel like soothing rainwater instead of a blast of concentrated spray. Many styles of rain shower heads advertise that they’re high pressure, but they may not feel like it. Typically, the larger the shower head, the weaker the pressure since the water distributes over a greater surface area. Rain shower heads may not feel like they have the pressure that comes with standard high-pressure shower heads. If the option of more water pressure is desired, a combo rain shower head and handheld shower head may provide the best of both worlds.

Water pressure is measured by the gallons per minute (GPM) that flow through the shower head. Shower heads can be as low as 1.5 GPM and up to 2.5 GPM. Lower GPM is for eco-friendly models, and higher GPM indicates higher pressure. However, manufacturers restrict this output to a maximum of 2.5 GPM.

Rain shower heads are designed for a luxury shower experience that’s consistent and calming. Regular shower heads may have a variety of settings to target areas for quick and efficient showers. Spray settings found in some rain shower heads may include other relaxing settings, such as a mist spray that turns the water into fine water droplets or a waterfall setting that has the water come out in a thin and wide stream instead of droplets.

Rain shower heads offer a rainlike spray that covers more area in the shower, which can be enhanced with technology. Some of these shower heads have aerated styles and sometimes with advanced air-induction technology, which helps save water without compromising the pressure in the shower. A device fits into the shower head and fills the water droplets with small air bubbles. The shower feels just as wet as a normal shower, but it uses about 30 percent less water.

The best rain shower head gives the relaxing shower you’re looking for without compromising on style, space, or water pressure. While a shower head may seem like an easy-to-use home addition, how they work and what they require may generate more questions for the user. Here are some commonly asked questions and their answers about new rain shower heads.

Choose a rain shower head that fits in your shower without infringing on your space, gives you easy installation to existing pipes (unless you’re hiring a plumber), and offers the type of water pressure and coverage you desire.

No, they don’t. Manufacturers have a limit on the gallons per minute that a shower head uses, which is 2.5 GPM. This is the same number for other shower head options as well.

There is no hard-and-fast rule here, but they should be high enough for the tallest person in your home to have a few inches between them and the shower head.

Many rain shower heads are an easy DIY project with standard piping. Simply remove the existing shower head and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to install it. Some do not require any tools for installation; others need only common household tools such as a wrench.

Remove the shower head (and shower filter if applicable) and soak it in a container of distilled white vinegar for about an hour, then rinse with water and scrub any parts that need additional attention. Reattach the shower head, and flush it through with running water.

Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series, including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.

Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.

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The Best Rain Shower Heads of 2022 - Tested by Bob Vila

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