Bathroom Remodel
Types of Showerheads: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Option
On this page
- An overview of the most common showerhead types and how they work
- Average costs, features, and best uses for each type
- Guidance on choosing the right showerhead for your bathroom
Showerheads cost $15 to $750 depending on the type, and a plumber typically charges $150 to $300 to install one. Fixed and low flow models are the most affordable. Handheld and dual models add flexibility, and rain showerheads and shower panels deliver a spa-like experience at a higher price.
Compare the best shower contractors in your area.
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Table of Contents
- Popular Showerhead Types for Every Bathroom and Budget
- Fixed Showerheads
- Handheld Showerheads
- Dual Showerheads
- Filtered Showerheads
- Massage Showerheads
- Rain Showerheads
- LED Showerheads
- Low Flow Showerheads
- Shower Panels
- Shower Panels
- Showerhead Flow Rates and Water Savings
- Choosing the Best Replacement Showerhead for You
- Showerhead Type FAQs
- Sources
Popular Showerhead Types for Every Bathroom and Budget
With so many types of showerheads available, it can be hard to know which one is right for your home. Different types meet different needs: a spa-like experience, better water efficiency, easier accessibility, or added functionality for a busy household. Many showerheads look similar, but they vary widely in features, installation requirements, and performance.
The home improvement experts at Modernize put together this guide to the most popular showerhead types. Below, you’ll find how each type works, average costs, and who each one suits best, whether you’re planning a shower remodel or a simple fixture upgrade.
| Best For | Recommended Showerhead Types | Suggested Brands | Average Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended Showerhead Types | Fixed showerheads, Low flow showerheads | Delta, Moen, AquaDance | $15 to $100 |
| Suggested Brands | Handheld showerheads, Dual showerheads | Moen, Kohler, Delta | $30 to $250 |
| Average Cost | Rain showerheads, Massage showerheads, Shower panels | Kohler, Grohe, SR Sun Rise | $100 to $750 |
| Budget-friendly upgrades | Fixed showerheads, Low flow showerheads | Delta, Moen, AquaDance | $15 to $100 |
| Accessibility and flexibility | Handheld showerheads, Dual showerheads | Moen, Kohler, Delta | $30 to $250 |
| Spa-like experience | Rain showerheads, Massage showerheads, Shower panels | Kohler, Grohe, SR Sun Rise | $20 to $750 |
| Water efficiency | Low flow showerheads, Fixed showerheads | Niagara, Waterpik, Delta | $15 to $200 |
| Improved water quality | Filtered showerheads | Culligan, Aquasana, Sprite | $50 to $200 |
| Families, kids, and pets | Handheld showerheads, Dual showerheads | Delta, Moen, AquaDance | $30 to $250 |
| Modern or luxury bathrooms | Rain showerheads, LED showerheads, Shower panels | Kohler, Grohe, FontanaShowers | $30 to $750 |
A quality brand can make a big difference in performance and longevity. Explore our guide to the best showerhead brands to compare trusted manufacturers, pricing, and features.
Fixed Showerheads
Fixed showerheads are the most common type and the easiest to install, since most bathrooms are already set up for them. You can usually swap one yourself by removing the old fixture and attaching the new one. They’re also very affordable, ranging from $15 to $100.
Fixed showerheads are small (5 in. in diameter or less) and offer a variety of spray settings. What they offer in settings, they lack in adjustability. They tilt up and down and side to side, but the range is small compared to other types. That makes it hard for anyone who needs to sit in the shower to aim the water. Choose a fixed showerhead if you want a standard product without extra features.
Handheld Showerheads
If you want versatility, consider a handheld showerhead. It mounts to the shower wall and connects to a flexible hose, usually about 5 feet long, made of metal or plastic. Use it for targeted water on specific areas of the body, or leave it in the mount for a standard shower. That flexibility makes it a great option for people with limited mobility who may need to sit, as well as for families with children and pets. See our guide to bathroom accessibility modifications for more ideas.
Handheld showerheads range from $30 to $200. A DIY-er can install one, but the job is a bit more involved than a standard fixed showerhead, so consider hiring a professional if you’re adding a wall bracket or slide bar.
Dual Showerheads
A dual showerhead gives you a handheld and a fixed showerhead in one setup. A diverter valve lets you switch between the two, or run both at once.
Two nozzles don’t mean double the water. When you run both at once, they typically share the flow your pipes deliver, so each one runs weaker. Dual showerheads also take up a good amount of space in the shower.
The most common dual showerhead combines a handheld and a rain showerhead. Many homeowners can install one without a professional, and you can expect to pay about $40 to $250.
Filtered Showerheads
If your tap water has a strong chlorine smell, a filtered showerhead can help. These fixtures reduce chlorine and some heavy metals in your shower water. Many people choose them for gentler skin and hair, and to cut the chlorine smell.
Filtered showerheads improve water quality, but they don’t soften hard water. If you see mineral scale on tile and glass, a filter won’t fix it. A whole-home system can. Compare a water softener vs. a water filter to see which fits your problem. Look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI standards, since many products make claims without independent testing.
Filters need regular replacement. Plan on $10 to $40 per cartridge, replaced every 1 to 6 months, which works out to roughly $20 to $80 a year. Some brands, like Jolie, build the filter into the showerhead. Filtered showerheads themselves cost $50 to $200.
Massage Showerheads
A massage showerhead is a good choice if you want a concentrated flow of water on specific muscle groups.
Massage showerheads can be handheld or fixed, and they come in different shapes and sizes. They offer multiple spray settings and a stronger feel than many other types. Keep in mind that they are not the best choice for saving water.
Massage showerheads cost about $20 to $230. Installation difficulty depends on the model, so read the instructions and decide whether you can do it yourself or need a professional.
Rain Showerheads
A rain showerhead lets water pour straight down on you, which makes it a great choice for relaxation. It’s a popular shower trend for modern bathroom remodels because of its clean, elegant look.
Rain showerheads come in round, square, and rectangular shapes and have the largest surface area of any type, at 6 to 12 inches. You can mount one on the shower wall or overhead as a ceiling fixture. They look especially good in frameless showers, where the open glass shows them off.
On the downside, they cost more, ranging from $50 to $650, and can be harder to install. A ceiling-mounted showerhead may require a plumber or contractor to run pipes through the ceiling, which raises the cost. Size matters too. Check your shower dimensions first, because a large head overwhelms a small space like a tub and shower combo.
LED Showerheads
LED showerheads add color to your shower by lighting up based on water temperature. Hot water usually shows red, cold water blue, and warm water a greenish yellow. Many models are powered by the water flow itself, though some use batteries. The lights are fun, and they can also help you see inside the shower if your bathroom is dimly lit.
LED showerheads elevate the experience, but they rarely include other extras. If you want special features in addition to lights, choose a different type. Because they’re simple, they’re easy to install, so this is a good DIY project. They cost $30 to $120 for the fixture.
Low Flow Showerheads
If you want an eco-friendly option that can lower your water bills and cut water use by 20% to 50%, a low flow showerhead may be right for you. Read the pros and cons of low flow showerheads before you buy.
The federal limit for showerheads is 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm). Low flow models use 2.0 gpm or less, and some go as low as 1.25 gpm. Good designs use air or narrow nozzles to keep the spray feeling strong. Cheaper models can feel weak, and some people end up showering longer.
Low flow showerheads are easy to install and cost $15 to $200 each.
Shower Panels
Shower panels, also called shower towers, bring a hotel-style setup to a shower remodel. They’re tall columns made of metal, glass, or composite that mount to your shower wall and connect to your plumbing.
Shower Panels
Shower panels, also called shower towers, bring a hotel-style setup to a shower remodel. They’re tall columns made of metal, glass, or composite that mount to your shower wall and connect to your plumbing.
Shower panels combine several functions, such as a waterfall spout, a handheld showerhead, and adjustable body sprayers or massagers. They also give a bathroom a modern look. Premium digital systems can cost well over $2,000.
Because panels are complex, a professional should install them. They also take up a lot of wall space, so they’re not the best fit for a small shower. Most shower panels cost between $300 and $750. To plan a larger project, see our guide to how to design a custom shower.
Showerhead Flow Rates and Water Savings
Flow rate affects both how your shower feels and what you pay for water and energy. Federal law has capped showerheads at 2.5 gpm since the 1990s. EPA’s WaterSense label goes further, certifying showerheads that use 2.0 gpm or less and still meet spray performance tests. EPA estimates a WaterSense showerhead saves the average household about 2,700 gallons of water and roughly $70 in water and energy costs per year.
| Standard | Maximum Flow Rate |
|---|---|
| Federal limit | 2.5 gpm |
| EPA WaterSense label | 2.0 gpm |
| California | 1.8 gpm |
Some other states also set limits below the federal standard, so check your local rules before you buy. Labels list the flow rate, so you can compare models.
Federal showerhead rules changed in 2025 and may change again. An April 2025 executive order directed the Department of Energy to repeal its definition of a “showerhead,” and the agency did so, effective May 15, 2025. In January 2026, the House passed the SHOWER Act (H.R. 4593), which would let each nozzle in a multi-nozzle fixture meet the 2.5 gpm limit separately. As of the most recent information we found, the bill is in a Senate committee and has not become law. Your pipes and your water pressure limit what any showerhead can deliver, whatever the label says.
Choosing the Best Replacement Showerhead for You
With so many showerheads available, choosing the right one can be a challenge.
As you decide, weigh these factors: water settings and functions, water pressure, cost, and water efficiency. A bathroom remodel cost calculator can estimate your project based on your specific needs. If you’re also updating the shower itself, start with our guide to planning your shower remodel.
Some models, such as ceiling-mounted rain showerheads and shower panels, need an experienced installer. Our guide to choosing a contractor can help you hire the right pro. Modernize can also connect you with top-quality bathroom remodel professionals in your area.
