Types of Showerheads: A Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Option

Popular Showerhead Types for Every Bathroom and Budget

With so many types of showerheads available today, it can be difficult to know which option is right for your home. Different showerhead types are designed to meet different needs — whether you’re looking for a spa-like experience, better water efficiency, improved accessibility, or added functionality for a busy household. While many showerheads may look similar, they vary widely in features, installation requirements, and overall performance.

To help you compare your options, the home improvement experts at Modernize have put together this guide to the most popular showerhead types available today. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of how each type works, average costs, and who each option is best for as you plan your shower remodel or simple fixture upgrade.

In addition to understanding the different showerhead types, choosing a high-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 and easiest type to install, since most bathrooms are already set up to support them. You can usually install these on your own by removing the old fixture and attaching the new one. Fixed showerheads are also very affording, ranging from $20 to $100.

Fixed Showerheads

The most common type of showerhead. Benefits include:

• Multiple water settings

• Readily available

• Easy installation

• Budget-friendly

Average Cost:

$20 to $250

Fixed showerheads are small (5 in. in diameter or less) and provide a variety of water stream settings. However, what they have in versatility they lack in adjustability. They can move up and down and side to side, but the range is minimal compared to other types. This makes it difficult for people who need to sit in the shower to get the flow of water they need. Fixed showerheads are the best option if you need a standard product without extra bells and whistles.

Handheld Showerheads

If you are looking for something with versatility, look no further than handheld showerheads. They are mounted to the shower wall and have a flexible, 5-foot hose made of metal or plastic. You can choose to use it for targeted water pressure on specific areas of the body, or leave it in the mount for a standard shower experience. Thanks to the flexibility, this is a great option for those with limited mobility and may need to sit in the shower, as well as for families with children and pets.

Handheld Showerheads

Great for versatility and targeted water pressure. Benefits include:

• Family friendly

• Pet friendly

• Adjustable water pressure

• Simple installation

Average Cost:

$30 to $350

Handheld showerheads range from $30 and $200. They can be installed by a DIY-er, but since installation is a bit more complicated than standard showerheads, you may want to hire a professional.

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Dual Showerheads

Those who want the combined experience of a handheld and fixed showerhead will love the multi-functionality of a dual showerhead. These use a diverter valve that allows you to switch between the two types at your leisure.

Dual Showerheads

Best two-in-one option. Benefits include:

• Adjustable for any family member

• Allows for a quick shower

• Different water pressure options

Average Cost:

$30 to $250

Despite having two nozzles in one, dual showerheads do not double the amount of water flow. If you use them simultaneously, they each reduce the flow of water since they share the same amount of water that normally flows through a single spout. Keep in mind that dual showerheads also take up a good amount of space in the shower.

The most common type of dual showerhead you will find is a handheld and rain showerhead combination. These products can be installed without the help of a professional, and you can expect to pay about $30 to $250.

Filtered Showerheads

If you live in an area that has hard tap water, it may leave deposits on your shower tiles, door, and pipes, as well as damage your hair and skin. A filtered showerhead can help you address these issues while reducing the amount of chlorine, scale, and heavy metals in the shower water.

Filtered Showerheads

Reduces water chemicals and provides soft water. Benefits include:

• Minimizes chlorine and heavy metals

• Avoid deposits and blockages in pipes

• Easy to install

Average Cost:

$50 to $270

Filtered showerheads will improve water quality, but may not provide the same luxury experience that you get from other types. These are completely no frills types of fixtures. If you are looking for various features and functionalities, you may not find them with this. However, their simplicity does make installation simple. Filtered showerheads are reasonably priced, with products costing $50 to $270 and filters costing about $20.

Massage Showerheads

A massage showerhead can be a good choice for people looking for a product that will provide a concentrated flow of water to certain muscle groups.

Massage Showerheads

Provides concentrated water to certain muscle groups. Benefits include:

• Handheld and fixed options

• Great for hydrotherapy

• Multiple water settings and pressures

Average Cost:

$20 to $230

Massage showerheads can be handheld or fixed, and you can find them in different shapes and sizes. They also have multiple water settings and provide a stronger water flow than many other types. Therefore, keep in mind they are not the best for water conservation.

Massage showerheads cost around $20 to $230 or more. The complexity of installation differs depending on what type of fixture you choose. Pay attention to the instructions and decide whether you can do a DIY installation, or if you will need assistance from a professional.

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Rain Showerheads

A rain showerhead is a great choice for relaxation, as it allows water to pour straight down on you. This stress reliever is a trendy choice for modern bathroom remodels, thanks to its elegant appearance.

Rain Showerheads

Largest surface area and water flow. Benefits include:

• Relaxing shower experience

• Stylish, modern appearance

• Multiple water settings to mimic rain

Average Cost:

$100 to $650

Rain showerheads, which can be found in square or rectangular shapes, have the largest surface area of any other type, coming in at 6 to 12 inches. They can be mounted to your shower wall, or alternatively overhead as a ceiling tile fixture. They are a great fixture to add to frameless showers, as the open and airy glass doors will show it off.

On the downside, they can be a bit pricier, ranging from $100 to $650, and a bit more complicated to install. If you want a ceiling-mounted showerhead, you may need to get a plumber or contractor to run pipes through the ceiling, which will raise the cost. Another consideration is the size of your shower area. Due to the size of these fixtures, they are not the best choice for smaller showers, such as the shower/tub combo.

LED Showerheads

LED showerheads make your shower a colorful experience by lighting up based on the temperature of the water. If the water is hot, this fixture will shine a red light, while cold water will be blue, and warm water will be a greenish yellow. These lights, which are battery operated, are not only fun and unique—they can help you see inside the shower better if your bathroom has low lighting.

LED Showerheads

For a visually appealing shower area. Benefits include:

• Unique, customizable lighting

• Good for bathrooms with dim lighting

• Many affordable options

Average Cost:

$30 to $230

Although LED showerheads elevate your shower experience, they rarely have extra bells and whistles. So if you want special features in addition to lights, you may want to opt for a different type. However, since they do not usually have additional features, they are easy to install. Therefore, this is a simple project for a DIY-er. LED showerheads are reasonably priced, costing between $30 and $120 for the fixture.

Low Flow Showerheads

If you want an environmentally-friendly option that will help you lower your water bills and slash water consumption by 40% or more, a low flow showerhead may be right for you.

Low Flow Showerheads

Most eco-friendly showerhead option. Benefits include:

• Helps lower utility bills

• Simple to install DIY

• Budget-friendly

• Can include adjustable water settings

Average Cost:

$15 to $200

While most showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute, low flow showerheads can reduce the amount of water to as low as 1.25 gallons per minute. However, with this lower water pressure, it can be difficult for some people to enjoy their shower. The shower duration will likely be longer.

Low flow showerheads do not have multiple functions, but they are easy to install. They generally cost $15 to $200 per showerhead.

Shower Panels

Shower panels provide a unique experience for shower remodels. Also called shower towers, they are long columns made of PVC backed composite, fixed to your shower wall and connected to pipes.

Shower Panels

Most customizable shower experience. Benefits include:

• Multi-functional with many water settings

• Sleek, modern appearance

• Spa-like experience

Average Cost:

$300 to $750

These multi-functional showerheads include various water settings. Features include a waterfall function, a handheld showerhead, and multiple body sprayers/massagers that can be adjusted. Shower panels also have a modern appearance that can upgrade the look of your bathroom.

Due to the complexity of shower panels, they are fairly difficult to install and should be handled by a professional. Bear in mind that shower panels take up a lot of real estate on your shower wall. They are not the best fit for smaller showers. Shower panels fall on the more expensive side for bathroom fixtures, and generally cost between $300 and $750.

Choosing The Best Replacement Showerhead For You

Because there are so many showerheads available to homeowners today, choosing the right one for your needs can be challenging.

As you decide on the best showerhead for your household, consider water settings and functionality, water pressure needs, cost, and energy-efficiency. We also recommend using a bathroom remodel cost calculator to estimate the cost of your project based on your specific needs.

Remember that for certain models, you will likely need installation assistance from an experienced shower remodel contractor. Modernize can help by connecting you with top-quality bathroom remodel professionals in your area.

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