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A handheld shower head makes a great addition to any bathroom. It attaches to a flexible, detachable metal hose, which lets you wash your back, feet, and other hard-to-reach areas. The This Old House Reviews Team has picked the best handheld shower heads on Amazon to meet every customer’s needs. Keep reading for more information on our top five recommendations and for a buying guide on how to choose the right head for your shower.
Top 4 Handheld Shower Heads
- Best Combination Head: AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo
- Best Two-in-One Shower Head: Delta Faucet H2OKinetic Handheld Shower Head
- Best Water-Saving Head: Hopopro Six-Function Handheld Shower Head
- Best For Small Showers: AquaDance High-Pressure Handheld Shower Head
Compare Top Handheld Shower Heads
| Product | Number of Spray Settings | Hose Length | Flow Rate | Dimensions | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo | 6 | 60 inches | 2.5 GPM | 7 x 4 x 10 inches | Limited lifetime |
| Delta Faucet H2OKinetic Handheld Shower Head | 5 | 60-82 inches | 1.75 GPM | 5.5 x 6.9 x 11.6 inches | 3 years |
| Hopopro Six-Function Handheld Shower Head | 6 | 59 inches | 1.8 GPM | 4.3 x 1.8 x 9.7 inches | Lifetime |
| AquaDance High-Pressure Handheld Shower Head | 6 | 60 inches | 2.5 GPM | 6 x 3.5 x 10 inches | Limited lifetime |
| Product | Number of Spray Settings | Hose Length | Flow Rate | Dimensions | Warranty |
Best Combination Head: AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo
AquaDance Rainfall and Handheld Combo
- $34.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
This combo pack features a large overhead shower head that mimics the feeling of falling rain and a smaller handheld shower head attachment. We like that it has an adjustable dial allows you to choose between six spray settings, including high-pressure massage and low-pressure misting. Both shower heads boast a shiny metallic finish and rub-clean jets to prevent the buildup of lime. The handheld shower head attaches to the main head via a five-foot flexible steel hose, which can be disconnected for easy cleaning of your body.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features six settings including power rain, pulsating massage and rain massage
✔ Has a large seven-inch face that provides wide coverage
✔ Is available in multiple finishes
✘ Not made with metal, making it less durable than some other shower heads
✘ Some customers had issues with this shower head rusting easily
What Customers Are Saying
We found that customers who left positive reviews for this product liked that it was lightweight, easy to install, and delivered strong water pressure. However, others felt that this shower head was difficult to secure, and some found it awkward to maneuver and set up. Others felt this product was not made with the most durable materials.
Best Two-in-One Shower Head: Delta Faucet H2OKinetic Handheld Shower Head
Delta Faucet H2OKinetic Handheld Shower Head
This high-quality two-in-one shower head offers a handheld shower head nestled inside a larger fixed shower head with a seven-inch diameter. Our team liked that the two heads snap together securely using patented MagnaTite locking technology. Both shower heads are available in your choice of matte or metallic finishes. Their five settings include a relaxing full-body massage and a high-pressure targeted massage. This handheld shower head combo pack also comes with a built-in diverter valve, which directs water to either one or both shower heads at a time depending on your preference.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has an extra-long hose that can extend up to 82 inches
✔ Features a stylish, modern design that will look great in your bathroom
✔ Has a unique wave pattern that covers more surface area than other shower heads
✘ Has lower GPM than some other shower heads on the market
✘ Some Amazon customers had issues with this shower head leaking
What Customers Are Saying
Our team found that customers who liked this product said that it was easy to maneuver and had an attractive design. Several others also liked that it had a long wand hose. On the other hand, other customers were disappointed that this product leaked too easily, and others felt that it lacked in water pressure.
Best Water-Saving Head: Hopopro Six-Function Handheld Shower Head
Hopopro Six-Function Handheld Shower Head
This low-flow shower head attaches to the wall of your shower with a sturdy chrome bracket. It features 39 self-cleaning silicone nozzles and 15 ABS nozzles for full-body coverage. We also like that you can also rotate between six different spray settings, including light mist and intense massage. Installation of this handheld shower head is easy because it doesn’t require special tools. Its dock features brass ball joints for easy height and position adjustments. Plus, this shower head is low-impact and eco-friendly, as it uses air rather than water to create a high water pressure experience while maintaining a low water flow rate.
Pros and Cons
✔ Has a durable ABS chrome finish that’s rust-proof and lead-free
✔ Has a water-saving mode which helps conserve water when showering
✔ Is available in various finishes to match your preferred style
✘ Water pressure may be too high for some
✘ Some customers had issues getting the shower head to fit properly into the holder
What Customers Are Saying
Our research showed that customers who left positive reviews for this product were impressed that it had easy installation, excellent water pressure, and several were pleased that it allows you to remove the usage restriction filter. However, we also noted that some other customers felt this shower head had issues with leaks, and others said the plastic material didn’t hold up well over a long period of time.
Best For Small Showers: AquaDance High-Pressure Handheld Shower Head
AquaDance High-Pressure Handheld Shower Head
- $17.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Our team found that this 3.5-inch handheld shower head works best in small showers that have less area to cover. It features rain and massage settings to give you the most relaxing shower possible as well as a pause function to save water when you need to stop and lather. This handheld shower head is available in multiple metallic finishes. We also like that it also comes with a bonus gift box for using it as a present and plumber’s tape for sealing its connection points.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can be used as a handheld or overhead showerhead
✔ Features an angle-adjustable overhead bracket for more adjustability
✔ Has a reinforced five-foot stainless steel hose
✘ May have too small of a head for large showers
✘ Some customers felt the water pressure was too hard and could be painful
What Customers Are Saying
We found that this shower head was popular among reviewers due to its lightweight design, durable materials, and excellent value. Alternatively, some customers did note that this product sometimes delivered too low water pressure, and others said it started to wear down quicker than they were expecting.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Handheld Shower Head
A handheld shower head lets you wash hard-to-reach places on your body and gives you a more pleasant shower experience. Our team created this buying guide to help you pick the best handheld shower head for your bathroom.
Hose Length
Handheld shower head sprayers are attached to a hose for mobility. Hoses typically range from 60 to 80 inches long. Make sure to choose a hose that fits the size of your shower. For example, if you have a larger shower, a 60-inch hose won’t reach the entire area. On the other hand, a smaller shower may not require an 80-inch hose.
Spray Pattern
Spray options vary from focused, high-pressure jets to wider, to softer sprays like rain shower heads that mimic the feeling of standing in the rain. Some handheld shower heads feature multiple spray settings that can be changed using a button or switch. These are especially useful if multiple people with different preferences regularly use the shower.
Energy/Water Savings
The average head uses around two gallons of water per minute, resulting in a 15-to-20-gallon shower. Some shower heads adopt a more environmentally friendly design by using less water per minute. These heads often use air to create the feeling of high pressure with less water.
Finish
Shower heads come in a variety of finishes, so choose a finish that matches your bathroom’s faucets, towel bars, and other fixtures. Popular finishes include:
- Brass
- Bronze
- Chrome
- Copper
- Brushed Nickel
- Oil-rubbed bronze
- Stainless steel
Size/Shape
Most handheld shower heads are circular. They tend to be smaller than fixed shower heads to allow for greater maneuverability, with the average diameter being six inches. Choose a shape and size that matches your space. For example, if you have an oval shower that’s small in size, opt for a circular shower head with a four-inch diameter.
Combo Options
Some handheld shower heads come in a set with a fixed shower head. The fixed shower head attaches directly to the wall or ceiling of your shower and is generally larger than the handheld shower head. If you purchase a combo pack, make sure to also get a diverter valve so that the water can reach both heads.
Steps for Removing an Old Shower Head
In order to install a new handheld shower head, you must first remove your old one. While it may seem challenging at first, removing a shower head is an easy DIY project with the proper tools. According to This Old House’s Tim Snyder, here are the steps you should take to change a shower head.
- Remove the old head with a strap wrench or adjustable open-end wrench
- Wrap the threads on the shower arm with Teflon tape or pipe dope
- Screw on the new shower head and use a wrench to tighten
- Avoid overtightening the connection. Stop the turn a half turn beyond the finger
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean my handheld shower head?
To prevent the buildup of lime and other grime:
- Remove the shower head.
- Allow it to soak for about an hour in either certified shower cleaner or a vinegar/baking soda mixture.
- Rub each of the nozzles with your finger to dismantle any dirt.
- Fully dry your handheld shower head before reattaching it.
How does my handheld shower head attach to the shower?
Handheld shower heads attach to the shower via a piece called a dock. The dock should be placed between 70 and 80 inches above the floor so that it’s above the average person’s head. This allows you to use the head in a fixed position if you want to give your arms a break.
What is a diverter valve?
A diverter valve is a piece of hardware that allows water to travel to multiple shower heads. Purchase a diverter valve if you have two or more heads in your shower.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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