Showerheads

Want to know the latest trends in showerheads? Surprisingly enough, new and innovative models and new designs are always coming out. As increasingly modern showerheads become available in the marketplace, it appears that consumers are becoming more and more into design and the look and feel of the showerhead instead of strictly viewing them as functional pieces. But the newest generation of high-end showerheads are actually qualifying as both - they are functional while at the same time aesthetically pleasing. The real decision is just to choose the right showerhead that matches your taste and feature preferences.

For the larger showerhead category such as the Dornbracht RainSky and the Hansgrohe Raindance Rainmaker, the Rain-type shower heads that are mounted from the ceiling are still the most popular. Giving you the most water coverage possible, these showerheads make different types of 'rain' and also mix water with light and air. These are some of the most luxurious showerheads that you can purchase and, therefore, probably the most expensive ones out there. This model of showerhead is actually quite technologically advanced because it requires an electronic balance module that controls high water flow and necessitates a built-in installation process.

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A handheld showerhead is the ultimate winner for both versatility and convenience. You can use these types of shower heads either in a mounted position (attached to the shower pipe) or you can actually hold them in your hand as the name suggests. The handheld option allows you to shower while you are sitting down or target specific aching muscles using a massaging action. It can also make other tasks such as bathing children or pets or even cleaning the shower quick and easy.

Is the low pressure of your current shower head making your showers less enjoyable than have been previously? What is important to look for in a high pressure showerhead or showerhead extension? Not price, not a status brand, not "whooshing air", or even the newest technological advance. The most important thing is good stream control, the appropriate number of streams, and an internal design that prevents or at least minimizes blockages. Make sure you read reviews if you are looking for a good high pressure showerhead.

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Real Simple Magazine recently gave their pics for some of the best showerheads out in the marketplace. What's your favorite?

For the best variable spray, the Speakman 6-Jet Anystream was the winner. This showerhead's forty eight different spray jets make its three different functions feel completely distinct from each other: The first is a gentle rinse setting, the second is a dense pouring, and the final one is a more vigorous spray. And with the large, easy to grip lever, even soapy hands can easily change its settings.

In the Best Rain Can category, Delta Lockwood Touch-Clean Rain Can was the winner.This showerhead has a full-swivel head that you can point in any direction, so you don't need to have a special shower arm or a ceiling mount to use it. (If you prefer the more traditional above-the-head position, a 13-inch gooseneck shower arm is available. However, the do it yourself installation process might be a little trickier. The face is six inches in diameter and has 45 different spray channels. This ensures a whole body drench with just the right amount of pressure to make it a little invigorating. A bonus feature is that the jets are rubberized, cutting down on mineral deposits.

The best massaging showerhead was the Moen Revolution Massaging Showerhead. Even if you use it everyday, this showerhead doesn't get boring. A spinning disk sends a pulsating stream of water directly to your sore muscles with amazing strength; while a large dial allows you to select the spinning speed from a large range of settings. Small rubberized jet sprays along the edge of the head can be activated for a more intense spray, adding even more variety and interest.

If you look outside the $100 range for a standard showerhead, there are hundreds of different ones to pick from, some costing even more than $500. “Most people who come into our showroom prefer the sleeker look of metal to plastic, and it tends to last a bit longer,” says Hans Fichtenberg, who is a design consultant for Blackman New York, which is a shower-supply store in New York City. Mr. Fichtenberg has seen almost every kind of showerhead. His best choice for a standard showerhead is the Hansgröhe Clubmaster in chrome which he calls “a well-made, quality showerhead with a simple design”. It is actually one of the more popular ones on the market. It features 72 spray jets that work on three different settings―a regular, soft, and massaging. It also features a self-cleaning mode where tiny pins remove mineral deposits from the jets automatically every time you adjust the setting. Other pros are devoted Kohler showerhead fans.