Showerheads

What's behind our showerhead Ratings?

Experts at our National Testing and Research Center tested 18 models in showerheads to see which ones perform best.
We look for:
  • Overall score
    Overall score is based mostly on shower feel; other scores shown are also figured in.
  • Shower feel
    Shower feel reflects testers' judgments of force, coverage, and droplet size.
  • Hot-water temperature
    Hot-water temp. indicates how much water cooled between leaving showerhead and hitting user's back.
  • Ease of settings
    Ease of settings indicates how easy it was to change spray patterns.
  • Number of settings
    Number is for flow patterns. Cont. indicates continuously variable.

Community

Forums

Discuss products and safety with subscribers and fans.

Showerhead user reviews

Share your reviews and provide valuable feedback to other members and our testers.

Recommended showerheads

Recommended showerheads are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.
Fixed-head showerheads are locked in place; you can leave a handheld showerhead in its holder or remove it to focus the spray. Rain showers provide a soft, soothing flow and a stylish look. If you're looking for information about showerheads, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ showerhead reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our showerhead buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and showehead reviews to help you choose the best showerhead for your needs.

Showerhead buying guide


Showerhead buying guide


The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that showers account for more than 1.2 trillion gallons each year--about one-sixth of all the water used in U.S. residences for bathing. Before 1994, showerheads typically had a flow rate of 5 ½ gallons per minute. Since then, the EPA has limited showerheads to 2 ½ gpm to conserve not only water, but fuel for the water heater. Models carrying a "water saving" designation have even lower flow rates.

The good news is that the best showerheads we tested provided a pleasing flow while meeting ... Read more

Getting started   |   Types   |   Features

Consumer news

Kitchen gadgets that perform any way you slice it

With their low prices and promise of less work, new eye-catching kitchen gadgets are many a cooks’ impulse buy. But once you get one home there’s no guarantee that it won’t end up in the junk...

Builders' Show: Homes for every stage of your life

The various show homes constructed for the Builders' Show are an opportunity to see the latest products, techniques, and design trends in action. One such example, the Builder Concept Home 2012,...

Recall: Stihl chain saws—Flywheel can crack, posing injury risk

Stihl, of Virginia Beach, Va. has recalled about 3,000 of its MS 391 Chain Saws because the flywheel on the chain saw can crack causing parts to separate and strike users or bystanders, posing a...

Recall: STIHL chain saws—Flywheel can crack, posing injury risk

STIHL, of Virginia Beach, Va. has recalled about 3,000 of its MS 391 Chain Saws because the flywheel on the chain saw can crack causing parts to separate and strike users or bystanders, posing a...

Builders' Show: Five trends you can take home

The annual International Builders' Show always reflects the housing industry as a whole, and so the quiet, scaled-down scene this year was no surprise. Back in 2006, more than 100,000 builders,...
left arrow right arrow
See also:
Mattresses
See buying guide down arrow
Pillows
See buying guide down arrow
Sheets
20 Tested down arrow
Toilets
26 Tested down arrow
Athletic shoes
20 Tested down arrow
Bikes
14 Tested down arrow