Shower head types: rain, handheld, combos and flow rates

The right shower head changes your whole morning. The choice comes down to how you like to shower, your water pressure and whether anyone needs to shower seated.

Fixed and rain heads

A fixed wall head is simple and strong. A rain head on a ceiling or long wall arm drops water straight down for a soft, full-coverage feel, and works best with good water pressure. Browse shower heads.

Handheld showers

A handheld on a slide bar adjusts to any height, rinses kids and pets, cleans the shower walls, and makes seated showering easy. A slide bar is not a grab bar unless the maker rates it as one; see the grab bars guide.

Combos and body sprays

A combo pairs a fixed or rain head with a handheld through a diverter. Body sprays add jets on the wall. More outlets need the right valve and enough water supply, so plan them with the shower valve guide.

Flow rates

Federal rules cap new shower heads at 2.5 gallons per minute, and WaterSense-labeled heads use 2.0 or less. Good modern heads feel strong at lower flow, and using less hot water also eases the load on your water heater.

Finish and match

Match the shower trim to the faucets and hardware; see faucet finishes compared. Plan the whole shower with the shower design finder.

Common questions

Is a rain shower head good with low water pressure?

Rain heads feel best with good pressure. On low pressure, a smaller fixed head or handheld usually feels stronger.

What is the maximum flow rate for a shower head?

New shower heads are limited to 2.5 gallons per minute federally, and WaterSense models use 2.0 or less.

Should I add a handheld shower?

Most people love having one. It helps with cleaning, rinsing kids and pets, and showering seated.