The Best Rain Showerhead

When you’re looking for new ways to relax after a long day, taking a warm bath is often at the top of the suggestion list. Sinking into a bubble bath with a book or a glass of wine can take your stress level down a few notches, but you can enjoy the same benefits with a great shower. 

What takes a shower from good to great? It’s all in the nozzle, baby. The showerhead that came with your bathroom gets the job done, but a rain showerhead transports you to your own personal waterfall.

Rain showerheads use higher water pressure and extra jets to create that rainfall or waterfall effect. Some of them are designed to hang above your head, recreating the feeling of getting caught in a sudden downpour. Others attach at the same angle as your standard showerhead, using high pressure for a massage effect on your back. You can get double the rainfall feeling with some showerheads; there are options that include a handheld rainfall accessory plus the standard showerhead. 

When you’re choosing your ideal rainfall showerhead, take a look at its installation instructions, water flow rate and pressure levels, number of settings and cleaning instructions. For a more detailed look at choosing rain showerheads, take a look at our Tips & Advice.

• Look at the showerhead’s installation instructions before you buy. Most of them, like the SparkPod High-Pressure Adjustable Showerhead, install in minutes without any tools.  Simple installation means you won’t need to call a plumber to enjoy your new showerhead, and that will save you some serious cash. 
• You’ll also want to make sure that your new rain showerhead fits your plumbing connections. Some shower heads fit most standard U.S. plumbing connections, but you should still look up the specs on your showerhead connector to double-check. 
• Think about the type of shower experience you’re looking for when you hunt for rain showerheads. Do you want to wash your hair under jets that mimic a waterfall? The SparkPod Adjustable Showerhead stands directly above you for that outdoorsy waterfall vibe. Do you want to reach every nook and cranny with your rain showerhead? The DreamSpa Ultra-Luxury Rainfall Shower Head comes with an overhead and a handheld accessory for a more complete clean. 
• Each showerhead lists a “flow rate.” This number tells you how many gallons per minute your showerhead will pump out. The SparkPod and AquaDance showerheads all have a rating of 2.5 GPM. 
• A high-pressure flow differentiates rain showerheads from standard showerheads. However, using all of that extra H2O isn’t great for the environment (or your water bill). Some showerheads come with a built-in flow restrictor, so you can reduce the amount of water you use during most showers and save the high-pressure settings for special occasions. 
• Take a look at the number of jets on your dream showerhead. More jets equals more pressure and a more realistic rainfall experience. 
• Most rainfall showerheads offer a number of custom settings for a different vibe every time. Compare the number of options each showerhead offers before you buy. The DreamSpa Ultra-Luxury Rainfall Showerhead has three settings: rain, aeration and high-pressure waterfall. Some showerheads only have one setting, but they may be perfect for someone who wants the high-pressure rainfall effect without extra bells and whistles. 
• Your showerhead will last longer and work more efficiently if you clean it regularly. Make sure your choice has easy-to-clean jets. You can detach the nozzles from the base for easy cleaning with some models, and the AquaDance showerhead has “rub-clean jets” that just need a simple wipe-down. 
• To prevent lime and soap scum buildup on other showerheads, pour about six tablespoons of salt down the back of the showerhead. Follow that with a half-cup of a hot water and vinegar mixture, then place the showerhead (holes down) in the rest of the water and vinegar solution. Swish it around for about a minute. After that, re-install the showerhead and let it run (with only hot water) for about 15 minutes. Your showerhead will be as clean as the day you opened the box.