5 of the best high-pressure shower heads we've tried and tested — from £16.99

Reviewed high-pressure shower heads to replace that trickly fixture that's ruining your morning and post-gym routine

A trio of the best high-pressure shower heads on pink bubble background
(Image credit: Future)
High-pressure Shower Heads: Quick Menu

Been holding off buying one of the best high-pressure shower heads? As the days get darker, now is the time to splash out and switch out your dribbling device. Trust me when I say it's my hack for starting the day well. But don't worry, you won't be pouring money down the drain as we've got intel on the powerful and high-performing models. 

Before browsing the picks I've found below — some of which are highly rated by shoppers and one has been reviewed by our editor — go and check if you need a fixed showerhead (that attaches to the wall) or a handheld showerhead that attaches to a hose.

Honestly, switching your current, old shower head for a high-pressure pick is a purchase you will not regret. And your landlord should approve so long as you keep your old shower head (but check in case). Otherwise, these specially designed heads are created to increase your water pressure without the need to rip your entire bathroom out. Or to redecorate. Or to spend hundreds of pounds. Some will even soften your hair and skin, so I recommend you make this (small) investment before buying all of those expensive creams and conditioners.

We've shortlisted shower heads with various finishes (to ensure they suit your scheme), and they have a variety of modes as we know everyone's cleaning regime is personal to them. 

The best high-pressure shower heads, rated by us

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

High-pressure shower heads we've tested

For most of the shower heads we have tested, we've included a Reach statistic. To get this stat, we turned on the shower and placed the head facing upwards in our tub. We measured the distance the water reached. This way, you can compare the reach of your current shower head to ensure it will improve pressure. Do note, however, that everyone's water pressure will be different, so you won't be able to replicate these stats exactly.

Things to consider when buying a high-pressure shower head

Whether it’s your plumbing that has low water pressure or it’s down to your shower head getting clogged with limescale, a good low-water pressure shower head will be self-cleaning to minimise maintenance as much as possible. As well as this, what other factors and questions should you or might you be considering?

1. Which type of shower head do you need?
When investing in a high-pressure shower head, you need to think about where and how it is being installed. Some options are standalone, which means they sit on your current shower setup, and you can pop them on a stand or use them as a handheld shower head. These are also usually super easy to fit as it's just a case of unscrewing your old head and screwing on the new one. Other shower heads, wall-mounted ones, need to be attached directly to the plumbing which might prove to be a bit trickier depending on your knowledge.

2. Consider your water bill
If you're keen to cut back a little on the water bill and want to do your bit, it is well worth looking at an option that reduces water usage. Otherwise, switch your shower to eco mode and invest in our strongest pressure shower head, which ought to help cut your bills and save the environment too, by decreasing your time spent showering.

3. Consider how hard your water is
Depending on where you're based, the hardness of the water varies. Some models might struggle with harder water, however, some choices are well equipped. For this reason, it is worth checking how the water in your region compares to others before buying a shower head.

4. Think about modes and settings
If you're looking for a new shower head to enjoy several settings, then consider how many you'd realistically like and use. There's no point having six modes if you know you'll only ever use two. Think about what you will use these modes for. Those with children might want to ensure their new shower head offers a mist mode for light pressure, or anyone with pets might want a jet mode to tackle muddy paws. Our top pick has six settings, which is the most on offer out of the options we've featured.

Where to buy a high-pressure shower head

Here's a list of retailers where you can shop for a high-pressure shower head, online.

FAQs

How often should I replace my shower head?

We asked the experts and it's safe to say that this answer will depend on the quality of your shower head, as well as how hard the water is in your area. 

"Shower heads get overly covered with sediment, mold build-up or black spots, and become a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause respiratory illnesses," said Plumbing expert Stephany Smith from My Plumber, a Fantastic Services company. "Because of the millions of germs thriving in your shower head, you will hear the medical experts recommend getting a new shower head installed at least once or twice per year."

However, Rikki Fothergill, content specialist at Big Bathroom Shop begs to differ, arguing that they can last for ten years when looked after properly. "They are easy to clean, using household products such as white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. This is an easy task if done regularly, we suggest once a month, and is also much more cost-effective."

Is Black Friday 2024 a good time to buy a high-pressure shower head?

It can be, but if you've got a poor-performing shower, you might want to sort out the issue more urgently. We search the net for discounts and use price trackers like Camelcamelcamel to evaluate whether you're getting a good deal on the day, so make sure to keep checking this page where we will display the most competitive prices.

How to tell if you have low water pressure 

"If you have a combi boiler or unvented system, you’re unlikely to experience any issues with low water pressure," says Adam Chard, content manager at Victoria Plum.

"However, with a gravity-fed system, you may run into problems if you don’t buy a shower suitable for your water pressure. To find out what water pressure is like in your home, we’d highly recommend hiring a plumber."

"A simple way of seeing whether you might be suffering from low water pressure is to measure the flow rate from your existing shower. If your flow rate is less than 10 liters per minute, you may have what is considered low water pressure."

Can a shower head increase water pressure?

Yes, that's part of the high-pressure shower head's charm. A little confusingly, these can be called high-pressure shower heads or a low-pressure shower heads. They both mean the same thing just phrased differently. Suited to homes with low water pressure (hence the name), they push the water out at high pressure, compensating for the low water pressure in your home.

How often should I replace my shower head?

We asked the experts and it's safe to say that this answer will depend on the quality of your shower head, as well as how hard the water is in your area. 

"Shower heads get overly covered with sediment, mould build-up or black spots, and become a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause respiratory illnesses,’ said Plumbing expert Stephany Smith from My Plumber, a Fantastic Services company. "Because of the millions of germs thriving in your shower head, you will hear the medical experts recommend getting a new shower head installed at least once or twice per year."

However, Rikki Fothergill, content specialist at Big Bathroom Shop begs to differ, arguing that they can last for ten years when looked after properly. "They are easy to clean, using household products such as white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda. This is an easy task if done regularly, we suggest once a month, and is also much more cost-effective."

How do you increase water pressure?

If your shower itself offers more than one setting, try switching between the different modes to see if it will make a difference.

You might also find that water flow improves based on how high or low your shower is sitting on your wall. This isn't applicable to wall-mounted shower heads as these can be a pain to move, but standalone options might perform better placed higher towards your ceiling. Give it a try!

Failing that, call in a plumber who will either advise you to update the system feeding water to your shower, or boost the pressure with an electric pump. This can be pricey, so you may as well try a shower head designed for low pressure first to see if that improves things.

How we test high-pressure shower heads

2 high pressure shower heads tested by Annie in their boxes

(Image credit: Future)

We've had hands-on experience with all five of these high-pressure shower heads, and we are working to test a load more. With this in mind, we've had to give them out to the team, so that everyone can have their go at testing and comparing these shower heads, mostly because we find it would be biased to test on only one shower and type of water pressure. Also, no one wants to end up with five odd shower heads at the end of it as that wouldn't be very eco-friendly. So, once we've tested these shower heads, we usually keep the one we like and offer the others to family and friends, this way we can keep an eye on how they fare, and update our verdict after six months of use, a year of use... you get the idea. The test is all about whether the head improves shower pressure, rather than the height the water can reach against gravity. But this is our way of confirming that they do increase the pressure of the existing system.

Headshot of Annie Collyer
Annie Collyer

Hello, I'm Annie, and I've tested two of these shower heads, the Newentor model and the Magichome shower head. My water pressure before testing these shower heads wasn't incredible but it wasn't the worst ever. My old shower head had a reach of 160cm of pressure on its most powerful setting. It's worth noting this head had a mere three modes and no other bells and whistles, hence why I wanted to switch things up. The Newentor shower head, featured number one in our guide, truly wowed me as its pressure meant that the water was hitting my ceiling as it added so much pressure. The Magichome head didn't add much to my pressure at all, but I did notice the difference in our (rather hard) water, and how it made my skin and hair feel.

Lindsey Davis
Lindsey Davis

Hi, I'm Lindsey! My old shower setup wasn't struggling for pressure, but I wanted more control of the pressure with just one spray pattern to choose from my old head. Our second pick, the Triton shower head, means you can have everything from a gentle drench to a back pummelling jet, with three other settings between.

Christina Chrysostomou selfie
Christina Chrysostomou

Christina is our head of ecommerce and she's currently using the Hello Klean shower head in her home, to take her self-care regime to another level.

Danielle Valente
Danielle Valente

Danielle is our content editor and is based in Brooklyn, NYC. She tested the Jolie shower head.

One reason your water flow might be weak through your shower head could be the fact it needs to be cleaned. Don't miss our guide on how to clean a shower head for help with this. otherwise, watch our TikTok tell-all below.

@realhomesofficial

♬ Cozy Beat - Aesthetic Sounds

What else? If your shower itself offers more than one setting, try your shower on different settings with your new shower head. Switch your shower setting and switch between your shower head modes until you find one you like.

You might also find that water flow improves based on how high or low your shower is sitting on your wall. This isn't applicable to wall-mounted shower heads as these can be a pain to move, but standalone options might perform better placed higher towards your ceiling. Give it a try!

Failing that, call in a plumber who will either advise to update the system feeding water to your shower, or boosting the pressure with an electric pump. This can be pricey, so you may as well try a shower head designed for low pressure first to see if that improves things.


Want to stick with your existing fixture, or have a strict landlord who won't let you switch it out? Our guide on how to clean a shower head might give it a little boost.

Christina Chrysostomou
Acting head ecommerce editor

Hi, I'm the acting head ecommerce editor at Real Homes. Prior to working for the Future plc family, I've worked on a number of consumer events including the Ideal Home Show, Grand Designs Live, and Good Homes Magazine. With a first class degree from Keele University, and a plethora of experience in digital marketing, editorial, and social media, I have an eye for what should be in your shopping basket. I'm the in-house appliances expert and have gone through the internal customer advisor accreditation process.

With contributions from

SPONSORS