If you've recently moved somewhere with a disappointing shower, let us introduce you to the best thing you'll probably ever buy for your home: a high-pressure shower head. It's the ultimate solution to weak water pressure. Switching yours won't just improve your shower time, but it'll put a stop to any pathetic drizzling coming from your current set-up. Especially if you've already researched how to increase your water pressure and are yet to have any luck.
Completely changing your shower head isn't always possible. And honestly, not all of us want to, but it's one of the most budget-friendly ways to spruce up your bathroom and better your experience. Here, we've featured products that come highly recommended by reviewers.
These shower heads offer a range of modes so that anyone can enjoy your new (and improved) shower. Before making your selection, decide if you want a fixed shower head or a handheld shower head — then take a little scroll through this selection.
The best high-pressure shower heads
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.
The best high-pressure shower head
Type: Standalone & wall mounted
Finish: Oil-rubbed bronze/premium chrome/satin nickel
Modes: 8
Our top pick overall is backed by 22,000 reviewers with many saying it transformed their bathroom for a budget price. It has eight modes to flick between, plus it's fitted with anti-clog nozzles. The best part? It has a separate nozzle on the back of its head, which shoots a powerful jet of water to help clean soap scum from your tub or shower tray with ease. It comes with a six-foot hose and it can be used as a standalone head or on a wall-mounted fixture.
The best stylish high-pressure shower head
Type: Standalone & wall mounted
Finish: Matte black/brushed nickel/premium chrome
Modes: 8
Reviewers rave at how impressive this shower head is at increasing water pressure. It comes in three finishes including black and offers eight different settings, including a water-saving mode. Even better? It's self-cleaning and anti-rust, so once it's on you'll barely have to do anything to keep it working. More than 2,000 reviewers rave about how it increased their water pressure by a noticeable amount. It's a standalone head but it works with wall-mounted showers, just make sure to match its finish to your current fixture. It comes with a hose and an arm bracket included.
The best affordable handheld
Type: Standalone & wall mounted
Finish: Polished chrome/brushed nickel
Modes: 3
If your water pressure is low, you probably can't remember the last time a hot shower relieved your muscle aches and pains. The HO2ME Handheld Shower Head will bring back that sweet feeling of relaxation. It delivers super strong spray action and has a multifunction option that allows you to choose between various spray strengths including Powerful Shooting and Pulse Massage. The hose on this shower head is also said to be very neat and compact so it doesn’t take up too much space in your shower cubicle. A bracket is included, so you can use it as a standalone head or on a wall-mounted fixture.
A luxury wall-mounted option
Type: Wall mounted
Finish: Chrome
Modes: 1
This showerhead promises to combine high-pressure and a luxury rainfall feel. There is no shortage of rave reviews to back up its power either. Using anti-clogging silicone jets allow this shower head to push water out faster and is extremely efficient so you should be using less water as you rinse. Unique to other wall-mounted models, this shower head is also very easy to adjust from left to right, so you can get the perfect angle.
The best affordable wall-mounted shower head
Type: Wall mounted
Finish: Chrome/brushed nickel/oil-rubbed bronze/polished brass
Modes: 1
As far as style goes, this is our favorite for wall-mounted shower types. It boasts a whopping 36 silicone rubber nozzles to help blast your water out at a higher pressure, plus it has a removable flow limiter, which should be taken off by anyone who has a low water pressure system to get the best results. The shower head body is made from lightweight and extremely durable ABS plastic and the surface is coated with an attractive metal finish that will match most other bathroom fixtures. It has been designed to work well in hard water areas as it has a self-cleaning nozzle to prevent calcium buildup.
Basic yet brilliant
Type: Wall mounted
Finish: Chrome
Modes: 1
Users are evangelical about this shower head, crediting this pick with giving them "a whole new shower experience." With a simple choice between high or low pressure, it doesn’t boast a ton of modes but all reports say it does the basics incredibly well. Reviewers were left really impressed (and squeaky clean) by the shower head’s efforts and found it really easy to set up. It’s worth noting that many shoppers recommended having some Teflon pipe tape on hand for the job.
How we chose these high-pressure shower heads
We're working to test these high-pressure shower heads, so for now I've (Annie) handpicked products based on their customer reviews. This means that everything featured in this guide has been approved by homeowners, renters, and others looking to improve their showers.
I've been testing high-pressure shower heads for our UK guide, so I know what to look for and what to avoid when it comes to this purchase. While choosing products for this guide, I've been sure to include something for everyone, whether you're on a budget or want something super fancy — there's even a wall-mounted shower head in there.
4 things to think about when choosing 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 shower head will be self-cleaning to minimize maintenance as much as possible. As well as this, here are a few other factors and questions to consider.
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, such as wall-mounted ones, need to be attached directly to the shower hose.
2. Consider your water bill
If want to cut back on your water bill, it's 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 benefits your bill and the environment.
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, there are some choices that 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 different settings, think about how many you'd realistically 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 has the most out of the options we chose.
Where can you buy a high-pressure shower head?
Here's a list of retailers where you can shop for a high-pressure shower head online.
- Amazon high-pressure shower heads (opens in new tab)
- Lowe's high-pressure shower heads (opens in new tab)
- Target high-pressure shower heads (opens in new tab)
- Walmart high-pressure shower heads (opens in new tab)
- Wayfair high-pressure shower heads (opens in new tab)
Can a shower head increase water pressure?
Yes, that's part of the charm of a high-pressure shower head. Confusingly, these can be called high-pressure shower heads or 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.
A good example of this is the Aqua Elegante Shower Head, which has an impressive 36 holes. Hopefully, that should be a little clearer now.
How do you increase water flow in a shower head?
A clogged shower head can also lead to weak water flow. Don't miss our guide on how to clean a shower head for help with this. Otherwise, watch our TikTok tell-all below.
@realhomesofficial (opens in new tab) ♬ Cozy Beat - Aesthetic Sounds (opens in new tab)
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!
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 (opens in new tab), a Fantastic Services (opens in new tab) 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 (opens in new tab) 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."
So, keep your shower head clean and you won't have to replace it for years. Sounds easy, huh?
