An invigorating shower is a great way to start your day, but only if you have enough hot water and plenty of pressure. While we won’t delve into water heaters today, the best high pressure shower can take your cleanliness to a whole new level while massing the skin. It can also give you a boot if you have low pressure, something that affects millions of homeowners across the U.S. and abroad.
20-Second Breakdown
Choosing a shower head with plenty of pressure shouldn’t be a stressful endeavor, so here are a few tips to get you started if you’re tight on time.
Consider your showering needs along with anyone else that lives in your household. While you may want a hard shower, you may need something gentle for the kids or any elderly members that live in your home. If you have an extra shower, it won’t be a problem, but it could be a major issue if this is the only head in the house.
You’ll also want to think about water requirements for your area before you get too excited about a high pressure shower head. Most are rated at 2.5 gallons per minute, which may not be the best choice for some locales depending on their water requirements and your overall usage.
High Pressure Shower Head Buying Guide
If you’ve never replaced a shower head or have no idea what to look for from a high pressure model, you have come to the right place. Thankfully, this style of shower head is rather simple although there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind if you want the perfect high pressure head for your home.
Don’t Believe the Hype…
Shower head manufacturers like to throw the term “High Pressure” around, so it’s more of a tag with some companies than a promise of high-powered water flow. The reasons why consumers want more pressure vary wildly as well along with their expectations. You also have to take a lot of the high pressure shower head reviews lightly as some bad reviews are due to weak pressure or installation issues.
If you have poor water pressure at home, the best shower head for low water pressure can definitely help. How much of a boost you’ll get depends on several factors along with your plumbing, but you will see an improvement from a well-designed head. That means the first thing you’ll need to do is have a rough idea of how much pressure you have to begin with before considering our next section.
Style
When you’re dealing with high pressure shower heads, you’re going to have to make a few sacrifices with the style. A larger head may look amazing with an oil-rubbed finish and can give you broad coverage, but they are not a great way to increase pressure.
They usually have more nozzles or jets, and a larger surface area whereas smaller shower heads typically produces more power by design. That means you’re going to be limited to heads between 2-3 inches in most cases with a few exceptions and some very simplistic designs.
For the most part, the shower heads in this class are round as well, so you won’t find any square heads on our list or anything too exotic. Finishes are fairly standard as well with a lot of chrome on cheaper models while you can find Brushed Nickel and other options on the high end. While a bronze finish may look nice, it doesn’t mean the head is well-built which leads us to…
Build Quality
We’re going to make this simple. The highest quality shower heads will use brass in the build, and not just for the ball joint. Unfortunately, most manufacturers opt for plastic, but there are pros and cons to each material used in the construction of your shower head.
Nozzles are just as important as the head itself and are usually made from silicone or rubber. Silicone is the ideal choice and usually “clog-resistant” or geared so that they are extremely easy to clean. While that’s true to a degree, you may still have to remove the head and scrub it down if you have a humid bathroom or get lax on regular cleanings.
Features
Unfortunately, there’s not much we can say when it comes to high pressure shower head features as there just aren’t many to begin with. Multiple spray patterns certainly qualify as a feature but are rarely found on true power heads. You may get a rinse mode to go along with full blast, but that’s about it with a standard wall-mounted head.
If you do want or need more spray patterns, look towards handheld showers with a rating of 2.5 gallons that provide multiple massage settings. A pause feature is a little more common and much handier than it sounds. This allows you to temporarily halt the action while you shave or get a good lather going, then resume at the same temperature as before.
The Best High Pressure Shower Heads
Image Product
Speakman Icon Anystream
- Material: Brass
- Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM
- 48 individual sprays
Best Overall
WASSA
- Material: ABS, Brass ball joint
- Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM
Best Value
Moen Engage Six-Function Spra
- Material: Spot Resist Brushed Nickel
- Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM
- Six Spray patterns
Best fo Handheld
Take A Shower Fire Hydrant
- Material: Metal, Brass ball joint
- Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM
Best for Low Water Pressure
WantBa 6-inch Rainfall
- Material: ABS
- Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM
Best for Wide Coverage
Aqua Elegante
- Material: ABS
- Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM
- Removable Flow Limiter
Best Budget
Delta 52650-PK
- Material: Brass
- Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM
Best for Intense Pressure
1. Speakman Icon Anystream High Pressure Shower Head
A High Pressure Shower Head Built to Last
Our top choice for the best high pressure shower head comes from Speakman with the Icon S-2252. It’s a head built for consumers that want steady pressure but require a little more force than an average showerhead is capable of.
The Icon S-2252 has a bit of a retro design, but looks good and is the type of head that would fit with any décor. It’s a solid brass head with no plastic parts and a patented plunger system with self-cleaning nozzles. It’s built to last although that’s not what drew us to this head initially. That would be the pressure…
At 2.5 GPM, this shower head is on par with the rest of our picks, but the engineering inside the head is what sets it apart. The six jets are adjustable and produce 48 individual spray patterns so you can go from needling the skin to a light mist in a matter of seconds. It performs as advertised under low pressure and sports the company’s 360-degree Anystream tech to boot.
While this high pressure shower head is a little pricier than others, it’s brass and metal with no plastic parts and has a limited lifetime warranty. If you need a head with a lower GPM rating, the Speakman S-2252 may be a better option, and it’s available in seven finishes as well including Matte Black and Satin Brass.
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2. WASSA High Pressure Shower Head
The Best Bang for your Buck
If you’re looking to replace your current showerhead and don’t want a half-dozen patterns, we have just the thing for you. WASSA’s high pressure head may not look impressive, but the pressure it produces will blow you away.
A manufacturer pays attention to engineering can do a lot with a little shower head. This one is only 3 inches in diameter but has more nozzles than larger heads which increases the pressure naturally. We’re not sure if it has a restrictor, but you won’t need to remove it if it does thanks to 45 silicone jets.
While the pressure is amazing, the build quality is nothing special but expected considering the price tag. It’s made from ABS and covered in chrome plating with a rate of 2.5 GPM. The ball joint swivels and is made from brass, however, which is a plus.
WASSA’s high pressure head is seriously impressive for its size. The only thing you’ll want to keep in mind is the fact you can’t dial it down, so there’s no mist or pulsating features on this particular head. It’s available in chrome and comes with Teflon tape and a lifetime guarantee from the company.
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3. Moen Engage Six-Function Spray Head Handshower
The Best High Pressure Handheld Shower Head
Many high pressure shower heads are a little light on features as they are designed for power, not necessarily creature comforts. Moen’s six-function Engage shower head is one of the few handhelds we’ve found that provides an ample amount of pressure, and this one features the company’s Magnetix docking tech.
Hand showers are useful but can be an acquired taste unless it’s a 2-in-1 considering not everyone likes the wand. Moen realizes that and thanks to their Magnetix docking system; you can have the best of both worlds. This hybrid handheld is installed like a traditional shower head, but when the time’s right, you can snap it loose and use the wand as needed. There’s no need for an extra bracket or diverter valve on the Moen Engage 26100SRN.
Another advantage of this system are the extra modes as most high pressure heads only give you one pattern. You’ll get six from this head with patterns for wide coverage, downpour and rinse along with massage, relaxing massage and soothing massage. Regardless of the spray you choose, the hose will remain kink-free and facing forward when docked.
The Engage is a great alternative when you want pressure and need a handheld but aren’t sold on the old school 2-in-1 shower systems. This one has a spot-resistant Brushed Nickel finish as well which puts an end to water spotting on your head and is one of the best high pressure handheld shower heads around. The Engage 26100SRN comes with a limited lifetime warranty from Moen.
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4. Take A Shower Fire Hydrant Spa Plaza Massager Shower Head
The Best Showerhead for Low Water Pressure
When the name of the company producing your shower head is “Take A Shower” you have to assume they are serious about their craft. Well, we’re pleased to say that’s the case with this Fire Hydrant Spa, which is perfect if you have low pressure at home.
This head has a solid brass ball joint which allows it to swivel with ease; something important for households as not everyone is the same height or width. While it’s well-made, the company used plastic in the build of the Fire Hydrant Spa head despite the shiny finish on the exterior.
The company didn’t provide many specifications for this head, but we know it’s rated at 2.5 gallons per minute. This particular model is one of the best shower heads for low water pressure whereas the Presidential is what you’ll want if you have normal pressure and need a boost
While this shower head doesn’t have a slew of spray patterns, it worth a look if you have low to mediocre water pressure and want something simple. The chrome head is our top choice due to the price, but other finishes are available along with long body variants. All the company’s Fire Hydrant heads come with a 1-year warranty.
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5. WantBa 6-inch High Pressure Rainfall Massage Shower Head
The Best High Pressure Shower Head for Wide Coverage
Most of the best high pressure shower heads have one thing in common – the size. Smaller heads generally mean more pressure, but WantBa bucked that trend with their Rainfall Massage Shower Head which is considerably larger than the rest of the pack.
At 6 inches, this shower head is massive compared to the Delta 52650. While a “Rainfall” head may seem like a bad thing if you want high pressure, the company did a great job with this one. There are 57 nozzles which give you just the right amount of coverage, and while there’s a standard flow regulator, it’s easy to remove.
This head is made from ABS plastic, but its chrome plated, so it doesn’t look cheap and blends in well. The ball joint swivels and is metal, but not brass so the build quality could certainly be better. On a positive note, you can actually remove the face from the head for easy cleaning; something you can’t do with other models.
With a rate of 2.5 GPM and a removable restrictor, the WantBa High Pressure Rainfall Shower Head has more power than heads twice the price. We like the coverage area as well along with the fact you can pop the face off as needed.
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6. Aqua Elegante High Pressure Showerhead
A Budget-Friendly High Pressure Head
Aqua Elegante may not be a company most folks are familiar with, but it’s a name you’ll remember if you’re in the market for a high pressure shower head. This head is one of the cheapest on our list, and it’s ready to go straight out of the box as well.
This head is similar to the WASSA in more ways than one. It uses a 3-inch head with plenty of jets to improve the flow which makes it ideal for people with low pressure. It also has a brass ball where it counts although the housing made from ABS plastic. On the flipside, the style is a bit different, and you’re not limited to chrome this time around.
As for the nozzles, you’ll get 42 which is well above the standard for a 3-inch head. They are self-cleaning and made from silicone, so they are easy to wipe down and keep clean. The head has a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute and comes with a flow restrictor. Needless to say, you can pop it out in a matter of seconds.
No screw-in head is hard to install, but it’s always nice when the manufacturer makes things easy. Aqua Elegante did just that with their high pressure head with clear instructions covering the restrictor removal and a roll of Teflon tape. This head is available in four finishes and comes with a 5-year warranty.
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7. Delta 52650-PK Faucet Single-Spray Shower Head
The Best Shower Head for Intense Pressure
Delta is always a popular name to turn to when it’s time to replace fixtures in your home. While they aren’t always the most affordable option, this single-spray head is a pleasant surprise due to the price and overall power.
At first glance, this head could be mistaken for something else entirely. It’s only 1.63 inches in diameter which is a little over half the size of a classic 3-inch head. It has a rating of 2.5 GPM, and while there is just one spray pattern, you know it has a whole lot of power when the only setting is for massage. You will be thankful for the pause feature on this one…
The quality of construction for this head is high as its solid brass with no plastic parts. There are also no finishes aside from chrome although it goes with anything and keeps the cost down. We don’t know how many jets this head has, but our best guestimate is around 10. Given the size of the head, you will certainly feel the spray from this one.
If you have a head full of hair or appreciate a needling shower, you’ll dig the pressure from this head. The bail style pause handle is something we’d like to see more of as well, and a welcome feature to have. The Delta Faucet 52650-PK comes with a limited lifetime warranty from the company.
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FAQ
Q: Do I need any special tools to install a high pressure shower head?
A: It depends on the style, but if it’s a standard screw-on head, you’ll just need some Teflon tape. Those screw on “hand tight” so you won’t need a wrench or a professional.
Q: If it’s a high pressure head, do I need to remove any flow restrictors?
A: That’s up to you and may be overkill with some models if you already have great pressure at home. It’s also an area where verified consumer reviews come in handy as you can see what others think about the head with and without a restrictor.
Q: How important is the 2.5 gallons per minute rating?
A: It’s not something you’ll want to overlook, but don’t try to go bigger. By law, manufacturers cannot exceed 2.5 GPM, so you’re not going to find anything higher that's not been hacked. If you live in an area where you need to regulate your water usage, a head with a lower GPM rating can save you a lot of headaches.
Conclusion
We hope you found a head you liked in our high pressure shower head reviews as we tried to include a price range and style for everyone. Just remember, at the end of the day size doesn’t matter when you’re looking for power as larger heads can actually decrease water flow. If you’re getting bad water from the source, a sediment filter may be something to consider as well.