Shower heads come in all shapes and sizes and one of the best is the rainfall type since it does an excellent job at mimicking actual rainfall. The effect of raindrops on the body are very relaxing and help take away any fatigue you may have.
Just like the rain, rainfall showerheads can be adjusted to different functions where you get smooth raindrops, large ones, pressurized ones and many others. The shower heads themselves come in various sizes and designs with each having its own advantages and shortfalls too.
To make it easier for you, I reviewed a large number of rainfall shower heads while noting down their strengths and weaknesses with the focus of obtaining the best among them. I compiled a list of the best 5 rainfall shower heads to pick from. You can check out my list of the best handheld shower heads for low water pressure and the best water saving shower heads.
The Best Rainfall Showerheads
My list of the best 7 rainfall showerheads has entrants from all categories to pick from. They are as follows:
- Moen S6320 Velocity Two-Function Rainshower 8-Inch Showerhead
- SR Sun Rise SRSH-F5043 Showerhead
- MeSun 12 Inch High Pressure Showerhead with 11 Inch Arm
- KES Pressure Balancing Rain Shower System
- PULSE ShowerSpas 1011-III-BN Kauai III Shower System
What is a Rain/Rainfall Showerhead?
A rain showerhead differs from other types of showerheads primarily due to its mimicking the effect of rain falling on your body rather than water simply falling on you. It achieves this to the extent that you can choose between a light drizzle with small droplets to large torrential raindrops.
Rain showerheads tend to be wider and with more nozzles than other types of showerheads to give you more coverage and be as close to rainfall as possible. Most add air to the water droplets to increase their pressure on the body. Other variations include single shower heads and rain shower combos which have a both fixed and hand-held shower heads.
Why Do You Need a Rain Showerhead?
Chances are high that you already have a showerhead in your bathroom which works well. However, replacing it with a rain showerhead has the following advantages and benefits:
Uses less water pressure
Unlike other types of showerheads, rainfall showerheads need much less water pressure to give a satisfying result. Their focus is to replicate rainfall and since rain doesn’t occur the same way as pressurized water from a hose, a little pressure is enough.
This doesn’t mean you’ll get a compromised shower experience. In fact, the wide coverage offered by rainfall showerheads offers a much better experience due to a larger coverage area which is immersive and satisfying.
Offers better luxury and relaxation
The sound and feeling of rain droplets on the skin create a relaxing sensation not available in conventional showerheads. Even when you have sore muscles and need to recover from a hard day at the office or the gym, a rainfall showerhead will easily soothe the fatigue away.
If you have a rain shower head with a handheld wand, you can enjoy the shower time even better thanks to the many angles the handheld shower affords you.
Offers better body coverage and different water modes
With the average rainfall showerhead measuring about 10 inches wide, you get a much better coverage of the body compared to other showerheads. You’ll have more freedom to move around as you clean yourself while still covered by the water.
Some of the best high pressure rain shower heads also come with as many as 5 functions to choose from. These are usually a range of water spray modes from a massaging effect to a full-on torrential rain mode.
They add to the beauty of the home
Rainfall showerheads are among the most beautiful bathroom appliances you’ll find. This holds true whether you’re getting a circular or square one. They’re usually given a chrome, brushed nickel or other great-looking finish and look good in any bathroom.
The detailed list is as follows:
1. Moen S6320 Velocity Two-Function Rainshower 8-Inch Showerhead
The Moen S6320 is the best rainfall showerhead primarily due to having the impressive Immersion Technology which boosts the water pressure up to 3 times. The result of this technology is that you get a better feel of the water. It attaches to the water supply via a short lever which makes it an overhead shower system.
Having such a technology in a sizable 8-inch diameter frame without increasing its size or weight is also impressive. You get a full-body rainfall experience thanks to the array of 100 nozzles pumping out water at 2.5 gallons per minute. It has a lever enabling you switch between a full body spray mode and a concentrated rinse mode.
You have a choice of 4 finishes to choose from namely brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, brushed gold and chrome. All these finishes are rust-resistant and come with rubber spray nozzles which are very easy to clean whenever they get clogged up with dirt and mineral deposits. I’m yet to experience any clog in mine 3 years down the line.
Pros
- Moen Immersion Technology boosts the water pressure for a better shower experience.
- 2 shower modes (full body spray and a concentrated rinse) adjustable with a lever on the showerhead.
- 8-inch showerhead diameter for full-body coverage.
- Available in 4 finishes (brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, brushed gold and chrome).
- Easy temperature control.
- Limited lifetime warranty.
- Easy installation.
Cons
- You should remove the flow restrictor to experience the full power of the shower head.
If you’re in the market for a great rainfall showerhead that doesn’t require an expert to install and is simple to use, the Moen S6320 is the best. At just the right size, you get a great shower experience each time you turn it on.
2. SR Sun Rise SRSH-F5043 Showerhead
The Sun Rise SRSH-F5043 is an excellent rain style shower head that comes with a 10-inch (25cm by 25cm) overhead showerhead and a smaller 15.7-inch (40cm) handheld showerhead. Using either shower head is a marvel especially the large and immersive 10-inch one which offers a great full-body shower experience.
The whole unit is made of high-quality materials with the large showerhead being made of 304 stainless steel while the L style handheld one made of brass. The concealed shower bracket holder and the pressure-balancing shower mixer valve are both made of quality brass. The setup comes in polished chrome, brushed nickel and a black color all with a 10-layer chrome plating to prevent corrosion and general damage.
It has the Air Energy technology which infuses air into the water leading to higher pressure and a better shower experience. This technology is available in both showerheads with the handheld one having a flexible hose for easy movement. You won’t get scalded by the water thanks to the pressure-balancing technology built into this shower head combo. With my area having pressure issues, I’m still able to enjoy a full-on shower experience with this Sun Rise shower head.
Pros
- 10-inch immersive rainfall showerhead.
- Comes with a handheld showerhead.
- Made of high-quality materials such as 304 stainless steel and brass with quality chrome plating.
- The shower bracket holder is concealed within the bathroom wall for a clean look.
- Air Energy technology to boost the water pressure.
- Prevents scalding from hot water by pressure-balancing technology.
- Lifetime warranty.
Cons
- The two showerheads don’t work at the same time.
The luxury design and quality of this showerhead are matched by its immersive rainfall showerhead which does a great job at bringing nature to your bathroom. A great choice if you need a large rainfall showerhead and handheld showerhead as well.
3. MeSun 12 Inch High Pressure Showerhead with 11 Inch Arm
With a square 12-inch rainfall showerhead, this entrant from MeSun ticks lots of the right boxes for users of all kinds. The showerhead is made of 304 stainless steel with chrome plating for a quality finish that won’t rust. The shower arm is made of solid brass which is also chrome-plated to maintain its looks.
It comes with self-cleaning flexible silicone nozzles which won’t drip or get clogged. The 11-inch arm can be adjusted to get just the right angle of water from the shower head as needed making this one of the best adjustable rain shower heads. Besides this, it comes with a water filter that filters out harmful dirt that may affect the nozzles.
Being ultra-thin and infusing the water with air results into a relaxing rainfall experience as the pressure is increased without any mechanical pumps. Out of the box, you get everything you need to install this great showerhead including Teflon tape for preventing leaks in the connections. The package I received was so small I thought they had forgotten some parts but nothing was missing.
Pros
- Large and immersive 12-inch showerhead.
- Adjustable 11-inch arm.
- High quality materials with 304 steel for the showerhead and brass for the arm.
- Self-cleaning nozzles.
- Air-in technology increases the power of the rain droplets for a better shower experience.
- Water filter for clean water.
- Easy installation with included Teflon tape.
Cons
- The shower arm may be a bit short especially for tall users.
Having a large rainfall showerhead that can be adjusted for the perfect angle makes this a great buy for anyone seeking a relaxing time in the shower.
4. KES Pressure Balancing Rain Shower System
Available in brushed nickel, brushed brass and polished chrome finishes, the KES Pressure Balancing Shower system has a square 10-inch rainfall showerhead and a handheld showerhead. These shower heads, which can be used either individually or together, offer one of the best shower experiences possible. The rainfall showerhead is immersive and offers coverage for the whole body while the handheld one can be directed to the right parts of the body at a pressure of your liking. Together, they form one of the best rain shower head combos on the market.
This cUPC-certified rain shower system comes with a pressure balance ceramic disc cartridge which balances the pressure between cold and hot water. This prevents sudden temperature changes and reduces scalding. It operates between temperatures of 90°F and 110°F and is adjustable with a knob. The same great pressure and temperatures are felt in both showerheads which can be changed with a small knob.
You won’t worry about the durability of this shower system as the rainfall showerhead is made of 304 stainless steel while the handheld one and all the other fixtures are made with solid brass. The handheld showerhead’s hose, which is made of strengthened stainless steel, can be extended from 1.5 to 1.9 meters (59 to 75 inches).
Pros
- Large square 10-inch rainfall showerhead.
- Comes with additional handheld showerhead.
- Pressure balancing technology for temperature control prevents scalding.
- Made of high-quality stainless steel and bras materials for longevity.
- Handheld showerhead’s flexible hose is extendable from 59 to 75 inches.
- Showerheads usable individually or together.
Cons
- The installation process is a bit complex and may require a plumber.
In the KESPressure Balancing Shower system you have one of the best shower systems with a rain shower and handheld shower heads on the market.
5. PULSE ShowerSpas 1011-III-BN Kauai III Shower System
Available in brushed nickel, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze and polished chrome, the PULSE ShowerSpas Shower System is unique in several ways. It has both a rainfall and handheld showerhead yet it doesn’t require any bathroom remodeling as it’s already pre-plumbed and works with the current fixtures. It’s a wall-mounted rain shower head that has enough features to compete with shower panels.
The rainfall showerhead, a circular one with a diameter of 8 inches, offers a great full-body rainfall experience. To make cleaning easy, it has soft nozzle tips with rub-clean technology whereby a wipe of the hand effectively cleans them. There’s also a 5-function handheld showerhead with a 59-inch stainless steel hose and 5 shower functions to pick from. They can be used together or individually.
As if that’s not impressive already, the ShowerSpas has a brass wire soap dish and is height-adjustable with the brass bar easily movable upwards and downwards to the height of your choosing. Even with the moving showerhead, the diverter remains at a convenient height for easy access by all.
Pros
- Easy installation as it’s already pre-plumbed.
- 8-inch rainfall showerhead with handheld showerhead.
- Handheld showerhead has 5 functions (jet, wide, wide and jet, massage, and wide and massage).
- Uses the existing fixtures without the need to change anything.
- Showerheads can be used individually or together.
- Rub-clean technology makes it easy to clean the nozzles.
- Has soap dish, brass slide bar for height and easy-to-reach diverter.
Cons
- Flow restrictor needs to be removed for the wholesome experience.
If you need a shower head combo and don’t have the time or expertise to install the typical types, this is the best option. I installed mine in less than 30 minutes.
Buying Guide: What to Look for in a Rainfall Shower Head
When going for a rain showerhead, the aspects and features to consider include the following:
Type and Style of the Shower Head
The type of showerhead refers to the type of mounting. In this regard, there are wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted rain shower heads. You will need to choose the one that best fits in your bathroom. Depending on the current fixtures in your bathroom, one type may be easier to install than the other.
The style of the showerhead refers to the materials and color of the particular rainfall showerhead. There are many finishes for these showerheads including chrome, brushed nickel, matte black and others. Choosing one style also depends on the current look of your bathroom.
Quality and Functions of the Spray
Raindrops come in all shapes and sizes and so should your showerhead. As such, you should pick the showerhead that offers the most realistic raindrops. Some add air to the normal raindrops to create a full and immersive experience.
While most rain showerheads with a single mode are good enough, going for one with more than one shower function is an added advantage. You get to change the mode as per your mood.
Quality of Materials
The showerhead will be in constant contact with water and thus at the risk of rusting. If you go for materials that can’t resist rust and chemicals in water, it’ll not serve you long enough.
For this reason, go for high quality materials such as stainless steel and brass. Even then, choose quality finishes with materials such as chrome which protect the underlying metals from corrosion and general wear. Quality materials are also easier to clean.
Size of the Showerhead
Generally, rainfall shower heads are larger than other types of showerheads. The smallest ones start at about 8 inches up to 12 inches or even more. The size of the showerhead determines how much water you’ll be getting at each moment. Basically, the larger the showerhead, the more immersive it is.
The other size consideration to make is that relating to the size of your bathroom. If yours isn’t the large type, going for a 12-inch rainfall showerhead may not be wise since it could feel crammed. You need to consider this before making the purchase.
Ease of Installation
Most rainfall showerheads fit into the conventional bathroom fixtures such as the shower arm and temperature control knobs. You may be in love with a showerhead but the fact that you’ll need a plumber to fix it into your bathroom can significantly increase its initial costs. Wall mount rainfall shower heads are among the easiest to install since they need a few fixtures to work.
Amount of Water Needed
Rainfall showerheads don’t need any more water pressure than there is in most homes. This holds true no matter the size of the showerhead. However, if you use a showerhead that has a pump of some kind to increase the pressure of the water, it may require more water. The good news is, they’ll rarely require more than the 2.5GPM available in most homes. You can fix low water pressure with some simple solutions.
Other Considerations
Other aspects to consider when choosing a rainfall showerhead include self-cleaning nozzles, water filters, speakers and others. While not major ones, they can make a difference in some situations. The lack of these features, however, isn’t a deal-breaker.
Keeping these aspects in mind, finding the right rainfall shower head for yourself should be an easy task.