From basic push-on showers to elaborate smart showers, there are a few different styles of shower technology to choose from. When installing a new shower, it’s important to choose the right solution for your budget and needs. Below are 6 different types of shower compared.
Push on shower
A push on shower is the cheapest and most basic option. It involves sliding a hose attachment over the top of your existing bathtub taps. The hose is attached to a showerhead. Push on showers can be easily fitted oneself and don’t cost a lot of money. However, they don’t always last that long before experiencing issues and you cannot use your bathtub taps while the push on hose is attached.
Mixer shower
A mixer shower typically involves installing a new bathtub mixer tap with a shower extension built into it. Mixer showers are designed to provide a more stable water temperature than a push on shower attachment. They cost more to buy however and you may need to hire a plumber to install them. You can explore many different mixer shower styles online.
Electric shower
An electric shower consists of a separate unit to your bathtub tap that is usually attached to the wall. It uses an internal heating element to heat water on demand and is useful for homes with a limited hot water supply. Although more expensive than mixer taps to install, electric showers can be more energy efficient. This type of shower will often need to be installed by a professional.
Power shower
Power showers have dedicated pumps that can be used to enhance water pressure. If your home has low water pressure, choosing a power shower could provide increased water flow so that you can have more comfortable showers. Power showers also provide temperature regulation. A drawback of these showers is that they can consume more electricity than regular electric showers, leading to higher energy bills.
Digital shower
This is a form of electric shower that has a digital control unit that allows you to set the water temperature and flow precisely. As you can imagine, these cost a lot more than regular electric or power showers to install, but can add an extra level of control over how hot and powerful you want your shower to be. Take your time to compare digital showers to find one that has the right settings and interface for you.
Smart shower
Smart showers are the most hi-tech form of shower. They are digital showers that can integrate with a smart home system – allowing them to be controlled with a smartphone app or voice control. You may also be able to track water usage and other stats on an app. Overall, it’s the most luxurious form of shower technology you can opt for, but also the priciest.
Which shower should you choose?
Those who only have a tight budget may want to stick with a push-on shower, a mixer shower or a very basic electric shower. Power showers, digital showers and smart showers are more luxurious, but come at an added cost.
