What’s the Best Cheap Rain Shower Head? Budget Shoppers Guide
After a tiring day, you deserve a warm bath and a luxurious shower. A high-quality rain shower head can give you that grand bathroom experience.
But, won't it break your budget? Not at all.
Together with my trusted team, we compared several products and came up with 5 best cheap rain shower heads for you to pick from.
Top 5 Budget Rain Shower Heads in 2020
1HealthyLifeStyle 9.5″ Rain Shower Head with Adjustable Arm
For our first pick, we present the HealthyLifestyle rain shower head with adjustable arm settings.
During our standard test, the luxurious high-pressure water effect caught our attention. It's like having a shower massage in a spa or hotel.
This water shower head spray may be the most reasonable alternative to the more expensive SR Sun Rise Luxury, or American Standard, Moen S6320 Velocity (Immersion Technology) shower head.
2HotelSpa 8″ Square Rainfall Shower Head
If you’re looking for a cheap rain shower that not only gives the best water spray but also adds a touch of elegance to your bathroom, then this is the one.
Keep in mind though that this product only includes the rain head and doesn’t come with an extension arm. However, it does have an adjustable ball joint to replace your existing wall water shower head or mount it on the ceiling.
3SomovWorld 6″ Round Shower Head
If you’re looking for high-quality, anti-clog, anti-leak, low maintenance, modern looking, and contemporary style, this is one product you might want to consider.
Customers who tried this product loved the water stream it can make through its spray flow settings.
Like our #2 pick, it also comes with adjustable ball joint settings so you can use it horizontally or vertically while showering.
4DreamSpa Rain Shower Head Combo
Perhaps you’re attracted to the rainfall stream feeling, but you also need the option of having a handheld rain shower spray top, too.
If that’s the case, this is an option you might want to consider.
This affordable unit comes with a large 9-inch water shower head design, 2.5 GPM flow rate, and a 4.75-inch handheld head is detachable and comes with a water spray hose.
5HotelSpa 3-Way Rain Shower Head Combo
Our last recommendation for the best rain shower head combo is this unit right here.
The price doesn’t differ far from my fourth pick, but you’ll find that it offers several additional flow benefits.
Besides the striking round design and polished chrome-plated ABS finish, this product is different from the last one because it’s a true 3-way combo unit.
Key Considerations
Before embarking on a shopping spree, there are a few things you'll want to consider. Paying attention to these key features will help you get the best product for your home and your pocket, too. (Check out other best products here.)
Rain Shower Head Size
The inches in diameter, or size of your water shower head, is an important factor in getting the rain flow water experience. To get the full effect, it has to be large enough for water to spray over your entire body. The bare minimum you’ll want is 6 inches. The ideal size is 9 inches or more.
Unfortunately, it’s hard to find an affordable product that is 10 inches in diameter. The larger the diameter, the better it will deliver that luxurious feel of rain falling.
Wall-Mounted or Handheld Combo
In the world of rainfall shower heads, you’ll find that there are two types:
- a solo wall mounted
- a combination unit that includes a rain shower top and handheld showering spray wand
A version mounted on the wall easily attaches to the existing water pipe on the ceiling or the wall of your shower.
Just unscrew the old piece and replace it with your new shower.
This setup will come with an adjustable ball joint on the plumbing connection to make easy adjustments on the water shower head’s position. Shower heads that are mounted are usually larger in inches in diameter, and they can give you a wider rain effect. There are also ceiling-mounted products available.
A combo unit is designed to provide both a rain water shower head and a handheld showering wand is another popular option. You’ll get a larger water spray pattern from those mounted on the wall, and the smaller shower rain head lets you target specific areas of your body.
Shower Head Extension Arm
One thing people don’t realize when they’re shopping for the best rain shower head is that most of them don’t come with an extension arm. The price you see is for the head only.
Fortunately, some products come with an adjustable ball joint so you can tilt and adjust the water pressure to your liking.
If you want an arm to extend the reach horizontally or vertically, you may have to buy it separately.
On the other hand, some models come with an extension arm as part of the package. According to customers, the best kind is one that is adjustable and can move up and down.
This type of arm is particularly useful if you have tall and short people in your family. Or maybe you just want the convenience of being able to move freely to different heights.
Number of Nozzle Jets
While physics and your home’s plumbing will play a role in deciding how intense your water pressure is, the number of water nozzle jets on your shower head will also factor in. When shopping for your needs, you’ll want one that delivers the right amount of water pressure for you to enjoy.
The key takeaway here can be summed up as follows:
- more nozzles = lower water pressure
- fewer nozzles = higher water pressure
So, if you like a relaxing water shower experience, you may want a product with more water nozzles. This will feel like you’re standing in a gentle rainstorm.
If you like harder water pressure or use the shower to work the knots out of your muscles, a rain head with fewer nozzles may be a better choice.
With each product review on this page, I’ve indicated the number of nozzle jets each one has. This should help you narrow down which product is the better fit.
Cheap Shower Head Material
These products come in several different material types, and you’ll want to find the perfect balance between cost and quality. The most common material finishes include plastic and metal (stainless steel mostly).
While the word “plastic” may sound cheap, these days, it’s far from it. Plastic shower heads are made from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), which is a low-cost material. [2] It has a strong impact resistance, strength, and stiffness, and comes in a variety of colors too. Of course, it has to match your bathroom design.
The most popular option for the bathroom, however, is chrome finish ABS. This gives you a shiny chrome finish without paying the high cost for a solid chrome finish core.
As for metal, you’ll find a brushed nickel, solid brass, and stainless steel as options for the best water shower head. Stainless steel and nickel are more durable and longer-lasting than plastic, and also add a touch more of elegance to a bathroom.
You can’t go wrong with choosing either of the best options, but it’s good to know what’s out there.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recommended to install your shower head at least 80-85 inches above the shower floor. This is applicable for solo wall mounted shower heads. This height is recommended, especially when you want a “rain-like” shower experience.
Follow some of these tips to get the most water pressure out of your shower top.
- Make sure to clean your shower nozzles regularly.
- Check for the presence of a flow restrictor
- Check for any kinks or leaks in tubings or linings.
- Open the shut-off valve of the water heater (if available).
- Install a shower pump or something similar.
- Turn off other appliances that require water flow
- Take a shower during peak-off hours
- Remember these tips so you won’t end up spending too much water.
It is recommended to give your shower head a thorough cleaning at least once a month. This is applicable for both chrome and stainless steel shower tops. But if you have the time to do regular cleaning weekly, that would be much better. This is to prevent serious build-up on the shower’s nozzle.
A suggested way to clean the nozzles of a shower head is to use a brush and spray with a vinegar-based cleaning solution. After cleaning, run the hot water for a few minutes. It doesn’t matter if your shower top is made of stainless steel or chrome.
And the Best Budget Rain Shower Head Is…
With its full spray pattern and whole-body coverage, the HealthyLifestyle unit deserves the title as the best cheap shower head. It doesn’t require too many tools for installation, too. Simply tighten the shower pipe by hand, use the sealant tape, and you’re good to go.
We were also impressed with its adjustable height and angle with self-locking positions. The stainless steel material adds up to its spa-like and elegant feel.
HealthyLifeStyle 9.5″ Rain Shower Head with Adjustable Arm
Our #1 Recommendation