The 6 Best Rain Shower Heads of 2024, According to Our Editors

Best Overall

DreamSpa Ultra-Luxury Rainfall Shower Head/Handheld Combo

$55 at Amazon $30 at Home Depot View on Walmart

The Dream Spa Ultra-Luxury Rainfall Shower Head is our favorite rain shower head that we’ve tested because it has a wide reach and an easy-to-use handheld nozzle. We had no issue switching out our old shower head with this new one and the complete installation was done in about 15 minutes. 

We loved the convenience of the handheld nozzle’s suction cup installation, but the plastic felt a little cheap and we had to apply a lot of pressure to get it to actually suction to the wall. However, the hose was long enough between the main shower head and the nozzle that we could install the nozzle within reach for a toddler to easily operate it. 

We enjoyed the even, yet light pressure that this shower head had. It wasn’t as pressurized as our old shower head but we expected this because rain shower heads typically have a lighter water pressure. It’s also simple to switch between the three flow settings—high-power rain, aeration massage, and waterfall—by pushing the button on the handheld nozzle. The three flow settings on the nozzle also made up for the actual shower head only having one flow setting. 

We loved how easy the nozzle was to operate and place back in its holder—even our toddlers could do it. Plus the shower head can be rotated and adjusted to any angle, so it accommodates a variety of heights for adult users. We tested the matte black finish which matched the other fixtures in our bathroom perfectly and was the cherry on top for our testing experience. Overall, we couldn’t be more pleased with this shower head’s design from installation to aesthetics.  

_{Dimensions: 5.38-inch shower head | Finishes: Satin nickel, silver, or matte black | Head Shape: Square | Adjustable Water Flow: Yes | Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM}

Best Value

Kohler K-15996-CP Flipside Showerhead

$62 at Amazon $73 at Wayfair $89 at Lowe's

If you’re hesitant to give up the powerful pressurized spray of your old shower head or simply want a feature-packed shower head, the Kohler Flipside Showerhead is the answer to both of these concerns. This small but mighty shower head has four flow settings with one of them being a rain shower spray. Aside from its versatility, the real intrigue of this shower head is its unique “flipping” design where the shower head switches to spraying water from its sides for the “Kotton” and “Kurrent” sprays.

We found it very easy to flip the shower head on its axis and switch between each of the four spray settings. Our favorite spray setting was the “Kotton” which feels like a fine water mist and is very relating to stand under. While we enjoyed the rain water setting, we think it’s important to note that it has a wider spray than what we expected. The water comes out in all directions rather than straight down like a traditional rainfall shower head, so just keep this in mind if the rainfall shower head is going to be your preferred setting. 

We noticed no hard water build-up on the shower head spigots after using it consistently for two weeks, which makes us feel good about its longer-term resistance to mineral buildup. Hard water spots were visible on the polished chrome finish, but they are easy to wipe off. 

We referred to this shower head as an “elevated basic” in our testing notes because it truly can serve as a multifunctional shower head without being overly expensive or complicated to operate. 

_{Dimensions: 9-inch rain shower head, 4.75-inch handheld shower head | Finishes: Brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, polished chrome, or polished nickel | Head Shape: Round | Adjustable Water Flow: Yes | Flow Rate: 1.75 or 2.5 GPM}

Best Wide Spray

American Standard Studio S 1-Spray Rain Shower Head

$71 at Amazon $71 at Home Depot $62 at Lowe's

For a spa-like relaxing water spray and wide coverage area, look no further than the American Standard S 1-Spray Wall Mount Fixed Rain Shower Head. This shower head is the perfect no-frills upgrade for your shower that offers consistent water pressure. We found it was easy to attach to a short-arm mount from the wall, and it can be tilted at different angles for a more downward spray or an angled spray. 

While we love the spa-like spray that this shower head has, it is not adjustable. Some users may think it lacks the water pressure they prefer for a shower. Additionally, the polished chrome finish is highly reflective and shows water spots, but this tends to be the case with most chrome finishes. We recommend wiping the chrome with a soft cloth during regular cleanings to keep it looking spotless. 

Although this shower head is one inch smaller than our best overall pick, the Dream Spa Ultra-Luxury 9" Rainfall Shower Head/Handheld Combo, it’s a great option for anyone who doesn’t want a handheld attachment and prefers a simpler shower head design. 

_{Dimensions: 8-inch rain shower head | Finishes: Brushed nickel, matte black, or polished chrome | Head Shape: Round | Adjustable Water Flow: No | Flow Rate: 1.8 or 2.5 GPM}

Best Coverage

Kohler Awaken Rain Showerhead

View on Amazon $167 at Home Depot

If you’re looking for a rain shower head that’s not only wide but has a uniform, dense spray, then the Kohler Awaken Rain Shower Head is a great option. Unlike our best wide spray shower head, the American Standard Studio S 1-Spray Wall Mount Fixed Rain Shower Head, this shower head has more jets dispersed throughout the face of the showerhead. Plus, this shower head is available in a 10-inch width, which we tested and loved. 

Aside from the Awaken shower head’s “drenching” rain experience, it also has great water pressure for a rain shower head. This would be especially great for someone who loves stronger water pressure but wants the soothing feeling of a rain shower head. 

We bought an adjustable shower arm to further upgrade our shower before attaching this shower head and found that it was not only helpful for adjusting the height of the actual shower head, but it also allowed the 10-inch shower head plenty of clearance from the wall. We think without this extender arm that the 10-inch width would have been a tight squeeze on a shorter wall shower arm. We recommend measuring the clearance from the end of the shower arm pipe to your shower wall before splurging for this larger shower head. 

However, the Awaken is compatible with both wall and ceiling mounts, so it’s versatile for a variety of bathroom set ups. 

_{Dimensions: 10-inch rain shower head | Finishes: Polished chrome, matte black, oil-rubbed bronze, vibrant brushed moderne brass, or vibrant brushed nickel | Head Shape: Round | Adjustable Water Flow: No | Flow Rate: 1.75 or 2 GPM}

Best Water Pressure

Moen Verso Shower With Infiniti Dial

$89 at Amazon $98 at Home Depot View on Moen.com

The water pressure of a rain shower head is lighter than a standard shower head, which is why we love the adjustable water pressure of the Moen Verso Shower Head with Inifiniti Dial. While this shower head still definitely isn’t as powerful as a showerhead with more concentrated jets, we loved the pressure it had and felt it was a happy medium. 

A sliding knob on the side of the shower head and the front of the handheld nozzle make it easy to switch the water pressure from full capacity to a light mist. You can even enjoy a relaxing mix if you opt to use both at the same time. While the water pressure is adjustable, this shower head doesn’t have multiple spray patterns, so it may not be ideal for people who do want a highly pressurized shower option. 

However, other features on this shower head make it a strong contender. We love the sleek design of the handheld nozzle being located directly below the main shower head. Additionally, the magnetic handheld dock is a great feature that you can even use without looking at the dock. We found that even a 5 year old could comfortably shower with this shower head, but some families may want an option more similar to our best overall pick, the Dream Spa Ultra-Luxury 9" Rainfall Shower Head/Handheld Combo, which has a handheld nozzle that can be docked at any height with a suction cup mount. 

However, we still think this shower head is a thoughtfully designed option for those wanting adjustable water pressure settings.    

_{Dimensions: 7-inch rain shower head, 5-inch handheld nozzle, 60-inch hose | Finishes: Chrome or brushed nickel | Head Shape: Round | Adjustable Water Flow: No | Flow Rate: 1.75 or 2.5 GPM}

Best Settings

Moen Velocity Two-Function Spray Head Rainshower

$417 at Amazon

We know it can be overwhelming to have a shower head with too many settings to ever use, which is why we love the simplicity of the Moen Velocity Two-Function Rain Shower Head. It has the gentle coverage of a rain shower head in one setting and a powerful concentrated stream as the other. So users looking for both features will be happy. 

We also love that it’s easy to flip the knob on the showerhead to switch between settings and there’s no need to fuss with dials or twistable heads. Just like other picks in our list, this shower head can be mounted on a wall or ceiling arm, and the 8-inch width should have plenty of clearance on short wall arms. 

We noticed that some water drips from the lower jets (when mounted at an angle on a wall arm) on this shower head when it is switched to the concentrated stream, but it wasn’t enough to cause us worry over excess water waste. We also loved how high-quality this shower head felt, and we feel confident that it will hold up well over time with continued use. 

_{Dimensions: 8-inch rain shower head | Finishes: Brushed gold, brushed nickel, chrome, or oil-rubbed bronze | Head Shape: Round | Adjustable Water Flow: Yes | Flow Rate: 2.5 GPM}