In an attempt to ramp up the comfort and quality of our bathroom at home, I hopped online and hit all the usual stores in search of some new hardware. One of the items on my list was a new high pressure shower head because up until now we have just used the one that came with the house (which is underwhelming, at best). Please see the end of the post for recommended products.
To make a long story short, we tried out a few different models which each had their pros and cons, representing most of the major points along the price spectrum. We found a few cheap units that were surprisingly effective as well as encountering some shower heads at the top of the market that really shouldn’t have been priced nearly so high.
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After a while, we realized that perhaps our biggest issue with these products was related to convenience. At the risk of giving out too much information, my spouse and I often shower together in the morning because there is simply not enough time to take separate showers and still get to work by 9. Two people in one shower can cause all sorts of havoc, especially in the common case where each person has his or her own preferences in terms of temperature, spray pattern, water pressure, etc. Therefore, it quickly became clear just how futile the traditional design would be for our needs.
I was about ready to give up when I discovered the existence of dual shower heads, so named for their independently operating heads which are attached to the same base unit. This was immediately appealing to both of us considering our situation and preferences so I decided to investigate further.
Flexibility of Spray Pattern
First of all, and it probably goes without saying, but the benefits of a dual head shower system are immense compared to the traditional one head system. Independently adjustable heads ensure the ability for each person to adjust the flower and pattern of the water to taste, allowing everyone to take a comfortable shower. If possible, look for heads which allow a large range of settings, including massage and stronger, focused spray patterns. This will allow maximum flexibility and ensure that you won’t be looking to replace the unit any time soon. This is one sticking point that I’ve run into in my own house in the past; I thought I would be fine with an inexpensive product that only offered a minimum of spray patterns, but this compromise was too much to bear because I could never quite find the right pattern. Learn from my mistake and don’t be afraid to spend what is necessary in order to get what you want!
Size Matters
I don’t know about you, but I’ve about had my fill of cheap shower hardware that doesn’t reach significant coverage, leaving me cold in the shower. This is even worse in the winter! As a result, I recommend that you should look for shower heads with larger spray faces. For instance, the Stingray VI model provides amazing coverage with its large face (see right).
If you want something really fancy, I highly recommend checking out what Grohe has to offer. These guys do it right, providing a dual head shower system that includes everything but the kitchen sink. These products look and operate in a significantly different way from the more traditional shower heads on the market, resembling something that looks just as much like modern art as it does a piece of bathroom hardware. Grohe provides spray patterns that I guarantee you won’t find in any other product (at least as of the time of this writing), including the ability to have thin sheets of water hit you at any angle you desire. I won’t take up much more time on Grohe since this company’s offerings really deserve a post of their own in the near future, but I hope I’ve at least whetted your appetite for shower sets that go above and beyond what is expected.
Also related to size, make sure you carefully consider whether you will need detachable shower heads. If so, be sure that the unit you ultimately choose includes long enough cords to reach any desired area. There’s little point in getting a detachable head product with comically short cords, and I can say this as someone who has made this mistake in the past!
Adjustable Positioning
While it’s nice to have a shower head that is detachable, I actually prefer a fully adjustable system where the head remains attached to wall mounted hardware which itself can be shifted around. The best systems will employ a sliding track that allows you to slide the head up and down, allowing you to reach the optimum spray height for a number of standing or sitting postions in the shower.
Additionally, if you want to spend a little more money you can find systems that will allow you to pivot the dual shower heads around the shower’s occupants, creating a surround shower experience. Combine this with some of the more exotic spray patterns that are available on high end units, and you’ve got a recipe for an extremely reinvigorating shower.
This ad actually does a decent job of showing of some useful dual head features:
High Pressure
I am a water pressure addict, and I absolutely do not understand how someone can be satisfied with a pathetic trickle of warm water in the morning. If you are like me, you want a jet of purifying water to knock all the sleep out of you first thing in the morning. There’s just no substitute! To this end, make sure you find a product that is capable of delivering enough pressure.
Tip: If you want to up the pressure on an already-purchased shower head, take a look inside and see if there are any plastic pieces lodge inside. These small parts are probably water regulators which may be stopping the unit from delivering full pressure. As I always say, be sure to carefully read the manual before attempting any modifications. This information is NOT an expert opinion, so do this stuff at your own risk!
Recommended Products
Last, but not least, here are some recommend products on Amazon, chosen based on a number of criteria which include features, usability, and positive reviews:
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