How to buy an electric shower Features explained
Main electric shower features
Riser rail
The riser rail is the vertical metal bar that's attached to the wall, and allows the height of the shower head to be varied. Longer rails give more flexibility, and some incorporate soap dishes or hooks for your shower gel.
Most claim you can use one hand to adjust the height of the shower head, but we found many are stiff to use and difficult to grip with wet hands.
Variable spray patterns - from a wide spray to a powerful jet
Shower head
The shower head is the handheld spray attachment that can attach to the riser rail. Many of these have up to five different modes or spray patterns.
Using all the holes generally gives a weaker shower than using only one or two combinations of holes. Using the inner holes alone usually provides a more powerful blast. Some are easy to clean, with rub-clean rubber nozzles that help prevent limescale build-up, which can cause blockages.
Power ratings
Power ratings vary between about 8.5kW and 10.8kW, and the most common are 7.5, 8.5, 9.5 and 10.5 kW. Generally you pay more for a higher power rating, but they produce more powerful sprays and cope better with lower water supply temperatures.
Most have variable power settings, with a ‘low’ or ‘economy’ setting which will use less power but give a lower temperature. This could be useful in the summer when the incoming water is warmer.
Thermostatic controls give a stable shower temperature
Additional features to look for
Water saving shower heads
There are a number of shower head varieties specifically marketed as water saving, or water and energy efficient. We tried out a new water saving shower head, the , to see how it performed.
Thermostatic models
Thermostatic models are safer as they provide consistent temperature control, so your shower isn't affected by someone using water elsewhere in your home, eg the washing machine.
Push-button control
With push-button control, the temperature and flow settings remain the same each time the shower is used. If not, you have to turn a knob from ‘off’ to the temperature you require each time – which can take trial and error.
Memory function
A memory function means the shower remembers the preferred temperature setting of different users, but it's only available on the most expensive models.
Shutdown function
This flushes hot water from the shower before it turns off, so the next user doesn't get scalded, and can help to prevent limescale build-up.
An LCD display can show the water temperature and time
LCD display
An LCD display shows the temperature that the water is being heated to, so you have more control.
Wireless showers
Some manufacturers now offer wireless showers, essentially where the main shower unit is hidden away, eg above the ceiling or in a cupboard, and a flush wall-mounted remote control communicates with it wirelessly to adjust the temperature.
In some of these systems, the riser rail also carries the water supply, and is installed through the ceiling. This has the advantage of not needing any plumbing which might disturb your wall tiling.
Check the size of the control unit and ignore manufacturers’ claims that it’s compact or slimline. In our recent test the average size of the units we tested was approximately 22x33x9cm, and the depth varied between about 8 and 12cm.
Varying power outputs
Some shower models come in varying power outputs, so you can choose the features you want from the range available and then choose the power output.
Buttons and dials
If you're visually-impaired or have dexterity problems choose dials that offer a good grip, are easy to turn and are clearly labeled. Power buttons should be large, stand proud of the unit and be clearly labelled or coloured.
