One of the most enjoyable things in life is a shower at the end of a long and hard day but if you are in the market for a new shower, you might find that you are overwhelmed by all of the options that are available to you. After all, there is more to a shower than just turning on the water and letting it flow out of the showerhead. There are many different considerations to make that might determine what type of shower you choose. Therefore, you might need to think about water pressure and even the type of boiler that you have because you don’t want to install a brand new shower, only to find that it is not suited to your home. So, the aim of this guide is to cover the main types of shower available and these includes:
- Mixer Showers
- Power Showers
- Digital Showers
- Electric Showers
- Smart Showers
Which Type Of Shower is Right For You?
Before we begin discussing the different types of showers, it is important to consider which one is right for you. Your bathroom has to be considered as well as the setup of your home because what works for one person might not work for you, regardless of how much they love their shower.
So, what will you need to consider?
Your boiler
Water Pressure
Your Cylinder
Mixer Showers
Mixer showers are different to electric showers as they need a source of hot water and, as the name suggests, this type of shower mixes both hot and cold water. This enables you to create the right temperature for your shower.
What this type of shower needs is a hot and cold water supply, although it will provide a better flow of water than an electric shower. Therefore, this kind of shower is ideal for gravity-fed water systems.
Unlike electric showers, which need electricity to run, mixer showers do not require electricity in order to operate as they are mechanical. Whether it is better than an electric shower will depend on your needs, but they are compatible with almost any boiler or water system.
When choosing a mixer shower, there are some things that you will need to think about before making your decision.
The Benefits of a Mixer Shower
A mixer shower is a great option for those who are looking to control the temperature of the water which makes them ideal for use in homes with children. They can provide an excellent flow of water when compared with electric showers and they can prevent scalding.
There is no need to have a large water tank which makes them ideal for small homes and electricity is not required to operate them.
Power Showers
You might be torn between a mixer shower or an electric shower which means that a power shower might be what you are looking for. They are suitable for homes that suffer from low water pressure or if you are simply looking for an excellent shower experience.
What Do Power Showers Offer?
If you opt for a power shower then you will need to make sure that you have both a hot and cold water supply as they work much like a mixer shower. As mentioned, if low water pressure is a problem then this might be the best option for you, although you will need to consider the fact that they do use more water than other types of showers.
Are Power Showers and Electric Showers the Same?
Why Would You Choose a Power Shower?
The Benefits of a Power Shower
As the name suggests, power showers are designed to deliver a solid flow of water, improving the shower experience. They are ideal for gravity-fed systems while they take hot water from your cylinder and they work much like a mixer shower which means you will have greater control over the temperature.
Digital Showers
As with most things around the home, technology is now becoming commonly seen in showers. If you are someone who appreciates technology then a digital shower might be for you. They offer exceptional temperature control that can be easily set at the push of a button. The entire system can be controlled digitally which means that you don’t have to use manual controls like you do with standard systems.
What Do Digital Showers Offer?Digital showers work much like a mixer shower, drawing hot water from your boiler. There are options available for a range of water systems and boilers. In addition, they can take your showering experience to the next level as some models are compatible with smart devices.
Why a Digital Shower Might Be Right For You
The Benefits of a Digital Shower
Electric Showers
What Do Electric Showers Offer?
What is an Electric Shower
What Are the Benefits of an Electric Shower?
Smart Showers
Smart showers are similar to digital showers as they offer a digital temperature display and the ability to adjust settings easily. However, they go one step further by giving users greater control and allowing personalised settings for different members of the household.
What Do Smart Showers Offer?
When you choose a smart shower, you benefit from WiFi connectivity, meaning you can control the shower both inside and outside your home. Many models integrate with existing smart home systems and can even be activated using voice commands. You can control the flow and temperature through a smart app that also provides insights into how your shower is used.
What Are the Benefits of a Smart Shower?
Compare Shower Types
| Always Provide Hot Water | Need Hot & Cold Water Supply | Require Electricity | Takes Water From Boiler | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixer Shower | No | Yes | No | No |
| Power Shower | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Digital Shower | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electric Shower | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Smart Shower | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Related Categories
Showers FAQs
1. Are shower heads universal?
Most shower heads in the UK use a universal half-inch thread size, making them compatible with most shower hoses. However, we always recommend checking the hose connection and product compatibility before ordering.
You can browse our shower head range here .
2. Are shower hoses universal?
Most shower mixers use a standard 1/2 inch thread, and most shower hoses are designed to fit this size. Some older systems may use a 3/4 inch thread, so it’s always worth checking before replacing your hose.
View our shower hose range here .
3. What shower do I need?
The right shower depends on your existing water system and pressure. If you are replacing an old shower, check the current model and look for a compatible replacement.
For new installations, we recommend identifying your home’s water pressure and plumbing setup to ensure you choose the best shower type.
4. How does a shower trap work?
A shower trap helps waste water drain correctly while preventing unpleasant smells and waste water from flowing back into the shower.
Shower traps are usually made from plastic or metal and connect the shower tray to the drainage pipe beneath the floor.
Learn more about shower traps here .
5. How does a mixer shower work?
Mixer showers combine hot and cold water through a valve before delivering it through the shower head. This allows you to control temperature while maintaining strong water flow.
Mixer showers are often more water efficient than electric showers, although installation can be more complex.
Browse our mixer shower range .
6. How can I improve my shower water pressure?
Low water pressure can be caused by old pipework, blocked valves, incorrect pipe sizing or water-saving shower heads.
Common solutions include cleaning sediment buildup, replacing the shower head or installing a shower pump or pressurised cylinder.
View our shower pump range .
One of the most enjoyable things in life is a shower at the end of a long and hard day but if you are in the market for a new shower, you might find that you are overwhelmed by all of the options that are available to you. After all, there is more to a shower than just turning on the water and letting it flow out of the showerhead. There are many different considerations to make that might determine what type of shower you choose. Therefore, you might need to think about water pressure and even the type of boiler that you have because you don’t want to install a brand new shower, only to find that it is not suited to your home. So, the aim of this guide is to cover the main types of shower available and these includes:
- Mixer Showers
- Power Showers
- Digital Showers
- Electric Showers
- Smart Showers
Which Type Of Shower is Right For You?
Before we begin discussing the different types of showers, it is important to consider which one is right for you. Your bathroom has to be considered as well as the setup of your home because what works for one person might not work for you, regardless of how much they love their shower.
So, what will you need to consider?
Your boiler
Water Pressure
Your Cylinder
Mixer Showers
Mixer showers are different to electric showers as they need a source of hot water and, as the name suggests, this type of shower mixes both hot and cold water. This enables you to create the right temperature for your shower.
What this type of shower needs is a hot and cold water supply, although it will provide a better flow of water than an electric shower. Therefore, this kind of shower is ideal for gravity-fed water systems.
Unlike electric showers, which need electricity to run, mixer showers do not require electricity in order to operate as they are mechanical. Whether it is better than an electric shower will depend on your needs, but they are compatible with almost any boiler or water system.
When choosing a mixer shower, there are some things that you will need to think about before making your decision.
The Benefits of a Mixer Shower
A mixer shower is a great option for those who are looking to control the temperature of the water which makes them ideal for use in homes with children. They can provide an excellent flow of water when compared with electric showers and they can prevent scalding.
There is no need to have a large water tank which makes them ideal for small homes and electricity is not required to operate them.
Power Showers
You might be torn between a mixer shower or an electric shower which means that a power shower might be what you are looking for. They are suitable for homes that suffer from low water pressure or if you are simply looking for an excellent shower experience.
What Do Power Showers Offer?
If you opt for a power shower then you will need to make sure that you have both a hot and cold water supply as they work much like a mixer shower. As mentioned, if low water pressure is a problem then this might be the best option for you, although you will need to consider the fact that they do use more water than other types of showers.
Are Power Showers and Electric Showers the Same?
Why Would You Choose a Power Shower?
The Benefits of a Power Shower
As the name suggests, power showers are designed to deliver a solid flow of water, improving the shower experience. They are ideal for gravity-fed systems while they take hot water from your cylinder and they work much like a mixer shower which means you will have greater control over the temperature.
Digital Showers
As with most things around the home, technology is now becoming commonly seen in showers. If you are someone who appreciates technology then a digital shower might be for you. They offer exceptional temperature control that can be easily set at the push of a button. The entire system can be controlled digitally which means that you don’t have to use manual controls like you do with standard systems.
What Do Digital Showers Offer?Digital showers work much like a mixer shower, drawing hot water from your boiler. There are options available for a range of water systems and boilers. In addition, they can take your showering experience to the next level as some models are compatible with smart devices.
Why a Digital Shower Might Be Right For You
The Benefits of a Digital Shower
Electric Showers
What Do Electric Showers Offer?
What is an Electric Shower
What Are the Benefits of an Electric Shower?
Smart Showers
Smart showers are similar to digital showers as they offer a digital temperature display and the ability to adjust settings easily. However, they go one step further by giving users greater control and allowing personalised settings for different members of the household.
What Do Smart Showers Offer?
When you choose a smart shower, you benefit from WiFi connectivity, meaning you can control the shower both inside and outside your home. Many models integrate with existing smart home systems and can even be activated using voice commands. You can control the flow and temperature through a smart app that also provides insights into how your shower is used.
What Are the Benefits of a Smart Shower?
Compare Shower Types
| Always Provide Hot Water | Need Hot & Cold Water Supply | Require Electricity | Takes Water From Boiler | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixer Shower | No | Yes | No | No |
| Power Shower | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Digital Shower | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electric Shower | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Smart Shower | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Related Categories
Showers FAQs
1. Are shower heads universal?
Most shower heads in the UK use a universal half-inch thread size, making them compatible with most shower hoses. However, we always recommend checking the hose connection and product compatibility before ordering.
You can browse our shower head range here .
2. Are shower hoses universal?
Most shower mixers use a standard 1/2 inch thread, and most shower hoses are designed to fit this size. Some older systems may use a 3/4 inch thread, so it’s always worth checking before replacing your hose.
View our shower hose range here .
3. What shower do I need?
The right shower depends on your existing water system and pressure. If you are replacing an old shower, check the current model and look for a compatible replacement.
For new installations, we recommend identifying your home’s water pressure and plumbing setup to ensure you choose the best shower type.
4. How does a shower trap work?
A shower trap helps waste water drain correctly while preventing unpleasant smells and waste water from flowing back into the shower.
Shower traps are usually made from plastic or metal and connect the shower tray to the drainage pipe beneath the floor.
Learn more about shower traps here .
5. How does a mixer shower work?
Mixer showers combine hot and cold water through a valve before delivering it through the shower head. This allows you to control temperature while maintaining strong water flow.
Mixer showers are often more water efficient than electric showers, although installation can be more complex.
Browse our mixer shower range .
6. How can I improve my shower water pressure?
Low water pressure can be caused by old pipework, blocked valves, incorrect pipe sizing or water-saving shower heads.
Common solutions include cleaning sediment buildup, replacing the shower head or installing a shower pump or pressurised cylinder.
View our shower pump range .