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Best Low Flow Shower Head

By EarthTechling

Showers can be invigorating, relaxing, and cleansing amongst other things. Unfortunately, they can also be expensive. Showers make up approximately 20 percent of the average household water usage. A single ten-minute shower can use anywhere from 25 to 30 gallons of water. That means that approximately 8.5 billion gallons of water are being used for showers each day in the United States alone. Thankfully, there is a simple product that you can use to help alleviate this excessive water usage: a low flow shower head.

Low flow shower heads work by restricting and regulating the amount of water that flows through them. These low flow units can help you use 30 to 40 percent less water every time you shower. That means that they are not only better for the environment, but better for your bank account as well.

Top 5 Best Low Flow Shower Heads of 2021

Reviews of the Best Low Flow Shower Heads

Niagara Conservation Earth Massage Shower Head

Niagara Conservation Earth Massage Shower Head

Quick Look: Handheld shower head that uses 1.5gpm. WaterSense certified. Non-aerated. Offers three spray functions. Corrosion-resistant. Includes 72 inch hose and mounting bracket. Comes with a 10-year warranty. Check Price at Amazon

Saving water does not have to mean sacrificing your comfort. Thanks to the Conservative Earth Massage shower head from Niagara, you can enjoy a relaxing shower without the guilt of wasting water. This unit uses only 1.5gpm, meaning that you would use 40 percent less water with every shower.

This stylish handheld shower head comes with three spray functions: massage, needle, and combination. You can adjust the spray by simply twisting the face of the shower head until you find the perfect setting for you. With Niagara’s patented Internal Pressure Compensating technology, you can expect consistent powerful showers every time.

This shower head would be a great choice for anyone who is building a new home or trying to update multiple washrooms. It comes in several different finishes, such as chrome, bronze, and steel, and would look classy with any bathroom decor. It is corrosion-resistant, highly durable, and comes with a 10-year warranty.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Niagara Earth Massage Shower Head

Niagara Earth Massage Shower Head

Quick Look: Fixed low flow shower head that uses 1.25gpm. WaterSense certified. Adjustable 9-jet sprayer. Corrosion-resistant. Comes with a 10-year warranty. Check Price at Amazon

Niagara is well-known for their high-quality water-saving home fixtures, so it is no surprise that they made our list twice. Whether you’re purchasing their most expensive product or their most affordable, you can rely on Niagara’s products to be high-quality and dependable. This budget-friendly shower head is the perfect example.

This model comes with an adjustable 9-jet turbo massage sprayer that will leave you feeling clean and relaxed. The sprayer works with Niagara’s patented Internal Pressure Compensator to ensure that you have consistent water pressure with every shower, even if your home water pressure fluctuates. Best of all, it can do all that and save water by using only 1.25gpm.

This model is also built to last. It is corrosion-resistant and virtually maintenance-free. The head is designed to repel buildup so you don’t have to worry about hard water clogging your shower head. It also comes with a 10-year warranty, so if anything does go wrong Niagara will take care of it.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Waterpik Eco Flow Shower Head

Waterpik Eco Flow Shower Head

Quick Look: Handheld low flow shower head that uses 1.6gpm. Offers three spray functions and a pause button. Comes with a 5 foot hose and mounting bracket. Comes with a lifetime guarantee. Check Price at Amazon

If you’re looking for a low flow shower head that looks and functions like a traditional shower head, then this is the model for you. The Eco Flow shower head from Waterpik comes with a classy chrome finish and a 3.5” diameter sprayer, giving it the look of a normal high-end shower head.

Don’t let the fancy packaging fool you though, this is still a low flow fixture, using only 1.6gpm. It comes with three spray functions and a pause button, giving you full control over your shower experience.

This unit comes with a mounting bracket and a 5’ hose for easy installation and use. Once it is installed, this shower head is basically maintenance-free, and it comes with a lifetime warranty. That makes this shower head a risk-free purchase that will be saving you money for years to come.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
High Sierra High Efficiency Shower Head

High Sierra High Efficiency Shower Head

Quick Look: Fixed low flow shower head that uses 1.5gpm. Watersense certified. High-pressure adjustable nozzle. Available in four finishes. Made in America. Check Price at Amazon

Sometimes big things come in small packages and this low flow shower head from High Sierra is here to prove it. Measuring only 2.5” and using only 1.5gpm, this compact shower head really packs a punch.

The patented nozzle design works by crossing the water streams to create a high-pressure shower that drenches you with large water droplets. Although this is a fixed shower head, it comes with an easy swivel ball-joint so it can be adjusted to meet your needs.

This shower head is built in the United States from all metal parts. It is corrosion-resistant and highly durable. This model is designed to withstand years of use without clogging or leaking. It also comes in four eye-catching finishes. This shower head would be a great choice for a compact shower stall or an RV shower.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon
Luxsego Spa Low Flow Shower Head

Luxsego Spa Low Flow Shower Head

Quick Look: Handheld low flow shower head that uses 1.46gpm. Comes with built-in water filter. Offers three high-pressure flow settings. Corrosion-resistant. Comes with a hose and mounting bracket. Check Price at Amazon

Spa days are a great way to destress and improve the look and feel of your skin. Unfortunately, not all of us have time to hit the spa every week or even every month. With this low flow shower head from Luxsego, you can skip the spa all together and still enjoy spa-level skin.

This low flow fixture comes with its own built-in water filter made from natural stone. The natural stone beads filter out impurities while softening the water and adding nourishing minerals. The minerals help to soften and brighten your skin, leaving you clean and refreshed.

To make your home spa experience even better, this unit offers three spray functions: rainfall, jetting, and massage. Simply give the nozzle a twist to find your perfect setting. Best of all, this shower head’s unique design allows you to enjoy high-pressure showers while still saving water. It is capable of achieving nearly 200% better pressure than the average shower head while only using 1.46gpm.

Learn More and Buy Now at Amazon

How We Chose The Best Low Flow Shower Heads

There are thousands of low flow shower heads on the market. With so many great options to choose from, finding the best ones was a challenge. To narrow our search, we chose to focus on these three criteria: Proper flow, quality materials, and ease of use.

Proper Flow

The main purpose of a low flow shower head is to save water, so we chose models that would save at least a gallon per minute over the average shower head. We also looked for models that offered adequate water pressure and spray functions. Not many people enjoy low water pressure, so we chose shower heads that were capable of both saving water and providing a quality shower experience at the same time.

Quality Materials

No one wants to invest money and time into something that isn’t going to last. For that reason, we chose shower heads that were made with quality materials. All of the units on our list are high-quality and built to last for years of daily use without clogging up or breaking down.

Ease of Use

All of the shower heads on our list offer easy, user-friendly installation and operation. Shower heads are fairly user-friendly overall, but we wanted to choose options that would be simple for even the most inexperienced DIYer to install. Each of the units on our list comes with all the required parts and some even come with full installation tutorials making it easy for anyone to switch to low flow.

What You Need To Know About Low Flow Shower Heads

As we mentioned already, low flow shower heads are not complicated products, but just in case this is your first time looking into them, here is a little information that you may find helpful.

What Does Low Flow Mean?

Low flow shower heads restrict water flow to decrease the amount of water that you use while you shower. All modern shower heads restrict water flow to some extent and for good reason. Old school shower heads could use anywhere from 5 to 8 gallons per minute (GPM), meaning that a single ten-minute shower meant 50 to 80 gallons of water down the drain. For this reason, all modern shower heads are restricted to 2.6gpm or less.

Although 2.6gpm is much better than 8gpm, it can still be quite wasteful. Why waste water if you don’t have to? That is why earth-conscious engineers began designing low flow shower heads. They found that by restricting the flow and forcing the water through smaller nozzles, they could save water while still providing adequate water pressure.

Low flow shower heads come in all different styles and sizes, so if you do not see anything on our list that quite fits your situation or your style, do not despair. Companies like Niagara, Waterpik, and American Standard make a wide range of quality low flow shower heads. You’re sure to find one that will meet your needs.

To Aerate Or Not To Aerate?

There are two main types of low flow shower heads: aerated and streamline. Both function by forcing water through small ports in the nozzle of the shower head. The main difference between the two is that streamline models simply force the water through in a powerful steady flow. Aerated units incorporate air into the water flow, creating a softer shower experience.

Although both types are equally efficient in saving water, there is a slight downside to aerated shower heads. The air often cools the water slightly meaning you have to use more hot water to maintain your desired temperature. The increase in hot water usage could waste energy over time. On the other hand, some people find streamline shower heads too powerful resulting in uncomfortable showers. If you prefer a gentler shower, the slight increase in your hot water usage may be completely worth it.

How to Choose The Best Low Flow Shower Head For Your Home

Now that you know all about low flow shower heads, let’s talk about what you should look for in order to find the best option for you.

Savings Versus Comfort?

The first thing you should consider is the amount of water you want to save. Low flow shower heads can range from 1gpm to 2gpm. You may want to jump to the lowest one right away, but take a minute to consider your options before making your purchase. Once you start getting below 1.5gpm the water pressure could drop significantly, leaving you with a weak shower experience.

To avoid that scenario, you have to find a balance between savings and comfort. Look for a low flow model that is capable of producing the water pressure that you enjoy. This may mean choosing a 1.6gpm over a 1.46gpm, but it is better to choose one that you know you will like rather than wasting time and money switching it out later when you can’t stand it anymore.

Functions And Options

Once you know what GPM level you’re looking for, you can begin contemplating the type of functions and options you want. For example, if you prefer the same high-powered shower every morning to wake you up, then you would want to choose a single function streamline model. On the other hand, if you enjoy changing it up sometimes, you would prefer a shower head that has multiple spray functions, like the Niagara Conservation Earth. This is all about your preferences, so you simply have to know what you like.

Style

Last, but not least, the style. Shower heads come in two main styles: fixed and handheld. Fixed units attach directly to the wall and cannot be removed. Handheld units have a hose that allows the user to remove the shower head from the wall and use the sprayer more freely. Neither option is technically better than the other, it just depends on your needs.

Similar to traditional shower heads, low flow units also come in a variety of finishes. The most common options are white plastic, chrome, bronze, and nickel, but there are some more unique colors available as well. Although style isn’t everything, it is good to know that you can save water and still have a stylish home.

Bottom Line

Low flow shower heads can help you save thousands of gallons of water every year. Not only will this help you to lower your energy costs, but it will also help you decrease your carbon footprint. Billions of gallons of water are wasted in showers every day, so why not take this simple step to help alleviate some of that waste and protect our environment?

Choosing the best low flow shower head for your home is simple. All you have to do is determine the amount of water pressure you prefer and find a GPM level that matches. Once you know what GPM level to look for, everything is based on preference. You’ll want to consider the spray functions, style, and design before making your final purchase. You are now well on your way to switching to low flow!

Top 5 Best Low Flow Shower Heads of 2021

Related: The Best Solar Showers