Choosing the Best Low-Flow Showerhead for Your Bathroom

Saving water can benefit you and your entire community. It can lower your monthly bills (freeing up cash for more exciting things) while also contributing to regional efforts to reduce consumption in drought-prone areas. The city of Phoenix alone provides drinking water to 1.5 million people across 540 square miles. If everyone cuts back a little, there should be enough water to go around.

One of the easiest ways to cut back on water use is to evaluate your showers. Showers account for 20% of home water consumption on average (second only to toilet use) with most families using 27 gallons of water per day on showers alone.   

Whether or not you are remodeling your bathroom, now is a good time to test your showerhead and replace it with a more efficient model. Learn more about the different showerheads on the market and how you can elevate your bathing experience while using less water at the same time.  

What Makes a “Low Flow” Showerhead?

Shower water consumption is measured in gallons per minute (GPM). The average showerhead uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute while a low-flow showerhead uses 2.0 GPM or less. Many modern showerheads have a flow rate of 1.8 GPM, which meets California’s standards for water conservation.  

You might not think that a half-gallon per minute reduction would have a big impact, but this water conservation adds up. According to the EPA, families can save 2,700 gallons of water per year by opting for low-flow models. Additionally, families can place less pressure on their water heaters and could save 330 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually (which is enough to power a home for 11 days). One showerhead investment can lower both your water and electric bills. 

If you aren’t sure whether you have a water-saving showerhead in your home, run a simple test. Grab a one-gallon bucket and time how long it takes to fill up. If you can fill the bucket in less than 20 seconds, you do not have a low-flow showerhead. The longer it takes the bucket to fill, the lower the GPM on your faucet.

Why Choose Low Flow?

While some people are motivated by general water conservation efforts, the biggest reason to invest in low-flow showerheads is to save money. Depending on your shower use and the size of your family, you might immediately notice a drop in your water and electric bills just by switching showerheads. (Roughly 65% of the water that Americans use this heated, and these costs add up.) The best part is that a showerhead is a one-time cost but you can reap the savings benefits for years. 

If you are remodeling a bathroom in California, you might only have low-flow showerheads to choose from, so it’s worth your time to understand the pros of adding these models to your home.

Advantages

There are several benefits of adding low-flow showerheads to your bathrooms. A few reasons why people choose these products include: 

• Lower utility bills: Enjoy noticeable drops in your water and electric bills because of your reduced consumption. 
• Environmental conservation: Take less free water out of the environment and protect this resource in drought-prone areas.  
• Improve your home’s value: You can highlight your water conservation efforts to potential buyers when it is time to sell your property. 
• Enjoy advanced technology: Many low-flow models use modern design trends to make your shower experience more enjoyable. 

Low-flow showerheads are also affordable investments, which means upgrading your current showerheads is a low-risk choice. If you don’t like the results, you can always change them to different models.  

Disadvantages

Despite the multiple advantages of low-flow showerheads, there are some potential drawbacks to keep in mind. The main concern that homeowners have with this option is that the water pressure will drop, creating a worse shower experience. However, this is where modern technology comes in. Many low-flow showerheads are designed to maximize water pressure while reducing water use. In most cases, there is no perceivable difference or only a minimal drop in pressure. 

If you notice a pressure drop, look into other factors within your home that could impact your water pressure. The showerhead might not be the only issue. 

Additionally, some people are concerned about the cost of replacing the showerhead. However, base-model showerheads cost around $20 and are only a one-time purchase for long-term savings. You can also find luxury showerheads for less than $200 if you want to save money. 

Types of Water-Saving Showerheads

Just because you want a water-saving showerhead doesn’t mean you have to give up the style elements that you love. Many low-flow showerheads come in a variety of design options and price points. As you shop for showerheads, look for the WaterSense label (or similar branding that highlights water conservation). You can also research specific showerheads to make sure they are low-flow.  

Here are a few types of low-flow showerheads you can add to your home. 

Fixed Showerheads

These are your basic showerhead models that attach to the wall. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to match your personal aesthetic. While fixed heads remain in place, many allow you to adjust the direction of the flow to match the height of the person using the shower.

Rain Showerheads

Rainfall showerheads are one of the more popular models on the market right now. They create a luxury feel by raining water directly onto your head. These are still considered fixed showerheads except that they are installed on the ceiling rather than built into the wall. 

Most rain showerheads are not low-flow, but it is possible to find ones that are. Check your packaging carefully before buying one of these models. 

Handheld Showerheads

Handheld showerheads allow you to remove the nozzle from the wall to target specific areas. These are ideal if you need to wash a specific part of your body (like dirty feet after walking around in the yard) or if you have young kids who need help washing their hair. Many people like these showerheads because they can feel like they are in the salon with the up-close water pressure. 

Dual Showerheads

Dual showerheads are also known as double showerheads and they can serve different purposes. Some of these setups are meant to increase your shower flexibility. You can use your fixed showerhead most days and then switch to the detachable model when you need it. 

Other dual showerheads are made for couples. They are installed in different parts of the shower or placed in such a way that two people can shower at the same time — further conserving water while also making your pre-work rinse more enjoyable. 

Smart Showerheads

Smart showerheads connect to Wi-Fi and can be adjusted through voice controls on your smart speaker (like Amazon Alexa). You can turn on your shower with your smartphone and set it to your ideal temperature. These showerheads often have digital valves and touchscreens. Investing in a smart showerhead could be a great idea if you want a luxury bathroom in your home. 

Tips for Replacing Your Showerhead

Once you find the best showerhead for your home, make sure replacing it is a simple and fast process. First, know your skill level. Decide whether this is a DIY project you feel comfortable taking on or whether you want to hire professionals to cover the installation instead. (Replacing a showerhead might seem easy, but you are still working with your home’s plumbing system.)  

If you decide to replace your showerhead on your own, make sure you have all of the necessary tools and hardware beforehand. This will save time and prevent extra trips to the hardware store. Wait until your kids are out of the house so they don’t need the bathroom — especially if you need to turn off the water at any point. 

Finally, test your low-flow showerhead. Do the bucket test on your new model to ensure that you are actually saving water with your upgraded option.