Best Smart Shower of 2021 (Pricing & Features)
To make it a bit easier to find the best smart shower systems for a particular home or bathroom, here is a comparison table. This way, consumers can see which devices have the amenities they’re looking for, be it a low price or water pressure settings.
Provider | Price | Adj. Water Pressure | Adj. Water Temp. | Best For | Compatible Integrations | Connection | Control Settings | Eco- Friendly | Flow Rateth | Massage Settings | Music |
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1. KHLER | $445 | Yes | Yes | Music | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | 60 | Yes | 2.5 GPM | Yes | Yes |
2. Moen U | $622 | Yes | Yes | Auto features | Amazon Alexa | Wi-Fi | 12 | No | 2.5 GPM | Yes | Yes |
3. Moen 26008 | $139 | Yes | Yes | Comfort | N/A | Standard Plumbing | 6 | Yes | 1.75 GPM | Yes | No |
4. Moen S6320 | $174 | Yes | Yes | All-around | N/A | Standard Plumbing | $2 | No | 2.5 GPM | Yes | No |
5. Water Hawk | $33 | Yes | Yes | Energy efficiency | N/A | Standard Plumbing | $2 | Yes | 1.0 GPM | Yes | No |
6. Bidet 4me | $52 | No | Yes | Music | N/A | Bluetooth | $2 | No | 2.5 GPM | No | Yes |
7. Spark Pod | $30 | Yes | Yes | Simplicity | N/A | Standard Plumbing | $2 | Yes | 1.8 GPM | Yes | No |
8. Blue Ocean | $280 | Yes | Yes | Budgets | N/A | Standard Plumbing | $8 | No | 2.5 GPM | Yes | No |
9. ELLO&ALLO | $260 | Yes | Yes | Massage | N/A | Electric | 6 | No | 2.5 GPM | Yes | No |
10. Dream Spa | $50 | No | Yes | Gifting | N/A | Electric | 2 | No | 2.5 GPM | Yes | No |
Shower System Varieties
When looking for a showerhead, consumers must first decide what type of system they want. Some heads have different spray nozzles and pressure settings.
Moreover, the controls can vary widely, depending on whether the device has massage jets or stronger rinse control. Below are several varieties to look for.
Normal Mixer Showers
These are more low-tech but use the standard controls, so they can be easier to handle. On the other hand, they can be so conventional that they lack the modern amenities that make smart showerheads so great.
Electric Showers
These types of shower connections only take in cold water. Then, they use a heating device, such as a boiler, to raise the water temperature to a comfortable spot. It takes a bit longer, but these electric options hold a reservoir of comfy hot water for a longer time.
Digital Shower Control
Lots of people are opting for a digital shower control because it allows for greater personalization. For example, individuals can manually program the system to the exact water temperature they prefer. More modern versions let them do this via a mobile app.
Airdrop Showers
This name sounds a bit funny, but it is a straightforward process. An airdrop unit injects air into the water storage to increase the pressure coming out of the showerhead. So, not only is the shower more comfortable, but the process can save on water usage.
What to Look for When Buying a Smart Shower Head
One can never underestimate the power of a great showerhead. In this section, it’s time to learn how to spot a great deal. Plus, here’s what to look for when shopping around for a smart showering system.
1. Types of Smart Shower Heads
First, consumers must know the different types of showerheads so they can choose the option that best suits their needs. Remember that the air-jet option tends to be more environmentally friendly, but many digital models are also responsible for water usage.
If customers opt for a conventional head, they’ll be limited in pressure and temperature settings.
2. Brands
Some people are particular about the brands they purchase from, while others don’t care. It is a personal preference, so don’t feel pressured to buy from a certain company. That said, the ones listed in this guide are a wonderful place to start.
3. Ease of Use & Installation
Today, consumers want to be able to receive their package, open it up, and install it within minutes. Fortunately, this is possible with many smart showerheads. Of course, the ease with which they can put it together will vary.
4. Battery Usage
This is an interesting factor to consider. Some systems require batteries, while others rely on electricity. There are even some models that use hydro-electric power, although they’re rare.
Just be aware that if batteries are involved, they should have a long shelf life.
5. Connectivity
Today, most intelligent showerheads rely on a Wi-Fi connection. This shouldn’t be a problem for most households, of course. It’s simply a matter of connecting to the Internet network and syncing up a phone or mobile device.
That said, other systems work via Bluetooth, so check the packaging to be sure.
6. Processor Box
Some of these systems work to keep the water nice and warm via a processor box. This acts as a reservoir, so clients don’t get chilly as they bathe, even if someone uses the sink or flushes the toilet.
7. Maintaining Water Pressure & Temperature
Water pressure and temperature are two huge factors to consider. No one wants to step into a trickle of cold water, especially after a hard day of work. Pay attention to the different types of shower systems and controls to determine which set-up is most convenient.
8. Reliability
The dependability of a showerhead rests on several key factors. First, the product itself should be sturdy and rust-resistant. Second, it must rely on a stable connection, be it Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or something else.
Third, it needs the comfort-oriented settings that consumers want.
9. Additional Features
Finally, individuals should think about any other bells and whistles they want. For instance, they may wonder about water usage and conserving resources.
Maybe they want different jet sprays and massage settings. Perhaps mobile access or ambient lighting is important to them.
Pros & Cons
Fortunately, there are lots of great things about these smart systems. Along with providing maximum comfort, they can reduce water usage and save on utility bills.
On the downside, the upfront investment can be too much for some homeowners. Also, these products are fairly new, so the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity aren’t always reliable. Check out the primary advantages and disadvantages below to get a better idea.
Pros:
- Finally, the water temperature stays consistent and at a comfortable spot for the duration of the shower
- No more trickles of water or violent blasts from the spray nozzle because clients can control the water pressure
- The remote control allows users to turn on the shower when they're getting ready to hop in, so the temperature and pressure is just the way they like it
- Showerheads are aesthetically pleasing and can add a classy look to the bathroom
- Some models can reduce the hard water coming out of the nozzle, particularly for clients that live in neighborhoods affected by hard water
- These products can cut down on water bills over the long-term
- They guzzle up less water, so they can help homeowners reduce their carbon footprint
Cons:
- Budget concerns can stop some families from taking advantage of a great digital showerhead
- Difficult installation can make it hard for homeowners to enjoy their shower systems to the fullest
- Glitches with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections are more common than some would like to admit
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a Smart Shower?
In a nutshell, a smart showerhead or system adds an element of luxury and convenience to an everyday task. Just about everyone takes a daily shower, but few people would describe it as an amazing experience.
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How Do Smart Shower Systems Work?
It depends on the specific model, of course. For the most part, smart showers work by using a thermostatic valve, which is a fancy way of saying it mixes cold and hot water. This achieves just the right water temperature, nice and warm, and keeps it consistent.
Some of these showerheads also have different controls on the nozzle to adjust pressure and massage settings. Other brands offer ambient lighting, music, or remote control.
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Does Any Shower Head Fit Any Shower?
No, and this is an important thing to remember. Clients can’t choose a showerhead at random because it might not fit their system at home.
Always double-check the port size and dimensions prior to leaving the house and before purchasing a product.
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Is a Digital Shower Control Reliable?
Yes, as long as the home has a stable Wi-Fi connection. The digital control will allow individuals to turn on the water before hopping in the shower, as well as remotely control the temperature and pressure.
Depending on the model, they can also access lighting or music settings or use voice commands.
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Do Digital Showers Need a Pump?
To answer this question, homeowners should look at their bathrooms, particularly their showers. If it already uses a pump, then it is probably a gravity-fed shower. So, the digital version would also require a pump.
On the other hand, if the system uses a boiler heating element, then a pump isn’t necessary.
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How Often Should You Change Your Shower Head?
There are a few things to pay attention to that can help homeowners know when it’s time to switch out the showerhead and install a new one. First, look at the water quality and regularly check to see if hard water (high mineral content) is coming out of the nozzle.
Secondly, if the spray nozzle is caked in dirt or grime, a good cleaning is in order. In the case that the dirt remains, it’s time to replace that head with a clean one.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, most people would welcome a nice, comforting shower. A digital model is a convenient and efficient way to use resources responsibly. The voice commands and automatic and custom controls can create the best shower ever.
Besides, in the future, expect these smart showers to sync even better with smart toilets, lights, and other home systems. If anything, these products speed up the morning routine while also making it enjoyable.