Th Best Low Flow Showerheads

Low-flow showerheads are efficient. They can significantly reduce your household water consumption without a noticeable difference to your shower experience. The term “low flow” is generally defined as a showerhead with a water consumption rate of 0.5 to 2 gallons per minute (gpm). Here’s my review of what’s available:

Ultra Oxygenics Low-Flow Showerhead

Low Flow Shower Head: Oxygenics

Pros: Attractive design. Adapts well to different kinds of water pressure. Has a lever that adjusts water velocity. Oxygenates water.

Cons: Has a jet-like sound that some may find distracting. May reduce the temperature of your shower water a bit.

Price: $20-35

The Oxygenics SkinCare Showerhead is my favorite low-flow showerhead. It has a vigorous spray and it oxygenates the water quite well. It is a “self-pressurizing” showerhead, meaning it adapts to low or variable water pressure. It can deliver a great shower whether the water pressure is 20 psi (pounds per square inch) or 100 psi. It has a maximum flow rate of just 1.5 gallons of water per minute. It has a comfort control lever on the side to allow for the regulation of water velocity at the showerhead, allowing the user to select a spray ranging from brisk and stimulating to soft and gentle.

Available from Amazon for around $17.

Niagara Earth Massage Low-Flow Shower Head

Niagara Earth Massage Low-Flow Shower Head

Pros: Produces a pleasant, massaging spray. Non-aerated spray means no water temperature loss. Self-cleaning. Good price.

Cons: Some may prefer an aerated spray.

Price: $17

Nice shower head  – the 1.75 gpm adjustable spray of this showerhead delivers a broad, rain-like spray or a focused, pulsating massaging spray. It is self-cleaning, and the non-aerated spray mean less temperature loss between the showerhead and you.

Available from Amazon for around $17

Ultra Saver Showerhead

Ultra Saver Showerhead

Pros: Uses only 1.5 gallons per minute. The price is hard to beat.

Cons: “No-Frills” design. May need to be replaced in a couple years.

Price: $3-$8

These low-cost showerheads get good reviews from buyers, and they certainly have a low-flow rate at 1.5 gallons per minute. Apparently, this showerhead lasts for about two years before it needs replacing. The pressure of the water erodes the water holes and the spray becomes uneven. This similar showerhead can be cleaned, thus avoiding this problem.

Available from Amazon for $3-$8.

Bricor Low Flow Showerheads

Bricor Low Flow Showerheads

Pros: Good design. Can be used with very low water pressure. Use only 0.5-1 gallons per minute!

Cons: Pricey.

Price: $60-$80

How low can you go with showerheads? Well, Bricor has some showerheads that use as little as a 1/2 a gallon of water per minute. These showerheads make use of “vacuum flow restriction” technology created by Bricor. The showerheads seen here are the “B100 SUPERMAX” series, and they are rated at 1.125 gallons per minute @ 50 psi. Bricor also has a “B100 ULTRA MAX” showerhead that is rated at 0.5025 gpm. You’ll have to pay for such a low flow — the showerheads cost about $60-$80 each. But don’t forget you’ll be saving water and the cost of heating the hot water for your showers.

Link: Bricor