This is the expert guide to choosing a shower. It covers:

  • What are the different types of showers available
  • What are the benefits of the different shower types
  • Which shower is right for my home

So, if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by all the different shower types available, this guide will help you understand your water pressure from your boiler and help you make the right shower choice for your home.

What are the different types of showers available?

The four most common showers available are:

  • Electric showers
  • Mixer showers
  • Power showers
  • Digital showers

Electric Shower

An electric shower is the most versatile shower type. At the switch of a dial, you have instant hot water bursting from your shower head. The key features of this shower type include:

image showing how an electric shower works

  • Only needs a cold water supply
  • Needs an electricity supply
  • Instantly heats water using an in-built heating element
  • Mix the hot water with cold water using a dial to reach your preferred temperature

Mixer Shower

A mixer shower is probably the most traditional shower type in the UK. It has two handles that you adjust, one for cold and one for hot, to find the perfect temperature for you. The key features of this shower type include:

image showing how a mixer shower works

  • Needs a hot and cold water supply
  • Water is heated in a hot water tank prior to reaching the shower
  • Does not need an electricity supply
  • Mix the hot and cold water using the independent handles to reach your preferred temperature

Power Shower

A power shower is a fairly new shower type that is rising in popularity as more people convert and upgrade their old bathrooms. The key features of this shower type include:

image showing how a power shower works

  • Needs a hot and cold water supply
  • Water is heated in a hot water tank prior to reaching the shower
  • An electricity source is needed to boost the flow rate

Digital Shower

The most recent invention of the four shower types, a digital shower offers you the most control of your temperature and flow rate. The key features of this shower type include:

image showing how a digital shower works

  • Needs a hot and cold water supply
  • Water is heated in a hot water tank prior to reaching the shower
  • An electricity source is needed to operate the temperature dial and connect to smartphone devices

What are the benefits of the different shower types?

OK, so you understand the four different shower types available. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of each model? Let’s take a look.

Electric Shower - Advantages

graphic showing the advantages and disadvantages of an electric shower

No Hot Water Supply

The main advantage of an electric shower is that you do not need to worry about having a hot water supply. If you live in a flat or are converting an attic or a basement, you may not have a dedicated hot water supply available. In this case, an electric shower would be the ideal shower to purchase.

Eco-Friendly

Electric showers only heat water when you actually need it. This feature is much better for the planet as it means you reduce the amount of electricity and gas you use from the national grid. As a bonus, you’ll also save hundreds of pounds over the lifetime of your shower.

Compatible with Combi-Boilers

Electric showers are also a good choice if you’re installing into a combi-boiler system. Electric showers do not come with a built-in pump. It is both dangerous and illegal to install a shower with a built-in pump on a combi-boiler system. As an added benefit, if your combi-boiler fails you will still have hot showers.

Electric Shower - Disadvantages

Relies on Home Water Pressure

One possible disadvantage of an electric shower is that it does rely on your home water pressure. If you have low water pressure, then an electric shower by itself will not improve the burst of water you receive at the shower head. However, this can be remedied by installing a tool called a shower pump. This is a device that would sit between your hot or cold water tank and would boost the pressure of the water in your system. Shower pumps are fairly affordable and easy to install. Read about shower pumps here.

Mixer Shower Advantages

graphic showing the advantages and disadvantages of a mixer shower

More Stylish Options Available

Mixer showers have a good array of versatile style options. With a power shower or electric shower, you are usually stuck with the manufacturer’s design. However, with a mixer shower, you can switch out the taps, the shower head or even hide all the components behind a tiled wall if you fancy a minimalist look. The design options are almost endless.

Variety of Versatile Uses

A shower isn’t only used for cleaning your body. It can be used for a myriad of tasks, such as bathroom cleaning and cleaning pets. In these cases, you might want only hot water or just cold water. With a mixer shower, you get this added versatility when compared to an electric or power shower.

No Electricity Supply Needed

Fitting an additional electricity supply to your shower unit can be expensive and time-intensive. This will add to the cost of your shower installation. Fortunately, a mixer shower does need an electricity supply as it relies on hot water directly from your home’s hot water tank.

Mixer Shower - Disadvantages

Relies on House Water Pressure

Again, similar to an electric shower, a mixer shower will rely on your home water pressure. If you have low water pressure, then a mixer shower by itself will not improve the burst of water you receive at the shower head. But again, this can easily be remedied by installing a shower pump. This is a simple pump that sits between your hot and cold water tanks. When water is released from your tanks, the shower pump boosts the pressure of the water before sending it to the shower head. You can read all about shower pumps here.

Relies on Boiler to Provide Hot Water

On the odd occasion that your boiler does fail, you will be without hot water. This is a very rare occurrence, but if hot water is an absolute necessity at all times, then you may be better off purchasing an electric shower.

Power Shower - Advantages

graphic showing the advantages and disadvantages of a power shower

Improves Water Pressure

The one real benefit of a power shower is its ability to improve your water pressure, without the need for a shower pump. Power showers come installed with a pump inside the unit, which will boost the water pressure in your shower system.

Power Shower - Disadvantages

Uses a lot of water and electricity

The power shower isn’t the most economical or eco-friendly option. The power needed to boost the pump uses a lot of electricity. This will, unfortunately, cost you a fair bit of money, costing on average double the price of an electric or mixer shower.

Cannot be installed on a Combi-Boiler System

Combi-boiler systems run on mains water pressure. It is illegal to install a pump on a mains water pressure system. Installing a power shower on a combi-boiler system could cause the system to implode. If you have a combi-boiler system, you will need to purchase an electric or mixer shower.
Digital Shower - Advantages

Accurately Adjust Water Temperature and Flow Rate

Digital showers are the latest in shower technology development. One of the main benefits of a digital shower is the ability to adjust the water temperature and flow rate to your exact requirements. You may like a full pressure blast, while another member of your household, may require a shower with softer touch. You can adjust all the settings using the control panel or via your smartphone.

Syncs with Smart Technology

The latest digital shower models now sync with your smart devices. You can now turn on the shower using Alexa, Google Home Hub or even your phone. Some showers also come installed with speakers, so you can play your favourite tunes in the shower.

Digital Shower - Disadvantages

graphic showing the advantages and disadvantages of a digital shower

Requires an Electricity Supply

You will need to install an electricity supply to your digital shower. This will come at an extra expense in terms of time and money.

Temperamental Technology

All new technology has issues in its early days. You may experience issues connecting a smart device and additional shower components do increase the chances of something breaking. If you are going to purchase a digital shower, we encourage you to purchase a well-established trusted brand with a decent warranty.

Which shower is right for my home?

Which shower is right for you will depend on your heating system, water pressure and personal preferences. Let’s take a look at a few different scenarios and try to find you the right shower.

Which heating system do you have installed?

It is essential that you know what type of heating system you have installed. Certain shower types will not be compatible with certain heating systems. For example, a power shower is not compatible with a combi-boiler. You can identify your heating system, using this guide here.

Some showers will also work better than other showers with a particular heating system. For example, a combi-boiler works with both an electric shower and a mixer shower. However, an electric shower will generally outperform the mixer shower due to the heating system’s design.

graphic showing which shower types work best with different heating systems

Do you need to improve your water pressure?

Your home water pressure is also an important consideration when purchasing a shower. Some showers will perform better at improving your water pressure than others. As you can see in the table below, the power shower is the best solution for improving water pressure. However, you can still purchase an electric, mixer or digital shower and improve your water pressure. All you need is a shower pump installed between your bathroom and the hot/cold water tank. A plumber will often recommend a shower pump over a power shower as you can improve the water pressure to your whole bathroom and not just the shower head. It can also be quite a bit cheaper and easier to install than the power shower alternative.

graphic showing you which shower type will help you improve your water pressure

What are your personal preferences?

We all have our little differences. Some people will care greatly about the environment, while others will have a bigger interest in technology. Each of these little differences will impact which shower type is right for you. Here are a few different scenarios to help you make your choice.

I want to be as eco-friendly as possible

In this scenario, it would be best to purchase an electric or digital shower. A digital shower can be programmed to only heat water at desired times during the day. This will help keep your energy usage low. An electric shower is similar. It will only use electricity when it is in operation. Again, this will help reduce your energy consumption.

I want the latest technology installed in my bathroom

Of course, there is only one real option here, the digital shower. If your family loves all things tech, then the digital type of shower with its temperature control, smart phone integration and flow rate control will make the ideal showering experience.

I want a really stylish shower

The mixer shower is versatile in terms of design and style options. If you want things like creative bath taps, rain showers or a minimalistic look, then a mixer shower will offer far more options.

I want to be able to use my shower independently of my boiler

If you have an old immersion heater or boiler tank, then you will naturally be worried about your hot water. In this case, we'd recommend an electric shower, as this will work independently of your hot water system.

I want a traditional shower, nothing complicated

Mixer showers are great. Houses are often designed for them and they allow you to keep things quite simple in terms of installation and technology. If you want to keep things simple, go for one of the many mixer showers available.

Free Advice

If you’re struggling with advice on which shower to install, ring our dedicated experts on 0800 112 3134 or 0333 577 3134. We’re open Monday to Friday 07:00 - 17:30 and Saturday 08:30 - 12:30.