Handheld Shower Heads

A handheld shower head sits in a holder on the wall and lifts off on a flexible hose. For most bathrooms it is the most useful upgrade you can make: you can rinse the tub and shower walls, wash children and pets, and shower sitting down. This collection includes stand-alone handhelds that replace a fixed head, and combos that pair a fixed or rain head with a handheld.

What to compare

Hose length. Most hoses here are 59 to 79 inches (1.5 to 2 m). Pick the longer end if you need to reach the far end of a bathtub or want to shower seated.

Holder. A standard holder screws on between the shower arm and the hose. Adjustable and magnetic docks hold the head at different angles; a slide bar lets each person set their own height.

Spray settings and pause. Five to ten settings are common, from a wide rinse to a narrow massage jet. A pause or trickle button saves hot water while you lather.

Filtration. Many handhelds hold a filter cartridge in the handle. Compare them in shower filters & filtered heads.

Installation

Unscrew the old head, wrap the 1/2-inch shower arm thread with plumber's tape, screw on the holder and attach the hose. Most models need no tools beyond a cloth-wrapped wrench for the last quarter turn. Combos add a diverter between the arm and the two heads.

Popular brands: Cobbe, Hibbent, MakeFit, G-Promise, HammerHead Showers and Moen.

Shop by type: Handheld shower heads · Rain shower heads · Dual & double shower heads · Shower filters & filtered heads · All shower heads & systems

Frequently asked questions

Do handheld shower heads have lower pressure than fixed heads?

Not by design. A handheld rated at the same flow as a fixed head delivers the same amount of water. If it feels weak, check the hose for kinks, soak the nozzles to remove mineral scale, and make sure the supply valve is fully open.

Will a handheld shower head fit my existing shower?

Almost always. Shower arms in Canadian homes use a standard 1/2-inch NPT thread, and every handheld kit here is made for it. Tub spouts with a diverter and in-wall systems are different products; look for 'tub spout' or 'shower system' in the title.

How long should a handheld shower hose be?

About 59 inches (1.5 m) is enough for standing showers. Choose 70 to 79 inches (1.8 to 2 m) if you shower seated, bathe children or pets, or want to rinse the whole tub.