When thinking of the best showerheads for the house or an upgrade to your showerhead, you might decide which type to go for. There are different types of showerheads, but you have to start by determining whether to go in for a wall-mounted showerhead, also known as a fixed showerhead or a handheld showerhead.
If you are torn between which showerhead will suit you, this article is just for you. I will compare wall-mounted and handheld showerheads and some pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Depending on your needs, you can install a wall-mounted or handheld showerhead. Keep reading this article to find out more.
Comparing Wall-Mounted Showerheads and Handheld Showerheads
Wall-mounted showerheads and handheld showerhead both have their unique features. If you are considering installing either of them in your bathroom, you may ask how they compare and why I should choose one. Thankfully, that is what this article is about. Let’s dive deep into this and see how the two compare.
1. Position
The position is the most visible difference between a wall-mounted showerhead and a fixed showerhead.
Wall-Mounted Showerhead
Regarding position, wall-mounted showerheads are fixed in a static place and cannot be moved around. Its position at the point of installation will remain the same, and the only way to change it is by doing a new building. Since it cannot be easily adjusted, water can only flow in one direction, that is, the direction it was set to point to during installation, making it challenging to direct the water elsewhere.
It must be noted that some wall-mounted showerheads allow for head rotation, but the bottom line is it is still fixed. You cannot increase or decrease the height of the showerhead.
Handheld Showerhead
The handheld showerhead, on the other hand, is not fixed. The showerhead holder is fixed but can be moved around in different directions. Depending on the length of the attached shower hose, it can be stretched to any desired position without difficulty.
2. Size
Wall-Mounted Showerhead
Fixed showerheads come in a variety of sizes and shapes. From round-shaped to square-shaped, fixed showerheads can be smaller in size, with a diameter of 5 inches or less or larger, ranging from 6 inches upwards. Take the rain showerhead as an example, it can have a large diameter of up to 12 inches, increasing the shower coverage in your shower.
Handheld Showerhead
Handheld showerheads also come in various sizes and shapes, but compared to wall-mounted showerheads, they generally have a smaller diameter for easy handling and usage.
3. Control
Wall-mounted showerheads and handheld showerheads have different levels of flexibility and control.
Wall-Mounted Showerhead
Once a wall-mounted showerhead is fixed, you can’t move it around. You don’t get the freedom to take it off the wall, control where the water goes, or train water on other body parts. Some wall-mounted showerheads have a pivot mechanism that makes it possible to adjust the spray direction, but that’s just it. You don’t have any other control.
Older people over 55 usually don’t prefer wall-mounted or fixed showerheads because they lack control. It is mainly preferred by people under 45, as indicated by the 2014 Houzz survey.
Handheld Showerhead
Unlike wall-mounted showerheads, handheld showerheads with their detachable hose give you all the freedom to do whatever purpose you may find. You can leave it fixed in its holder or take it off the wall to direct water to other parts of the body. They are perfect for bathing kids without suffocating them, for older people, especially when they need to sit on a shower bench, for bathing your dog easily, or for washing your hair without wetting your entire body.
In a nutshell, if you need control over showering, a handheld showerhead is your go-to. It is just a matter of pulling the showerhead off the wall and controlling where the water goes.
4. Water Pressure
Wall-Mounted Showerhead
Most wall-mounted showerheads, especially rain showerheads, are about relaxing under large water droplets and not necessarily getting sprayed by concentrated water pressure. Also, if you experience reduced water pressure in your house, you will not get a total flow rate, making your shower experience not enjoyable.
Handheld Showerhead
Handheld showerheads give you an additional feel of water pressure on your skin. If you are into strong water pressure, you will love handheld showerheads because even when your water pressure is low, you can experience added pressure by bringing the water close to you. The added pressure that comes with handheld showerheads makes it easier to rinse off shampoo and soap.
5. Spray Settings
Wall-Mounted Showerhead
Wall-mounted showerheads generally have just one spray pattern, meaning you are stuck with whatever spray pattern it’s built-in. It is usually made so because of its position high above the ground, making it difficult to adjust the spray settings all the time.
Handheld Showerhead
A handheld showerhead, on the other hand, generally comes with multiple spray settings, allowing you to adjust the intensity of the stream.
6. Feel
Both of them provide a refreshing shower experience.
Wall-Mounted Showerhead
Fixed showerheads are installed above your head, with water droplets discharging like rainers. The steady, drenching shower cascading all over your body gives a relaxing feeling. With even wider diameter showerheads, it can make shower time a stress relieving moment as its wide coverage leaves you with a warmer, relaxing feeling in the shower.
Handheld Showerhead
Generally, handheld showerheads have multiple settings and double as massagers, giving you a spa-like home experience. Higher pressure from handheld showerheads and the ability to focus the water pressure on specific parts of your body gives you more of a massaging feel with the nozzles so close to your skin. You can even use a handheld showerhead for muscle soreness after a workout with focused pressure.
7. Cleaning
Showerheads, from time to time, need to be maintained, descaled, and cleaned of any mould and dirt.
Wall-Mounted Showerhead
Cleaning a wall-mounted showerhead deep won’t be easy because it is fixed. You would have to try and reach the showerhead up there, which can be an inconvenient thing to do. Not to say that cleaning is impossible, but because it is fixed, it is difficult to do a deep cleaning unless the showerhead can be screwed and unscrewed.
See Related Article: 4 Easy Ways To Remove Limescale From Showerheads Plus How To Prevent It
Handheld Showerhead
Cleaning a handheld showerhead is relatively easy because you can take the components apart and get them cleaned easily.
8. Breakability
Wall-Mounted Showerhead
They are less prone to breakage, leakage, and other problems because they are immovable. Once it’s fixed, it remains there with no interference and movements.
Handheld Showerhead
They are more prone to breaking, leaking, and other problems. Handheld showerheads have many movable components, and as it is always moving around, the possibility of dropping, leakage and other related issues is very high.
9. Installation
Wall-Mounted Showerhead
Wall-mounted showerheads are more challenging to install and usually require a professional plumber’s services.
Handheld Showerhead
Compared to fixed showerheads, handheld showerheads are easy to install. You can install it by yourself without the services of a plumber.
Comparison Between Wall-Mounted Showerhead And Handheld Showerhead Summary
| Wall-Mounted Showerhead | Handheld Showerhead | ||
| 1. | Position | Fixed at one position | It can have a diameter of up to12 inches |
| 2. | Size | It gives a relaxed feeling | Generally small diameter for easy handling |
| 3. | Control | No freedom to move it around | Have total control to direct the water in any direction. |
| 4. | Water Pressure | Generally low pressure | The additional feel of water pressure |
| 5. | Spray settings | Generally has one spray pattern | It provides a more massage feel |
| 6. | Feel | It has multiple spray settings | Gives a more massage feel |
| 7. | Cleaning | Not very easy to take apart (if not impossible) and clean | Very easy to take apart and clean |
| 8. | Breakability | Less prone to leaks and damage | Prone to leaks and damage |
| 9. | Installation | Difficult to install | Easy to install |