Kohler Flipside Shower Head Reviiew

Also available in a handheld version.

Took my first shower with this one.  Gonna give it a couple more goes and remove the flow restrictor, before commenting.  Overall positive impression, so far, even with the flow restrictor in place.

Skip it.  More coming soon...

Welcome to the Buyer's Guide to Low Water Pressure Showerheads!

Welcome to my showerhead blog, world!

My purpose here is to share my experiences and knowledge and provide useful information to others in search of a better showerhead.  Especially those who reside in homes with low water pressure.

What I will be focusing on..

Inexpensive Showerheads - Less than 30ish bucks will be the focus, maybe an exception or two.

Showerheads that do well in Low Water Pressure Situations - My water pressure is measured  40 psi at best, and it goes down from there.  Average water pressure in the US is 50 psi.  Most towns have standardized on 60 psi as their goal for water delivery. 

Low Flow Showerheads - With an eye towards extending hot water supply, but it just so happens that this is beneficial for low water pressure situations as well.  And of course water conservation and judicious use of energy and resources is a side benefit.  Savings on energy usage (heating hot water) is icing on the cake.  But my primary concern is shower quality (comfort, rinsing, warmth, etc).

What I will not be focusing on...

Showerheads that do well in High Water Pressure Situations - If you have high water pressure, you have a much wider choice of fixtures that will do well for you.  In fact you have different showerhead characteristic requirements if focussed on maximizing comfort...ie high flow, non restricted flow showerheads.  That being said, you may wish to research Low Flow Showerheads for other reasons, thus this blog may be of interest to those with high water pressure.

High Flow Showerheads - Showerheads with flow restrictors removed.  See above.

Expensive Showerheads - Showerheads greater than $50.  Frugal and economical is the focus of this blog.

Rain Type Showerheads - Typically these are lower pressure affairs. I am looking for some force to the spray.

Multi-Function Massage Type Showerheads - Update: Added these as i found some good performers.  Really depends on the head, like with regular showerheads.

Handheld Showerheads -   Update: Added these as I found some good performers.  Really depends on the head, like with regular showerheads.

I will also cover some shower arms, water flow control devices.  I will be posting videos of spray patterns and flows of many showerheads.  Reviewing each showerhead and also comparing them to one another.   Recommendation lists will be compiled.  And a ratings form developed.  

Please note that some of the findings will be subjective and a matter of personal preference.  It's just the nature of the beast.

Hope you find this information useful in your search for a better shower experience!  Good Luck out there!

Best regards

EscapeVelocity


Addendum:

After having some experience with more than a score of showerheads, Ive decided to group the showerheads into classes that have similar mechanical spray functionality.   Each showerhead will get a write up, and then I will do a write up comparing all the showerheads within each class group to each other, with a best in class.  I will then post a comparison between the class groupings.   Finally the Top 4 or 5 ranked showerheads will compared amongst each other in it's own post.  I might have a couple of posts on products of special merit as well.  Best Buy alternatives will also be posted.


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Top Performing Shower Heads So Far...

Hansgrohe Croma E100 (and C100) 3 Jet Regular (Not the Eco-Air version)

Alsons Fluidics / Delta H2OKinetics

High Sierra 1.5 gpm Shower Head

Waterpik LAT-569 Easy Select 5 Setting Handheld

Grohe Relexa 28-342 

Kingston Brass K131A 

HighPressureShowerHeads.com Supreme

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The Whedon Saver Alsons Incredible Head Class of Showerheads Comparative Review

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Top 3

1rst Place

Rainshow'r Bernoulli = 2.5 gpm  Largest droplets amongst the group and a slighly tighter spray pattern make this the most efficient showerhead at rinsing, warmth is slightly better than the rest, as well.  Also the top performer in the group as to spray force.  The donut hole is less pronounced for shorter people.  Slight edge in build qualty and aesthetics goes to the Bernoulli Rainshow'r as well.  Made in USA.  By far, the most expensive of the group.

2nd Place

Alsons Incredible Head Europa  = 2.5 gpm Second place in the group, owing to it's flow control valve, which allows dialing back the flow for shaving or lathering to reduce water usage, without cutting the flow completely off, which helps maintain some warmth and comfort.  The 3rd Place Whedon Deluxe Showersaver has slightly better spray force and rinsing ability, but the spray characteristics of these 2 are similar, with pronounced donut hole.  Delta is now branding these.  Originally made in USA now made in China.  The Peerless knockoff has reduced build quality with a rubber flow control valve....so stay away from that one.  

3rd Place  

Whedon Deluxe ShowerSaver DS1C & DS2C 2.5 gpm = Nearly as good of force as the Bernoulli.  The wider spray pattern and more pronounced donut hole made this one less effective at rinsing.  Warmth was OK, spray force was slightly better than the 2nd place finisher, and slightly less than the 1rst place finisher.  Most Whedon showerheads used to be made in USA, now many are made in China and/or Assembled in USA.   

Others

Alsons Incredible Head 2.5 gpm = This showerhead had a really fine mist type spray, amongst a category of showerheads that are known for that attribute.  Very gentle fine mist sprinkle, with no pronounced donut hole.  Very even distribution of droplets.  I found the spray particularly soothing and thought it worth praising on the blog.  However the rinsing ability suffers greatly making this a less practical utilitarian showerhead.  Warmth suffers as well.  The trickle valve is tightly machined and works great.  Made in USA.  Delta now brands these and they are made in China.

Whedon Ultra Saver 1.9 gpm =  This one has a flow regulator which maintains 1.9 gpm at a range of pressures.  Less forceful spray that the Top 3.  Pronounced donut hole.  Slightly less warm.    This one fell to the bottom.  It does rinse better than the one just above.  Not recommended.

Conclusion

I must admit, the gadgeteer in me has a fondness for these tiny all brass construction low frills showerheads.

In the final analysis, none of these made the list of the creme de la creme of showerheads for low water pressure.  The Rainshow'r Bernoulli is quite livable and kind of stylish in a modern kind of way.   Ultimately the most interesting showerhead in this group is the Alsons Incredible Head Europa, which can be useful where you are trying to limit water (hot water) usage, but still trying to maintain some comfort...avoiding a trickle valve near full shutdown of the flow and instead just dialing it back a bit.  However you can buy stand alone flow valves that sit between a showerhead and the arm for this purpose and use other better spray showerheads.

Note

The High Sierra 1.5 gpm showerhead would upon a quick glance belong to this group of showerheads, however it does not share the same basic mechanical design.   It's design is unique and frankly it blows all of these away in spray force and rinsing ability and warmth, at low pressure at least, whilst using less water to boot.   

Waterpik LAT-569 Easy Select 5 Setting Handheld Shower Head Review

The Waterpik Easy Select 5 Setting Handheld Showerhead is a good choice for low water pressure.  All the settings are fully effected and strong.  

At first I was avoiding multi-setting massage type showerhead and handheld showerheads, but after the success with the Hansgrohe Croma (non-Eco Air version) E100 3 Jet, I decided to give some others a try.   Not all of them have been successes, for example the Waterpik Twin Turbo just doesnt get enough water flow and pressure to be effective at all settings in my shower.  But this does very well.  

Here is a video of the spray settings...

All of the settings are useful and or enjoyable.

The Full Rain Spray setting is high and low flow selectable.  And although I wish the high flow setting were a bit stronger in force and it doesnt drench as well as the Hansgrohe Croma Eco Air 3 Jet rain setting, it is acceptable and the lower setting is nice for doing a modified navy shower....saving (hot) water while still maintaining some comfort and warmth while shaving and lathering.  I wish the Power Spray and the Circular Massage were both a bit wider, but they are useful and usable as they are with nice force and thick streams of water.  The Circular Massage is very nice and provides good rinsing ability as does the Power Spray.  My favorite setting may be the Mist Spray.  It's not a great rinser (but not terrible), but you could do a full shower with just that setting.  

The Easy Select ring switch works with one hand and it's big knobs prevent slipping.   Easy to turn and with a positive click/indentation operation.

The mount is very intuitive and easy to install, pretty well designed, I say.  The plastic faux metal hose is kind of lame.  Build quality on the whole unit is fair.  The faux nickel finish is nice.  

I probably wont be using this as a handheld.  But one nice feature of this unit is the mount lifts the showerhead up a good bit.  A nice touch for tall people.  This also makes this a more downfiring affair than most showerheads.  Like a rainshower head type of overhead mount.  

Note: This thing was terrible with the flow restrictor left in.  I removed it.  This applies to all Waterpik showerheads.  They stink with the flow restrictor.  There are videos on Youtube to help with flow restrictor removal on Waterpick showerheads.

This one is going into the list of Top Performers for the final showdown.

There seems to be some question about this units long term durability based on Amazon reviews.

Spray Force = 5 on some settings
Spray Warmth = 4 on some settings
Spray Width = 4 on some settings
Rinsing Ability = 4 on some settings, 5 handheld 
Build Quality = 3

High Sierra 1.5 gpm Showerhead Review

The High Sierra 1.5 gpm low flow showerhead is a real surprise!  It's a unique design that really delivers a strong force of water.  

A thorough review of the High Sierra showerhead can be found at TriRig.

This showerhead doesn't really fit into the other categories based on physical operation design characteristics.   It uses a hose type nozzle in which a rounded bar is placed in front of the stream to break it up and give the nice showering experience from the flow.  

Without a doubt this is the strongest force water blast from a 1.5 gpm showerhead, even amongst all showerheads Ive tested here in a low water pressure situation.   The forceful spray is not stingy.   The force of this showerhead and stream characteristics makes this shower head a bit more splashy off the body than others.  The spray is fairly tight, but works well.  The spray pattern is oval symetrical with no donut hole in the center like some other shower heads. Warmth is good for such a low flow unit.  Rinsing ability is great.

The force combined with the low flow makes this a great showerhead for saving money or for taking longer relaxing showers.   Combine this with a trickle/shut off valve for even more water savings. 

Build quality is top notch, all chrome plated brass with a polycarbonate water guide cap.  The design also looks promising with regards to hard water deposit, aka lime scale, build up.   The design also prevents water dripping after shutdown.

This is a top contender.  Highly recommended.  Price is $34.95 plus shipping and can be found at the manufacturer's website and Amazon.

Made in USA.


Spray Force = 5
Spray Warmth = 4
Spray Width = 4
Rinsing Ability = 4
Build Quality = 5

Alsons Fluidics / Delta H20Kinetics 1.85 gpm Review

A great review of the Delta H2OKinetics showerhead can be found at Apartment Therapy.

This showerhead comes in several versions.  

Delta 2.5/1.85 gpm switchable
Alsons 1.85 gpm only
Alsons 1.6 gpm only
Delta 1.5 gpm only

Delta bought Alsons and these designs a few years ago.   There are also some similar Delta H2OKinetics models with 4 spouts but in smaller heads that Ive seen in Home Depot, which are cheaper, but I havent tried them, yet. 

I own the 1.85 gpm Alsons version.  And my comments will reflect that.

Most people will be best served with the switchable model....which is what Im recommending.

Something to note that most of these showerheads are rated at high water pressure of 80 psi.  With lower pressure, you will not be getting the rated flow of water, it will be a few tenths of a gpm lower.  So for example with my 1.85 gpm model, Im getting 1.6 to 1.7 gpm.   This is a general principle and goes for all showerheads (with the possible exception of those that have regulators which maintain flow at different pressures - which Ive found to be mostly useless and actually make things worse).  

OK, on to the specifics.

This is one of the top performing units.  I love it.  Ive been switching between this and the Hansgrohe Eco Air Croma E100 3 Jet...which seem to be my two favorite showerheads.

The spray is luxurious and soft and very pleasant...not stingy at all.  It even has a fast pulsation effect to it.  Even with the 1.85 gpm flow this thing covers the body well and rinses well.  The water physics mumbo jumbo really does make it feel like more water as well.   A very pleasant shower experience.  Water warmth is relatively good as well.  The width seems about perfect for tall and short people, giving good coverage.  There is no donut hole effect as with some other types.  The spray is evenly distributed across the spray field, increasing perceived warmth and aiding in rinsing.

The body is plastic with a faux finish on it, but I didn't find it flimsy.  

It didnt win any categories but did above average in most, and this is at 1.85 gpm, at 2.5 gpm on the switchable model, it should improve across the board.  But what really sells this thing is the lovely pleasant spray pattern.  

Highly recommended.  

Also for those looking for lower flow models.  Both this and the High Sierra are better low flow alternatives than the Niagara Conservation Earth Massage, although that one works well too, I use the Niagara's as sort of a standard to judge others against.  I have the 1.25 and 1.75 and 2.0 gpm Niagaras.


Spray Force = 4
Spray Warmth = 4
Spray Width = 4
Rinsing Ability = 4
Build Quality = 4

Hansgrohe Croma E100 3 Jet (Non Eco-Air version) Shower Head Review

$38 Shipped @Amazon.  Also available on eBay for $25 shipped from this seller.

Please be advised that there is also an Venturi Effect air injected model, the Eco Air Croma E100 3 Jet, that is not recommended.  It has different less effective turbo jet setting and the flow restrictor is almost imposssible to remove.

The 18 center jet setting provides the strongest force yet with thick individual streams of water.  The rain setting isnt forceful but the 4" head provides decent coverage with massive water flow.  The triple pulsating jet is OK for a massage setting.

I find I use both the rain setting and the power spray setting.   One of my favorite showerheads that Ive tested.

The lever for changing the settings works with one hand easily and is built to last.  Has a positive click action to let you know when youve hit the sweet spot of the next setting.  

The 18 Jet center power spray is the main setting that I use for practical everyday showering.  Thick individual jet streams that spread outward for body coverage.  And whilst having a donut hole, it's not too objectionable because the it's not that wide of a cone.  Perfect balance really on the spread even for shorter people.  Really works well for rinsing. 

Sometimes I dial it over to the rain setting for a moment of relaxing under the water flow.  This setting doesnt give you a forcefull spray but it does give you a plethora of streams and a massive amount of water flow.   Actually not too bad at rinsing either. 

Good build quality.  

Good selection of settings.  Highly recommended.

All testing done with flow restrictor screen removed.  With the screen it was pathetic.

PS - The Hansgrohe Croma C100 3 Jet performs the same with slightly different aesthetics.   Also recommended.

PPS - These are also available in handheld versions, if that is something that interests you.

Spray Force = 5
Spray Warmth = 4
Spray Width = 4
Rinsing Ability = 5
Build Quality = 4

HighPressureShowerHeads.com Supreme Review

This is a top performing showerhead, within the category so far and overall.  I still havent tested the Bricor Elite and Bravo PC, yet though.  But this is a clear winner within the category so far.  

Ive seen this branded as Moen as well.  And it seems to be the model used by Bricor for their Venturi Effect vacuum flow design in the Elite model.

Build quality is phenomenol.  Spray force is very good and it spreads out well.  The only thing I dont like about the spray is the individual streams are a bit thinner than I like.

Annoying issue is this showerhead likes to drip out of the nozzles of the front.  I wipe the shower down after showering to keep the chromed brass from tarnishing as I have sulfur in my water.  This thing drizzles for some time after showering.  Ultimately this will keep this from finding a permanent home in my shower.  Im not having this issue to any similar degree with any other showerhead. 

PS - The Grohe Relexa 28-342 is the same showerhead and can be had for less money.

Spray Force = 5
Spray Warmth = 4
Spray Width = 4
Rinsing Ability = 5
Build Quality = 5

Grohe Relexa 28 342 Shower Head Review

The same shower head as the HighPressureShowerHeads.com Supreme which I reviewed elsewhere on the blog.  Excellent top performer.  And cheaper to boot.  $28 shipped Prime @ Amazon.

Please note...video is of a model with a 1.5 gpm flow restrictor inserted.  The one linked to Amazon is full flow 2.5 gpm.  But the video gives an idea of the individual stream thickness and the spray spread.

Delta Touch Clean RP38357 Review

This unit is interesting because it has 42 jet nozzles, whereas the others here in this category all have 32.  Gonna put my theory that less jets = more stream force to the test.  This one also has a wider spray pattern than the American Standard Easy Clean and NRG 2.0 gpm.

Update:

It seems that the pressure is both a function of the number of nozzles but also the size of the individual jets from the nozzles.  The Delta Touch Clean here has slightly smaller jets than any of the others in this category of showerheads (except for the HighPressureShowerheads.com Supreme and Grohe Relexa)...so even though it has 10 more jets, it maintains the similar strength in the spray force.  But not only that, but it also has a wider spray pattern than most of these others in the category.  Even significantly larger than the HighPressureShowerHeads.com Supreme, which has a slight advantage in that department over the others in this category.  On top of that it doesnt significantly suffer from the donut hole that other categories like the Kingston Brass K131A and Niagara Earth Massage suffer from (though it does have a very small donut hole that isnt very significant even for shorter shower takers).  The HighPressureShowerHeads.com Supreme and Kingston Brass both have superior spray force, but both have smaller individual jet streams as well and fewer individual jet streams.   All in all, I think the Delta Touch Clean is a very good compromise design, beating all the other second fiddles in this category...and may even be preferred by many over the HPSH.com Supreme, especially if your water pressure is even modestly better than mine.   This whole category of showerheads is filled with good performers...and this one differentiates itself from the pack.  



Spray Force = 4
Spray Warmth = 5
Spray Width = 5
Rinsing Ability = 5
Build Quality = 4

SiroFlex Showerhead Review

First let me state that this is a GREAT showerhead for those with good water pressure.  88 soft streams of gushing water....washing your worries away!  This is a real water hog though.  There is no artificial restriction on the flow so this will pump out quite a bit of water up to over 5 gpm.  

For those with lessor water pressure, this might can work.  I say this because I believe that my old house (with well and septic system) has old corroded constricted metal pipes thus cutting down the water flow even beyond the low water pressure.   So this might can work for you.  

I took this over to my brothers house (who has fantastic city water pressure) and he loves it!  However he might balk at the rise in his water and electric bills!  

Im giving the SiroFlex a Product of Special Merit Award, because I really like it.  But ultimately it isnt one of the better units in my situation...though it may work for you, depending on your pipe condition and water pressure.   The HighPressureShowerHeads.com Supreme, NRG 2.0 gpm, and American Standard Easy Clean(with flow restrictor removed) all outperformed the Siroflex for me, giving stonger force spray while nearly matching the warmth.  Notably these all have 32 jets.  Ive noticed, as a general rule of thumb, the fewer number of jets the stronger the force of the individual streams, especially in low water pressure situations.  


Spray Force = 3
Spray Warmth = 5
Spray Width = 3
Rinsing Ability = 4
Build Quality = 3

Bricor Bravo PC Showerhead Review

I havent acquired this one yet.

Things that make you go hmmmm....

Bricor Elite R Showerhead Review

I havent acquired this one yet.

American Standard Easy Clean 8888 Showerhead Review

The American Standard Easy Clean 8888 is a basic single full spray pattern head very similar to the NRG shower heads as seen below.

One nice thing about this unit is that the showerhead face screws off allowing access to clean the inside of the showerhead easily.  

Also of note, this unit ships with a quality shower arm and flange.

This unit displays typical high peformance of this category, slightly trumped by the Delta Touch Cleans larger spray width with 10 more jets of smaller diameter.  Build quality is a bit better than the NRG shower heads, and the extras bundled and the easy clean feature make this one slighly better value than the NRG 2.0.

Please note the flow restrictor should be immediately removed from this unit.  Easily done by a screwdriver, unscrewing the plastic restrictor plate out the back of the threaded pipe mount.

These comments are about the showerhead performance after removing the Flow Restrictor.  

Skip it, in favor of the Delta Touch Clean if not something better.

Spray Force = 4
Spray Warmth = 5
Spray Width = 3
Rinsing Abiltity = 5
Build Quality = 4

New Resources Group 2.0 and 1.5 gpm Showerhead Review

2.0 gpm

Skip it.

Spray Force = 4

Spray Warmth = 5

Spray Width = 3

Rinsing Ability = 5

Build Quality = 2

1.5 gpm

Not Recommended.

Spray Force = 2

Spray Warmth = 3

Spray Width = 3

Rinsing Ability = 3

Build Quality = 3

HighPressureShowerHeads.com Perfect Review

I havent acquired this one yet.  Though it seems to be a clone of the American Standard Easy Clean 8888.075.  

Evolve TreeFrog 2.5 gpm Shower Head Review

I havent acquired this one yet.

48 nozzles
2.5 gpm

Evolve Roadrunner 1.59 gpm Shower Head Review

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I havent acquired this one yet.

36 nozzles

1.59 gpm

Moen 6300 (630*) One Function Easy Clean XL Shower Head Review

Spray force is a little below average for this class of showerheads.  The Delta RP38357 has a wider full coverage spray pattern.  Range of motion on the ball joint is limited due to the low profile design, as well.  Lacks the build quality and ease of interior cleaning of the American Standard Easy Clean 8888.075.  And is more expensive than the NRG 2.0.

Skip it.

Price Pfister 015-LC0C Eco Pfriendly 1.5 gpm Air Shower Head Review

Skip it.  About as unthrilling and underwhelming performing as the KOMDO AirJet.  This 1.5 gpm Air Injection Technology head cant match even other low flow options for force of spray.

Spray Force = 2
Spray Warmth = 4
Spray Width = 3
Rinsing Ability = 3
Build Quality = 2

Waxman Full 1 Spray Showerhead Review

The Waxman Full 1 Spray showerhead is available at you local Home Depot for $5.

This is a decent showerhead but still comes in last in this category.  For those with a bit better pressure, this may be all you need.  Though I would probably spring for the Delta 38357 with it's wider spray pattern or the American Standard for it's better build quality.  Tried this one out for completeness sake.

Skip it.

Spray Force = 3
Spray Warmth = 4
Spray Width = 3
Rinsing Ability = 4
Build Quality = 2

Hansgrohe Croma E75 Eco Air One Function 1.5 gpm Shower Head Review

This one is a lot like the Pfister and the Moen 6300.  The flow is rather weak and unimpressive.  The Delta RP38357 Touch Clean gives a better shower and is becoming a baseline in this category.  The NRG 2.0 and American Standard Easy Clean have their niches as well.

Skip it.

Kohler Mastershower Invigorating 8506 Shower Head Review

Decided to expand multi-setting and massage type showerheads, since the Hansgrohe E100 Eco Air 3 Jet's performance was so good.  

This former Consumer Report's top rated model is on the way.  It has 18 individual jet streams on the main spray plus a massage mode and central powerspray mode.   

This is a more expensive showerhead, retailing for more than $80. 

The Kohler Mastershower Relaxing Spray 8507 is also available but it has more individual jet streams in the main setting...so less force.   The 8507 was the second place finisher in the Good Housekeeping showerhead shootout.

Update:

The images below are accurate depictions of the 3 spray settings.   My initial impression is that this provides a strong forceful but comfortable spray that is excellent for rinsing.   The pulsating massage setting is OK, probably better with higher water pressure.   The 3 center jets are kind of a mess...provide a strong chaotic spray that can be seen in the accurate depiction below. I didnt find this setting that pleasant.  The main full spray with it's 18 thickesh jets is a winner though.  Worth the price of admission.  I dont know.   The main full spray jets do have a donut hole, but they arent very wide and rinse the body thoroughly.  Even for shorter people the mildly expanding donut hole still stays on the head for good hair rinsing.   Im going to give this a good many more tries, but my initial impression is that I prefer the cheaper Grohe 28 342 with its full spread of jets and the Hansgrohe Croma 3 Jet Eco Air with it's drenching rain spray and center forceful jets to the Kohler MasterShower 8506.  I was contemplating picking up the 8507 to check out too, but think I will pass.   

On a parting note, build quality is excellent, and the smoothness of the pulsing jets action is admirable.

Spray Force = 5
Spray Warmth = 4
Spray Width = 3
Rinsing Ability = 5
Build Quality = 5

Peerless #76355 3 Spray Review

Peerless #76355 3 Spray  at Walmart.

This unit can be found on the shelves at Walmart for about $8 tax included.  I havent picked it up yet, but Im betting this to have solid performance like the Fire Hydrant Spa/Whedon Economy Plus and Niagara Earth Massage units.  The fluid mechanics are essentially the same on all three.  This is a class of showerheads that all have good performance with low water pressure.  There are also others that I have seen with similar mechanics, like an NRG branded model.

Ive seen this exact model branded by Alsons as well.

Update:

Edges out the Whedon Economy Plus 2.5 gpm and Niagara Earth Massage 1.75 gpm units on spray force.  Displays the same dual concentric ring pattern with the donut hole effect as the others, however it's spray pattern is much narrower.  Build quality isnt quite as good as the others.  It is also a bit larger overall than the others in this category.   It's secondary massage setting is exactly like the Whedon Economy Plus aka Fire Hydrant Spa...which is preferable to the Niagara's in my opinion.  However unlike the Whedon Economy Plus it doesnt have a shut down trickle setting for use with Navy Shower technique.

There are better alternatives from other categories, though.  However this so far is best in class, if you would like to try this category of showerheads out.

Skip it.

Spray Force = 4

Spray Warmth = 4

Spray Width = 3

Rinsing Ability = 4

Build Quality = 2

Speakman Anystream Classic 32 Shower Head Review

This Speakman Anysteam Classic 32 showerhead is a decent performer.  

It has similar spray mechanics as the Fire Hydrant Spa/Whedon Economy Plus and similar style units, but instead of a full ring(s) it uses 4 mini-rings which produce 8 jets of water a piece for a total of 32.   However the Speakman Classic 32 beats them by having a more even distribution of the jets, (no donut hole in the middle of the concentric rings).   

Also Speakman offers this style of shower head with 5 nozzles for 40 jet streams,  6 nozzles for 48 jet streams, and 8 nozzles for 64 jet streams.  These might be better with good water pressure, however as a general rule of thumb, the fewer number of jet streams the harder the force of each individual stream, and thus the force of the shower spray in totality.  So stick with the 4 nozzle, 32 individual jet streams if you want to try this one out.

Utlimately, this failed to provide adequate spray force.  While I much prefer the spray pattern of this one, over the others in this category, the Peerless @Walmart is a better performer with low water pressure.

Category winner if you have average or better water pressure.  Else Skip it.

Spray Force = 3

Spray Warmth = 5

Spray Width = 5

Rinsing Ability = 4

Build Quality = 4

Whedon Economy Plus Massage EP24C Showerhead aka Fire Hydrant Spa Review

The Whedon Economy Plus is sold as the Fire Hydrant Spa at an outrageous markup.  This is a good showerhead in general and especially for those with low water pressure.   Very similar in characteristics and performance to the Niagara Conservation Earth Massage series. You can see 2 of it's main settings in action here.

The Whedon Economy Plus has a nice bonus setting that the Niagara Earth Massage does not, which is a trickle (near shut off) setting, which is useful for Navy Showers or lathering up, shaving, and whatnot, to conserve water.   I wasnt expecting this so it was a nice surprise. 

The regular spray setting is very similar to the Niagara Earth Massage, with good streams in a cone within a cone (an inner and outer ring) configuration for good body coverage.  The spray pattern is wide as well.   The spray streams are soft and not especially splashy off the body.  Rinsing ability is good.  Warmth is fair.  Same as with the Niagara Earth Massages.  The spray streams are thinner than the NRG streams, but not as thin as the Whedon Adjust-A-Spray (adjusted for maximum velocity). 

Ill briefly touch on the massage setting.  I prefer the Whedon Economy Plus massage setting over the Niagara Earth Massage, however I probably wont be using this function much if at all.   I like the stronger blast with less streams and pulsing on this as compared to the Niagara.

This is a 2.5 gpm head, so it's not especially low flow.  But it works well with my low water pressure, compared to other 2.5 gpm heads. 

Two thumbs up for the Whedon Economy Plus.

Ill  be grouping the showerheads into categories and comparing within the category and also amongst the categories.  So look for a direct comparison with the Niagara and Peerless @ Walmart showerheads and the Whedon, coming soon.

The Whedon Economy Plus is available at Amazon for $11 shipped.

Update: 

The Peerless @ Walmart wins the category so far...but has no trickle setting.

Spray Force = 3
Spray Warmth = 4
Spray Width = 5
Rinsing Ability = 4
Build Quality = 3