9.09.2013

Top Performing Shower Heads So Far...

16 comments:

  1. tried all the "low flow" recommended shower heads from the Niagara, Whedon, and Peerless; all three were garbage. The Delta H20kinetics works the best, however, it's still not good enough. The Delta is good do you have any other recommendations that operate in the same manner as the Delta h2okinetics with a bit more pressure? The Alsons/Delta is on the right track but I need something JUST a bit more powerful.

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  2. The Hansgrohe center 18 jets have been the strongest with thick jets.

    The Kingston Brass allows you to adjust the streams from thicker to thinner. As you thin down the stream they speed up the flow of each stream. However I don't care for thin streams, they can get stingy and warmth decreases.

    I would give the Hansgrohe Eco Air Croma 3 Jet first. Which can be found on eBay for about $25 shipped. I hot linked it up above. I purchased my Hansgrohe unit from this seller.

    But if you have corroded metal pipes restricting water flow, then you might try the High Sierra 1.5 gpm. Which is a sweet little performer.

    I havent tried the Bricor models yet, but they basically take the Kingston K131A and the Grohe Relexa 28-342 and add Venturi air vaccum boost to already good performing showerheads. Though pricey. Ive found that the Venturi Air only adds a modest but noticeable amount of boost to the spray force though.

    Good luck in your search.

    All feedback is much appreciated. I encourage everyone to share their experience. Ive been busy, but just got back into doing some writing and polishing up this blog.

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  3. is the hansgrohe eco air croma stronger than the Delta H20Kinetic?

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  4. That is my experience, yes.

    If you live in a very old house that is likely to have metal pipes that are corroded an thus restricting water flow, you will probably be better served by the High Sierra 1.5 gpm unit.

    My 3 personal favorites are the Hansgrohe Croma-Air E100, the Alsons Fluidics/Delta H2OKinetics, and the High Sierra.

    The Waterpik LAT-569 is good too, but more likely to fail sooner with its complicated mechanisms and lackluster build quality.

    I don't care for the thinner streams of the Kingston and Grohe Relexa/HPSH.com.

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  5. Thank you for what you do. I really appreciate the replies. I'm obsessed with rinsing clean and whatnot since I do a lot of martial arts and not sure how clean other people are.

    So, it looks like the link provided above for the ebay item Hansgrohe E100 isn't air injected--correct?

    I just tried this one in link below and it's the best I've tried on turbo mode it decimates the H20kinetics and the high sierra as far as rinsing clean goes. (Could you confirm that the link below is the same one as in your ebay link please).
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I3HCWM/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1#productDetails

    BUT I'd like 10-20% more power/pressure on the rainflow setting--will the air injected version of the e100 provide that? Is this the air injected version in the link below?
    http://www.amazon.com/Hansgrohe-04081000-Croma-Shower-Chrome/dp/B001QGDF7M/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1390236047&sr=8-2&keywords=e100+air

    Thanks again. If the air injected one is at least 10% more power on rainfall I'm set until you find something better, that is.

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  6. Well, how about that, I didnt know that there were 2 versions of this Hansgrohe Croma E100. It looks like there is indeed both an Venturi Effect air "injection" model and a regular model.

    I don't have the original packaging anymore to verify. But it certainly looks like there are 2 versions on Amazon.

    In my experience with other models, where I covered up the air intake hole at the neck of the showerhead, to observe the water flow, you do get a noticeable boost in force (not flow), but it is modest. I would say closer to 10% than 20%.

    Please note that I am specifically focused on showerheads for use with low water pressure. A sub issue is constricted flow corroded pipes. That is where the High Sierra shines. The best low flow models that Ive used are the Alsons Fluidics/Delta H2OKinetics and the High Sierra. They do well with low flow.

    If you have Good water pressure, you might give the SiroFlex a try. That thing gushes water. It will pump out more than 2.5 gpm.

    The Hansgrohe really pushes strong thick streams though fewer in number on it's Turbo mode. Most of the power settings (like on the Waterpik LAT-569 don't spread in a cone like fashion, thus limiting coverage and effectiveness. The Hansgrohe E100 is a real gem. The Hansgrohe E100 is also available in handheld models Ive recently discovered, as well.

    Thanks for sharing your experience, too. Ill have to add some commentary on the different models of the Hansgrohe E100 available.

    If you get the Eco Air model, Id be very interested in your comparison of the non Air Boosted model vs the Air Boosted model.

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  7. To be clear, I believe my Hansgrohe Croma E-100 is the Non-Air-Boosted model. There is no air intake at the base of the neck where it connects. I thought it might be pulling air from the face...but now that you have brought it to my attention that their are 2 models, Im pretty sure mine is the non-air boosted version.

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  8. damn $60 for air injected one but i'll have to give it a try and return whichever one i dont' like. even if it's 10% more power i think i'd be happy. we shall see... like you said the Hansgrohe is a real gem. really blows everything else i've tried out of the water.

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  9. I just tried the air injected one. No dice. The regulator is almost impossible to remove--as compared to the non-air--without breaking it (and therefore making it unreturnable). Also, there are three holes rather than a bunch of tiny holes for turbo mode--logically doesn't seem like it would produce more pressure. And, based on a response I read from an engineer that deals with fluid dynamics, he claims that the air wouldn't make a huge difference in the pressure for this showerhead anyways.

    Now, I know your main focus is better pressure on a low pressure water source. But I trust that you'll find something better than Hansgrohe and when you do maybe you could mention that in the review or even in the title (i.e. Hansgrohe, Step Aside or something along those lines).

    And if I find something better I'll let you know as well. For now this non-air E100 will get the job done. But my gut tells me there's something better out there, and this E100 has inspired me to search.

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  10. Thanks for the info. I shall use it to make adjustments to the Hansgrohe Croma E100 3 Jet review. Ill be recommending the Non-Air version only.

    Let me know if you find some good alternatives.

    I tried the Hansgrohe Croma E100 3 Jetat a place with good water pressure and the turbo mode is so powerful that it stings the skin and is unpleasant. The rain mode however works very well there. I ended up putting a High Sierra 1.5 gpm model at that location though, because of the small hot water tank, to extend hot water and comfortable shower length....the Delta H2OKinetics/Alsons Fluidics 1.85, 1.6, and 1.5 gpm versions would work well there too.

    I think the original Waterpik model is worth checking out for forceful spray with low water pressure. I might pick that one up next.

    Glad you found my experience and blog useful. I hope others will as well.

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  11. Sounds good EV. That sounds like what I'm looking for something that stings the skin; maybe it sounds crazy but I like the reassurance that the soap is coming off.

    Do you have a link to the Waterpik model you are referring to? Maybe I'll try it. And, I'll try to let my friends at the place I train MMA know, surely some will find interest. I already recommended the Hansgrohe to one person.

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  12. Here you go.

    http://www.waterpik.com/shower-head/products/fixed-mount/powerspray-original-shower-massage/

    The 6 Spray settings model is the one I was referring to as it has a Power Spray function that the 4 Spray model doesnt, though the 8 spray pattern looks like it might have good potential, given the number and location of the spray holes in central area.

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  13. It occured to me that that Hansgrohe Croma E100 3 Jet would probably work well at that place with good water pressure with the 1.75 gpm flow restrictor in place. Great design.

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  14. Hi EV,

    So, I've been reading all over your blog and I'm still not sure I know exactly which model is best for my crappy low water pressure.

    The thing I care about most is that the water shoots out like I have much better water pressure. I'm looking for brute force!

    And I don't like thin streams of water that turn into a vapor spray or when there's only that big donut of water and nothing in the middle. What's the point of that??? I need something that's going to give me a good, full-body soaking and get the soap out of my long hair.

    So given my crappy water pressure, what shower head can give me a good, forceful, full-body soaking stream of water like the great Speakman Anystream high pressure shower heads they have at my gym? Or at least come as close as mechanically possible?

    Thanks for your help!

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  15. Id try the Hans Grohe Croma E100 (C100) first. Then maybe the Grohe Relexa. But Ive tried these showerheads at different places with low water pressure and sometimes one works better than another on the list. You gonna have to do some trial and error. But at least you have a starting place and smaller list to target.

    Good Luck. Hope the information has been helpful.

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