What Is a Rain Showerhead?: How It Can Upgrade Your Bathroom

A rain showerhead makes just about any bathroom feel luxurious. Imagine the feel of showering with soft rain above your head in your own spa-like bathroom. But when you consider the water spray and difficult installation, it might not be a great option for everyone. Find out what a rain showerhead is, how it compares to regular showerheads, and the pros and cons of installing one in your bathroom.

What Is a Rain Showerhead?

A rain showerhead, also known as a rainfall or waterfall showerhead, is a ceiling-mounted showerhead that sprays water down vertically. These showerheads have light water pressure to mimic the feel of rinsing in the rain, so even on your most hectic mornings, you can enjoy a relaxing, serene shower before you start your day.

Rain Showerhead vs. Regular Showerhead

Different types of showerheads have different features and installation methods, but at the end of the day, they’ll both keep you squeaky clean. No matter what type you choose, you’ll find that a new showerhead is a great addition to your bathroom.

“One of the most impactful yet straightforward upgrades a person can do in the bathroom is to change/upgrade their showerheads,” says Chris Alexakis, certified building contractor, design expert, and co-founder of Cabinet Select. “Surprisingly, many people take a good shower for granted, but it can definitely dictate your mood by either being an excellent way to start the day or end a stressful one.”

Here’s a look at the main differences between rain showerheads and regular showerheads.

Mount

Rain showerheads are mounted to the ceiling, while regular showerheads are wall-mounted. Some rain showerheads can be mounted high up on the wall, but the arm of the showerhead will extend outward so the water can come down like rain. Rainfall showerheads spray water straight down, while water from a regular showerhead flows at an angle.

Diameter

Rain showerheads are much larger than regular showerheads. A rainfall showerhead spans 8, 10, 12, or 14 inches in diameter, while regular showerheads have a 2- to 3-inch diameter. This larger diameter means the water will better envelop your body as you scrub up.

Water Pressure

To give that luxurious feeling of washing yourself in the rain, a rainfall showerhead’s wide diameter helps lighten the amount of pressure of the water. Regular showerheads can have varying water pressures, but generally, they have stronger water pressure compared to rain showerheads.

Pros and Cons of Rain Showerheads

Rain showerheads might seem relaxing, but there are a few drawbacks to keep in mind before you install one in your bathroom.

Pros of a Rain Showerhead

There are many benefits to installing a rain showerhead.

• Cleaning: This type of showerhead is very easy to clean because they have anti-clog nozzles. You can simply wipe the showerhead clean with a cloth. The hardest part might be grabbing a step stool to reach the ceiling-mounted showerhead.

• Technology: There are many high-tech options for rainfall showerheads, like LED lights and air induction, which strengthen the water pressure.

• Appearance: Whether it’s a stainless steel rain showerhead or a showerhead with a matte black finish, rainfall showerheads can create a sleek, upscale aesthetic in your bathroom.

• Coverage: With the wider showerhead diameter, the water covers more area, so you can be fully enveloped in warm shower water.

• Water savings: Rainfall showerheads use about the same amount of water as a regular showerhead, but many rain showerhead models now include water-saving and low-flow features.

Cons of a Rain Showerhead

There are some negatives to the rainfall showerhead to consider.

• Cost: Rainfall showerheads are more expensive than regular showerheads. You could spend over $500 on a rain showerhead compared to $30 to $50 for a regular showerhead.

• Installation: This type of showerhead is much harder to install, especially when mounted to the ceiling. You’ll need to hire a plumber because this job requires removing parts of the ceiling and wall and connecting the showerhead to new water piping.

• Water pressure: For some people, the lighter water pressure just won’t do. If you prefer higher water pressure, a rain showerhead might not be right for you.

• Not renter-friendly: Swapping out a regular showerhead is an easily reversible upgrade that renters can do to make their unit feel more like home. However, because installation is so intensive, rainfall showerheads are not a good option for renters.

Choosing the Right Size for a Rain Showerhead

One thing to keep in mind when trying to pick the best showerhead is the spray. Rainfall showerheads have a wide diameter, so the water spray covers more area. You might be surprised to find water all over the bathroom floor after your first shower with a rainfall showerhead.

Rainfall showerheads are best reserved for showers that are fully enclosed by walls or floor-to-ceiling glass. This option likely won’t work over a claw-foot tub or a tub-shower combination because the water will spray out onto the floor.

If you have a narrow shower space, you’ll want to look for a rain showerhead with a smaller diameter, around 8 inches, unless you’d like a lot of water coverage. The larger the diameter of the showerhead, the more space the water spray will cover.

As for the right showerhead height, the tallest person in the household should have about 1 foot of clearance between the top of their head and the showerhead. The rainfall showerhead experience is supposed to be comforting, but that won’t be the case if you or your family members are bumping their heads on it.

Can You Put a Rain Showerhead in a Normal Shower?

It is possible to install a rain showerhead in a normal shower, but you’ll likely need to make some modifications. How complicated the process is going to be ultimately depends on your current shower setup.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to use an extension arm that connects to your existing wall pipe and extends upward and outward to position the rainfall head above you. Your other option is to get professional plumbing work done to install ceiling piping. 

Cost of a Rainfall Showerhead

The cost of a rainfall showerhead can range widely, but expect to spend $100 to $500 for this fixture. Then, the cost of showerhead installation by a professional will be $200 to over $1,000.

DIY Showerhead Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

You should hire a local plumber to install a rain showerhead because it involves tearing out some of the shower wall and ceiling and adding a new water pipe. Before starting this renovation, you should also consult a professional contractor or plumber to ask about any required inspections or permits. Unless you have extensive plumbing experience, this is not recommended as a DIY project.