Best Electric Shower for Low Pressure & Mains Pressure Systems in the UK | 2022 Buyer’s Guide

Electric showers are rising in popularity for many reasons. They are versatile, compatible with any water system, and easy to install. Unlike power showers, an electric shower is fed only with cold water. It uses a heating element to instantly heat cold water and can be connected directly to your mains water supply. An electric shower is an energy-efficient solution as it will only heat the water you are using while showering. On top of that, it has a lower flow rate, allowing you to cut water consumption.

Electric Showers Compared

Electric showers are not created equal and vary based on features. First and foremost, this is about the ability to pressurize water. If the water pressure is high at your house, you can go with any type of electric shower. For households with low water pressure, a model with a built-in pump will be more suitable.

Shower Head Type & Thermostatic Control

Electric showers come with either fixed or handheld showerheads. The former is mounted to the ceiling or wall, while the handheld type is more versatile. You can attach it to the surface or hold it in your hand. Additionally, some models have different showerhead patterns to choose from, allowing you to change the style of water flow. A good example is the Mira Showers Escape 9.8 kW Thermostatic Electric Shower.

The purchase includes a 110mm showerhead with 4 modes and rub-clean nozzles preventing limescale accumulation. The thermostatic control ensures a safe temperature during showering.

Energy Efficiency

Not only should your showering experience be enjoyable, but it should also be economical. Many well-established manufacturers offer products designed to consume less energy and save water. They work by heating only a certain amount of water every time you take a shower. For instance, the MIRA AZORA Dual 9.8 KW Electric Shower uses less energy for the same water temperature as compared to models from many other brands in this price range.

Another distinctive feature of the Mira Azora is a dual shower style. You can use a 200mm overhead showerhead or a 90mm handset. Made with frosted glass, metal, and plastic, the product also features thermostatic control ensuring safe showering.

Mains-Fed Electric Showers

Fed by your home’s mains water supply, this type of shower has sufficient pressure for operation. It draws cold water into the unit and heats it without regulating the pressure. The advantage of this method is that you do not depend on a hot water supply, provided there is normal water pressure in your area. Another strong point of mains-fed electric showers is the ease of installation.

More importantly, you can replace your existing shower with such a device. And finally, this type of electric shower is more affordable. While being inexpensive, mains-fed electric showers are available in various sizes and colors. They often come with beneficial extra features such as sensors and LED lights.

One of the most high-performance models in this class is the Bristan BL3105 B Bliss 3 Electric Shower with a power rating of 10.5 kW. It draws water directly from the main supply with working pressures ranging from 0.7 bar to 10 bar. The product features touch controls, a digital display, and an anti-lime scale feature. Also, there are several temperature settings — cold, eco, and hot — and a warm-up mode. The purchase includes a handset with 3 modes and an adjustable riser kit.

Gravity-Fed Electric Showers

Supplied with water from a tank rather than the mains, this type of electric shower is ideal for neighborhoods with low water pressure. The main distinction of a gravity-fed shower is a built-in pump. Unlike mains-fed electric showers, it is fed from a water tank, which is typically located in the attic. A pumped electric shower provides more stable showering conditions as it simultaneously warms up and pressurizes the water. The most essential drawback of these products is the high price.

A great example of a pumped electric shower is the Triton Tank-fed Pumped Electric Shower T90xr.

Designed specifically for areas with unreliable water supply pressure, the Triton T90xr offers a high performance combined with noiseless operation with a sound power level of up to 69dB. What we particularly like about this model is that it comes with double temperature protection. Once the temperature gets excessively hot, a special sensor detects it and automatically regulates the heating power down. There is also a sensor for emergencies that shuts down the device in case the temperature gets extreme. The product has Class A energy efficiency and a convenient showerhead with 5 spray patterns.

How to Choose the Electric Shower

Which electric shower is best? It should be a powerful yet energy-efficient device with temperature control and a multi-mode showerhead. Now, let’s look at these features in more detail and see what products could be considered as the best electric showers.

Power & Kilowatt Rating

The first thing to consider when buying an electric shower is a kilowatt (KW) rating because it shows how efficiently the device will heat water. The higher the rating, the faster the cold water will be heated. Besides, kilowatts influence the shower’s ability to maintain the flow and pressure of water, which in turn, affects the overall shower experience. The wattage of electric showers ranges from 7.5 KW to 10.5 KW. More powerful units use larger cables. For instance, if a shower is 7.5 to 9 kilowatts, it carries a six-millimeter cable, whereas models up to 10 kilowatts carry a 10-millimeter cable. Note that electric showers with greater wattage are pricier but are more efficient in use.

One of the highest-rated products is the Triton Showers MOMT014G Martinique Luxury Electric Shower. It features both flow and temperature control with hot, cold, and eco modes. The showerhead has 5 spray patterns while a 1-meter hose has anti-twist properties. The unit heats water instantly and is very economical. It comes with a tactile temperature dial and is designed to resist limescale build-up.

Size & Design

Today, you have a great variety of designs to choose from. They come in different colors and styles, let alone such useful features as a digital display and touch controls. More importantly, electric showers come in different sizes, so you can pick the best option based on the amount of space you have in your bathroom. Dimensions matter because some models may look bulky in small-sized bathrooms while others may turn out to be too compact for your shower needs.

You may want to buy the Triton Showers RECOL209BRSTL Collection II Electric Shower. This device is powerful yet compact. With a power rating of 9.5 KW, it measures only 9.4 x 20 x 30 cm. Made with alloy steel, the shower has a brushed steel finish and illuminated soft-touch buttons. It also comes with a long anti-twist hose and a showerhead with 3 spray patterns.

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