Rain shower head vs regular shower head — how do they actually differ?

Both can make you clean, but they feel very different when used. If you choose the wrong shower head for the bathroom, it might make you very disappointed. Here are the differences between them.

Rain shower heads are usually larger, with widths ranging from 8 to 12 inches. They are installed at the top of the shower and can be fixed either on the ceiling or on a long-arm bracket. Water flows down directly from above, creating a gentle and uniform fine stream, just like being in light rain. Ordinary shower heads are much smaller and direct the water towards the body, with a more concentrated spray and stronger impact. If you want the feeling of being "fully immersed", a rain shower head is more suitable; if you want to quickly rinse off shampoo, an ordinary shower head will do the job faster.

The rain shower head disperses water over a larger area, making even the droplets of water appear softer even when the water pressure is good. This kind of water flow is relaxing but doesn't feel powerful. While the regular shower head concentrates the same amount of water into a smaller spray, so the water pressure feels more intense. If your home's water pressure is already low, a large rain shower head might feel too weak and disappointing.

Replacing a regular shower head only takes five minutes with a wrench. Rain shower heads usually require installing ceiling pipes or a dedicated wall-mounted extension arm, which usually means hiring someone to do the work. If the bathroom was not designed for this, installing a rain shower head can be a more complex project than it seems.

Due to the larger size of the shower head, the spray area is also wider, and the water consumption per minute of a rain shower head is often higher. If you prefer to take long showers - this is the case for most people who purchase rain shower heads because this experience is more comfortable - your water bill may increase slightly. This point is worth knowing before making a decision.