Choosing the Right Hand Held Shower Head
A hand held shower head connects via a flexible shower hose, so you can aim the spray exactly where you need it, which is handy for washing pets or rinsing down the shower tray. Most handsets offer a single, three or five-spray pattern and come in round or square shapes, so it is worth checking the look against your existing tiles and brassware before you choose. In the UK, most hand held shower heads and hoses use a standard fitting, so a new handset will usually connect to your existing holder and hose without replacing anything else. For a complete set, pair your handset with a matching hose and a shower arm or riser rail so you can adjust the height too.
Hand Held Shower Head Styles, Finishes and Brands
Styles run from plain, single-spray handsets right up to character heads designed to make shower time more appealing for children. Most sit in a wall-mounted bracket, sometimes called a wall shower rose, when not in use, and many people pair a wall-mounted handset with a ceiling-fed fixed head so they get a rain effect overhead and the flexibility of a handset below.
We stock handsets in finishes designed to sit alongside your taps and showering, from polished chrome to matt black, brushed brass and stainless steel, from brands known for reliable flow including Hansgrohe, Lefroy Brooks and Crosswater.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all hand held shower heads fit any shower?
Most hand held shower heads and hoses in the UK use a standard fitting, so a new handset will generally connect to your existing hose and holder. It is still worth checking your current setup before ordering, especially with older or imported showers, and our team can confirm compatibility if you are unsure.
Can I add a hand held shower head to my existing fixed shower?
Two options work well. You can swap the fixed head for a wall bracket and hose, which is the simpler route, or fit a diverter alongside your existing head so you can switch between fixed and handheld spray. The diverter needs a little more plumbing but means you keep the fixed head too.
What are the benefits of a hand held shower head over a fixed head?
A hand held shower head gives you control over where the spray goes, useful for washing children, pets or rinsing the tray, and it can use less water than a large fixed head. Many people keep both, using the fixed head for an everyday shower and the handset for extra flexibility.
How do I stop my hand held shower head getting clogged with limescale?
Limescale builds up faster on a handset than a fixed head, since it is handled more and sits in a bracket. Most modern nozzles are rub-clean, so a quick wipe now and then keeps them clear, and in hard water areas an occasional soak in a mild descaling solution keeps the spray pattern working.