Not long ago, electric showers were considered less attractive than power showers. However, they are no longer the clunky, dated appliances that were once criticised. There are plenty of stylish and contemporary options nowadays - so they won't stand out in your modern bathroom. If you are on the lookout for a practical, good value and sleek new shower, we have selected the best electric showers to help you narrow down your search.
Electric showers have many features, such as a phased shutdown to stop the water from getting too hot and limescale control to stop any unwanted build-up. Plus, the designs on this list are contemporary and functional, so you can have an attractive shower with a high performance build.
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Before we look at the best electric showers, there are a few things you should consider to ensure you choose the right one for you.
What to consider when choosing an electric shower
Electric showers don't vary too much from brand to brand and model to model. However, it is good to consider what aspects and features to prioritise when you are looking to buy. Here is everything you need to know:
Power: Electric showers are rated in kW, and most models have a wattage between 7kW and 10.5kW. Power is an essential element to look at as the more power a shower has - the more water can be heated. Resulting in a more powerful, consistent flow. However, as you can imagine, the more powerful the shower, the more expensive it will be.
Temperature controls: Most electric showers have thermostatic control to guarantee a controlled temperature. The more high-end the shower, the more precise the temperature will be.
Control and displays: Some models will have visible temperature displays, while others will have buttons and dials. If you want exact control over your temperature, you might want to consider a touch-sensitive display.
Spray patterns: Different spray patterns offer you a choice to have a smaller but more powerful spray to a more delicate wide mist. Some only have one spray pattern, and others five.
Features: You will often see features such as limescale protection which means that the shower will run cold water at the end to prevent build-up. Other features include a safety cut-out for when the water gets too hot or a warm-up option.
The best electric showers 2022
Without further ado, let's take a look at the best electric showers in the UK.
Best value electric shower
This affordable and reliable option not only is excellent value for money but has consistently received positive reviews. If you are looking for something simple that will do the job and doesn't look like too much of an eyesore, the Triton MOSV01SG Seville will be a great pick for you.
It is easy to install as a new shower or a replacement and easy to operate. It only has one spray pattern and a simple dial, so you don't need to read an entire manual just to hop into the shower.
Key specifications:
Wattage: 7.5kW, 8.5kW, 9.5kW, 10.5kW;
Controls: Rotary temperature, rotary power
Spray patterns: 1
Colour: White/Chrome
Dimensions: 305 x 210 x 110mm
Review: "Amazing shower. I've had three replacements now, all of a much higher price than the cost to fit. So I decided to go for a basic one this time because if I have to replace it so many times more expensive and advanced, it really isn't worth it! I am absolutely delighted with this shower. It's easy to install and use."
Best contemporary electric shower with high power
www.plumbworld.co.uk
Electric showers may not be the best looking appliance in your home, but this model definitely looks much better than most competitors. It is sleek, modern and has high-tech features that will make your morning wake up and evening wind down a dream.
It has a beautiful design with a frosted glass finish, dual showerheads plus high-tech features such as Clearscale technology that provides a 50 per cent reduction in limescale build-up and the Sensi-flo technology that prevents scalding.
As there are two showerheads, you can use either the 200mm overhead shower or the 90mm handset, making it a fantastic versatile option.
Key specifications:
Wattage: 9.8kW
Controls: Two dial controls
Spray patterns: 1
Colour: Frosted glass
Dimensions: 36.7 x 23.3 x 10cm
Review: "I love this shower! I opted for an electric shower because my boiler is temperamental, so I thought it would be nice to have the constancy provided by a device such as this. This one looks really nice. It has pretty good power and heat, and I love it when you turn it on, and it waits for a few seconds before the power kicks in."
Best electric shower for multiple spray patterns
Another model from Triton that needs mentioning is the T100xr Electric Shower. It is an all-round easy to use shower from installation to operation.
The most notable feature is that the showerhead boasts an impressive choice of five spray patterns. It is straightforward to use, has a good flow rate and consistent temperature. It is also highly rated by customers, so you know it will be a reliable pick.
Key specifications
Wattages: 7.5kW, 8.5kW, 9.5kW, 10.5kW
Controls: Rotary temperature, rotary power
Spray patterns: 5
Colour: White/Chrome
Dimensions: 30.5 x 21 x 11cm
Review: "First class, easy to use and control the temperature. Working perfectly looks very nice in the shower. No complaints."
Best eclectic shower for style and controls
The Bristan Bliss electric shower range has been designed to be subtle, long-lasting and suitable for all installations. It is an easy replacement for many budget showers and has flexible installation, with five potential water and electric cable entry points.
However, what sets it apart from your classic budget option is that it has a digital control display and three touch-sensitive buttons and rotary control for flow and temperature.
Not only does it look good, but it has a strong flow and a temperature gauge, plus it tells you when to clean your showerhead. If you are looking for an electric shower with a few high-tech features that are not too expensive, this would be a great choice.
Key specifications
Wattages: 8.5kW, 9.5kW, 10.5kW
Controls: Rotary temperature, touch start and heat setting
Spray patterns: 3
Colour: White or black
Dimensions: 30.5 x 19.5 x 65cm
Review: "This shower looks sleek and fits over the footprint of our old Mira shower easily. The digital display looks modern yet functional. I don't know how I survived before without a digital temperature display! I haven't used the limescale feature yet, but it's good to know it's there, given our high levels. Couple of great design bonuses that we didn't realise but love: the rail tray has a little hole for a wet shaver plus one more, and the showerhead can be pointed towards the wall where it will stay whilst the water cools once the shower is turned off (reducing limescale build-up). I am very pleased with it."
Editor's choice
The Bristan BL385 looks sleek with its LED display, has straightforward controls, and performs exceptionally well.
The footprint of the shower has been designed to cover many existing installations. So if your current electric shower is from a UK brand, the Bristan model should match the water and electric inlets and cover any existing fixing holes.
It has many great attributes, such as the anti-limescale feature, warm-up mode and safety modes such as the thermal cut out and pressure relief should reassure parents with young children.
Key specifications
Wattages: 8.5kW, 9.5kW, 10.5kW
Controls: Rotary temperature, on/off button
Spray patterns: 3
Colour: White, black
Dimensions: 19.5 x 7 x 30.5cm
Review: "Love this shower. There were no changes needed to the previous wiring, and looks amazing - very easy to use. I love the digital thermostat, so I can set a consistent temperature and the eco and cold buttons. A very good shower that looks far more expensive than it is."
Best stylish and high performance high-end eclectic shower
This top of the range electric shower looks great, performs exceptionally well and has many extra features to make your shower time as relaxing as possible.
The model is available in three colours, including chrome, graphite and white and features five spray patterns, ranging from refreshing jets to delicate bubbles. The anti-limescale protection runs cold water after you shower to prevent any build-up, and thanks to Aqualisa's' Over Temperature Protection' that stops the water temperature from getting too hot.
Key specifications
Wattages: 8.5kW, 9.5kW, 10.5kW
Controls: Rotary temperature, on/off button
Spray patterns: 5
Colour: Chrome, charcoal or white
Dimensions: 305 x 240 x 65mm
Review: "Product looks aesthetically pleasing and works very well. This shower is excellent, and the temperature dial is easy to use and heats up quickly. I have Aqulisa showers for years now."
Electric showers FAQs
What is the point of an electric shower?
An electric shower functions as a self-contained unit: heating and pumping the water as it's used. Therefore, it only needs to be connected to a cold water supply. It makes it a more energy-efficient option as it doesn't need to collect any water from a boiler, so no hot water is wasted.
Are power showers better than electric showers?
Although power showers have a more powerful water flow than electric showers, electric showers are arguably more efficient and cheaper to run. It mostly depends on your preferences, as one is not better than the other.
Can I have two electric showers in my house?
You can have more than two electric showers in the house, but one thing to note is that you can only have one in use at a time. This is because of the large amount of power required, and using two will likely blow the main ESB fuse into your house.
How much power does an electric shower use?
An electric shower is one of the most energy-consuming appliances you can find in the home as it takes a lot of energy to heat the water and could use 1,460 kWh in a year.
For example, a 10 kW shower uses approximately one kWh of energy in six minutes. According to Viessmann, an average-sized UK household comprises four people and assuming that everyone has a six-minute shower per day, you could be using four kWh of energy per day, or 1,460 kWh in a year. It is a large percentage of your energy bill.