A soothing shower or bath can help you feel refreshed and ready to take on the day or relaxed for a good night's sleep. A great bathing experience starts with the right shower and bath hardware – discover the types of shower and bathtub faucets available along with what you should consider when choosing the perfect fixtures.

Shower Faucets

What Is a Shower Faucet?

A shower faucet is a type of bathroom hardware installed in showers or bathtub/shower combos that allows you to turn the water on or off and manipulate the temperature of the water at will. Shower faucets also help you change the flow of the water for when you’re just looking for a quick rinse or when you need a strong flow to wash out that hair mask.

The term “shower faucet” includes the control handles, control valves, and the showerhead. The controls/handles stick out from the wall, and you typically turn or lift them to access the water. The control valves usually aren't visible, as they attach to the control handles from the inside of the wall. These valves connect to your home's water lines and the showerhead. When you manipulate the control handles, the interior valves pump water from the water line and up through the showerhead. From here, a constant flow of water flows from the showerhead until the handles move to the “off” position.

Types of Shower Faucets

Shower faucets are divided into three categories. Review these types of faucets to figure out which works best for you:

• Traditional Shower Faucets: Traditional shower faucets include the control handles, interior valve, and a singular showerhead that can either be fixed, handheld, or designed in a rain configuration. These shower faucets work well in smaller showers with limited wall space for other shower fixtures. They also keep the installation process simple.

• Shower Systems: Shower systems elevate the traditional faucet design to give you more flexible shower settings. A shower system includes the control handles, the interior valve, the main showerhead, and usually a handheld showerhead component. When there are two different showerheads to direct water to, shower systems also come with a diverter – these devices sit on the exterior of faucet handles and change whether the water comes from the main showerhead, handheld showerhead, or both at the same time, when you manually pull or push the mechanism. This gives you a lot of flexibility so you can use the handheld showerhead to wash the shower walls, clean off muddied shoes, or use the fixed showerhead to keep your hands free for hair washing.

• Tub & Shower Faucets: Do you have a bathtub that also doubles as a shower? A tub-and-shower faucet combo is the way to go. These shower faucet systems come with a bathtub faucet, tub-specific control handles, a tub-spout diverter (to direct water up to the showerhead or back to the tub faucet), an interior valve, a wall-mounted showerhead, and sometimes even an additional handheld showerhead. This option allows you to choose between a relaxing bath or quick rinse of shower with one singular faucet system. Tub and shower faucet combos also relieve you from finding separate tub fixtures that match those of your shower, saving you lots of browsing time for other home necessities.

Shower Faucet Installation Types

Consider your shower layout when choosing a faucet with the most practical installation method for your bathroom. It's important to think about the location of your shower in the bathroom and where there are pre-placed hook-ups to water lines. This may determine which wall you can install a shower faucet onto and whether you need to run a water line to the ceiling for ceiling-mounted configurations. Read further to figure out if wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted shower faucets are the way to go for your specific shower layout.

• Wall-Mounted: The most common installation type is the wall-mounted shower faucet. These wall-mounted shower faucets provide an easier and more practical installation experience, as most internal water line hookups can be found behind one of the shower walls. Most wall-mounted showerheads release water at an angle, but there are some rain wall-mounted designs that arch to give the illusion of a ceiling hook-up, minus the extra work.

• Ceiling-Mounted: Ceiling-mounted shower faucets typically come with rain showerheads or fixed configurations to provide a steady stream of water from directly above, rather than at an angle as seen in wall-mounted installation types. Not only does this give you the effect of a luxury shower setting, but it also keeps hardware on shower walls to a minimum so you can have more space for shower shelving to store your toiletries. With ceiling-mounted types, you will likely need professional assistance to run a water line to the ceiling.

Shower Faucet Features to Consider

There are so many beneficial features to look for when choosing a shower faucet. Take a look at the following types of features to filter for in your quest for the best shower faucet for your bathroom needs:

Showerhead Options

Showerheads come in a variety of configurations that each come with their own unique look and benefits. Fixed showerheads mount to the wall, handheld showerheads make it easier to wash specific areas, dual showerheads come with fixed and handheld fixtures, and rain showerheads mount to the ceiling for a rain-like experience.

Shop shower faucets by head type:

Tip!

Want to learn more about your showerhead options? Take a look at our all-encompassing showerhead guide for more inspiration.

Spray Settings

Most showerheads come with a full/standard spray setting for a consistent stream of water, but there are other options as well. Showerheads can have massage/jet settings, perfect for rinsing off soap or getting rid of dirt after a day outdoors. Flood spray settings provide a strong stream of water to drench you quickly. Rain spray settings typically go with rain showerheads but they can also work on fixed designs that mimic the look of ceiling-mounted showerheads.

Adjustable Spray Patterns

Not sure which spray pattern you want in a showerhead? Opt for a shower faucet system that comes with a showerhead with adjustable spray patterns, so you don’t have to choose only one type of water stream. Most of these showerheads have a dial attached to the side that, when moved, changes the look and feel of the water coming out from the nozzle. This way, with the twist of a dial, you’ll be able to decide if you want a standard water stream, a high power jet stream, the light feel of rain, or a drenching flood of water for your shower.

Adjustable Water Flow

Shower faucets with adjustable water flow settings give you the option to change up the flow rate (aka the water pressure) of the water coming out of your showerhead. Most shower systems don't go above 2.0 to 2.5 GPM (gallons per minute) to ensure efficiency without using up too much water. You can adjust these levels to achieve a softer or stronger water pressure by accessing a control knob (this may look different depending on the style of your shower system) and increasing or decreasing the flow rate accordingly.

Swivel

Wall-mounted showerheads don't have to stay angled at the same spot when you choose one with swivel capabilities. This feature enables a showerhead to move left, right, up, or down, which is perfect if you share a bathroom with someone of a different height or to prevent water splatter when you have an open-concept shower area. With handheld models, it's as easy as turning the showerhead from left to right while it’s locked in its base position. On the other hand, fixed showerheads can have a bendable mount made of flexible materials or a moveable showerhead itself.

Slide Bar-Included

Be on the lookout for this feature if you’re browsing for handheld shower systems. You install slide bars on shower walls to hold handheld showerheads when they’re not in use. These are especially useful when you have a handheld showerhead with a long metal frame that must be hung from more than one rung. With a slide bar installed, when you complete your handheld washing needs, all you need to do is simply slide the showerhead into the holding mechanism for a cool look and secure feel.

Valve-Included

Valve-included shower fixtures come with the interior valve mechanism that connects the showerhead portion of the fixture to the water line. These valves determine the temperature control and flow rate of the water. By browsing for a valve-included shower fixture you ensure you have the compliant valve type to make your shower faucet install as seamless as possible.

ADA-Compliant

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant shower faucets/fixtures refer to any products deemed safe and accessible for disabled people to use. For shower fixtures, this might mean more flexible faucet designs and handheld showerhead configurations.

Bathtub Faucets

What Is a Bathtub Faucet

A bathtub faucet is a type of bathroom hardware fixed to the edge of the bathtub, the wall, or the floor. It includes the spout portion itself that pours water into the tub, the control handles to turn water on or off and change the water temperature, and a valve to connect the spout and handles to a water line. With bathtub-shower combos, there may also be a diverter so you can manually change the water flow from the bathtub spout to the showerhead.

Types of Bathtub Faucets

Bathtub faucets come in a variety of configurations to support the types of bathtub designs/styles on the market. Review this list to determine which option supports your bathtub type.

• Freestanding: Freestanding bathtub faucets get installed on the floor, meaning you may need to enlist the help of a professional to run a water line beneath. These bathroom faucets have a long spout and usually come with built-in handles. Freestanding models are made for freestanding tubs with slim edges and set away from walls.

• Clawfoot: Clawfoot bathtub faucets echo the iconic clawfoot bathtub thanks to their vintage feel and design, but there are also a variety of modern clawfoot bathtub faucet styles that bring the aesthetic into modern times. These types of bathtub faucets typically include a bathtub-mounted or floor-mounted spout and control handles, with a space overhead for a handheld showerhead to rest.

• Roman: Roman faucets have a classic, streamlined look and are made up of one spout with a lever handle on either side. These are typically wall-mounted or built into the tub edge.

• Tub Spouts: If you already have your control handles picked out or just need a replacement, you can opt for a singular tub spout.

Bathtub Faucet Mount Types

Before you start browsing for a bathtub faucet mount type, you need to consider two factors: faucet placement, and spout size. Faucet placement will depend on the position of your tub and its proximity to a water line. You may need professional help to run a water line to a desired spot. Consider a freestanding bathtub faucet for tubs in the center or the room or away from the wall. As for spout size, the bathtub faucet's spout should be long enough to hang over the edge of your tub. You will also need to measure for a faucet spout if you plan to use a wall-mounted faucet for a freestanding tub. This ensures the spout clears the space between the tub and the wall. With these factors in mind, check out these mounting options:

• Wall-Mounted: Wall-mounted bathtub faucets protrude from the wall and have control handles to either side or a singular handle located above it on the wall.

• Deck-Mounted: Deck-mounted bathtub faucets rest on the side edges of the bathtub itself and typically come with handles to install to either side of the spout.

• Floor-Mounted: Also called freestanding, floor-mounted tub faucets are installed in the floor and have a tall profile that allows them to reach over the top of freestanding bathtubs. They also usually come with built-in handles that jut out from the faucet portion to provide a solution for tubs set away from walls or tubs with thin rims.

Important Considerations for Both Shower & Bathtub Faucets

Here is a list of considerations of importance whether you want a shower faucet, bathtub faucet, or a combo:

Number of Handles

The number of handles a shower faucet has is both functional and aesthetic. Check out these handle options to figure out which works best for your needs:

• Single: Single handles work best in compact shower or bathtub spaces where every square inch counts. Single varieties consist of a handle that changes the temperature of the water based on which direction it goes in. These also may have color indicators so you know what temperature to expect. Both bathtubs and shower faucets with single handles usually require a wall-mounted installation, but some bathtub options require installation on the tub itself. Besides their space-saving profile, single faucet handles also eliminate the need to manually turn a knob off before turning on another to change the temperature. Instead, you can change the temperature with one swift motion.

• Twin: Twin handles typically come with tub-and-shower combo systems and rest on either side of the tub spout. You can turn them on at the same time for an equal balance of temperatures, or easily turn one on or off to adjust water to be warmer or cooler. Twin shower handles can also be installed on the wall if you're more of a shower person.

• Triple: Triple handles for your shower or bathtub faucet offer the most variety. These three handles either rest beside the tub spout or stick out from the wall for easy adjustments when taking a shower or a bath. Two of the handles typically represent hot and cold water, respectively, while the third acts as a diverter to switch between the bath faucet and the showerhead, or between the overhead showerhead and a handheld one.

Handle Styles

• Cross: Cross handle styles not only look sophisticated, but are also functional. The cross shaped handles make it incredibly easy to change the temperature or turn the water on or off by locking your fingers in place between each edge. This design allows your fingers (especially wet or sudsy fingers!) to grasp the handles better than other types. Choose between a singular cross-handle style for your shower, or two to three for more precise temperature control.

• Knob: Knob handles can be installed onto shower walls or bathtubs and come in a range of styles and shapes. They work well when you want to minimize the space handles typically take up on shower walls and bathtub edges, or when you want a minimal take on bathroom hardware to let your tub design or shower tiles really shine.

• Lever: Lever handles are super easy to manipulate, and they create a sleek, streamlined look in your shower or on your bathtub. Lever shower handles typically protrude from the wall and move up or down to turn on or off instead of side-to-side like in tub faucet models. Lever handle styles made for bathtubs get installed on either side of the tub faucet and turn toward the faucet to release water and away from the faucet to turn off.

Flow Rate

Shower faucets typically have three flow rate settings: low, medium, or high, so you can choose the one that fulfills your energy-consumption goals or water-pressure needs. The lower the flow rate, the lower the shower pressure, which reduces the energy your shower takes up and can lower your water bill overall. The highest flow rates usually come under 2.5 GPM (gallons per minute).

Bathtub faucets need good flow rates to be able to fill the tub with water in a reasonable timeframe, so you may see higher flow rates allowed. If you have a larger bathtub, you may want to consider faucets with a flow rate higher than 3 to 4 GPM to fill up the large tub space quicker.

Faucet Finishes

Bathtub and shower faucets come in a range of finishes that promote their longevity in addition to matching your bathroom hardware.

• Brass: Brass finishes provide a golden sheen in either polished or antique styles, are durable for long-term use, and are relatively inexpensive.

• Bronze: If your top priority is longevity, a bronze finish is a good choice for you. It maintains its appearance without worrying about becoming tarnished, stained, or scratched-up. Choose between oil-rubbed, brushed, or venetian bronze.

• Chrome: Chrome is an inexpensive finish for your bathtub faucet or shower fixtures, as it typically has a plastic base and metal coating. This not only makes it resistant to water damage and corrosion over time, but also makes it a more budget-friendly finish option. This finish comes in brushed or polished looks.

• Nickel: Nickel finishes not only look amazing but they're also durable for the long-term, and quick to clean. Choose between brushed, polished, or satin finishes.

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