Are you languishing under a dribbling shower, tired of waiting forever for it to wash the conditioner out of your hair? Are you pressed for time in the mornings and can’t wait for the shower to get hot?
If you have morning shower misery, it could be time to up your ablution game and consider a power shower with a built-in pump.
Not only do these washing units offer the strong, hot and powerful flow you need in the morning, but they could save money on your boiler bills too - you won’t have to wait so long before the heat comes through.
They are also great for installing a shower in a room that isn’t previously plumbed.
What is a power shower with a built-in pump?
Many people think of installing an electric shower with a built-in pump if they have water flow issues or want to avoid completely redecorating the bathroom - but they can be a good choice if you are renovating, thanks to features like a consistent flow rate, a stabilised temperature and a good, strong shower.
They are ideal if you are building a new en suite bathroom or additional shower room where you don’t previously have mains water fitted, as you can run a simple cold water plastic pipe through to the site. They are also fine for homes or rooms with a lower flow rate – for example, if you want to put a shower into a loft conversion - though most experts recommend a minimum flow of 1 bar for a power shower. Thanks to an internal pump, power showers deliver a strong and consistent flow of water. They are good if lots of people need a shower in a short space of time, say rush hour in family households.
Things to look for when buying an electric shower with built-in pump
- Flow rate: measured in litres per minute. The higher the number, the more water can be pumped through, giving a more generous and powerful shower.
- Power: most range from 7.5 to 10.5 kw. The higher the power, the more hot water you be forced through the head (and the more expensive your bills).
- Noise levels: some have extra quiet motors but most will make the classic whining noise.
- Temperature control: these tend to be on round dials so you can select your perfect temperature. Some have an eco setting that uses less power and water.
- Spray patterns: from a single jet to a rain forest style shower, look for a range of spray patterns.
- Easy to clean spray nozzles: many are made from an easily wiped clean material.
- Ease of fitting: try to find one that can have power and water supplies coming in from several directions, so you can fit it with minimal fuss.
What are the disadvantages of an electric shower with a built-in pump?
The downside? They are more expensive than a simple electric shower with no internal pump but pressure consistency is a good reason for buying a pumped model.
When buying this type of shower, bear in mind that you will have a boxy power unit on your wall, which can look clumsy if you favour the minimalist look. They are usually white boxes, so bear this in mind if you are re-decorating the bathroom. The showers also contain heating elements that can be affected by hard water and limescale build-up.
The best electric showers with a built-in pump at a glance
- Best for a powerful and consistent flow: Aqualisa Aquastream Thermostatic Power Shower with Pump - £580.61, Plumbworld
- Best for a very quiet shower: Triton Silent Running Thermostatic Power Shower - £210.22, Plumbworld
- Best for an instantly invigorating shower: Mira Go Power Thermostatic Power Shower - £130, B&Q
- Best for stylish good looks: AQUAS AquaMax Flex Manual Smart - £529.95, Victorian Plumbing
- Best for budget yet powerful option: Mira Vigour Thermostatic Power Shower - £198, Plumbworld
- Best for retaining your favourite temperature setting: Bristan Hydro Power 1000 XT Thermostatic Power Shower - £214.98, Plumbworld
- Best for a quiet shower even with low pressure: Triton T80SR Pumped Electric Shower - £274.99, B&Q
In the UK, there are several leading players in this market including AQUAS, Triton, Bristan, Mira and Aqualisa.
They do tend to be all very similar to look at, with a couple of exceptions and most are white and chrome. We’ve put together a list of the best below.
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Aqualisa Aquastream Thermostatic Power Shower with Pump
Best for: a powerful and consistent flow
With a steady thermostatic control, your shower will stay at the right temperature no matter what taps are on elsewhere in the house. Aqualisa offers one of the best showers around; expect a powerful blast first thing in the morning.
It can be used with gravity systems (not on a high-pressure water system) and needs a maximum pressure of 1 bar. The unit can be easily fitted in any position, with inlets for water and power on the top, bottom or rear of the unit. The shower head has four flow patterns including an eco setting (saving 25 per cent of water) and is easy to clean, with a nifty way of adjusting the shower head’s position on the bar; simply pinch the grip and it slides up and down, to get it in the optimal position.
The wall unit is not terribly pretty but it is made from high-quality materials, in a white and chrome finish.
Buy now £580.61, Plumbworld
Triton Silent Running Thermostatic Power Shower AS2000SR
Best for: a very quiet shower
If you get up at a different time to the rest of your household, Triton’s shower is a godsend for early morning showers.
The shower is Quiet Mark-approved, which should tell you all you need to know about how noisy it is - or isn’t, in this case.
Offered in white and chrome, the simple round head has three spray patterns to use. Controls are simple, with one for temperature and one for power and there’s a vertical bar to allow you to raise or lower the shower head, plus a small shelf for things like soap.
The shower will remain at a steady temperature and there’s has a safety feature to prevent scalding. Thanks to its internal pump, it can be fitted in a home with a low pressure water system that has a cold water cistern and hot water cylinder. The hose has an anti-twist feature that prevents kinks, too.
Buy now £210.22, Plumbworld
Mira Go Power Thermostatic Power Shower
Best for: an instantly invigorating shower
Ideal for homes with low water pressure, this easy-to-use shower offers a torrent from the simple twist of a tap (14L a minute to be precise), so if you like to get straight into the shower this model is an excellent choice.
It has a thermostatic control that maintains the temperature for the duration of your wash, and there is a mechanism to prevent it from getting too hot and scalding. It’s possible to control the temperature and strength of the flow independently with the controls. The nozzles on the spray have a wipe-clean surface and the riser bar helps you position the shower head in the best position for you.
While the shower head offers five spray options, the hose is fairly short, limiting the positions for installation.
Buy now £130.00, B&Q
AQUAS AquaMax Flex Manual Smart
Best for: stylish good looks
This sleek, top-of-the-range shower has dual shower heads, one fixed above that has three different spray patterns and a handheld that can be adjusted up and down on a slide bar; the overhead shower arm has an extra long reach of 400mm if you want to install it further out from the wall.
It features a flow limiter, which means that if anyone turns on the tap in another room, the flow to the shower remains the same - no loss of power or sudden fluctuations in temperature. The shower comes with an eco setting that reduces the energy output to 5kw to use in summer, which should have a positive effect on your bills.
Also, if you have found the best setting for your perfect shower, the unit will remember it so that you don’t have to fiddle with strength and temperature each time you pop in for a wash.
Buy now £440.00, Amazon
Mira Vigour Thermostatic Power Shower
Best for: budget yet powerful option
This is a budget-priced power shower that delivers a pleasingly strong water flow, making it a great choice for family homes.
It can be used with gravity-fed hot and cold water systems and will deliver a thermostatically controlled and consistent shower for both temperature and strength. The shower head has five different spray patterns and it has a generous hose, meaning you can play around with the positioning of the riser bar to hide any previous screw holes or marks.
The wall box is plain, with a round control with two options (knob and circular selector switch) to offer your chosen flow from a water-conserving shower to a full blast of water and there is a soap tray on the white and chrome unit, too.
Buy now £198.00, Amazon
Bristan Hydro Power 1000 XT Thermostatic Power Shower
Best for: retains your favourite temperature setting
The simple to use push-button design means you can keep your favourite settings for flow and temperature and its simple rotary dial makes it easy to adjust for different users. It has consistency when you’re showering, thanks to its in-built pump and thermostatic control. The water can be drawn for your hot and cold water supply (never connect directly to the mains) and it can be used with a low-pressure gravity system. The control box is squarer than most, with a push on/off button and the riser bar is white rather than chrome, as is the shower hose, which gives a sleeker appearance. The soap tray is big enough for a bar of your favourite suds plus a bottle of shampoo and the shower head has three spray patterns and easy to clean nozzles to prevent limescale build-up.
Buy now £214.98, Plumbworld
Triton T80SR Pumped Electric Shower
Best for: a quiet shower even with low pressure
Another very quiet power shower with a built-in pump, this unit is ideal for homes with low water pressure.
A tanked system will give a strong and consistent flow of water at your perfect temperature. It has a plain and simple control box with two controls, plus a push on/off button. There’s a white and chrome adjustable bar to position the shower head where you need it.
There is a small soap tray and the head has several different spray patterns and can easily be wiped clean from limescale. You can plump and wire it from several different directions and is the same size as many other showers, so is great if you want to replace an older model without showing marks and screw holes.
Buy now £274.99, B&Q
Verdict
It’s on the pricier end of the scale, but if you’re looking for a powerful shower with a consistent temperature, you can’t beat Aqualisa Aquastream Thermostatic Power Shower with Pump.
