Electric showers are essentially kettles which dispense warm (obviously not boiling) water onto your body via a shower head, rather than into a cup. They allow you to situate showers where there is just a cold mains feed, which can potentially save you a lot of money if installing a new shower room in a place where there is no existing plumbing.
Understanding Electric Showers and Water Pressure
The big difference between an electric shower and a kettle is that in an electric shower the water is constantly moving. The speed at which it moves will be influenced by the water pressure from the mains (as a guideline, unless you buy a shower which explicitly says otherwise, you probably need a minimum water pressure of 0.7 bar) and by the temperature to which the water is heated.
Basically if you want a cold shower, then the water doesn’t need to be heated and so can progress at the fastest speed allowed by the mains supply).
If, however, you want your water heated, then it has to stop in the tank for the heating elements to do their work and a combination of factors will determine whether this time out is a quick pit-stop or a lengthy break. These factors are: the quality of your electric shower; the season and your desired temperature.
In short, the better the quality of your electric shower, the quicker it will heat water regardless of the season and it will heat water quickest of all in summer when the temperature of the mains water is at its highest (and, of course, vice versa).
Finally, regardless of the quality of your electric shower, the higher you want the water temperature, the longer any electric shower is going to take to heat your water.
NB: if a high-quality electric shower has to choose between maintaining a consistent temperature and maintaining a consistent flow, it will always choose the temperature for safety reasons, even if it does not have a thermostat, although thermostatically-controlled electric showers, by definition, do a better job of regulating water temperature.
The key points of electric showers
Here are the points we suggest you consider when buying an electric shower.
User-friendliness
We appreciate this is hugely subjective, but it’s also highly important. An electric shower one person finds totally intuitive may completely confuse someone else. The good news is that there are plenty of options from which to choose, so you have a great chance of finding an electric shower which suits your taste perfectly.
Speed of heating
As we explained above, there is a direct correlation between an electric shower’s ability to heat water quickly and its ability to maintain good water flow.
Temperature control
Part of temperature control goes back to our earlier point about user-friendliness, i.e. you need to be physically able to choose the right temperature in order for the electric shower to be able to generate it. The other part essentially goes back to the quality of the heating element and whether or not the electric shower has a thermostat.
Robustness
If you see two showers with similar features but very different prices, then there’s a good chance the differential reflects the build quality in a way which may not be obvious from online pictures (which may not even be of the item you’re buying). Genuine reviews can be a great way to identify which electric showers are genuine investment pieces.
Guarantees
Please be aware that a guarantee is only worth anything if you can have trust in the company behind it, which is why we recommend only buying trusted brands from trusted retailers.
Best Electric Shower
Here is our round-up of the best electric showers on the UK market.
Quick Jump Into List
Aqualisa Quartz Electric Shower
Not only is the Aqualisa Quartz electric shower a Which? best buy, it has also won the prestigious “Red Dot” design award. As far as we know, it’s the only electric shower to have picked up one of these awards (as yet). Being a critic’s choice is all very well but it’s the public who really decide whether or not a product is a success and we suspect this electric shower will divide opinions.
First of all, we have to make it clear that when it comes to safety and performance, the Aqualisa Quartz electric shower ticks all the right boxes, including anti-scald protection and phased shutdown. It also has a choice of five shower spray patterns so you have a good chance of being able to adjust the flow to suit your mood.
The issue is with its design, which, depending on your point of view, is either sleek, chic and futuristic or the worst of minimalism. There is a start/stop button and a temperature dial. That’s it. What’s more, the temperature dial just says “COLD” and “HOT” with arrows pointing to the direction in which the dial should be turned. On the one hand, we get that this is probably reasonable enough given how people are likely to use it. On the other hand, we’re quite partial to guide markings for safety reasons.
Overall, we’d say that the Aqualisa Quartz is probably best avoided if your household includes very young children, elderly people or diabetics. For everyone else, this shower is either to your taste or it isn’t.
Aqualisa Quartz Electric Shower with Adjustable Head, White, 9.5kW
- Delivers instant hot showers with no demand on stored hot water.
- Simple ‘smooth glide’ control with LED indicator.
- Over temperature protection’ system for safe showering for all the family.
- Delayed shut down flushes away residual hot water.
- Delivers instant hot showers with no demand on stored hot water.
- Simple ‘smooth glide’ control with LED indicator.
- Over temperature protection’ system for safe showering for all the family.
- Delayed shut down flushes away residual hot water.
- Harmony head, with a choice of 5 spray patterns.
- Anti-twist hose connection.
- Suitable for mains cold water systems only
- Conforms to BEAB safety standards.
- Make sure to registers the warranty to cover if any break downs
Bristan JOYT385 W 8.5 kW Joy 3 Thermostatic Electric Shower
As you’d expect from a Bristan shower, the Bristan Joy 3 electric shower is all about simplicity and convenience. It is easy to install and built to last so it’ll be a while before you have to install a replacement.
In addition to temperature control and phased shutdown, the Bristan Joy 3 electric shower also has “warm-up mode”, which is exactly that. While the water is warming, a light flashes to let you know that the electric shower is working but not yet ready. When the light goes off, you’re good to go.
You operate the shower by means of a start-stop button, two dials and a digital display. The top dial shows the power level, including an eco mode. The bottom dial controls the temperature. There are guide markings to give you an idea of how far to move the dial and then you can check the exact temperature on the digital display at the very top of the shower body.
Overall, we’d say that the Bristan Joy 3 electric shower would be a great choice if safety was a paticular concern, e.g. if there were older people in the house. It’s also a solid choice for anyone who just wants a robust electric shower.
Bristan JOYT385 W 8.5 kW Joy 3 Thermostatic Electric Shower - White
- Has sophisticated technology, greater functionality, and/or smart features.
- Temperature stop button designed to prevent children and vulnerable family members from exposure to high temperatures.
- Reduces build up and helps extend product life.
- Has sophisticated technology, greater functionality, and/or smart features.
- Temperature stop button designed to prevent children and vulnerable family members from exposure to high temperatures.
- Reduces build up and helps extend product life.
- Will use existing holes and fixings to fit in the same spot as your previous shower.
- Thermostatic feature avoids temperature changes when water is used elsewhere in your home
Gainsborough 10.5 se Electric Shower
The Gainsborough 10.5 se electric shower is another electric shower which combines robust build quality and decent functionality with minimalist design.
In addition to the (fairly standard) phased shutdown, there’s an “over-temperature protection system”, which basically means that if the shower thinks you’ve selected too high a temperature it will stop the water from heating. There’s also a rub-clean spray plate on the shower head which helps to reduce the build-up of limescale and hence keep this electric shower in good working order. The showerhead itself has three modes, which is a decent selection.
The body of the Gainsborough 10.5 se electric shower has a single on/off button and a temperature dial. The dial just shows hot and cold with arrows, there are no guide markings and no digital display. Because of this, we’d suggest choosing another option if safety is a major concern for you. Otherwise, the Gainsborough 10.5 se offers a nice balance of performance and price.
Gainsborough 97554043 Electric 10.5KW SE Shower White
- 10.5kW power rating
- Gloss White finish with white & Chrome accessories
- Simple to operate
- Push button start/stop
- Single dial controls both flow and temperature
- 10.5kW power rating
- Gloss White finish with white & Chrome accessories
- Simple to operate
- Push button start/stop
- Single dial controls both flow and temperature
- Spray control’ maximises flow by adjusting to the incoming mains water supply temperature
- The advanced silicone nozzles in the showerhead expand and contract according to the rate of flow
- Single mode showerhead with rub-clean spray plate to minimise the build up of limescale
- Phased shutdown safety feature
Triton T80z Fast-Fit Electric Shower
We’re going to say up front that for an electric shower which sells itself on being easy to fit, the manual for the Triton T80z could do with some improvement to put it mildly (in our opinion). If you decide to go for this option then hopefully this problem will be fixed by the time your unit arrives. If not, however, the good news is that Triton has produced a YouTube video which walks you through the process. Once you understand the general idea, you can check the manual for the exact details.
Setting that aside, this is a budget-friendly electric shower, so set your expectations accordingly. For example, there is neither a thermostat nor a phased shutdown. The lack of phased shutdown can encourage the build-up of limescale, but the showerhead is easy to take apart and therefore clean.
In terms of controls, you have a start/stop button and two dials (one for temperature and the other for flow). Realistically, in an electric shower this simple, the flow will mostly be dictated by the temperature.
Basically, the Triton T80z electric shower is an affordable shower which just gets the job done. The lack of thermostat and phased shutdown means we’d avoid it if safety is a major concern. If not, however, and you just want a basic electric shower at a basic price then this could be a very good option.
Triton T80z Fast-Fit Electric Shower 10.5kW Bathroom
- Perfect for replacing existing shower
- Swing-fitTM - left or right side cabling ** Swing-fitTM - 180 degree reversible water inlet
- Stylish adjustable-bracket riser rail
- Push button start/stop
- Perfect for replacing existing shower
- Swing-fitTM - left or right side cabling ** Swing-fitTM - 180 degree reversible water inlet
- Stylish adjustable-bracket riser rail
- Push button start/stop
Triton T80si 7.5kW (T70SI, Perluso, Aquatronic 2 Plus) Electric Shower
The Triton T80si is very much an entry-level electric shower but it’s easy to install, built to last and simple to use.
Triton showers are built to stand up to extended use and even though the Triton T80si electric shower is one of their most budget-friendly models, it’s still created to the same, robust, standards.
As you would expect, the functionality is minimal. You don’t get a thermostat, phased shut-down or over-temperature protection. You do, however, get a five-mode showerhead, which is a very nice touch at this price point. Triton gets extra points for the fact that it is easy to take apart and clean, which will be particularly appreciated by anyone dealing with limescale.
The controls consist of a start/stop button and two dials, one for temperature and one for flow, and there are nicely-visible guide markings on both dials, which helps to compensate for the lack of thermostat. Overall, we’d say that if you really need maximum safety then you need to pay the extra for an electric shower with a thermostat, but if you’re more concerned with budget, then the Triton T80si electric shower could give you a lot of service for very little outlay.
Electric Shower - Triton T80si 7.5kW (T70SI, Perluso, Aquatronic 2 Plus)
- Push button Start/ Stop to select your favourite shower setting every time
- Rub clean shower head with five different spray patterns
- Outlet product - 1 year parts and labour guarantee
- Will replace Passion, T70Si, Biarritz 2, Belize, Desire, Enchant, Marbella, Zante, Aquatronic 2 Plus, Aquatronic 3 (not including Aquatronic 3 Ultra), Perluso, Agio, Aspirante Electric, Colourwave Electric, Riba
- Push button Start/ Stop to select your favourite shower setting every time
- Rub clean shower head with five different spray patterns
- Outlet product - 1 year parts and labour guarantee
- Will replace Passion, T70Si, Biarritz 2, Belize, Desire, Enchant, Marbella, Zante, Aquatronic 2 Plus, Aquatronic 3 (not including Aquatronic 3 Ultra), Perluso, Agio, Aspirante Electric, Colourwave Electric, Riba
- Multiple cable and water entry points from the left and the right
Mira Showers 1.1746.008 Sport Max
Put very bluntly, the Mira Sport Max offers many of the benefits of the Mira Azora, including the thermostatic control, sensi-flo technology and anti-limescale design, but has a very different aesthetic and while this is still, clearly, a high-quality electric shower with a premium look and feel, the Azora is indisputably more chic.
On the other hand, the chunkier controls on the Mira Sport Max may be less sleek and stylish than those on the Azora, some people may actually find them easier to use, plus the Sport Max does tend to be a bit more affordable.
Mira Showers 1.1746.008 Sport Max 10.8 kW Electric Shower - White/Chrome
- The UK's ideal performing electric just got a boost. A sensational spray experience and performance that you simply won't find from any other electric shower on the market. Airboost is a world first in flow boosting technology, giving you a feeling of a more powerful shower
- The UK's ideal performing electric just got a boost. A sensational spray experience and performance that you simply won't find from any other electric shower on the market. Airboost is a world first in flow boosting technology, giving you a feeling of a more powerful shower
- Your electric shower lives longer with up to 50 Percentage reduction in limescale thanks to Mira Clearscale technology
- Large 110 mm 4 spray showerhead with rub-clean nozzles for easy limescale removal
- Opti-flo optimises flow throughout the year
- Sensi-flo technology helps prevent scalding if the showerhead or hose become blocked
- Advanced pressure stabilised temperature control keeps your selected showering temperature consistent
- Phased shutdown flushes hot water from the tank to make it safe for the next user
- Push button onoff. so you can leave the power and temperature controls at your preferred setting
- Adjustable slide bar fits over holes left by a previous shower kit
Triton Seville
The Triton Seville combines very classic styling with modern technology and it’s a breeze to install thanks to the 5 electric cable and water entry positions, which allow for great flexibility if you’re fitting it in a new bathroom (or as a totally new shower installation) or maximum convenience if you want to replicate an existing installation.
The controls are likewise very intuitive with one dial for the three power settings and the other for the 10 temperature settings, both of which are complemented by 5 different spray effects, from a wide gentle spray through to a vigorous jet. Water is heated very quickly so you’re never left waiting (im)patiently for your shower.
Triton Seville 10.5kW Electric Shower
- Rotary power control: Cold, eco, high
- Separate temperature and flow controls; Maximum Static Pressure: 10 Bar
- Multiple cable and water entry points for replacement
- Easy Clean Shower Head - Single Spray Pattern.2 year full parts & labour guarantee (UK only - Product not suitable for use outside of the UK)
- Rotary power control: Cold, eco, high
- Separate temperature and flow controls; Maximum Static Pressure: 10 Bar
- Multiple cable and water entry points for replacement
- Easy Clean Shower Head - Single Spray Pattern.2 year full parts & labour guarantee (UK only - Product not suitable for use outside of the UK)
- 1.25 m anti-twist hose to avoid kinks
- Compatible with a cold mains water system
- Rail Diameter : 19mm, Rail Length : 530mm
Bristan BL3105 B Bliss 3
The Bristan BL3105 B has been engineered to be super-easy to install. In particular, there are multiple inlet options for the water and electricity supplies, plus the footprint of the shower is compact enough for it to be squeezed into small spaces.
As an added bonus, the brackets on the riser rail are adjustable, which means that you can discretely cover any existing drill holes. The design of this electric shower is very pleasing to the eye and its robustness is pleasing to the wallet.
Users in hard-water areas will be pleased to hear that this electric shower uses phased shutdown (it will continue to run for a short time after turning off) so as to flush any hot water out of the shower and hence reduce the build-up of limescale.
Even if you’re not in a hard-water area, you’ll notice that this electric shower has lots of nice touches such as thermostatic control, a digital temperature display and a warm-up mode (no more getting a shower which is still warming up).
Bristan BL3105 B Bliss 3 Electric Shower, 10.5 kW, Black
- Touch controls and super sleek looks
- Anti lime scale feature reduces build up and rub-clean handset helps extend product life
- Choose your ideal temperature with the digital display. 15mm push-fit inlet connection
- Touch controls and super sleek looks
- Anti lime scale feature reduces build up and rub-clean handset helps extend product life
- Choose your ideal temperature with the digital display. 15mm push-fit inlet connection
- Warm up mode; set your temperature and once reached the on/off button stops flashing; no more cold starts
- Draws water directly from mains supply, at working pressures between 0.7 bar and 10 bar
Bristan CHE95 W 9.5 kW Cheer Electric Shower – White
When it comes to build-quality and ease of installation, the same comments apply as for the previous Bristan. Our one quibble, and it could have been a one-off, is that the screws do not appear to have any iron content and so it’s pointless using a magnetized screwdriver.
The big compromise as compared to the other Bristan is the loss of thermostatic control, so we’d have to suggest giving this electric shower a miss if your household contains people who are very old, very young or diabetics. Otherwise, while the lack of a thermostat may cause the occasional uncomfortable incident, it also chops quite a bit off the price, so it’s a question of priorities.
It’s also worth noting that the aesthetics of this electric shower are also very different from its stablemate and while it’s easy to use and we’re fine with the overall appearance, it certainly doesn’t have the more premium chic of the other Bristan. Again, it’s about your own priorities.
Bristan CHE95 W 9.5 kW Cheer Electric Shower - White
- Included components: 1 x electric shower, 1 x shower kit, instructions
- High quality electric shower with adjustable shower head riser to customise the height for an ideal shower experience - ideal for families
- Included components: 1 x electric shower, 1 x shower kit, instructions
- High quality electric shower with adjustable shower head riser to customise the height for an ideal shower experience - ideal for families
- Single function shower handset with 2 dials for easy temperature control, includes easy-to-clean anti-limescale handset for keeping a shower in prime condition
- Suitable for a 15 mm push-fit inlet connection, draws water directly from mains supply at working pressures between 0.7-10 bar
Mira Showers 1.1634.011 Azora
The Mira Azora has a very modern, minimalist look about it, being made mainly of frosted glass with white controls and chrome fittings. It has separate controls for flow and temperature as well as a stand-alone start-stop button.
Honestly, we’re not sure how easy the markings will be to read, especially not when the electric shower is running, but then again, you increase flow or temperature by moving the relevant knob clockwise and vice versa, so we suspect most people will find this electric shower very user friendly.
In addition to the standard thermostat, there’s sensi-flo technology, which basically acts as a second check on the temperature and promotes safety.
Basically with regular showers, a thermal trip mechanism checks the temperature of the water when it leaves the tank, if a blockage impedes the flow, hot water will build up inside the shower, increasing its temperature.
When the thermal trip senses a temperature above 50 degrees it will switch off the power, but the temperature can continue to climb and can reach beyond 70 degrees. Once the temperature starts to cool, the electricity will be restarted and so will the flow, even though the temperature is still extremely hot.
Sensi-flo technology measures the flow of water and, in particular, the back-flow of water, which is an indirect (and very accurate) indicator of water temperature. It will stop the flow of water to prevent scalding and only restore it when the blockage is resolved.
For the sake of clarity, the most common causes of blockage are damage to the hose (perhaps it getting crimped) and the dreaded limescale. Speaking of which, this electric shower is designed to minimize the build-up of limescale, which may be enough in areas where it is only a minor problem, in very hard-water areas a proper water softener may still be a good investment.
Mira Showers 1.1634.011 Azora 9.8 kW Thermostatic Electric Shower - Frosted Glass/Chrome
- Simple frosted glass fascia perfectly complemented by smooth chrome features and combined with thermostatic technology
- Your electric shower lives longer with up to 50 Percent reduction in limescale thanks to Mira Clearscale technology
- Simple frosted glass fascia perfectly complemented by smooth chrome features and combined with thermostatic technology
- Your electric shower lives longer with up to 50 Percent reduction in limescale thanks to Mira Clearscale technology
- Four spray, 110 mm showerhead With rub-clean nozzles for easy limescale removal
- Opti-flo optimises flow throughout the year
- Sensi-flo technology helps prevent scalding if the showerhead or hose become blocked
- Thermostatic temperature stability keeps showering safe for all the family
- Phased shutdown flushes hot water from the tank to make it safe for the next user
- Push button on/off so you can leave the power and temperature controls at your preferred setting
- Separate power and temperature controls with a push button on/off
- Comes with a 2 year guarantee for peace of mind
Best electric shower overall
If you’re on a budget and can live without a thermostat, then we’d suggest either the Bristan Cheer, or the Tritan Seveille, both of which are on the basic side, but perfectly capable and robust enough to stand up to regular use.
By contrast, if you’re looking for a premium option, then we’d suggest either the Bristan Bliss or the Mira Azora. If safety is a concern, then we’d suggest the Azora, thanks to that sensi-flo technology, but if not then your decision will probably come down to aesthetics as these two electric showers have very different looks.
In the mid-range, the Mira Sport Max is a solid option at a reasonable price. It doesn’t have the glam looks of the Azora, but it still has a premium aesthetic, easy-to-use controls and sensi-flo technology.
Katie is the Editor here at Poshh Living and is a well-respected voice in the world of design and home improvement. Katie has a first-class Hons degree in Journalism and is proud to say that she has written many leading entries in the biggest media outlets including Ideal Home, and Good House Keeping. Lover of the great outdoors and mother of two, Katie is ‘down to earth’, knowledgable and a great asset to the team
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