How to choose the right shower

How to choose the right shower

How to choose the right shower

Whether you’re moving into a new home, modernising an older bathroom, or simply replacing an outdated shower, choosing the right system is one of the most important decisions for daily comfort and safety.

From low water pressure to accessibility needs, there are many factors to consider before making your choice.

It’s the one feature that most of us rely on every morning, and the difference between a refreshing, energising start to the day and a frustrating experience can come down to the system you choose.

Weak water pressure, sudden changes in temperature, or an outdated design are common problems that many households face — but the right shower can solve them instantly.

Today’s showers are designed to do more than just deliver hot water.

They offer practical benefits such as consistent flow, thermostatic safety and efficient energy use, alongside finishes and designs that can transform the look of your bathroom. From minimalist chrome to luxurious brushed brass or timeless traditional styles, there is a shower to suit every taste and home.

With so many systems available — mixer, electric, power and thermostatic — it can feel overwhelming to decide where to begin.

In this guide, we cover:

Mixer shower valves — reliable performance, thermostatic options, and designs to suit both modern and traditional bathrooms

Electric showers — instant hot water, energy-efficient, with mains-fed, pumped (gravity-fed), and inclusive accessibility models

Power showers — pumped flow for gravity-fed systems, delivering a stronger, spa-like spray

Thermostatic showers — steady, safe temperature control with stylish, practical designs

Showers designed for accessibility — inclusive layouts, easy-to-use controls, silent running, and thermostatic safety for comfort and independence

At-a-glance shower comparison — a quick reference to key features, water system compatibility, and the models we stock

Let’s dive in:

Mixer Shower Valves

Mixer shower valves are a long-standing favourite in many Irish homes because they strike a balance between simplicity, safety, and performance.

They work by blending hot and cold water from your household supply to your chosen temperature.

It’s important to note that the performance of a mixer valve depends on the water supply.

These valves are most effective when either the entire house has a pressurised system or when just the shower supply is pressurised, often through a pump. In such cases, a mixer valve can provide a strong, satisfying flow.

Without adequate pressure, the spray may be less generous, so checking your water system before choosing a mixer valve is essential.

Thermostatic versions add an extra layer of comfort and safety by maintaining a steady temperature, even if someone flushes a toilet or runs a tap elsewhere in the house — a small but significant detail for busy family bathrooms.

A further advantage is the wide range of designs available.

For modern interiors, the Menai Premier Round Shower Kit and Menai Premier Square Shower Kit offer sleek, minimalist styling, while the Grohe Euphoria 260 Exposed Shower System brings contemporary performance from a trusted international brand.

If you prefer something more classic, the Tenby Traditional Dual Shower Kit provides timeless elegance with modern thermostatic control, and the Orca Thermostatic Shower Mixer Kit is a dependable all-round choice that fits seamlessly into many bathroom styles.

When matched to the right water system, mixer shower valves remain a practical, stylish option that combines reliability, safety, and design versatility.

Electric showers

Electric showers are one of the most convenient options for busy households. Instead of relying on stored hot water, they heat cold water instantly as it passes through the unit. This means you never run out of hot water, even if the tank has already been emptied by someone else in the house. For families, shared homes, or anyone who wants the reassurance of hot water on demand, this is a real benefit.

They are also energy-efficient, since they only heat the water you actually use. Electric showers are suitable for homes with limited hot-water storage or where energy-saving is a priority.

It’s important to note that different models are designed for different water supplies:

By understanding whether your home is mains-fed or gravity-fed, you can select an electric shower that provides consistent performance and comfort for your daily routine.

Power showers

For homes with gravity-fed water systems, power showers can be a real game changer.

They use an integrated pump to boost pressure, delivering a more invigorating spray even where water flow is normally weak.

This makes them particularly appealing if you’ve ever struggled with a feeble shower that takes too long to rinse.

It’s important to note that power showers require both a gravity-fed hot and cold water supply — the pump relies on this setup to function correctly.

Power showers are also often thermostatically controlled, so the temperature remains steady while you enjoy the stronger flow.

Models such as the Triton Novel SR Power Shower combine quiet performance with modern reliability, while the Mira Vigour Thermostatic Power Shower is a trusted choice for households that want extra reassurance in daily use.

Both are designed to give an energising, spa-like experience without the need to overhaul your plumbing system.

Thermostatic showers

One of the most frustrating aspects of showering can be sudden changes in temperature — the shock of freezing cold water when someone turns on a tap, or a scalding burst when the washing machine kicks in.

Thermostatic showers solve this problem by maintaining your chosen temperature, automatically adjusting the mix of hot and cold water as household demand changes.

This makes them particularly safe for families with children or older relatives, where peace of mind is just as important as comfort.

Trusted models include the Grohe G1000 Cosmopolitan M Thermostatic Shower, which combines safety with sleek, modern styling, and the Ideal Standard Ecotherm Thermostatic Bar Mixer Shower, a compact, practical option that fits neatly into a wide range of bathroom designs.

For those who prefer a straightforward, practical thermostatic option, the STRATA Round Thermostatic Shower Kit delivers reliable performance and easy-to-use controls.

For a luxurious finish, models such as the Brushed Brass Round Shower Kit or the Brushed Brass Square Shower Kit combine thermostatic reliability with striking design features.

Showers designed for accessibility

Not every bathroom upgrade is about appearance alone.

For some households, safety, inclusivity and ease of use are the most important priorities.

Accessibility-focused showers are designed with these needs in mind, making daily routines more comfortable for people with mobility challenges or for families who want extra reassurance.

Two examples from our range:

  • Omnicare Design 9.5kW Thermostatic Electric Shower — a mains-fed model without a pump, suitable where the water system provides sufficient pressure. It features large, easy-to-use controls and a simple layout, making it accessible to users of all ages and abilities.
  • Omnicare SR Pumped Thermostatic Care Electric Shower — includes a built-in pump for gravity-fed or low-pressure systems, runs quietly thanks to its silent technology, and provides reliable performance even when mains pressure is limited.

Its inclusive design includes large, easy-to-use controls and a simple layout, making it accessible to users of all ages and abilities.

It also runs quietly, thanks to its silent pump technology, and delivers reliable performance even in homes with low water pressure.

By combining thermostatic safety, accessible controls and efficient water heating, it ensures that comfort and independence are never compromised.

At-a-glance shower comparison

This guide is designed to give you a quick yet comprehensive overview of the main shower types and models we stock, showing not only their key features but also the situations where each performs best.

It’s a simple way to compare options side by side and see which system will suit your home, water supply, and household needs. Before you dive into the table, consider the following:

  • Water system compatibility: Check whether your home has mains pressure, gravity-fed supply, or needs a pumped solution.
  • Household needs: Think about how many people will be using the shower daily and whether features like thermostatic safety or accessibility controls are important.
  • Style and finish: Your shower should complement your bathroom décor, whether you prefer sleek modern designs, brushed brass statement pieces, or timeless traditional kits.
  • Performance priorities: Decide whether you value a powerful spray, silent operation, or precise temperature control most.

Now that you’ve considered your home’s water system, household needs, style preferences, and performance priorities, it’s easier to see how the different showers compare.

The table below brings all these factors together, giving you a clear overview of each model, its key features, and the situations where it performs best.

This way, you can quickly identify the shower that fits both your bathroom and your daily routine.

Shower comparison table
Model Type Key Features Best For
Orca Thermostatic Shower Mixer Kit Mixer Valve Steady flow, reliable thermostatic control Family bathrooms with pressurised shower supply
Menai Premier Round / Square Kits Mixer Valve Modern minimalist design, strong performance Contemporary interiors with pressurised supply
Tenby Traditional Dual Shower Kit Mixer Valve Classic styling with thermostatic safety Traditional bathrooms with pressurised supply
Grohe Euphoria 260 Exposed Shower System Mixer Valve Premium brand, excellent spray patterns Style-conscious homes with pressurised supply
Triton T80Z 9kW Electric Shower Electric (Mains-fed) Simple, dependable, hot water on demand Everyday use with good mains pressure
Mira Sport Electric Shower Electric (Mains-fed) Strong flow, trusted brand reputation Busy households with good mains pressure
Mira Elite SE 9.8kW Electric Shower Electric (Pumped / Gravity-fed) Latest design, efficient performance Modern bathrooms with low pressure / tank-fed
Mira Elite SE 9.8kW Dual Rainhead Electric Shower Electric (Pumped / Gravity-fed) Rainhead design, built-in pump for consistent flow Homes with low pressure or tank-fed hot water
Triton T90SR Silent Pumped Electric Shower Electric (Pumped / Gravity-fed) Silent running, works with low pressure Homes with poor mains supply or tank-fed hot water
Omnicare Design 9.5kW Thermostatic Electric Shower Electric (Mains-fed) Accessible controls, straightforward design Accessibility-focused homes with mains-fed supply
Omnicare SR Pumped Thermostatic Care Electric Shower Electric (Pumped / Accessibility) Inclusive controls, silent pump, thermostatic safety Accessibility-focused or low-pressure homes
Triton Novel SR Power Shower Power (Gravity-fed) Pumped flow, quiet performance Boosting gravity-fed hot & cold systems
Mira Vigour Thermostatic Power Shower Power (Gravity-fed) Thermostatic control, strong spray Reliable daily family use on gravity-fed systems
Grohe G1000 Cosmopolitan M Thermostatic Shower Thermostatic Mixer Modern look, precise control Families needing safety and style
Ideal Standard Ecotherm Thermostatic Bar Mixer Shower Thermostatic Mixer Compact, practical, versatile Smaller bathrooms with pressurised supply
STRATA Round Thermostatic Shower Kit Thermostatic Mixer Reliable, straightforward thermostatic control Entry-level, practical and easy-to-use option
Brushed Brass Round / Square Shower Kits Thermostatic Mixer Luxury finish, thermostatic reliability Modern statement bathrooms with pressurised supply
Making the right shower choice

Choosing a shower is about more than ticking a box on your bathroom checklist.

It’s about finding the balance between comfort, style and practicality that works for your household.

Mixer showers remain a reliable all-rounder where good pressure is available, electric showers provide hot water on demand, and power showers boost weaker systems for a stronger spray.

Thermostatic models bring added safety and peace of mind, while accessibility-focused designs ensure comfort and independence for every member of the family.

By understanding the strengths of each system and matching them to your home’s water supply and lifestyle, you’ll end up with a shower that not only looks the part but performs beautifully for years to come.

If you’re still unsure which shower is best suited to your home, we’re here to help.

Visit us in store or give us a call for guidance and advice — our team will be happy to point you in the right direction.

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