How to choose the right shower

Start with how the shower will be mounted. A wall-mounted arm suits standard-height installs and is the easiest to retrofit into an existing bathroom. A ceiling arm drops the head straight down for a rain-shower effect and works well in walk-in and frameless-screen showers where there's no wall at the right spot. A shower-on-rail lets the head slide up and down, which is the most practical option for households with children or users of different heights, since everyone can adjust it themselves.

Next, check your water pressure and hot water system before choosing a head style. Large rain heads and multi-function stations need reasonable mains pressure to perform properly, while low-pressure and gravity-fed systems usually need a head or pump rated for that setup. Finally, pick a finish that matches — or deliberately contrasts — your tapware, and confirm the connection type (top or bottom water inlet) matches your existing rough-in plumbing so installation doesn't require moving pipework.