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.

Reviewed by Carly James, Posh.co.uk Editor and former Which? magazine contributor. With years of hands-on testing experience, Carly specializes in evaluating bathroom fixtures for real-world performance and durability.

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.

How We Evaluate Electric Showers

Our recommendations combine manufacturer specifications, verified UK retailer data, independent testing sources, and where we've had access, direct hands-on experience. We focus on the factors that matter most for daily reliability, safety, and performance in real UK homes.

What We Look For

• Performance & reliability: Heating speed, temperature stability, flow rate consistency, and how well units handle varying water pressure and seasonal temperature changes
• Build quality: Materials, construction, expected lifespan, and resistance to limescale in hard water areas
• Ease of use: Installation flexibility (cable and water entry points), intuitive controls, and maintenance requirements
• Value: Features and performance relative to typical UK pricing across budget, mid-range, and premium tiers
• Safety: Thermostatic control, anti-scald protection, thermal cutouts, and compliance with UK BEAB and WRAS standards

Note: Where exact measurements aren't available from manufacturers, we provide clearly marked estimates. We never list live prices—our focus is on function, features, and value.

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.

Editors Pick

Mira Showers Sport Max Electric Shower

Runner-Up

Mira Showers Azora 9.8 Kw Thermostatic Electric Shower

Best Budget

Triton T80si Electric Shower

Aqualisa Quartz Electric Shower

Best for: Award-winning minimalist design for modern, tech-savvy households

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.

Pros:

• Red Dot design award winner for aesthetic excellence
• Anti-scald protection and phased shutdown for safety
• Five spray patterns on 105mm adjustable handset
• Illuminated start/stop button with intuitive controls
• Over-temperature protection flushes hot water after use

Cons:

• Minimalist controls lack guide markings (only 'HOT' and 'COLD' arrows)
• Not recommended for very young children, elderly, or diabetics due to safety concerns
• Higher price for features offered

Specification	Value
Power Rating	9.5 kW
Thermostatic Control	Yes
Minimum Water Pressure	0.9 bar
Spray Patterns	5
Limescale Technology	Phased shutdown + heat sensor
Safety Features	Anti-scald + phased shutdown + heat sensor
Digital Display	No
Warranty	2 years
Heating Speed	High (9.5 kW)
Safety Rating	High (thermostatic + anti-scald)
Hard Water Suitability	Good (phased shutdown)
Installation Ease	Medium (multiple entry points)
Value Tier	Mid-Premium

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.

Bristan JOYT385 W 8.5 kW Joy 3 Thermostatic Electric Shower

Best for: Simple, safe operation with digital warm-up mode for families

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.

Pros:

• Warm-up mode with flashing light indicator alerts when ready
• Digital temperature display for precise control
• Thermostatic control prevents temperature fluctuations
• Phased shutdown reduces limescale build-up
• Multiple cable and water entry points for easy installation

Cons:

• Lower power output (8.5 kW) may not suit high-demand households
• Higher cost compared to basic non-thermostatic models
• No overhead drench head option

Specification	Value
Power Rating	8.5 kW
Thermostatic Control	Yes
Minimum Water Pressure	0.7 bar
Spray Patterns	3
Limescale Technology	Phased shutdown + rub-clean handset
Safety Features	Thermostatic + phased shutdown + thermal cutout
Digital Display	Yes
Warranty	5 years
Heating Speed	Medium (8.5 kW)
Safety Rating	Excellent (thermostatic + digital display)
Hard Water Suitability	High (phased shutdown + anti-limescale)
Installation Ease	High (15mm push-fit, multiple entries)
Value Tier	Mid-Range

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 particular 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.

Gainsborough 10.5 se Electric Shower

Best for: High-power minimalist operation with over-temperature protection

The Gainsborough 10.5 se electric shower is another electric shower which combines robust build quality and decent functionality with minimalist design.

Pros:

• High 10.5 kW power rating for strong flow and quick heating
• Over-temperature protection system prevents unsafe water heating
• Rub-clean spray plate on three-mode showerhead
• Phased shutdown safety feature extends product life
• Simple push-button start/stop with single temperature dial

Cons:

• No guide markings or digital display (only 'HOT' and 'COLD' arrows)
• Not suitable if safety is a major concern (no thermostatic control)
• Product now discontinued by manufacturer

Specification	Value
Power Rating	10.5 kW
Thermostatic Control	No
Minimum Water Pressure	0.9 bar
Spray Patterns	3
Limescale Technology	Rub-clean + phased shutdown
Safety Features	Over-temperature protection + thermal cutout
Digital Display	No
Warranty	1 year
Heating Speed	Very High (10.5 kW)
Safety Rating	Medium (over-temp protection but non-thermostatic)
Hard Water Suitability	Medium (phased shutdown + rub-clean)
Installation Ease	High (multiple entry points)
Value Tier	Mid-Range

Note: This product has been discontinued by the manufacturer but may still be available through some retailers.

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.

Triton T80z Fast-Fit Electric Shower

Best for: DIY-friendly budget installations with fast-fit connections

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.

Pros:

• Multiple cable and water entry points for flexible installation
• Swing-fit wiring terminal accepts cables from any direction
• Rub-clean showerhead with five spray patterns
• Very affordable pricing
• Covers footprint of most electric showers for easy replacement

Cons:

• No thermostatic control or phased shutdown
• Installation manual quality issues (video available online)
• Basic build quality not suitable for high-safety requirements

Specification	Value
Power Rating	8.5 kW (also available in other ratings)
Thermostatic Control	No
Minimum Water Pressure	1.0 bar
Spray Patterns	5
Limescale Technology	Rub-clean nozzles only
Safety Features	Thermal cutout + low-pressure indicator
Digital Display	No
Warranty	2 years
Heating Speed	Medium (8.5 kW typical)
Safety Rating	Low (no thermostat or phased shutdown)
Hard Water Suitability	Low (manual cleaning required)
Installation Ease	Excellent (fast-fit design)
Value Tier	Budget

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 Seville

Best for: Classic styling with flexible installation and multiple power/temperature settings

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.

Pros:

• Five spray effects for customisable showering experience
• Ten temperature settings and three power levels (Cold, Eco, High)
• Five cable and water entry points on both sides of unit
• Rapid heating for minimal wait time
• Great replacement product for multiple Triton models

Cons:

• No thermostatic control (stabilised only)
• Basic aesthetic compared to modern alternatives
• Limited advanced features

Specification	Value
Power Rating	8.5 kW
Thermostatic Control	No (stabilised control)
Minimum Water Pressure	1.0 bar
Spray Patterns	5
Limescale Technology	Easy-clean showerhead
Safety Features	Phased shutdown + thermal cutout
Digital Display	No
Warranty	2 years
Heating Speed	High (rapid heating technology)
Safety Rating	Medium (stabilised control + phased shutdown)
Hard Water Suitability	Medium (easy-clean head)
Installation Ease	Excellent (5 entry points both sides)
Value Tier	Budget-Mid

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.

Bristan BL3105 B Bliss 3

Best for: Premium appearance with touch controls and digital display

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.

Pros:

• Touch control power adjustment with super sleek looks
• Digital temperature display for precise control
• Warm-up mode with indicator light prevents cold starts
• Adjustable riser rail brackets cover existing drill holes
• Three-mode rub-clean handset with integrated soap tray

Cons:

• Non-thermostatic (manual temperature control)
• Premium price range
• Only three spray modes vs competitors

Specification	Value
Power Rating	10.5 kW
Thermostatic Control	No (manual control)
Minimum Water Pressure	0.7 bar
Spray Patterns	3
Limescale Technology	Phased shutdown + rub-clean handset
Safety Features	Phased shutdown + thermal cutout + pressure relief
Digital Display	Yes
Warranty	2 years
Heating Speed	Very High (10.5 kW + 24% more flow)
Safety Rating	Medium-High (digital display + warm-up mode but non-thermostatic)
Hard Water Suitability	High (phased shutdown + anti-limescale)
Installation Ease	High (5 cable/water entry points, adjustable brackets)
Value Tier	Premium

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 touch control power adjustment, a digital temperature display and a warm-up mode (no more getting a shower which is still warming up).

Bristan CHE95 W 9.5 kW Cheer Electric Shower - White

Best for: Affordable Bristan quality without thermostatic control

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.

Pros:

• High build quality from trusted UK brand
• Easy installation with multiple entry points
• Versatile footprint covers most manufacturers' fixing holes
• Single-function rub-clean anti-limescale handset
• Adjustable riser rail brackets ideal for replacement showers

Cons:

• No thermostatic control (not suitable for vulnerable users)
• No phased shutdown feature
• Product now discontinued by manufacturer

Specification	Value
Power Rating	9.5 kW
Thermostatic Control	No
Minimum Water Pressure	0.7 bar
Spray Patterns	1
Limescale Technology	Rub-clean handset only
Safety Features	Thermal cutout + pressure relief
Digital Display	No
Warranty	2 years
Heating Speed	High (9.5 kW, 12% more flow)
Safety Rating	Medium (basic safety features only)
Hard Water Suitability	Medium (manual cleaning required)
Installation Ease	High (15mm push-fit, multiple entries)
Value Tier	Budget

Note: This product has been discontinued by the manufacturer but may still be available through some retailers.

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.

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 Triton Seville, 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.