Adding a Rain Shower Head: Four Options Compared

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Adding a rain shower head usually means swapping your overhead head for one with a wider face, or adding a rain-style head through a combo bracket. This guide compares the four rain-style listings in this group, explains what each listing says about flow, arm fit and spray, and lists what to check before you buy. The picks come from the product listings only, with the EPA showerhead page linked at the end for the standard flow and WaterSense figures. Start with the quick answer, then the arm checklist, because the arm decides most fit questions.

Quick answer

Choose by three things: whether the head works with the arm you already have, which spray modes you want, and the flow the listing gives. If you want a single rain head on your current arm, the SparkPod listing describes a hand-tightened fit on a standard shower arm. If you want rain and a handheld on one bracket, the MakeFit and BOZYBO listings describe that setup. The SeaCity listing pairs a fixed rain head with a detachable handheld and adds an extension arm. None of these heads adds pressure your plumbing does not supply.

What “adding” really changes

Adding a rain head is mostly about the connection, not the face of the head. Three details decide most outcomes.

• Arm and thread. Some listings describe a standard arm fit. Others ship with their own arm. The BOZYBO listing includes a patented exclusive shower arm, and the SeaCity listing includes an 11-inch extension arm. Confirm which arm you need before you unscrew anything.
• Spray modes. A rain face spreads water over a wider area. A handheld adds reach and the option to rinse a specific spot. The listings differ here: the SparkPod is a single rain setting, while the MakeFit and BOZYBO list multiple handheld modes.
• Flow figure. The listings give 1.8 GPM for the SparkPod and 1.75 GPM in the BOZYBO specs. The EPA page sets the standard at 2.5 gallons of water per minute and the WaterSense limit at 2.0 gpm. Put each listing figure next to those two lines when you compare.

Check your current arm first

Before you order, walk through this short checklist.

• Look at the arm end and the wall elbow. Note whether the arm unscrews by hand or with a wrench.
• Measure how far the arm sticks out from the wall. A wide face on a short arm can crowd the ceiling or the tile edge.
• Decide whether you want a rain head alone or a combo. A combo needs a diverter or switch in the bracket, which the MakeFit and BOZYBO listings describe.
• If a handheld is part of the setup, check the hose. The BOZYBO and MakeFit listings each give a 59-inch hose, and the SeaCity listing gives 60 inches. Measure from the bracket to the spot where you will hold the handheld.

How each pick fits

SparkPod, 6 inch round. This is the simplest option in the group: one rain setting, 90 flexible rubber jets and a 1.8 GPM listing. For a longer look at this head, read the SparkPod rain shower head review. The listing says the jets wipe clear of hard water and limescale with a swipe of a finger, which matters if your water leaves residue. Skip it if you want a handheld on the same head, because the listing shows only the rain setting.

MakeFit, 8 inch rainfall with a 10-mode handheld. The feature to judge is the three-way diverter. The listing describes a knob that switches between the handshower, the showerhead or both, and an adjustable bar that the listing says avoids the falling and leaking of extendable arms. The specs also name a matte black color and a polished finish, so compare the photos with your fixtures before you order.

BOZYBO, 12 inch square rainfall with a 9-setting handheld. This is the largest face in the group, and the listing says a switch on the shower bracket moves water between the rain head, the handheld or both. The flow appears as 1.75 GPM in the specs and 1.8GPM in the title, so confirm the figure on the box. Its kit also includes its own shower arm.

SeaCity, 10 inch rain head with a detachable handheld. The listing names a lifetime warranty and an 11-inch extension arm with a swivel connector, which helps if your arm sits at an awkward angle. The title says 5 spray modes, but the settings field lists 1 and the setting type is Rain. Confirm the spray count before you buy.

Swapping in a rain head: steps

These steps cover a head swap or a head and arm swap. If the wall elbow itself leaks or needs replacing, that goes beyond a swap, so call a licensed plumber.

1. Turn off the shower valve, then let the line drain before you unscrew anything.
2. If you are replacing the arm too, wrap a cloth around it before you use a wrench. The cloth protects the finish.
3. Wrap the new threads with the plumber’s tape or Teflon tape from the box, or with the tape the manual names. Follow the manual on the wrap direction.
4. Thread the arm or the head on by hand. Snug it. Do not over-tighten, because force can crack the fitting or strip the thread.
5. Attach the rain head and, if your model has one, the handheld hose. Follow the manual for the bracket and switch.
6. Turn the water on slowly. Run each setting and check every joint for drips. If a joint weeps, tighten it a little and check again.

Worked example: flow gap per minute

The SparkPod listing gives 1.8 GPM, and the EPA standard figure is 2.5 gallons of water per minute. The gap is 0.7 gallons per minute (2.5 minus 1.8). Against the 2.0 gpm WaterSense limit, the SparkPod figure sits 0.2 gallons per minute lower (2.0 minus 1.8).

This is arithmetic on the listed and EPA figures, not a measured result for any head. Real flow depends on your supply pressure, the head and the settings you pick. Use the listing figures and the manufacturer’s manual as the starting point for any decision.

Mistakes to avoid

• Expecting more pressure. A rain head spreads the water across a wider face. It cannot raise the pressure your supply provides.
• Ignoring the arm. Some kits include a different arm, so check before you unscrew the old one.
• Choosing the widest face without measuring clearance from the ceiling or the tile edge.
• Buying a rain head when you need a handheld too, then finding the combo has no switch you can use.

What to ask the listing before you buy

Before you click buy, check these items in the listing or on the box.

• The flow figure and the unit, because two listings in this group give different numbers in different fields.
• The spray count, which can differ between the title and the settings field.
• Whether the kit includes an arm, a hose, tape and washers, and whether you need them.
• The finish photos against your existing faucet and towel bar.
• The warranty terms, which the SeaCity listing states as a lifetime warranty and the SparkPod listing as a one-year warranty with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• Whether the listing says the head is WaterSense labeled. If it does not say so, do not assume it.
• Whether the thread on the arm end matches the arm you already own. The manual should name the connection, so read it before you unscrew the old head.

When a combo makes sense

A combo is worth the extra parts when you want two jobs from one bracket: a rain face for overhead rinsing and a handheld for rinsing hair, cleaning the tub or reaching the back of the shower. The MakeFit and BOZYBO listings both describe that setup, and the SeaCity listing adds an extension arm for angle. A single rain head is simpler to install and has fewer parts that can leak, which matters if your arm is in good shape and you only want the rain effect.

When to replace the arm too

Replace the arm, not only the head, if the arm wobbles at the wall, if the threads look corroded, or if the joint keeps weeping after you tighten it gently. A larger rain face adds load at the wall, so a loose arm that was fine for a small head may not suit a wide one. Swapping the arm is still a head-and-arm job. If the wall flange or the supply pipe is cracked, stop there and call a licensed plumber.

Cleaning and upkeep

Rinse the face after use, and wipe the nozzles with a finger, which is the cleaning method the SparkPod listing describes for its jets. Mineral crust builds up faster in hard water, so check the nozzles more often in that case. The BOZYBO and SeaCity listings both describe anti-clog nozzles, which helps when the water leaves deposits. Keep the face dry between uses if you can, because standing water shows mineral marks sooner. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh scrubbers on the finish, because scratches make later build-up harder to remove. Read the manual for any cleaning product the maker recommends before you use it.

FAQ

Will a rain shower head increase my water pressure?

No. A rain head spreads water across a larger face and changes how it lands on you. It cannot raise pressure your supply lacks. Phrases about high pressure usually describe spray velocity, which is a different thing from supply pressure. If low pressure is the real problem, read the guide on handheld shower heads for low water pressure before you spend money on a new head.

Do I need a plumber to add a rain head?

Usually not for a head or arm swap. The SparkPod and MakeFit listings both describe hand installation. Replacing a wall elbow, a valve or a supply line is beyond a swap, so call a licensed plumber for that work.

Which flow figure should I trust?

Compare every listing against the EPA lines: standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute, and WaterSense labeled showerheads must demonstrate they use no more than 2.0 gpm. The SparkPod listing gives 1.8 GPM in both its specs and bullets. The BOZYBO listing gives 1.75 GPM in its specs and 1.8GPM in its title, so confirm the number on the box.

Can I run a rain head and a handheld on one arm?

Yes, if the head is a combo. The BOZYBO, MakeFit and SeaCity listings each describe a handheld alongside the rain head. Check the switch or diverter, and measure the hose, before you mount it.

Do I need the tape, and which kind?

Use the tape in the box or the tape the manual names. The SparkPod listing includes plumber’s tape, and the BOZYBO and MakeFit listings include Teflon tape. Follow the manual on how many wraps and which direction.

How do I keep the nozzles clear?

The SparkPod listing says its rubber jets wipe clear with a swipe of a finger. Do the same after showers, rinse the face, and avoid abrasive pads that can scratch the finish.

Bottom line

Choose the SparkPod if you want one rain face on an arm you already have. Choose the MakeFit or BOZYBO if you want rain and a handheld on one bracket. Choose the SeaCity if the lifetime warranty and an adjustable extension arm matter more than a simple install. If saving water is your priority, compare these listings with the high-pressure shower heads that save water guide before you decide. Before you buy, confirm the arm, the flow figure and the spray count on the box. A rain head will not add pressure your plumbing lacks.

Sources

• EPA WaterSense: Showerheads: standard flow, the WaterSense flow limit and household savings figures