Delta H2Okinetic 5 Spray Shower Head Review: Model 52668-BL

Delta H2Okinetic 5 Spray Shower Head Review: Model 52668-BL

ByKen

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

This guide covers the Delta H2Okinetic 5 spray shower head, model 52668-BL. It is a single fixed head with five listed spray settings, including the brand’s H2Okinetic spray, in a round matte black raincan style. The guide sets out what the Amazon listing states about flow, spray settings, finish, and installation, what federal and university sources say about shower heads in general, and what those sources do not answer. Manufacturer statements are reported as claims, not as results.

Quick answer

  • The model is Delta 52668-BL: a single round shower head in matte black. It is not a dual head, a handheld set, or a hand shower.
  • The listing states a flow rate of 1.75 gpm at 80 psi, or 6.6 L/min at 550 kPa. EPA’s WaterSense criteria say a labeled head must demonstrate no more than 2.0 gpm, so the stated figure is under that ceiling. Check the flow marking on the head itself.
  • The listing names five spray settings: H2Okinetic spray, full body spray, full body spray with massage, massaging spray, and pause.
  • The listing does not give a thread size. The shower arm and flange are sold separately, so the arm has to be checked before you buy.
  • The sources do not give a cleaning schedule, a finish-specific soak limit for matte black, or any pressure figure for this model.

Read the full listing and current details before you buy: View on Amazon

How we chose

The product was selected from Amazon search results for the keyword phrase. The chosen listing is a single head, and its title names both H2Okinetic technology and a 5-spray setup, which is the match this guide needed. Other Delta listings with H2Okinetic in the title are dual heads with a handheld spray, hand showers, wall-mount sets, or faucet trim kits, so they fall outside this post. Other single Delta 5-spray H2Okinetic heads differ in shape and finish, and each would need its own listing check.

The listing was read for its title, model, finish, spray settings, flow rate, hose and connection details, included parts, and the manufacturer’s stated claims. The background sources come from a fixed library of federal and university documents. Each quote in this post was checked against the saved text of its source before it was used. Where a source does not answer a question, this guide says so rather than filling the gap from general knowledge.

For context on the wider shower head category, the EPA defines the performance and flow rules that labeled heads must meet, and the federal energy pages set the water use standard that applies to all showerheads. Those rules apply to this model in the same way they apply to any other head sold in the United States.

The product: Delta 52668-BL

Listing details

The listing title describes a Delta 5-spray shower head with H2Okinetic technology in a matte black raincan style, round shape, model 52668-BL, rated at 1.75 GPM. The finish type is listed as black, and the color is listed as matte black. The listed material is plastic. The variant shown on the page is the version without the Lumicoat finish, which the listing offers as a separate option. The listing does not describe a hose, a holder, or a slide bar for this model.

Spray settings

The listing names five settings: the H2Okinetic spray, a full body spray, a full body spray with massage, a massaging spray, and a pause setting. The listing describes the H2Okinetic spray as concentrated and powerful, with more intensity and immersion than the other settings. That is the manufacturer’s own wording. The sources checked here do not define a scale for intensity, so the description cannot be checked against them. The full body and massage settings are described only in general terms.

The pause setting reduces the water to a trickle. The listing says this leaves room for shaving, lathering, and other shower tasks, while the temperature settings stay in place. This is a listed feature of the head. None of the sources checked here describes how the flow returns after a pause, so that point is left open.

Flow rate and the WaterSense ceiling

The listing states 1.75 gpm at 80 psi, and it gives the metric figure as 6.6 L/min at 550 kPa. The EPA says standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm). It also says that water-saving showerheads that earn the WaterSense label must demonstrate that they use no more than 2.0 gpm. The listed 1.75 gpm figure is 30 percent below the 2.5 gpm standard figure and under the 2.0 gpm ceiling.

EPA’s WaterSense specification also says that a product must be marked with its maximum flow rate value in gpm and L/min. The listing gives both units, which matches the marking requirement described in the specification. The EPA technical sheet on showerheads gives a direct instruction for anyone checking an installed head: verify the gpm marking on the showerhead. The marking on the head is the check that counts, and a listing is not a substitute for it.

The flow figure is also tied to a pressure. The listing gives its figure at 80 psi. The Oklahoma State University fact sheet says residential water pressure is ideally about 40 to 60 psi, which is a general residential range. That fact sheet is about irrigation systems, not showers, so it does not show how this head will perform at a given home pressure. The EPA says that WaterSense labeled heads are checked for pressure compensation, meaning they must keep a minimum flow across a range of household water pressures. The sources do not say what that minimum is for this model.

Touch-Clean nozzles and cleaning

The listing says that soft rubber spray holes let you wipe calcium and lime buildup from the spray face by hand. The sources explain why that buildup matters. The New Jersey Department of Health says naturally occurring minerals can build up and block the nozzles, which are the holes through which water passes. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension says heated hard water forms a scale of calcium and magnesium minerals. The North Dakota State University extension says a whitish buildup on the ends of faucets and shower heads is probably the most obvious result of hard water.

The New Jersey guidance describes a cleaning method for shower heads in general. It describes soaking the head in distilled white vinegar overnight and clearing still-clogged holes with a needle or a straightened paper clip. The same guidance says that cleaning reduces the amount of harmful waterborne bacteria, including Legionella, on the shower head. The guidance does not give a cleaning schedule, so none is given here.

Hand wiping and vinegar soaking are two different tasks. The listing’s hand-wipe claim covers the spray face. The New Jersey method covers a full soak. The sources do not say whether a full soak is safe for the matte black finish of this model, and the manufacturer care pages for this finish were not reached. Check the manufacturer’s care instructions before you soak a matte finish.

Installation and what is not included

The listing says the head installs in minutes, needs no tools beyond standard plumber’s tape, and can be fitted by removing the old head and twisting on the new one. The shower arm and flange are sold separately. The listing does not give a thread size for the head, and it does not give a thread size for the arm either. Look at the arm or its manual to confirm the thread type and size before you order.

The U.S. Department of Energy installer job aid for low-flow showerheads gives general steps that apply to any fixed head on a separate arm. It says to carefully remove the old showerhead, clean the threads of the shower arm well, and use thread tape at all connections. It also says to make sure the connections will not leak, and that there is no water leakage upon completion. The job aid is written for weatherization installers, but the same checks help a homeowner.

Manufacturers’ instructions for other heads do not agree on tape. One Moen instruction sheet for a handheld shower says thread seal tape is not recommended for that project. Another Moen sheet for a magnetic docking handheld says to add thread seal tape to the shower arm threads. Those sheets are for other products. The sources do not include Delta’s own installation instructions for model 52668-BL, so follow the instructions that come with the head you buy.

Manufacturer claims, read as claims

The listing makes several statements that go beyond its basic specifications. Each one is reported here as the manufacturer’s claim.

  • The listing says the head provides 3 times the coverage of a standard showerhead, and it refers to the EPA WaterSense specification. The sources checked here do not define how a coverage multiple is worked out, so this figure cannot be checked against them.
  • The listing says WaterSense labeled Delta shower heads use at least 20 percent less water than the industry standard. It also gives a CSA certification date. The sources checked here do not confirm that date. The EPA page says only that labeled products must be independently certified to meet EPA water efficiency and performance criteria.
  • The listing describes the head as pivoting so that it can find the right angle, and it says Delta has more than 60 years of experience. These are brand statements, and the sources checked here do not address them.

The 20 percent figure is a separate claim from the 1.75 gpm listing figure. Checking the marking on the head is the simplest way to confirm the flow figure for a particular unit.

What we could not verify: what the sources do not say

  • Shower arm thread size: no opened source states the thread size of the arm. Check the thread on the arm or in its manual before you buy the head.
  • Finish-specific cleaning: the manufacturer care pages for this finish were not reached, so soak limits for matte black are not in the sources.
  • Shower head height above the floor: no opened source gives a standard height for a shower head.
  • Pressure and the head: no source says that a shower head adds supply pressure to a home. The sources do not describe that effect.
  • Shower pressure ranges: the only range in the sources is the 40 to 60 psi figure from an irrigation fact sheet. It is a general residential figure and is not a shower standard.
  • Cleaning frequency: the New Jersey guidance says cleaning reduces harmful bacteria but gives no schedule. None is given here.
  • Rain shower flow criteria: the EPA material mentions a test change for rain showers but not the criteria, so the flow criteria for raincan heads cannot be described from the sources.
  • Spec version: the WaterSense specification PDF in the library is labeled Version 1.0. The EPA showerhead page says Version 1.1 replaced it with minor changes. This guide reads the specification details from the Version 1.0 text, and it cites the EPA page for the change to Version 1.1.
  • CSA certification date and coverage claim: neither the listed CSA date nor the listed coverage multiple is confirmed by the sources.
  • Pause feature: no source describes how the flow returns after the pause setting is used.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Delta 52668-BL a WaterSense labeled head?

The listing makes a WaterSense claim for Delta shower heads in general, and it cites a CSA certification date. The EPA says that WaterSense labeled heads must demonstrate no more than 2.0 gpm and must be independently certified. Look for the label on the product itself, and check the gpm marking on the head. The sources checked here do not confirm the certification date given in the listing.

How much water does this head use?

The listing states 1.75 gpm at 80 psi. The EPA’s comparison figure for a standard showerhead is 2.5 gpm. The EPA also says that the average family could save 2,700 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. That is a national average and not a promise for any one home or for this model.

Does the head come with a shower arm?

The listing says the shower arm and flange are sold separately. The arm has to match the head’s connection, and the listing does not give the arm’s thread size. Confirm the thread type and size on the arm you already have before you order.

Which spray setting should I use?

The sources do not rank the five settings, and the listing does not give a scale that compares them. The choice depends on what you prefer. The listing says the H2Okinetic spray adds more intensity than the other settings, and it describes the pause setting as a way to cut the flow while keeping your temperature settings.

Does the H2Okinetic spray raise the water pressure?

The listing describes the H2Okinetic spray as concentrated and powerful. No source checked here says that a shower head adds supply pressure to a home. The sources do not describe that effect, so this guide does not say that the spray changes the pressure in your house.

How do I clean the spray face and the holes?

The listing says the soft rubber spray face can be wiped by hand. The New Jersey guidance describes an overnight soak in distilled white vinegar and a needle for clogged holes. The sources do not say whether a soak is safe for matte black, and the manufacturer’s care pages were not reached. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for the finish before you soak the head.

Bottom line

The Delta 52668-BL is a single round matte black head with five listed settings and a listed flow rate of 1.75 gpm at 80 psi. The flow figure is under the EPA’s 2.0 gpm WaterSense ceiling. The listing does not give the arm’s thread size, the sources do not give cleaning limits for this finish, and several listing claims, including the coverage multiple and the CSA date, cannot be confirmed from the sources. Before you buy, check the arm’s thread size, look for the WaterSense label and the gpm marking on the head, and read the manufacturer’s care instructions for the finish.

For other shower head types, you can read these published guides: best high pressure shower head water saving, best water efficient hand held shower heads, removing a water saver from a shower head, and best sliding shower head.

Check the current listing and availability before you buy: View on Amazon

Sources

  • Amazon listing, Delta Faucet 5-Spray Shower Head with H2Okinetic Technology, model 52668-BL: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074NCQF93 (opened 2026-10-22)
  • U.S. EPA, Showerheads (WaterSense): https://www.epa.gov/watersense/showerheads (opened 2026-10-22)
  • U.S. EPA, WaterSense Specification for Showerheads (text labeled Version 1.0): https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-01/documents/ws-products-spec-showerheads.pdf (opened 2026-10-21)
  • U.S. EPA, WaterSense Homes TRM 4: Showerheads Tech Sheet: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-08/ws-homes-TRM-4-ShowerheadsTechSheet.pdf (opened 2026-10-21)
  • U.S. DOE, Install a Low-Flow Showerhead, Weatherization Installer Job Aid 24-1: https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-07/24-1_install-low-flow-showerhead.pdf (opened 2026-10-21)
  • New Jersey Department of Health, Guidance for Removing and Cleaning a Shower Head: https://nj.gov/health/cd/documents/topics/legion/ShowerHead_Cleaning_Guidance.pdf (opened 2026-10-21)
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Drinking Water: Hard Water (G1274): https://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/g1274/na/html/view (opened 2026-10-21)
  • North Dakota State University Extension, Water Softening (Ion Exchange): https://www.ndsu.edu/agriculture/extension/publications/water-softening-ion-exchange (opened 2026-10-21)
  • Oklahoma State University Extension, Managing Pressure in the Home Irrigation System: https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/managing-pressure-in-the-home-irrigation-system (opened 2026-10-21)
  • Moen, Handheld Shower Installation Guide INS10819: https://assets.moen.com/shared/docs/instruction-sheets/ins10819.pdf (opened 2026-10-21)
  • Moen, Magnetic Docking Handheld Shower Instruction Sheet INS10567A: https://assets.moen.com/shared/docs/instruction-sheets/ins10567a.pdf (opened 2026-10-21)

Similar Posts