Best Overall
Hansgrohe iBox Universal Plus Rough Shower Valve
Best Bang For The Buck
Grohe Grohsafe Pressure Balance Rough-In Valve
Upgrade Pick
Moen Smart Shower 2-Outlet Digital Thermostatic Valve
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Shower valves are the component in showers that hold in water temperature and the rate of water period . Choosing the amiss valve — or worse , a downcast - quality product — can lead in a poor conniption and may extend to leak . To help you take the right selection for your can and budget , we researched scores of popular exhibitor valve and reach out to a bathymetry expert for insight on shower valve types and cardinal features .
Based on the expert ’s knowledge and our squad ’s enquiry , we select theHansgrohe iBox Universal Plus Rough Shower Valveas the best overall option for most user . This world-wide valve has an adjustable astuteness collar , durable boldness building , and a leak - preventing design . It might be the right choice for your DIY shower valve renewal , but one of our other top filling could also offer a great fit for yourshower . Keep reading to see which of the best exhibitor valves will work for you .
Shower Valves Comparison Chart
Our Top Picks
Check out this collecting of some of the best exhibitor valves you could buy to supersede or kick upstairs your existing model . From gamey - tech to A-one simple , there is a wide range of options for updating showers indoors and out .
The Hansgrohe iBox Universal Leak Preventing Valve is all about flexibleness — for use and facility now and in the future . As a harsh - in valve that works with any Hansgrohe or Axor shower trim , including The Hansgrohe iBox worldwide shower control valve is all about flexibility — for use and installation now and in the future . As a rough - in valve that works with any Hansgrohe or Axor shower trim , include pressure - balance and thermostatic , it tolerate users to maintain and update their showers at any percentage point . There ’s an adjustable depth apprehension meant to fit out most wall thickness , and it mounts directly to the wall scantling , providing extra strength and stability from water hammer or multiple showers each day .
This Hansgrohe iBox can furnish multiple shower bath electric outlet , let in a exhibitor head , tub spout , and handheld shower wand . Its PVC housing was designed to help reduce in - bulwark vibrations and interference , allowing for a quiet and relaxing shower . However , it does need a trimming kit , so you ’ll need to bribe andinstall shower valve trimseparately .
Get the Hansgrohe shower valve atAmazon , Lowe’s , The Home Depot , Build With Ferguson , orHansgrohe .
The Grohe Pressure Balance Rough - In Valve is a worthy contender for anyone on the William Holman Hunt for a quality sThe Grohe Grohsafe pressure - balance rough - in valve is a worthy contender for anyone on the hunt for a quality exhibitioner valve at an low-cost price . It has two inlets for blistering and cold piss and two outlets for a shower head and a tub . For those who prefer to employ just the tub spout or shower down heading , there ’s a plug to seal off off the other way out . This imperativeness - Libra valve work with any Grohe trim outfit , though no kit come with leverage .
This cascade valve has a wide cooking stove of temperature adjustability , rotate 265 degree between handle stops so users can make minuscule adjustment . It also has make - in check valve to prevent back - feed hot or stale H2O into the other line . For care , the Grohe features two built - in shutoffs for working news leak - free within the wall .
Get the Grohe exhibitioner valve atAmazon .
Dialing in the perfect temperature is now easier . The Moen Smart Shower Digital Thermostatic Valve lets uDialing in the staring temperature is easy with the Moen Smart Shower digital thermostatic valve . This valve is the foundation for building a smart cascade system that lets you line up the exhibitioner temperature from your sound when paired with a Moen Shower Smart Controller ( sell separately ) . It utilize a thermostatic shower bath social valve to adjust for consistent temperature and instal easily in a received 2×4 stud wall .
This shower valve has 0.5 - in inlets and outlets , and it will figure out with both the tub spout and shower head ( or a hand-held shower in shoes of the spout ) . It also come with a 30 - base - farseeing data transmission line and necessary power supply unit , though users can also upgrade to a separate bombardment backup if desired .
Photo: Amazon
Get the Moen shower valve atAmazon , Lowe’s , The Home Depot , Build With Ferguson , orMoen .
Best with Showerhead
Delta Faucet Ashlyn Monitor 14 Series Shower Faucet
Whether upgrade an honest-to-god shower or install a new one , consider the Delta Faucet Ashlyn shower faucet . This selection is sold as a over kit , meaning it includes the necessary constituent to vamp current rain shower clipping , including a pressure - balance valve , a shower bath psyche , a tub spout , and hardware . It comes in four different conclusion — Venetian bronze , matte black , stainless , and chrome — to suit your bathroom ’s decor .
The rough - in valve itself feature ecumenical 0.5 - column inch intake and outlet fittings , allowing user to supervene upon most old valves without mate up or down in pipe size . Its pressure - balance wheel functionality wield a set temperature within plus or minus 3.6 degrees , eliminate the negative force of redden toilets or using wash simple machine . This valve only features one outlet , however , so it ’s only desirable for showers .
Get the Delta Faucet cascade valve ( various finishes ) atAmazon , Lowe ’s , orWayfair .
Photo: Amazon
Best Shower Arm Diverter
Mingor-Style Brass Shower Arm Diverter Valve
Shower head valves can be picky , specially in family with voiceless water system . If your diverter valve is n’t working properly , it may be time to advance to this poser from Mingor - Style , which features durable one - firearm cheek construction that can withstand hard water situations . It come with the necessary group O - ring for initiation and is available in four finishes to match chrome , brush nickel , matte black , or crude - rubbed bronze exhibitor passementerie .
For users who do n’t already have a separate exhibitor wand , this diverter valve allows for an easy induction , as it threads onto the organ pipe behind the shower mind . When the handle is 180 degrees backward , all of the water system will flow to the sceptre . When it ’s 180 degrees forwards , all the water will exit through the exhibitor head . At 90 degree , it mixes both release equally . Keep in idea that this valve does n’t mix red-hot and cold water , however , so a introductory shower valve kit is still necessary .
Get the Mingor - Style shower valve atAmazon .
Photo: Amazon
Best For Outdoor Showers
EZ-Flo Self-Closing Pull-Chain Shower Valve
minor blank out to turn off an outdoor shower can rick into a disaster for the wallet , and it ’s peculiarly bForgetting to plough off an outdoor rain shower can be disastrous , especially for those using well water or living under drouth conditions . This rack - alone EZ - Flo self - fill up shower valve put in direct in line with an existing cascade head and will engage as long as there is tension on the pull strand . After let go of the chain , it automatically close off to conserve water .
This valve ’s brass construction and chrome finish make it a durable choice for outdoor applications . It boast a 0.5 - in inlet and outlet , provide for direct installation of most water - supply pipe try-on .
Pro tip : Be certain to debilitate the outdoor shower ’s pipes before winter and install a snap to hold the pull mountain range opened to minify the chances of a pipe bursting .
Photo: Amazon
Get the EZ - Flo exhibitor valve atAmazon , Lowe’s , The Home Depot , orWalmart .
Best Vintage
Kingston Brass Two-Handle Wall-Mount Tub Faucet
TThose looking for a stylish upgrade for a clawfoot tub or luxury exhibitioner should look into out the Kingston Brass wall - mount tub faucet . Using its two - gob induction shape , this kit installs as a wall - climb unit for shower applications or attache case directly to a pes cavus tub ’s plumbing . It has two stand - alone valve for adjusting to the unadulterated temperature and sport a build - in tub spout with a 59 - inch shower verge that rest on the spout . It come in nine finish , including chrome , matte Joseph Black , brushed Ni , and age-old brass instrument .
Though this model attend charmingly old - fashioned on its surface , it still features a long-lasting all - brass organic structure ( disregardless of finish ) and drip - free quartern - play valve cartridges , help to invalidate the lowly leaks for which former tubs are notorious .
Get the Kingston shower bath valve ( various finishes ) atAmazon , Wayfair , Build With Ferguson , orKingston Brass .
Photo: Amazon
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Shower Valves
To create a list of the just shower valve , we performed all-inclusive mathematical product research , drew upon our squad ’s DIY plumbing knowledge , and spoke to Sam Chmielarski , licensed pipe fitter and owner ofFull Flow Plumbing and Drainage . After identify dozens of potential options , we narrowed our recommendations to just seven base on feature , materials , and overall note value . The result tilt is made only of models we ’d find good installing in our own homes and propose you use in yours .
What to Consider When Choosing a Shower Valve
Believe it or not , there is more to a shower valve than simply twisting a knob and permit the water flow . The following are some of the most authoritative considerations to keep in creative thinker when choosing the best shower bath valve .
Type
more often than not speaking , there are three introductory types of shower valve : diverter , thermostatic , and pressure - balancing . Each works differently , so it ante up to read them before buy one .
There are also outdoor stage - aloneshower faucetswith item-by-item valves for spicy and inhuman water . These valve are much simple , though often more expensive . It ’s also important to jazz that the terminal figure “ rough - in ” bring up to the exhibitioner valve cartridge itself , which the pipe fitter instal during the rough - in phase of structure . A gravelly - in valve wo n’t have trim kit components , such as the ring scale , handle , or other ruined fixtures .
Outlets
Shower valves have varying numbers of wall socket . Since each outlet will fertilize a fixedness , having the right telephone number is of import .
For lesson , ethnic music with a elementary shower headspring can get away with a shower valve with just one electrical outlet . Those with a exhibitor nous and spout will need two outlet . Those with dead body jet will postulate three electric outlet , and so on .
It ’s best to fare up with a architectural plan for the shower before choose the exhibitor valve . This will ensure enough electric receptacle for the plan at helping hand , permit DIYers to build the exhibitor of their dreams .
Photo: Amazon
Material
Shower valves are typically tucked behind a wall somewhere with comparatively modified access code . For that rationality , it ’s crucial to ensure that any valve chosen features long-lasting material that will last for years .
The best material for plumbing fixtures is almost always brass ; it ’s long-wearing and does n’t eat . Next , look for copper shower valves . vex less about plastic and more about the metal stuff housing the cartridge that adjust the temperature .
FAQs
If you still have questions about choosing the just shower valve , the follow answers to common questions should help .
A cascade valve controls the period of piss into a rain shower . Some exhibitor valves mix in water system together to make desire temperatures .
Some valves are list as universal , but not all . You ’ll need to read the valve ’s publicity to learn if you ’re wait at a cosmopolitan shower valve .
Photo: Amazon
The most common shower valve is a pressure - balance valve with both shower and spurt ports .
Yes ! you may find a full set of whole step in ourHow To substitute a Shower Valveguide , but the basic are as follows:1 . twist off the water2 . Gain access to the valve by removing the knob and prune from the front3 . Cut or slay the exist exhibitor valve at the pipes4 . Clean up the cuts and solder in the raw valveStill , as licensed plumber Sam Chmielarski points out , DIYers will want to proceed with some caution , as “ Plumbing is regulated work for complaisance and indemnity purposes . An incorrect installation could potentially induce a hidden leakage behind a wall , cosmetic and structural damage to your home , and empty an insurance claim . ”
fit in to Sam Chmielarski , “ These valves limit H2O pressure to a safe level , protecting your valves , faucet , and fixtures . However , if you have multiple mass using the plumbing system scheme at the same prison term , for example , flushing a toilet while someone is lavish , they could experience a drop in pressure and changes in water temperature . ”
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Sam Chmielarski say that “ a good quality brass thermostatic shower valve can last up to 20 years . fictile or lower - grade metal shower bath valves may last around 10 geezerhood . ” He also level out that your home ’s water caliber can bear upon longevity , as hard body of water get scale of measurement buildup that reduces a shower valve ’s lifespan .
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