Upgrading your shower head isn’t something you should take lightly. With so many different types of shower heads and even more specifications to weigh, this decision impacts not only your shower experience but the cost of showering and your impact on the environment.
Picking between a low-flow shower head vs a regular shower head is one of the best places to start. We’ve put together this comparison guide because we see so many misconceptions about our low-flow shower heads here at High Sierra.
The biggest difference between these styles is flow rate, or GPM. As the name suggests, low-flow heads use less water per minute than their standard counterparts. BUT – that doesn’t mean they’re inherently weaker or worse. It all comes down to shower head design.
Our one-of-a-kind shower heads can reduce water and energy use by up to 50%, but you still get greeted by a powerful spray of high-energy droplets that rejuvenate your senses anytime you enter the shower.
They’re the best of both worlds, and with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, you don’t just have to take our word for it. Order yours today and discover the difference firsthand!
The Case for High-Flow Shower Heads
High-flow shower heads have long been the standard for American homes, but they’re being phased out through new home builds and renovations.
They tend to have a GPM at or above 2.5, which is where the appeal comes from: more water, faster rinse, and a wide, forceful spray that feels good. But the obvious downsides are why you’re seeing fewer and fewer high-flow models on the market.
Heating more water takes more energy, which raises utility bills. You’ll also burn through your hot water supply faster in a home where multiple people shower back-to-back or at the same time.
But here’s the kicker: these shower heads might not even be allowed in your area if it’s prone to drought or under state/city water restrictions. Many states have set a cap below the federal 2.5 GPM max, so a high-flow model may be off the table unless you buy it for a different use case.
You’ll really only find these in homes with dated plumbing systems, so the choice between a low-flow shower head vs regular shower head is actually pretty simple. Let’s look at the other half of this comparison below.
Benefits of a Low-Flow Shower Head
So, what is a low-flow shower head? As the name implies, these use substantially less water per minute, somewhere between 1.25 to 2.0 GPM. They’re far more efficient not just in terms of water usage, but electricity as well, since you use less energy to heat the water you shower with.
Those savings can add up fast, especially in multi-person households. In fact, if every home in the US replaced its existing shower head with a WaterSense model (like those at High Sierra), it could save 260 billion gallons of water and nearly $5.4 billion in water/energy costs!
The problem is, there are so many misconceptions about the difference in shower experience between a low-flow shower head vs regular shower head. People assume “low-flow” means “low-pressure,” but that’s not accurate.
The right low-flow shower head reshapes the water it uses rather than simply restricting it. Designs like ours here at High Sierra use patented nozzles that focus and collide water streams for a powerful spray of large droplets that rinse thoroughly and feel luxurious.
Most of the negatives you hear regarding weak flow or long rinse times are associated with low-flow models of the past, or today’s poorly made models that are imported in from overseas. So, forget everything you thought you knew about low-flow heads – we’ll lay out the facts below.
Low-Flow Shower Head vs Regular Shower Head: Which Style is Right For You?
Today’s best-in-class low-flow heads often outperform traditional ones when it comes to spray quality, durability, and even hygiene. Here’s why the decision between a low-flow shower head vs a standard model is a no-brainer.
Flow Rate Differences
This is obviously the biggest difference between the two styles, flow rate – or GPM rating. Regular shower heads operate at the federal maximum of 2.5 GPM, pushing out more water volume each minute.
On the other hand, low-flow models come in below that threshold, somewhere between 1.25 GPM to 2.5 GPM. The lower the better from an efficiency perspective, but it’s a trade-off between savings and shower feel.
The difference in flow rate may seem negligible, but it adds up to several gallons over the course of a 10-minute shower. Think about what a difference that can make in a multi-user household over the course of a year.
Water Pressure and Spray Feel
There’s a common misconception that lower GPM means weaker pressure. That’s only true if the shower head wasn’t designed to compensate. Unfortunately, early models didn’t compensate, and this created a bad rap for the low-flow shower head, which lingers today.
But here’s the thing: modern low-flow designs like ours use smaller nozzles and clever internal engineering to focus water into powerful, high-energy droplets. If you’re struggling with weak flow at home, our guide to the best shower head for low water pressure highlights models designed to deliver a strong spray even when pressure is naturally limited.
So even though regular shower heads win on raw water volume alone, the actual shower experience may feel better with a low-flow model since the spray pattern is more concentrated and precise.
Energy Usage
Water usage is only part of the story in comparing a low-flow shower head vs a regular shower head. You’re also heating that water, and higher GPM means more hot water is used per shower.
This is yet another advantage of upgrading to a low-flow model. It can cut down your energy bills by reducing the amount of water your heater has to warm. That adds up over time, especially in homes with multiple showers per day.
Maintenance and Clogging
Standard multi-nozzle shower heads are notorious for clogging, especially if you have hard water in your home. The more small openings a shower head has, the more likely it is that minerals, rust, or debris will build up.
This is an often overlooked benefit of making the switch to a low-flow shower head. Our single-nozzle design in particular is way easier to maintain and less prone to blockage. Some are even designed to fully drain between uses, reducing internal buildup and bacterial growth.
Don’t just take our word for it, though. Our designs are backed by a never-clog guarantee!
Compliance Considerations
At the end of the day, high-flow shower heads aren’t even an option for many areas. California, Colorado, and New York City are just a few of the many places that have set flow rate limits of 2.0 GPM or less.
Many areas now require WaterSense certification for any new fixtures. Low-flow shower heads meet these requirements by default, making them the obvious choice if you’re building a new home, remodeling your bathroom, or just looking to save money.
Get Low-Flow Shower Heads That Feel Like an Upgrade Rather Than a Compromise
The key takeaway is that choosing between a low-flow shower head vs a regular shower head is simple, but not all low-flow models are created equal. You can enjoy the best of both worlds – a luxurious shower experience without wasting water or electricity – at High Sierra.
Our patented nozzle design transforms the feel of your shower. Rather than spreading water thin, we focus it into a powerful, full-cone cascade of high-energy drops that rinse thoroughly, feel incredible, and cut your water and energy use by up to 50%.
Every High Sierra shower head is made in the USA from solid metal parts that resist corrosion, bacteria, and hard water buildup, so you can rest assured this is an investment that will last. They don’t clog either, and will continue performing after other brands have faded or failed.
From handheld shower heads to rain shower heads, and even models with a mirror to help you shave in the shower – there’s quite literally a style for every preference here in our catalog:
- Classic™ Fixed Shower Head: Minimalist and mighty for compact spaces.
- Half Dome® Rain Shower Head: A wider spray face with the same patented cascade.
- Reflections™ Mirror Shower Head: A 2-in-1 fog-free mirror and full spray head.
- 3-Way Shower Head Kit: Combine fixed and handheld for the best of both worlds.
Low-flow has never felt this good. Your order is protected by our 60-day money-back guarantee and a 2-year warranty, too. Take a look and see what catches your eye. Or, get a personalized recommendation today.
Bringing Our Comparison of the Low-Flow Shower Head vs Regular to a Close
We hope this comparison of the low-flow shower head vs the regular shower head has cleared up any uncertainties and misconceptions you may have come here with today.
Low-flow shower heads used to have a bad reputation, but today’s best models are proof you don’t need to sacrifice comfort to save water. The real difference comes down to engineering, not just flow rate.
Upgrade your shower with High Sierra’s patented, never-clog designs made right here in the USA. Shop now and start saving water without compromising a thing!