Best Shower Panels of 2022
written by: Steven Watkins
Table of Contents
For that reason, we took the top-rated shower panels of the year, put them to the test, and ranked them for you.
What we’re left with is our TOP 7 shower panels of the year that are actually worth the money.
We rated rating each model on a wide range of factors including ease of installation, materials used, durability, reliability, performance, and price, to name a few.
Now let’s get to it.
Comparison Table
| Product | |
|---|---|
 | #1 ELLO&ALLO Stainless Steel (Editor’s Choice) Finger-print free stainless steel construction, LED Rainfall & Waterfall showers, and 4 adjustable jet nozzles (for “Power Mist”) combine to create 2020’s best shower panel. |
 | #2 Blue Ocean Aluminum SPA392M With its 8 multi-function body-massage jets, 4-function handshower, and digital temperature display, the SPA392M sports top-quality components, and at an excellent price. |
 | #3 Pulse Showerspas’ Shower System With its high-arching rain shower head, perfect for taller individuals, the Pulse Showerspas’ Panel has a beautiful minimalist design, and at a shockingly-low price. |
 | #4 AKDY 787392B Black tempered glass construction, 8 body-mist jets, and a stylish rain shower head, combine to create one of 2020’s best all-in-one modern shower panels. |
 | #5 Blue Ocean SPV962332 Made with high quality satin finish stainless steel, this Blue Ocean panel is fingerprint resistant, and has a personal mirror, perfect for improving hygiene routines. |
 | #6 AKDY 5333D With colored LEDs in both the handshower, and overhead rain shower, the AKDY 5333D is a party that you wouldn’t want to end. |
 | #7 Blue Ocean SPV878392H A stainless steel frame, and beautiful blue tempered glass, host an array of shower functions, and at a budget-friendly price. |
Shower Panel Reviews
Without further to do, here are our top 7 shower panel reviews, with pros and cons of each model.
#1: ELLO and ALLO Stainless Steel
(Editor’s Choice)
Our #1 rated shower tower system goes to the ELLO and ALLO Shower Panel in Stainless Steel.
If you’re looking for the best shower tower money can buy, to consolidate all of your showering needs into one easy-to-use and convenient place, the ELLO and ALLO model is our top pick.
When compared to other highly-rated shower panels on our list, the ELLO and ALLO panel is superior due to its overhead shower system – consisting of both a relaxing LED rain head and a LED waterfall shower.
Also, and important to keep in mind, the ELLO and ALLO tower consists of shower functions that work independently, of each other.
This is a huge plus because with low-quality shower panels often times you’re not able to use the rain head at the same time as the handshower, due to the loss of water pressure.
For a stunning modern look, combo this model with one of our best glass shower doors.
Pros
- Includes both a waterfall LED shower, and rain LED shower
- 2 mini outlet switches – allows you to control 2 shower functions (at the same time)
- Integrated tub spout
Cons
- For those over 6ft. tall – this shower panel is a little on the short side
#2: Blue Ocean Aluminum SPA392M
The #2 shower tower of the year, is the Blue Ocean SPA392M.
If you’re looking for the best value shower panel, the Blue Ocean SPA392M deserves to be on your radar.
To start, this Blue Ocean shower panel earns its high regard, in part, due to its wonderfully-soothing 8 jet body-massage system, where its gentle mist is utilized to wash away stress.
Most shower panels on the market today, that have 8 or more body-massage jets, are going to be much more expensive, or worse, they will sacrifice quality.
Also, to combine with its functionality, the Blue Ocean SPA392M looks absolutely stunning with its tempered glass construction.
If your bathroom is looking old these days, the SPA392M can surely give it the face lift it so desperately needs.
Plus, for a terrific remodeling ROI opportunity you can combine this Blue Ocean SPA392M with one of our top rated shower pans of the year.
Pros
- Has 8 adjustable horizontal massage jets – for targeted relief
- Includes a 4-function handshower
- Constructed with a beautiful mirror-like finish
Cons
- Shower head & body jets do not work at the same time, only 1 at a time
#3: Pulse Showerspas Shower System
At #3 we have the best cheap shower panel of the year, the Pulse Showerspas Shower System.
At first glance, you’ll notice this shower head system looks a lot different from the first model on our list. If you’re going for a more traditional look, rather than a modern look, this is a great shower panel system.
It all starts with the two beautiful finish options:
- Brushed Nickel
- Polished Chrome
Next, pay close attention to the sliding / adjustable hand shower head. Many shower systems on the market will not have this feature, so this is a huge plus when comparing to other similar models.
Also, and important to note, this Pulse Showerspa unit is designed to be incredibly easy to install, just like our top dual showers of the year. The unit is pre-plumbed and surface-mounted.
Lastly, check out the angle where the rain shower connects to the base. This kind of extra height is amazing for improving your showering experience, and rare for models in this category.
Absolute game changer.
Pros
- Great coverage for taller individuals – with its upward-angled rain head
- Clean and simple traditional look
- Able to use rain head, and 5-function handshower, together, or separately
Cons
- No body-massage jets, or temperature display
#4: AKDY 787392B
At #4 on our countdown, is the AKDY 787392B Shower Panel.
Right off the bat, you’ll notice this shower panel is constructed with a stylish black tempered glass shell. You’ll also notice that this shower panel comes equipped with a temperature gauge.
If you haven’t showered with a digital temperature gauge before, it’s an absolute game-changer. Wondering if your water is the perfect temperature? Kiss those worries goodbye!
We also love that this AKDY shower panel comes with a modern-looking rain head, with easy-to-clean silicone nozzles. Also, This model also comes pre-equipped with a handheld showerhead, that has 4 spray modes. We particularly loved the “massage” mode.
Don’t waste another day with a cheap shower set up. Shower in luxury with the AKDY 787392B!
For more highly-rated products like this, check out our best-rated steam generators for showers and turn the room you use everyday into your very own spa.
Pros
- Includes a 4-function handshower
- Has 8 adjustable body-massage jets
- Sports a beautiful modern glass finish (in black)
Cons
- just OK body-jets, if you’re looking for a deep-tissue like massage – we recommend other units
#5: Blue Ocean SPV962332
Our #5 best-rated shower panel goes to the Blue Ocean SPV962332 in Stainless Steel.
A very fancy and complete experience is what you’ll get from the Blue Ocean shower panel SPV962332, similar to what you’ll get if you buy one of our top luxury/expensive shower heads of the year.
This is one of the most sophisticated shower panels you can get in the market to create a spa experience in your house, with several different spray options to shower and have a massage experience.
The panel itself is 52-inch long, with 8 jet shower heads providing horizontal spray, plus a big 9-inch wide rain head and a 5-inch wide handheld showerhead.
These three different sets offer a wide variety of combinations.
The rain head can provide, apart from the rain spray, a full spray jet, as well as the handheld head that also includes a jet massage spray in the inner circle of nozzles. The set of 8 horizontal jet heads offer a high-pressure mist spray.
The nice thing about all these options is the individual control for each one of them, which can help you save water in your shower.
Each head has its own dialer, so you can control the strength of the jet and consequently the amount of water poured.
You will be able to make each one of them work separately or all of them together, or just one or another combined, is up to you to make all the combinations you wish.
For last, you can control the water temperature through a digital controller. Just set how warm you want it and voila.
The pipe system here has an individual setting where both cold and warm water are controlled digitally, so you don’t have to waste your time turning the faucets to find the ideal mix. The manual of the shower panel indicates the recommended temperatures but you can easily discover from these standards your own preferences and save the numbers for perpetual use.
The last temperature set remains registered in the controller. As a plus, this panel comes with a tub filler.
The handheld shower head includes the hose, 59-inch long. All the shower heads are made of stainless steel and finished in chrome, but the panel itself is made of a durable UPVC, which will be resilient against moist over time and will not corrode.
Pros
- Made with tarnish-resistant stainless steel
- Includes an above-average rain head
- Has an integrated tub spout
Cons
- More expensive than other higher-rated shower panels on our list
#6: AKDY 5333D
Our #6 top-rated shower panel of the year goes to the AKDY 5333D Shower Tower.
We have reviewed before here some AKDY models for other lists of best shower heads, and the brand doesn’t disappoint when it comes to shower panels.
This set of shower heads is quite similar to the Blue Ocean one, but it is a little bit shorter (51-inch tall) and is made of aluminum, which is a great alternative for a material that is resistant to water. Another difference is the inclusion of LED lights to indicate the temperature of the water.
While this panel also has a digital controller for temperature, houses where the plumbing system is wider and the water takes longer to get warm will benefit from this feature. You can set the temperature and wait for it to get the ideal warmth.
While it is not ready, the lights will be blue, and when the light is orange, the water is ready so you can get under the shower at last. It will be red when the water is too hot, so this also works as an alert to avoid stepping under scalding water.
Different from the Blue Ocean panel shower, this model has only one main dialer you can turn to set the showering you wish, including the combinations of all shower sprays or each one separately.
And if you have a bathtub, this panel can work perfectly altogether as there is a tub filler valve included at the bottom of the panel.
While it doesn’t include the tub, it does include the hose and the handheld shower.
For more highly-rated products for your shower, check out our top-rated rain shower heads of the year.
Pros
- Includes a 3-color LED rain head, and 3-color LED hand shower
- Has 8 body-massage jets – for extra relaxation
- Includes a mirror – great for shaving time
Cons
- Body-massage jets leave something to be desired – ie: weak mist
#7: Blue Ocean SPV878392H
Finishing off our list is the Blue Ocean SPV878392H, one of our top-rated cheap shower panels.
The square adjustable rain shower head is a trendy look for a modern bathroom, and the adjustable arm functionality is a plus.
Do you have a favorite temperature to take your showers at? Great! This Blue Ocean SPV878392H comes with a digital temperature display, so you can take your showers at the perfect temperature, every single time.
The panel itself is made of stainless steel and finished with blue glass.
The outcome is quite beautiful and elegant, design to work with more minimalist, futurist decor sets.
This model also comes with 8 jet nozzles, to provide a relaxing massage spray while enjoying the large rain shower head.
Overall, the blue tint and stainless steel provide a sleek, but functional shower system. You’re not going to find a much better looking shower panel system for the price, than the Blue Ocean SPV878392H.
For installation, click how to install a shower panel in existing shower, for our tips
Pros
- Sports a unique blue glass finish – great for the modern-look
- Includes an adjustable wipe-clean square rain shower head
- Functions work independently – ensuring proper water pressure
Cons
- Some users report leaks with “cheaply-made” hand shower
Quick Buyers’ Guide:
Still not sure which shower panel system is best for you?
Read through our full buyers’ guide to find out:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What Exactly is a Shower Panel System and How Do They Work
- What are the Benefits
- What to Look For
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you install a shower panel?
Here’s a quick video showing how to install a shower panel, from the industry-leading brand AKDY, made easy!
Alternatively, if you prefer to learn from an easy step-by-step list format from the team at Showersly, click shower panel installation for our guide.
What are shower panels made of?
Shower panels are made of mostly PVC material and plastic, but sometimes they’re encased in tempered glass or stainless steel
What is the best material for shower panels?
The best material for shower panels is either tempered glass or stainless steel
SF Gate Home Guides put it best when they said a good material … 1) resists water, 2) is attractive, 3) is easily cleaned, and 4) won’t degrade easily.
(1)
What Exactly is a Shower Panel System and How Do They Work?
If you take a look at how shower systems work on spas, they are robust and complex setups, embedded on walls and generally with more features someone can use at one showering time.
The shower panel systems are a compact replica of that kind of infrastructure, firstly because it is possible to have many different options of showering with few resources these days due to technology.
Secondly, they become affordable and beautiful, so much many spas often started to integrate them to cut costs and still provide a spa treatment when showering.
While in spas the showers heads are all installed independently on the wall, with a project that often is independent and executed by the establishment, the shower panels integrate all the features into one singular system.
The panel is often easily attachable to the wall and all the plumbing connections can become easy to deploy when they are all linked to only one pipe. That pipe connect to the plumbing system of the house through the elbow connector or a diverter, not much different from installing a simple shower head set.
More complex models will require you to embed it into the wall, and the ones that have electronic, digital interfaces, may require a power source to make it work constantly.
Some models have batteries to make that task simpler to install.
What are the Benefits?
Apart from being a great alternative for a spa at your house, shower panels are a great way to unify a lot of options during your showering with more customization and ease.
For example, the hot/cold water mechanics with a panel shower is simplified with either digital temperature controllers or just one faucet handler.
Many houses still have the two faucets system for hot and cold water, this can be very irritating when the seasons change as your intuition fails to know how warm/cold the water already is. It’s a guessing game that can cost your money as you waste precious water until you find the ideal temperature.
With shower panel systems this becomes much easier and fast.
Another great point is the compatibility of many panels with bathtub implementation. You don’t even have to have one at your bathroom already, but the option will be there.
For last, shower panels are beautiful and elegant and they cost much less than deploying an independent project.
Likewise, you don’t take the risk to later have to open walls in case something goes wrong in the plumbing system (at least if you don’t embed the panel in the wall).
Additionally, AKDY USA listed stress-relief, simplicity, stylish and smart, safe for the whole family, save money, and sanctuary as benefits as well. (2)
What to Look For?
For last, here’s our tips on what to look for, to make sure you get the right model for you.
There are many features and details you can’t miss while you are selecting the ideal model, so take note of them and really check them carefully because they will make the difference between losers and winners on your list of candidates:
Height:
Shower panels come with a deal of massaging shower jet heads. You don’t want to waste their potential at all as it would be really pointless to have a complex system like this and do not enjoy one of the most unique features they can provide.
You have to consider the height of the shower panel and your own height to know the best combination.
The tallest models will surely benefit tall people, and the opposite goes for short people. Kids don’t enjoy too much shower panels because of this inflexible trait.
Most models are at least 50” tall, while there are short ones like the Decor Star 006 we reviewed here, which is 41”, ideal for short people.
What happens when you are small and have a tall shower panel is you will likely have either one set of massage jets spraying on your legs and the upper one on your face and the opposite goes for tall people, who will end up massaging their belly and knees with short models, something pointless.
PRO TIP: Be careful to make sure your shower panel is compatible with your height, along with its other users’ heights.
Pressure:
As these panels work with several jet heads, they have standards of water pressure that must be met. Most models require at least 41psi, so your house plumbing system must be up to this requirement.
Likewise, they can’t handle too pressure either and you have to check their limitations as well before you purchase.
Anti-clog feature:
If the water on your house faces issues with limescale deposits and such, is really important that your shower panel system has rubber or silicone alike nozzles, because they are naturally anti-clogging and very easy to clean.
All models here have that feature, as it is really essential in keeping the shower head clean/un-clogged.
Battery sourced panels:
Some models of our list here work with batteries to make the digital interfaces work. Is always good to check where in the panel they are stored.
Most models here have the batteries places at the bottom of the panel, which is much easier to replace them, while other models – not listed here – have the batteries placed at the top of the device.
They will be a little bit of a burden to replace as you will need to stand on a chair or something to reach the top.
Summing Up
There you have it.
Now you have all the tools you need to select the best shower tower for your home.
If you’re looking for the top shower panel of the year go with our #1 rated ELLO and ALLO in Stainless Steel.
This system is constructed with materials that are built-to-last, and its price gives you a tremendous value. You won’t be disappointed.
Resources
- https://homeguides.sfgate.com/material-use-shower-walls-82329.html
- http://www.akdyusa.com/6-benefits-of-a-massaging-shower-panel/
From showing you the 7 top-rated shower towers available today to home remedies for clogged shower drains, Showersly is your one-stop-shop. Click our logo below for more money-saving articles like this for your bathroom and shower.
