When you are searching for the best shower valve to suit your needs, it’s important to take into consideration a few things. Are you going to use an overhead shower or a hand shower? Or both? Does your home have hard water or soft water? The space and size of your shower is also an important factor for choosing the right valve for the ultimate shower experience.
If you have a smaller, compact shower enclosure or perhaps an over bath space a larger valve may seem bulky. It’s also important to consider your plumbing when choosing a valve. Older plumbing and boiler systems may not be able to support some of the more modern, high-tech shower valves. Modern fixtures may also need additional support or bracing to be installed, especially on a stud wall.
The last thing you should consider when searching for the perfect shower valve is the style of your shower. Will it be surface mounted or concealed, modern or traditional?
Below you will find some of the best shower valves on the market at the more affordable end of the scale. These valves vary in style, functionality and price. When deciding which one to go with, it’s important to consider the factors mentioned above and the compatibility of the valve with your other shower hardware choices and plumbing system. With the help of these short reviews, finding the perfect shower valve will be easy and hassle-free.
Ultra Modern Thermostatic Shower Bar Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1
Features: Thermostatic shower control, single water outlet
Price: £44.99 (Mar 2017)
Ultra Finishing’s Premier Range presents this modern, exposed thermostatic bar valve for a contemporary look. It features separate control for water flow and temperature for an easy-to-use, simple system. Its chrome finish and construction from solid brass give this shower fixture a sleek look that is designed to last. Team with a slide rail kit to complete the look. Perfect in a cheap and cheerful shower cubicle or overbath setting.
Ultra Contemporary Thermostatic Shower Bar Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1
Features: Thermostatic shower control, single water outlet
Price: £44.99 (Mar 2017)
This exposed thermostatic bar valve from the Ultra Finishing Premier Range features a contemporary design and separate controls for water flow and temperature. It comes with a sleek chrome finish, temperature indicator and solid brass construction that will prove durable. Thermostatic showers prevent a fluctuation in temperature whilst the shower is running preventing the risk of scalding with hot water. Great technology at this price point.
TIP
When installing a shower valve it’s important that the pressure from the hot and cold inlets are as similar as possible. Generally the cold water inlet will be of a higher pressure. When they differ vastly this can mean the cartridge has to work harder than normal to sense and mix the water to the correct temperature. Indeed cheaper units can fail and require a replacement cartridge. Plumbers often fit pressure reducing valves to ensure this doesn’t become a problem.
Ultra Square Contemporary Thermostatic Shower Bar Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1
Features: Thermostatic shower control, anti-scald protection, single water outlet
Price: £69.99 (Mar 2017)
This valve boasts a square contemporary exposed thermostatic bar design, as well as separate controls for temperature and water. It will give your shower a contemporary style with its square design and solid brass & chrome finish. Thermostatic showers prevent a fluctuation in temperature, whilst the shower is running preventing the risk of being burned by hot water. At just a tad more expensive than round bodied designs this product will bring modern styling to your bathroom.
Phoenix Round Exposed Thermostatic Bar Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.2
Features: Thermostatic shower control, anti-scald protection, single water outlet
Price: £76.50 (Mar 2017)
This luxury, round exposed thermostatic shower mixer valve is from Phoenix Whirlpools. It includes a bottom hose outlet, making it a versatile and contemporary valve. The discrete levers make it easy to safely control the water temperature and flow rate while showering. This particular bar valve has a better cartridge than that of the previous products hence the more expensive price point. Spares for Phoenix showers are also readily available direct from the manufacturer.
Scudo Round Concealed Twin Thermostatic Shower Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.2
Features: Concealed shower valve, built-in anti-scald protection
Price: £104.99 (Mar 2017)
This low-pressure, twin shower valve from Scudo is compatible with nearly all heating systems. It requires a wall cavity of only 75 mm deep, making it great for small and spacious showers alike. This valve also has the ability to control accessories like slide rails or a rain showerhead. The Scudo twin shower valve will stop the flow of water if your cold water supply stops working to prevent accidental scalding a neat safety feature. This Scudo valves also comes with a 10-year guarantee which represents great value for money and piece of mind.
Scudo Square Concealed Twin Thermostatic Shower Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.2
Features: Concealed minimalist valve, ceramic disc technology, built-in anti-scald protection
Price: £104.99 (Mar 2017)
If you’re looking for a valve with an easy to control water flow rate for a shower head or slide rail kit this concealed shower valve from Scudo is a great option for you. Made of solid brass and high-quality chrome plating, this quality valve is perfect if you’re putting together a shower mixer kit. The high-tech controls make taking a shower an easy and enjoyable experience. The top control knob turns the water flow on and off while the bottom one allows fine control of temperature that can be left in place when not in use.
Aquatech Twin Round Concealed Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1
Features: Large levers for smooth turning motions, thermostatic shower control
Price: £119.99
Aquatech the budget brand has designed a modern and smooth working twin round concealed shower valve. It’s made of chromium plated brass, meaning it will look good and last you for years to come. This valve’s large levers are excellent given the price with a smooth turning motion. It also comes with a thermostatic shower control for safety and comfort, preventing hot water scalding.
Scudo Traditional Concealed Twin Thermostatic Shower Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.2
Features: Modern technology for precise control, compatible with all water systems
Price: £119.99 (Mar 2017)
Scudo’s traditional concealed valve exudes period style and can give your bathroom some personality. Its quality and long-lasting valve made of solid brass with a chrome-plated finish. It requires only a 75 mm deep wall cavity and is compatible with all heating systems with a low operating pressure of 0.2. This period-style shower hardware incorporates 2 beautifully decorative controls. The top real ceramic handle allows you to divert water between 2 shower accessories and adjust the flow of water. The bottom crosshead design tap adjusts the temperature of the water, mixing the hot and cold supplies. Great for those wishing to create an old fashioned style bathroom.
Hudson Reed Clio Twin Concealed Thermostatic Shower Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1 to 0.4
Features: Thermostatic shower, anti-scald, WRAS approved, made in the UK
Price: £204.99 (Mar 2017)
The sleek, rounded design of the Hudson Reed Clio twin concealed thermostatic shower valve is finished in chrome and can bring an air of sophistication to any bathroom. The Clio twin valve can be used with either a fixed shower head or slider rail kit. This valve is fashionable, modern and highly versatile making it a great option for a variety of bathroom renovation projects.
Hudson Reed Kristal Concealed Twin Shower Valve
Material: Polished chrome with brass internals
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1 to 3.0
Features: Built-in anti-scalding device, ceramic disc technology, made in the UK
Price: £204.00 (Mar 2017)
This shower valve was designed with the minimalist in mind. Hudson Reed Kristal Twin Concealed Thermostatic Shower Valve features clean, simple lines and a symmetrical crosshead handle design. It’s a great option for adding a bit of style to your bathroom without sacrificing on functionality.
Hudson Reed Motif Twin Concealed Thermostatic Shower Valve
Material: Polished chrome, highly durable brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1 to 4.0
Features: Use with combi boilers & gravity fed systems, operates two points simultaneously
Price: £204.00 (Mar 2017)
This Motif shower valve is interestingly designed with contemporary clean lines and a slender curved spout. It’s a perfect blend of both modern and classic styling. The Motif valve is also suitable for all types of plumbing installation, making is a versatile way to add style and class to any shower space.
Hudson Reed Traditional Twin Exposed Thermostatic Shower Valve
Material: Chrome-plated brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1
Features: Thermostatic shower, anti-scald, vertical or horizontal fit
Price: £209.25 (Mar 2017)
This traditional-style valve from Hudson Reed comes is a twin exposed thermostatic shower valve that includes built-in anti-scald technology. This is the perfect valve for you if you’re looking for something that is designed with nostalgia in mind but works with all the ease and convenience of modern technology. This valve has separate controls for flow rate and temperature and can operate one accessory such as a rigid riser kit.
Hudson Reed Kristal Concealed Triple Shower Valve
Material: Polished chrome, highly durable brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1 to 4.0
Features: Thermostatically controlled, suitable for unvented mains pressure systems
Price: £242.25 (Mar 2017)
If you’re looking for a valve that marries both style and ease of use, then the Hudson Reed Kristal concealed triple shower valve is the valve for you. It features a clean, minimalist body with a symmetrical crosshead handle design, and the valve and concealing plate can be installed vertically or horizontally. The Kristal is also suitable for all types of plumbing installation, and has the added safety benefit of a built-in anti-scald device, should the cold water supply fail. Additionally, this valve has a safety button stop at 38 degrees centigrade for safe showering which requires a conscious decision to override to higher temperatures.
Hudson Reed Motif Concealed Triple Shower Valve
Material: Polished chrome, highly durable brass
Minimum Bar Working Pressure Recommended: 0.1 to 4.0
Features: Can be used with either fixed shower head or slider rail kit, smooth operation
Price: £242.25 (Mar 2017)
This Motif valve is similar to its twin valve counterpart, and combines a modern style with a classic look. It’s constructed with highly durable and long-lasting brass and finished in a sleek, polished chrome. This valve is as functional as it is fashionable and can be partnered with both a fixed shower head and slider rail kit or shower jets if preferred.
Shower Valve Summary
We hope to have given you some help in finding your next shower valve. Ultimately they need to be safe to use, compatible with your current plumbing system and also suit the style of your bathroom or intended bathroom space. View a full range of valves here.
Hello, my name is Dean.
Together with my business partner we own and operate Shower Enclosures UK.com Ltd.
We’ve been running the business for over 9 years and have amassed a reasonable amount of knowledge and expertise on the subject of shower and bathroom hardware. Enough that we’ve been able to put together a series of blog posts that should make buying bathroom goods that little bit simpler and help answer all the most popular questions.
If there’s anything that doesn’t make sense or needs expanding on please let us know in the comments. You can also reach out to me on LinkedIn
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