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Household<br />
Showerheads<br />
It’s time to swap out rusty Old Faithful.<br />
Trust us, upgrading your sprayer is<br />
a simple DIY job that’ll leave you mistyeyed<br />
with pleasure. —MARK KIRBY<br />
Hansgrohe Raindance S 150 Air 3-Jet<br />
$144 • hansgrohe-usa.com<br />
For the past several years, “rain” (or “downpour”) showerheads—the wide-face type<br />
typical of a Hawaiian resort—have been the hottest thing on the market. But it was<br />
the German company Hansgrohe that had the temerity to ask, What’s more refreshing<br />
than showering under a gentle rain? The answer: Drenching yourself in a waterfall.<br />
The Raindance Air uses a patented air-injection system to replicate the kind of aeration<br />
water undergoes when tumbling over a cliff. And with 80 individual jets spitting a dense<br />
spray of airy bubbles, you’ll almost believe you’re in the jungle—instead of late for work.<br />
WIRED Sleek, award-winning design. A cinch to install. Lifetime guarantee.<br />
TIRED Rotating function lever is <strong>sm</strong>all and hard to adjust.<br />
Moen Inspire 7-setting<br />
$50 • moen.com<br />
Moen’s new Inspire 7-setting is a showerhead for the fickle—or for control freaks.<br />
Maybe you prefer an invigorating massage on weekday mornings, a relaxing mist<br />
post-work, and a targeted stream after jogging? With nearly 100 jets, this head lets you<br />
have your spray your way and always rains down an enveloping, high-pressure stream.<br />
WIRED Fancy pattern of jets provides excellent body coverage and a consistent,<br />
high-quality shower. Easy-to-adjust modes.<br />
TIRED Seven features is overkill—who really wants to toggle through that many<br />
options at 6 am? More manageable three-function model costs half the price. Also,<br />
plastic parts make the Inspire seem less durable than other brands.<br />
Oxygenics Elite SkinCare<br />
$55 • oxygenics.com<br />
Oxygenics’ patented single-jet design injects air into the spray as it flows out your<br />
wall. That cuts water consumption—in a home with average pressure, the Elite SkinCare<br />
could typically save you as much as 4 gallons per shower—and creates a pleasantly<br />
varied stream, as some air-engorged droplets are bigger and others get condensed<br />
into a refreshing fine mist. The vain might buy this head for its supposedly beneficial<br />
“oxygenating” properties … whatever. It’s a solid choice for conservationists.<br />
WIRED Low gallon-per-minute rate saves both water and energy (less H 2 O to heat).<br />
TIRED Sounds like a wind tunnel, and feels a bit like one, too. Decreased water volume<br />
is noticeable. Tiny lever makes it difficult to adjust strength of flow.<br />
Speakman Anystream S-2252<br />
$68 • speakmancompany.com<br />
You’ve used it at the Hilton and that place in Vegas. The Anystream is one of the<br />
most popular hotel showerheads in the US for good reason: Its solid-brass construction<br />
and few moving parts make it nearly indestructible, and it has a Full-Body setting<br />
with 48 separate ministreams wrapping you in a sheet of high-pressure spray. With<br />
the basics this well covered, who needs frills?<br />
WIRED Classic, elegant design. Excellent pressure and coverage on Full-Body setting,<br />
regardless of your water pressure. Stream-adjusting lever is large and conveniently placed.<br />
TIRED Full-Flood setting feels like a trickle if you have low pressure. Circular housing<br />
around threads means you’ll need a wrench with teeth to install.<br />
EDITORS’<br />
PICK
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