How to Choose the Perfect Shower: Electric vs Mixer vs Power Showers

Picture this: It’s a cold morning in Cork, you’re running late for work, and you step into your shower only to be greeted by a pathetic dribble of lukewarm water. Sound familiar? If you’re nodding along, it might be time to consider upgrading your shower, but with electric, mixer, and power showers all claiming to be the best, how do you choose?

The good news is that finding your perfect shower doesn’t require an engineering degree. It’s about understanding what works with your home and what suits your daily routine. Let’s break down each type so you can make the right choice.

Electric Showers: The Reliable Workhorse

Think of electric showers as the dependable friend who’s always there when you need them. They heat water instantly using electricity, which means you’ll never run out of hot water, even if your boiler decides to take a holiday.

What makes them brilliant for Irish homes? They work with any water system. Whether you’ve got a combi boiler, a gravity-fed system, or something else, an electric shower will slot right in. All they need is a cold water supply and an electrical connection.

This independence is particularly handy during those inevitable boiler breakdowns. While your family shivers through cold baths, you’ll still be enjoying hot showers. It’s like having a backup plan that actually works.

The practical reality is that electric showers won’t give you the same powerful flow as a mixer shower, but modern versions are vastly improved from the weak dribbles of old. Higher-powered models provide much better performance, and some even come with pumps for extra oomph.

Installation does require a qualified electrician. It’s not a DIY weekend project. But once it’s in, electric showers are remarkably low-maintenance and perfect for busy households where people need showers at different times.

Mixer Showers: The Pressure Heroes

If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel and thought “why can’t my shower at home be like this?”, you were probably enjoying a good mixer shower. These clever devices blend hot and cold water to give you the temperature you want, and if you’ve got decent water pressure, they deliver it with authority.

Here’s why they work so well: If your home already has good water pressure from a combi boiler or high-pressure system, a mixer shower will make the most of it. You’ll get that powerful, invigorating flow that makes morning showers genuinely enjoyable rather than just functional.

For busy households, consider the thermostatic upgrade. This maintains your chosen temperature even when someone flushes the loo or fills the kettle downstairs. No more sudden temperature shocks mid-shampoo.

The catch is that mixer showers rely on your hot water supply. If you frequently run out of hot water or have a small cylinder that struggles to keep up, you’ll be disappointed. They’re also not much use if your water pressure is naturally low.

Installation is generally more straightforward than electric showers since there’s no high-power electrical work involved. Just good plumbing and an adequate hot water supply.

Power Showers: The Best of Both Worlds

Power showers are essentially mixer showers with a built-in boost. They take your existing hot and cold water supplies and use a pump to increase the pressure dramatically. Think of it as turbocharging your shower experience.

They’re perfect for older Irish homes where water pressure suffers because the cold tank is only a few feet above the bathroom. The pump compensates for gravity’s limitations, giving you that powerful flow you’re after.

The luxury factor is undeniable. Power showers can easily handle large rainfall heads, multiple body jets, and all those spa-like features that make showering feel indulgent rather than rushed.

However, there are limitations. Power showers need stored hot water to work, so they’re no good if you have a combi boiler. They also use more water and electricity than other types, which your bills will reflect.

Installation is more involved since you need both plumbing and electrical work for the pump. But if you want maximum shower luxury and have the right setup, power showers are hard to beat.

The Modern Alternative: Digital Showers

Digital showers might sound like science fiction, but they’re increasingly practical for real Irish homes. These high-tech mixer showers use digital controls to maintain precise temperatures while offering conveniences like remote start and smartphone connectivity.

Imagine warming your shower remotely while you’re getting dressed, then stepping into perfectly heated water. For busy families, this kind of convenience is genuinely life-changing.

The clever bit is how they maintain temperature. No more dancing around under fluctuating water while someone else uses the kitchen tap. Digital showers keep things consistent, which is particularly valuable in homes with children.

They work with various water systems and can include pumps where needed. Yes, they cost more upfront, but the convenience and potential water savings through usage monitoring often justify the investment.

Choosing What Actually Works for Your Home

Start with your water system. If you’re not sure what you have, look around. Combi boilers are usually in the kitchen and heat water on demand. Gravity systems have cold tanks in the loft and hot cylinders in airing cupboards. When in doubt, ask a plumber. Five minutes of their time could save you from choosing the wrong shower entirely.

Consider your household’s shower habits. Do teenagers take endless showers? Electric might be perfect since you’ll never run out of hot water. Do you prioritise a powerful, spa-like experience? Mixer or power showers deliver the pressure you’re after.

Think about running costs too. Electric showers cost more per shower to run, but they’re independent of your heating system. Mixer showers using gas heating are cheaper per use, but you’re dependent on your boiler’s efficiency and hot water capacity.

Don’t forget maintenance. Electric showers in hard water areas might need element replacement every few years. Mixer showers have fewer electrical components but depend on your boiler staying reliable.

Getting It Installed Properly

Whatever shower you choose, professional installation is essential. Electric showers need qualified electricians, while mixer and power showers require experienced plumbers. Yes, it costs more upfront, but proper installation means your shower works reliably and safely for years.

Get quotes from local installers and don’t automatically go for the cheapest. A good installer will assess your water system, explain what will work best and do the job properly the first time.

Making Your Decision

The perfect shower for your home balances performance, practicality and cost. Electric showers are brilliant for reliability and work everywhere. Mixer showers excel when you have good pressure and adequate hot water. Power showers deliver luxury if your system can support them.

Don’t overthink it. Shop with us online here and talk to the experts. Your daily shower should be something you look forward to, not endure. Whether that means the reliability of electric, the pressure of mixer or the luxury of power, there’s a perfect shower waiting for your home.

The key is matching your choice to your reality: your water system, your household needs and your budget. Get it right and those cold mornings will never feel quite the same again.