Are you looking for a solid metal shower head? Speakman might be for you. They have some of the best solid brass shower heads as well as durable, and affordable, plastic models used in hotels and resorts around the world.
Speakman shower heads are generally known to be simple, durable, and powerful. You won’t find any LEDs or gimmicks on these shower heads. Additionally, the Speakman Reaction shower head has a turbine engine to improve performance in low pressure conditions.
Top Pick
Speakman S-2251 Solid Brass Shower Head
The Speakman S-2251 is solid brass and has eight adjustable jets with a 2.5 GPM flow rate. There are lower flow rate models available.
The self-cleaning plungers mean you don’t have to worry about mineral build up.
The solid metal design means no cracking plastic or leaks from plastic failure. That’s worth the investment.
If you’re looking to buy a handheld/fixed combination shower head, we think there are better options than Speakman. Specifically, something like the Moen Magnetix Handheld Shower Head has a magnetic dock for the handheld, which is incredibly convenient. If you like the Speakman style, then our top pick, the Speakman Napa VS-232007, is an excellent choice for a dual shower head but doesn’t have a sophisticated docking mechanism.
If you want to read more about our recommended dual shower head models, then check out our article here.
More About the Speakman S-2251 Anystream Shower Head
There are 8-jet and 6-jet models available for the Icon, Vintage, and Retro Anystream shower heads. The 8-jet models produce better water coverage but are noticeably more expensive. The 6-jet model is exceptionally popular, and reviews are overwhelmingly positive, so despite the fewer jets, the performance is still strong.
Speakman offers seven different finish options on the Icon Series shower head. In addition to color, you can also get a retro or vintage design instead of the smoothly curved body of the Icon.
In addition to the finish color options, you can get any of them with either 1.75, 2.0, or 2.5 GPM flow rates. All of the finishes are corrosion resistant, and the shower head itself is made from solid brass.
The Speakman S-2251 has 8 adjustable jets instead of 6, like the S-2252. They both have the same style and finishes available, but the additional water coverage from the S-2252 just pushes it ahead performance-wise.
The 64 individual sprays have a nice overlap that gives that satisfying warmth we usually seek instead of the sparse, concentrated sprays that satisfying. The spray options are simple and go from a light, sharp stream to a flood of aerated water.
The great thing about these color options is that it’s easy to match up with your existing valve and tub spout if you need to. Polished Chrome is the traditional choice, and likely what you will have seen in a hotel that uses Speakman shower heads.
Budget Pick
Speakman S-2252 Icon Anystream Shower Head
- 6 Jets, 48 Individual Sprays
- Spray Settings: Intense, Rain, and Full Flood
- The plungers allow for surprisingly powerful performance even under low pressure conditions.
- Just like the S-2251, the plungers are self-cleaning and resist hard-water buildup.
The Speakman S-2252 is one of the most popular models and only differs from the S-2251 in that it has 6 jets instead of 8. That reduces the overall number of individual sprays from 64 to 48. The solid brass body and simple style are appealing if you’ve ever had a plastic shower Head bust. There are many different finishes available if you want something different than the traditional polished chrome. The prices vary greatly depending on the finish you choose.
The water pressure is impressive, and even more so if you decide to remove the flow restrictor.
If you’re not willing to pay the extra cost of the S-2251 and get the 8 jets, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed. The S-2252 is the more popular model (likely since it’s less expensive), and there are a ton of satisfied users.
The Speakman Icon Anystream models, either S-2251 or S-2252, have the most color options. If you like the Retro or Vintage look, then you’re limited to polished chrome, brushed nickel, or polished brass finishes.
Below are links to more information on other shower heads available from Speakman. They have much more to choose from if you’re looking for rain, handheld, or combination shower heads.
Also, their turbine-engine shower heads enhance water pressure and are great if you struggle finding a satisfying shower head with your home’s water pressure.
More Options and Reading
Here are some models that we didn’t include in our top list, but might be right for you. These models are, for the most part, more affordable than our top picks. Also, the S-2005-HBF is a filtered shower head that removes excess chlorine from your water.
Solid Brass
Durable Plastic – Fixed Style
Turbine Powered
Combination & Handheld
Additional Reading
Speakman S-3015 Retro Anystream Shower Head
Regarding performance and features, there’s no difference between the 8-jet Icon, Retro, or Vintage shower heads. They’re made of solid brass and have 8 plungers that produce 64 individual sprays.
The choice is just about aesthetics. The smooth body of our top pick, the S-2251 Icon, has a simpler shape, while the Retro and Vintage models have a classic “church bell” silhouette.
The S-3015 Retro–shown above–has a circular face, whereas the S-2255 Vintage has an octagonal face.
If the 8-jet models don’t fit your budget, then consider the 6-jet models instead. They have the same flow rate and overall design. The 6-jet Icon Anystream shower head is very popular and is an excellent bang for your buck. Fewer jets means you’ll get slightly less water coverage, but the overwhelmingly positive reviews on the 6-jet models suggest most people are very satisfied with 6 jets.
Speakman S-3015 Vintage Anystream Shower Head
The S-3015 is the Vintage variant of the 8-jet solid-brass shower heads available from Speakman. It has a classic bell shape with an octagonal face.
- 1.75 and 2.5 GPM models available
- Solid Brass
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- 8 jets producing 64 individual sprays
The main difference between the Vintage and the Icon is the number of color options. The Vintage only comes in polished chrome, whereas you have 7 options with the Icon.
Speakman’s Anystream nozzle system and pressure-compensating Autoflo limiter allow these shower heads to thrive in low-pressure conditions. If you have water pressure issues in your home, then these are a great option to consider, along with Speakman’s turbine-engine shower head.
Speakman S-2762 Neo Rain Shower Head
What makes rain shower heads unique? A large array of small jets that results in near-complete water coverage of your whole body while standing directly under it. “Drenched” is the common word to describe how a rain shower Head is supposed to feel.
Rain shower heads have a large surface area and feel more like the water is falling on you instead of being sprayed at you from an angle. To achieve a rain-like effect, you need to mount the shower head so that it’s sitting horizontally above your head, so the water falls on you. The length and width (or diameter) of the face also helps create the rain effect by having a wider spray area than standard cone-shape shower heads.
Mounting a rain shower head correctly is critical to get the desired effect. This usually means using a different type of shower arm than a typical fixed shower head. You can mount a rain shower head from the ceiling or use an extension arm.
Features
- Solid Brass
- Circular or Square Models
- 105 individual sprays
- 2.5 GPM
- Brushed Nickel or Polished Chrome Finishes
To get the drenching rain effect, the shower head ideally needs to be centered over where you stand in the shower. You may need an extension arm to get enough distance from your shower wall.
Do you have to replace the shower arm that you currently have installed?
No! There are options.
WaterPoint 11″+ Adjustable Shower Arm Extension
This adjustable extension arm can be connected to your existing shower arm and give you a lot of flexibility for positioning yourself in the shower to get maximum water coverage.
Also, if you’re tall, this is a great way to get some extra clearance between your head and the rain shower head.
If you would like to replace your current shower arm with one more suitable for rain shower heads, then consider a high arc or L-shaped shower arm.
High-arc shower arms are great if you need more height, while L-shaped shower arms will extend directly out from the wall. Keep in mind that your rain shower head will be at a lower height than the shower arm position.
High-Arc Shower Arm
- Stainless Steel
- Raises shower head 4.7″ above wall connection.
- Extends 17″ from wall.
The adjustable arm has a lot of advantages. Since you can add it to your existing shower arm, it’s the easiest solution and in doing so you add more distance between the wall and where you’ll have to stand to get the ideal shower.
Don’t forget Speakman also has a square rain shower head, the S-2763 Kubos.
Speakman S-2005-HB Hotel Anystream Shower Head
This is one of the more widely used, and recognizable, shower heads from Speakman. It’s super affordable and is made from durable plastic. It’s the shower head that you may have used in hotels or resorts, and is how Speakman gained its popularity. Hence the “Hotel” name.
Features
- 58 Individual Sprays
- Anystream technology that allows the user to effortlessly transition between spray settings and evenly distributes water.
- Self-cleaning plungers resist mineral buildup, and are easy to clean.
- 3 Spray settings: Full Intense, Massage, Combination
There are also several color options.
In summary, the Speakman Hotel shower head is a tried and true, top performing shower head that’s affordable. It has most of the same features as the S-2251, our top recommended fixed shower head, but has a durable plastic body and a different jet design.
Speakman S-3010 Neo Anystream Shower Head
The spray pattern for the Neo is similar to the Hotel model above, but the center jet pattern is different and the Neo has a few more jets. Aside from that, the spray options are the same.
The S-2005 Hotel model and this Neo shower head are both made from durable plastic. The Neo is also packaged with Speakman’s Dual Shower Head Combo, a combination packge of fixed and handheld shower heads.
- Durable Plastic
- 1.75, 2.0, 2.5 GPM flow rate options
- Polished Chrome, Matte Black, Brushed Nickel finishes
- 3 Spray Settings: Full Intense, Massage, and Combination
- Self-cleaning plungers resist mineral buildup and are easy to clean
So the difference is mainly about aesthetics. The disc-like shape of the fixed Neo shower head matches the included Neo handheld. The Neo also optionally comes with a Matte Black finish, which isn’t available with the Hotel shower heads.
Speakman SR-124 Assana Anystream Shower Head
The Assana has a huge array of sprays, 149 to be exact, and they range in size and intensity. The 5 distinct spray patterns activate diffferent combinations of the jets for intense, massage, flood, rain, and pause settings. To change settings, you simply rotate the face of the shower head.
- Duable Plastic with Corrosion-resistant, Polished Chrome finish
- 2.5 GPM Flow Rate
- Limited Lifetime Warranty
- 149 Individual sprays, 5 distinct settings
Speakman S-2005-HBF Hotel Pure Anystream Shower Head
So what’s different about the Speakman S-2005-HBF?
It has a built-in filter which removes up to 99% of chlorine in your water. Different areas of the country (or world) use varying amounts of chlorine to produce the sanitized water that is delivered to your home. Naturally, this depends on the quality and characteristics of the water in your area. Chlorine can adversely affect the health of your hair and skin, and the purpose of this shower head is to help prevent that.
Do you dye your hair regularly? A chlorine filter can help make your hair dye last longer.
Now, you might be wondering how much the filter costs. They will need replacing about every 6 months. Check it out here:
Construction and Aesthetic Design
The filter needs to be replaced every 6 months. It’s extremely easy, and you just need to take off the front face of the shower head and pop a new filter in. You do not have to completely remove the shower head.
Just like the other Hotel Series shower heads, the Speakman S-2005-HBF has a primarily plastic body with a chrome finish. The fittings are metal where it attaches to the water pipe.
Performance and Spray Options
This shower head is designed to deliver 2.5 gallons of water per minute. It utilizes Anystream technology, which means that the flow can be adjusted to use different combinations of sprays by merely adjusting the knob on the side of the shower head. There are five jets, and eight massage jets that can be used individually or they can all be used together for a more spa-like experience.
Speakman S-4002 Reaction Shower Head
Have you got weak water pressure? This shower head only has a single spray setting but has a turbine-powered engine to assist with low water pressure. Speakman claims the Reaction concentrates and optimizes water pressure to create a powerful, pulsating shower experience despite low water pressure conditions.
You must be thinking: this has got to be expensive. Well, it’s one of Speakman’s most affordable shower heads and is on par with their Hotel fixed shower head line.
- Single-function spray setting
- Turbine Powered Engine
- Dusk Blue, Jade Green, Smokey Gray color options
The sprays are optimized such that they don’t intersect and this results in a more full-feeling shower.
Combination and Handheld Shower Heads
Handhelds can be used as your primary shower head, or in conjunction with a fixed shower head as long as you have a diverter valve.
You can add a handheld to your existing shower setup, or completely replace your shower head with a new fixed and handheld shower head combination. Your existing shower arm will work in most cases, and there isn’t much work involved in the installation.
Most combination shower head sets come with all the parts needed for installing the set on an existing shower arm.
Mix and Match?
If you’re wanting to mix and match your fixed and handheld shower head, e.g. not buy a pre-packaged set, then you’ll need to think about a few things.
- Some shower heads, such as rain style, will need a more extended shower arm than a typical fixed shower head. You can add an adjustable extension to avoid replacing your existing shower arm.
- Each handheld has a dock designed to fit that specific shower head, and since you may be using an unrelated fixed shower head, you’ll need to mount the dock on the wall next to the fixed shower head.
- Handhelds are great if you require seated showering or have pets that you frequently bathe. Getting a handheld shower head with a height-adjustable slide bar adds even more convenience.
First up, we have the Caspian handheld, and below you can check out some more options.
Speakman VS-3014 Caspian Anystream Shower Head
The Caspian is similar in spray pattern and style to the S-3010 Neo fixed shower head we looked at above. You get 5 adjustable jets that produce 40 individual sprays, and a 60-inch metal hose and bracket. Many handheld shower heads do not come with metal hoses, and the coating on plastic hoses sometimes deteriorate rather fast, so it’s nice to see metal at this price point.
One of the common issues with handheld shower heads is being able to reliably position them in their dock and keep them pointed in the right directed when you’re using them like a fixed shower head.
Maybe the hose gets tangled or flexes and the shower head twists as a result. Even bumping the hose with your arm can sometimes cause the shower head to need repositioning.
In any case, using a combination of a fixed and handheld shower head is a popular choice that allows you to go from one to the other by adjusting a valve. Then you don’t have to worry about the handheld positioning.
If you think the combination shower head system is what you need, then keep in mind there are a ton of ways to do it and many different shower heads to choose from.
The combination systems are convenient in that you can be sure the individual parts will connect together as intended, and there would be no question about responsibility if a warranty issue arose.
Other Combination Shower Head Options
Check out our review of combination shower heads from a variety of manufacturers, including Speakman, for a list of more options in this category.
You can use the images below as a guide to see how each model mounts. Some require you to mount the handheld separate from the fixed shower head, while others have the dock built into the diverter valve.
The Chelsea has an adjustable slide bar, that’s also ADA compliant, for changing the height of the handheld position. This is great if you need to shower while sitting or need to wash animals.
  | Speakman VS-113014-BN Caspian Anystream Shower Head | Check Price |
  | Speakman VS-123011 Chelsea Anystream Shower Head | Check Price |
  | Speakman VS-233014 Caspian Anystream Shower Head | Check Price |
  | Speakman VS-232007 Napa Anytream Shower Head | Check Price |
About Speakman
Speakman is a major player in the plumbing business since 1869, so it is no surprise that they have high-quality options available when it comes to shower heads. They specialize in fixed shower heads capable of transforming low-water pressure into forceful, fully-adjustable sprays. You’re not going to find a Speakman with 12 spray patterns and LED lights. These shower heads have it where it counts.
Why Choose a Speakman Shower Head?
Majority of people run into a Speakman shower head in a hotel they stayed in on vacation and fell in love, or just word of mouth. Many hotels use Speakman shower heads due to their durability and low cost. The solid brass models are very reliable. Many shower heads these days are plastic covered with a metallic finish. The core components are plastic and won’t stand up to the test of time like solid metal.
Regarding performance, some models perform exceptionally well in low-pressure conditions, which can improve your shower experience, or help with water conservation efforts. Specifically, the Speakman Reaction is engineered to keep flow to a minimum without the user noticing a reduced flow rate. For commercial applications, this can mean significant reductions in water costs.
Beyond that:
Many of the models that are currently available from Speakman have a solid brass body and a polished chrome finish. This design gives a traditional bathroom a classy look at an affordable cost.
Removing the Flow Restrictor