Our top picks: Best Shower Valve of 2025
A shower valve is a plumbing component that allows you to control the water flow, pressure, and even temperature of your shower.
Because it is a must-have in almost every bathroom, there has been an increase in the variety of these valves as different people require different types of them.
As a result, it can be a little bit difficult to find a good valve that suits your needs if don’t know what to look for. However, this article looks at 10 of the best shower valves in the market, with a view to helping you easily find the most suitable product for your shower.
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Best Shower Valves Review
- Delta Shower Arm — $22.58
- Delta Faucet U4929-PK — $37.49
- Speakman VS-118-BN — $37.54
- Moen CL703BN Non-Pivoting — $68.00
-
Moen 2510 Brass
—
$85.72
$89.99 - Delta Faucet R22000 — $144.36
Below are some of the best products in the market. Go through the list and pick the shower valve that you prefer the most.
1. Moen CL703BN Shower Arm Diverter
Moen’s CL703BN is a 2-way shower diverter that allows you to control the water flow rate to a shower head and a hand shower independently, or to both at the same time. This gives you the flexibility of using either the head or hand shower according to which one you prefer most.
Construction-wise, the product is made out of solid metal, which makes it very strong and durable. This metallic body is then covered using brushed nickel, giving it a good-looking and rust-proof finish that matches with most shower interior decors.
Apart from this, the diverter is also available in chrome and oil-rubbed bronze finishes, giving you different options that you can use to match your bathroom’s interior decor.
In terms of size, this valve has 1/2-inch threaded connections, in an IPS connection type, which gives it sort of a universal fit that can connect to most shower arms across the plumbing lines of most showers.
Other features include an easy-to-use turn lever for controlling the two independent and one shared functions.
Features at a glance
- 2-way diverter for controlling a shower head and hand shower independently or both at the same time.
- Strong and durable solid metal construction.
- Available in brushed nickel, chrome, and oil-rubbed bronze finishes.
- 1/2-inch threaded size with an IPS connection type.
- Easy to use turn lever.
2. Mingor Brass Shower Arm Diverter Valve
At first look, the shiny finish of Mingor’s shower diverter is what catches your eye. This is because the unit has a polished chrome finish, which makes it aesthetically good-looking, rust-proof, and also easy to clean once installed.
On the inside, however, the valve is made of a seamless mold of solid brass, which gives it a simple internal design that is very strong and still maintains the rustproof properties of brass, making it very durable.
For the connections, this diverter has a G1/2 female interface for the inlet with a swivel nut for installing it to the shower arm and adjusting its angle to any position when doing the installation. This nut also allows you to change the position easily after installation.
For the outlet, two G1/2 male outlets are used to direct the water to a shower head and a hand shower. This means that you can easily switch the water flow between these two or shut them all at once. Other features include an easy-to-use turn lever and 3 rubber gaskets for a watertight installation.
Features at a glance
- Shiny and rust-proof polished chrome finish.
- Strong and durable solid brass construction.
- G1/2 female inlet with a swivel nut for easy installation and adjusting the angle when doing the installation.
- Two G1/2 male outlets for connecting to a shower head and hand shower.
- Comes with 3 rubber for a watertight installation.
3. Delta Faucet U4929-PK 3-Way Shower Arm Diverter
Delta Faucet’s U4929-PK is a 3-way shower arm diverter that can be used to control the water flow rate to a shower head or a hand shower or both at the same time.
This is made possible by two of its 1/2-inch male outlets, in which each has an IPS connection type that makes it easy-to-fit to most 1/2-inch-sized metallic joints.
For the inlet, a 1/2-inch IPS female interface is used and it features a swivel nut that is used to install it to the shower arm and also to adjust it to any angle so as to position it well during and after installation.
Structurally, the diverter has a solid brass construction, which makes it very strong. Apart from this, brass is also rust-proof and this makes it very durable.
On the outside, the unit has a polished chrome color that gives it a shiny, metallic finish, which blends well with most shower arms and shower decor.
Other than this, the valve is also available in polished brass, stainless, and Venetian bronze finishes, giving you multiple options to choose from for matching your bathroom’s interior.
Features at a glance
- 3-way diverter for controlling water flow to a shower head and hand shower.
- Two 1/2-inch IPS male outlets.
- 1/2-inch IPS female inlet with a swivel nut for installation.
- Strong and durable solid brass construction.
- Available in polished chrome, polished brass, stainless, and Venetian bronze color finishes.
- ADA flip lever control.
4. Delta Shower Arm Diverter for Hand Shower
Delta Faucet’s U4922-PK is quite similar to the U4929-PK above in terms of having a brass construction that is very strong and rust-resistant for durability purposes. This is topped off by a chrome coating, which gives it a shiny surface that is aesthetically good-looking and easy to clean.
In terms of use, this unit uses a lever control to ensure that water flows through one outlet at a time. However, it does not allow water to flow through these outlets at the same time, and thus, once installed, you can either use your shower head or hand shower at a time.
For these outlets, two 1/2-inch IPS male threaded interfaces are used, and these enable you to connect the valve to most metallic shower arms or pipes (brass, GI, stainless steel, etc.).
To get the water in, a 1/2-inch female inlet is used, but this one has no swivel nut. Therefore, when doing the installation, you have to rotate the whole unit around the shower arm until it is tight and in the right position that you want.
Features at a glance
- Strong and durable brass construction.
- Chrome coating gives it a shiny surface that is aesthetically good-looking and easy to clean.
- Lever control ensures water flows through one outlet at a time.
- Two 1/2-inch IPS male threaded outlets.
- A 1/2-inch IPS female threaded inlet with no swivel nut.
5. Kiarog Shower Arm Diverter for Hand Shower
Kiarog’s shower arm diverter is a very affordable product but this does not mean it is substandard. In fact, it is also the top-rated shower valve in this review and this shows that it is a high-quality product that is worth checking out.
Well, the unit is a 2-way diverter that is designed to switch the water flow from one outlet to the other and vice versa, allowing water to flow only through one channel at a time. This means that once installed, you can only use either your stationary shower head or handheld shower at a time.
Structurally, the unit is made out of brass that is then covered in a chrome outer coating. This ensures that it is strong and durable, especially because brass is rust-resistant. The chrome finish gives it a shiny, attractive finish that is also rust-resistant and very easy to clean.
In terms of compatibility, 1/2-inch male outlets are used to connect to the shower head and hand-held shower while a 1/2-inch female inlet connects to the shower arm to let in the water. This size makes the valve compatible with standard showers.
Features at a glance
- Affordable.
- 2-way diverter that is designed to let the water flow through only one outlet at a time.
- Strong and durable brass construction.
- Attractive and easy-to-clean chrome finish.
- Two 1/2-inch male outlets.
- One 1/2-inch female inlet.
- Lever control.
6. HOMEIDEAS 3-Way Shower Arm Diverter
Homeideas’ 3-way shower arm diverter is quite unique because it has a plastic construction that makes it very lightweight. However, it is not weak because this construction actually constitutes of Engineering Grade ABS plastic that is non-recycled, which is a very tough material.
Apart from being tough, plastic is also rust-resistant, making the valve very durable. Additionally, it is coated in a brushed nickel finish, which gives it a more attractive metal-like finish that will blend well with any shower arm and head.
If this color is not suitable for you, there are 2 other options, which include an oil-rubbed bronze and a polished chrome finish, to choose from.
In terms of use, this unit can divert water to either one of its outlets separately or to both of them together. This means that you can run both your showerhead and hand-held shower simultaneously or run each one separately.
These shower connections are made through two 1/2-inch, straight-threaded, IPS male outlets while the water is let in through a 1/2-inch straight-threaded, IPS female inlet that has a copper swivel nut for easy installation to the shower arm and also for easy positioning when doing the installation.
Other features include a hand-held shower holder, which gives the convenience of placing your handheld shower within close reach.
Features at a glance
- 3-way shower arm valve that can feed both a showerhead and handheld shower together, or each one individually.
- Non-recycled, Engineering Grade ABS plastic construction.
- Available in brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze, and polished chrome finishes.
- Two 1/2-inch, straight-threaded, IPS male outlets.
- A 1/2-inch, straight-threaded, IPS female inlet.
- Hand-held shower mounting.
7. Delta Faucet 50650-RB 3-Way Shower Arm
Delta Faucet’s 50650-RB has all the signature quality features that this brand is known for. For starters, the unit has a sturdy brass construction, which makes it very tough. This also ensures that the diverter is very durable because brass is rust-resistant.
In terms of use, this product features one inlet and two outlets that are all a 1/2 inch in size, which is like the universal fit among many shower heads. With this setup, water is diverted between a shower head and a handheld shower or supplies them both, making it a 3-way diverter.
However, it does not have a mounting for the handheld shower and thus, you must find a way to wall-mount it for convenience and easy reach.
On the finish, this unit is available in a number of them and they include Venetian bronze, stainless, polished brass, aged pewter, champagne bronze, chrome, and pearl nickel. This gives you plenty of options to choose from according to your preference.
Features at a glance
- Strong and durable brass construction.
- One inlet and two outlets, all 1/2 inch in size.
- No handheld shower mounting.
- Available in a number of finishes.
- Swivel for quick and easy installation.
8. KES Brass Shower Arm Diverter
KES’ shower arm diverter is also a relatively affordable product but it maintains very high standards in both its construction and performance. Structurally, the unit is made from a solid, one-piece brass-constructed body, which is very strong and durable.
This strong body is coupled with a zinc alloy handle/lever, while the whole piece is coated in either polished chrome, brushed nickel, or oil-rubbed bronze finishes, giving you multiple rust-resistant and aesthetically good-looking options to choose from so as to find one that matches your bathroom’s interior decor.
On the inside, this unit features an advanced ceramic disc cartridge that diverts 100% of the water flow to either the handheld shower or the fixed shower head, but not both.
For the interfaces, a G1/2 female inlet is featured for connecting to a shower arm while two G1/2 male outlets direct the water to either of the showers.
Features at a glance
- Affordable.
- Strong and durable one-piece brass constructed body.
- Zinc alloy handle.
- Available in polished chrome, brushed nickel, and oil-rubbed bronze finishes.
- Advanced ceramic disc cartridge for water diversion.
- One G1/2 female inlet and two G1/2 male outlets.
9. Speakman VS-118-BN Shower Diverter
Speakman’s VS-118-BN is a brushed-nickel finished shower diverter that easily mounts a fixed shower head on one of its standard-sized 1/2-inch outlets, and also easily mounts a handheld showerhead on its holder, making it very convenient since it places the shower within easy reach.
For the inlet, a 1/2-inch interface is used and it features a swivel nut that makes it almost effortless to install the unit on any shower arm and also adjust its position.
Apart from this, there is the option of a polished chrome finish, leaving you with two varieties to choose from as per your preference.
Construction-wise, the unit is made of sturdy plastic material, and this makes it lightweight while the outer metallic coating covers it up so as to look and play the part.
Features at a glance
- Equipped with a handheld shower mounting.
- Available in brushed nickel and polished chrome finishes.
- Standard-sized 1/2-inch inlet and outlets.
- Sturdy plastic construction.
10. Delta Faucet R22000 Multichoice
Delta Faucet’s R22000 is the most expensive shower valve in this review, but it has a lot to offer. For starters, the unit has a very strong and solid construction, owing to its one-piece forged valve body that has no stops.
Even though it comes as a rough-in diverter only, the unit features a pressure balance valve that gives it the ability to monitor and keep water temperatures within a safe +/-3 degree F. This helps to protect you from sudden changes in hot or cold water pressure.
Unlike other shower valves, the R22000 should be mounted inside the wall as opposed to being connected to a shower arm. This makes it a little bit harder to install, and either of Delta Faucet’s 13/14S should accompany it, 17S or 17T handles for use. Other features include a back-to-back installation capability.
Features at a glance
- Very costly.
- Strong and solid one-piece forged body construction.
- Rough-in only.
- Contains a pressure balance valve that keeps water temperatures within a safe +/-3 degree F.
- Should be mounted in the wall and used with either Delta Faucet’s 13/14S, 17S, or 17T handles.
- Back-to-back installation capability.
Consider Before Buying the Best Shower Valves
Before buying a shower valve, there are a couple of things that you need to consider. These are:
Size
Most shower arms, shower heads, and handheld shower pipes usually have 1/2-inch connections and thus, these require a similarly sized shower valve so as to fit. Similarly, most shower valves come in this size so as to have a standard fit.
However, there are exceptions and to avoid buying a product that does not fit, always ensure that you check the size of your plumbing’s interfaces before buying a valve/ diverter.
Connection type
In addition to checking the size, you should also ensure that you buy a valve that has a matching connection type/ standard as your shower’s type. The three main ones are G type (British standard), IPS (Iron Pipe Size), and NPT (National Pipe Thread).
Since this can be a little bit difficult to determine, the best thing would be to check the part number of your shower, then search for its features online and look for its connection type. With this information, buy the appropriate shower valve.
Material
Since it will be used in a wet environment, a shower valve should be made of a rust-resistant material that is strong and durable. Brass is the most commonly used material because it has these exact properties.
However, there are some plastic-made shower valves and although the plastic used is usually a tough one, it still does not compare to a solid brass construction.
Plastic valves though are usually cheaper and thus, if you are on a tight budget, this valve is the best option to consider.
Flow control
This is a very important factor to consider because it directly affects the shower experience. Some valves allow you to control the flow to either your handheld shower or to your overhead unit, but not both of them together.
On the other hand, other diverters enable you to control the water flow to these two showers independently or run them concurrently.
Of course, this 3-way kind of diverter/ valve is better off but it is usually more expensive than the unit that cannot run both showers concurrently. Therefore, if you can afford it, then buy a 3-way valve. Otherwise, the other option is still good enough.
Finish
Whether it’s made using plastic or brass, a shower valve is usually covered using an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-clean metallic coating such as polished chrome or Venetian bronze.
These different types of finishes are meant to give you options to choose from so that you can buy a color that will blend in well with your current plumbing lines or your bathroom’s interior decor.
Although color does not affect performance, it is recommended to get a matching color so as to make your shower look neat and organized.
Conclusion
A shower valve is a necessary component if you want to have both an overhead and handheld shower. However, as you can see above, there is quite a lot about these units that you learn about before buying one for your home.
The good thing though is that after going through the content above, you should be in a better position to pick the best shower valve that suits your needs.
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