The Best Shower Pump in 2023

By Ben Victor

Updated: 8th August 2023

The Best Shower Pump to increase your water flow and drastically improve your shower experience!

Included in this guide (scroll):

Flowflex ..

Bristan 2..

Salamande..

Stuart Tu..

Flo-Force..

Stuart Tu..

In my opinion, your shower experience plays a valuable role in your day-to-day quality of life.

Think about it; you take one every day, and most people typically start their days off with one.

The last thing you want is to be frustrated by depressingly low water pressure in the shower, right?

Well, we’ve got just the thing for you — shower pumps (and good ones).

Top Three Shower Pumps

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Installing one of these in your bathroom guarantees excellent water pressure to make sure you start your day “pumped up” and ready to go.

But, the bathroom accessories market is diverse, and the overwhelming number of choices continues to increase by the day.

That’s why we took it upon ourselves to research and present 6 of our favourite shower pumps to order online. Let’s get into it!

Our Best Shower Pump picks

1) Shower Power Booster Inline Shower Pump

Check price on Amazon

First up, we have the Shower Power Booster. It’s an automatic, in-line option that can fit right into your existing shower system, without the need to replace it. With a simple installation, requiring just 3 steps, you won’t need to pay a professional to set it up. The mix of brass and plastic is sturdy yet cost-effective, making it a reliable choice for your household, even if you have a fairly conservative budget to work with.

With a maximum pressure of up to 0.5 bars and able to resist a sustained pressure of 4 bars, it’s a complete whole-house solution, allowing you to say goodbye to low water pressure for good. The Shower Power Booster will deliver around 6-8 litres per minute of flow, all while using just 5% of the amount of energy traditional pumps use. With a feature like that, how could it not be at the top spot?!

Features

Uses much less energy than traditional pumps
Automatic In-Line Shower Pump
Suitable for all Plumbing Systems
Fits any angle or orientation and retro-fit
Easy to install in 3 Steps
Min Flow Rate: 1.8 Litres / Min
Max Flow Rate: 9 Litres / Min
Typical Output: Double your flow 6-8 Litres / Min

2) Bristan 2 Bar Twin Ended Shower Pump

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The runner-up spot goes to the Bristan 2 Bar Twin Ended shower pump. This shower pump is the perfect solution for most average-sized homes to boost the shower pressure in one large or two regular bathrooms. With its 2-bar pressure, it’s perfect for small to medium-sized homes and will get the job done.

Customers love the new pressure this model brings with one even saying that they wish they bought this model years ago. Being that this model comes from an established brand that has been around for 40 years it’s no surprise that this is the case! This model is very simple to install allowing the everyday DIYer to install it without much trouble – though it is always best to enlist a certified professional.

Features

Provides great shower pressure
Single speed twin impeller
2-bar pump pressure
Easy to install

3) Salamander CT75 Xtra Shower Pump

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The next entry comes straight from the UK! It’s the Salamander CT75 Xtra Shower Pump, which deserves a special spot on this list since it’s a regenerative option at a great price. But, before you buy this one, make sure you have a gravity-fed shower system in your bathroom. That’s because this one’s a positive-head shower pump, and it won’t work with a system that has the cold water tank positioned at the same level as your shower head.

With that said, it offers a decent pressure of 2.0 bars, while its twin pump is capable of working with both hot and cold water to give you an invigorating shower experience!

Features

Made out of plastic
Regenerative, positive-head shower pump
Provides maximum pressure of 2.0 bar
Only works with gravity-fed systems

4) Stuart Turner Showermate Shower Pump

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A shower pump is no small investment, and it’s always mentally relieving to have a strong warranty term to back it up. Well, this Stuart Turner Showermate Shower Pump does just that — covering your purchase for a whole 3 years! This WRAS-approved 1.5 bar pump is the ideal choice for people who only wish to boost the water pressure in one large or regular-sized bathroom. With anti-vibration mounting feet, this model will remain stable wherever it is installed, allowing it to focus on its main job of boosting your shower pressure!

Features

WRAS approved
Backed by a 3-year guarantee
Runs very quiet
Anti-vibration mounting feet

5) Flo-Force Shower Pump

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At number 5, we’ve got the Flo-Force Elite Macerator. It’s a submersible-style shower pump that’s made out of plastic. Featuring a relatively minimal all-white design, this option is by far the most affordable option on this list! Even though it doesn’t look the same as your regular shower pumps, it’s an IP54-rated water pressure solution that’s completely safe to install and use in your bathroom. It’s typically used to set up a new bathroom or shower room in another area of your home and is a great option.

Features

Plastic build
Very affordable
Great value for money

6) Stuart Turner Monsoon Twin 3-Bar Shower Pump

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Last, but most definitely not least, we have the Monsoon Twin 3-Bar Shower Pump from Stuart Turner. It’s easily one of the most premium and powerful shower pumps on this list, and you should feel free to go for it if you’re looking for that top-of-the-line experience. With its quality brass construction, it’s extremely robust. That’s why the company offers a class-leading 5-year warranty term to back it up.

Not to mention, the black and brass combination looks great from a purely aesthetic point of view. It also offers max pressure of 3 bar, which is pretty much as high as it gets! It’s also WRAS-approved and runs pretty quiet, so you won’t be making any compromises with this one.

Features

5-year guarantee
WRAS approved
Runs quietly
Robust brass construction
Continuously rated

What features should I look for in a shower pump?

At first glance, all shower pumps look the same, right? But, anybody who has spent even an hour or so researching the market to find the best shower pump will tell you – that is not the case!

From price points to the individual pros and cons of the various types and materials, there’s a lot to learn to make an informed decision!

Don’t worry though, we’ve gathered all the info you need in this short yet in-depth buying guide.

Here’s everything you need to consider to make sure you’re spending your money in the right way.

Shower Pump Pressure Rates

Let’s start with the pressure rates because that’s exactly what you’re getting a shower pump for. Most models will offer either 1.5, 2.5, or 3.0 bar pressure — the higher that number gets, the better the flow rate (and hence your experience). But, not every family uses several bathrooms to shower in (or prefers extremely high pressure), so here’s a mini-guide to help you find the sweet spot for your needs.

1.5 bar

When it comes to pressure rates in shower pumps, 1.5 bar is the entry-level option. It’s good enough to enhance the flow rate of one shower cubicle that has a 100-120mm showerhead.

2.5 bar

If you’ve got more than one small bathroom, this is the way to go. It could also be suitable for a single large bathroom.

3.0 bar

This is as good as it gets, and can easily take care of larger showerheads and multiple bathrooms. It’s fit for a big house with a large family, especially if you’ve got those luxury showerheads with massage options as they can really take advantage of excellent water pressure.

Does It Have a Twin Impeller?

Pressure might be the primary factor to consider as a buyer, but it’s not everything. Another key feature to look for is a twin impeller. Even some 3.0 bar options can miss out on this feature, which is unacceptable for families looking to boost the pressure of both cold and hot water temperatures. You might be able to pass on this feature if you live somewhere with no winters all year round, but for everyone else, a twin impeller is a must-have for a comfortable, balanced shower experience.

Positive and Negative Shower Pumps

Depending on your existing shower system, you may need to get a positive or negative shower pump for your bathroom. So, let’s quickly go through what both mean.

Negative Shower Pumps

A negative shower pump, also called a universal shower pump, works by pressurizing everything inside the pipe — from the mixer valve to the pump. This ensures the pump’s ability to start each time, making it the ideal choice for systems that have the showerhead installed at the same (or higher) height as the cold water tank.

But, negative shower pumps are also compatible with a system that’s gravity-fed (i.e. where the water storage tank’s bottom is at least a meter up from the pump). That’s why it’s called a universal pump, and it’s a safe bet for folks who don’t know what type of system they have in their bathrooms.

Positive Shower Pumps

A positive shower pump relies on gravity and only functions in gravity-fed shower systems. It starts automatically as soon as the water flows down through it toward the showerhead.

Size and Space

If you’ve ever had the chance to see a shower pump in person, you’d know that they can get pretty bulky. That’s why the size of your new installation is something to keep in mind, especially if you don’t have a ton of spare space to work with inside your home. Regenerative ones are the biggest on average, so you might have to rule those out to make sure it fits comfortably in a cosy space.

Before finalizing your decision, remember to double-check the technical details on the product page including the weight, dimensions, and even the material composition of your new shower pump.

Price

The market is diverse enough to have everything you could possibly wish for in a shower pump, but only if you’ve got the budget to pay for those high-end options. These pumps can range in price from £170-£220 for entry-level units and £350-£450 for those top-notch models with all the bells and whistles.

What is the best shower pump?

We found the best shower pump to be the Flowflex SP2B Inline Shower Pump. Besides being incredibly popular online, it uses a lot less energy overall than traditional shower pumps, its suitable for any plumbing system, fits any angle or orientation and even retro-fits, features an easy 3-step install process, doubles your flow of around 6-8 Litres per minute and more!

How long does a shower pump last on average?

Ideally, a shower pump will last about eight years before it starts acting up and needs frequent repairs. Without any unusual interruptions and plumbing issues, most shower pumps will perform smoothly for at least six years or so.

How far can my shower pump be from the shower tray?

In order to meet the wiring regulations requirements, you need to have your shower pump at least 600mm (2 feet) away from your basin or shower tray.

Will my shower pump use a lot of electricity?

It depends upon on a number of different factors on how much electricity your shower pump would use. The Flowflex SP2B Inline Shower Pump, for example, uses a lot less energy than other pumps. Most shower pumps use a small amount of electricity for every shower but it adds up over time and with recent news of energy price increases, it can become quite costly.

Can a shower pump be too powerful?

A water flow that is too powerful can damage your plumbing system. This is why it is important to look carefully at the bar of your chosen shower pump and opt for the correct pump for your requirements.