The Best Shower Valve Options - Top Picks by Bob Vila

By Tom Scalisi

Updated on Jan 13, 2025

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Shower valves are the components in showers that control water temperature and the rate of water flow. Choosing the wrong valve—or worse, a low-quality product—can result in a poor fit and may lead to leaks. To help you select the proper option for your bathroom and budget, we researched dozens of popular shower valves and reached out to a plumbing expert for insights on shower valve types and key features.

Based on the expert’s knowledge and our team’s research, we chose the Hansgrohe iBox Universal Plus Rough Shower Valve as the best overall option for most users. This universal valve has an adjustable depth collar, durable brass construction, and a leak-preventing design. It might be the right choice for your DIY shower valve replacement, but one of our other top picks could also offer a great fit for your shower. Keep reading to see which of the best shower valves will work for you.

Check out this collection of some of the best shower valves you can buy to replace or upgrade your existing model. From high-tech to super simple, there is a wide range of options for updating showers indoors and out.

The Hansgrohe iBox Universal Leak Preventing Valve is all about flexibility—for use and installation now and in the future. As a rough-in valve that works with any Hansgrohe or Axor shower trim, including The Hansgrohe iBox universal shower control valve is all about flexibility—for use and installation now and in the future. As a rough-in valve that works with any Hansgrohe or Axor shower trim, including pressure-balance and thermostatic, it allows users to maintain and update their showers at any point. There’s an adjustable depth collar meant to fit most wall thicknesses, and it mounts directly to the wall studs, providing extra strength and stability from water hammer or multiple showers each day.

This Hansgrohe iBox can supply multiple shower outlets, including a shower head, tub spout, and handheld shower wand. Its PVC housing was designed to help reduce in-wall vibrations and noise, allowing for a quiet and relaxing shower. However, it does require a trim kit, so you’ll need to buy and install shower valve trim separately.

Get the Hansgrohe shower valve at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Build With Ferguson, or Hansgrohe.

The Grohe Pressure Balance Rough-In Valve is a worthy contender for anyone on the hunt for a quality sThe Grohe Grohsafe pressure-balance rough-in valve is a worthy contender for anyone on the hunt for a quality shower valve at an affordable price. It has two inlets for hot and cold water and two outlets for a shower head and a tub. For those who prefer to use just the tub spout or shower head, there’s a plug to seal off the other outlet. This pressure-balance valve works with any Grohe trim kit, though no kit comes with purchase.

This shower valve has a wide range of temperature adjustability, rotating 265 degrees between handle stops so users can make small adjustments. It also has built-in check valves to prevent back-feeding hot or cold water into the other line. For maintenance, the Grohe features two built-in shutoffs for working leak-free within the wall.

Get the Grohe shower valve at Amazon.

Dialing in the perfect temperature is now easier. The Moen Smart Shower Digital Thermostatic Valve lets uDialing in the perfect temperature is easy with the Moen Smart Shower digital thermostatic valve. This valve is the foundation for building a smart shower system that lets you adjust the shower temperature from your phone when paired with a Moen Shower Smart Controller (sold separately). It uses a thermostatic shower mixer valve to adjust for consistent temperature and installs easily in a standard 2×4 stud wall.

This shower valve has 0.5-inch inlets and outlets, and it will work with both the tub spout and shower head (or a handheld shower in place of the spout). It also comes with a 30-foot-long data cable and necessary power supply unit, though users can also upgrade to a separate battery backup if desired.

Get the Moen shower valve at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, Build With Ferguson, or Moen.

Whether upgrading an old shower or installing a new one, consider the Delta Faucet Ashlyn shower faucet. This pick is sold as a complete kit, meaning it includes the necessary components to revamp current shower trim, including a pressure-balance valve, a shower head, a tub spout, and hardware. It comes in four different finishes—Venetian bronze, matte black, stainless, and chrome—to suit your bathroom’s decor.

The rough-in valve itself features universal 0.5-inch inlet and outlet fittings, allowing users to replace most older valves without coupling up or down in pipe size. Its pressure-balance functionality maintains a set temperature within plus or minus 3.6 degrees, eliminating the negative effects of flushing toilets or using washing machines. This valve only features one outlet, however, so it’s only suitable for showers.

Get the Delta Faucet shower valve (various finishes) at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Wayfair.

Shower head valves can be finicky, especially in homes with hard water. If your diverter valve isn’t working properly, it may be time to upgrade to this model from Mingor-Style, which features durable one-piece brass construction that can withstand hard water situations. It comes with the necessary O-rings for installation and is available in four finishes to match chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, or oil-rubbed bronze shower trim.

For users who don’t already have a separate shower wand, this diverter valve allows for an easy installation, as it threads onto the pipe behind the shower head. When the handle is 180 degrees backward, all of the water will flow to the wand. When it’s 180 degrees forward, all the water will exit through the shower head. At 90 degrees, it mixes both outlets equally. Keep in mind that this valve doesn’t mix hot and cold water, however, so a basic shower valve kit is still necessary.

Get the Mingor-Style shower valve at Amazon.

Kids forgetting to turn off an outdoor shower can turn into a disaster for the wallet, and it’s especially bForgetting to turn off an outdoor shower can be disastrous, especially for those using well water or living under drought conditions. This stand-alone EZ-Flo self-closing shower valve installs directly in line with an existing shower head and will operate as long as there is tension on the pull chain. After releasing the chain, it automatically shuts off to conserve water.

This valve’s brass construction and chrome finish make it a durable choice for outdoor applications. It features a 0.5-inch inlet and outlet, allowing for direct installation of most water-supply pipe fittings.

Pro tip: Be sure to drain the outdoor shower’s pipes before winter and install a catch to hold the pull chain open to lessen the chances of a pipe bursting.

Get the EZ-Flo shower valve at Amazon, Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

TThose looking for a stylish upgrade for a clawfoot tub or luxury shower should check out the Kingston Brass wall-mount tub faucet. Using its two-hole installation pattern, this kit installs as a wall-mounted unit for shower applications or attaches directly to a clawfoot tub’s plumbing. It has two stand-alone valves for adjusting to the perfect temperature and features a built-in tub spout with a 59-inch shower wand that rests on the spout. It comes in nine finishes, including chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, and antique brass.

Though this model looks charmingly old-fashioned on its surface, it still features a durable all-brass body (regardless of finish) and drip-free quarter-turn valve cartridges, helping to avoid the small leaks for which older tubs are notorious.

Get the Kingston shower valve (various finishes) at Amazon, Wayfair, Build With Ferguson, or Kingston Brass.

To create a list of the best shower valves, we performed extensive product research, drew upon our team’s DIY plumbing knowledge, and spoke to Sam Chmielarski, licensed plumber and owner of Full Flow Plumbing and Drainage. After identifying dozens of potential options, we narrowed our recommendations to just seven based on features, materials, and overall value. The resulting list is made only of models we’d feel good installing in our own homes and suggesting you use in yours.

Believe it or not, there is more to a shower valve than simply twisting a knob and letting the water flow. The following are some of the most important considerations to keep in mind when choosing the best shower valve.

Generally speaking, there are three basic types of shower valves: diverter, thermostatic, and pressure-balancing. Each works differently, so it pays to understand them before purchasing one.

There are also stand-alone shower faucets with individual valves for hot and cold water. These valves are much simpler, though often more expensive. It’s also important to know that the term “rough-in” refers to the shower valve cartridge itself, which the plumber installs during the rough-in phase of construction. A rough-in valve won’t have trim kit components, such as the ring plate, handle, or other finished fixtures.

Shower valves have varying numbers of outlets. Since each outlet will feed a fixture, having the proper number is important.

For example, folks with a simple shower head can get away with a shower valve with just one outlet. Those with a shower head and spout will need two outlets. Those with body jets will require three outlets, and so on.

It’s best to come up with a plan for the shower before choosing the shower valve. This will ensure enough outlets for the plan at hand, allowing DIYers to build the shower of their dreams.

Shower valves are typically tucked behind a wall somewhere with relatively limited access. For that reason, it’s important to ensure that any valve chosen features durable materials that will last for years.

The best material for plumbing fixtures is almost always brass; it’s durable and doesn’t rust. Next, look for copper shower valves. Worry less about plastics and more about the metal materials housing the cartridges that adjust the temperatures.

If you still have questions about choosing the best shower valves, the following answers to common questions should help.

A shower valve controls the flow of water into a shower. Some shower valves mix water together to create desired temperatures.

Some valves are listed as universal, but not all. You’ll need to read the valve’s packaging to determine if you’re looking at a universal shower valve.

The most common shower valve is a pressure-balancing valve with both shower and spout ports.

Yes! You can find a full set of steps in our How To Replace a Shower Valve guide, but the basics are as follows:1. Turn off the water2. Gain access to the valve by removing the knob and trim from the front3. Cut or remove the existing shower valve at the pipes4. Clean up the cuts and solder in the new valveStill, as licensed plumber Sam Chmielarski points out, DIYers will want to proceed with some caution, as “Plumbing is regulated work for compliance and insurance purposes. An incorrect installation could potentially cause a hidden leak behind a wall, cosmetic and structural damage to your home, and void an insurance claim.”

According to Sam Chmielarski, “These valves limit water pressure to a safe level, protecting your valves, faucets, and fixtures. However, if you have multiple people using the plumbing system at the same time, for example, flushing a toilet while someone is showering, they could experience a drop in pressure and changes in water temperature.”

Sam Chmielarski says that “a good quality brass thermostatic shower valve can last up to 20 years. Plastic or lower-grade metal shower valves may last around 10 years.” He also points out that your home’s water quality can impact longevity, as hard water causes scale buildup that reduces a shower valve’s lifespan.

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Contributing Writer

Tom Scalisi is a writer for some of the largest DIY and construction-related websites in the world. He has a passion for building: he loves creating something from the ground up, stepping back, and admiring a job well done.

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