Discover The Best Mixer Showers: Top 10 Mixer Valves Reviewed

So, you are in eager search of a new shower mixer, but not sure where to start because of the array of different types and brands on offer? Not to worry….

In this guide, we focus purely on the best mixer showers that require and hot and cold water supply in both regular and thermostatic valves, so if you are looking for power showers, electric showers or digital showers then check out our other guides featured on the website.

We spent nearly 40 hours analysing over 60 popular UK models to find a mixer shower that suits all price ranges in different designs and configurations, such as concealed and surfaced mounted mixer showers:

We also consider models for high-pressure setups such as unvented and combi-boiler systems as well as low-pressure gravity-fed systems.

Build quality, functionality and of course features.

Below you will see the shower mixers that ticked all the boxes (and a couple to avoid)

Ultimately it was the Hansgrohe Exostat 1001 CL that earned our Editor’s Choice award as it scored highly in all the areas we look for when choosing the best shower mixer.

But if you still want the quality but are more price conscious, the Bristan Frenzy comes in under £100 and takes our budget pick mixer shower and for good reason. More on this model later.

And if our editors and budget pick are not for you? Don’t worry, we’ve picked an assortment of mixer showers to suit all budgets and requirements.

Our Best Shower Mixer Picks

Editor’s Choice – A Great Allrounder with Eco-Friendliness

Hansgrohe Ecostat 1001 CL Thermostatic Mixer Shower

You will have to go a long way to beat the Hansgrohe Ecostat thermostatic mixer shower for quality and value for money, with over £10,000 worth a monthly sales revenue on Amazon alone, you know you are in good hands with this sleek thermostatic bar mixer. The reviews alone paint the picture of this versatile mixer.

A thermostatic unit that promises to provide constant water temperature and volume throughout its lifetime, fitted with a temperature safety lock at 40 degrees, a perfect choice if you have any young kids that need protection from any accidental scalding.

For the eco-conscious, the Ecostop feature reduces water flow consumption down to 10 litres per minute (from around 15 litres/minute) Every penny saved counts as they say.

Simple sleek design from a top brand, and made to last which they back up with their 5-year warranty

If you’re on a smaller budget, or have low water pressure( this model not really suitable for gravity-fed unless you have a pump fitted) Then our next pick is for you.

Strong points:
  • Thermostat lock – The unit features a safety lock set at 40 degrees Celsius. It automatically locks at that temperature, ensuring that your family is protected against scalding-hot water and no cold water shocks over the head either.
  • Ecostop button – This feature limits water consumption to 10 litres per minute.
  • Bath-tub end mountable – You can fit this unit onto your bath rim, provided that you purchase pillar unions, which you can also purchase from the supplier.
  • Perfect for high-pressure combi boiler or unvented water systems.
  • Gradual and safe temperature change from hot to cold and vice versa
Technical specifications:
  • Thermostatic Mixer Shower
  • Package weight and dimensions – 10 x 29.6 x 6.8 cm; 2.36 Kilograms
  • Maximum Water pressure – 10 bar (minimum = 1 bar)
  • Finish – Polished
  • Material – Handles made of metal
  • Plug Profile/Installation – Deck mount

This Hansgrohe Ecostat scores the highest for environmental sensitivity and protection.

Best Mixer Shower for Low Water Pressure

Bristan H0920 FRENZY Contemporary Cool Touch Bar Mixer

The Bristan H0920 FRENZY (another Bristan unit is featured later) is the master of providing cool technology that ensures users are perfectly safe from getting burned. This is the unit we found to have the ultimate scalding-free protection.

There is a flexibility feature where, whatever pressure system you have, the unit can just perfectly blend in. Good for both low-pressure and high-pressure systems.

Easy installation is a strong point for this unit, though some customers reported a weird noise and loose thermostat fitting after a short period of use.

Perfect choice if you don’t have a pressurised system such as a combi-boiler or unvented system. This Bristan Frenzy mixer will work with just 0.2 bar of pressure so idea on a gravity fed system.

The manufacturer claims that they perform over 20,000 cycles of rigorous test on their products. Sad thing is, we have no way of confirming the claim.

Strong points:
  • Cool touch technology – There is no way you will ever touch a hot valve with this unit. The technology makes cool water surround hot water during use, and there is a separate set of controls for water flow and temperature.
  • Perfect for low-water pressure gravity fed systems. 
  • Wall-fixing kit supplied – One of this unit’s strongest selling points is the installation kit that comes with it. Easy installation is guaranteed.
  • Aesthetics – The unit comes in a sleek shiny, chrome-plated finish.
Technical specifications:
  • Requires just 0.2bar water pressure
  • Package weight and dimensions – Shower valve only; 1.75 kilograms
  • Maximum water pressure 5.0 bar – suitable for combi boiler, unvented or gravity-fed system
  • Finish – Chrome
  • Material – Chrome, brass
  • Plug Profile/Installation – Wall mount

Best Value for Money Surfaced Mounted Mixer Shower

Hansgrohe Focus Mixer Shower

Compared to its brother the Ecostat featured above, this Hansgrohe Focus unit comes with a water flow rate of 22 litres per minute. In case you’re looking for a higher water flow rate but still with high-pressure and from the same brand, this is it.

However, the Focus does not come with a thermostat unlike the Ecostat. So, this unit is a mechanical mixer. Despite that, the temperature control for this unit is good and it regulates the temperature easily.

On the side of functionality, this is a unit you can attach above your bathtub or on the wall in your shower. A simple no frills wall mounted mixer shower

Strong points:
  • Handle – Comes with one lever that controls both water flow and temperature
  • Installation – A well-made product and easy to install. Great value for money.
  • Aesthetics – Attractive, modern design
Technical specifications:
  • Standard Lever Non-Thermostatic Mixer
  • Package weight and dimensions – 25 x 20.3 x 16.1 cm; 1.99 Kilograms
  • Maximum water pressure – 10 bar (minimum = 1 bar)
  • Finish – Polished
  • Material – Chrome
  • Plug Profile/Installation – Wall mount

This chrome-made unit comes with an affordable pricing, high water flow rate, easy installation system and easy temperature control.

Best Easy Clean Single Lever Mixer with a 5 Year Warranty

GROHE BauEdge | Bathroom Faucet – Single Lever Shower Mixer

The GROHE BauEdge (we feature another Grohe unit below) is a German-manufactured single-lever shower mixer that also comes with a reasonable price tag, but it stands out the most in the aspect of ease of cleaning. Thanks to its Starlight feature.

The Starlight features a chrome coating, which provides a bright surface that resists scratches and stains while maintaining its original shine. This unit only needs wiping with a dry cloth for maintenance.

This Grohe unit also boasts of its SilkMove feature. With this feature, the unit allows for the smoothest and the most precise lever drive.

Strong points:
  • Ease of cleaning and low maintenance – A piece of dry cloth is all you need to keep it shiny, clean, stain-free, and scratch-free.
  • Pocket-friendly – One of the cheapest options in the market
  • SilkMove experience – Sturdy construction with a handle that turns slickly when adjusting the temperature or when switching from bath to shower
Technical specifications:
  • Standard Lever Non-Thermostatic Mixer
  • Package weight and dimensions – 16 x 20 x 12 cm; 1.44 Kilograms
  • Maximum water pressure – 1 to 5 bar
  • Finish – Chrome
  • Material – Ceramic
  • Plug Profile/Installation – Wall mount

With its shiny finish and high resistance to stain and scratches, cleaning and maintaining the BauEdge definitely becomes the most time-efficient and easiest of tasks to do.

Best Thermostatic Mixer Shower with Diveter

Bristan AR3 SHCVO C Artisan Recessed Thermostatic Dual Control Shower Valve

At a little over twice the price of its brother Bristan FRENZY, the Bristan AR3 SHCVO thermostatic valve is made for a range of cavity sizes (45 – 75 mm) and water supply temperature. The coldest that it can supply is 5 degrees Celsius and the hottest 80 degrees Celsius.

The unit comes with a flow rate of only 8 litres per minute at 0.2 bar. True enough, you can significantly lower your water bill with this unit, but just in case the need comes, you can switch to a higher-pressure rate of 5 bar for flexibility.

The look is modern and sophisticated. The slight downside is a lot of its inside is plastic and ceramic with chrome material on the plate, but on the flip side it does give the option of having two features such as an overhead and handshower thanks to the diverter feature.

Strong points:
  • Deep cavity friendly for flexibility for a simple installation
  • Diverter to allow for overhead shower and hand held shower (your wife will thank you) 
  • Aesthetics – Generally very good looking mixer shower.
Technical specifications:
  • Concealed Thermostatic Mixer Valve
  • Package weight and dimensions – 30.4 x 20.19 x 16.79 cm; 1 Kilogram
  • Maximum water pressure – 5 bar (minimum working pressure = 0.2 bar)
  • Finish – Polished
  • Material – Brass, ceramic
  • Plug Profile/Installation – Wall mount

Best attribute: Diverter for due showerheads 

The wide range of cavity sizes that this unit fits makes it the best option to choose for people with different shower systems and sizes in their home or business.

Best High End Concealed Mixer Shower From a Top Brand

GROHE 34224000 | Avensys Modern Dual Control Mixer Shower

Coming in with a good build quality and top-notch performance is this Grohe unit. While it comes with a different fixing approach to the usual thermostatic units, this model is comparatively easier to mount in place, and when it is mounted, it will give your shower setup that stunning and crisp feel.

Reinforcing the easy fit installation is the presence of two outlets – one at the bottom and one at the top. You can use either of the two to connect to your shower outlet. One of them has a blanking screw cap. Just swap it over and you can use the other outlet that suits your configuration.

This Grohe unit works for both low and high pressure and can work for a combi boiler. This is also a unit that is easy to clean and is scratch-resistant.

Strong points:
  • Installation – Easy to install and comes with a different mounting approach
  • Finish – Deep-layered chrome surface creates a mirror-like sheen
  • Suitable for all plumbing requirements
Technical specifications:
  • Thermostatic Concealed Mixer Shower
  • Package weight and dimensions – 23.8 x 19.8 x 15.6 cm; 4.2 Kilograms
  • Maximum water pressure – 5 bar (minimum = 0.1 bar)
  • Finish – Polished
  • Material – Copper, nickel and chrome
  • Plug Profile/Installation – Single-hole, deck mount

Best Budget Thermostatic Mixer Bar

Solepearl Chrome Thermostatic Shower Mixer Modern Thermostatic Bar Shower Mixer

This is a unit that comes with superb thermostatic control balancing hot and cold water temperature in no time. This is why many users say that any manual manipulation or adjustment is not necessary with this model.

Accommodating a range of hot- and cold-inlet distance of 140 mm to 170 mm, this unit is comparably easy to install. Just connect the left water inlet and the right.

For a budget model this ticks nearly all the boxes, but not to be compared the higher build quality brans featured above.

Nonetheless, this mixer shower is easy to install and comes with an impressive design.
Strong points:
  • Aesthetics and construction – Well-designed and slim
  • Temperature – Quick balancing of hot and cold water temperature
  • Installation – Accommodates a wide range of inlet distance
Technical specifications:
  • Thermostatic Mixer Bar
  • Package weight and dimensions – 38.61 x 10.67 x 7.87 cm; 1.44 Kilograms
  • Maximum water pressure – 5 bar (minimum = 1 bar)
  • Finish – Polished
  • Material – Chrome-plated brass
  • Plug Profile/Installation – Wall mount

Best attribute: Apart from the Price – Intelligent temperature control

The Solepearl comes with a technology that automatically maintains constant water temperature.

Best Thermostatic Mixer with Duel Outlets

Hansgrohe ShowerSelect Thermostatic Mixer for 2 Outlets

ShowerSelect is probably the most expensive unit from Hansgrohe and one of the priciest models available in the market, but for good reason. Designed for high-pressure shower systems, it comes with a great an awesome design, is easy to use, and cleans well with just cloth and water.

In addition, it controls temperature well and the 2 outlets which is ideal if you want an overhead monsoon shower and a hand shower. Simply select the push button and it will turn the 2 outlets on and off.

This is a wall-concealed system, so the base unit should be hidden in the wall behind the plaster. The appearance is tidy and produces a timeless ambience in the shower room.

Strong points:
  • Installation – Concealed installation, helping create a neat and uncluttered setup
  • Scald safe – Comes with a safety stop at 40 degrees Celsius
  • Accessories – Comes with handle, mixing unit, mounting rail, and hand shower
Technical specifications:
  • Concealed Thermostatic Mixer with Dual Outlets
  • Package weight and dimensions – 5.4 x 15.5 x 15.5 cm; 1.47 Kilograms
  • Maximum water pressure – 10 bar (minimum = 1 bar)
  • Finish – Metal cover and finish
  • Material – Knobs made of metal
  • Plug Profile/Installation – Concealed installation

Best attribute: Duel Output Premium Thermostatic Valve

What to Look For In A Mixer Shower

Before rushing into this purchase, take a couple of minutes to consider your options and all of the factors associated with each. Here is a breakdown of the most important factors.

  • Price – While many consumers will have a preference regarding how much to spend, price should not be the only judging factor. Instead, you should also consider the factors below.
  • Design – Although all of these showers serve the same purpose, their designs can be diverse. Do you want the valve surface mounted, or concealed behind a wall.
  • Pressure Controls – When choosing a mixer valve, you should consider whether or not you want to be able to control the pressure of your water (for example to reduce water usage) Some of these offer a water flow rate controller, but this isn’t available with all.
  • Temperature Controls – Each of these valves will give you the ability to adjust the water’s temperature, but they’ll do so differently. Some will only come with a single temperature lever that you simply lift and turn to the desired temperature, whilst better quality and higher priced models will have a thermostatic cartridge fitted to control the temperature (ideal if you have kids and need to avoid accidental scalding)
  • Installation Difficulty When choosing the best mixer valve for your shower, you’ll need to make sure to consider your skill level. Are you capable of installing a highly complex valve? If not, you might want to opt for one that is much easier to install or hire a professional.
  • Low-pressure system If you have a gravity fed system, rather than the likes of a combi boiler, you will be limited to models that require a low water flow rate. Most thermostatic mixer valves require higher levels of pressure and therefore will require a shower pump in line, more details on pumps next.
  • Negative/Positive Head Pump – (You can skip this if you have a combi boiler/pressurised boiler) Check for suitability with the head pump. A negative head pump is used in the case where the pump is located, either at the level or below the cold water tank.

    Otherwise, the pump is located above the cold water tank and the head pump is classified as negative.

    In the products above, the Hansgrohe ShowerSelect requires a negative head pump to match and on the condition that you are running a water pump to supply water to your shower. 

FAQ’s

Conclusion

People have different priorities, but whatever you have in your head, still the most important factor to consider is safety especially if you have young kids using the shower. The mixer must offer protection to the family 

On that note, we would pick the thermostatic valve as the best shower mixer valve– Hansgrohe Ecostat, Hansgrohe SelectShower, and Bristan FRENZY. These are all thermostatic valves that maintain water temperature, so scalding can be prevented.

In the end, as to functionality, we have chosen the Ecostat to be the ultimate winner here.  It is environment-friendly despite its capacity to fit high-pressure systems.

Its ability to modify water temperature gradually is also a big plus for us. If you have any questions or would maybe like to share your first-hand experience with these or other mixer valves, please leave us a comment below.