Before you buy...

1) Select your shower

Mixer showers take water from your hot and cold supplies and mix it to your ideal temperature. If you have a low-pressure system, a seperate pump increases flow.

Power showers work like standard mixer showers, but feature a built-in pump that boosts the flow of water - they're ideal if you have a low-pressure system and don't want the faff of fitting your mixer with a pump.

Digital mixers allow the water flow and temperature to be controlled more precisely, plus the mixer can be installed remotely, meaning less pipework in your bathroom.

Electric showers take water from your mains cold-water supply and warm it over heating elements in the unit. As they're independent from your hot-water system, they're suitable for any home.

2) Add a drop of technology

Digital showers have features such as a timer, so you can save water, and 'warm-up', which heats the water to your idealtempertaure, then stops the flow until you're ready to get in. Meanwhile, the latest electric showers feature mood-enhancing LEDs and limescale-resistant elements that help your shower last longer.

Swirl thermostatic mixer shower, £159.57, Screwfix

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Chosen by Ideal Home

Photograph by Jamie Mason