Our master shower has both - a larger fixed head for him and a handheld on a sliding bar for me. Both have great pressure (delta fixtures) and I actually use both when I shower =)

We have this one. I also like higher water pressure, but I don't like an overhead rain shower. This Grohe has 4 different spray patterns. Here's what it looks like in our shower:

The hose isn't a problem at all if you don't mind the appearance. (I'm sure some are annoying--I have a Grohe and it's totally fine. I also have an old Waterpik(?) that came with the house and it's actually a much better showerhead but it is incredibly ugly. its hose is also not a problem.)

In general it's the showerhead and spray patterns that make it good or bad to me, but the handhelds are great for shower cleaning, dogs, and kids. The adjustable height bar things are REALLY good for smaller kids.

You can get adjustable shower heads without using a handheld. If you just want the option of changing the spray. I love the handheld ones though because it makes cleaning a shower or tub so much easier.

We have two showers, both with handheld only - Delta. No problem with water pressure or bumping into them.

I also put a handheld in my bath (bathtub only) that uses a diverter to send water to the handheld unit. I needed a wall mount, and it was a challenge finding a tub filler only (without a shower) with a diverter that could be wall mounted AND wasn't old fashioned or traditional (most seem to be made for claw-foot type tubs). I finally found one that looked more contemporary at Signature Hardware, an online store, and am very pleased with the unit and their service. During installation, our plumber had questions and was able to talk to a plumber at Signature to help. Yes, there is a small but noticeable drop off in water pressure when you use the handheld unit. There is a holder for the hose when the handheld isn't being used - you really need to make sure that you have this. The hose has never gotten in my way. I love being able to have a bathtub and still use the handheld to wash my hair and clean the tub.

Thanks, all. I definitely know I want a handheld in each shower, it seems worth it for ease of cleaning alone. I hadn't thought about having one in my tub, too, but that's a great idea, mnnie. And if the pressure is really so good in them, now, I might forgo the wall-mounts in the kids' and guest's bathrooms.

The next question is, how to narrow down the choices?

we have three all have a large showerhead with the hand held shower portion in the center- so when you remove it to use, you still have a water coming from the larger stationary ring i use it some, dh uses it all the time.........guests all have very positive comments about it

zippity, do you mind sharing the brand & model of your showerhead?

According to my wife, handheld is the way to go to get your ladyparts clean.

:0

I hate taking a shower without a handheld. How do you rinse your nether regions?

I have only a handheld shower. Works great. I feel cleaner being able to rinse "everywhere" and am somewhat unhappy when we go to a hotel and have only an standard shower.

No, the hose isn't a problem.

Yes, we have great pressure.

You and he differ in your spray preference? No problem: Shower heads adjust with a simple twist.

My wife also says a handheld makes it much easier to clean the shower too.

Love the handheld on a bar---DH and I can set the perfect height for each of us when taking a shower. Also comes in handy when cleaning the shower.. Our child only takes baths, but I put a handheld in that bathroom, as well, and use it regularly for cleaning the tub.

Thanks for the input, everyone! Mind sharing the specific names of handhelds that you love?

We have a grohe handshower on a 3' bar plus a wall mounted (on an 18" shower arm ) rainshower. With a diverter, we can use one or the other, or both. It's great!

We have Grohe.

It's great. Also have a rainhead above. Soothing. Dh used it for the first time today and loved the height of it. Nice and tall.

Hand held shower heads are a MUST for me, from cleaning me to cleaning the shower. We just did a bathroom and I chose the Kohler Hydrorail system.

It's beautiful.

I second the Kohler Hydrorail. Coolest thing ever. We have the Artifacts rain head version in our guest bath, but they offer many versions. With one toggle, you can go from soft rain, to a needle-spray handheld, or you can have both at the same time with a trifle less pressure. One beautiful thing about the Hydrorail is that it will work with your existing valve if you don't want to cut into the wall or retile. Similar offbrand gizmos are sold on Amazon, and one of them has good reviews at a much cheaper price since you may be selling.

OK, a couple of votes for Grohe, a couple for Kohler Hydrorail. We're definitely putting the Delta In2ition in our guest bath, it seems like the best of both worlds. I think we'll put just a handshower on a bar in the kids' bathroom, and a handshower with a wall-mount in the master. mimi, MizLizzie, how's the pressure on the Hydrorail handshower?

My pressure is good, not great. Not sure if it's due to a water-saving regulator.

I have other hand helds which are much stronger.

I think a simple hand held would be perfect for your needs. If you're going to go for a system similar to mine, be sure to pay attention to the diverter and how easy it would be to reach and manipulate it for your purposes.

My water pressure will knock you over. We did use a Moen shower head but it is quite plain, no extra air pressure like some have Here's a pic.

They're great for when I put the dogs in the shower with me also ;)

Love our hand shower so much I find I do most of my showering in the Starting From Dirt Basement Bathroom! Once we remodel the 2nd Floor Hall Bath - Master Style, (when you only have one on the floor for all three bedrooms, make it nice!) that will get the same set up in a standalone shower.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2285308/starting-from-dirt-literally-a-basement-bath-diy-adventure-pt2

Ours are Hansgrohe Rain S Showerhead & handshower with a Kohler Hydrorail.

Always ;-)

Hunzi

Thanks for all the suggestions! I keep running away from all these shower-related decisions, I get overwhelmed and start thinking about sinks or medicine cabinets or toilets instead. ;)

I would say choosing the right rough in and trim plumbing was the hardest part of the bathroom project for me - because it was a lot of money and not easy to fix if I chose wrongly. Start by asking yourself are you changing everything - the plumbing and rough in parts? If not, then you need to find things that work with what you have. If yes, make sure you pick trim that works with your rough in parts - the valve/diverter etc.

I picked the hydrorail because I had a tub/shower combo and I wanted to use Hansgrohe parts for the rough in - inside and trim - but I didn't want to add yet another diverter on the wall plus the wall shower, tub spout, valve/control, and shower bar for a hand shower plus we would have had to add a wall outlet for the handshower - too much for the look I wanted. Hydrorail fixed the diverter and wall outlet problem by combining them with the shower bar.

I know this is a week old but I wanted to put in another plug for Grohe. Ours is almost 10 years old and holding up great. I have long hair and the water pressure is quite sufficient for rinsing. We have the bar/hose combo and it has worked out great. No fixed showerhead either, just the handheld.

Do any of you ever have a problem with the flexible hose hanging up on the control knobs?

I've always like Moen, but after reading this thread, I'm going to take a look at the Grohe and Kohler. I had looked at one of theirs before but then read (on another thread) that their customer service wasn't good. It's the customer service at Moen that made me want theirs. I looked at a display at Lowes today and when I touched the shower head, it fell off the rail and clattered to the floor. I picked it up and tried to put it back in the slot on the rail, and it fell off again. It didn't have the brand on it because the display was really for the shower surround.

Yes, our hose does get caught on the knobs, or even the spout if it is low enough. It's not enough of a problem to make me change it though. It only happens when I take the showerhead down to spray the soap off the curtain and tiles after my shower, and if it catches I just remove it. No big deal.

I've had very responsive service with Kohler and with Hansgrohe.