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RateLab Shower Heads Delta 5-Setting Showerhead
Best Overall Best Pick

Delta 5-Setting Showerhead 52535

The best shower head most people will ever need.

TL;DR
  • Best shower head most people will ever need
  • Great spray, pause button is a game changer for shaving and conditioning
  • 5 spray modes including a full-body rain setting
  • Delta lifetime warranty, easy install, excellent value
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Who It's For

Most people looking for a shower head upgrade. The Delta 52535 is the right answer for the vast majority of bathrooms, whether you're upgrading an old builder-grade unit or replacing something that finally broke. Works well in standard and low-pressure homes. Available in chrome, matte black, brushed nickel, and champagne bronze to match most existing fixtures.

Spray Performance

The full-body coverage spray is the standout mode. Wide, even distribution with good pressure at the 1.75 gpm flow rate. The pause function drops water to a trickle without shutting off the temperature. That's the sleeper feature: pause, shave, condition, adjust the water temperature without restarting from cold. Once you have it, a shower head without it feels like a step backward.

Spray Modes

Full body coverage Yes
Massage spray Yes
Pause function Yes
Combination mode Yes
Total spray modes 5
Handheld option No
Swivel mount No

Build Quality

Solid chrome-plated metal construction. Not flimsy. The finish holds up in humid conditions without pitting or discoloring. Installs with tape on the threads, no tools needed. Delta stands behind it with a lifetime warranty covering both finish and function. For a shower head at this price, that warranty matters.

Value

Wirecutter called this their top pick after testing it against models that cost significantly more. The pause function alone sets it apart from most competitors in its price range. Available in multiple finishes at a consistent price that represents outstanding value for the feature set.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Strong, even spray coverage
  • Pause function (rare at this price)
  • 5 spray modes including full-body rain
  • Easy install, no tools
  • Sleek, modern design
  • Delta lifetime warranty
  • Multiple finish options

Cons

  • Fixed head only, no handheld
  • One arm angle, no swivel mount

Bottom Line

The Delta 52535 is the right shower head for most people. Wirecutter tested it against much more expensive options and it came out on top. The pause function is the feature that makes it irreplaceable once you're used to it. The only real limitation is the fixed mount, but for most bathrooms that's not a problem. Buy this unless you specifically need a handheld combo (in which case, see the Moen Attract Magnetix).

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