Kohler Forte Multifunction Showerhead K-22169
If the Delta is sold out or you want more finish options, this is the one.
- Wirecutter runner-up for multiple years running
- More finish options than the Delta (polished chrome to matte black and more)
- Standout spray patterns with a slightly more premium feel
- No pause setting, but excels in everything else
Who It's For
Anyone who wants the Delta experience with more finish flexibility, or whose bathroom aesthetic requires something beyond chrome. Also a strong choice if the Delta 52535 is unavailable or backordered. The Forte has held the Wirecutter runner-up spot for years, which means it's been tested thoroughly against real competition and keeps earning that placement.
Spray Performance
The Forte delivers strong, even coverage across its spray modes. The wide spray pattern covers well and the massage setting has real pressure behind it. Where it falls short of the Delta is the absence of a pause function, which means you're on or off with no in-between. For most users that's fine. For anyone who shaves or conditions in the shower, it's the one feature that would send them to the Delta instead.
Spray Modes and Features
Build Quality
Solid Kohler construction. The Forte feels slightly heavier and more premium than the Delta in hand, which may matter to buyers who associate physical weight with quality. The finish holds up well over time. Kohler's limited lifetime warranty covers both finish and function.
Value
Slightly higher price than the Delta but delivers on quality. If you're buying for a bathroom with specific finish requirements (brushed gold, oil-rubbed bronze, etc.), the Kohler's range of options makes it the practical choice even at a modest premium.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Multiple spray modes
- Widest finish selection in its class
- Long-tested reliability
- Solid Kohler build quality
- Kohler limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- No pause setting
- Slightly higher price than Delta
Bottom Line
The Kohler Forte is a genuinely excellent shower head that earns its runner-up placement through years of consistent testing. If the Delta 52535 is the right choice for most people, the Forte is the right choice when finish selection or availability matters. The only meaningful gap is the missing pause function. If you don't use that feature, this is just as good as the Delta. If you would use it, go with the Delta.
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