10 shower mixers from €34.90 to €253.90
The selection brings together 10 shower mixers, from the wall-mounted thermostatic model at €34.90 to the complete set with handset and sliding rail at €253.90. Four are thermostatic mixers, which set the water temperature themselves; the others are mechanical mixers, where you blend hot and cold with the lever. As for finishes, there is chrome, black and gold, and several models come in two colours. According to their data sheets, 9 of the 10 connect in 1/2 inch.
Thermostatic shower mixers
A thermostatic shower mixer holds the chosen temperature, even when someone opens another tap in the house. It is the most comfortable choice for a family shower.
- Wall-mounted Thermostatic Shower Mixer, €34.90: the entry price of the selection, in chrome, for wall mounting on the existing supplies.
- Modern Thermostatic Shower Mixer, €89.90, in a metal finish.
- Thermostatic Shower Mixer, €124.90, in chrome or black: a concealed thermostatic mixer, whose product page stresses the clean design. Only the faceplate stays visible on the wall.
The thermostatic mixer is set in two steps: one control for temperature, another for flow. Once the temperature is chosen, you don't touch it from one shower to the next.
Mechanical mixers
The mechanical mixer is the simplest: one lever for flow and temperature. It suits a spare shower, a guest shower room or a small budget.
- Bathroom Shower Mixer, €44.90, in chrome.
- Stainless Steel Shower Mixer, €59.90: its product page highlights its sturdiness.
- Brass Shower Mixer, €84.90: made of brass according to its product page, in a gold finish.
- Black Shower Mixer, €156.90, for a contemporary bathroom in black.
- Chrome Shower Mixer, €99.90, in chrome or black despite its name.
- Shower Mixer with Waterfall Spout, €150.90, in black or gold: a model with a waterfall outlet.
The complete shower set
The Chrome wall-mounted shower mixer with handset and slider rail, €253.90, is a shower kit: mixer, handheld shower and sliding shower rail. Its product page states a copper body and a dual function. It's the solution if you want to change everything at once without going through a shower column fitted with its mixer.
Which shower mixer should you choose?
- For the tightest budget: the Wall-Mounted Thermostatic Shower Mixer at €34.90, which already offers thermostatic comfort.
- For a steady temperature with children: a thermostatic shower mixer, the Wall-Mounted at €34.90 or the Modern Thermostatic Shower Mixer at €89.90. The thermostatic limits sudden swings of hot and cold under the shower.
- For a clean-lined wall: the Thermostatic Shower Mixer at €124.90, a concealed thermostatic in chrome or black, of which only the faceplate stays visible.
- For a black bathroom: the Black Shower Mixer at €156.90, or the black versions of the Chrome Shower Mixer and the Shower Mixer with waterfall.
- For gold plumbing: the Brass Shower Mixer at €84.90 or the gold Shower Mixer with waterfall at €150.90.
- For a ready-to-fit set: the mixer with handset and sliding rail at €253.90.
If your bathroom already has a basin or bath tap, repeat the same finish: a chrome mixer next to a black tap stands out.
Thermostatic mixer or mechanical mixer?
The mechanical mixer blends hot and cold water according to the position of the lever. If the pressure changes during the shower, the temperature changes too. The thermostatic mixer corrects the blend continuously to hold the set temperature. It costs a little more to buy, but it is the comfort you notice every day.
To go further on the words themselves, our article on the difference between a two-handle tap and a mixer tap explains what separates the old two-head tap from today's mixer.
The concealed thermostatic shower mixer
A concealed thermostatic mixer has two parts: a body, placed in the wall, which receives the hot and cold water, and a faceplate with the controls, fitted last on the finished wall. The body fixes the number of outlets: one outlet feeds a shower head or a handset, two outlets feed both, with a diverter to switch between them. Before choosing a concealed model, check what you want to connect behind it: a ceiling shower head, a handheld shower, or both.
In our selection, the Thermostatic Shower Mixer at €124.90 is the concealed model: its product page describes it as a thermostatic shower mixer with a clean design, in chrome or black. For a thermostatic shower without building work, the Wall-Mounted Thermostatic Shower Mixer at €34.90 and the Modern Thermostatic Shower Mixer at €89.90 fit on the existing connections.
Shower only or bath shower?
A shower mixer feeds the shower only. A bath shower mixer also has a spout that fills the bath and a diverter that sends the water either to the spout or to the handset. If your handset is above a bath, this second type is the one you need: our thermostatic and mechanical bath shower mixers are in the bath collection shown further down.
Wall-mounted or concealed mixer?
The wall-mounted mixer screws onto the two water supplies coming out of the wall: this is the most common fit in renovation, without opening the partition. The concealed mixer hides its body in the wall and shows only the faceplate and controls. It needs building work, and is best planned for a complete shower renovation.
Before ordering a wall-mounted model, measure the gap between your two supplies and check the height available under the shower head. Our guide on choosing the size of a mixer details the measurements to take. The right height of the shower mixer, shower head and handset is covered in a separate article.
Replacing a shower mixer
A mixer that drips, heats badly or has a stiff lever doesn't necessarily need throwing away: the cartridge can sometimes be changed on its own. To know whether yours is at the end of its life, see the signs that a mixer is faulty before buying. And if you wonder how long a model lasts, our article on how long a mixer tap lasts gives the picture. For a leaking shower mixer, our guide helps you find where the water comes from: spout, lever or wall connectors.
For a wall-mounted mixer, replacement always follows the same order:
- Turn off the water at the meter or the isolation valves, then open the mixer to drain the pipes.
- Unscrew the shower hose, then the mixer's nuts on the wall connectors.
- Check the connectors and change the seals: they are what prevents the leak.
- Fit the new mixer, tighten without forcing, turn the water back on and check every connection.
A concealed model means opening up the wall: in that case, call a plumber. For a wall-mounted mixer, thermostatic or not, our guide to changing a shower mixer details the centre distance, the steps and the mistakes to avoid.
Looking after your mixer
Wipe the body with a soft cloth after the shower, especially on a black or gold finish that shows limescale marks. Avoid abrasive products. Once a year, in hard water, descaling the handset and hose with white vinegar keeps the flow up.
Frequently asked questions about the shower mixer
Are shower mixers standard?
For most wall-mounted mixers, yes: they connect to two wall supplies with eccentric connectors, which make up for a small gap between the pipes. The hose screws onto the outlet. Still measure the gap between your supplies before buying.
How long does a shower mixer last?
It depends mainly on water hardness and upkeep of the cartridge, more than on price. The guidelines are gathered in our article on how long a mixer lasts.
Should you choose a thermostatic mixer for the shower?
It isn't compulsory, but it is the most comfortable. A thermostatic shower mixer holds the chosen temperature, which a mechanical mixer doesn't when the pressure varies. In the selection, the thermostatic starts at €34.90, with the Wall-Mounted Thermostatic Shower Mixer: the price gap with a mechanical one is small.
Chrome or black thermostatic mixer?
It's a matter of style and upkeep. Chrome remains the easiest to match with the rest of the bathroom; black gives a more graphic effect but shows limescale marks more. The Thermostatic Shower Mixer at €124.90 comes in both finishes, as does the Chrome Shower Mixer at €99.90.
What are the signs that a mixer tap is faulty?
A leak under the lever, water that swings from hot to cold, a stiff lever: we cover them in this article on the faulty mixer.
How much does it cost to replace a shower mixer?
The mixer itself costs from €34.90 to €253.90 in this selection. If you fit a wall-mounted mixer yourself, there is nothing else to budget for except seals. A plumber's rate depends on your area and the type of fitting: ask for a quote, especially for a concealed model.
How long does it take to change a shower mixer?
A wall-mounted mixer is usually replaced within a morning, water shut-off included. A concealed model needs masonry work and takes longer.
To complete your shower
To see all our shower taps, mixers or not, go through the collection shower taps. If you are fitting out the whole room, the bathroom mixer tap groups the models for the shower, basin and bath, the Basin mixer tap those for the basin and the Bath Mixer Taps those for the bath. For an all-in-one shower, see our thermostatic shower columns. And if the handset's jet weakens, a new shower hose is changed at the same time as the mixer.
