Best Shower Head Arms & Extensions Reviewed

Shower Head Arms & Extensions Compared

1. Purelux Extra Long COMINHKPR147887

The Purelux Extra-Long can give you the rainfall experience with any showerhead since its L-shape pushes the head out a whopping 16 inches and directs it straight down with a mere 3.5-inch hang. (You can still adjust the swivel on the head itself if you want a slight tilt.) We have rated it the best long shower arm.

With its straight-forward contemporary look and choice of 3 popular finishes, it fits in all bathrooms. Users agree that it does not leak, short of very faulty installation; however, this is unlikely considering that users also agree it is effortless to install—with no need for special tools or plumbing knowledge.

This stainless-steel shower arm is sturdy enough to hold almost any showerhead, even the heaviest rainfall units. However, beware that weakness in your wall connection could create sagging. A safe and economical choice is the Purelux 8-inch showerhead and arm combo. 

2. LDR Industries Exquisite

Exquisite® is a high-quality line of bathroom fixtures from LDR Industries, a company that offers a variety of supplies for bathroom and kitchen utilities. Accordingly, this 16-inch L-shaped shower arm is pure metal. (The company does not make it absolutely clear which metal, but it is probably brass.) Users are happy to find the installation easy and that its finishes, connections, and durability match those of Moen and other popular brands.

Like the Purelux above, this L-shaped arm is simple (contemporary) in style, and therefore looks great in most bathrooms. Because it is sturdy and has standard connections, it can work with a variety of shower setups, including large rainfall heads and multi-showerhead arrangements, including handhelds.

However, most people seem to use it with just an 8-inch rainfall showerhead. It has a 3.5-inch hang, but, if you have sufficient overhead clearance and would like the head to be higher than the source, consider an LDR Industries gooseneck shower arm.

3. Aqua Elegante 

The Aqua Elegante 10-inch is the best adjustable shower arm with uninterrupted water flow. The 2 wingnut-knobbed adjustment joints are easy to grasp and resistant to corrosion and wear. This is an extension: it screws onto your existing shower arm. Accordingly, it has a female thread on one side and a male thread on the other.

The joints have a 3-lb weight limit, but some users find that, depending on the adjustment position, it could tolerate an even heavier load. Most people do not see the weight limit to be a problem and can even install 2 of these in tandem for more extension and customizability. Users love the reliable and responsive customer service. Furthermore, Aqua Elegante gives this product a no-questions-asked 5-year warranty.

This product is ideal for wall showers, but it is okay for ceiling mounts, too. However, for the ceiling, you might prefer a straight, telescoping extender, such as the JR Shower Arm Extension. (Unfortunately, shower extenders with this design do not seem to get as high ratings as others, though.)

4. Danze D481116

The Danze D481116 is probably the best shower arm on the market for tall people: it lifts the showerhead 9 inches above the source, allowing the tallest people to have a rainfall experience from the wall.  It’s equally the best S-shaped shower arm, and it keeps the showerhead high, even when modifications, such as showerhead water filters, are added.

A disadvantage of the D481116 is that a very wide showerhead might look funny with it—the showerhead might rest against the top part of the arm, rather than hanging free. (However, some other extension, such as a shower filter, changes this: with a little downward extension, there is more space, because the top part of the extension is at an angle.) For reference, the KES J201 8-inch showerhead fits beautifully with nothing else attached.

Aside from the added height, this angular-looking unit extends 13 inches total and allows the head to hang at a small angle—so it is not quite vertical rainfall. Still, most users experience it as equivalent, or possibly better.

5. Moen S113 Waterhill 

The Moen S113 Waterhill has a simple curved shape that blends in almost anywhere. Moen has a longstanding reputation in both the plumbing and consumer world; indeed, the S113 is the most expensive shower arm on this list, but it is still affordable for most, and with such quality, it is less likely to deteriorate with time and use.

The most common user complaint is easy to correct: Many do not like the oddly shaped flange that Moen includes with the unit because it sticks out more than most. Thankfully, the shower arm is average in size, so you can just replace this flange with the one you like better—possibly the Moen AT2199.

This is a good shower arm for tall people—its semi-gooseneck shape brings the shower arm level with the source. It works wonderfully with a luxurious, moderate-width showerhead, such as the Grohe Power and Soul Cosmopolitan showerhead 
or the Moen S6320 Velocity Two-Function 8’’ D Rainshower showerhead 
.

6. WaterPoint

This WaterPoint shower extension offers the same benefits of the Aqua Elegante (#3 above), but with 1 inch more extension and easier installation. It is the best 11-inch straight arm shower arm. Many users love that the end that goes on the shower arm has a free-spinning locking collar. This feature makes the screw-in more like a water hose intersection—you do not have to rotate the whole apparatus to tighten it or to get your desired orientation.

Most report easy installation, but some people cannot get the shower arm connection to stabilize, causing the apparatus to swing down. However, it turns out this could be an installation issue rather than a design flaw.

This unit is surprisingly strong—for one user, it holds an Aqua Elegante 6 Function Adjustable Luxury Shower Head
, along with a water filter and handheld showerhead. Also, those who would like even more adjustability and extension are encouraged to use two of these extenders.

7. Hotel Spa 1116

The Hotel Spa 11-inch extension is an economical choice for those seeking a straight adjustable showerhead extender: It has 2 wingnut-controlled joints that work to give it an almost 2-foot vertical adjustment range, along with its 11-inch maximum horizontal reach. Users are satisfied with the strength and reliability of its lock joints.

As with most other units on this list, installation is easy. However, a few find that it leaks post-installation: many users respond by screwing it on tighter, but just using a little more plumber’s tape is more likely to work.

Hotel Spa is a brand of Interlink Products International, Inc., a bathroom fixture company. Unfortunately, Interlink does not make it very clear which of their warranties apply to this product. However, with the price under $20, this is not a big issue. 

For a luxurious bargain: purchase this shower extender with the Dream Spa Ultra-Luxury 9’’ Rainfall Shower Head/Handheld Combo 
and the Delta Faucet Shower Arm Diverter for Hand Shower (Total cost is under $70).

8. LORDEAR F0100010900

This LORDEAR shower arm is truly gooseneck—the curved part arcs up and then comes down at a similar angle, landing the showerhead about level with the source and directing it almost straight down.

With its unusually great horizontal extension, you can use a showerhead of any width without snuggling against the wall as you bathe. With many other wall shower arms, a very wide and flat showerhead like the Qomolangma 12 inch would look funny, if it even fit; but the LORDEAR supports it elegantly.

This shower arm is among the most solid on the market: The tube is thicker than that of most extending shower arms of similar design. Unfortunately, in the past, some users have had trouble with the included flange not fitting as the tube is screwed into the wall. However, more recent product reviewers deny that this is an issue.

Remarkably, with this much forward extension and strength, the LORDEAR does not extend up so high—only about 4.5 inches. Therefore, it can be installed in unusually high wall sources.

9. Delta Faucet RP46870 

The Delta Faucet RP46870 can extend even the heaviest showerheads (up to 6 lbs.) out 16 inches; however, its down-bend is only about 2 inches—a trait tall people will especially like as the best 90-degree Delta shower arm. Moreover, this works well, functionally and aesthetically, if you want to attach other apparatuses—such as water filters, diverters, etc.—between the head and arm.

Delta Faucet is known for high quality in bath and kitchen fixtures and fitting; likely, that is why this unit is a bit pricey compared to similar shower arms from other brands. The company offers an unusually extensive selection of 6 finishes—this shower arm can look great in any bathroom. Unlike most, it does not come with a flange, but Delta Faucet does sell one that matches separately.

If you do get the matching flange (square-shaped), consider a square showerhead to match: this will give a slightly modern look. While the linked products are both from Delta Faucets, users have no trouble using this with products from other brands.

Different Material & Finishes Available

Features of Quality Shower Arms & Extensions

Design/Style

Finish

All shower head extenders in this review have metal finishes only. A good metal finish is treated to be corrosion-resistant. Compared to plastic, metal finishes are classy looking and fit well with most bathroom fixtures. Furthermore, all metal finishes of a certain kind (e.g., brushed nickel) more or less match those of the same type from other brands.

Installation & Mounting Style

Rainfall shower heads do not have to extend from the ceiling; wall-mounted extenders are the emphasis of this article. All come with matching flange unless otherwise indicated. Most come with everything needed for DIY installation (instructions, plumber’s/Teflon tape, washers, O-rings, etc.): You just need to have basics—a wrench and protective covering for your fixtures or surfaces.

Shower Head Fit

High-quality shower extenders are usually made of brass, but sometimes stainless steel. Brass is more corrosion-resistant, but stainless steel sometimes beats it in other areas of plumbing functionality. Stainless steel tends to be a little more expensive. For most plumbing purposes, they are close in overall quality. The #1 product in this review is stainless steel, while all others are brass.

Warranty

Installing Shower Extension Arms

Unless you also want to alter the plumbing behind your shower wall in some way, you can install a shower extender on a DIY basis. Basic rules:

Most extenders come with instructions, but here is the basic idea:

Cleaning and Maintenance

Normally, there is no special maintenance, but if you notice leaking, a good rule of thumb is to check the plumber’s tape—it might be insufficient or worn. Rarely, you might need WD-40 to remove a shower arm that is stuck.

Even rarer, if the installation was complicated—perhaps due to uneven or bent surfaces, you might have leaking that plumber's tape does not help. Try applying sealant. (Good sealants: RectorSeal® Tru-Blue and Highside Chemicals Leak Lock.)

FAQs

How often should these shower arms be cleaned?

To keep them looking good (free of scum, water spots, etc.), wipe them off just as you would any shower arm, at least once a week.

How do I fix a leaking shower arm?

First, try to pinpoint the source of the leak. Then, unscrew and check for worn or inadequate plumber’s tape on the connective threads. Generally, it is better to use more plumber’s tape than to over-tighten to fix a leak.

How do I tighten my shower head without damaging it?

Cover it with a cloth as you use a wrench to tighten (or loosen) it. Always keep the cloth between the wrench grip and the showerhead surface; also, it is ideal to use enough cloth to cover surfaces of the showerhead you are not directly touching since they could still get scratched in the process.

What is a flange?

A shower arm flange is a piece, usually metal, that surrounds a shower arm where it goes into the wall. It is sometimes referred to as a pipe cover or, primarily when ornamental, an escutcheon. Normally, you just thread it over the shower arm and follow instructions to install it against the wall.

What is a shower arm diverter?

A shower arm diverter is a plumbing apparatus that, when triggered, directs water away from the main showerhead, to an auxiliary apparatus—usually a handheld showerhead. (The term "diverter" can also refer to a similar device that directs water from a shower faucet to a showerhead.)

Are all these models adjustable?

No, they are not. All of the extensions are adjustable; none of the shower arms are.

Conclusion

A showerhead extension arm might be the blessing you did not know you needed. More control over the orientation of your showerhead is just a 5-minute DIY installation away.

For a complete rainfall experience without installing a ceiling source, look to the Purelux Extra-Long (#1 reviewed above): this unit is a great value—strong, durable, and good-looking—at a very manageable price.