The short answer
Electric showers typically cost £150–£400 to supply plus fitting; mixer showers £100–£500; and power showers (with a built-in pump) more again. The right type depends on your water system and pressure as much as your budget. Electric and mixer showers each suit different setups. See the full new bathroom cost guide for how the shower fits the overall price.
Choosing a shower is partly about budget and partly about plumbing — a shower that runs beautifully on one system may dribble on another. This guide explains how the three main types work, what they cost, and how to match a shower to your water system so it performs.
Shower types at a glance
- Electric shower £150–£400 + fit
- Mixer shower £100–£500 + fit
- Power shower (pumped) Higher
- Electric needs Cold supply + dedicated circuit (Part P)
- Mixer needs Hot & cold supply; adequate pressure
- Low pressure May need a pump
Electric showers
An electric shower takes only the cold water supply and heats it on demand with a built-in element, like a kettle. Because it makes its own hot water, it works independently of your boiler or hot-water cylinder — useful where hot-water capacity is limited, and it still works if the boiler fails. The trade-off is flow: higher-kilowatt units deliver a better flow rate, but the heated water is finite per second. Installation needs a cold feed and a dedicated electrical circuit, which is notifiable under Part P — see our building regulations guide. Units typically cost £150–£400, with higher-kW models at the top.
Mixer showers
A mixer shower blends existing hot and cold supplies to the temperature you set, so it relies on your boiler or cylinder for hot water and on the system pressure for flow. On a good-pressure system — a combi boiler or a mains-pressure unvented cylinder — a mixer gives a strong, consistent shower. Thermostatic mixers add a valve that holds temperature steady when other taps are used, improving safety and comfort. Mixer units span £100–£500 depending on brand, finish and whether the valve is concealed (neater, but more fitting work). Concealed valves and rainfall heads sit at the premium end.
Power showers
A power shower is a mixer with a built-in pump, designed for low-pressure gravity-fed systems (a tank in the loft and a cylinder). The pump boosts flow to give a strong shower where a plain mixer would be weak. Power showers cost more than basic mixers and use more water and energy, but they solve the low-pressure problem in one unit. On a high-pressure system they are unnecessary — a thermostatic mixer already performs well.
| Type | How it heats water | Best for | Typical cost (unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Heats cold on demand | Limited hot water; boiler-independent | £150–£400 |
| Mixer | Blends existing hot & cold | Good-pressure systems | £100–£500 |
| Power (pumped) | Blends, then pumps | Low-pressure gravity systems | Higher |
Matching the shower to your water system
The single most important factor is your water system and its pressure. A combi boiler or unvented cylinder gives mains-pressure hot water that suits a thermostatic mixer. A gravity system (loft tank and cylinder) is low-pressure and may need a power shower or a separate pump to drive a mixer well. An electric shower sidesteps the hot-water system entirely. Getting this wrong is the usual reason a new shower disappoints, so confirm compatibility with the installer before buying. Our suites guide covers wider water-system matching.
Fitting cost and safety
Fitting an electric shower involves a plumber for the water and an electrician for the dedicated circuit and certificate under Part P; a mixer needs the valve plumbed and the enclosure or tray fitted. All bathroom electrics must respect the IP-rated zones around the shower — see our building regulations guide. A poorly chosen or poorly fitted shower is a common renovation regret; our mistakes to avoid guide covers it. This page is general information; the right shower and its cost depend on your home and water system.
Compare bathroom quotes
Use our service to compare itemised quotes from a bathroom installation specialist who can match a shower to your water system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an electric and a mixer shower?
An electric shower heats cold water on demand and works independently of your boiler, while a mixer blends your existing hot and cold supplies and relies on the boiler or cylinder and on system pressure. Each suits different water systems.
How much does a shower cost to supply and fit?
Electric showers typically cost £150–£400 for the unit, mixer showers £100–£500, and power showers more again, all plus fitting. Concealed valves and premium heads raise both the unit and the fitting cost. These are typical illustrations, not quotes.
Do I need a power shower?
Only if you have a low-pressure gravity system (loft tank and cylinder) where a plain mixer would be weak. On a combi or unvented cylinder system, a thermostatic mixer already gives strong flow and a power shower is unnecessary.
Is fitting a shower notifiable under building regulations?
The electrical work for an electric shower — a dedicated circuit — is notifiable under Part P and should be carried out and certified by a competent person. All bathroom electrics must respect the IP-rated zones around the shower.
Sources & further reading
- CIPHE — plumbing standards and water-system guidance
- KBSA — consumer guidance on choosing bathroom products
- GOV.UK / Building Regulations Approved Document P — electrical safety and bathroom zones
- TrustMark — finding a vetted tradesperson for home improvement work
This is general information, not advice for your specific property or installation. Suitability and cost vary with your home and water system. Electrical work must be carried out by a competent, registered person. Bathroom Answers is an independent information and introduction service, not an installer.