Best Showerhead Without Restrictor

I think the Oring is there to seal it from leaks and I would not want to remove that.
Nope, that is a flat style rubber gasket, the o-ring is there to reduce water and it has divets in a circular pattern that the more water pressure the more the o-ring sinks into the divets and reduces gallon per hour.
 
I have tried many, many showerheads over the years and this SPEAKMAN Anystream Hotel Showerhead is among the very best available. It was originally designed for upscale 5-star hotels, but this homeowners version has the same hydrodynamics but is constructed in plastic. If you want metal construction, here is the Original Speakman Hotel Showerhead. You can easily remove the flow restrictor insert if desired, but I doubt it will be necessary.
 
  • Helpful
Reactions: GON
Are you just looking for the extra .3 gpm you lose in the Speakman?

Mine had a plastic epa insert, some molded plastic nozzle and a metal joint with a bunch of small holes in it as well. Drilling that metal joint is what bumped me up to my current volume of 4.1 gpm.

With the wand going at the same time as the main head I’m at a combined 5.7 gpm between the two.
 
Sounds like you just need to use a bath tub. People don't know how bad these low flow heads are until you stay in a hotel for a couple of nights. I couldn't wait to get back to my big rain maker shower head. I stayed in the shower until I ran the water heater completely out of hot water.
 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08975ST6P?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
You want this showerhead. With the restrictor removed you will get pelted with water pressure. I actually had to get a different showerhead because this showerhead uses way more hot water than my water heater can produce. In under 4 minutes I have to keep turning the water hotter to still have any. You will be pleasantly surprised

Don
 
Thanks to all those that replied . To clarify I HAVE removed the restrictor on the brand new Speakman S2251. I stated that in my OP. I want higher pressure but can't exactly buy 100 different showerheads remove the regulators and run tests. Hence the question if anyone has a specific model to recommend. As to cost I live in Brooklyn. The effective cost per gallon is 1.75 cents so a 10 minute shower at 5 gallons a minute (which we be excessive) is still only .87 vs .46 cents at the regulated 2.5 GPM a difference of .41 (plus some heating costs) I would rather shower daily comfortably and skip going out to a restaurant a couple of times a year but each to his own. So to sum it up any specific recommendations for showerheads that with regulator removed have really good water pressure?
If you want more pressure you are moving in the wrong direction. Your issue is not your showerhead, it is likely the incoming water pressure to your system, or something of that nature. Sometimes, changing a shower head can make a difference, or removing the flow limiting device........but if you truly removed the flow restrictor, and you are still not satisfied......assuming the head or shower valve is not defective or something........you cannot resolve the concern unless you boost the pressure to the whole system.
 
I have tried many, many showerheads over the years and this SPEAKMAN Anystream Hotel Showerhead is among the very best available. It was originally designed for upscale 5-star hotels, but this homeowners version has the same hydrodynamics but is constructed in plastic. If you want metal construction, here is the Original Speakman Hotel Showerhead. You can easily remove the flow restrictor insert if desired, but I doubt it will be necessary.
I have that exact Speakman model brand new its getting 3.2 instead of almost 5 GPM when its straight from the shower arm. Please READ the original post.
 
Are you just looking for the extra .3 gpm you lose in the Speakman?

Mine had a plastic epa insert, some molded plastic nozzle and a metal joint with a bunch of small holes in it as well. Drilling that metal joint is what bumped me up to my current volume of 4.1 gpm.

With the wand going at the same time as the main head I’m at a combined 5.7 gpm between the two.
No I'm looking to get from the 3.2GPM its at currently with the restrictor removed, to say 4GPM which I should be able to get considering straight from the shower arm its close to 5 Gpm
 
If you want more pressure you are moving in the wrong direction. Your issue is not your showerhead, it is likely the incoming water pressure to your system, or something of that nature. Sometimes, changing a shower head can make a difference, or removing the flow limiting device........but if you truly removed the flow restrictor, and you are still not satisfied......assuming the head or shower valve is not defective or something........you cannot resolve the concern unless you boost the pressure to the whole system.
You may be correct. But I also think that some showerheads bottleneck water more than others just by the nature of their design. regardless of any flow restrictors. Hence my question to the forum.
 
I don't know where you live @Omaha111 , but where I live, water costs MONEY!

Some years ago, a LOT of years ago actually, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), distributed lower water flow shower heads to all residents, free of charge. Hate if you want, but those shower heads were fantastic. What I like most is that they had a flow restrictor built in, so flow can be reduced or shut off by pushing a small button as it were. Get wet, reduce or shut off flow, lather, then push the button when ready to rinse. No downside. These shower heads were made from chrome plated brass, and didn't wear. When I moved homes, I took the head with me, and found a similar years later during another move. The greatest shower head ever (my opinion.) Dumping gallons of water down the drain is not the answer. A nice efficient shower head is.

Screenshot 2026-01-04 171919.webp
 
I don't know where you live @Omaha111 , but where I live, water costs MONEY!

Some years ago, a LOT of years ago actually, the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP), distributed lower water flow shower heads to all residents, free of charge. Hate if you want, but those shower heads were fantastic. What I like most is that they had a flow restrictor built in, so flow can be reduced or shut off by pushing a small button as it were. Get wet, reduce or shut off flow, lather, then push the button when ready to rinse. No downside. These shower heads were made from chrome plated brass, and didn't wear. When I moved homes, I took the head with me, and found a similar years later during another move. The greatest shower head ever (my opinion.) Dumping gallons of water down the drain is not the answer. A nice efficient shower head is.

View attachment 318382
Everything costs money. Vacations food sports streaming etc. Why is spending possibly a couple hundred bucks a year on an enjoyable shower experience such a point of contention with people. How many gallons of water do we use in hundreds of other applications that are technically unnecessary yet no one has an issue. NOT looking to save water on my showers.
 
Last edited:
Everything costs money. Vacations food sports streaming etc. Why is spending possibly a couple hundred bucks a year on an enjoyable shower experience such a point of contention with people. How many gallons of water do we use in hundreds of other applications that are technically unnecessary yet no one has an issue. NOT looking to save water on my showers.
The federal max is 2.5 gal/min. If you want more, you have to mod something, or go look for a head made before the requirement was launched. Go google "high flow shower head", and pick one out that tickles your fancy.
 
You may be correct. But I also think that some showerheads bottleneck water more than others just by the nature of their design. regardless of any flow restrictors. Hence my question to the forum.
yes they do.....with the flow restrictor out. National plumbing code limits water at outlets to certain GPM for sinks, and showers, GPF for toilets and urinals

with no flow restrictor in your head, and no increase in flow......the issue is upstream and not the head.

trust me.
 
I have that exact Speakman model brand new its getting 3.2 instead of almost 5 GPM when its straight from the shower arm. Please READ the original post.
Your original post started that you had the Speakman S2251 which is a completely different model than the Anystream Hotel Model S-2005-HB-E2 that I suggested in Post #24.

SPEAKMAN S2251

1767579077360.webp


SPEAKMAN S-2005-HB-E2
1767578727655.webp


So what is your goal anyway? Are you looking for a stronger, more forceful spray based upon increased pressure (PSI), or are you looking for increased volumetric flow (GPM) to fill a bathtub or bucket quicker? A showerhead with a higher flowrate won't guarantee higher pressure than a showerhead with a lower flowrate as the engineered design characteristics are crucial.

 
Your original post started that you had the Speakman S2251 which is a completely different model than the Anystream Hotel Model S-2005-HB-E2 that I suggested in Post #24.

SPEAKMAN S2251

View attachment 318392

SPEAKMAN S-2005-HB-E2
View attachment 318390


So what is your goal anyway? Are you looking for a stronger, more forceful spray based upon increased pressure (PSI), or are you looking for increased volumetric flow (GPM) to fill a bathtub or bucket quicker? A showerhead with a higher flowrate won't guarantee higher pressure than a showerhead with a lower flowrate as the engineered design characteristics are crucial.

Both I guess. Obviously not looking to stand under a hose but over the years I have been in showers that you really get a lot of water with great pressure. So a mix of the 2. Is the hotel one that much more powerful?
 
Both I guess. Obviously not looking to stand under a hose but over the years I have been in showers that you really get a lot of water with great pressure. So a mix of the 2. Is the hotel one that much more powerful?
Your original post started that you had the Speakman S2251 which is a completely different model than the Anystream Hotel Model S-2005-HB-E2 that I suggested in Post #24.

SPEAKMAN S2251

View attachment 318392

SPEAKMAN S-2005-HB-E2
View attachment 318390


So what is your goal anyway? Are you looking for a stronger, more forceful spray based upon increased pressure (PSI), or are you looking for increased volumetric flow (GPM) to fill a bathtub or bucket quicker? A showerhead with a higher flowrate won't guarantee higher pressure than a showerhead with a lower flowrate as the engineered design characteristics are crucial.

Ill try that one out. by the way the one you linked is the 2.0 GPM they have the same model in 2.5 GPM
 
Back
Top Bottom