By Kerry Hale

How To Choose The Best Digital Shower

  • Monday 10 May 2021
  • 3 minute read

Technology and connectivity have spread throughout our homes at an impressive rate in recent years, to the point where everything from lightbulbs to doorbells are now ‘smart’. This is equally true for our bathrooms, especially when it comes to showering. The advent of the digital shower has enhanced the showering experience to impressive new levels.

Read on to find out more about digital showers, including their main features, how they work and the best digital shower for you.

What is a digital shower and how does it work?

A digital shower, also known as an electronic shower (not to be confused with an electric shower) is essentially one that is controlled by a digital controller. It works in the same way as a mixer shower, taking hot and cold water and mixing them to produce the required temperature, but the presence of the digital shower controller means it’s far more precise than a mixer shower when it comes to setting that temperature and flow rate. The thermostatic technology inside the digital mixer valve helps to manage and maintain your shower temperature and flow rate, ensuring that any other water consumption in the house (kitchen taps, flushing the toilet) won’t affect the temperature of your shower, for added safety.

What makes a shower smart?

A 'Smart' shower uses a digital mixing valve and digital shower controller, but also provides additional functionality and information to the user, which is typically accessed via a smartphone app. A smart shower can be linked to a Smart Home ecosystem, such as Google Home or Alexa, allowing you to control your shower with voice commands. It also gives information on shower usage and allows you to customise features such as pre-sets to accommodate different user preferences. 

Where can they be used?

Digital showers are compatible with almost any boiler or hot water system, however different types of digital shower are compatible with different types of boiler and optimise for that best experience with a hot water system. If you have a combi boiler, you should choose a digital shower that is designed for use with high pressure/combi valves, while if you have a gravity-fed system, choose a pumped digital shower that is specifically designed for gravity-fed systems to ensure satisfactory water pressure.

 

Your digital shower system can be installed with the mixing unit hidden in the loft or wall cavities or even behind a bath panel if installed behind a bath. You can choose between a ceiling or rear-fed system depending on whether you want the shower head coming from the ceiling or the wall.

Features of digital showers

Along with the digital thermostat, there are several features that are unique to digital showers, depending on the model you choose. Here are some of the most popular ones:

  • Remote thermostat

Mira digital shower products are all compatible with the Mira shower app, allowing you to control your shower from your smartphone. As a backup controller, we provide a battery-powered, wireless remote button attachment that allows you to start your shower from a more convenient place, such as outside of your shower cubicle.

 

  • Programmable features

With certain showers, you get up to 10 custom presets that the whole family can enjoy their ideal temperature and water flow shower after shower. Some even have bath-fill options that allow you to pre-set the ideal temperature and depth – especially useful if you are running baths for little ones. You can also set a timer to make sure that you arrive on time for work or to help you in being energy and water conscious.

 

  • Warm up function

All Mira digital showers have a warm-up feature, which means the shower will heat up to the desired temperature and then pause until you're ready to get in - a handy alternative to standing there freezing on cold mornings, testing the water with one hand while the shower heats up, and it will mean wasting no extra water when it has reached your desired temperature.

 

  • Unique shower spray options

Choose from a range of invigorating spray experiences with our multi-mode showerheads, or opt for a dual outlet option and switch between a rainfall showerhead and a handheld option.

 

  • Track your water usage

In the Mira showers app you can see your usage from the last 30 days or the past 2 years - dependant on product installed. Combined with great tips on how to save time and water in the shower, it will also save you money on your utility bills.

Which is the best digital shower for me?

The best digital shower for you and your home will depend on a range of factors, including whether you want a wired or wireless option, your water supply and the outlets you have in mind. All Mira digital showers are available for both gravity-fed and combi systems, and come in both ceiling-fed and rear-fed options. You can also choose between single and dual outlets across our three ranges.

Discover the benefits of each style to find the right one for your bathroom.  

Mira Mode

The Mira Mode is the best option if you want a shower – and a bath – that you can control via an app. The Mira Showers app is free to download, and you can use it to programme and adjust your shower and bath-fill settings.
 

Mira Platinum

Mira Platinum is a digital shower with a wireless controller, allowing you to position it in the most convenient location for you, up to 10m away from the valve, with no need for wires.

 

Mira Activate

Our Mira Activate range has a crystal-clear modern display showing real-time temperature and flow rate. It can be controlled via the Mira Showers app, giving you ability to control your shower remotely and track your water usage.
 

Which is the best digital shower for me?

Our digital showers start from around £500 for a single-outlet model and from around £600 for a dual-outlet model. How much you choose to spend will depend on your budget and the features that you want to improve your showering experience.

 

If you’re still unsure about the correct option for you, speak to your plumber or contact our customer service team.

 

View our complete digital showers range or watch this video to learn more.

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