When it comes to massaging aching muscles, bathing young children, or giving the family dog his monthly bath, a handheld shower head can be a handy upgrade to your bath.

A handheld shower head replaces a standard shower head. It features a long, stainless steel hose that allows you to remove it from its mount, and aim the stream of water from the head.  This design also makes handheld shower heads a good choice for accessible showers with chairs. The best handheld shower heads feature multiple settings for massaging or rinsing, and a switch to cut off water at the shower head.

If you want to purchase one of these versatile shower fixtures, read on to learn what factors you should consider when shopping and why these models are among the best handheld shower heads available.