8 Best Shower Valves - (Reviews & Advice For Replacement) (2024)

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Shower Valves Compared

There’s a good chance that you use a shower valve every day without knowing it. That’s because this crucial piece of hardware is built into your shower (likely within the wall itself) and controls the flow of water by volume as well as the temperature of that water. Using a shower valve is crucial to enjoying a reliable showering experience.

There’s also a good chance that you’ve noticed the high price tags on some shower valves. This might make you question if you really do need this piece of hardware or not. In reality, a shower valve is absolutely crucial.

Modern shower valves work to prevent temperature fluctuations, ensuring that all users are safe and comfortable while bathing. These valves also maintain water pressure to prevent a sub-par bathing experience during peak usage periods.

There are a whole bunch of worthwhile shower valves to choose from in today’s market. But out of all of these, my top pick has to go to the Moen 3510 M-PACT. First off, I have always trusted this brand and their lifetime warranty. Both professionally and personally, I’ve taken advantage of it on several occasions. However, I would not expect this model’s brass construction or any of its 4 ports to ever let you down.

Another reason I love this shower valve is because it is built upon the Moen M-PACT common valve system. As such, this model’s ½” IPS connections should be fully compatible with any Moan faucet style, even if you choose to upgrade many years in the future. Even with this level of installation flexibility, this shower valve still manages to maintain a high standard of pressure balancing performance. It also includes a volume control mechanism to help decrease your regular shower water intake.

I will admit that the Moen 3510 M-PACT is a bit on the expensive side, often at over $100 a pop. But, given its excellent performance, longevity, and warranty, I would gladly pay that much again.

Also Recommended: Best Moen Shower Heads

Next up, I want to introduce you to my runner up for best overall shower valve – the Symmons S-46-1-BODY Temptrol. Symmons is another trusted name in the shower valve industry, so you can definitely count on this model’s brass and bronze construction to exceed its expected service life. Even if it does wear down a bit early, you’ll always be able to get a replacement through this unit’s lifetime warranty.

As for this shower valve’s performance, you’ll really be surprised at what the Symmons S-46-1-BODY Temptrol is capable of. For example, this shower valve is built with an adjustable stop screw. This small inclusion ensures that any shower handle mounted to it can only turn so far. This feature works well with this model’s integral temperature limiter, which can prevent scalding or a sudden surge in hot water.

Interestingly enough, this shower valve is not just a pressure balancing type valve. When purchasing it, you can also get one that includes an optional integral diverter for use in a shower/tub set-up.

If you’ve done any shopping around for a new shower valve up to this point, you’ve likely seen that the Pfister 0X8310A is a pretty popular model.

That’s likely because it is a fairly basic pressure balancing shower valve compatible with back-to-back installation. At the same time, I believe a lot of this model's popularity revolves around its solid construction. This model's solid brass construction (including brass stems) won’t ever give up the ghost prematurely.

Speaking of durability, the Pfister 0X8310A also makes use of this brand’s specialized Pforever Seal. Its internal ceramic disc valve won’t crack or degrade – even after a decade or more of daily use. You’ll also find that this model comes with a protective black guard cover that can be used during the installation process. After that, the guard can be removed to ensure the unit is properly aligned and mounted according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Folks who are looking to integrate low flow technology into their shower will also like the Pfister 0X8310A. That’s because it can be adjusted all the way down to a 0.5 GPM water flow setting with relative ease.

Finding the best Kohler shower valve would be hard if you were left to your own devices. But fortunately, you have an expert like me on your side. That’s why I want to recommend the KOHLER K-304-KS-NA to you. That’s because this model utilizes a proprietary Rite-Temp pressure-balancing valve system that prevents almost all fluctuations within a 3 degree range. At the same time, this unit also includes a high-temperature limit stop to ensure sudden drops in cold water don’t scald you or your family members.

This model’s diaphragm design valve is also very unique among its competitors. Specifically, the KOHLER K-304-KS-NA’s diaphragm design is made to prevent freeze-ups from contamination and water debris. As such, your maintenance with this particular shower valve will be minimal at best. That includes maintenance of this model’s overall structure, which is made from corrosion-resistant brass.

The KOHLER K-304-KS-NA does have a noteworthy shortcoming that I must mention, though. As it turns out, its highest flow rate is around 5 GPM. That’s not very low by modern standards, which may make those looking to save water hesitant.

Also Recommeneded: Best Kohler Shower Heads

I’ll admit that it is hard to determine the best rough in shower valve just on appearance alone. Instead, you need to look past the surface to see a model like the Moen 2520 and its outstanding array of specifications and features.

This includes a Posi-Temp valve, which was engineered by this brand to provide an unmatched level of temperature stability. You’ll find that this mechanism can also effectively pressure balance and temperature limit. As such, you can count on this model's safety through and through.

Also, in terms of value, you get a lot out of the Moen 2520. For starters, this unit can be found online under $100. For that price, you get a lifetime limited warranty from one of the industry’s most trusted brands. That price also accounts for this model’s 4 ports, which is almost double the usual amount for a shower valve of this price.

Even this model’s heat-resistant brass speaks to its overall value. Taken together, you’re not likely to find a more affordable or reliable rough in shower valve on the market today.

If you’re not familiar with the Hansgrohe brand, then you’re not alone. They appear to be a relatively new player on the market, with their Hansgrohe iBox making up the core of their brand.

Based on the popularity of this model alone, I’d say that this brand is on the rise. That’s because this approximate $80 unit is easily one of the best universal shower valves available right now. You need not look further than this unit’s durable brass and PVC construction to see that that’s the case.

But if you need more proof, then check out the Hansgrohe iBox’s housing construction. It is designed to be leak-proof, naturally. But in field tests, this model actually exceeded better-known brand’s units on this front. This housing also includes a series of rubber seals not seen in its competitors. These seals trap in operational noise, which makes this one of the quietest shower valves in its class.

The Hansgrohe iBox also stands out for its increased compatibility. Specifically, DIYers will really appreciate that this model can be connected to either ½” or ¾” plumbing without risking leaks.

For more on the Hansgrohe brand, check out our review of Hansgrohe faucets.

I’ll be the first to admit that the MOEN 2570 M-Pact is relatively similar to another model discussed in this collection. But for whatever reason, I’ve found this unit to be both a little cheaper on average and a bit easier to install by hand.

As a fairly easy shower temperature control valve, this model makes use of a simplified mounting system that even a DIYer can understand. Should you ever need replacement parts, you’ll be able to get them in a flash, too, thanks to the lifetime warranty that comes standard with this unit.

Besides this, you’ll find many of the best specifications in the MOEN 2570 M-Pact that have made the brand so popular. This includes a solid brass construction that can resist the wear and tear of more than a decade of daily use.

However, unlike other models in this unit’s line, the MOEN 2570 M-Pact utilizes a quarter-turn stop system. As a safety feature, this can prevent over-adjustment and the resulting scalding that can come with it.

Finally, if you’re looking for the best cheap model that won't let you down on quality, be sure to have a look at the American Standard R111.

Clocking in at under $50 on various online stores, this unit costs around half of its competitors in the pressure balancing shower valve class. But despite that bargain price, this unit is still built from the best materials. This includes a cast brass frame that can withstand long-term contact with hard water. This model’s ceramic cartridges are similarly built to last and remain wholly leak-free.

Speaking of cartridges, the American Standard R111's cartridges are super reliable in terms of performance. They are often able to accommodate sudden surges in hot or cold water without causing you any discomfort. Along the same lines, this model's diaphragm system is designed to eliminate cross-flow efficiently. Over the life of this shower valve, that small operation change can significantly decrease the occurrences of mineral build-up inside the valve proper.

I’ll also note that the American Standard R111 accepts a wide variety of inlets. This includes ½” copper and iron pipes, as well as PEX and CPVP adapters.

Shower valves can fall victim to a variety of common problems. Chief among these is dripping or leaking, which can result from long-term use or wear on the valve itself. In most cases, this is a physical problem with the valve itself that warrants a total replacement.

Meanwhile, there are a variety of other problems that could befall your shower valve. Check out this video for more information on those problems as well as quick ways to resolve them.

With all things said and done, you should now have a pretty solid understanding of what to look for in a high-quality shower valve. Of course, you won’t really need to shop around thanks to the collection of top-tier models reviewed above. You should be able to use these to pick out the perfect shower valve replacement for your home’s bathroom.

If you’re still unsure which to go with, I want to recommend the Moen 3510 M-PACT. This is a solid, general-purpose pressure balancing shower valve that does not require a professional to install. It is built on top of this brand’s common valve system. As such, you’ll easily attach it to any new plumbing work down the line without any hassle.