I don't have one yet (just shopping for ours now), so I'll just share what I've found so far, and I'm sure others will jump in with specific models they're happy with.

The government restricts how much water can pass through a shower head, so the wider the rain head and the more nozzles, the less water any showerhead can put through each nozzle. But some of the rain shower heads mix air with the water, which creates the feeling of a stronger spray. Hansgrohe is one of the manufacturers which does this in their Raindance Air lines of showerheads. I think they were the first, but some other manufacturers now use the same technique. But ultimately, the really big rainshower heads are designed to provide a rain-like, more gentle spray than other shower heads which offer adjustable spray types. If your main considerations are a strong spray and a wide spray, it may be that a non-rainshower adjustable head will be more suited to your desires. (A very compact showerhead can produce a very wide spray; it just depends on the way the nozzles are designed.) You might want to look at some hybrid-like models which have a small (6" wide) rainshower-like head but with multiple, adjustable sprays to cater to multiple desires. Here's a link below to one such model.

-- Eric

Here is a link that might be useful: Hansgrohe Raindance Air Jet adjustable showerhead

I put one of those shower heads Eric described in my parents bathroom that I redesigned. It's a hand held one and they have a matching overhead one as well. It's quite nice, I was pleased with it, it's not hard driving shower, which some people like. But it still has nice water pressure. The HG fixtures have been holding up nicely, I think i did their shower 3+ years ago and they still look good after daily use by a bunch of people.

We are very tall people so rain showers can be really nice. The one overhead really makes a difference (for dad), but the handheld option was something my mom wanted for cleaning. It is very convenient actually to have two. I lined up all the valves so they run in a neat vertical line and the plumbing was not all that complicated.

Highly recommend these shower heads.

Thanks for the responses, they're very helpful. Funkyamazon, did you install the same Hansgrohe that Eric linked to or a different brand? Would you say the overhead one could be used as the main showerhead without the handheld? Do you think it would take a long time to rinse long hair?

We loved this HG shower head the sleek clean lines and it was a stronger spray. But it is way too much money for us. Something in that price range better have a motor attached to it or something. We are currently using a 8" rainshower no frills Pegasus brand in 2nd bathroom for the last year. I have a lot of hair and can tell you I have not had a bit of problem washing my hair clean of soap and conditioner. We did pick out a similar shower head to HG from Aquabrass. It's been so long I really forgot what it looked like but I know it is very similar. It is less then 200.00. I am interested to hear from others too if some new products have come out that compete with the HG. If you have some nice plumbing stores in your area you might find something from a different vendor. I know when we were looking before, there was a large showroom that had fixtures from companies I have never heard of and one was from Canada and they had a rain shower head that had these chrome points that look like a strong spray producer. It was kinda scarry looking to tell ya the truth but it might be fantastic. Sadly they didn't have any hooked up and working to try.

Here is a link that might be useful: HG Rainshower head air injection

The Hansgrohe Raindance E 150 Air shower head I linked to as an example actually isn't super expensive. I see it online for just under $100 in chrome, about $25 more in nickel. There are many other models, even from Hansgrohe, so I'm not suggesting this is the showerhead to get; I was using it as an example. Most of the people I've talked with about bathroom products seem to rate Hansgrohe at or near the top in terms of quality. Sadly, none of them have motors attached. ;)

-- Eric

I have the S150 handheld that I believe is 7" wide. A local showroom has the 10" rainshower and 12" one and it is a monster. It really pumps the water without being violent. My shower heads work very effectively and a friend who has very long hair has the Croma which is also an air shower head. Grohe also makes one. Look for anything that has air injection and this will compensate for lower water pressure. My S150 was a replacement for the Kohler showerhead that the previous owners installed. The kohler had very low pressure. I have stayed in several hotels that have the Speakman shower heads. I cannot recommend these. I felt battered and bruised every time I took a shower. They have a needle like spray that was no enjoyable to me. The hansgrohe is not like that at all The pressure is perfect and the amount of water being pumped is perfect.

Good luck with your choice!

LOL Jacobse I'm sorry, I wasn't refering to the one you had pictured I was refering to the one that I picked out and loved but was 680.00 YIKES! Even more for the one that I really liked, I think it was double that.

I have the plain 12 overhead rain shower head:

Mounted horizontally, so the head fills with water and it just drains out.

If you're looking for more water for a warmer shower, I've never been in a shower that fit that description better than standing under this.

What's the make of yours mondragon?

duden - I got it on amazon.

I was replacing one that had a bolt in the middle and had rusted out there.