I like the versatility of having both. If you don't want the expense, get a handheld with the bracket that hooks onto the shower arm, and then you can remove it when needed for cleaning.

You could go with dual, but like Heimert said there are plenty of handhelds that go to a bracket, so it's both. If it's cramped you may bump the hose a bit which may make the head twist around, although the head I'm talking about is a cheapie, the good ones with the metal armoured hose lie flatter, out of the way.

We got a waterpik handheld with a bracket head for around $40 at Costco that looks like it will have a decent flow (not installed yet) that I will put in my downstairs bathroom, I think it's a nice-looking fixture.

Water saving heads are something you may want to consider, water is a precious commodity.

Hi fish, I've been considering just the same thing! I only have one bathroom and it's also a shower over tub. I was deciding between the fixed showerhead plus handheld vs. handheld only - in either case, the handheld would be on a slidebar. (I like flexibility. :-))

My consideration was less cost (though that's always an issue) than with the amount of *stuff* you have to put on the wall. It helps that I decided to go with Hansgrohe fixtures - they have a shower control that's a combination thermostatic valve trim, volume control, and diverter, all in one. Much fewer controls on the wall than with other brands. But there's still the issue of how many showerheads...

It was finally clinched for me the other night when I was coming home from the gym, all hot and sweaty and with my back hurting. I thought of the ability to have a shower come down over my head while the handheld was aimed at my lower back, and it just seemed like *heaven*. :-)

If you do go with just the handheld in the kids' bathroom, I would definitely do the slide bar - I don't know how old your kids are, but if they're still short, they might appreciate being able to bring the shower down to their level.

Thanks! In the kids' room I think we're doing the hook things instead of a slide bar. My 5yo daughter would love to play "koala" bear and try to climb the bar, and my 2yo son would love to imitate her! I've basically decided to do the fixed plus handheld in the hall bath. In the master I think just the fixed head (space is a little issue, and cost is an issue)...the plumbing supplier confirmed that in the future, if I want, I can take the showerhead off the flange (is that the word for the arm?) and attach my own handheld if I decide I want one. I realize now I won't be able to do what you did--the *heaven* shower--in my own shower, but I guess I can always do that in the kids' bath!!

Charlikin, if you have the Hansgrohe with diverter, you won't be able to use the wall mount and handheld at the same time. If you want to use both simultaneously, you will need two valves.

I have the Hansgrohe Retroaktive on a slider bar for my childrens' baths. I really like it. I also like using the handheld to clean the shower itself. If you have a standard 30" shower/tub, it fits better on the wall to just use the bar. My three kids never tried to climb the bar. One advantage of the bar over the hook is that you can adjust it as the kids grow. I can't come up with any advantages that the wall mount has over the handheld on a wall bar (unless you don't like the look of the wall bar).

In my master shower at my old house, I only had a Grohe thermostatic valve with a handheld on a shower bar. No wall mount shower head there either. I never missed it. I would much prefer just having a handheld on a bar to just having the wall mount.

Astrid, I'm pretty sure with the Hansgrohe ThermoBalance III, you can have both showerheads go at once...

Yes, here's a quote from their spec sheet:

'Function 1 can only be used individually, functions 2 and 3 can be used individually or simultaneously.'

Usually function 1 is hooked up to the tub, and functions 2 and 3 are the showerheads.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hansgrohe spec sheet

I have a shower over tub and have the handheld hansgrohe on a slide bar and really like it. I don't miss a fixed head at all and the nice thing is that I can put the handheld down low on the bar and reach and use it while in the tub if I care to.

Charlikin, that's great, I didn't know that. Enjoy your post-workout showers!

I have a handheld on a slide bar, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. First of all, it can't be beat for rinsing shampoo out of my hair. Second, it's great for directing the shower spray up.

I just had the hansgrohe thermobalance 3 installed, because I wanted a normal showerhead and a handheld shower, but did not like a bar.

Normally, when you turn it on, the wall mount shower would turn on first, then as you continue, you would get both and finally the hand held only. I had the plumber invert this, because if you use the handheld for washing a kid etc, you do not want the overhead shower to come on first.

I have the 36" slide bar from hansgrohe and love it. I dont have a fixed head. It is in the kids bathroom/guest bath. So for everyday use with the kids I use the bath or the handheld at the lowest setting so the kids feel comfortable and not scared of the water( my kids are 4 and 2). But, when we have guests over and they are tall, they can put it all the way up to the top and still be under the water. That was very important since my husband and several family and friends that stay at our home are 6'4" or better. Having the 36" bar really allows me the freedom to cover all bases. I also hate hate hate not having a handheld to clean the shower with. That is the first thing we are doing in the Master when we remodel since it is a bear to clean having just the stationary one. Good Luck.

Fishface, just had to go back and comment on the "koala bear" thing... OMG, I wonder if your daughter and I are distant cousins? I used to climb all over the furniture when I was a kid, and I can absolutely see myself having tried to hang from the shower bar if I'd had one. LOL!

Bhoublon, thanks for the info on how the ThermoBalance III works - that wouldn't have occurred to me. I'll have to think about which fixture I'd want to come on first... (I guess less flexibility is the price you pay for having fewer controls on the wall.)

I ended up with a dual showerhead for our in-progress 3 x 4 shower (will use one or other the majority of the time, just wanted one powerful head and one rainhead). One head is fixed, one's on a 10" extension arm.

I feel the extension arm gives me the flexibility of a handheld -- can lower for visiting kids, health issues that require seated showers, days when I'm not washing hair, cleaning purposes, etc -- without the added visuals of a bar or hose. And as I've always loved swing arm lamps, the look is a plus for me.

In fact I just put a new head with 9" extension arm in the other small, 3 x 3 shower and life is so good now, ha!

Seems like I read a lot about reduced spray intensity with a handheld, too....