Electric vs. Mixer Showers: What's Better For You?

24th March 2026

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Having your bathroom renovated, or simply upgrading your shower? Whatever your plans, you’ll have an important choice to make - installing an electric shower or a mixer shower. 

 

Choosing the right shower can make a surprisingly big difference to your daily routine. It can affect water pressure and temperature control, as well as energy efficiency and overall comfort. 

 

So, which one is right for you? Here, we’ll walk you through the main things to consider when choosing between electric and mixer showers. 

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Electric vs mixer showers: what’s the difference?

The main difference between electric and mixer showers is in how the water is heated and delivered. 

 

Electric showers heat cold water instantly using an internal heating element, so they don’t need a boiler or hot water supply. This is why they’re commonly used in homes with older plumbing systems or limited hot water capacity. 

 

Mixer showers, meanwhile, blend hot and cold water from your home’s water supply. You can set the exact temperature in many cases, so you can get your shower exactly as you like it. They work with combi boilers, hot water cylinders and system boilers. 

 

While you’ll find both in the UK, mixer showers are perhaps the most popular - as they offer the best balance of comfort and performance. You’ll often get the best water pressure, as well as better temperature stability. 

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Are mixer showers better than electric showers?

For most households, yes - mixer showers are better, especially if you already have a reliable hot water system.

 

Here are just a few of the many reasons why:

  • Stronger water pressure - mixer showers deliver a fuller, more powerful flow, particularly when paired with a decent boiler. Electric showers are limited by how quickly they can heat water, which can mean disappointingly weak water pressure.
  • More consistent temperature - if you’ve ever used an electric shower, you’ll notice that they often struggle when a tap or other appliance is used elsewhere in the house. You may get a sudden flash of hot or freezing water (or both!). Mixer showers don’t have this problem, as they offer smoother, more stable temperature control - especially if you choose a thermostatic model. 
  • A better shower experience - mixer showers can deliver closer to a spa-like shower experience, whereas electric showers can feel more like a functional rinse. 

 

Compatibility with premium and filtered shower heads - if you want to upgrade your shower with a performance enhancing accessory like the Curo Filtered Shower Head, you’ll usually find it easier with a mixer shower. This can be particularly important if you live in a hard water area, where filtering shower water is crucial for your skin and hair. 

Is a mixer shower cheaper to run than electric?

In most cases, a mixer shower is usually cheaper to run than an electric shower, especially in homes with a modern, efficient boiler.

 

Electric showers tend to be quite energy-hungry, as they use high-powered heating elements to heat cold water instantly. 

 

Mixer showers use hot water that’s been heated by your gas boiler, which is typically more energy efficient - and of course, gas is generally cheaper than electricity. 

Can you change an electric shower to a mixer shower?

You should be able to switch over from an electric to a mixer shower, but it depends on your home’s plumbing setup. 

 

It’s best to get a qualified plumber in to take a look, as they’ll need to check that you have a hot water supply, suitable pipework for hot and cold feeds, and adequate water pressure. If you decide to make the switch, you’ll also need an electrician to safely disconnect the electric unit.  

Do thermostatic mixer showers need electricity?

No, thermostatic mixer showers don’t usually use any electricity at all. They use a mechanical valve to automatically balance hot and cold water, to maintain a consistent temperature. This means no need for electric wiring, and reduced risk of sudden temperature spikes. 

 

That being said, you can also find digital or smart mixer showers which use a very small amount of electricity for user controls or lighting. 

Which is best: electric shower or mixer?

Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose what suits you best, and it may depend on the water supply and plumbing in your home. 

 

If you don’t have a boiler or hot water cylinder, you need a simple standalone solution and water pressure isn’t a concern, you can go for an electric shower. 

 

But many households prefer a mixer shower, as it offers stronger water pressure, consistent temperature and energy savings too. It’s also a good pick if you plan to use a high-quality shower head like the Curo Filtered Shower Head for better water quality and skin-friendly showering.

 

In a nutshell, a mixer shower delivers a better, more enjoyable and more relaxing shower experience for most households. 

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