Product advice for the shower & bath tub

Here’s how to find the right shower hose

It can be easy to lose sight of what’s important when looking for a shower hose. What is the optimum length, which connections and surfaces are suitable for existing faucets and showers? Here you can find out what works, lasts, and harmonizes – and how the models differ. When you make a purchase, please also consider your health and choose a shower hose that is safe for drinking water.

It’s best not to scrimp on quality, comfort, and design

Woman showering with Designflex and Rainfinity in Polished Gold Optic.
Enjoy top-class wellness moments with the Rainfinity hand shower and the Designflex shower hose. The anti-twist protection at the end of the hose provides excellent user comfort.

Whether in DIY stores, discounters, specialty bathroom retailers or online retailers, there is an abundance of shower hoses out there. If you have the choice, it would be nice if the hose lasts a long time and fits harmoniously into your bathroom’s overall interior design. Also nice: When it can swing freely, so it doesn’t buckle or twist. Something else you don’t want when showering, bathing, or washing your hair: A shower hose that scratches or rubs against the skin – you want one that feels nice to the touch. Lastly, a shower hose that releases plasticizers (phthalates) is not at all acceptable. 

Good shower hoses are certified as safe for drinking water.

If we were only allowed to make one recommendation, it would be to get a shower hose that’s certified as safe for drinking water. When harmful substances from inferior plastics start leaching into the water, the joy of the bargain price stops. All hansgrohe shower hoses are suitable for drinking water. The premium brand uses only flawless, high-quality components and materials. With these kinds of quality hoses, the water only comes into contact with materials that are approved for drinking water. By the way, this also applies to good hand showers.

Convenient shower hoses: Which length should I buy?

The length of your shower hose depends on several factors: Do you shower in the bath tub or shower cabin, standing or sitting? Are you tall? Do you have a shower bar on which your shower holder can be pushed up high? Is the shower hose connected to a low bath tub faucet or a shower thermostat, which sits higher? Or does your water come directly from the wall (as with a concealed installation system)? In other words, when it comes to the length, you need to think about your individual bathroom scenario.

Commercial shower hose lengths are:

  • 1.25 meters: The optimum measurement for the bath tub – so that there isn’t too much hose in the way when bathing.
  • 1.60 meters: The optimum measurement for the shower – allows room to move and ensures a comfortable and enjoyable shower.
  • 2.00 meters: For plenty of space when you shower (standing) in the bath tub. This way, you can enjoy plenty of height for your shower head, even if the faucet is mounted down low.

High-quality shower hoses: Which material should I buy?

Durable shower hoses are made of robust, high-quality materials. If they aren’t, they bend, become porous, get cracks or holes, and quickly leak. A leaking hose is a bad hose – and a waste of water. In the past, the classic metal hose represented high quality. Today, even good plastics are durable. Another benefit: Plastics are also softer on your skin, your ceramics, and are easier to clean. Above all else, make sure the shower hose is described as “anti-twist” or “kink-protected”. This prevents annoying water accumulation or premature wear and tear. We also advise you to do the “scratch test” in store: How does the shower hose feel on your skin? Keep away from surfaces with a poor-quality finish and materials that scrape your skin!

On the subject of cleaning: Maintain your shower hose using a mild, commercially available bathroom cleaner. High-quality plastic hoses are easy to clean and hygienic because they have no grooves in which limescale and other residues can accumulate.

On sustainability: The material used to make shower hoses should be safe and sustainable, i.e., recyclable. Are you aware of the innovative technology used to extract plastic materials for the yarns made of recycled PET plastic bottles? A major benefit for the environment!

Beautiful shower hoses: Which design should I buy?

A classic look in metal or a modern look in plastic: It’s all a matter of taste. For metal, we recommend using a shower hose with an additional plastic coating – so that the hair or skin can't get pinched when showering. And the color? Hoses with chrome foil go perfectly with chrome showers and faucets. The shiny metal look blends timelessly and elegantly into your bathroom ambiance. The trendy metal spiral look made of plastic, which “fakes” the classic metal hose, also creates a visual highlight. If you’re more of a purist, go for a white hose, which looks fancy with white hand showers or tiles. Trendy colors such as gold, green, blue, or red also create fresh contrasts.

The fitting shower hose: Which connections do I need?

The beauty of a high-quality shower hose is it is effortless to attach and detach. Replacing it is child’s play. To ensure your new hose perfectly connects the faucet to the shower at home, please check the connection sizes before purchasing. The majority of shower faucets have a 1/2-inch thread, and most shower hoses are standardized based on this (on both sides). The 3/4-inch thread is much rarer. (Tip: There are adapters to help these connections work on 1/2-inch hoses). Still not sure? Simply unscrew your old hose and take it to the store. Also have a look at the quality of the connections and threads on the hose: An additional plus point is a high-quality nut, for example one made of brass. You also need to check that the two necessary seals are included in the packaging.

hansgrohe shower hoses: High-quality and well thought-out – whether made of metal or plastic

Sophisticated technology, high quality, and an attractive look: This applies not only to hansgrohe faucets and showers, but also to hansgrohe shower hoses. Most of the premium products are manufactured in the company’s own factory in Southwest Germany, so they feature the “Made in Germany” seal.

All hansgrohe shower hoses are:

  • suitable for drinking water and phthalate-free
  • anti-twist/kink-protected and watertight
  • hard-wearing and robust
  • scratch-free and skin-friendly – thanks to plastic or plastic coating
  • especially pressure- and tensile-resistant
  • easy to clean and maintain
  • standardized – connecting nut fits all hand showers
  • easy to attach and detach
  • sustainable, because they’re recyclable
 Cross-section of a hansgrohe shower hose. 
Cross-section of a quality shower hose: The ball bearing swivel on the connecting nut prevents the hose from tangling in the shower.

Sophisticated shower hoses with the right twist

Get to know the different materials and designs from the hansgrohe product range here. The following shower hoses are available in the standard lengths of 1.25/1.60/2.00 meters. The models, made of robust plastic, are highly flexible, meaning the hose hangs freely.

  • Isiflex shower hose: Metal-effect plastic hose with swivel. Economical: Isiflex is also available with volume control, meaning the shower hose regulates the amount of water in a Select hand shower to 5 l/min.
  • Metaflex shower hose: Plastic hose with metal spiral look.
  • Sensoflex shower hose: Metal hose with transparent plastic coating.
  • Designflex shower hose: Textile-like yarns made of recycled PET plastic create a warm feel.

Do you still remember the analog days, back when we had knotted telephone cables? Shower hoses behave in a similar way, and it’s annoying. But: Thanks to their “ball-bearing swivel,” hansgrohe’s Isiflex hoses no longer get twisted in the shower and bath tub. How? The shower connection nut is designed to rotate freely. This way, the hose doesn’t get entangled and interfere with your shower. The hose also always hangs so elegantly on the shower bar.

Above and beyond the standard: Shower hoses put to the test

hansgrohe has been developing the design and functionality of its shower hoses for over 40 years now. Naturally, the hoses have all the key approvals that protect you as a consumer. Many of hansgrohe’s innovations even far surpass the required standards – the premium brand simply has its own quality requirements. Every shower hose is therefore put through its paces in stress tests. Should you have any reason to complain, hansgrohe shower hoses have a voluntary guarantee of five years.

Woman showering with Planet Edition products.

Designflex combines comfort, style, and sustainability

Sustainability, comfort, and feel literally go hand in hand with the Designflex range. The multi-colored braiding gives the shower hose a pleasant, textile-like feel and is also waterproof and water-repellent. This ensures optimum hygiene and easy cleaning. The yarn made of recycled PET plastics adopts the principle of the circular economy and is the perfect fit for hansgrohe’s “green” direction.

High-quality shower hoses decorate your bathroom

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