Shopping for an Essence shower head, rail or dual system? We've picked 10 options across finishes and setups, from simple wall-mounted upgrades to full dual shower systems with diverters.
Tigar Bathrooms' Essence range is built for Australian bathrooms, with every shower product WELS-rated for water efficiency and finished in six popular tones — from timeless chrome through to the fast-rising brushed nickel. But with that many finishes and formats on offer, picking the right one for your space can take a bit of narrowing down.
In this guide, we've rounded up our top 10 Essence shower picks right now, from single wall-mounted heads to full dual systems with diverters. We'll also walk through a few quick pre-purchase checks — like whether your wall plumbing suits a dual system — so your new shower goes in without surprises.
Best Essence Showers Overview
If you want… |
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Why |
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The most in-demand finish for 2026 |
Brushed nickel is Australia's fastest-growing tapware finish, and resists water spots better than polished chrome |
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A full-featured system with handheld flexibility |
Overhead rose plus handheld sprayer, controlled by one diverter |
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Bold, contemporary contrast |
Fingerprint-resistant matte finish, strong against light tiles |
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A statement matte black system |
Full round unit for an architectural, high-contrast bathroom |
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A "safe middle ground" finish |
More character than chrome, less bold than full black |
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Gunmetal in a full dual system |
Overhead and handheld in the same rich tone |
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A warm, luxe finish |
Soft glow that suits natural stone and warm-toned tiles |
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The most budget-friendly option |
Classic finish, easiest to match with existing fittings |
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A budget-friendly dual system |
Full overhead-and-handheld function without the premium finish price |
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A compact, no-overhead upgrade |
Handheld-only option for small bathrooms or ensuites |
1. Essence Brushed Nickel Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm | WELS 5 Star
Best for: A timeless, low-maintenance upgrade in 2026's most in-demand finish.
Brushed nickel has become the standout choice for Australian renovators, and this wall-mounted showerhead shows why. The soft, warm-grey tone resists fingerprints and water spots better than polished chrome, and works with almost any tile colour — so it's a safe long-term pick if you're not chasing a trend that'll date. WELS 5-star rated, so it's efficient as well as good-looking.
Essence Brushed Nickel Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm — $199
2. Essence Brushed Nickel Dual Shower with Diverter | WELS 5 Star
Best for: Busy family bathrooms that want both an overhead and handheld option.
This dual system pairs an overhead rain shower with a handheld sprayer in the same brushed nickel finish, switched between with a simple diverter. It's a strong all-rounder for families, cleaning the shower screen, or washing pets — one coordinated system rather than two separate fittings to match.
Essence Brushed Nickel Dual Shower with Diverter — $600
3. Essence Matte Black Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm | WELS 5 Star
Best for: Bold, contemporary bathrooms that want strong contrast.
Matte black remains a strong performer for modern spaces, especially against white tiles or a freestanding bath. The matte coating hides fingerprints and water marks, so it stays looking sharp with minimal upkeep — a practical choice for a shower that gets daily use.
Essence Matte Black Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm — $199
4. Essence Matte Black Round Shower Unit with Diverter | WELS 5 Star
Best for: A full architectural statement in a bold finish.
Where the wall-mounted head above suits a single-fitting upgrade, this round shower unit gives you the complete system — overhead and handheld, both in matte black, both controlled by one diverter. A confident pick for a bathroom built around strong, modern contrast.
Essence Matte Black Round Shower Unit with Diverter — $500
5. Essence Gunmetal Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm | WELS 5 Star
Best for: Character without committing to full black.
Gunmetal sits between chrome and matte black — more depth and personality than a polished finish, without the boldness of full black. It's becoming a popular "middle ground" pick for renovators who want something distinctive but still versatile long-term.
Essence Gunmetal Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm — $235
6. Essence Gunmetal Dual Shower with Diverter | WELS 5 Star
Best for: A full system in a distinctive, versatile tone.
The dual-system version of the gunmetal head above, this pairs an overhead rose with a handheld sprayer in the same rich finish — a good option if you want gunmetal's depth carried through the whole shower rather than a single fitting.
Essence Gunmetal Dual Shower with Diverter — $620
7. Essence Brushed Gold Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm | WELS 5 Star
Best for: A warmer, more luxe bathroom palette.
Brushed gold brings a soft glow rather than a high shine, which makes it easier to live with day-to-day than polished brass. It pairs especially well with natural stone benchtops or warm-toned tiles, and suits a bathroom leaning into a more elevated, spa-like feel.
Essence Brushed Gold Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm — $235
8. Essence Chrome Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm
Best for: A budget-friendly, easy-to-match classic.
Chrome remains the most straightforward finish to match against existing fittings, and it's the most affordable single shower head in the Essence range. A dependable choice if you're doing a simple swap-out rather than a full renovation.
Essence Chrome Showerhead on Wall Mounted Arm — $170
9. Essence Chrome Round Dual Shower with Diverter
Best for: Full dual-shower function without the premium-finish price tag.
If you want the practicality of an overhead-and-handheld system but don't need a statement finish, this chrome dual shower gives you the same diverter functionality as the brushed nickel and gunmetal options above, at a lower price point.
Essence Chrome Round Dual Shower with Diverter — $475
10. Essence Gunmetal Shower Handpiece on Bracket
Best for: Small bathrooms and ensuites that don't need a fixed overhead shower.
Not every bathroom has room — or need — for a full overhead system. This handheld-only unit on a wall bracket is a smart, lower-cost upgrade for compact ensuites, giving you shower function without the extra plumbing work of an overhead fitting.
Essence Gunmetal Shower Handpiece on Bracket — $165
Which Essence shower type suits your bathroom?
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Start with this question |
Best direction |
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Do you need a handheld option for kids, pets or cleaning? |
Choose a dual shower with diverter, or a standalone handpiece |
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Do you want the simplest single-fitting upgrade? |
Look at a wall-mounted showerhead on arm |
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Is your bathroom compact or an ensuite? |
Start with a handpiece on bracket — no overhead plumbing needed |
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Do you want a finish that won't date? |
Brushed nickel or chrome are the safest long-term picks |
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Is the shower meant to be a design feature? |
Matte black or brushed gold make the stronger visual statement |
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Do you want matching tapware across the bathroom? |
Choose your finish first, then match basin mixers and accessories from the same Essence colour range |
Once you've chosen your shower, match it with basin tapware, towel rails and robe hooks in the same finish from the Essence range — it's far easier to keep a bathroom looking coordinated when every fitting is chosen together rather than matched piece by piece later.
Why We Recommend Essence
Essence is Tigar Bathrooms' own tapware line, designed for Australian homes and finished in six on-trend colours — chrome, matte black, gunmetal, brushed gold, brushed nickel and antique brass. Every product in the shower range carries a WELS star rating, so you're getting water efficiency alongside the finish and format you want, and the full range is backed by Tigar Bathrooms' product warranty and 30-day returns policy.
It's not just a good-looking range either — Essence tapware, shower systems and accessories are designed to work together, so you can carry one finish through your basin mixer, shower, and even kitchen or laundry tapware for a consistent look across the whole home.
Ready to Upgrade Your Shower?
You can shop the full Essence shower range online at Tigar Bathrooms, with free Australia-wide shipping and a 30-day returns policy on every order.
Not sure which finish suits your bathroom? Get in touch and our team can help you compare options before you order.
FAQs
Which Essence shower is best for a family bathroom?
Start with a dual shower with diverter — the brushed nickel or gunmetal options give you both an overhead rose and a handheld sprayer, which works well when different people use the bathroom for different things.
Which Essence shower is best for a small bathroom or ensuite?
The Gunmetal Shower Handpiece on Bracket is a good starting point — it delivers full shower function without needing overhead plumbing, which makes it a simpler retrofit in a tight space.
Can I replace an existing shower with an Essence dual system?
Most Essence dual shower systems are designed for standard Australian wall plumbing, but every bathroom's rough-in is different. Check the exact product specification sheet and confirm compatibility with your plumber before ordering.
What's the difference between a wall-mounted showerhead and a dual shower with diverter?
A wall-mounted showerhead is a single fixed fitting — simple to install, lower cost. A dual shower with diverter combines an overhead shower and a separate handheld sprayer, switched between with one diverter, giving you more flexibility for a similar footprint.
What's the best shower finish for Australian bathrooms in 2026?
Brushed nickel is currently the fastest-growing finish choice among Australian renovators, prized for its timeless, low-maintenance look. Matte black and gunmetal remain strong picks for bolder, more contemporary bathrooms.
