Let me preface this review by stating that I am writing it with the intent of helping the person who has read many showerhead reviews and is still on the fence.
I am no stranger to residential showerheads. I have previously owned Delta, Standard, Speakman, and Giessdorf. In my current home, I have Grohe and Moen. What I prize in a showerhead is above average water flow and a water experience. "Above average water flow" means sufficient flow to thoroughly rinse away lathered body wash. A "water experience" means that you and your skin are rejuvenated after the shower. The Giessdorf, Grohe, Speakman, and Moen typically provided above average water flow after I removed the flow restrictor. My basis for the "water experience" was when I had the great fortune to stay at a six-star hotel; what an awesome shower they had. None of the showerheads that I previously purchased came close to that experience.
That all changed with the K-15996-CP. I googled the Kohler brand because that was the first showerhead that I found by them. There were more negative reviews than positive, but I was really intrigued by the design. I decided to take the plunge.
Kohler packaged the head in a cardboard box, not the standard plastic encasement. When I removed the head, it did not feel as heavy as I anticipated. It is not quite heavy enough to be all metal, but not light enough to be cheap plastic. I am sure that there is plastic, but it is not the lower-end, thin-walled plastic. Installation was easy. Yes, I know that it is very easy to install a showerhead. What I mean is that I was unsure if I were going to keep the showerhead so I did not use new piping tape from when I removed the Moen showerhead. I expected a small leak that I would remove when I applied new piping tape if I decided to keep the showerhead. Much to my surprise, there was absolutely no leakage at the junction. In comparison, I had to two remove the Moen showerhead and add more tape when I initially installed it. That is what I mean by easy installation. The second surprise was the water pressure when I turned on the shower. The K-15996 is the FIRST showerhead that I have purchased where I had terrific water pressure without removing the flow restrictor. The water flow and pressure are great! I was very surprised and tremendously pleased. Criteria one was overwhelming met.
Next was the actual shower. I do not remember the names for the four functions. The functions are distinct and you switch them by rotating the showerhead on its axis. The rotation is smooth and is easily performed with wet or soapy hands. The wide-angle spray mode is great because covers so much of your body with a constant water flow. This spray pattern is much better than any showerhead that I have had, but I have not previously had a pure rainfall showerhead. The next wide-angle spray mode is what I call rain-splatter and this is the most luxurious mode to me. This mode feels like millions of little rain drops dropping on you as they fall from the leaves of a dense forest. I turn the water hotter and I just enjoy this mode ... it is truly invigorating to me. The next mode comes from one of the slots and it is a thick, relatively speaking, sheet of water ... great for rinsing and the spray pattern has a wide width. The last pattern is from the second slot and it is my second favorite. This pattern is a thin layer of high velocity water that looks painful (like it would cut you in half), but is so soft. When I switch to this mode, I can feel the air moving around me because of the water velocity. The water temperature also cools because of the water velocity. You have to slightly increase the water temperature at the control or the water will feel colder on your skin. I can wholeheartedly say that the water experience criteria was fully met.
In summary, this showerhead is a great find for me and I am constantly looking for an excuse to take another shower. An hour or two after my shower, I still feel invigorated. Your mileage may vary, but I absolutely love this showerhead.
| Brand | KOHLER |
|---|---|
| Style | Polished Chrome, 2.5 GPM |
| Shape | Round |
| Material | Plastic |
| Finish Type | Polished |
| Setting Type | Full Body, Massage, Mist, Rain |
| Installation Type | Wall Mounted |
| Flow Rate Description | 2.5 GPM |
| Color | Polished Chrome |
| Product Dimensions | 5.75"L x 5.25"W |
| Hose Length | 6.73 Inches |
| Number of settings | 4 |
| Number of Jets | 4 |
| Manufacturer | KOHLER |
| Part Number | 15996-CP |
| Item Weight | 1.14 pounds |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | 15996-CP |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Finish | Polished |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Flow Rate | 2.5 Gallons Per Minute |
| Included Components | showerhead |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | KOHLER® Faucet Lifetime LimitedWarranty |
