A shower trim is the decorative part of a shower valve: the handle, the plate behind it and the visible parts of the tub spout or shower head. It is usually added after the shower surround is finished.
If you want your trim to last, it must be sealed well around the edges so that water cannot leak into the wall. When buying a shower valve or anything else that needs a trim, check the materials, styles and designs. Most people match the trim to the shower head or valve, so that they share the same material and finish, but you can also combine finishes for a more distinctive look.
The most important thing to know is that most trim kits are sold without the valve, and the trim must match the rough valve brand and series. Below we compare eight popular trim kits from Delta, Moen, Pfister, hansgrohe and Grohe, and tell you which rough valve you need with each one. If you still need the valve itself, see our shower valve reviews.
| Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Best overall
Delta Windemere 14 Series Single-Function Valve Trim Kit, Oil Rubbed Bronze |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best budget
Delta Foundations 13 Series Single-Function Valve Trim Kit, Brushed Nickel |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best modern style
Delta Lahara 17 Series Dual-Function Shower Handle Valve Trim Kit, Chrome |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best for Moen valves
Moen Gibson Posi-Temp Shower Trim Kit, T2901 (Valve Required) |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best rated
Pfister Pfirst Modern Single Handle Shower Valve Trim Kit R89040K |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Premium pick
hansgrohe Ecostat Modern Thermostatic Shower Valve Trim with Diverter, Chrome 04231000 |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best minimalist design
hansgrohe Ecostat Modern Pressure Balance Shower Valve Trim, Brushed Nickel 04233820 |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
 |
Best Grohe
Grohe 19411000 Eurosmart Cosmopolitan Pressure Balance Valve Trim, Polished Chrome |
VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Shower Trim Reviews in 2026
Best Delta Shower Trim Kits
1. Delta Windemere 14 Series Single-Function Valve Trim Kit, Oil Rubbed Bronze
The Windemere 14 Series is a single-handle shower trim kit from Delta in an oil rubbed bronze finish. It includes the Monitor pressure-balanced cartridge, which holds the temperature steady when someone flushes a toilet or runs an appliance, and it is designed to be used with Delta’s MultiChoice universal valve body.
- Single-handle design, single-function trim
- Monitor pressure-balanced cartridge included
- Corrosion-resistant finish, oil rubbed bronze
- Rough valve sold separately (MultiChoice R10000-UNBX recommended)
- Very popular and highly rated, with a warm, traditional look
- Cartridge protects against sudden temperature changes
- Single handle is easy to operate
- Affordable for a name-brand trim kit
- Backed by Delta's warranty
- The valve body must be bought separately
- Oil rubbed bronze finish may not suit every bathroom
Our Verdict: Our top pick: well rated, reasonably priced and attractive, as long as you remember to budget for the matching valve.
2. Delta Foundations 13 Series Single-Function Valve Trim Kit, Brushed Nickel
Delta’s Foundations trim kit is a simple single-handle shower trim in a brushed nickel finish, and it is one of the cheapest ways to refresh an existing Delta MultiChoice shower. The Monitor pressure-balanced cartridge is included, and the Brilliance finish is engineered to resist corrosion.
- Single-handle, single-function trim kit
- Monitor pressure-balanced cartridge included
- Brushed nickel finish, Brilliance corrosion-resistant coating
- Valve sold separately
- The most budget-friendly trim kit from a major brand in this group
- Classic styling blends into most bathrooms
- Pressure-balanced cartridge adds comfort and safety
- Simple operation
- Basic design with fewer style options than the premium kits
- A rough valve is not included
Our Verdict: The easiest and cheapest way to give an existing Delta shower a clean new look.
3. Delta Lahara 17 Series Dual-Function Shower Handle Valve Trim Kit, Chrome
The Lahara is a contemporary 17 Series trim with a dual-function handle that lets you adjust temperature and volume separately. The Monitor pressure-balanced cartridge is included, and the trim needs Delta’s MultiChoice universal valve to complete the unit.
- Dual-function handle for temperature and volume
- Monitor pressure-balanced cartridge included
- Chrome finish, Lahara 17 Series styling
- Valve not included
- Separate control of temperature and flow gives more precision
- Modern look suits contemporary bathrooms
- Pressure-balancing cartridge is included
- Well liked by owners
- Costs considerably more than the 13 and 14 Series trims
- Needs a MultiChoice valve that you must buy separately
Our Verdict: A better choice if you want a more modern style and finer control than a single-handle trim gives you.
Best Moen and Pfister Shower Trim Kits
4. Moen Gibson Posi-Temp Shower Trim Kit, T2901 (Valve Required)
Moen’s Gibson is a traditional single-handle trim kit for Moen’s Posi-Temp pressure-balancing valves. Because it only replaces the visible parts, it is a fast, inexpensive way to update the look of a Moen shower without opening the wall.
- Single-handle Moen Gibson styling
- For Moen Posi-Temp valves (valve required)
- Replaces the visible trim only
- Easy update without opening the wall
- Updates a Moen shower without touching the plumbing in the wall
- Low price from a major brand
- Classic styling matches many bathrooms
- A large and well-satisfied group of owners
- Only works with compatible Moen valves
- Fewer finishes than you might want
Our Verdict: A budget-friendly, hassle-free update for homes that already have a Moen Posi-Temp valve.
5. Pfister Pfirst Modern Single Handle Shower Valve Trim Kit R89040K
The Pfirst Modern is Pfister’s contemporary single-handle trim kit, which includes the handle, extension screw, retainer sleeve, gasket, wall flange, hex wrench and installation guide. It is designed exclusively for the Pfister 0X8 Series pressure-balancing valve, which is sold separately.
- Handle, extension screw, sleeve, gasket and wall flange included
- Single-handle modern design
- For Pfister 0X8 Series pressure-balancing valves
- Valve body sold separately
- Everything needed for the trim is in the box, including a hex wrench
- Contemporary, easy-to-clean design
- Top-rated in this group by owners
- Reasonable price for a modern look
- Easy installation guide
- Only works with Pfister 0X8 Series valves
- Limited availability of finishes compared with larger brands
Our Verdict: The best-rated trim here and a smart pick if you are building a new shower around Pfister’s valve.
Best hansgrohe and Grohe Shower Trim Kits
6. hansgrohe Ecostat Modern Thermostatic Shower Valve Trim with Diverter, Chrome 04231000
The Ecostat is hansgrohe’s thermostatic trim for a shower with two outlets, such as a shower head and a handheld. A high-quality thermostat cartridge holds the temperature steady, a SafetyStop button limits the maximum temperature, and a second handle switches between the outlets and controls volume.
- Thermostat concealed for 2 outlets (shower head and handheld)
- SafetyStop button prevents scalding temperatures
- Second handle for diverter and volume control
- Brass internals with a polymer trim plate
- True thermostatic control keeps the temperature precise
- SafetyStop adds safety for children and older users
- Can run two outlets, such as a head and a handheld
- Brass internals and a dent-resistant trim plate
- The most expensive trim in the group
- Needs a compatible hansgrohe rough valve
Our Verdict: A top-tier thermostatic trim for a premium shower with two outlets.
7. hansgrohe Ecostat Modern Pressure Balance Shower Valve Trim, Brushed Nickel 04233820
This is the simpler, single-outlet version of the Ecostat trim, with a pressure-balanced cartridge and one handle for volume and temperature. It has a minimalist, timeless design in brushed nickel and works best with hansgrohe’s iBox Universal Plus rough, which also reduces in-wall vibration and noise.
- Pressure-balanced cartridge for 1 outlet
- Single handle controls volume and temperature
- Brushed nickel finish, brass internals
- Recommended with the iBox Universal Plus rough
- Minimalist design that suits most bathrooms
- Single handle is simple to use
- Quiet operation when installed with the iBox rough
- Solid brass components inside
- Well rated by owners
- Rough valve (iBox) is sold separately
- Single outlet only, so no diverter for a handheld
Our Verdict: A simple, elegant European-style trim that is easy to live with.
8. Grohe 19411000 Eurosmart Cosmopolitan Pressure Balance Valve Trim, Polished Chrome
Grohe’s Eurosmart Cosmopolitan trim is a simple, modern pressure-balance trim in polished chrome with clean lines. The handle is included, and it is made to complete a Grohe Grohsafe pressure-balance rough-in valve, which is sold separately.
- Pressure-balance valve trim in polished chrome
- Lever handle included
- Clean, modern lines
- Requires the Grohsafe 35015 rough-in valve
- Handle is included, so there is one less thing to buy
- Modern, uncluttered style in a mirror-like chrome
- Reasonable price from a premium European brand
- Lever handle is ADA-friendly
- The Grohsafe rough-in valve is a separate purchase
- Chrome is the only finish, which limits styling options
- Rated slightly lower than the other trims here
Our Verdict: A modest-priced route to a Grohe shower, as long as you plan for the rough-in valve as well.
How to Choose a Shower Trim
Match the valve. A trim kit works only with certain valves. Delta 13 and 14 Series kits work with Delta’s MultiChoice universal valve, Moen kits need a Moen Posi-Temp valve, Pfister kits need a Pfister 0X8 valve, and the hansgrohe and Grohe trims need their own rough-in valves. Always check the compatible rough-in before you buy.
Choose the function. A pressure-balance trim uses one handle for volume and temperature and works for a single outlet. A thermostatic trim holds a set temperature more precisely and can also run more than one outlet. A dual-function handle gives you separate control of temperature and volume.
Pick a finish and style. Chrome and brushed nickel are the safest choices, while oil rubbed bronze gives a warmer, more traditional look. Whatever you choose, it should match your shower head, faucet and other bathroom hardware.
Mind the material. Look for brass internals and a durable, corrosion-resistant finish, because the trim is touched every day and sits in a wet environment.
If you are looking for other kinds of trim, see our tub and shower faucet reviews, tub, shower and hand shower trim reviews and shower faucet reviews.
