The terms “shower head diverter” and “shower head splitter” sound technical, but they describe two simple and useful parts of a shower that let you split the water coming to one shower head across additional shower heads.
Many people assume a diverter and a splitter are the same thing. They are very similar, but they do different jobs. The diverter comes first: its job is to redirect water in one or more directions, which lets you install more than one shower head. The splitter comes next: the water has already been diverted, and the splitter sends it along separate pipes that each end in a shower head.
The confusion comes from the fact that the two are usually combined into a single device that both diverts and splits the water. So whichever name you ask for in a shop, you will probably get the same thing, and luckily it is probably what you wanted. Below we compare three popular Delta shower arm diverters, then explain what to watch for when adding more shower heads.
| Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Best overall
Delta U4920-PK 3-Way Shower Arm Diverter with Handshower Mount |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best rated
Delta U4929-PK 3-Way Shower Arm Diverter for Handshower |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best value
Delta U4922-PK Shower Arm Diverter for Handshower |
VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Shower Head Diverter and Splitter Reviews in 2026
1. Delta U4920-PK 3-Way Shower Arm Diverter with Handshower Mount
Delta’s U4920-PK is a chrome shower arm diverter that adds a handshower to an existing fixed shower head, and it comes with a mount so the handheld has a place to sit. It threads onto a standard shower arm, so you can set up a dual-head shower without opening a wall or calling a plumber.
- 3-way shower arm diverter in a chrome finish
- Includes a handshower mount
- ADA compliant when installed properly
- Fits a standard shower arm, no plumbing changes needed
- Complete solution that includes a holder for the handshower
- ADA compliant when installed properly, a plus for accessible bathrooms
- Installs onto an existing shower arm without any plumbing work
- Chrome finish matches most existing fixtures
- Costs more than Delta's simpler two-way diverter
- Bulky body can look large on a short shower arm
Our Verdict: The most complete Delta option, since the mount is included, and a sensible pick when you are starting a fixed-plus-handheld setup from scratch.
2. Delta U4929-PK 3-Way Shower Arm Diverter for Handshower
The U4929-PK is Delta’s three-way diverter for a handshower: it lets you send water to the shower head, to the hand shower, or to both. It uses an ADA-friendly flip lever and standard half-inch connections, so it fits the vast majority of shower arms.
- Diverts water between shower head, hand shower or both
- ADA flip lever control
- 1/2" IPS female inlet and 1/2" IPS male outlet
- Chrome finish
- Highest owner rating of the three, and an easy lever to flip
- Lets you run both shower heads at the same time
- ADA-friendly lever works well for anyone with limited grip strength
- Standard half-inch threads fit nearly every shower arm
- Availability can be limited, so check the current shipping time
- A handshower mount is not part of the listing, so you may need to buy one separately
- Running both heads at once lowers the pressure at each one
Our Verdict: The best-rated of the three and a great lever, but shipping can be slow, so pick it only if you can wait or if it is in stock when you check.
3. Delta U4922-PK Shower Arm Diverter for Handshower
This is Delta’s simple, no-fuss diverter: a brass body with a lever that switches the water between the fixed shower head and the handshower, one at a time. It has a 1/2-inch IPS male outlet and a chrome finish, and it is by far the most affordable of the three.
- Brass construction with a lever control
- Switches the flow between shower head and handshower, one at a time
- 1/2" IPS male outlet, chrome finish
- Rigorously tested by Delta for quality performance
- Most affordable of the three, yet solidly built in brass
- Simple lever is intuitive for the whole family
- Switching between heads keeps full pressure at whichever one is on
- By far the most reviewed of the three, with consistently positive feedback
- Quick to install on a standard shower arm
- Cannot run both shower heads at once
- A handshower mount is not part of the listing
Our Verdict: The best value of the three and a no-brainer if you only need to switch between a fixed head and a handheld one.
Water Pressure and Multiple Shower Heads
Diverting and splitting the water from one shower head is straightforward: you can send water from your main shower head to a second one, for example a child’s shower head or a handheld. The technique is proven and has hardly changed over the years.
The catch is water pressure and the ability of the main pipe to deliver enough water quickly. If you split one supply into five streams, each shower head receives only about a fifth of the water a single head would. Most people want more water, not less, and getting it means raising the water pressure, which is a plumbing job rather than something you can fix yourself in an afternoon. Installing the diverter is easy, but increasing pressure can mean changing the water piping, so it is best handled by a professional.
You can also simply accept the reduced flow. Be aware, though, that higher pressure strains the main piping and the diverter or splitter itself. Diverters are designed to handle normal household pressure, but there is a limit to everything, so if you push the pressure too high you may find the part is not as durable as the box suggests.
Why Use More Than One Shower Head?
Multiple shower heads can make your shower experience much better. You can place them where you like and choose the angle at which each one hits your body. Many are semi-static, so they can go almost anywhere you want. With several rainfall shower heads, for example, your whole body can be rinsed quickly, provided the water flow is strong enough. They also look impressive and can give a bathroom a high-tech feel.
If you want to go even further, take a look at our shower panel reviews, our handheld shower head reviews and our shower systems buying guide.
Does a diverter allow for both the shower head and hand held to be both on at the same time? In other words, if I am showering, I don’t want the water to turn off above me if I turn on the handheld unit.
Some of the shower diverters do that, but in a majority, they divert water from on option to another.
What you really want is shower splitter and as it’s name says it splits water to many options.
I have a hand held shower and want to add a second. Can the diverter, not a splitter, be mounted on the faucet where the current shower is mounted.
Margareta hi, yes the diverter generally (depends on your faucet) can be mounted, but this way you won’t be able to use both shower heads at the same time.