Since 2019, Hello Klean’s shower filters have set out to solve the common woes of hard water, from brittle strands to the dulling of bright, beautiful hair hues. Seven years on, its latest device – the shower head+ – aims to take things one step further than simply filtering your water, combining the brand’s three-stage filtration system with smart tracking technology that monitors everything from shower temperature to filter lifespan.
Having previously tested the shower head 2.0, I spent 14 months comparing the two models to see whether the added connectivity actually makes a difference. While the right shampoos and conditioners can help improve the look and feel of your hair, tackling the mineral build-up that comes from hard water at the source can be a more effective long-term solution.
But with the same filtration system as its predecessor and a £45 price increase, is the shower head+ worth the upgrade, or should you stick with the original? Here’s my honest review.
Read more: Best hair bonding treatments, tested
Read more: Best hair masks, tested
Hello Klean shower head+
Rating: 4/5
Filter replacements: £36 every three to four months
Colourways: Brushed bronze, brushed brass, brushed chrome
Filter types: Scale (CRS media), metal (ADMS media), chlorine (activated carbon fibre)
Tracking for: Water temperature, shower length and water usage, filter lifespan
Why we love it
- Uses your water usage data to more accurately calculate timelines for filter replacement
- Alerts you when water temperature is damaging your hair and skin
- Aesthetic design and colourways to suit all tastes
- Prevents hair colour from dulling
Take note
- No spray settings
- Internal filter restricts water flow and can damage the pump on power showers
- Syncing must be done immediately after shower to prevent tracking chip from losing power
Over the course of 14 months, I tested both of Hello Klean's filtered shower heads, starting with the shower head 2.0 in April 2025 before upgrading to the shower head+ when it launched a year later. As both models use the same three-stage filtration system to prevent scale, mineral build-up and chlorine from making it to your hair and skin, I was able to separate my thoughts on the filtration itself from the new smart features that account for the £45 price difference (with plus being the more premium pick).
As expected, the filtration remains the feature that makes the devices worth investing in. Over time, I noticed my naturally warm strawberry blonde hair gradually regained its brightness as mineral build-up from my ‘very hard’ water area became less of an issue. Of course, those improvements began with the shower head 2.0 and continued after I switched to the shower head+. Once I had the plus model in hand I merely shifted my focus towards its flashy connectivity features and considered whether they warranted a £45 upgrade.
My favourite addition is without a doubt the built-in temperature sensor. A red light flashes whenever your shower exceeds 42C, encouraging cooler washes that are kinder to both hair and skin. It sounds simple, but it kickstarted a habit change and within a couple of weeks of lower temperature showers (still hot, I might add) I noticed less hair collecting in my hairbrush. I only wish the warning was harder to miss – a larger light or an audible alert would make it much more effective, especially if you prefer to face away from the shower head.
The accompanying app is intuitive, with useful reminders to change both the handle and head filters. It uses a ‘hydrotrack’ system that monitors your water usage to personalise replacement timings, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all schedule. Replacing them remains a quick screw-off, screw-on job, though even with the on-handle light and in-app notifications it's the sort of task that winds up at the bottom of my to-do list.
The act of syncing to gather this information is easy, too. Just tap your phone against the NFC point where the handle meets the shower head and your data transfers instantly. However, this placement does mean there's a slight risk of your phone catching stray drips during syncing – I’d argue moving the sensor further down the handle would’ve made more sense.
I also appreciated the new skincare insights, with the app highlighting how the length and temperature of your showers could affect your skin. Although, at present, the information is fairly surface level, offering broad summaries such as "skin health: moderate" rather than personalised recommendations.
Unfortunately, the smart features aren't foolproof. The showerhead+ needs consistently strong water pressure to record data, indicated by a steady white light, meaning lower-pressure showers may miss sessions entirely. Hello Klean also recommends syncing weekly, but I found data from previous showers occasionally disappeared unless I synced immediately after washing. Plus, because it can’t distinguish between the temperature habits of each user, the data can become muddled if more than one person uses the shower head.
Combine all of this with a flow that felt slightly weaker than my previous shower head (despite Hello Klean's claim that its micro-nozzles intensify water pressure while reducing water usage by 25 percent) and, since moving house, incompatibility with my current power shower, there remain a handful of fixes for the brand to work through.
Still, if your shower setup is compatible and hard water is leaving your hair feeling coated or lacklustre, the filtration system remains top tier. While I'm not convinced the app alone justifies the £45 premium over the shower head 2.0, the flashing temperature warning does. Without it, I'd never have realised I'd spent years showering at temperatures that were too harsh on my hair and skin, and within weeks of following its guidance I noticed less hair fall. It's the feature I'd miss most if I went back.
Buy now £96, Helloklean.com
Is the Hello Klean shower head+ worth the money?
For most people, I’d stick with the shower head 2.0 for now. While we wait for Hello Klean to iron out some smart tech teething issues with the shower head+, the 2.0’s filtration system is identical to its predecessor, delivering largely the same hair and skin benefits without the £45 premium.
That said, I can see the appeal of the shower head+ for some. If you regularly wash your hair at high temperatures or want a deeper insight into your shower habits and water usage, the shower head+ offers guidance that could make a noticeable difference to your routine and, particularly, hair thickness. The temperature warning light alone helped me break a habit I didn’t realise I had, and after lowering my shower temperature, I noticed a reduction in hair fall. For those who value that extra level of insight, the upgrade may still be worth considering – caveats and all.
How I tested the Hello Klean shower head+
I tested Hello Klean’s filtered shower heads over 14 months, beginning with the shower head 2.0 in April 2025 before switching to the shower head+ when it launched in April 2026. As both models use the same filtration system, I focused my testing on the latest model and whether its smart features delivered enough value to justify the upgrade. Specifically, I considered:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
As a senior shopping writer, Lucy Smith is up to scratch on all the latest hair launches and scalp care findings. She’s spoken to various trichologists and hair stylists through the years, and has covered everything from the best leave-in conditioners to the best hair dryers. Plus, she personally suffers hair breakage, so was the perfect person to put a shower filter to the test.
Read more: Best heat protectant sprays, tested
