Digital Showers Are Set To Be Everywhere In 2026, But Are They Worth It?

Digital showers have been floating around design circles for a while, but lately, they seem to be popping up more and more. Some major bathroom brands are already offering app-controlled, digital-shower fixtures as part of their current product lineups which means homeowners may just see more of them next year. It's all part of that bigger push to make your house a smart home, and we guess we can't fight the advancements of technology.

The promise of the digital shower is mostly convenience — you can set temperature presets for each person in the household, choose specific spray patterns, or get the water running from simply speaking out loud or just a click of your phone. It's all wrapped into a broader category of smart bathroom appliances which now includes everything from heated floors that switch on at certain times in the day to toilets that can track, well... more than anyone really expected. Some of it feels exciting while some feels a bit odd, but most new trends start out that way. And yet, the question that hangs over the whole thing is whether these features are actually helpful or just tech for the sake of it.

On the plus side, digital showers really do solve a few annoying problems. You just can't deny that the pre-set temperature feature could save you time in the morning and that there's something very appealing about stepping into a shower that's already set to your perfect level of hot or cold. Additionally, the controls should blend nicely into modern bathrooms without looking out of place. They are also easier to clean, plus they allow you to save water and energy. But the downsides are real, too. These systems can be pricey upfront and occasionally finicky if your WiFi decides to be dramatic or, worse, you have a power outage. Repairs can also take longer since not every tradesperson knows how to deal with app-controlled valves (who do you even call? An electrician or plumber?). And then there's the whole mental hurdle of bringing even more technology into a space that used to be very analog and straight forward. These are the basic highs and lows of digital showers — convenient, yes but there are undeniable quirks that come along for the ride.

As more brands release models at different price points, the trend will probably get easier to adapt to as well. It's likely that homeowners will try smaller upgrades first (like digital temperature displays or automated fans) before committing to the full touchscreen shower experience. Whether digital showers become the norm or stay a niche flex remains to be seen — but with the rise of everything else technology-rated, the signs point to seeing a lot more digital bathroom makeovers in 2026.