Plumbing Fixtures - Other

Best Places to Buy Plumbing Fixtures in the UK: Electric Showers, Taps and Bathroom Gear

Why choosing the right plumbing fixtures matters

Picking plumbing fixtures is a bit like choosing shoes — the right fit makes the whole day better. A tap that drips, a shower that barely warms up, or a shower unit that guzzles water can turn a small annoyance into a daily frustration. Beyond comfort, the fixtures you choose affect energy bills, water use, and how long your bathroom or kitchen looks great. If you’re juggling style, performance and durability, knowing where to shop and what to look for saves time and money.

Top UK stores and suppliers for plumbing fixtures

The UK market is full of options, from specialist electrical outlets to big-box DIY chains and trade-only suppliers. Stores like Expert Electrical specialise in electric showers, while high-street names such as Screwfix, B&Q and Wickes cover a broad range of plumbing needs. For bathroom-first retailers, Victorian Plumbing and Plumbase are go-to choices. Each has strengths — trade discounts, brand ranges, or budget-friendly lines — so the best place depends on whether you’re a DIY-er, a landlord, or a pro.

Expert Electrical — specialist in electric showers

If you’re hunting for a reliable electric shower, Expert Electrical is one of the sellers that comes up again and again. They focus on electrical pumps, shower units and accessories, so their product range is tailored to people who want an electric solution rather than a combi or tank-fed system. That focus often means better stock choices and helpful product descriptions when you’re comparing models.

Redring RBS7 electric shower — a practical option

One popular unit to look for is the Redring RBS7 electric shower. The RBS7 is commonly marketed as a mid-power electric shower. If you prefer non-metric talk, that level of power equates to roughly 10.06 horsepower, which makes it a solid choice for a single bathroom outlet. It tends to give a steady, warm spray for a single-user shower without demanding high-pressure feeds or complicated plumbing changes.

Why shop with specialists for electric showers?

Specialist retailers usually stock a wider variety of electric shower models and carry the spares you might need later — think thermostats, spray heads, and replacement wiring kits. If you’re not sure about matching a unit to your feed pressure or whether your consumer unit can cope, these stores often have better technical specs and focused advice than general retailers.

High-street and online retailers: breadth and convenience

For many buyers, convenience and variety matter. High-street names and their online arms are places where you can compare taps, showers, WC suites and sinks all in one place. Let’s break down some of the best-known options.

Screwfix — trade-focused and fast

Screwfix is engineered for speed and reliability. It’s great if you want trade-priced parts, click-and-collect within the hour, or a no-fuss return to a local branch. They stock a wide selection of shower units, mixer taps and valves from brands pros trust. If you value quick turnaround and local pickup, Screwfix is a strong contender.

B&Q — DIY-friendly with wide ranges

B&Q suits homeowners who enjoy browsing options and picking up everything in one trip. From budget taps to mid-range shower kits, their product pages are user-friendly and they often include helpful buying guides. If you like measuring up, mocking things in place, and taking your time, B&Q is designed with the DIY customer in mind.

Wickes — practical ranges for kitchens and bathrooms

Wickes bridges the DIY and light-trade market. Their bathroom ranges are practical and often stocked with combo deals — think shower and screen bundles or basin-and-tap sets. Wickes is a good choice when you want a co-ordinated look without hunting down matching parts from multiple sellers.

Victorian Plumbing — bathroom specialists

If you’re after style-led fixtures — roll-top baths, heritage taps, and designer basins — Victorian Plumbing is one of the specialist retailers to visit. They focus on complete bathroom suites and taps, giving you options across traditional and contemporary finishes. Specialist retailers like this are useful when aesthetics are as important as function.

Trade suppliers and professional outlets

If you’re fitting out multiple properties or you’re a tradesperson, trade suppliers offer stock, bulk pricing and product ranges tailored to pro needs. These outlets tend to carry heavy-duty valves, commercial-grade taps, and specialised shower units.

Plumbase and Travis Perkins — trade-ready ranges

Plumbase and Travis Perkins serve industry professionals and serious DIY-ers. You’ll find larger valves, long-life brass fittings, and brands trusted on site work. These suppliers also provide detailed technical data, making them a top pick for complex installs or when you need specification sheets for planning.

Toolstation — competitive pricing for basics

Toolstation is worth a look for competitive prices on basics like isolating valves, push-fit fittings and straightforward shower kits. Their strength is simple, fast access to products most installers use day-to-day. If you want to keep a job rolling without spending time hunting bargains, Toolstation’s range is pragmatic and affordable.

How to compare plumbing fixtures effectively

Comparing fixtures feels like comparing apples and pears unless you standardise what matters. Start by listing the essentials: compatibility with your water feed, build material (brass, stainless or plated), flow performance, and finish. For electric showers, check the power rating in horsepower, and whether it matches your supply. For taps, check the cartridge type and spout reach in inches to ensure it clears your basin. Read spec sheets, compare warranty lengths, and scan customer reviews for recurring faults.

Installation tips and compatibility checks

Thinking of fitting your new fixtures yourself? A little prep goes a long way. Confirm pipe sizing and route, measure mounting holes in inches, and ensure your hot water source and breaker capacity match the needs of any electric shower. If you’re swapping a shower head or valve, take the old fitting to a store for a direct match — it’s like trying on gloves before buying.

Energy and water efficiency — what to check

Saving on bills starts at the fixture. For electric showers, look at the relative power (again, often expressed as horsepower for clarity) and the expected flow performance in gallons per minute. Lower flow combined with good spray design can often feel better than a weak, inefficient high-flow spray. For taps, aerators reduce waste while keeping a satisfying feel — think of an aerator like a breath of fresh air that stretches every gallon further.

Budgeting and prioritising where to spend

Budgeting for a bathroom is a balancing act. Spend a bit more on parts that are hard to replace — the valve behind the wall, the shower unit that needs electrical work — and save on trim pieces that are easy to swap later, like towel rails or soap dishes. If you’re unsure where to invest, think in terms of longevity: brass-bodied valves and ceramic cartridges are often worth the extra pounds in the long run.

Using reviews, warranties and technical data to guide decisions

Customer reviews can be a goldmine for spotting recurring issues or praise. Look for reviews that mention long-term reliability rather than just first impressions. Also, check warranty durations — longer manufacturer warranties usually indicate confidence in build quality. Finally, don’t skip the technical data: specs in inches, gallons per minute, and horsepower help you compare apples to apples.

Where to find spares and upgrades

One of the smart moves is to buy from places that stock spares. Specialist electrical suppliers, trade counters and dedicated bathroom stores often keep replacement cartridges, spray heads and trim kits. If the idea of future-proofing appeals, ask whether a tap series uses standard cartridges or proprietary ones — the former are easier and cheaper to maintain in the long run.

Final shopping checklist before you buy

Here’s a quick checklist to save you extra visits: measure hole centres and spout reach in inches; confirm pipe sizes; check power requirements in horsepower for electric showers; note finish and matching trim availability; read at least a handful of verified reviews; and pick a retailer that holds spares. With those boxes ticked, you’ll reduce surprises at install time and keep stress to a minimum.

Making smart comparisons between stores

Different retailers shine in different areas: some lead on price, others on specialist ranges or speed of delivery. For a single electric shower, a specialist like Expert Electrical or a trade counter may give the clearest specs. For a whole bathroom, Victorian Plumbing or B&Q might be better for coordinated ranges. And if you need parts fast, Screwfix or Toolstation can get you back on track within hours.

Shopping for plumbing fixtures needn’t be a chore. With the right stores in your sights and a handful of checks — measurements in inches, flow ideas in gallons per minute, and power in horsepower — you can make choices that look great and work for years. Treat the process like tailoring a suit: get the fit right, and everything else falls into place.

Conclusion: choose stores that match your needs — specialist retailers for electric showers, trade suppliers for long-lasting parts, and high-street chains for broad selection and convenience. Measure, compare and prioritise longevity for the best value.