Phoenix Showers Buying Guide
Phoenix is an Australian tapware and shower maker, and this collection holds its full shower line: roses and arms, hand showers, rail showers, twin showers and wall shower systems. The same range names run through Phoenix tapware, so it suits anyone who wants the shower, mixer and basin tap to match.
Which type of Phoenix shower do I need?
Start with how you shower. A shower arm and rose gives a fixed overhead spray. A hand shower or rail shower adds a handpiece you can lift off for rinsing hair, cleaning the recess or bathing children, and a rail lets you slide it to the right height. A twin shower combines an overhead rose and a handpiece on one rail with a diverter, which suits family bathrooms. A wall shower system, such as the Vivid Slimline, Mekko or Gloss MKII, adds a hand shower to an existing rain shower using a ceramic rotary diverter.
What are the main Phoenix shower ranges?
- Vivid and Vivid Slimline: slim modern lines, with a 230mm round rose and twin, rail and compact twin options. The Vivid Slimline SS is 316 marine grade stainless steel for coastal homes and outdoor areas.
- Ormond and Oxley: LuxeXP spray technology, which swirls each jet for a wide spray of droplets and helps keep the nozzles clean.
- NX Orli, NX Iko and NX Quil: square or round pieces designed to sit together, with HydroSense versions in the range.
- Cromford: pared-back brass pieces with heritage details. Lexi: a mix of round and square edges. Wiltern: Art Deco fluting on a 220mm rose.
- Nuage, Nostalgia and Pina: sculptural curves, vintage style and a simple builders range.
What WELS rating and flow do Phoenix showers have?
Phoenix showers are rated 3, 4 or 5 stars under WELS, with flow rates from about 9 litres per minute down to 6. The Vivid Slimline twin and Teva twin are 5 star at 6 litres per minute on both outlets, while many 3 star pieces run at 8 to 9 litres per minute. If you have an instantaneous gas hot water system, check it will fire at low flow before choosing a 5 star head.
Will a Phoenix shower suit my water pressure?
Phoenix lists an operating pressure of 150 to 500 kPa. A simple test is to time a 10 litre bucket under your current shower; filling in under a minute points to good pressure. With lower pressure, a smaller rose gives a stronger feel than a large rain head, because the same flow is spread over fewer nozzles. On twin showers, the diverter runs one outlet at a time, which keeps pressure up at each.
Will it fit my existing plumbing?
Most Phoenix showers are made for replacement jobs. Many fit an existing half inch inlet or shower arm, and rails such as the Vivid MKII and Oxley have adjustable pillars that can line up with existing fixing holes. Check what is in the box: some roses are sold without an arm, and ceiling arms are sold without a rose. Hose-fed sets such as the Vivid MKII compact twin include dual check valves to AS 2845.1. Moving an outlet or adding a diverter is work for a licensed plumber.
What finishes are available and how do I care for them?
Finishes include chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, brushed gold, brushed brass, brushed carbon, gunmetal and matte white. Most are electroplated or PVD coated, while the white Nuage pieces are powder coated. Clean with warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth, then dry. Avoid abrasive pads and strong chemicals, and check the care instructions before using vinegar on coated finishes.
Completing the room
Match your shower with Phoenix tapware, or narrow the range with Phoenix rail showers, Phoenix shower roses and Phoenix NX showers. For every maker, see showers at The Blue Space.


