Standard Bath Taps vs Thermostatic Bath Shower Mixer:The Smartest Bathroom Upgrade
Why spending £60–£140 more on your taps can give you a full thermostatic shower over bath — no wall valve needed, no tiling work, no pipework modifications.
Here's something I tell customers almost every week: if you're already replacing your bath taps, spending a little more on a thermostatic bath shower mixer instead of standard pillar taps is one of the best-value upgrades in bathroom plumbing. For an extra £60–£140 on the tap itself, you go from a bath-only setup to a full thermostatic shower over bath — with anti-scald safety built in.
The alternative? A wall-mounted shower valve typically costs £200–£500 just for the valve, then you're looking at tiling work, pipework chasing into the wall, and extra labour. Easily £750–£1,600 by the time it's done. The deck-mounted thermostatic mixer avoids all of that — it uses the same tap holes your current taps sit in.
In this guide, I'll break down the real costs, explain the safety benefits (especially important for families), and share which mixers we recommend to our customers across Andover, Marlborough, and Hungerford.
The Problem: Most Bathrooms Are Under-Serving You
Walk into most bathrooms across the SP10, SN8, and RG17 postcodes and you'll find the same setup: two separate hot and cold pillar taps on the bath, and no shower capability whatsoever. It's the default installation in the majority of UK homes built before 2000.
The problem isn't just convenience — though showering is undeniably quicker, more water-efficient, and preferred by most people. The real issue is that adding a shower to this setup traditionally means expensive wall work. A wall-mounted shower valve requires chasing pipes into the wall, waterproof tiling behind the valve, new pipework routing, and a separate shower head rail or riser kit. It's a mini bathroom renovation.
But there's a simpler path that many homeowners don't know about, and it starts with the tap sitting on the edge of your bath.
What Are Standard Bath Taps?
Standard bath taps come in two main types. Pillar taps are the traditional separate hot and cold taps — one on each side of the bath. Bath filler taps are a single unit (either a lever mixer or a simple filler spout) that combines hot and cold but still only does one job: fill the bath.
Neither gives you shower capability. You turn them on, water fills the bath, and that's it.
Standard Bath Tap Pricing (2026)
| Tier | Price (pair) | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | £17–£35 | Ebb + Flo, unbranded chrome pairs | Basic functionality, shorter lifespan |
| Mid-Range | £40–£80 | Bristan Quest, Bristan Capri, Pegler Yorkshire | Most common customer choice — decent chrome, reliable valves |
| Premium | £80–£120+ | Bristan 1901, Bristan Colonial, Burlington | Traditional/period styling, ceramic disc valves |
The typical customer replacing bath taps spends £40–£80 on a decent chrome pair. That gets you reliable taps from a brand like Bristan that will last well — but they do one job only: fill the bath.
What Is a Thermostatic Bath Shower Mixer?
A thermostatic bath shower mixer is a deck-mounted tap that sits on the edge of your bath — in the same tap holes your current taps use. But instead of just filling the bath, it does three things:
Fills the Bath
Standard bath filler function through the spout — just like a normal tap.
Provides a Shower
Built-in diverter switches water flow to a shower handset and hose, giving you a full shower over bath.
Thermostatic Safety
TMV2-rated thermostatic cartridge maintains constant temperature and limits maximum output to ~48°C to prevent scalding.
The shower handset and hose come included with the tap. You hang the handset on a simple hook or rail above the bath — no wall-mounted valve, no pipe chasing, no tiling.
Thermostatic Bath Shower Mixer Pricing (2026)
| Tier | Price | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | £100–£130 | Nuie Reef, Coral Modern, Ebb + Flo Cooltouch | TMV2 rated, basic but functional, great value |
| Mid-Range | £150–£250 | hansgrohe Ecostat, Vado Celsius, Crosswater Kai | Best value — quality construction, reliable thermostats |
| Premium | £300–£400+ | Bristan Artisan, Ideal Standard Ceratherm, Grohe Grohtherm | Premium finishes, advanced thermostatic cartridges, long warranties |
The sweet spot for most of our customers is the £150–£250 range. At this price point you get reliable thermostatic control, quality construction from brands like hansgrohe and Vado, and a proper shower set included. It's the range where you're getting genuine quality without paying for premium finishes you may not need.
The Cost Comparison That Changes Everything
This is the section that makes customers rethink their tap choice. Let's look at three routes to getting shower capability over your bath:
Standard Bath Taps
(No shower capability)
Fills the bath. That's it. No shower, no thermostatic safety.
Thermostatic Bath Shower Mixer
(Full shower + safety)
Bath fill + full shower + thermostatic scald protection. Same installation time as standard taps.
Wall-Mounted Shower Valve
(Separate wall installation)
Plus you still need bath taps separately. Major disruption, multiple trades involved.
The Verdict
The price difference between standard bath taps and a thermostatic bath shower mixer is typically £60–£140 extra on materials. The installation labour is essentially the same — it's still a tap swap using the same bath holes and same pipe connections. But the functionality upgrade is massive: you go from bath-only to a full thermostatic shower over bath with anti-scald safety.
Compare that to the wall-mounted valve route at £750–£1,600 and the decision becomes obvious. For a fraction of the cost and with zero disruption, you get the same shower capability just by choosing a different tap.
Safety: Why Thermostatic Matters for Families
Beyond the shower capability, thermostatic control is a genuine safety feature that many homeowners underestimate.
What TMV2 Certification Means
TMV2 (Thermostatic Mixing Valve Type 2) is the UK standard for thermostatic controls in domestic bathrooms. A TMV2-rated tap limits the maximum water output temperature to approximately 46–48°C, which significantly reduces the risk of scalding — especially important for children, elderly people, and anyone with reduced sensitivity to heat.
Temperature Limiting
Maximum output capped at ~48°C regardless of how hot your boiler water is. A standard tap can deliver water at 60–65°C — hot enough to cause a serious burn in seconds.
Pressure Compensation
If someone flushes a toilet or runs another tap while you're showering, the thermostatic cartridge adjusts instantly to maintain safe temperature. No sudden scalding surges.
Fail-Safe Design
If the cold water supply fails suddenly, a properly designed thermostatic mixer will shut off rather than deliver scalding hot water. This is a critical safety feature for families.
Building Regulation Alignment
Building regulations increasingly recommend thermostatic controls for baths and showers. Installing a TMV2 mixer is future-proofing your bathroom for both safety and compliance.
For homes in Andover, Marlborough, and Hungerford with young families, we consider thermostatic control one of the most important safety upgrades we install. The fact that it comes built into a tap that costs just £60–£140 more than standard taps makes it an obvious choice.
Installation: It's Just a Tap Swap
This is the part that surprises most customers. Installing a deck-mounted thermostatic bath shower mixer is, from a plumbing perspective, the same job as replacing standard bath taps. Here's why:
Same tap holes
Your bath has two pre-drilled holes where the current taps sit. The thermostatic mixer uses these same two holes — no new drilling required.
Same pipe connections
Standard 15mm hot and cold supply pipes connect to the mixer in exactly the same way as pillar taps. No new pipework needed.
No wall work
Unlike a wall-mounted valve, everything sits on the bath deck. No chasing pipes into walls, no waterproof tiling, no disruption to existing wall finishes.
Same-day completion
A professional tap swap typically takes 1–2 hours. We turn off the water, remove old taps, fit the new mixer, connect supplies, test thermostatic function, and check for leaks.
Shower handset mounting
The only additional element is fitting a simple hook or rail on the wall for the shower handset. This is a minor job — usually a single screw fixing — and doesn't require tiling or plastering.
Rosebourne Plumbing installation from £150. This includes removing your old taps, fitting the new thermostatic mixer, connecting the shower hose and handset, calibrating the thermostatic cartridge, and thorough leak testing. We serve customers across Andover (SP10/SP11), Marlborough (SN8), Hungerford (RG17), and surrounding villages.
Best Thermostatic Bath Shower Mixers We Recommend
After fitting hundreds of bath taps across Hampshire and Wiltshire, these are the thermostatic bath shower mixers we recommend most often. All are TMV2 rated, deck-mounted, and come with a shower handset and hose included.
Nuie Reef Thermostatic Bath Shower Mixer
- TMV2 rated thermostatic control
- Includes shower handset and hose
- Deck-mounted — fits standard bath holes
- Chrome finish
Will's take: If budget is tight but you want thermostatic safety and shower capability, this is the one. Solid build for the price and does exactly what you need.
hansgrohe Ecostat 1001 CL Thermostatic Bath Shower Mixer
- German-engineered thermostatic cartridge
- Ceramic disc valves for longevity
- SafeStop temperature limiter at 40°C
- Includes Croma shower set
- 5-year manufacturer warranty
Will's take: This is the one we most often recommend. hansgrohe quality, reliable thermostatic control, and a proper shower set included. The sweet spot between price and performance.
Bristan Artisan Thermostatic Bath Shower Mixer
- TMV2 approved for safer bathing
- Cool body design — chrome stays cool to touch
- Premium ceramic disc technology
- Available in multiple finishes
- 5-year guarantee
Will's take: For those who want a premium tap that looks the part and performs flawlessly. Bristan's Artisan range is popular with our customers who want something that feels high-end.
What to Look For When Buying
- TMV2 rated — non-negotiable for safety
- Ceramic disc valves — longer lasting than rubber washers
- Metal body construction — avoid all-plastic internals
- Included shower set — handset, hose, and wall bracket
- Manufacturer warranty — minimum 5 years on quality brands
- Compatible with your water pressure — check minimum bar rating
When Should You Choose This Upgrade?
Not every situation calls for a thermostatic bath shower mixer — but many more do than people realise. Here are the scenarios where this upgrade makes the most sense:
1.You're replacing old bath taps anyway
If your current taps are worn, dripping, or just dated, upgrading to a thermostatic mixer instead of like-for-like standard taps is the easiest decision. Same installation time, transformative difference.
2.You want a shower over bath but can't afford a wall valve
A wall-mounted shower valve plus tiling and pipework easily costs £750–£1,600. A thermostatic bath shower mixer gives you the same shower capability from £120–£250 in tap costs alone.
3.You're in rented property
Deck-mounted mixers are easily reversible — you can take them with you when you move. Wall-mounted valves are permanent alterations that landlords may not allow.
4.It's a second bathroom or guest bathroom
Perfect for adding shower capability to a bath-only guest bathroom without the cost of a full shower installation.
5.You have young children or elderly family members
TMV2 thermostatic control is the most affordable way to add anti-scald protection to your bath. Peace of mind for around £120–£250.
Ready to Upgrade Your Bath Taps?
Let Will advise on the best thermostatic bath shower mixer for your bathroom. We'll check your water pressure, recommend the right mixer for your setup, and have it fitted the same day.
Free Assessment
We'll check your tap holes, water pressure, and pipe connections to recommend the right mixer for your bath.
Professional Fitting
From £150 installed. Same-day service, full testing, leak-free guarantee on all our work.
Expert Advice
We'll help you choose between budget, mid-range, and premium options based on your needs and budget.
Related Guides You Might Find Useful
Complete Mixer Tap Installation Guide
Everything you need to know about mixer taps — basin, kitchen, bath, and shower mixers. Types, costs, and what to expect from professional installation.
Read Full Guide →Electric Shower Installation Guide
When a thermostatic mixer isn't the right fit, an electric shower might be. Compare the options and understand what each solution offers.
Read Full Guide →Complete Bathroom Refurbishment Guide
Planning a bigger bathroom project? Our comprehensive guide covers everything from budgeting to completion for Hampshire and Wiltshire homeowners.
Read Full Guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Can a thermostatic bath shower mixer replace my existing taps?
In most cases, yes. Deck-mounted thermostatic bath shower mixers use the same two tap holes that your current pillar taps or bath filler use. The hot and cold connections are standard 15mm, so it's a straightforward swap. The only time it gets more complex is if your bath has non-standard hole spacing, but this is rare on UK baths. We'll check compatibility during our initial assessment.
Do I need a plumber to install a thermostatic bath mixer?
We strongly recommend professional installation. While the tap swap itself is relatively straightforward plumbing, thermostatic mixers need correct hot and cold orientation, proper sealing, and testing to ensure the thermostatic cartridge is calibrated correctly. Incorrect installation can mean the thermostatic safety feature doesn't work properly — which defeats the purpose. Professional installation from Rosebourne Plumbing starts from £150.
Will a thermostatic mixer work with my water pressure?
Most thermostatic bath shower mixers need a minimum of 0.5 bar water pressure to function well, and ideally 1.0 bar or above for a decent shower flow. If you have a gravity-fed system (cold water tank in the loft, hot water cylinder), you may have lower pressure — typically 0.3–0.5 bar. In this case, we might recommend a mixer designed for low-pressure systems, or we can discuss options like a shower pump. We always check your pressure as part of the installation.
How much does it cost to fit a thermostatic bath shower mixer?
Installation typically costs from £150 for a standard swap where we're replacing existing taps with a new thermostatic mixer. This includes removing old taps, fitting the new mixer, connecting the shower hose and handset, testing the thermostatic function, and checking for leaks. The tap itself is supplied by you or we can source it — typical total cost including a mid-range mixer is £270–£400 all-in.
Are thermostatic bath mixers safe for children?
Absolutely — this is one of the main reasons we recommend them. TMV2-rated thermostatic bath shower mixers limit the water temperature to a maximum of 46–48°C, which significantly reduces the risk of scalding. They also react to sudden changes in water supply — so if someone flushes a toilet or runs a tap elsewhere, the mixer adjusts automatically to prevent a spike in temperature. For families with young children or elderly residents, thermostatic control isn't just nice to have — it's an important safety feature.
The Smartest £60–£140 You'll Spend on Your Bathroom
Stop filling the bath with separate taps and wondering about adding a shower. A thermostatic bath shower mixer gives you everything — bath, shower, and safety — in one simple tap swap. Serving Andover, Marlborough, Hungerford and all surrounding villages.