Byrdie
TL;DR
- Best Overall: The Moen Aromatherapy Combination Hand Shower dispenses essential oils into the water for a sensory, spa-like experience at home. The patented capsules don’t leave a residue on your shower, hair, or skin.
- Sleep-Inducing Steamer: The BodyRestore Shower Steamers are infused with lavender essential oil, which helps relax and calm you for the perfect relaxing bedtime ritual.
If you crave the luxury and relaxation of a bath but only have a shower, allow us to introduce you to shower steamers. Like DIY bath bombs designed for the shower, they diffuse essential oils into the air as steam builds—a game changer whether you need morning energy or bedtime relaxation.
According to aromatherapy expert and holistic aesthetician Tammy Fender, essential oils in shower steamers can be incredibly healing, offering benefits from clearing sinuses to relaxing muscles and boosting energy. We researched the best shower steamers, evaluating each option on ingredients (bonus points for natural formulas), therapeutic effects, scent variety, strength, aesthetics, and value. Finally, we consulted with an expert and combed through customer reviews before landing on these as the best shower steamers to supercharge your day.
Top Picks
Best Overall
Moen Aromatherapy Combination Hand Shower
Essential oils are dispensed into water for a sensory shower experience
Various tropical scents
Doesn't leave residue on tub or body
Allows you to choose the scent intensity level
Water pressure could be stronger
Scent: Zen Time (lavender, vanilla, tea tree), Tropical Day (lemongrass, neroli, vanilla), Energetic Morning (lemon, scots pine, cistus), Sweet Morning (geranium, red berries, vanilla) | Size: 0.5 oz (per shower capsule) | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Type: Hand shower with aromatherapy capsules
The Moen Aromatherapy Combination Hand Shower is truly the crème de la crème of shower steamers. It takes a little more effort than the kind you unwrap and throw in the corner, but trust us, it’s worth it. First, swap your showerhead for this one (don’t worry, no tools are required). The back houses little aromatherapy capsules that disperse essential oil-infused scents straight into the water, so there’s no messy residue left behind on the shower floor. You can also choose how intense you want the scent to be; it lasts anywhere from three to 10 minutes based on the level you choose.
Best Budget
Aura Cacia Eucalyptus Shower Tablets
Under $15
Made with essential oils and no synthetic fragrances
Helps with nasal congestion
Could have a stronger scent
Scent: Eucalyptus, peppermint, lavender | Size: 3 oz (3 count) | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Type: Tablet
If you’re in search of a high-quality shower steamer that’s also budget-friendly, give this option from Aura Cacia a try. The brand is well-known for essential oils, so of course, it has a great shower steamer. There are no possibly irritating ingredients to be found here—no preservatives, fragrances, dyes, or colors—just multipurpose baking soda and essential oils. We like the spa-like eucalyptus option, though peppermint and lavender variants are also available.
Best Variety Pack
Cleverfy Aromatherapy Shower Steamers
Offers six different scents
Delivers various therapeutic benefits
Nonslip
Does leave bits of lavender flower in the shower
Key Ingredients: Sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, cornstarch | Scent: Lavender, menthol, eucalyptus, vanilla, watermelon, grapefruit, peppermint | Size: 1.4 oz (per shower bomb) | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Type: Tablet
Let’s be real—our moods change daily (and sometimes hourly), so it’s nice to have the option of reaching for a scent that gives you what you need in the moment. This affordable Amazon option comes with six individually wrapped tablets, each boasting a different aromatherapeutic scent (like lavender, grapefruit, peppermint, and more). Happy reviewers repeatedly comment on how nice the scents are—they’re strong but never cloying or overwhelming.
Best for a Cold
Vicks VapoShower Shower Tablet
Unclogs sinuses to ease breathing
Dissolves cleanly
Not medicated
Could have a stronger scent
Key Ingredients: Sodium carbonate | Scent: Eucalyptus, menthol, camphor | Size: 3 oz (3 count) | Cruelty-Free: No | Type: Tablet
Yes, Vicks, the brand that makes VapoRub for colds, also makes shower steamers. These non-medicated steamers boast the same distinct combo of eucalyptus, menthol, and camphor that will open up your clogged sinuses and help you breathe easier. Put these in your shopping basket if you’re sick or like to plan ahead for the eventual—and dreadful—cold.
Best at Bedtime
BodyRestore Shower Steamers
Helps you wind down for good sleep
Decongesting
Works to ease stress
Could have a stronger scent
Small size compared to others
Key Ingredients: Sodium sulfate, Sodium bicarbonate, citric acid | Scent: Lavender | Size: 15 count | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Type: Tablet
How’s your sleep hygiene? Along with doing all of those things like dimming your lights and putting your phone away pre-bedtime (easier said than done, we know), adding one of these steamers into your evening shower can also be a great way to help you wind down and set you up for a successful night of sleep. These are infused with lavender essential oil, which is well-known for its relaxing and calming aromatherapy benefits. While they’re smaller than others, reviewers say they last longer than many other tablets.
Best for Gifting
A&G Pastels Shower Steamers
Attractive packaging
Comes in three scents
Disperses a feel-good aroma
Weak smell
Key Ingredients: Essential oils | Scent: Orange blossom, eucalyptus mint, lavender & chamomile | Size: 0.9 oz (11 count) | Cruelty-Free: n/a | Type: Steamer cubes
You better believe shower steamers are a crowd-pleasing gift, and we’re especially partial to these for that purpose. The scents are sophisticated—choose from eucalyptus mint, orange blossom, and lavender chamomile—and the packaging is gorgeous, too. Just make sure to treat yourself to a jar as well.
Scent options for each month
Great for gifting
Chic packaging
Scent could be stronger
Key Ingredients: Baking soda, citric acid, sweet almond oil | Scent: Snowdrop, violet, daffodil, daisy, lily of the valley, rose, water lily, poppy, morning glories, cosmos, chrysanthemum, holly | Size: 3 oz (4 count) | Cruelty-Free: n/a | Type: Aromatherapy cubes
Eucalyptus and lavender are among the most common shower steamer scents thanks to their association with spas and relaxation, but this option from Uncommon Goods offers a more unique spin on fragrance. It takes inspiration from birth month flowers (yes, that’s a thing) to create 12 seasonally informed scents you can rotate throughout the year. Available in packs of four, they also make sweet gifts for that friend who loves to declare, “It’s my birthday month!”
Best Accessory
Esker Shower Steamer Discovery Set
Included marble holder decreases risk of slippery residue
Elevated packaging
Each tablet lasts two to three uses
Scent could be stronger
Key Ingredients: Baking soda, citric acid | Scent: Lavender eucalyptus, calendula palo santo | Size: 4 oz (4 count) | Cruelty-Free: n/a | Type: Tablets
Shower steamers are lovely but can sometimes leave a slippery residue on the floor if not cleaned properly. However, Esker’s version comes with a Carrara marble tray, trapping the dissolved steamer and keeping your shower floors clean. Esker makes getting six refills easy with its subscription package, so you’ll never have to shower without your favorite steamers again.
Best Scent
anihana Steamer
Large variety of lovely scents
Natural ingredients
Doesn’t leave residue
Only one steamer per pack
Key Ingredients: Sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, mica, titanium dioxide | Scent: Watermelon crush, orange crush, mint refresher, lavender love, lemonade, mango passion, floral fantasy, berry ripple | Size: 1.67 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Type: Aromatherapy bar
These pretty scallop-edged steamers come in a range of fruity and floral fragrances that reviewers rave about. Pick from options like watermelon, lemonade, mango passionfruit, and orange crush, and let the sweet, uplifting scents boost your mood instantly. We also appreciate that these steamers are made from plant-based, sustainable ingredients, so you know the quality is on point.
Most Luxurious
Musee Shower Steamer Set
Luxurious scent options
Handmade from natural ingredients
Large size for better value
Should be used in an enclosed shower for the best scent experience
Key Ingredients: Sodium bicarbonate, citric acid | Scent: Champagne & rose, waterlily & linen, eucalyptus & mint, lavender & lime, peppermint & rosemary, sandalwood & saguaro, sea salt & grapefruit, sweet orange & sunflower | Size: 4 oz (4 count) | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Type: Tablet
While any steamer will elevate your shower experience, these feel extra pampering. From the genuinely pretty packaging to the luxurious scent options (champagne & rose and waterlily & linen, to name a couple), Musee’s handmade, artisanal shower steamers are an extra special addition to your self-care routine. At approximately 4 ounces per steamer, they’re also pretty large. Break them into quarters to get more spa vibes for your money.
What to Look for in a Shower Steamer
- Essential Oils: If you want to reap the truest aromatherapeutic benefits, look for shower steamers that contain pure and natural essential oils rather than synthetic fragrances. The different scents may offer mood-altering benefits as well. For example, lavender essential oil (found in the BodyRestore Shower Steamers) is calming and promotes restful sleep, and eucalyptus essential oil (found in the Vicks VapoShower Shower Tablet) can be good for sinus relief.
- Size: Generally speaking, this dictates how long it will last, so consider that when also looking at the price. FYI, you can typically get longer use of a product by ensuring it stays in the corner of the shower, away from direct running water (which will make it dissolve quickly). You can also take the guesswork out of it with our Best Overall pick, the Moen Aromatherapy Combination Hand Shower.
Meet Our Expert
For this story, Team Byrdie worked with an expert to gather more insights about what to keep in mind when shopping for shower steamers:
- Tammy Fender is a celebrity aesthetician and holistic skincare expert.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites. Not a huge fan of baths, she loves using shower steamers as a way to make showers feel way more special.