The best tub and shower faucets
The handle, spout and shower head are the part you choose. The valve behind the wall is the part that decides what you can choose.
By Sawyer V. · · How we research
The short answer
We earn a commission if you buy through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. It does not change which products we pick or what we say about them — here is exactly how that works.
Quick picks
Tap any row for the full write-up. Prices are checked against Amazon rather than remembered — where we have no verified figure the button says so.
| # | Product | Best for | Renter | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Idora Posi-Temp Tub/Shower Faucet with Valve A Posi-Temp kit sold with the valve, an adjustable hot limit stop and a five-function 1.75 gpm head. | A complete replacement, valve and all | Owner-only | |
| 2 |  Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim with Universal Spout, Chrome A Monitor 14 trim with a universal tub spout adapter for thread, sweat or slip-on pipe. | An existing Delta MultiChoice valve | Owner-only | |
| 3 |  Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim, Chrome The same Monitor valve family with a five-setting 1.75 gpm head, including pause. | More than one spray pattern | Owner-only | |
| — |  Chateau Posi-Temp Tub/Shower A 2.5 gpm, one-function head and no valve in the box, against 1.75 gpm and more on the others. | Skip this one | Owner-only | No buy link |
Valve and trim: the part you see and the part you do not
Every tub and shower faucet is two things. The valve sits inside the wall, connected to the hot and cold supplies. The trim is everything you see: handle, escutcheon plate, spout and shower head.
Trim only fits the valve it was designed for. Delta’s Monitor trims need Delta’s MultiChoice rough-in; Moen’s Posi-Temp trims need a Posi-Temp valve. So before you shop, find out what is behind your wall. If it is the right brand and series, a trim kit changes the look without a plumber opening the wall.
Pressure balance, in the makers’ numbers
All four sets use a pressure-balancing valve, which holds the temperature steady when someone flushes a toilet or runs a faucet elsewhere. Delta publishes a figure for it — ±3.6°F (±2.0°C) on its Monitor valve. Moen publishes no tolerance on the Idora page, only that Posi-Temp “maintain[s] water temperature control in the shower”.
Moen’s Idora also publishes an “Adjustable Temp Limit Stop”, which caps the hottest the handle will go. In a house with children, that is worth having. Thermostatic valves, the step up, are explained here.
Flow rate
Three of the four heads are 1.75 gpm; the Chateau is 2.5 gpm. At eight minutes a shower, that is 14 gallons against 20 — six gallons saved every time, before you count the energy to heat them. Water-saving heads are covered here.
The spout matters too
The tub spout on a combination faucet has to match the pipe in the wall. Delta’s T14459 gets around that with a universal adapter; the Moen sets use IPS (Idora) or slip-fit (Chateau) spouts. How to tell which you have is here.
If you rent
Every set here rates Owner-only on our install rating: the valve is in the wall. The shower upgrade a renter can make is the head itself, which screws onto the existing arm.
Every pick in full
3 we would buy, and one we would not. Each carries its Renter-Safe Install Rating, the published specs behind it, and the honest gap in what we know.
1. Best overall
Idora Posi-Temp Tub/Shower Faucet with Valve
Moen · 82115 · best for a complete replacement, valve and all
A Posi-Temp kit sold with the valve, an adjustable hot limit stop and a five-function 1.75 gpm head.
The Moen Idora Posi-Temp is the pick because it answers the question most listings dodge: does the valve come with it. Moen publishes this model “with Valve Included”, so you are not discovering a second purchase halfway through a wall.
The valve is Moen’s Posi-Temp pressure-balancing design, published to “maintain water temperature control in the shower”, with an “Adjustable Temp Limit Stop” included to cap how hot the water can go. The head is published as “1.75 Gpm (6.65 L/Min) Max.” and “Five-Function” on a 4 in. spray face; connections are “Cc; Ips” at 1/2 in., and the cartridge is Moen’s 1222.
The warranty is a lifetime limited warranty against leaks, drips and finish defects for the original homeowner.
Renter-Safe Install Rating
- Drilling
- None
- Tools
- Not published
- Time to fit
- Not published
- Power
- None
- Reversible on move-out
- No
Why: The valve goes inside the wall and connects to the supply. That is a plumber's job on a home you own.
Read from published documentation, not from fitting one. Moen — Idora Posi-Temp tub/shower 82115 product page (valve, limit stop, head, connections, cartridge, finishes, warranty). How the verdict is derived: renter-safe ratings explained.
What’s wrong with it
Moen does not itemize the box contents or publish a WaterSense status on this model's page.
What we can’t tell you
No temperature tolerance is published for Posi-Temp on this page, where Delta publishes a figure for its Monitor valve.
Published specifications
| Valve | Posi-Temp pressure balancing — Moen publishes “install with Posi-Temp® pressure balancing control valve to maintain water temperature control in the shower” |
|---|---|
| Temperature limit stop | “Adjustable Temp Limit Stop — Included” |
| Shower head | “1.75 Gpm (6.65 L/Min) Max.”, “Five-Function”, “4" Diameter Spray Head” |
| Connections | “Cc; Ips”, 1/2 in.; spout connection “Ips” |
| Cartridge | “1222 Single-Handle Replacement Cartridge, Posi-Temp” |
| Finishes | Chrome, Matte Black and Spot Resist Brushed Nickel |
| Warranty | “limited lifetime warranty” |
| In the box | Moen's listing for this model is published as “with Valve Included”; Moen's own product page does not itemize the box contents |
| Temperature tolerance | Not published on this model's page |
| WaterSense | Not published on this model's page |
#ad Price $92.49 as of October 18, 2026 $112.95 (18% off). Prices change; Amazon’s listing is the one that counts. How we’re funded.
2. Best Delta trim
Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim with Universal Spout, Chrome
Delta · T14459-PP · best for an existing delta multichoice valve
A Monitor 14 trim with a universal tub spout adapter for thread, sweat or slip-on pipe.
The Delta Monitor 14 T14459 is a trim kit, not a complete faucet, and that is the point: if you already have Delta’s MultiChoice Universal valve in the wall, you change the look without opening it.
Its best feature is the spout. Delta describes a “Universal tub spout adapter allows for thread, sweat or slip-on installation”, which removes the most common fitting headache. Spout types are explained here. The head is 1.75 gpm, single setting, and the trim is ADA compliant.
Renter-Safe Install Rating
- Drilling
- None
- Tools
- Not published
- Time to fit
- Not published
- Power
- None
- Reversible on move-out
- No
Why: Trim on an in-wall valve that is sold separately. Plumbing inside the wall.
Read from published documentation, not from fitting one. Delta — Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim T14459-PP product page. How the verdict is derived: renter-safe ratings explained.
What’s wrong with it
Trim only — the R10000 valve rough is sold separately if you do not already have one.
What we can’t tell you
Delta states no warranty term on the product page.
Published specifications
| What is included | Trim kit only; the MultiChoice Universal valve rough (R10000 series) is sold separately |
|---|---|
| Valve | Monitor 14 Series pressure balance; “Temperature only controlled with handle” |
| Shower head | “1.75 gpm @ 80 psi”; single-setting full body spray; WaterSense labeled |
| Tub spout | Pull-up diverter; “Universal tub spout adapter allows for thread, sweat or slip-on installation” |
| Accessibility | “ADA Compliant” |
| Other | Back-to-back installation capability |
| Finishes | Chrome, Matte Black, Stainless |
| Warranty | Not stated on the product page |
| Availability | Out of stock on DeltaFaucet.com when we checked |
Source: Delta — Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim T14459-PP product page
#ad Price $140.00 as of October 18, 2026. Prices change; Amazon’s listing is the one that counts. How we’re funded.
3. Best for spray choice
Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim, Chrome
Delta · T14438 · best for more than one spray pattern
The same Monitor valve family with a five-setting 1.75 gpm head, including pause.
The Delta Monitor 14 T14438 is the Delta trim to choose if you want options at the head: “Pause, Full Body Spray, Full Spray w/Massage, Fast Massage, Soft Drench Spray”, all at 1.75 gpm.
Delta says the Monitor pressure-balance valve “keeps water temperature within a safe ± 3.6⁰ F (± 2.0⁰ C)”. Like the T14459, it needs the MultiChoice rough-in in the wall.
Renter-Safe Install Rating
- Drilling
- None
- Tools
- Not published
- Time to fit
- Not published
- Power
- None
- Reversible on move-out
- No
Why: It mounts on a valve inside the wall — Delta's R10000 rough-in, sold separately. Valve work is plumbing on the property.
Read from published documentation, not from fitting one. Delta — Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim T14438 product page. How the verdict is derived: renter-safe ratings explained.
What’s wrong with it
Trim only, and out of stock on Delta's store when we checked.
What we can’t tell you
No warranty term on the product page.
Published specifications
| What is included | “Trim kit only, must order MultiChoice Universal rough-in separately to complete the unit” |
|---|---|
| Valve | Pressure balance — “keeps water temperature within a safe ± 3.6⁰ F (± 2.0⁰ C)” |
| Shower head | “1.75 gpm @ 80 psi”; WaterSense labeled |
| Spray settings | “Pause, Full Body Spray, Full Spray w/Massage, Fast Massage, Soft Drench Spray” |
| Tub spout | Pull-up diverter |
| Handle | “Single lever handle” |
| Accessibility | “Meets standards set by Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)” |
| Finishes | Chrome, Champagne Bronze, Stainless and Venetian Bronze listed |
| Warranty | Not stated on the product page |
| Availability | Out of stock on DeltaFaucet.com when we checked |
Source: Delta — Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim T14438 product page
#ad Price $122.46 as of October 18, 2026. Prices change; Amazon’s listing is the one that counts. How we’re funded.
The one to skip
Chateau Posi-Temp Tub/Shower
Moen · L2353 · best for matching an older polished-brass bathroom
A 2.5 gpm, one-function head and no valve in the box, against 1.75 gpm and more on the others.
The Moen Chateau is a long-running design, and it shows on the spec sheet.
Its head is “2.5 Gpm (9.5 L/Min) Max.” with a single spray, where every other set here runs at 1.75 gpm. Over an eight-minute shower that is 20 gallons against 14. It installs with a Posi-Temp valve that is not included, and it comes in chrome or polished brass.
If you are matching an existing brass bathroom, it does that job. Otherwise the Idora gives you more for the same valve family.
Renter-Safe Install Rating
- Drilling
- None
- Tools
- Not published
- Time to fit
- Not published
- Power
- None
- Reversible on move-out
- No
Why: Trim for an in-wall valve. Plumbing on the property.
Read from published documentation, not from fitting one. Moen — Chateau Posi-Temp Tub/Shower L2353 product page. How the verdict is derived: renter-safe ratings explained.
What’s wrong with it
The highest flow rate here, one spray setting, and no valve included.
What we can’t tell you
Moen does not state WaterSense status on the page.
Published specifications
| Valve | Installs “with Posi-Temp® pressure balancing control valve” — not included |
|---|---|
| Shower head | “2.5 Gpm (9.5 L/Min) Max.”; one-function |
| Tub spout | Slip fit, 5-1/2 in., diverter |
| Finishes | Chrome and Polished Brass |
| Accessibility | “complies with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) specifications” |
| Warranty | “limited lifetime warranty” |
| WaterSense | Not stated |
| Availability | Sold out on Moen's store when we checked |
Source: Moen — Chateau Posi-Temp Tub/Shower L2353 product page
There is no buy button on this one. It is easy enough to find if you want it anyway — we would rather point you at something that is still on the wall in a year.
Where to buy
Everything recommended on this page, in one place. Each link is an Amazon Associates link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and it never decides a pick.
- $92.49View on Amazon
Idora Posi-Temp Tub/Shower Faucet with Valve
Moen · 82115 · Renter verdict: Owner-only
- $140.00View on Amazon
Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim with Universal Spout, Chrome
Delta · T14459-PP · Renter verdict: Owner-only
- $122.46View on Amazon
Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim, Chrome
Delta · T14438 · Renter verdict: Owner-only
#ad Prices are not shown because we only publish figures we have verified on the day. How we’re funded.
Questions people actually ask
what is the difference between a shower valve and trim
The valve is inside the wall and mixes the hot and cold supplies. The trim is the handle, plate, spout and head you see. Trim only fits the valve it was designed for.
can i replace a tub and shower faucet without replacing the valve
Yes, if you buy trim made for the valve you have. Delta's Monitor 14 trims fit its MultiChoice Universal rough-in; Moen's Posi-Temp trims fit a Posi-Temp valve.
what is a pressure balance shower valve
A valve that keeps the temperature steady when water pressure changes elsewhere in the house. Delta publishes ±3.6°F for its Monitor valve; Moen publishes ±2° for Posi-Temp.
does the moen idora come with the valve
Yes — Moen publishes the 82115 as a tub and shower faucet with the Posi-Temp valve included, so there is no second purchase once the wall is open.
what happened to the moen adler 82603
It is no longer listed. We previously recommended the Adler Posi-Temp here; when its listing went dead we moved the pick to the Moen Idora 82115, which is the same Posi-Temp valve family with the valve included.
Sources
- Moen — Idora Posi-Temp tub/shower 82115 product page (valve included, limit stop, head, connections, cartridge, warranty)
- Moen — Chateau Posi-Temp Tub/Shower L2353 product page
- Delta — Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim T14459-PP product page
- Delta — Monitor 14 Series Tub & Shower Trim T14438 product page
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