BathSelect™ vs Kohler: Which Luxury Shower System Is Better?
BathSelect™ and Kohler both serve the high-end shower market, but their strengths are different. BathSelect™ emphasizes complete multifunction shower packages with rainfall, waterfall, body sprays, digital controls and numerous finishes. Kohler’s premium strategy is especially strong around Anthem and Anthem+ digital control, personalization and coordinated Statement showering components.
BathSelect™ vs Kohler at a Glance
| Category | BathSelect™ | Kohler |
|---|---|---|
| Core Strength | Complete multifunction systems | Digital control ecosystem |
| Rainfall + Waterfall | Extensive combinations | Available through coordinated components |
| Body Jets | Common across luxury systems | Supported within Anthem configurations |
| Digital Control | Strong smart/digital selection | Excellent Anthem platform |
| Preset Personalization | Available on selected models | Up to 10 favorites on Anthem systems |
| Best Fit | Feature-rich private spa | Digitally controlled custom shower |
Two Different Luxury Strategies
BathSelect™
BathSelect™ makes it relatively easy to shop for an entire shower configuration. Current collections combine rainfall, waterfall, handhelds, body sprays, thermostatic control, digital interfaces and LED functions across wall, ceiling and recessed installations.
Explore BathSelect™ SystemsKohler Anthem+
Kohler’s Anthem+ system is built around centralized control. Kohler says the interface can manage up to 12 water outlets while incorporating water, steam, sound and lighting into personalized shower experiences.
Explore Kohler Anthem+
Where BathSelect™ Has the Advantage
BathSelect™ is particularly compelling when the buyer wants a ready-to-specify combination of several luxury features. Rather than building every configuration component by component, designers can browse complete systems containing coordinated rainfall heads, waterfalls, handhelds, massage sprays and controls.
- BathSelect™ Complete Shower Systems
- BathSelect™ Luxury Shower Systems
- BathSelect™ Digital Shower Systems
- BathSelect™ Smart Luxury Showers
- BathSelect™ Rainfall Shower Systems
- BathSelect™ Shower Massage Jets
- BathSelect™ Multifunction Shower Systems
- BathSelect™ Digital Display Shower
- BathSelect™ Grappa Digital Shower
- BathSelect™ Adria Digital Shower
- BathSelect Hospitality™ Shower Systems
- BathSelect™ Shower Planning Guide
Where Kohler Has the Advantage
Kohler becomes particularly strong when digital personalization itself leads the specification. Anthem digital controls can manage up to six outlets, while Anthem+ expands that concept to as many as 12 water outlets and adds integrated control possibilities for steam, sound and lighting.
Kohler also supports favorite presets, independent outlet control and separate temperature or flow zones. For homeowners who want a highly centralized digital interface, this is a significant strength.
Kohler Anthem + Statement
What Matters More Than the Brand?
Multi-outlet showers must be evaluated hydraulically. The International Plumbing Code requires individual shower valves to use qualifying balanced-pressure, thermostatic or combination technologies and specifies a maximum-setting limit of 120°F. It also requires control valves to be rated for the installed showerhead flow.
EPA WaterSense adds another important perspective: qualifying showerheads must use no more than 2.0 GPM and also meet performance requirements for spray force and coverage. Luxury should therefore be evaluated through engineering and usable performance, not simply fixture size.
Independent Authority References
The following independent organizations provide the code, accessibility, water-efficiency, product-standard and building-performance context used when evaluating premium shower systems.
- U.S. EPA WaterSense — Showerheads Why cited: Defines independent showerhead water-efficiency and spray-performance criteria.
- U.S. Department of Justice — ADA Standards Why cited: Establishes accessible shower dimensions, controls, seats and reach requirements.
- International Code Council — 2024 IPC Why cited: Covers shower valves, temperature limits and fixture-installation requirements.
- ASME — A112.18.1 / CSA B125.1 Why cited: Major standard covering showerheads, hand showers, body sprays and supply fittings.
- NSF — Plumbing Fixtures, Fittings & Components Why cited: Explains testing and certification pathways for showers, valves and plumbing products.
- U.S. Green Building Council — Indoor Water Use Reduction Why cited: Connects fixture selection to LEED indoor water-efficiency strategies.
- WELL Building Standard — Water Why cited: Provides independent wellness and water-quality context for high-performance interiors.
- IAPMO — Uniform Plumbing Code Why cited: Provides another major plumbing-code framework emphasizing water efficiency and public health.
Final Verdict: BathSelect™ or Kohler?
Choose Kohler when sophisticated centralized digital control, presets and integration of numerous independently managed outlets are the dominant priorities.
Choose BathSelect™ when the project prioritizes a broad selection of complete luxury systems combining rainfall, waterfall, body sprays, handheld showering, thermostatic controls, digital technology and numerous architectural finishes.
For a feature-rich primary bathroom or private-spa project, BathSelect™ offers the stronger complete-system selection. For a digitally orchestrated custom shower, Kohler Anthem and Anthem+ remain formidable alternatives.
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