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AKW SmartCare Lever electric care shower installed in a level-access bathroom with support-rated riser rail
September 16, 2026 Essential Bathrooms

AKW Showers: The Complete 2026 Buyer's Guide

AKW build showers for a specific job: level-access bathrooms and wet rooms where the shower has to be easy to operate, temperature-stable and straightforward to retrofit. The range splits into three groups — electric showers, mixer showers, and pumped packages that combine a shower with a waste water pump. This guide walks through every AKW shower we stock, explains what separates each range, and helps you match the right unit to your installation.

AKW shower range at a glance

Range Type Outputs Standout feature Best for
iTherm Electric 8.5kW, 9.5kW 8 electrical + 8 water entry points Straight retrofit replacements
SmartCare Lever Electric 8.5kW, 9.5kW Single easy-grip lever, one-handed use Simple, tactile everyday operation
SmartCare Plus Electric 8.5kW, 9.5kW, 10.5kW Smartphone app + optional Bluetooth remote Remote control and pre-heating
SmartCare pumped packages Electric + pump 8.5kW, 9.5kW Wireless shower-to-pump link Wet rooms without gravity drainage
Arka Mixer N/A Cool Touch body, TMV3 options Homes with stored hot water
Vettora Mixer N/A TMV2 approved, keen price point Budget-conscious mixer installs
Onyx Combo Mixer + rail N/A Integrated L-shape support rail Combined support and showering

AKW electric showers

An electric shower heats mains cold water on demand, so it works independently of your boiler or hot water cylinder. That makes it the default choice for most level-access installations — there's no reliance on stored hot water, and hot water is available whenever it's needed.

AKW iTherm (8.5kW & 9.5kW)

The iTherm is AKW's most installer-friendly electric shower. Its headline feature is flexibility at the wall: eight electrical entry points and eight water entry points, with dual power blocks allowing left- or right-hand wiring. The retro-fit footprint covers most other manufacturers' models, which usually means no re-tiling when you're swapping out an old unit.

On the safety side, the iTherm uses thermostatically stabilised temperature control with maximum water temperature protection, high-contrast LED temperature and flow indicators, and phased and automatic shutdown including a 30-minute auto shut-off. The casing is high-gloss white with rounded edges. Both models ship with a 1000mm riser rail with integrated soap dish, an adjustable showerhead and a 2.0m hose.

AKW SmartCare Lever (8.5kW & 9.5kW)

The SmartCare Lever replaces buttons and dials with a single ergonomic lever that starts, stops and adjusts temperature — operable one-handed, and easy to use with limited grip strength. Temperature beeps and a reactive LED display confirm every adjustment, so you get both audible and visual feedback.

The Care Accessory Kit is the other half of the story. It includes a 150kg load-bearing 1m riser rail that doubles as a support rail, a 2m anti-kink hose, a shelf with integral hose retainers, a lever sliding handset holder, an extra wall holder and a removable 3-mode shower head. Thermostatic control with a thermal cut-out, plus phased and automatic shutdown, handle the safety side. There's a 6 L/min eco flow setting, IPX4 protection and a 5-year warranty.

The Lever is independently accredited: BEAB Care certified, RNIB tried & tested and DSDC accredited — more on what those mean below.

8.5kW models:

9.5kW models:

AKW SmartCare Plus (8.5kW, 9.5kW & 10.5kW)

SmartCare Plus is the connected model. Alongside on-unit controls, it pairs with the AKW SmartCare Plus app for iOS and Android, giving full control of temperature and flow from a phone or tablet — including remote adjustment. An optional Bluetooth® remote operates the shower from up to 10m away, which is genuinely useful for warming the shower through before you step in.

At the unit, power, temperature and flow controls sit close together with large push-buttons and raised tactile symbols, backed by LED indicators and audible alerts. The matt anti-glare white and silver finish reduces reflection and glare. As with the Lever, the riser rail is rated to 150kg and doubles as a support rail, and there's a hose retaining ring to stop the head dropping to the floor.

Other specifics worth knowing: an Eco-Flow mode to cut water use, a 2m anti-kink hose, a 3-mode adjustable and removable head, thermostatic control with phased shutdown and automatic safety cut-off, and dimensions of H388mm × W240mm × D81mm. It's retrofit-friendly across most standard footprints.

SmartCare Plus is available in three outputs and three kit colours:

Output Silver & White Dark Blue Mid Grey
8.5kW 29012WH 29012DB 29012MG
9.5kW 29011WH 29011DB 29011MG
10.5kW 29010WH 29010DB 29010MG

SmartCare pumped shower packages

This is the range that solves the hardest problem in wet room design: what to do when gravity drainage isn't available. A waste water pump removes water from the shower area and pumps it up to the soil stack, which means a level-access shower can be created on almost any floor — including upper floors and solid concrete slabs where you can't drop a fall into the structure.

AKW's pumped packages pair a SmartCare Lever or SmartCare Plus shower with the M11 waste water pump and a wireless link between the two. That wireless connection matters more than it sounds: it removes the need to run interconnecting control cable between shower and pump, which cuts a significant amount of work out of a retrofit.

Packages are specified by which waste is included:

Waste option What it suits
No waste Installer specifies the waste separately to suit the floor build-up and former being used
PW50 50mm diameter pumped waste for shower trays
PW90 90mm diameter pumped waste for shower trays
Silentflow+ Wet floor waste, prioritising quiet operation
Screedmaster Wet floor waste designed for screeded floor constructions

Available packages:

Buying the pump separately: M11 vs M17 vs M20

If you already have a shower, or you're pairing a pump with a mixer, the DigiPumps are available on their own. The number in each model is its flow rate in litres per minute:

All three combine pump and controller in a single unit, adjust automatically to fluctuations in supply, carry an internal TGA fuse, are IP45 rated for installation in shower areas, and have a rotatable pump head for flexible installation angles. They come with a 5-year manufacturer's guarantee and work with a wide range of electric and mixer showers — AKW, Mira, Triton and others. One thing to note: if you're fitting a DigiPump with a mixer shower you'll also need a Flow Sensor (25194).

For a fuller breakdown, see our shower waste pumps buying guide, or browse all AKW shower pumps.

AKW mixer showers

A mixer shower blends stored hot and cold water rather than heating it on demand, so it needs a hot water supply — a cylinder or a combi boiler. Where that's available, a mixer typically gives a stronger flow than an electric shower.

AKW Arka (Cool Touch)

The Arka's defining feature is Cool Touch technology: the valve body stays safe to handle even after prolonged use. Combined with thermostatic control, it's a well-rounded specification for family and inclusive bathrooms alike, in a hard-wearing chrome finish.

Valve-only options are also available if you're replacing an existing valve or specifying your own kit:

AKW Vettora

The Vettora is the value option in AKW's mixer line-up — TMV2 approved, with a fast-reacting thermostatic element that responds quickly to changes in the water supply, simple controls and a chrome finish.

AKW Onyx Combo

The Onyx Combo integrates a mixer shower into an L-shape grab rail, so support and showering are handled by a single wall-mounted assembly rather than two separate fixings. It's handed, so you'll need to specify which way round it goes:

How to choose: the four decisions that matter

1. Electric or mixer?

If there's no reliable stored hot water, or you want showering to be independent of the boiler, go electric — iTherm, SmartCare Lever or SmartCare Plus. If you have a cylinder or a well-performing combi and want a stronger flow, a mixer like the Arka or Vettora will generally deliver more water.

2. Which kW output?

On an electric shower, kW determines flow rate, not maximum temperature. A higher output heats water faster, so more of it can pass through the unit per minute:

  • 8.5kW — the gentlest flow; the lowest electrical demand, and often the practical choice on older consumer units and smaller cable runs
  • 9.5kW — the middle ground, and the most commonly specified output
  • 10.5kW — the strongest flow in the SmartCare Plus range, with correspondingly higher electrical demand

Flow also drops in winter, because incoming mains water is colder and the unit has to work harder to reach the same temperature. Always have a qualified electrician confirm that the supply cable, consumer unit and isolator can carry the output you're specifying — this is not something to assume when upgrading from a lower-rated unit.

3. Which control style?

Push-buttons (iTherm, SmartCare Plus) suit users comfortable with discrete controls and tactile symbols. A single lever (SmartCare Lever) suits one-handed operation and reduced grip strength. App and remote control (SmartCare Plus) suits situations where the shower needs to be set up or adjusted from outside the shower area.

4. Which kit colour?

Kit colour isn't only cosmetic. AKW offers Silver & White, Dark Blue, Mid Grey and Care Grey kits, and the darker options provide tonal contrast against light-coloured walls and trays — which makes rails, handsets and controls easier to pick out. This is a core principle in dementia-friendly bathroom design and part of why the SmartCare range carries DSDC accreditation.

Accreditations explained

Accreditation What it means
TMV2 Thermostatic mixing valve approved to the domestic standard, providing anti-scald temperature control
TMV3 The higher healthcare-grade standard, with tighter temperature tolerances and more demanding test criteria
BEAB Care Independent certification for electrical products designed to be used safely by a wide range of users
RNIB tried & tested Assessed by the Royal National Institute of Blind People for usability with sight loss
DSDC Dementia Services Development Centre accreditation, covering contrast, clarity and intuitive operation
IPX4 / IP45 Ingress protection ratings confirming suitability for installation in shower areas

Installation notes

A few practical points that come up regularly:

  • Retrofit footprints. Both the iTherm and the SmartCare range are designed to cover most existing electric shower footprints, reusing current cable and pipework entry points. In most swaps that means no re-tiling.
  • Electrical work. Electric showers are notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England and Wales. Use a qualified electrician.
  • Pumped installs. If you're specifying a "no waste" package, the waste is chosen to suit the floor construction and the former you're using. Our guides to the AKW Tuff Form8 and the AKW Contour ShowerDec cover formers in detail.
  • Mixer plus pump. Remember the Flow Sensor (25194) if you're pairing a DigiPump with a mixer shower rather than an electric one.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between SmartCare Lever and SmartCare Plus?

The Lever uses a single ergonomic lever for all control and comes in 8.5kW and 9.5kW. The Plus adds smartphone app control, an optional Bluetooth remote and a 10.5kW option, using push-button controls with raised tactile symbols.

Can an AKW shower replace my existing electric shower without re-tiling?

Usually, yes. The iTherm and SmartCare units are designed with retro-fit footprints that cover most manufacturers' models, and the iTherm's eight electrical and eight water entry points give unusual flexibility in lining up with existing services.

Do I need a pump for a level-access shower?

Only where gravity drainage isn't achievable — typically upper floors or solid concrete slabs where you can't create a fall to the waste. Where gravity drainage works, no pump is needed.

Which DigiPump do I need?

Match the flow rate to the shower: M11 (11 L/min) for electric showers, M17 (17 L/min) for mixer showers, M20 (20 L/min) for digital and power showers.

Is 8.5kW enough?

For many installations, yes — it gives a gentler flow but places the lowest demand on the electrical supply, which can be decisive in older properties. If the supply supports it and you want a stronger flow, step up to 9.5kW or 10.5kW.

What does TMV3 mean, and do I need it?

TMV3 is the healthcare-grade thermostatic standard, with tighter temperature tolerances than the domestic TMV2 rating. It's often specified for care settings and adapted bathrooms. TMV2 is perfectly adequate for most domestic installations.

Browse the full AKW shower range

If you're not sure which output, kit colour or waste option suits your installation, get in touch — we've worked in the accessible bathing trade for around twenty years and are happy to talk it through.

Filed in: AKW, AKW Showers, Arka, Buying Guide, Electric Showers, iTherm, Level Access, SmartCare, Vettora, Wet Rooms
Next article How to Build a Level-Access Wet Room: Formers, Wastes, Tanking and Thresholds