<p>While you can always depend on a <a href=”https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home-products/g25999098/best-essential-oil-diffuser/” target=”_blank”>good oil diffuser</a> to fill a room with relaxing aromatics, bringing that feeling into your shower is a game-changer. Similar to a bath bomb, shower steamers are tablets that can be placed on the floor of your shower stall to give off a fragrant steam when they come in contact with water. “Shower steamers are an excellent and easy vehicle for delivering essential oils,” says holistic wellness practitioner <a href=”https://www.modernritualnyc.com/about” target=”_blank”>Valerie Oula</a>. “It also creates an instant spa feel in your shower with the healing potency of aromatherapy. You toss [one] in the shower and breathe. So simple!” </p><p>Oula adds that specific scents can have beneficial effects. “Citrus oils such as bergamot and sweet orange can be invigorating energy boosters, like that burst of brightness when peeling a clementine,” she says. “Essential oils from trees like juniper, pine, frankincense and cedarwood can be excellent for congestion.” And if you’ve been working out or are experiencing soreness? “Achy, tight muscles may benefit from lavender, rosemary and peppermint,” Oula notes. </p><p>If incorporating shower steamers into your self-care routine now seems like a no-brainer, check out our list below to find the very best shower steamers you can buy, according to our editors and online reviews.</p>”/>
If you’re unsure of what scents you’ll like best, a variety pack is always a great option. This set comes with six scents (lavender, menthol & eucalyptus, vanilla, watermelon, grapefruit and peppermint) and has been a hit on Amazon, garnering over 23,000 five-star reviews. However, some reviewers warned that the scents lose potency if left sitting for a year or more.
“Very pleased with this product. I enjoy a lot of essential oils and I could tell these were made with good oils,” an Amazon reviewer wrote. “And there was no residue in shower floor. They didn’t quickly and easily rinse away. I’ve bought more since as gifts and more for myself.”
2
Best Value Shower Steamer
Mineral Me California Shower Steamers
Pros
Variety of scents
Scents are long-lasting
Cons
Some found the scents overpowering
Containing 24 pieces, this shower steamer set can last you up to a month. Almost 3,000 Amazon reviewers have given glowing five-star reviews of this brand’s long-lasting scents and the great variety.
“Deciding I was worth the extra investment I purchased these (along with extras to give as gifts). They are fantastic… long-lasting, clean scents and well worth the price,” one reviewer wrote.
3
Best Shower Steamer With Lasting Scent
Daily Rituals Eucalyptus + Mint Extra-Large Shower Steamers
Pros
Extra-large tablets
One tablet can last two showers
Cons
Not a lot of reviews on Amazon so far
One of Oula’s favorite shower steamer brands at the moment, Daily Rituals provides chic minimalistic packaging, long-lasting scents and high-quality essential oils. Each pack includes six extra-large shower steamers that, according to the brand, should last up to two showers.
“The quality of the product speaks for itself, as you can sense the subtle aroma oozing from its packaging, giving you the fresh feels right as you pick up the box,” an Amazon reviewer wrote. “Great stress reliever, just place it on a corner in the shower, and you will smell it release its minty fresh aroma.”
Brand claims product is free of synthetic fragrances and colors
Comes in two scents
Cons
Only three tablets in a package
Aura Cacia claims that its shower steamers do not include synthetic fragrances, colors or stabilizers. On Amazon you can find both lavender and reviving peppermint scents.
“These shower tablets are amazing!” an Amazon reviewer said. “You just unwrap the packaging and place the tablet on the floor of the shower. After a couple of minutes, it starts breaking apart and the scent of lavender fills the room. The lavender is a very rich, natural scent… My aromatherapy-loving sister was 100% right! It DOES help me to relax after a long day. I love how the scent stays inside the bathroom afterwards.”
5
Best Luxury Shower Steamer
Bath & Body Works Shower Steamers
Pros
Popular brand
Made without artificial dyes
Cons
Scent may not last long enough
Bath & Body Works’ Aromatherapy line includes scents like vanilla lavender, rose magnolia and eucalyptus spearmint. The latter scent comes in a six-pack of shower steamer tablets that are designed to awaken the senses as well as soothe and uplift.
Over 400 Bath & Body Works reviewers rated the product with five out of five stars and raved about how great it smells. “Excellent scent, love using these in the shower to help relax and opens up the nasal passages!” one reviewer wrote. However, it should be noted that some reviewers complained that the scent didn’t last long enough to justify its expensive price.
6
Best Multi-Use Shower Steamer
Uncommon Goods Calming Shower Steamers Gift Set
Pros
Can last for multiple showers
Also work as a scrub
Cons
Expensive
Though this set of 12 tablets can also be used as a body scrub or foot scrub, they make pretty great shower steamers. “This is by far the best shower steamer I have tried — and I have tried A LOT!! They are huge, and natural so can be used on your skin. The smells were amazing and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE them,” one reviewer said.
This brand sells a set of 12 for $50, but if you are just hoping to try them out, you can also snag a set of five for $28. Both sets include multiple scents (lavender, eucalyptus, mint and lemongrass).
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7
Best Aromatherapy Shower Steamer
Beauty by Earth Shower Steamers Aromatherapy
Pros
Long-lasting, say reviewers
Calming scent
Cons
Only contains seven tablets
When it comes to relaxation and stress relief, lavender scents can help you to let down your hair. This seven pack of lavender rosemary shower steamers will help you do just that. The refreshing scent will help to calm you and elevate your mood.
“With a drop of water to activate, they’ll have your whole bathroom smelling like lavender and menthol,” one reviewer said. “I also love that they last super long. One cube, when not in the direct stream of water, lasted me over two weeks!”
8
Best Shower Steamer for Sinus Relief
Vicks VapoShower Aromatherapy Shower Tablet Bombs
Pros
Can help relieve congestion
Smell great
Cons
Only three in a box
A new addition to the Vicks brand, these aromatherapy shower tablets use non-medicated Vicks Vapors to help alleviate cough and cold symptoms. The menthol and eucalyptus oils, when inhaled, can open up sinuses and airways, according to reviewers.
“Had a rough cold and bought this. The hot shower and the Vick’s helped open me up. Now the whole family is using it,” one reviewer said of this three-pack.
9
Best Shower Steamer to Use After a Long Day
BABYPEACH Aromatherapy Shower Steamers
Pros
16 in a pack
Affordable
Cons
One scent
On the days when you need a little pick-me-up these menthol blast scented shower steamers will help to invigorate and soothe. One reviewer said that they “loved the fragrance of menthol and eucalyptus,” found the steamers “suitable for relaxing those tired aching muscles” and “great for congestion.”
Another reviewer even stated that they can be used as an alternative to the Vicks brand steamers if you’re looking for greater value, as it contains 16 in a pack as opposed to three.
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10
Best Variety Pack Shower Steamer
JoJowell Shower Steamers Aromatherapy
Pros
Long-lasting, according to reviewers
Includes suction cup and bag for easy placement
Cons
Some scents more faint than others
Three individual bags are included in this 18-pack set, each designed to calm (lavender), relieve (eucalyptus and mint) and energize (watermelon, grapefruit and citrus). The set also includes a suction cup and mesh bags for easy shower placement and clean-up. The suction cup allows you to place the steamer higher in your shower along the wall and the mesh bag contains any residue that may be left over after the tablet dissolves.
“The variety of scents included in this pack is fantastic. Each tablet releases a burst of fragrance that fills the entire bathroom, creating a soothing and calming atmosphere. I particularly love the eucalyptus and lavender scents, as they help me unwind after a long day,” an Amazon reviewer wrote.
11
Best Shower Steamer to Give as a Gift
MR MIRYE Shower Steamers
Pros
Individually wrapped
Doesn’t leave residue in shower
Cons
May dissolve quickly
Another option for a variety of scents comes from Mr Mirye. Each 18-pack features six scents (eucalyptus, lavender, mint, watermelon, rose, chamomile). They are individually wrapped so you can keep them all to yourself or easily regift a few.
“I love putting these in my shower while smelling the aroma. So soothing and relaxing,” a reviewer wrote. “I give these [as a] present to my friends all the time and they always ask for more.”
12
Best Calming Shower Steamer
Body Restore Aromatherapy Shower Bombs
Pros
Tablets last a long time, according to reviewers
Good value
Cons
Subdued scent
More than 8,500 Amazon reviewers have sung high praises of the Body Restore “calm” shower bombs in the scent dreamy lavender. Individually wrapped shower tablets deliver a relaxing fragrance throughout your shower and are perfect to help you unwind before bedtime.
“The tablet lasted for the duration of my shower and the scent was not super strong but what I would call a ‘quiet scent,'” an Amazon reviewer said. “The shower was lovely and I could smell [whiffs] of the scent on my body as I came out of the shower. Very nice!”
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13
Most Easily Dissolvable Shower Steamer
Mineral Me California Shower Bombs Aromatherapy
Pros
Dissolve easily, according to reviewers
Tablets last long enough for short showers
Cons
Individual packaging was hard to remove for some
Almost 3,000 Amazon reviewers gave these shower steamers five stars, saying they smell amazing and do a great job of making quick showers feel luxurious. Each pack includes 12 shower steamers, including grapefruit, eucalyptus, peppermint, orange, lavender and watermelon scents.
“This thing really does its work, even in quick showers. I feel so refreshed after using these,” a reviewer said. “These are a must try if you want to enjoy a nice short aromatherapy shower.”
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
In writing this guide, GH Staff Writer Cameron Jenkins sought the advice and expertise of holistic wellness practitioner Valerie Oula, who contributed her top picks and provided industry insight on the benefits of each essential oil used in the shower steamers.
Cameron also scoured the internet to find the most liked and reviewed shower steamers, according to consumers. To round up the best shower steamers, she relied on a combination of research, GH editor picks and expert insights from Oula.
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.