Best pick: a 250 mm square 304 stainless head. It balances coverage, cost and corrosion resistance, while brass suits premium projects and ABS suits volume budgets.
Panel size decides coverage. A 200 mm face fits compact stalls, 250 mm is the mainstream export size, and 300 mm needs 2.5 bar or more plus a matching arm. Match the panel to the shower width, not to catalogue photos.
Materials are a trade-off. ABS is light, cheap and safe on thin ceilings but feels hollow. 304 stainless resists rust and holds a brushed finish. Brass lasts longest and threads cleanly, yet costs 30-50% more.
Plating matters more than buyers expect. Demand 0.1-0.2 micron chrome over nickel with a 24-48 hour neutral salt spray report; thin plating pits within one season in coastal markets.
Spray modes: single rain, rain plus massage, or three-function with a hand shower. Fewer functions mean fewer failures and lower MOQ, while more functions sell better at retail.
Flow and certification: 8-9 L/min at 3 bar is the usual export target. Confirm WaterSense, EN 1112 or the local standard before quoting, and use a restrictor as the cheapest fix.
Installation: keep the face 2.0-2.1 m above the floor and the arm 300-400 mm so it clears the door. Verify a G1/2 male thread and a swivel joint before ordering.
MOQ and supply: 100-500 pieces per finish is typical. Yuhuan Bangqi Metal Products has made brass bathroom hardware in Zhejiang since 2012 and provides CE/ISO documents on request.