When looking at bathroom fixtures like thermostatic shower valves and faucets, prices are all over the place with high end brands charging a high price next to cheap generics for a 10th of the price.

Sure it’s fair enough that quality costs more. But bathroom fixtures have no specs. Are you paying $/€ 300 for the brand and style, or does the valve actually function better? The text on the box of a 90% cheaper product is the same. 38° is 38°, right?

So of course I buy the cheapest valve as no product info distinguishes the options. Then after installing it, I find that it does not maintain temp, as if the valve does not move linearly with the wax cylinder. I have to increase the temp well beyond 38° to chase the right temp throughout the shower. At the end when I return to 38° it feels the same. WTF.

Then the cheap faucet valve has non-linear pressure. There is a tiny range in the movement of the handle where 90+% of the pressure and temp changes which really tests your motor skills. WTF.

I’m not exactly annoyed that a cheap product performs like one. I’m annoyed by the lack of transparency. The box did not tell me that 90% of the pressure and temp change happens inside of a small portion of the overall handle movement.

How should consumers know that? Fuck this idea that you have to blindly pay more for some blind increase in quality.

So new rule:

  • faucet and shower valves must show a line graph on the box of the handle motion with the water volume and temp. Performance deviations are claimable under warranty. Energy ratings must also account for the controllability of the valve. If a faucet tends to blast hot water because it acts more like a switch than a dial, the energy rating should be poor.

  • Any products where price is the sole indicator of quality and performance because of lack of performance specs are banned.

update: chef’s knives have a similar problem. You are judging the quality from the appearance with no practical way of knowing how long it can hold a sharp edge. There needs to be a rating system for dullness extent after so many cuts.