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Quick answer from a licensed plumber: For most walk-in showers, the PULSE ShowerSpas Oahu 1035: PULSE lists a cUPC-approved thermostatic valve, a rain and waterfall head, body jets, a hand shower and a fold-down teak seat. For a tub and shower, the PULSE Tropicana 1039W-BN has a tub spout and a pressure balance valve. To keep your existing valve, the PULSE Nirvana hangs on the shower arm. Most panels replace your shower valve, so plan for hot and cold stub-outs.
Our pick for most walk-in showers: the PULSE ShowerSpas Oahu 1035 thermostatic panel. Check the PULSE Oahu 1035 on Amazon
A shower panel is a column that mounts on the shower wall and puts a rain head, body jets and a hand shower in one piece. This page is about those panel systems, sometimes called shower towers. It is not about the acrylic or PVC wall panels that line a shower. Every panel linked here is a PULSE ShowerSpas model, and every spec comes from PULSE’s spec sheets, manuals and product pages. If you want a valve and trim kit that goes inside the wall instead, see our shower system picks.
Shower Panels Compared
| Panel | Valve (maker) | Flow (maker) | Connection (maker) | Stub-outs (manual) | Code listing (maker) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PULSE Oahu 1035 | Thermostatic | 2.5 GPM | 1/2 in. hot and cold | 4 in. apart; 28 or 38 in. high | cUPC |
| PULSE Tropicana 1039W-BN | Pressure balance | 1.8 GPM (linked listing); 2.5 also sold | 1/2 in. hot and cold | 4 in. apart; 40 in. high | cUPC |
| PULSE Eclipse 1060MB-BA | Pressure balance | 2.5 or 1.8 GPM | 1/2 in. NPT brass nipple | Hot and cold stub-outs, 90° elbows down | None listed on spec sheet |
| PULSE Nirvana 1070-CH | None: uses your existing valve | 2.5 GPM | 1/2 in. NPSM, on the shower arm | None needed; 28 in. min. above valve trim | None listed |
| PULSE Santa Cruz 1033 | Pressure balance (manual, product page); thermostatic (spec sheet) | 2.5 GPM | 1/2 in. hot and cold | 3 in. apart; 38 in. high | cUPC |
From PULSE ShowerSpas’ spec sheets, owner’s manuals and product pages, read on October 4, 2026. Each linked panel was sold by PULSE ShowerSpas and in stock that day. Stub-out heights are PULSE’s suggestions for users 5’8” to 6’2”.
Shower Panel, Shower System or New Head?
Three different jobs get called a shower upgrade. A new head only is the easiest: it screws onto the shower arm you have; see our rain shower head picks or handheld shower head picks. A shower system is a valve and trim kit: the valve sits inside the wall, and the head, handle and tub spout mount on the tile. A shower panel sits on the face of the wall and, on most models, carries its own valve, so the hot and cold pipes have to come out of the wall to meet it.
Most Panels Replace Your Shower Valve
This is the part the product photos skip. The PULSE Oahu, Tropicana, Eclipse and Santa Cruz each have their own valve and connect to 1/2-inch hot and cold supply lines stubbed out through the wall. PULSE’s retrofit steps for an existing shower are the same idea on each:
- Shut off and drain. Turn off both hot and cold to the shower, confirm it at the shower valve, and open a sink faucet in the bathroom to drain the lines.
- Cut out the old valve. Remove the handle and trim, then cut the valve out with a reciprocating saw, keeping the threads on the supply lines. PULSE says to cut the riser to the old shower head too.
- Bring the lines out of the wall. Extend hot and cold out of the wall cavity, 3 or 4 inches apart depending on the model, and add 90-degree brass elbows pointing down so the panel’s supply hoses run parallel to the wall.
- Cover the hole. PULSE says that if you are not replacing the tile, buy a model that covers the old valve location, or plan to patch it.
Plumber’s note: that is a valve change, not a head swap. Ask your local building department whether it needs a permit and an inspection. The old valve hole has to be closed up behind the panel so water cannot get into the wall. If you do not want to open the wall, the PULSE Nirvana below hangs on your shower arm and keeps your existing valve.
The Valve Has to Meet Code
In places that use the International Plumbing Code, section 412.3 of the 2021 edition says an individual shower valve must be balanced-pressure, thermostatic or a combination of both, meeting ASSE 1016 or ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1. It must also limit its maximum setting to 120 °F. A pressure balance valve keeps the temperature steady when someone flushes a toilet; a thermostatic valve holds the temperature you set. A panel with a plain hot-and-cold mixing valve does neither. PULSE lists a pressure balance or thermostatic valve for every panel here that has a valve, and the Santa Cruz manual says the hot supply must not be above 140 °F, with an ASSE 1070 temperature limiting device on the hot line if needed. For more on how those valves work, see our guide to thermostatic mixing valves.
Flow and pressure
The Santa Cruz manual rates it at 2.5 GPM maximum at 80 psi, the same 2.5 GPM PULSE lists for the Oahu and Nirvana. The Tropicana and Eclipse also come in 1.8 GPM versions. PULSE says the 2.5 GPM Oahu and Santa Cruz cannot be shipped to California, Colorado or New York City because of their 1.8 GPM limits. All the functions share the water that comes in, so turning on the rain head, the jets and the hand shower at once splits the flow. PULSE says you can send all the pressure to one function or spread it across several.
PULSE ShowerSpas Oahu 1035
Thermostatic mixing valve (cUPC approved, per PULSE) · 2.5 GPM · 1/2 in. hot and cold supply · stub-outs 4 in. on center · 76 in. tall, 8.75 in. wide, 45 lb · rain and waterfall heads (7 in. waterfall and 4 in. rain, per the Amazon listing), body jets in two sizes, hand shower on a 59 in. hose · folding teak seat · separate diverter for each function · lifetime limited warranty for the original consumer purchaser who buys it for use in his or her own home, for as long as that purchaser owns that home; 5 years from the date of purchase for all other purchasers, per PULSE
This is the panel to buy if steady temperature matters most. PULSE’s spec sheet, manual and product page all say the Oahu uses a thermostatic mixing valve. The manual says you set the knob once and the valve holds that temperature even when pressure drops in the house lines, such as when someone flushes a toilet. Each function has its own diverter, so you can run the rain head, the waterfall, the jets and the hand shower one at a time or together. It is also the only PULSE panel with a folding teak seat, per PULSE; the Amazon listing rates the seat at 200 lb.
It is a big unit. PULSE lists it at 76 inches tall and 45 lb, so plan the wall mounting before it arrives. The manual calls for 1/2-inch hot and cold stub-outs 4 inches apart, at 28 or 38 inches above the finished floor for people 5’8” to 6’2”. PULSE’s spec sheet and Amazon listing describe four body jets in two sizes; the product page’s parts list shows three, so count the jets in the photos if the number matters to you.
- Thermostatic valve named in the spec sheet, manual and product page
- cUPC approved, per PULSE
- Independent diverter for each function
- Folding teak seat, rated 200 lb on the Amazon listing
- 76 in. tall and 45 lb: needs solid mounting
- Needs hot and cold stub-outs, so the old valve comes out
- PULSE’s documents disagree on the body jet count
Verdict: The pick for a walk-in shower where you want the temperature to stay put and a seat built into the panel.
PULSE ShowerSpas Tropicana 1039W-BN
Pressure balance valve (per the spec sheet) · sold in 2.5 or 1.8 GPM versions; the linked listing is the 1.8 GPM model · 1/2 in. hot and cold supply · stub-outs 4 in. on center, 40 in. above the floor for users 5’8” to 6’2” · 53 in. tall, 11 in. wide, 35 lb · 8 mm tempered glass panel · 10 in. rain head on a 180° pivoting brass arm · 6 single-function Silk-Spray jets · tub spout · cUPC approved · lifetime limited warranty for the original consumer purchaser who buys it for use in his or her own home, for as long as that purchaser owns that home; 5 years from the date of purchase for all other purchasers, per PULSE
The Tropicana is the shorter panel with a tub spout, so it suits a tub and shower combination as well as a stall. PULSE’s spec sheet lists a pressure balance valve, a 10-inch rain head on a brass arm that pivots 180 degrees side to side, six single-function jets with a mist spray, a hand shower and a tub spout that PULSE also calls a temperature tester. The panel is 8 mm tempered glass on a stainless steel body.
PULSE sells it in 2.5 and 1.8 gallon-per-minute versions, and the Amazon listing we link is the 1.8 GPM model. Lower flow saves water, but PULSE’s manual warns that performance may be compromised by flow restrictors. The jets are mist-style: PULSE calls them Silk-Spray, so do not expect a strong massage from them. Like the Oahu, it connects to 1/2-inch hot and cold stub-outs, here 4 inches apart and 40 inches above the floor for most adults, per the manual.
- Tub spout for tub and shower combinations
- Pressure balance valve, per the spec sheet; cUPC approved
- Linked listing is the 1.8 GPM version
- 53 in. tall: fits under a lower ceiling or window than the Oahu
- Mist-style jets, not a hard massage
- PULSE says flow restrictors may reduce performance
- Needs hot and cold stub-outs, so the old valve comes out
Verdict: The pick for a tub and shower combination, or for anyone who wants a lower-flow panel with a tub spout.
PULSE ShowerSpas Eclipse 1060MB-BA
Pressure balance valve (spec sheet and manual) · 2.5 or 1.8 GPM versions · connection 1/2 in. NPT brass nipple · aluminum body, matte black with bamboo panel (1060MB-BA) · 57 in. tall on the spec drawing · 8 in. rain head, 4 single-function body jets, wand hand shower · brass diverter · 18 lb shipping weight · lifetime limited warranty for the original consumer purchaser who buys it for use in his or her own home, for as long as that purchaser owns that home; 5 years from the date of purchase for all other purchasers, per PULSE
The Eclipse is the light one. PULSE lists an aluminum body in matte black and an 18 lb shipping weight, against 52 lb for the Oahu and 40 lb for the Tropicana (all shipping weights, per PULSE). It has an 8-inch rain head, four single-function body jets, a wand hand shower and a brass diverter, and both the spec sheet and the manual list a pressure balance valve. The 1060MB-BA we link has the bamboo panel; PULSE also sells a brushed stainless panel (1060MB-SSB).
PULSE’s retrofit steps spell out the plumbing: take off the old shower arm and head and seal the top supply line, remove the existing valve and trim, then stub out the hot and cold pipes with 90-degree elbows pointing down. The elbows are not included. Its spec sheet lists a 1/2-inch NPT brass nipple connection. Unlike the other PULSE sheets on this page, the Eclipse sheet has no code listing line, so if your inspector wants to see a cUPC mark, ask PULSE before you buy.
- Lightest panel here with its own valve: 18 lb shipping weight, per PULSE
- Pressure balance valve in both the spec sheet and the manual
- Matte black finish with a bamboo panel
- PULSE spells out the retrofit steps
- Spec sheet names no cUPC or other code listing
- Amazon listing does not say whether it is the 2.5 or 1.8 GPM version
- 90-degree elbows for the stub-outs are not included
Verdict: The pick if you want a matte black panel that is easy to hang, and you can confirm the code listing with PULSE.
PULSE ShowerSpas Nirvana 1070-CH
Connects to your existing shower arm (1/2 in. NPSM) · no valve included: your existing valve still controls temperature · at least 28 in. between the water outlet and the valve trim · 2.5 GPM · 4.5 in. multi-function rain head and multi-function hand shower, 59 in. hose · built-in body wash dispenser, loofa, wire shelf and mirror · lifetime limited warranty for the original consumer purchaser who buys it for use in his or her own home, for as long as that purchaser owns that home; 5 years from the date of purchase for all other purchasers, per PULSE
The Nirvana is not a full panel with its own valve. It hangs from your existing shower arm and uses the valve already in your wall, so there is no wall to open and no pipe to move. PULSE says it connects directly to the existing shower arm. Its spec sheet lists a 1/2-inch NPSM connection, a 2.5 GPM rating and a note that the mixing valve is not included.
Check one measurement first. PULSE says the distance from the shower arm outlet down to your valve trim must be at least 28 inches, or the unit will not fit above the handle. You get a multi-function head and hand shower with a diverter between them, a built-in body wash dispenser with a loofa, a shelf and a mirror. PULSE’s manual says the hand shower holder is glued to the wall and needs 24 hours to cure. There are no body jets. If you rent, read the warranty: PULSE’s lifetime term lasts for as long as the original purchaser owns the home, and for all other purchasers its warranty is 5 years from the date of purchase.
- No valve change and no wall work: hangs on your shower arm
- Your existing valve keeps controlling temperature
- Multi-function head and hand shower with a diverter
- Shelf, soap dispenser and mirror built in
- No body jets
- Needs at least 28 in. from the shower arm outlet to the valve trim
- Hand shower holder is glued and needs 24 hours to cure
Verdict: The pick for renters and anyone who wants panel features without cutting out the valve.
I send an occasional note when a new guide goes up — repairs worth doing yourself, and the parts that actually last. No spam, no course funnel; written by a licensed Georgia plumber.
Also Worth a Look: PULSE Santa Cruz 1033
The PULSE Santa Cruz 1033 is a 61.5-inch brushed bronze panel with a dual rain and waterfall head, two oversized body sprays and a hand shower, each on its own diverter. PULSE lists 2.5 GPM, cUPC approval and 1/2-inch stub-outs 3 inches apart, 38 inches above the floor for most adults. We list it here rather than as a full pick because PULSE’s documents disagree on the valve: the manual’s parts list and the product page say pressure balance, and the spec sheet says thermostatic. Both types meet the IPC rule above, but ask PULSE which one ships if it matters to you.
Why We Did Not Pick VEVOR or Blue Ocean
Both brands sell shower towers on Amazon, and both have listings sold by Amazon.com or by the brand’s own store. We left them out because their documents do not answer the valve question. VEVOR’s product page calls its valve a brass mixing valve and lists a G 1/2″ connection, and its manual is only available through a contact form. Plumber’s note: G threads are not the NPT threads on US pipe fittings, so plan on adapters. Blue Ocean’s manual for its 392 series shows a hot and cold mixing valve, and its catalogue lists 28 to 72 psi, but none of the Blue Ocean documents we read for that series gives a flow rate, calls the valve pressure balance or thermostatic, or names a code listing. Its catalogue does call some other Blue Ocean models thermostatic. If you are set on either brand, ask the seller for the valve’s ASSE 1016 or ASME A112.18.1 listing before you buy.
Before You Buy
- Decide whether the valve stays. Keep it: a shower-arm unit like the Nirvana. Replace it: a full panel with its own valve.
- Check the valve type. Pressure balance or thermostatic, listed to ASSE 1016 or ASME A112.18.1, where the IPC applies.
- Measure the wall. Panel height, ceiling height and where the old valve hole falls behind the panel.
- Find the studs. The Oahu weighs 45 lb, per PULSE. Mount it to solid backing.
- Check your water heater setting. The Santa Cruz manual caps hot water at 140 °F at the panel.
FAQ
What is a shower panel?
A shower panel, or shower tower, is a column that mounts on the shower wall and carries the heads, body jets and hand shower in one piece. Most have their own valve and connect to hot and cold pipes stubbed out of the wall. It is not the same thing as an acrylic wall panel that lines a shower.
Does a shower panel work without removing the shower valve?
Only some. The PULSE Nirvana hangs on the existing shower arm and uses your existing valve. Panels with a built-in valve, like the PULSE Oahu, Tropicana and Eclipse, need hot and cold stub-outs, and PULSE’s retrofit steps have you cut out the old valve.
Do shower panels need a pressure balance or thermostatic valve?
Yes, where the International Plumbing Code applies. IPC 2021 section 412.3 says individual shower valves must be balanced-pressure, thermostatic or a combination of both, and must limit the maximum setting to 120 °F. Check that the panel’s own valve is one of those types before you buy.
What water pressure does a shower panel need?
PULSE’s Santa Cruz manual rates it at 2.5 GPM maximum at 80 psi. The functions share the water that comes in, so running several at once splits the flow; PULSE says you can send all the pressure to one function or spread it across several.
How high should the stub-outs be for a shower panel?
It depends on the model. For people 5’8” to 6’2”, PULSE recommends 40 in. above the finished floor for the Tropicana, 28 or 38 in. for the Oahu and 38 in. for the Santa Cruz. Spacing is 4 in. on center for the Tropicana and Oahu and 3 in. for the Santa Cruz.
Why Trust Plumbing Picks
Plumbing Picks is written by a licensed Georgia journeyman plumber. Every spec here comes from the maker documents linked below, or from the Amazon listings we link; nothing comes from hands-on testing. On October 4, 2026, every linked listing was in stock and sold by the maker’s own Amazon store, PULSE ShowerSpas. If you buy through a link we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nobody pays to be included here. More on who writes this and how we pick.
Sources
- PULSE ShowerSpas: Oahu ShowerSpa 1035 product page, spec sheet, owner’s manual
- PULSE ShowerSpas: Tropicana ShowerSpa 1039W-BN product page, spec sheet, owner’s manual
- PULSE ShowerSpas: Eclipse ShowerSpa 1060 product page, spec sheet, owner’s manual
- PULSE ShowerSpas: Nirvana Shower System 1070 product page, spec sheet, owner’s manual
- PULSE ShowerSpas: Santa Cruz ShowerSpa 1033 product page, spec sheet, owner’s manual
- ICC: Significant Changes to the IPC 2021, section 412.3 individual shower valves
- Blue Ocean (The Home Budget Houseware Inc.): SPS392H product page, 392-series installation manual, 2024 catalogue
- VEVOR: 8009FL shower panel product page
- Amazon listings for the PULSE ShowerSpas 1035, 1039W-BN, 1060MB-BA, 1070-CH and 1033 (linked above)
Bottom Line
Buy the PULSE Oahu 1035 for a walk-in shower with a thermostatic valve and a seat, the Tropicana 1039W-BN for a tub and shower with a lower-flow option, and the Eclipse 1060MB-BA for a light, matte black panel. If you do not want to cut out your valve, buy the Nirvana 1070-CH and keep the valve you have. Whatever you buy, confirm the valve type and plan the stub-outs before the panel arrives.