Are Shower Steamers the New Bath Bomb? I Tested 4 Viral Sets to Find Out

Name: Bootleg Bath Shower Bombs Variety 6-Pack
Brand: Bootleg Steamers
Price: 13 USD

From Esker to Body Restore

By Sydney Meister

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Published Jun 23, 2025

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Original Image by Sydney Meister

There’s only so much self-care you can squeeze between a towel rack and a leaky shampoo caddy. But recently, I read that shower steamers promise to turn even the most meh bathroom into a eucalyptus-scented sanctuary. You just drop one on your shower floor, and suddenly, you’re breathing in lavender mist like you’re on a wellness retreat (instead of dodging body wash runoff in a rental unit).

Still, I had questions. Do shower steamers actually work? Are they just bath bombs in disguise? And why is everyone on TikTok obsessed with brands like Esker and Body Restore? I decided to find out for myself.

Over the past few weeks, my showers were spent sprinkling, sniffing and (occasionally) slipping my way through four of the most viral shower steamer sets to find out which ones are worth the hype—and which ones fizz out faster than your 6 a.m. meditation habit.

The Best Shower Steamers at a Glance

How I Tested the Best Shower Steamers

Over the course of two weeks, I rotated through four popular shower steamer sets, testing each one to assess scent intensity, longevity and clean-up. I placed each tablet in the back corner of the shower—away from the direct stream, but close enough to catch the mist—and timed how long it lasted. I also tracked residue left behind, how strong the scent was in a steamy environment, and whether it lingered after the water stopped.

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Sydney Meister for PureWow/Esker

1. Esker Aromatic Shower Steamer Set

Esker

Value: 17/20
Scents: 20/20
Ease of Use: 20/20
Quality: 19/20
Aesthetic: 20/20

TOTAL: 96/100

Every “best shower steamer” roundup I skimmed crowned Esker the indisputable No. 1—and I’ll admit, I scoffed at the $65 price tag. But now I get it: Each of the four steamer pucks is slow-melting and infused with dried petals, essential oils and menthol—and they come nestled in a hand-carved Carrara marble holder that looks straight out of a five-star spa. (There’s even a drainage hole so the disks don’t stew in leftover water.) I learned the hard way that you have to place the holder on the shower floor, far from the heavy stream but still within the mist, or the tablet disappears in 30 seconds. In the right spot, however, each one lasted me two to three full showers—and there was no slippery residue leftover in the tub.

That said, the real investment you make here is in the scents; they’re rich and layered without veering too heady or fake. Calendula Palo Santo, my favorite, smells like Le Labo’s Palo Santo 14 on vacation in Ojai. It has the same creamy, resinous depth—sandalwood, incense, cedar—but softened by floral, a slightly honeyed calendula. Eucalyptus Lavender is cool and herbal, like a fresh forest breeze with a subtle therapeutic edge. Rosemary Mint is brighter and sharper—like crushed herbs in a Mediterranean setting. And Bergamot Blood Orange is peak citrus sophistication: juicy, zesty, and ever-so-slightly sultry, like a golden hour Aperol spritz with a twist of peel. The best part? Each one lingered in the air for hours—like a diffuser you didn’t have to plug in.

Fast Facts

Tablets per set: 4 (plus marble holder)
Scents: Calendula Palo Santo, Eucalyptus Lavender, Rosemary Mint, Bergamot Blood Orange
Longevity: 2–3 showers per tablet (when placed away from direct stream)

$65 AT AMAZON

Sydney Meister for PureWow/Body Restore

2. Body Restore Collector’s Box Shower Steamers

Body restore

Value: 19/20
Scents: 17/20
Ease of Use: 20/20
Quality: 17/20
Aesthetic: 18/20

TOTAL: 91/100

If Esker is the 5-star spa package, Body Restore’s Collector’s Box is your approachable, 1-hour massage at the Hilton. This set includes 30 individually wrapped pucks across 10 aromas, and while none of them pack a punch quite like Esker, it offers ample value for just under $50. Each tablet fizzed gently in the corner of my shower for about 15 minutes—as long as I remembered to keep it far from the direct spray—and the subtle scents layered into the steam rather than overwhelming it. Bonus: No dye trails or slippery tub aftermath.

My favorites were the stronger blends: Rose, which felt classic and slightly sweet, like fresh petals on a hotel pillow; and Eucalyptus Mint, which was sinus-clearing in a gentle, post-neti-pot kind of way. Lavender was ideal for nighttime—herbaceous, not perfume-y. I also liked Citrus Grove as a pre-coffee pick-me-up: bright and lemony. If I had to skip one, it would be Tea Tree—the scent reminded me a little too much of the trauma of elementary school lice checks. And while Milk & Honey was soft and sweet in theory, it was too faint to make a real impact. Bottom line: These aren’t going to transform your entire bathroom into an eucalyptus forest, but they will make your average shower feel a little more thoughtful and intentional.

Fast Facts

Tablets per set: 30
Scents: Eucalyptus Mint, Citrus Grove, Lavender, Rose, Tea Tree, Milk & Honey, Jasmine, Chamomile, Cocoa Orange, Bergamot Spring
Longevity: ~15 minutes per tablet (when placed in the corner of the shower)

~~$60~~; $50 AT AMAZON

Sydney Meister for PureWow/ PJ's Soaps

3. PJ's Soaps and Bombs Aromatherapy Steamers

PJ's Soaps and Bombs

Value: 17/20
Scents: 18/20
Ease of Use: 17/20
Quality: 17/20
Aesthetic: 18/20

TOTAL: 87/100

First and foremost: I love that these steamers are handmade in a husband-and-wife kitchen operation. Each puck releases strong bursts of essential oils as it fizzes, and unlike other brands, these don’t just scent the steam—they fill the entire shower, especially when you put one under direct spray. But be warned: the oils make the tub super slippery, so I’d recommend placing it in the corner and stepping carefully, unless you want to find yourself clinging to the curtain rod mid-rinse.

Of the ten available scents, I tested two: Bye Bye Headache Relief and Tobacco and Vanilla Relaxation. I started with Bye Bye Headache, which is a menthol monster (peppermint, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus). It was so strong, I’d argue it incites headaches, but I’ll admit I was impressed by the staying power. Even under full water pressure, it lasted a good 10 minutes—and when tucked in the corner, it easily stretched to 20. Then came Tobacco & Vanilla, and suddenly I recovered from the menthol. This one smells like a cozy candle I’d hoard: rich tobacco smoke with a sweet, almost creamy vanilla that feels masculine, warm and a little spicy. If I could bottle this scent and wear it like perfume, I would.

Fast Facts

Tablets per set: 2
Scents: Bye Bye Headache, Tobacco and Vanilla, Calming Bamboo, Cedar Mist, Moonlit Ocean, No More Stuffy Noses, Ocean Shores, Tranquil Beach, Tranquil Lavender Twilight, Orange Awakening
Longevity: 10–20 minutes (depending on placement and water pressure)

$12 AT AMAZON

Sydney Meister for PureWow/Bootleg Steamers

4. Bootleg Bath Shower Bombs Variety 6-Pack

Bootleg Steamers

Value: 20/20
Scents: 17/20
Ease of Use: 17/20
Quality: 16/20
Aesthetic: 16/20

TOTAL: 86/100

Finally, these all-natural fizzers are made with menthol and essential oils—free of artificial dyes or chemicals—and they definitely lean more subtle than “aromatherapy explosion.” I tested them mostly during weekday mornings when I wanted something to make a lukewarm rinse feel like a treat. Each tablet dissolved in about five minutes, and while I appreciated the subtle fragrance (especially in the Coconut Lime and Eucalyptus Mint scents), they didn’t linger long after the water turned off.

Yet, while I liked that they didn’t give me a headache (even in a steamy, enclosed bathroom), they did leave behind some residue. The Lavender Chamomile and Coconut Lime left visible flecks near the drain, and Grapefruit & Bergamot left a full-on pink dye trail across the tub. That said, running the water for a few extra seconds easily washed everything away. If you’re looking for an affordable, plant-based option to keep on hand for low-lift mood boosts, these definitely get the job done.

Fast Facts

Tablets per set: 6
Scents: Peaches & Cream, Lavender Chamomile, Eucalyptus Mint, Jasmine Rain, Coconut Lime, Grapefruit & Bergamot
Longevity: ~5 minutes per tablet (dissolves quickly under steam)

~~$20~~; $13 AT AMAZON

Frequently Asked Questions

Do shower steamers work?

Yes—but only if they’re formulated with real essential oils and placed where they can actually diffuse. The hot steam from your shower acts as a delivery system, helping volatile compounds (like menthol, eucalyptus or lavender oil) disperse into the air. That’s how they interact with your olfactory system and, in turn, your limbic system—which is why certain scents can make you feel calmer, more awake or less congested. No oils? No effect.

What are the benefits of shower steamers?

It depends on the scent, but most fall into three categories: respiratory relief (think eucalyptus, peppermint), stress reduction (lavender, chamomile) and mood boosting (citrus, rosemary). Inhaling essential oils stimulates the brain’s emotional center, which is why they’re often used in clinical aromatherapy for relaxation or focus. And unlike candles or diffusers, steamers work fast because you’re already in a warm, enclosed space that helps carry those active compounds straight to your nose.

Where is the best place to put a shower steamer?

For best results, place your shower steamer on the floor of your shower away from the direct stream but within the path of the mist. This slows the dissolution process, allowing it to last longer—often up to 15-20 minutes, depending on the brand. If you place it under the full water flow, it can dissolve in under a minute, wasting the scent payoff (and your money).

Do shower steamers clog drains?

Generally, no. Most are made with water-soluble ingredients like baking soda, citric acid and essential oils, all of which rinse away easily. But if your steamer includes dried flowers, glitter or dyes, buildup can happen over time—especially in older pipes or low-flow drains. To play it safe, rinse the area after use or skip anything with chunky botanicals if you already battle hair clogs.

Sydney Meister

Associate Editor

Writes across all lifestyle verticals, including relationships and sex, home, finance, fashion and beauty
More than five years of experience in editorial, including podcast production and on-camera coverage
Holds a dual degree in communications and media law and policy from Indiana University, Bloomington

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