Buying guide: Shampoo Bowls & Backwash Units
Complete backwash unit, or bowl and chair separately
A complete backwash unit puts the bowl, the stand and the seat in one piece, permanently sited. It is the standard for a salon with a dedicated wash wall and it gives the most reliable neck angle, because the bowl and seat were designed for each other. The Bergamo, AURUM LUXE, ARON II, STANLEY, BELGRADE and KLYNE are all complete units.
A separates setup buys the bowl or station and the chair independently. The Olympia pedestal station paired with the AZLE reclining shampoo chair is the combination Berkeley designed together, and it is the cheaper way into a full wash corner. Separates also let you replace a worn chair without touching the plumbing.
A shampoo cabinet covers the third case: you already have a bowl, or you want a station that is not built into the wall. The SANDEN cabinet stands free, hides the plumbing behind double doors, and takes a bowl you supply. The SANDEN Kit is the same cabinet shipped with a bowl, faucet set and vacuum breaker, so the whole station arrives as one order.
Plumbing you should confirm before you order
Ask your plumber three things.
Is the faucet certified for our jurisdiction? Several Berkeley units here publish an ASME A112.18.1 approved, UPC certified single-lever faucet. The STANLEY and BELGRADE both list it. The KLYNE lists a UPC approved single-lever faucet with vacuum breaker. Keep that documentation on hand for your inspection.
Is there a vacuum breaker? It is included on the units that list it. Ask your plumber whether your local code requires one.
How do we service it later? The ARON II publishes a covered rear access panel that opens the plumbing without pulling the unit off the wall. The AURUM LUXE publishes a 9 by 6 inch rear access hatch. That is a five-year cost, not a launch-day one.
Drain kits vary. The KLYNE and Olympia both list a 1.5 inch flexible drain with fittings and a 2 inch sprayer head on a 48 inch hose. The SANDEN Kit lists roughly 33 inches of flexible 1.5 inch drain hose with gaskets and waste-end fittings. Match those to your rough-in rather than assuming.
Porcelain, ceramic and why the bowl material matters
Color work is the enemy of a wash bowl. Porcelain and ceramic wipe clean and resist staining far better than plastic, which is why the tilting porcelain bowls on the STANLEY and BELGRADE, both published at 23.5 by 22 inches and 9.5 inches deep, are a practical choice rather than a cosmetic one. The Bergamo uses a deep stain-resistant ceramic basin with a curved profile. The Olympia is a complete ceramic body with an adjustable ceramic bowl.
A tilting bowl matters for a different reason. It moves to fit the client instead of forcing the client to fit the bowl, which is the difference between a comfortable neck and water down a collar.
Fitting real clients
Three published specs decide comfort more than upholstery does.
Length and adjustment. The AURUM LUXE telescopes from 52 to 68 inches overall, so one unit serves petite and tall clients. The STANLEY and BELGRADE measure 57 inches with the footrest extended and 45 inches retracted.
Capacity. The KLYNE is published at up to 450 lb. The ARON II states approximately 250 to 300 lb. If a documented rating matters to you, buy the model that publishes one.
Back and neck support. The STANLEY publishes extra lumbar support and a foam-lined built-in headrest. The KLYNE has an honest limitation worth repeating: its seat back is fixed, with the single lever operating the footrest only. If your clients expect a reclining backrest, that is not the unit.
Suite versus a full wash row
A single-chair suite or a booth rental usually wants the smallest footprint and the least permanent installation. The ARON II is published at 42 inches deep by 26 wide, the most compact complete unit here, and at about 97 lb per set it is the easiest to move during a remodel. The SANDEN Kit is freestanding with no permanent installation required, which suits a leased space you may reconfigure.
A full wash row wants matched units, consistent rear access so a plumber can work down the line, and a bowl material that survives your color volume. If the wash area is visible from the front door, the Olympia and the AURUM LUXE are the two built to be looked at.
Freight versus ground, and what it saves you
Most complete units ship by freight. Published weights include about 97 lb per set for the ARON II, 115 lb for the KLYNE and 153 lb across two cartons for the AURUM LUXE. Freight is calculated at checkout.
Two items here ship by ground instead. The SANDEN cabinet is published at 35 lb, and the AZLE shampoo chair uses a knock-down design at roughly 35 lb per carton. No freight appointment, no liftgate. On a tight opening budget, an Olympia and AZLE pairing gets a wash corner working for less than most one-piece units.
Warranty
Only one unit here publishes coverage: the STANLEY lists a 1-year warranty. The other listings state no warranty terms. Ask us before ordering if coverage matters and we will confirm with the supplier.
Compared
Prices are the current prices on this site. Freight is calculated at checkout.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a shampoo bowl and a backwash unit?
A shampoo bowl is the basin. A backwash unit is the complete station: bowl, stand and seat in one piece, designed together so the client's neck sits at the right angle. Most of the complete units in this collection are backwash units. The SANDEN cabinet, the Olympia pedestal and the AZLE chair are sold as separates.
Do these come with a faucet?
Several do. The Bergamo lists a faucet kit included. The STANLEY and BELGRADE list an ASME A112.18.1 approved, UPC certified single-lever faucet with the vacuum breaker, drain assembly, headrest and neck rest. The KLYNE and Olympia list a UPC certified faucet and vacuum breaker. Check the individual product page, because the contents differ by model.
Is a porcelain bowl worth it over plastic?
For a salon doing color, generally yes. Porcelain and ceramic resist dye staining that leaves plastic bowls looking dingy after heavy use, and they wipe clean faster between clients. The tilting porcelain bowls on the STANLEY and BELGRADE are published at 23.5 by 22 inches and 9.5 inches deep.
Can I put a shampoo station in a suite without permanent plumbing work?
The SANDEN Kit is designed for that case. It is freestanding, requires no permanent installation, and arrives with the cabinet, bowl, faucet set and vacuum breaker. You still connect water and drain. Confirm what your lease and local code allow before ordering.
What weight do these units hold?
It varies and not every model publishes a figure. The KLYNE is published to support up to 450 lb. The ARON II states approximately 250 to 300 lb. We quote only the manufacturer's published number for the specific model, so check the product page or ask us before ordering.
Which of these ship by ground instead of freight?
The SANDEN cabinet, published at about 35 lb, and the AZLE shampoo chair, which uses a knock-down design at roughly 35 lb per carton. Both avoid a freight appointment. The complete backwash units ship by freight, with freight calculated at checkout.
Can I order several units on one invoice?
Yes. We can quote a full wash row on a single invoice. Send us the wall run and we will price it.
