5 Best Shower Chairs to Make Your Bath Comfortable and Accessible
Updated: Apr. 06, 2023From small shower stools to fashionable bath benches, the best shower chair provides extra stability for elders and others with mobility concerns.
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A less permanent alternative to installing accessible grab bars, a shower chair, stool or bench is one that’s specifically made for use in bathtubs and/or showers. Designed for people who are elderly, infirm or who have a physical disability that makes it difficult to stand for an extended period of time, finding the best shower chair, bathtub chair, shower stool or shower bench will make showers more accessible in your bathroom.
What to Consider When Buying a Shower Chair
Besides being comfortable to sit on while washing and shampooing, the best shower chair can also help you get in and out of the shower safely. When shopping for the right one for your needs, it’s important to think about a bathroom’s layout and how heavy a shower chair you’re able to manage by yourself.
When choosing a bathroom seat, personal safety should be top of mind. Having said that, other significant features to consider are:
- Load capacity: A good rule of thumb is to choose a bathtub or shower seat that can bear at least 20 pounds more than the weight of the heaviest person using it.
- Size: Look for a compact chair if you have a small bathroom and extra-wide seats (sans arms) to accommodate larger users.
- Materials: Choices range from lightweight, waterproof plastic to mildew- and corrosion-resistant aluminum, as well as natural wood, like teak and bamboo.
- Comfort: Focus on ergonomic designs, contoured and/or padded seats and height-adjustable legs to avoid straining the back.
- Flexibility: Seek out shower chairs with arms that are removable and reversible, for left- or right-handed shower and tub transfers.
- Assembly: Pre-assembled or easy no-tool assembly are best.
- Safety accessories: They’re particularly crucial when choosing a shower chair for elderly or disabled users. Examples include no-slide drainage holes, non-slip feet and seat belts, adjustable arms, wheels, backrests, etc.
Best Overall Shower Chair
Platinum Health Carousel Sliding Transfer Beach
If you’re the least bit unsteady, entering and exiting a combination shower and bath can be scary. The Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench with Swivel Seat makes the task much easier and safer with a padded seat that swivels into place before sliding into your favored bathing spot. Plus, the adjustable aluminum legs tick a lot of boxes.
This shower chair fits over most bathtubs, and its reversible design allows you to get in or out from the right or left side. It holds up to 330 pounds, and comes in a high-contrast blue for the visually impaired.
Pros
- Design integrates with most tub and shower combos
- Padded arms can be raised for easy transfer
- Extension kits are available
Cons
- The seat can be slick when wet and soapy
- The locking mechanism between the legs can be difficult for some to reach
Best Budget Shower Chair
Moen Adjustable Tub and Shower Seat
The simple, straightforward design of this adjustable tub and shower seat includes all the essentials. It’s lightweight and strong with stainless steel legs that adjust from 14 to 21 inches.
The non-slip, high-impact polypropylene plastic seat curves for comfort and balance. It features drain holes to release the water, preventing slipping and sliding around. It’s compact enough to fit into small tubs and showers, and has been tested to hold bathers up to 250 pounds.
Pros
- Affordable
- Hassle-free installation
- Fits a variety of tub and shower types
Cons
- Screws need to be tightened periodically
- May rock slightly if placed on a curved part of the tub
Best Portable Shower Chair
Vaunn Medical Swivel Shower Stool
Lightweight and compact at 13 inches in diameter, the Vaunn Medical Swivel Shower Stool’s round, padded seat rotates 360 degrees for worry-free spinning. The best shower chair for narrow tubs, this stool allows you to swivel around to rinse off the suds, turn the shower faucet on and off, hang up the washcloth and reach the towel with ease.
As Amazon reviewer, AC Richards, wrote, “I just returned from a vacation at a rustic camp and I had been concerned about having a tub stool/bench that would fit. This stool fits perfectly, even though the old tub was somewhat narrow.”
Pros
- Only weighs 4 pounds
- Independently height-adjustable legs have slip-resistant rubber tips
- Constructed of heavy-duty anodized aluminum tubing
Cons
- Not recommended for people over 250 pounds
Best Wall-Mounted Shower Chair
Clevr Teak Wood Folding Shower Seat
This space-efficient teak wood folding shower seat works for those with low-to-moderate physical challenges—or for people who just need a place to sit and shave their legs. Constructed of natural Burmese teak, the shower seat is finished with a clear coating for superior water resistance. Once the spa-like 20-inch bench is installed, you can fold it up when it’s not in use for extra standing washing room.
Pros
- Folds up out of the way when not needed
- Supports up to 400 pounds
- Features stainless steel frame with chrome finish
Cons
- Brand recommends a professional contractor installs it
Best Shower Chair Design
Zhuoyue Bamboo Shower Bench
No need to trade style for steadiness! You can have both with this multipurpose bamboo shower bench. Made of 100 percent solid bamboo and finished in waterproof black paint, it has a curved, slatted seat and legs with rubber foot pads to provide a non-slip, stable grip on the shower or tub surface.
Amazon reviewer, Beatrice R. de Leon, likes the bench’s ease of use. She writes, “It’s light and easy to move around for a 72-year-old like me, yet very sturdy.”
Pros
- Elegant design with gentle, rounded corners
- Storage shelf for shampoo or washcloths
- Handles double as towel racks
Cons
- May need to wipe off excess water after use
How We Found the Best Shower Chair
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
What are the different types of shower chairs?
The most common types are non-slip, freestanding shower chairs or stools (with or without a back and arms), wall-mounted, folding shower chairs and transfer benches.
Does insurance cover a shower chair?
Accessible bathroom safety equipment for home use is sometimes covered by Medicare or other healthcare providers. Check with your insurance company to see if they’ll pay all or a portion of the chair before purchasing.
What can I use instead of a shower chair?
You can install grab bars if shower or bathing space is limited. If you’re remodeling a bathroom, consider putting in a built-in tiled shower bench. In a pinch, a low-slung lawn chair could do the trick or, if you’re up for a DIY project, this simple bench offers a comfortable place to sit and store bath essentials, too.
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