If you’re wondering how to find the best shower chairs, then this guide is here to help. I have researched the top shower chair models on the market, across the price points and various designs, so that every reader can find a suitable product to help make showering more comfortable.
Looking at shower chairs can be confusing. Of course, the most important factor is safety, but it is also important to find a comfortable shower chair – and when you’re looking to buy a product online without being able to see it or sit in it first, then it can be even more challenging to know if you’re buying the right chair.
If you’re in a rush, below is a snapshot of the chairs I have reviewed this article in detail.
At a Glance: Best Shower ChairsÂ
- Gateway Premium Sliding Bath Transfer Bench – Our #1 Top PickÂ
- OasisSpace 360 ​​​​​​​​Degree Rotating Shower Chair – Our #1 Budget PickÂ
- Medline Shower Chair Bath Seat
- Platinum Health Store Shower ChairÂ
- Vaunn Medical Adjustable Shower Chair
- GreenChief Small Padded Shower Chair
Is a Shower Chair Necessary?
The bathroom has many slick surfaces and fall risks; it can also be tricky to navigate. The shower chair will provide support and stability to make showering and bathing easier for those recovering from surgery, people with certain disabilities, and the elderly.
More than a third of those aged 65 and older who live independently will fall each year. With falls being the leading cause of injury-related ER room visits and deaths in this age group, the shower chair can indeed be seen as a necessary item.
As well as a shower chair, other products can make showering a much safer experience for more vulnerable adults, such as Grab bars, motion sensor lights, and eye-level shelving.
Choosing the Correct Shower Chair: A Brief Guide
Many types of shower chairs are available today, ranging from very basic models to high-end, luxury designs. The two primary types are a standard seat or stool or a transfer bench.
The size of shower chairs can vary, so it is essential to determine if your tub will accommodate the chair and if the chair can accommodate you. A chair with adjustable heights and widths is a solid choice for many, and you will find a few of these in our guide.
Here are a few things to take into account when shopping for a shower chair:
Stability
You’re going to be placing an incredible amount of trust in this product while you’re at your most vulnerable. Therefore, the chair must hold your weight and provide sufficient stability while you’re seated. A good thing to look for is the provisions on the chair legs; does it have non-slip grips, and how good quality are these?
Support
Some shower chairs will have backrests and armrests, but not all of them will require the user to sit unaided for the duration of the shower. If you have back problems or issues with balance, then it is better to look for a model that has built-in support for your back and something to lean on and hold at the sides.
Comfort
Unfortunately, when buying online, you have to go off instinct and the words of others – ie, verified consumers. As you can’t sit in the chair yourself, it’s important to consider the experiences of those who have done so.
In addition to this, consider the comfort provisions of the chair. For example, if it has foam padding or a removable cushion, this would likely offer a higher comfort level than a basic plastic seat.
Price
Some shower chairs are very affordable, while others are much more expensive. A sturdy, well-built shower chair tends to cost between $50 – $75. However, shower chairs can cost anything from $30 – $1,000.
You may be able to claim a shower chair on your insurance if your doctor deems it a medical necessity. But, your insurance excess will likely be more expensive than a good-quality shower seat. All of the products I have featured in this guide I believe in having fair price tags.
Product Criteria
This guide is written with honesty as the top priority. We want our readers to trust what we say, so we would never recommend a product that we didn’t believe in. The products in this guide have been reviewed entirely through my own choosing, and here are the things I was looking for in each shower seat selected:
Material Quality
The shower seat has to support your entire weight and gives you the confidence to feel secure. Lower-priced shower seats can often be made of cheaper materials such as fragile plastics that bend or snap under pressure.
The shower seats in this guide are made from the best materials available to provide adequate stability when in use. Higher quality materials will also provide more durability and longevity, although not the cheapest available, they will be an investment and last the test of time.
Size
Rarely will two people be the same shape, size, height, and weight, so I have selected shower chairs of varying sizes so that every reader can find a suitable product for them. As well as person’s size, the size of bathtubs can also vary.
There are eight common bathtub designs in the US: Alcove, walk-in, drop-in, corner, Japanese, jetted, clawfoot and free-standing, and undermount. Of course, these bathtubs aren’t created equal and come in various sizes, so I wanted to ensure that whatever bathtub or shower unit a reader had, I had a suitable chair for them in this guide.
Adjustability
It may be that you’re a couple who will be using the shower chair in the home and if one person is 5 feet tall and the other 6.5 feet, then at least one of those people would find a standard chair uncomfortable. It could also be that you want to use the shower chair in different tubs or rooms or for a residential care home where multiple people will use the one product.
For this reason, I looked at many different adjustable shower chairs to find the best ones in this category. Adjustable may mean you can change the height or width of the chair or take away some accessories such as a backrest or armrest if desired.
Safety
The safety of the shower chair is paramount. As stated, the chair must support you and prevent slips or falls inside the tub. I have selected shower chairs that I believe are safe and have a good warranty should you lose confidence with the chair.
Fair Price
Although shower chairs vary in price in this guide, I believe all of my chosen products are fairly priced. A more expensive chair in this article will only be due to craftsmanship, materials, or brand reliability.
Reviews
As well as my own findings, I have chosen shower chairs based on what verified consumers have said about the product. Therefore, for the chair to be featured here, it will have received good-to-excellent feedback from other consumers.
6 Best Shower Chairs
| Gateway Premium Sliding Bath Transfer BenchÂ
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Find it Here |
| OasisSpace 360 ​​​​​​​​Degree Rotating Shower Chair – Our #1 Budget Pick
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Find it Here |
| Medline Shower Chair Bath Seat
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Find it Here |
| Platinum Health Store Shower ChairÂ
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Find it Here |
| Vaunn Medical Adjustable Shower Chair
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Find it Here |
| GreenChief Small Padded Shower Chair
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Find it Here |
Gateway Premium Sliding Bath Transfer Bench – Our #1 Top Pick
The Gateway Premium Sliding Bath Transfer Bench is the most expensive product in this list but has the double advantage of being able to facilitate easy and safe transfers in and out of the shower/tub, as well as providing a secure seat for when the user is inside the tub. Users are secured with a belt, but I think a good upgrade would be to add dual armrests.
This professional-grade chair has some excellent mechanisms and features, such as the swivel seat, which comes with comfortable padding, as does the backrest. In addition, the high-contrast blue color makes the chair more visible to those with impaired vision or neurological conditions such as Dementia.
I found that this seat fits most baths, but not all, so you would have to take measurements of your tub to ensure the adjustable legs fit over the sides. However, the assembly of the seat requires no tools and can be done easily in just a few minutes. This chair holds up to 330lb and feels exceptionally sturdy; consumers have cited it as a ” life-changing product,” and I can see why.
Pros
- Double Use; Helps to get into the tub, provides safety while inside
- Comfortable Padded Seat and Backrest
- Adjustable Legs
- High-Contrast Blue Color
- Strong Aluminum and Polyurethane Frame
- No Tool Build
- Returnable for Full Refund
Cons
- Dual armrests would provide more stability
- High Investment
OasisSpace 360 ​​​​​​​​Degree Rotating Shower Chair – Our #1 Budget Pick
The OasisSpace 360 ​​​​​​​​Degree, Rotating Shower Chair, is a basic shower with a budget price point. It sits inside the tub or shower unit and is adjustable from 13-in to 21-in high to accommodate most people comfortably. The product arrives well packed, on time, and takes just a couple of minutes to put together, with no tools required.
My favorite part of this chair is very simple but highly effective and is the small drain holes at the bottom of the non-slip feet.
These drain holes seem like nothing major, but the fact that they prevent the build-up of mold and mildew will increase the chair’s longevity; They’ll also increase the chair’s stability to the tub floor by providing extra suction.
I like the swivel seat as this prevents having to stretch, further reducing the risk of slips, and for a highly affordable price, the materials are top-notch. The frame is made from corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum, which you wouldn’t expect at this price point. This is a lightweight chair, so easily portable yet can support up to 300 lbs.
Pros
- Great Price
- Excellent Safety Features
- Lightweight and Portable
- No Tool Build
- Six Height Settings
Cons
- Seat Lacks Padding
- No Armrests or Back Support
- Fairly Small Seat
Medline Shower Chair Bath Seat
The Medline Shower Chair Bath Seat is one of our best buys due to its excellent safety features and high comfort level. This chair is made from latex-free and rust-resistant materials, so it should be around for a long time, and this is a notable point made by many verified consumers – it lasts.
This chair is comfortable; the seat is well padded and wide, and the dual armrests feel very sturdy. The backrest provides additional comfort and support. It is another tool-free assembly but one of the more challenging to build due to the number of parts in the box, which may seem a bit overwhelming at first. However, it is simple to adjust the height once constructed if needed.
The Medline shower chair supports up to 350lb and is one of the wider seats on the market, making it a great choice for those who have a larger build. It weighs a little over 7lb, so although large, it can be easily lifted or dragged. For the price, this shower chair has an enormous amount of things going for it and is a best-selling product for this reason.
Pros
- Dual Padded Armrests
- Sturdy Back Support
- Adjustable Legs
- Wider Seat than Most
- Latex Free
- Rust Resistant
Cons
- Takes More Time to Construct Than Most No-Tool Builds
- Quite Cumbersome to Carry Once Constructed
Platinum Health Store Institutional Quality Shower Chair
With a fairly high price tag, the Platinum Health Store Institutional Quality Shower Chair is worth its cost when you factor in the extra comfort, safety, and stability provided.
This chair features polyurethane padding on the armrests and seat, which significantly reduces the risk of discomfort or skin scrapes and nicks. Plus, this also contributes to an easier to clean chair.
I found the seat to be extremely sturdy to sit in as well as comfortable. The height is adjustable, and you can remove the arm and backrests to transform the chair into a stool if desired. This is a no-tool build, and none of the adjustments require any tools, which makes the chair straightforward to operate.
This chair is bright blue, which is good for visually impaired or suffering from Dementia and helps keep the chair looking fresh and new – unlike some white shower chairs that can stain pretty easily and begin to look well-worn.
The chair’s frame is medical-grade aluminum, which is safe and strong, and this product comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Very Comfortable Seat
- Adjustable Height
- Removable Arm and Backrests
- No Tool Build
- High Contrast Blue Color
- Medical Grade Frame
Cons
- Quite Expensive
- Storage Could be an Issue (When Fully Assembled)
Vaunn Medical Adjustable Shower Chair
With a wider than average seat, the Vaunn Medical Adjustable Shower Chair is a perfect choice for people of larger builds. The curving shape of the seat is comfortable, and the small drainage holes help with keeping the chair sanitary.
The seat is made from high-density polyethylene, and although it is not the most padded seat on the list, it is comfortable.
There aren’t armrests with this chair, which for me, let it down slightly. However, a removable backrest feels sturdy and provides extra stability for those who struggled to sit unaided for a long period. The legs are angled and adjustable between 14-in to 21-in so that users of all heights can use this shower chair.
I found the non-slip rubber feet to work well, and each has a small drainage hole to prevent mold build-up and add extra suction. The frame of the chair is made from anodized aluminum and is very strong and durable.
Unfortunately, the weight limit is 250 lb which is a shame when the chair is extra-wide to accommodate larger people, but it is rated very highly overall by nearly 7,000 consumers on Amazon.
Pros
- Wide Seat
- Adjustable, Angled Legs
- Removable Backrest
- No Tool Build
- Good Price
- Durable Chair
Cons
- No Armrests
- Only Supports 250 lb Weight, Despite Being Extra Wide
GreenChief Small Padded Shower Chair
The GreenChief Small Padded Shower Chair supports up to 500 lb, making it the sturdiest chair in this guide. It has an aluminum frame and detachable padded seat. This chair is fairly small, suitable for use in small shower units or smaller tubs, and has anti-slip rubber feet with drainage holes for extra stability and hygiene.
You can easily adjust the height of this shower chair, from 16-in to 19-in, and the entire construction is a no-tool build – however, it is relatively fiddly, so if you have issues with fine motor skills, it would be advised to ask for help with this. It should take around 8 minutes in total to build.
The GreenChief shower chair comes with a couple of little extras. The package includes a 12-in shower handle that sticks to tiles or ceramics via suction and supports a 250 lb weight limit. I did find this a little confusing when the chair is designed for a weight limit of 500 lb. Also included is a free shower sponge.
Pros
- Supports 500 lb
- Adjustable Height
- Detachable Seat
- Anti-slip Rubber Feet
- No Tool Build
- Free Gifts
Cons
- The Appropriateness of the Free Shower Handle is Questionable
- Similar Chairs Retail for Less
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: Any method of getting warm water onto your body is good for you. As well as the obvious reason; for being hygienic, heat warms up your muscles to make you more relaxed and less tense. The heat from a bath of shower widens blood vessels and increases blood flow.
A shower is meant to relieve depression and low mood and is more sanitary than taking a bath, although a bath can help a person to relax moreg.
Answer: Most of the chairs in this guide only help once a person is in the bath; however, products like the Gateway Premium Sliding Bath Transfer Bench assist with getting in and out of the tub. Depending on the level of mobility and cognitive understanding, it is often a 2-person job to safely assist a vulnerable person in the bath or shower.
The person taking the shower should sit on the edge of the tub, being supported at both sides. Then the carriers will lift and turn the legs into the tub and transfer the patient’s weight onto the shower chair. One person can lift and place a patient into the bath, although this is not recommended in the professional, caring sector.
Answer: It is recommended that senior showers or baths should be minimum twice a week to avoid skin infections and breakdowns. Washing in between showers, with warm washcloths, can help to keep a person feeling and being at their best. However, it is beneficial for people living with Dementia to stick to bathing or showering daily.
Best Shower Chairs – My Verdict
The best shower chair is dependent on what your needs are and how big of a budget you have. Personally, I found the Gateway Premium Sliding Bath Transfer Bench to be best overall for a vulnerable adult to access showering
The Vaunn Medical Adjustable Shower Chair has a wider than average seat; however, it only supports up to 250 lb, and I feel the lack of armrests really let this chair down. With a few tweaks, this chair could have easily taken position one in my guide.
Another good option for larger people is the GreenChief Small Padded Shower Chair which supports up to 500 lb.
The Platinum Health Store Institutional Quality Shower Chair is a pretty expensive product. Still, I feel it is worth its price due to the extra comfort in the seat, sturdiness of the frame, and straightforwardness of the overall operation.
It is easy to clean, bright blue in color, and comes with a lifetime warranty. However, when fully assembled it is very large and could be difficult to store.
Although it is still a no-tool build, the Medline Shower Chair Bath Seat takes more time than most to assemble. The price is reasonable, and the comfort level is high, with dual armrests and a sturdy backrest. It is lightweight and portable, though a little cumbersome to carry when fully constructed.
Our budget pick is the OasisSpace 360 ​​​​​​​​Degree Rotating Shower Chair, and although a basic shower stool, it has some great benefits over other products. For example, it takes just a couple of minutes to put together and can be adjusted between 8 inches.
The stool has a 360-degree rotation so that users don’t have to stretch to reach things, and overall it’s highly sturdy.
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