This guide will look at the six best toilet safety rails on the market today. This is a product nobody enjoys buying, but for some, it is a necessity. Toilet safety rails can mean that going to the toilet is more comfortable and makes the experience much safer. But, this is only when you have the right toilet safety rail.
This post will look at what the right toilet safety rail is for you; after all, this is a personal choice, and no one rule fits all. The essential thing is that the toilet rail is safe, and for this to be so, we need to look at the material construction and how the rail affixes to the wall.
Other considerations include the toilet safety rail design, aesthetics, and price.
I have reviewed what I consider to be the six best toilet safety rails on the market today. As well as noting their pros, I have also included their cons so that every reader can get an authentic overview product.
Here’s a snapshot of the toilet safety rails I will cover in this article.
At a Glance: 6 Best Toilet Safety Rails
- Vaunn Medical Toilet Safety Rail – Our #1 Top Pick
- GOANDO Two-Pack Safety Rails – Our #1 Budget Pick
- ZUEXT Two-Pack Black Grab Bars
- Moen Pull Down Safety Rail
- OasisSpace Stand Alone Toilet Rail
- Moen Toilet Safety Rail
How Important is a Toilet Safety Rail?
A toilet safety rail can be crucial.
If you or someone you live with has difficulties with mobility or is in their senior years, then investing in a toilet safety rail is something you need to strongly consider doing.
Did you know that, when it comes to adults over 15-years attending accident and emergency rooms in the US with injuries, 14% are toilet-related injuries? This is an extremely high number, and most of those accidents will have been totally avoidable. By investing in safety equipment for the bathroom, you can significantly reduce the chances of you or someone you love coming to harm.
What is the Best Kind of Toilet Safety Rail?
There are many different kinds of toilet safety rails available. Their varying designs have their own advantages and drawbacks. The best type of toilet safety rail will depend on your level of need, the space you have, your budget, and your personal taste.
Let’s look at a brief overview of the product types.
Stand Alone Toilet Rails
If you’re recovering from surgery or have very limited mobility, you need a highly supportive unit. In these cases, stand-alone, wrap-around toilet rails would be the better option.
This toilet safety rail goes over the toilet bowl with handrails around both sides for excellent support. You don’t have to install this unit, and it can be moved around to other toilets or commodes in the home.
Stand-alone toilet rails are heavy-duty items that have large weight capacities. They’re very stable and usually have a good comfort level with padded arms and often a backrest. Residential homes and hospitals tend to opt for this design due to its portability and high level of support.
The downside to stand-alone toilet rails is they are large units that take up a lot of room. Although portable, they need to be stored somewhere, and this can be challenging. This type of toilet safety rail is also quite expensive, and due to its size and shape, it can be difficult to clean it entirely – especially if you struggle to bend, stretch and lift.
Affixed Toilet Grab Bars
Affixed toilet grab bars are usually a more affordable option compared to other product designs. They’re installed to the wall(s) within reach of the toilet and offer support for users who can get themselves on and off the toilet independently but could use a little help.
Most toilets will be situated next to one wall, so one toilet grab rail would be affixed to this wall and provide weight support for that side of the body. If you have a small toilet room where two grab rails could be affixed to walls on either side of the toilet, this will offer more significant support.
When looking for an affixed toilet grab bar, ensure that it can support your body weight. In addition, it’s also important to look at how the grab bar is secured to the wall. A tool installed provides the greatest level of support but isn’t always simple to do. Suction grab bars are simple to install but may not be the most secure.
Underseat Safety Rails
There are toilet safety rails that fit securely under the toilet seat, further secured behind the seat. These are more compact than stand-alone units and more secure than a toilet grab rail as they offer dual support (for both arms). Underseat safety rails are portable and convenient to store.
However, as with all product types, there are drawbacks.
If you’re of a larger build, under-seat safety rails could be simply too small for you to use. As there is little space between the toilet seat and the end of the safety rail, you’d have to have a width smaller than this.
Moreover, if you are prone to seizures where you could fall forward and are of a heavy weight, then it could be a concern that the under-seat safety rail could lift the seat and fall along with you during an episode.
Pull Down Toilet Safety Rails
Pull-down toilet safety rails are perfect for a multi-person home, where not every person needs a permanent safety rail to use the toilet. These are space-saving, convenient designs that can be pulled down when needed and stored neatly against the wall when not.
A pull-down toilet safety rail is often found in physiotherapy units, hospital wards, and rehabilitation centers – places where some people will certainly need a level of support to use the toilet and where others won’t. The prices of these products tend to be between that of an affixed toilet grab bar and a larger unit.
Many businesses and hospitality venues will have pull-down toilet safety rails to meet the Americans with Disability Act (ADA); to ensure their facilities are inclusive.
Product Criteria
The toilet safety rails I have reviewed for this article, I have done so honestly. Furthermore, nobody but me chose the products – our site isn’t paid by any brand to review their products, and you’ll note that each safety rail has a cons section. We’re not selling toilet safety rails for anyone; instead, we are honestly reviewing what we believe to be the best products.
Here are some of the things I was looking for.
Safety Features
Not every toilet safety rail is made equally. Some are lower in price and much lower in quality, which can mean they’re not adequately safe. This certainly doesn’t mean that every product in this guide is expensive, but it does mean I have researched their quality level and considered their materials, construction, and brand before reviewing them.
Product Types
As mentioned above, toilet safety rails have various designs. To ensure that every reader finds a suitable product in this guide, I have chosen what I believe to be the best safety rails in each category.
Price
For fairness, I have looked across the price points and included toilet safety rails that suit all budgets.
Consumer Reviews
As you’re looking to buy a product online without physically seeing it first, it is important that you get a range of word-of-mouth experiences of the product. Not just my say so. For this reason, I have chosen toilet safety rails that have accessible feedback online, with positive reviews.
6 Best Toilet Safety Rails
| Vaunn Medical Toilet Safety Rail – Our #1 Top Pick
|
Find it Here |
| GOANDO Two-Pack Safety Rails – Our #1 Budget Pick
|
Find it Here |
| ZUEXT Two-Pack Black Grab Bars
|
Find it Here |
| Moen Pull Down Safety Rail
|
Find it Here |
| OasisSpace Stand Alone Toilet Rail
|
Find it Here |
| Moen Toilet Safety Rail
|
Find it Here |
Vaunn Medical Toilet Safety Rail – Our #1 Top Pick
The Vaunn Medical Toilet Safety Rail has a good price; it is sturdy, simple to install, and comfortable to use. It doesn’t move around and beautifully surrounds the toilet. I love the added convenience of an attached magazine rack to prevent reaching or stretching when wanting something to read on the toilet!
This is a free-standing frame constructed of high-strength, durable metal. There is an anti-slip rubber tip to prevent the frame from sliding, but you must ensure even weight distribution to prevent tipping. I liked the padded handles that provide support and found them to be comfortable to hold.
The Vaunn Toilet Safety Rail can support up to 300 lb and is height adjustable between 24-in to 29-in.
This is a no-tool build and takes a few minutes to assemble. Once done so, it is lightweight (11 lbs) and portable to move around the home. Although, as mentioned, this product type can be difficult to store.
Pros
- Comfortable, Padded Dual Handles
- Tool-Free Assembly
- Portable and Lightweight
- Non-Slip Feet
- Convenient Magazine Rack
Cons
- Unstable if Weight Not Distributed Evenly
- Challenging to Store
- Currently Out of Stock at Amazon, Available from Brands Website.
GOANDO Two-Pack Safety Rails – Our #1 Budget Pick
A great budget pick is the GOANDO Two-Pack Safety Rails; if you just require a little support and have a limited budget, then for around $20, this pair of stainless steel safety rails could be the perfect solution. With a weight support capacity of 500 lb, these rails are exceptionally strong – due to their 304-grade stainless steel, anti-rust, and anti-corrosion metal.
Stainless steel is also waterproof, and as this package contains two safety rails, you could use one to assist with getting on and off the toilet and the other to provide balance and support inside the shower or tub. They’re installed using six screws and a secure mount, covering the screws to leave a nice finish to the rail.
These bars are suitable for all wall types, including tile and wood. You can choose between a 12-in pair or 18-in – I am reviewing the 18-in, but both products are identical bar their lengths. The high shine finish doesn’t harbor finger marks and is easy to wipe clean. Between the rail and the wall, there is around a 2.5-in gap, so more than ample room to hold comfortably.
Pros
- Great Value for Money
- 500 lb Weight Capacity
- Easy Clean
- Excellent Support
Cons
- A Fairly Tricky Tool Installation
ZUEXT Two-Pack Black Grab Bars
Another pair of grab rails to consider are the ZUEXT Two-Pack Black Grab Bars. Although more expensive than the GOANDO rails, there are some advantages to this buy. Firstly, the construction comprises satin brushed nickel and stainless steel for superior strength. The finish is matte black, which is modern and sleek, fitting in with stylish interiors.
These grab bars are 32-in, with a 1.25-in diameter, and can support weights up to 500 lbs. Due to the metal materials, they will be an investment buy and last a long time, without fading or rusting. The package arrives with everything you need to install: mounting screws and anchors, and although fairly tricky to do, for a more experienced hand, I feel it would be a breeze.
The ZUEXT grab bars comply with ADA specifications and have a 3-year free replacement warranty.
Pros
- Strong and Durable
- High-Quality Materials
- Beautiful Aesthetics
- X2 Pack
- Excellent Warranty
Cons
- Some May Struggle With Installation
- Quite Expensive
Moen Pull Down Safety Rail
The ADA compliant Moen Pull Down Safety Rail is an excellent choice for a multi-person household, commercial venue, or bathroom with limited space. This safety rail supports up to 300 lbs and is 30-in long with a 1.25-in diameter. It has been made with durable stainless steel and is finished in Glacier White which will fit with most bathroom interiors.
There is a stainless steel finish option available for more of a classic look.
The Moen Pull Down Safety Rail is a space-saving design, ideal for smaller bathrooms. It can be flipped up when not needed and doesn’t look an eye-sore due to the nice finish of the rail. To pull it down requires minimal effort, and general maintenance is straightforward. I would have preferred if this rail came with the stools needed to install, rather than making an additional purchase.
Pros
- Space-Saving Design
- Easy to Use
- Great Convenience
- Ideal for Small Bathrooms
Cons
- It doesn’t Come With Screws to Install
- Only Provides Support for One Side
Oasis Space Stand Alone Toilet Rail
The OaisisSpace Stand Alone Toilet Rail is a top-rated safety rail online with thousands of positive reviews. It is highly secure, simple to use, and is a no-tool assembly. My favorite thing about this product is that it is width adjustable to fit any toilet, and the handle is also adjustable, from 24-in to 31-in. This unit is also foldable for convenient storage.
The unit’s frame is made from rust-resistant aluminum, offering excellent longevity, and it has a weight capacity of 300 lbs. The grips are padded and comfortable to hold, with textured rubber handles. The feet of the unit are finished with anti-slip tips for added security.
The OaisisSpace Toilet Rail is FDA approved and sold at a mid-range price; it’s an excellent choice to enhance bathroom safety without parting with a large sum of money. I liked how the arms slightly slope to provide a natural angle for gripping, but advise caution and do not place it on an uneven floor or put full support on one side.
Pros
- Adjustable
- Foldable
- Padded, Comfortable Grips
- Good Price
- FDA Approved
Cons
- Level Floor is a Must
- Even Weight Distribution At All Times
Moen Toilet Safety Rail
The Moen Toilet Safety Rail is a compact product just perfect for those who need a higher level of support but are restricted with space. This rail sits under the toilet seat and is secured via the seat back, offering excellent safety and great independence – nothing has to be carried, installed, or affixed; simply placed.
The Moen Toilet Safety Rail frame is made from high-quality, powder-coated aluminum and has polypropylene armrests. I found the armrests to be highly comfortable to lean on, grip, and hold. The armrests measure 11.75-in wide and do not adjust horizontally but do so vertically to 9-in.
This has a weight-bearing capacity of 250 lb, meets ADA specifications, and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The brand is also a 6-time award winner of ‘America’s Most Trusted Faucet Brand.’ The price is pretty good too!
Pros
- Hassle-Free Installation
- Portable
- Trusted Brand
- Comfortable to Use
Cons
- It doesn’t Adjust Horizontally (So won’t suit all readers)
- Doesn’t Fit All Toilets (Check Measurements)
Frequently Asked Questions
Answer: If you’re approaching your senior years, have experienced balance or mobility issues, or are recovering from surgery, then we would suggest the purchase of a toilet safety rail is essential. Did you know that every 11 seconds, a senior is treated in an ER due to a fall? Falls are the most significant cause of fatal injuries in this age group, so do all you can to prevent them.
Answer: If you have Medicare insurance, Part B will cover some medical supplies, outpatient care, doctor’s services, and preventative services. However, Medicare won’t usually pay for safety rails and grab bars – even if they’re necessary.
Those who have Part C may get some help towards the cost, but not always. Veterans that have prescriptions to make their accommodation safer could be covered for safety rails under the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Answer: Toilet safety rails can be simply cleaned with a non-abrasive detergent or ordinary household cleaner or disinfectant. Always ensure that the toilet safety rail is fully dry before using it again to prevent slips.
The Best Toilet Safety Rail – My Verdict
The best toilet safety rail for you will depend on your requirements predominantly. If you just need a little support, then the GOANDO Two-Pack Safety Rails and the ZUEXT Two-Pack Black Grab Bars are both excellent choices – although priced quite far apart. Both products contain two heavy-duty rails, with weight-bearing capacities of 500 lb.
Our budget pick is significantly cheaper, but the ZUEXT bars have more stylish aesthetics and a longer warranty.
The Moen Pull Down Safety Rail is an ideal product for a multi-person home or commercial venue, where not everyone will need to use the rail, but it is conveniently and neatly stored for those who do. It doesn’t come with the screws required and will only support weight on one side, but the rail is ADA compliant, highly convenient, and at a great price.
Another great product by Moen, when portability is a huge factor, is the Moen Toilet Safety Rail. However, you would need to check your own measurements and the measurements of your toilet to ensure that it is suitable.
For people who need a greater level of support, the FDA-approved OasisSpace Stand Alone Toilet Rail is an adjustable aid that is very comfortable to use. I found the armrests exceptionally comfortable and like how this is a foldable unit, so it can be stored away when not needed. A level floor and even weight distribution are essential with this product to prevent titling.
The Vaunn Medical Toilet Safety Rail is our overall top pick due to the convenient features, high-quality material, and masses of positive consumer reviews. It can be challenging to store and is currently out of stock on Amazon, which could be annoying for Prime Users, but I found it highly comfortable, lightweight and I really liked the magazine rack!
If you are interested in other shower-related accessories that might be beneficial for you, check out our other guides: