The Best Shower Chairs of 2024

Written by
Cassandra Brooklyn, freelance writer and guidebook author with caregiver experience.
Lily Hartman, staff writer, research expert, and active lifestyle enthusiast.

Updated July 6, 2023

Shower chairs can be a lifesaving purchase—literally. For anyone struggling with mobility issues, flexibility, or dexterity, getting in and out of the shower or tub can be a complicated, frustrating ordeal. Consider the additional hazards of slippery floors, stray towels, and possibly a large step to get in and out of the tub, and you could be looking at the makings of a very serious fall, which can be especially dangerous for seniors, who may have a harder time recovering.

Whether you’re seeking the best shower chair for a narrow tub with a small step, a double-wide roll-in shower, a traditional tub, or a spacious walk-in tub, there is one for you. We especially love the HydroSlide Sliding Bath Chair (available at Amazon) , since it is extremely comfortable and its sliding nature allows users to safely slide their body into the tub instead of having to take a large step while twisting their body toward the shower.

When choosing a shower chair, it is important to pick one that allows for a safe, seamless shower at home. In this review, we’ve rounded up five of the best shower chairs to support this experience. Based on personal use and customer reviews alike, these are the best shower chairs for your money.

Editor's Note: The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

Platinum Health UltraCommode

If you’re looking for a bathing chair that’s easy to set up, collapse, and take on vacation or use in other bathrooms, you may want to invest in one designed for travel. The UltraCommode Foldable Commode and Shower Chair is just this, as it can be assembled without tools and completely collapses in just a few seconds, making it ideal for storage and travel.

The chair comes with an adjustable seat height so it can accommodate users of different heights. The multi-function nature of the chair means that, in addition to being a bath and shower chair, it can also serve as an over-the-toilet or bedside commode. It even comes with a commode pail and cover.

The UltraCommode is fully padded on the armrests, seat, and backrest, so it is fairly comfortable to sit on, but the large center cutout that enables it to serve as a commode means it’s not quite as comfortable as the HydroSlide (which doesn’t have a cutout).

The chair is made of medical-grade aluminum and waterproof foam padding, so it won’t rust or get cracked and moldy over time. It can support up to 300 pounds and can be easily cleaned by wiping it down.

The 16 x 16-inch seat base is more generous (and comfortable) than most shower chairs, and, unlike most chairs, it comes in two colors: blue and gray. Given all the bells and whistles on this chair, expect to pay a bit more than basic versions. But if you’re looking for a comfortable chair that’s easy to store and transport or function as a commode, users believe it’s well worth the price.

Pros

• Easy to assemble, use, store, and transport

• Waterproof and rustproof

• Can function as a commode

• Available in two colors

Cons

• Versatility impacts price

• Uncomfortably large cutout

Buy now at Amazon

Carex Bathtub Transfer Bench

The Carex Bathtub Transfer Bench gets placed over a standard bathtub, which allows the user to sit in the closure during their shower. With this shower chair, it’s easy to use a handheld shower head to wash up. Featuring reverse grab bars, this chair accommodates both left- and right-handed entries. What’s more, the bench adjusts up to 20 inches to support a 300-pound weight capacity. Overall, we believe this strong and sturdy bench is worth the buy.

Pros

• Strong and sturdy

• 300-pound capacity

• Reverse grab bars

Cons

• Shower curtain may not close completely

$60.99 from Amazon

$60.99 from Target

$60.38 from Home Depot

Platinum Health Samson Deluxe

Most shower chairs, be they designed to stand up in a shower or straddle across a tub, can only accommodate around 300 pounds. Even shower chairs designed to accommodate higher weights typically top out at 450 pounds, so we were impressed that the Samson Deluxe Bariatric 3 in 1 Shower/Bath/Commode Chair has a weight limit of 600 pounds. With a seat measuring 20.5 x 13.5 inches, it’s the largest surface available for this style of shower chair.

Unlike most shower chairs that double as commodes, the commode cutout on this chair is removable. If you’re not using the chair as a commode and don’t need the cutout while bathing, leaving it in there could make for a more comfortable sit. The soft padding on the seat, seat back, and armrests also contribute to a more comfortable experience compared to purely plastic chairs.

This shower seat can be assembled in a few minutes (without tools). It’s made of high-quality, medical-grade, rust-proof aluminum, and it has a clever side rung to hang toilet paper when used as a commode. Note that, because this is an extra-wide chair, you’ll want to measure your shower to make sure it fits.

Pros

• Can accommodate up to 600 lbs.

• Easy to assemble

• Has a removable peri-care cutout

Cons

• May be too large to fit in standard showers

• Higher than average price

Buy now at Amazon

Platinum Health GentleBoost Uplift Assist

If getting up out of the shower chair is challenging, it could be helpful to invest in a chair that provides a bit of a boost. The GentleBoost Uplift Assist Commode & Shower Chair does just this without a motor. Its self-powered, spring-assist system automatically raises up the user to help bring them to a standing position, and it does the same to slowly and safely help them down onto the chair.

The mechanism is designed to minimize the amount of coordination and muscle power required, but, since no motor is used, some personal strength is still needed to get up and sit down (a caregiver could easily help with this, however).

The GentleBoost Uplift Assist is made with a rust-proof, medical-grade aluminum frame, and the seat, armrests, and back are made of institutional-quality foam padding that is a highly visible bright blue, fully waterproof, and easy to clean. No tools are required for assembly (which takes only a few minutes), the seat includes an adjustable height feature for comfort, and anti-slip suction cups on the rubberized feet prevent it from sliding around.

Some users say the design takes some getting used to and that it could be difficult for shorter people (around 5 feet 5 inches and under), whose legs may dangle a bit. Also note that its weight capacity is 285 pounds, which is slightly lower than most shower chairs.

Pros

• Provides a gentle lift up, off, and down onto the seat

• Easy to assemble

• Doubles as a commode

• Has a cutout for peri-care

Cons

• Not as cheap as similar products

• Lower weight limit

• Takes some getting used to

Buy now at Amazon

What you should know about shower chairs

As mobility becomes a struggle thanks to age or disability, using the tub or shower can require some assistance. Shower chairs are designed to make entering the bathtub less treacherous while reducing the risk of falls. The chair attaches to the tub and swivels, so the user can sit on it from outside the tub and lift their legs over the side as the chair turns to face them toward the tub's spout. Some can be reversed, if that works better.

Many shower chairs have cutouts that allow for cleaning in ways that the solid seats won't. Peri-care capabilities are a major consideration to think through before your shower chair purchase.

When choosing a bathing chair, consider how much weight you’ll need it to support, whether you’ll be using it in the tub or shower (or both), if you might want it to double as a commode, and if you need it to be small and foldable for storage or travel.

If the chair will be used by someone with visual or cognitive impairments, you may want to consider getting a chair that is a bright color, like blue, that can be more easily distinguished from its surroundings.

Does Medicare cover shower chairs?

Even though shower chairs can cost a decent amount for buyers on a budget, they are not covered under a traditional Medicare Part B plan. In the rare case they may be covered as Durable Medical Equipment, the chair must meet the following criteria:

• Used inside your home
• Used repeatedly
• Expected to last for at least three years
• Necessary for a specific medical condition

Given these stringent requirements, a concrete need for a shower chair can be a challenge to justify, but you can still attempt the process by having your doctor write a valid prescription for the item. If approved, you’ll work with Medicare to find an applicable supplier.

Shower chairs are far more likely to be covered under a private Medicare Advantage plan, which includes Medicare Part C, but most folks on standard Medicare probably won’t have much luck getting coverage for shower chairs.

Where can I buy shower chairs?

As detailed above, shower chairs can be purchased from a wide variety of retailers. We’re partial to larger all-encompassing shops like Amazon or Walmart, but local drug stores and medical supply sellers are also likely to have a basic selection of shower chairs if you need something simpler than what we’ve listed here.

Especially when leveraging the endless list of suppliers on the internet, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a shower chair that works for you. This list should ease some of the heavy lifting in making an appropriate selection, but, as always, take care to pay attention to customer reviews and the advice of professionals before committing to a single choice. After all, safety should always be a top priority when navigating damp surfaces.

How to use a shower chair

Provided you’re using a simple chair and not something unique like the HydroSlide, there are a few best practice tips to consider when trying a shower chair for the first time.

• Check for wobbling: When placing the shower chair, it should be on the flattest possible surface with no wobbling whatsoever. Some like to place non-slip shower mats both inside and outside the shower, but this should only be done if the bathing area is clearly wide enough to support it. Otherwise, the mat may just curl up and get in the way.
• Start by placing the chair facing the shower knobs, as this is what most people will likely prefer.
• When adjusting the chair, make sure the user can feel the back of the chair at around knee height.
• To sit, simply grab the back of the chair and slowly lower yourself. Many shower chairs have handholds on the sides, so use those to their fullest.
• For bathing, it may help to take advantage of a handheld shower head or long-handle sponge to maximize reach as you clean.
• When getting up, just turn to face the outside of the shower, scoot to the edge of the chair, and use handholds, a caretaker, or an exceptionally strong wall for support.
  

Installing a grab bar near where the shower chair will likely be used is optimal as well. In which case, you may want to consult our list of best grab bars.

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