A shower chair is the ultimate solution for the elderly who have issues with mobility or, due to old age, are somehow disabled. As showers are a prime place for falls, a shower chair comes in handy by providing the much-needed stability. There are numerous brands of shower chairs flooding the market, but not all of them live up to their billing.
We rounded up the best-rated shower chairs for the elderly to ease the burden of making the right choice for you. Our extensive reviews include the essential features a good shower chair should possess, including materials, height and width, weight capacity, and safety features. The features determine the chair’s durability, ease of use, and its overall performance. You have to ensure the chair can hold up well to frequent use, and its weight capacity matches your body weight or is even more. The height and width also affect your comfort, and the more the safety features, the better.
Other features: tool-free assembly, a pinch-free lever for extra installation safety, reversible back support
This scooped the top spot because of its sophistication and the supreme comfort it offers. It is one of the best shower chairs for seniors who shower in the bathtub. Unlike many standard shower chairs, it has a bench style and a handle that helps a senior or anyone with motion issues to slide into the tub easily.
Even more, the bench has a reversible back support that will prevent you from falling backward.
It boasts of an incredibly lightweight yet sturdy aluminum and plastic build. Its design is not the most basic, but surprisingly, it is easy to install. You wouldn’t need any tools to assemble it, and you get a free lever to ensure you achieve the safest installation.
You can trust this bench-style shower chair to be one of the safest owing to the suction cups on the hind legs.
What we liked: The chair’s unique bench-style design with security features and reversible back support make it one of the safest shower chairs for the elderly. Plus, it can be placed in the bathtub in 2 different ways.
What could be better: The product cannot be returned, which is a downside for people who don’t get the correct dimensions for their tub before purchasing it.
Other features: lifetime warranty, tool-less assembly, padded armrest, non-slip rubber grips
This is one of the best gifts you can get for your grandma this Christmas. The premium quality chair offers unparalleled comfort with its soft padded seat and armrest. The seating is warm to the touch not only for comfort but also for minimizing skin tears and infections.
The chair has a clean, modern design and is built to last with high-grade aluminum and polyurethane foam. The aluminum makes it lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and durable.
What we liked: The chair’s non-slip rubber grips and padded armrest offer maximum support and safety. Its tool-less assembly, generous weight capacity, and lifetime warranty make it a worthy buy.
What could be better: Except for its premium price tag, this chair couldn’t be any better.
Other features: seat safety lock, shower wand holder, perineal cutout, tool-free assembly
This is the best convenient tub transfer bench any elderly person with mobility challenges can get a hold of. It is super-durable and packs a punch with a couple of features that make it safe and versatile.
The standout feature of this tub transfer bench is its perineal cutout that allows you to wash your private parts without much of a hassle. Its great weight capacity and lightweight build are also for the win. For your safety, there’s a seat safety lock and a shower wand holder.
What we liked: The transfer bench assembles easily without any tools, and its robust aluminum and plastic build is worth the buy.
What could be better: Some customers have complained of receiving defective parts.
Other features: padded seat, removable backrest, non-slip suction feet, rustproof, non-marring
This is one of the best shower chairs with a hole for the elderly. It is superbly lightweight, coming in at a mere 7.5 pounds. It is also ultra-comfortable as its padded seat, and removable backrest are not only soft to the touch but also prevent skin tears.
The chair is also durably built with anodized aluminum, which is completely rustproof. It is also non-marring. Safety-wise, the chair comes second to none. It features non-slip suction feet that are self-leveling for added stability in the bathroom.
What we liked: The hygienic cutout and removable backrest offer the showering convenience needed by an elderly person. Plus, the chair is fantastically compact, thus a huge space saver.
What could be better: The weight capacity is a bit limited compared to other chairs within its range.
Other features: angled legs, nonskid rubber tips, contoured anti-bacterial seat, tool-free assembly
This is a pretty basic but comfortable and safe solution to any elderly with fall-risk or other motion challenges. It is a fantastic option for lightweight individuals owing to its smaller weight capacity compared to the industry standards.
Constructed of robust anodized aluminum, this chair will last you a good one. Its seat is contoured and anti-bacterial to offer you premium support and hygienic safety at the same time. Its angled legs and nonskid rubber tips ensure the chair stays put when you are showering.
What we liked: For a lightweight individual, this is one of the best simple shower chairs that money can buy. Very few models have an anti-bacterial seat with padded armrests. It will also fit in any squeezed bathroom easily as it is exceptionally compact and lightweight.
What could be better: The chair has a small weight capacity that cannot comfortably seat overweight individuals.
Other features: drainage holes, over-sized slip-resistant tips, a non-slip texture on the bench, and backrest
This is one of the best tub transfer cum shower chairs out there. It is a perfect option for any elderly person suffering from leg pain or joint problems. You can easily assemble and separate its parts within a few minutes.
Essentially, you can use the chair both in a tub or a direct bathroom floor. Its handle and backrest will offer you sufficient support in both situations, and its oversized slip-resistant tips will keep you safe from falling or tripping.
Even the bench itself and the backrest have a non-slip texture to offer you the best touch. Plus, thanks to its drainage holes, you won’t be seated in a pool of water by the time you are done showering.
What we liked: The versatility offered by this tub transfer is unrivaled. Its drainage holes and non-slip textured seat are a huge plus for any elderly person looking to get the most comfortable and convenient showers.
What could be better: Some users claim the assembly is not as easy as advertised.
Other features: micro drainage holes, removable back support, ergonomic handle
This is another must-have for people with motion challenges, arthritis, or back pain. It comes in an elegant grey color that is easily noticeable, and you can trust its aluminum build to be one of the strongest to offer you a comfortable bath without slippage.
You can remove the backrest when traveling with the chair or when you prefer to have it off, but together with the ergonomic handle, they offer all the premium comfort and support you need in the bathroom.
Another praiseworthy feature that adds to your showering comfort is the micro-drainage holes. They ensure your seat doesn’t collect a pool of water by the time you finish showering.
What we liked: The chair’s durable build and several convenient features like micro-drainage holes and ergonomic handle make it one of the best comfortable shower chairs for seniors.
What could be better: Some users have complained that the chair is a bit slippery.
Other features: anti-slip seat surface, drainage holes, slip-resistant rubber safety tips
You don’t have to be rich to have the most comfortable and convenient showers like a king if you have motion issues. This shower bench does not only offer a highly convenient performance but also comes with a convenient price tag.
It is the best lightweight shower bench you can get out there with a sturdy build. Though it isn’t the best for overweight people as it can only hold up to 250 pounds.
The bench is ergonomically built with an anti-slip seat surface and sturdy adaptable legs with slip-resistant rubber safety tips. On top of superior comfort, the design ensures you have a seamless showering experience without the risk of slipping due to instability.
What we liked: The chair’s design is safety conscious and very much durable at nearly half the price of most high-end brands.
What could be better: It’s a bit unfair that overweight people don’t get to enjoy the attractive price tag that comes with this chair.
So much goes into choosing the best showering chair for the elderly. If you are not armed with the right information, the process is more of a hell of an experience. This section contains all the necessary information that will give you buyer’s confidence before you go shopping, from the benefits of shower chairs for the elderly to the key features one must possess.
Shower chairs, also famously known as shower benches or bath benches, offer support to people who have a high fall-risk or cannot stand in a standalone shower or bathtub shower combo. The elderly who have joint pains, arthritis, or any motion issues can benefit highly from shower chairs.
Here are the top benefits of using shower chairs:
Shower chairs offer anyone with injuries or motion challenges an opportunity to have an independent and comfortable bath/showering experience. Some of them are built with features like padded seats and armrests to offer premium comfort. Some even have backrests.
The main reason why most people get a shower chair is for the convenience and safety it offers. Most models are made with safety-conscious features like anti-slip rubber tips on the legs and non-slip seat texture. These ensure the seat remains firm on the floor or tub when you are showering.
The tub transfers offer enough support for entering and leaving the tub. Even more, some shower chairs have hygiene cutouts that allow you to clean your hard-to-reach body parts without straining.
Here are some of the main parameters to be extra keen on when buying the best shower chair.
There are different types of shower chairs based on designs. You can choose to get a portable chair or a permanent mountable chair. As for the design, it is a matter of personal preference, the convenience that comes with it, and the layout of your bathroom or shower. For instance, if you have a bathtub-shower combo, then it would get the most out of a tub transfer or a tub cum-shower chair combo like the Carex Tub Transfer Bench.
For added comfort and convenience, you can also opt for a chair with a hygiene cutout, back support, and armrests.
This is very crucial as it determines the overall quality of the chair plus its weight. Anodized aluminum and polyurethane are the most common material used to make shower chairs because they are lightweight and rustproof. Also, be keen to choose a chair with anti-bacterial material with a non-slip texture for extra safety.
The legs of the chair should have non-slip rubber pins for added stability.
This is one aspect that cannot be overlooked. It is important to get a chair that can comfortably support your weight as it will last you longer. If you are overweight, go for a chair with a weight capacity of over 250 pounds like the Platinum Health Deluxe Shower Chair.
To get the best suitable chair height, it is safe to go for one with adjustable height. It also offers more versatility, especially if you have a family with multiple preferences.
A portable shower chair is much easier to handle as well as travel with. It should be easy to assemble and dismantle (tool-free) and have several removable parts like a backrest. With a portable chair, you have more flexibility in the bathroom, as you can choose to shower from your desired position every time.
Be sure to go for a chair that focuses on safety in its build. Some common safety features include an ergonomic handle for support, seat safety lock, a non-slip textured seat, and non-slip rubber tips that secure the chair on the floor.
Some shower chairs even come with a commode to ensure you enter and leave the bathroom safely, especially after you’re done showering, and it’s all wet and slippery. If you don’t get one that comes with a commode, you can choose one that accommodates it and get it separately for added convenience and safety.
The last thing an elderly person wants is sophistication and complexity. Luckily, most manufacturers have considered this when making showering chairs as they require minimum efforts to assemble. Many of the latest models have easy tool-free assembly and come with user manuals with clear instructions.
This is a huge bonus. Proper drainage ensures you have the most comfortable bath without the inconvenience of a pool of water gathering on the chair when you are done showering. It is also hygienic. Very few models come with drainage, and the Vaunn Medical Shower Chair with Removable Back is a rare prime example.
Before you go shopping for a showering chair, you have to consider the space you have to store it in your house. If you have a small
space, then go for a compact model. If you have enough space in your bathroom, you can choose a permanent mountable chair.
Other than the endless brands and models on the market, there’s a lot more to consider before choosing the best shower chair for the elderly. This guide contains quick tips that will make shopping for a shower chair a breeze. You can as well pick any of the top-rated models on our list, and it could be the best decision you’ve made in a while. Our best overall choice, Drive Medical 12011KD-1 Plastic Tub Transfer Bench, is the best tub transfer bench that money can buy. Its reversible back support and pinch-free lever for extra installation safety went unmatched.
Our upgrade pick, Platinum Health Deluxe Shower Chair, offers premium level quality and performance. Its padded seat and armrest set it apart the most, plus, it is backed by a lifetime warranty.
Third, on our list, the Duro-Med Tub Transfer Bench and Sliding Shower Chair offers unrivaled convenience. It maximizes on safety with its seat safety lock and non-slip tips. Its perineal cutout and shower wand holder justifies its third position on our refined list of the best shower chairs for the elderly.
