To help you find the best shower chair for the disabled, injured or the elderly, we tested out a dozen of the top models, looking for products that successfully combined a light form factor with extreme stability. We liked items that effortlessly fit a wide variety of showers and baths, often with adjustable heights, and those with additional functionalities, including the ability to swivel and those featuring arms and backrests. If you have a lot of space in your bathroom, you could add this product to your bathroom essentials list.
The best product we tried was easily the Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Height Bath and Shower Chair, which is extremely light and able to secure weights of up to 250 – 280 pounds. It is fully adjustable, fitting a wide variety of heights, and is small enough to fit in most showers and baths. We also liked that it lifts easily, thanks to smartly designed side handles, and that it was extremely easy to assemble, requiring no tools. Keep reading to learn more about the Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Height Bath and Shower Chair and the other products on this list.
Top 7 Best Shower Chair Compared
#1 Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Height Bath and Shower Chair
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: This is an extremely light product, four pounds, that can still support body weights of up to 250 pounds or more, with a full range of height adjustment options available and anti-slip platforms that securely fasten it in a shower or bath.
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- Extremely light
- Good height adjustment capabilities
- Anti-slip platforms
- Tool-free assembly
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- No swivel mechanism
- There are higher weight capacities on list
- No armrests or back support
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This Dr. Kay’s Adjustable Height Bath and Shower Chair is extremely light, coming in at just four pounds, and boasts a good range of height adjustment options, from 12.5 inches to 18.5 inches, which is a wide spectrum for this type of product. The anti-slip platforms on the bottom are fantastic and produce a stable grip with nearly any surface. We also liked that the unit was extremely easy to install, requiring no tools whatsoever. Compared to the rest of our picks it has almost the best height adjustable options.
Though we loved the light form factor, which really does make it easy to move around at will, the maximum weight capacity of 250 to 280 pounds is outdone by several other products on this list. Additionally, this item features no armrests or back support. Which is the opposite of any of the best wheelchairs on the market.
#2 Drive Medical Premium Series Shower Chair
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: High quality product that features back support and armrests in addition to a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds, which is higher than our top pick, and easy assembly that requires no tools.
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- Max weight 350 lb
- Easy to assemble and disassemble for storage
- Back support and armrests
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- Top pick boasts wider range of seat height adjustments
- No swivel mechanism
- It is on the heavy side, compared to top pick
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The Drive Medical Premium Series Shower Chair is made from high quality plastic components that can carry a maximum weight load of 350 pounds, which is much higher than what is found with our top pick. It boasts back support and armrests, increasing the comfort level, and is extremely easy to assemble and later disassemble for storage, with no tools of any kind needed. We also liked the non-slip feet, which produce a stable grip in line with our top pick.
Though this seat does adjust, the range on offer is slightly less than our top pick, with a minimum of 16 inches and a maximum of 20.5 inches. Also, it is more than twice the weight of our top pick, which could be a portability issue for those with broken legs or those that are paraplegic. And if you decide to invest in this, make sure you have best shower curtain.
#3 Vaunn Medical Adjustable Shower Chair
Award: Vaunn Medical Adjustable Shower Chair
WHY WE LIKE IT: Modular design allows for the easy application or removal of back support, with a light weight design in line with our top pick and some innovative water-resistance capabilities and a wide and comfortable seat.
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- Wide & comfortable seat
- Drain holes help with water resistance
- As light as top pick (4 lb)
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- Max weight 250
- Non-slip feet not as effective as top picks
- No tools assembly, but takes slightly longer than top picks
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The Vaunn Medical Adjustable Shower Chair is a modularly designed product that allows for the instant installation of back support, when needed. The chair is extremely light, at just four pounds, and the seat is wide and comfortable, made from contoured, high-density, anti-bacterial polyethylene. We also liked the drain holes that run along the seat, which help to improve this product’s water resistance rating.
Though the light form factor is amazing, allowing it to be easily stowed away after knee replacement surgery and other procedures, the maximum weight on offer is lower than our top picks, at 250 pounds. Additionally, this product offers non-slip feet, but we found them to be slightly less effective than our top picks, though this was not a deal breaker. The best shower caddy will also make the shower more usable for some people with problems.
#4 Ez2care Adjustable Lightweight Shower Bench
Award: Lightest Weight
WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely light form factor at just 3.5 pounds, making it supremely portable, with an adjustable height range in line with our top pick and non-slip rubber feet that provide sturdy support in nearly any bathtub or shower.
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- Good adjustable height range
- Non-slip rubber feet
- Water resistant drain holes
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- Max weight 250
- No armrests or back support
- No tools assembly, but took longer than top picks
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The Ez2care Adjustable Lightweight Shower Bench is an extremely light product, at just around 3.5 pounds, which makes it easy to stow away after use, when a broken leg heals for instance. We also liked the drainage holes running along the bottom, which helps with water resistance, and the non-slip rubber feet, which securely and safely affix to nearly any surface. The height range on offer is also in line with our top pick, with a minimum of 12.5 inches and a maximum of 18 inches. It’s made of heavy duty anodized aluminum frame that is corrosion resistant and can be used as a transfer bench.
Though the light form factor is the selling point here, it does only support a maximum weight of 250 pounds, which could be an issue for some. Additionally, this product does not offer armrests or back support of any kind. Read about more bathroom essentials that make life easier.
#5 Dr. Maya Adjustable Bath and Shower Chair
Award: Most Accessories
WHY WE LIKE IT: Comes with useful accessories, including a suction-based handle and a shower sponge, with a maximum weight capacity of 300 pounds and high quality anti-slip rubber feet that are in line with our top pick.
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- Max weight 300 lb
- High quality anti-slip rubber feet
- Option to purchase with backrest
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- Slightly less height range than top pick
- Snug fit in smaller tubs
- No tools assembly, but does take longer than top picks
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The Dr. Maya Adjustable Bath and Shower Chair comes with a suite of useful accessories, including a suction cup enabled handle bar and a shower sponge, both of which we found to be of high quality. The maximum weight is 300 pounds, which is on the higher end, and the anti-slip rubber feet perform excellently, putting them in line with the performance found with our top pick. We also liked that there is an option to purchase this with a backrest, though it does cost extra.
The height range on offer is decent, though falls slightly short than what is found with our top pick and several other picks on this list. Also, the seat is fairly wide, which we appreciate, but it makes for a snug fit in smaller tubs and showers. Our health and wellness section has all kinds of items that make life easier and safer.
#6 Carex Universal Bath Seat and Shower Chair
Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: Budget-friendly product with an extremely high maximum weight capacity, 400 pounds, with an easy no-tools assembly procedure and built-in side handles and non-slip feet for increased stability.
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- Max weight 400 lb
- Built-in side handles and non-slip feet
- Easy to assemble
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- No back support
- No armrests
- It’s on the heavy side, compared to top pick
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The Carex Universal Bath Seat and Shower Chair is an extremely budget-friendly option with many of the same outstanding features found in our top picks, such as the second highest maximum weight capacity to be found on this list, 400 pounds, and built-in side handles and non-slip feet for superior stability. We also liked that installation and assembly was extremely simple and fast, requiring no tools whatsoever.
Though we loved the maximum weight capacity on offer, the chair is on the heavy side, at over eight pounds. Additionally, there are no armrests or back support on offer with this product. To avoid getting water close to your chair or other items on the floor while showering, you need the best shower curtain liner.
#7 Medline Heavy Duty Shower Chair
Award: Highest Weight Capacity
WHY WE LIKE IT: Extremely durable product with the highest weight capacity on this list, 550 pounds, and several features in line with our top picks, including non-slip rubber feet and drain holes to improve water resistance.
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- Drainage holes for water resistance
- Non-slip rubber feet produce stable sit
- On the light side, considering weight capacity
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- No armrests
- No back support
- Minimal height adjustment range
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The Medline Heavy Duty Shower Chair is made from industrial-grade components that boast the highest weight capacity metric on this list (550 pounds.) The shower seat is extremely well made, with the same kind of non-slip rubber feet found with our top pick and drain holes running throughout to increase its water resistance rating. We also liked that the chair is somewhat light, at around six pounds, given the weight capacity on offer.
Though this chair can support a whole lot of weight, the adjustable height range on offer is somewhat lacking compared to our top pick, with a minimum of 14 inches and a maximum of 17 inches high. Also, this chair does not feature armrests or back support.
How We Decided
To help narrow down to the above list of the best shower chairs, we focused primarily on comfort and stability, looking for products made from high quality and durable components, usually aluminum and thick plastic. Each of the above items boast some form of non-slip protection on the feet, further increasing stability, and some offer extra-large seats to increase comfort.
We were also looking to provide a nice mix of products to suit the needs of different consumers. We made sure to populate the above list with chairs with back support and armrests, along with items that do not boast these features, the latter usually offering a smaller and more portable form factor. Lightness and portability can be a boon to those suffering from a momentary injury, such as a broken leg, while items with more bells and whistles can suit the elderly or those dealing with a chronic illness.
We were also looking at maximum weight capacities, with one item offering a max weight of 550 pounds, and those with a wide range of height adjustment options. Finally, we also enjoyed items with some form of water resistance, such as corrosion-proof legs or drain holes running throughout the seat.
Shower Chair Buying Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Weight Capacity and Height Adjustment
Take a moment to think about the weight of the people who will be using the shower chair and choose a product that best suits their needs. Products on this list run the gamut of maximum weight capacities, from 250 pounds to 550 pounds. When taking weight into account, one must also account for medical assisted devices, such as leg braces and the like. As far as height adjustment goes, look for a product with a wide range of height options on offer, such as our top pick, though all of the above picks feature some amount of adjustment capabilities. - Weight and Portability
If you are someone with a minor injury that will heal over time, such as a broken leg, you may want to maximize portability, so it can be easy to stow away the chair once you are done with it. To that end, many of the above products are extremely light, with a minimum of 3.5 pounds, and can be disassembled rather easily, often with no tools required. If you are looking for a permanent solution, an item’s weight may not be as much of a factor. - Additional Features
These items come with all manner of additional features. Some offer back support and armrests, which can enhance comfort for certain consumers. Others boast drip holes running throughout the chair, so as to increase water resistance, and some come with useful accessories, such as suction-based handles. You are also going to want to pick a product with highly functional non-slip feet, so as to increase stability, which is a metric every product on our list excels with.
