Best Shower Seat : Updated 2023 Reviews

Tips to help you choose the shower seat that suits your needs best.

 

Shower seats come in a surprisingly wide variety of styles, models, and price ranges. While this makes it possible to find the right seat for just about any user, navigating through the available options can be confusing. Start with these basic considerations to narrow down your search and make shopping easier and more successful.

 

There are styles and models specifically designed for both types of user and they’re not necessarily interchangeable, so knowing whether the user will be using the stool alone or with caregiver help is important.

 

 

 

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Styles range from simple stools to full chairs with backs and arms. Whether the user will bathe without assistance or with the help of a caregiver, it’s important to select a model that will provide adequate stability and support.

Bariatric shower seats that feature a higher weight capacity, wider seat, and special comfort design are available for large or heavy users.

 

 

Showers and bathing areas tend to be small and compact, so it’s important to select a shower seat with space constraints in mind.

Measure before you shop and look for a model that not only fits into the space available, but also permits the shower door to be closed and allows room for entering, exiting, and user movement while seated. If the user will be assisted in the bath, be sure to select a model that allows enough room for the caregiver to function.

 

When not in use a freestanding seat can be easily moved out of the shower, which makes them a good choice for users who share the shower with others. Many freestanding seats also offer height adjustable legs so they can be customized to suit the user.

Wall mounted seats are permanently affixed to the wall of the shower for maximum stability and should generally be installed by a professional. Because they’re permanently fixed their height is not adjustable and they cannot be moved, but most can be folded down to save space when not in use.

 

 

 

 

Shower chairs are available with wheels to make transfer easier for people with very limited mobility, and some shower chairs have removeable seats and attachments so they also be used as toilet frames and commodes. Users who have limited strength or flexibility may prefer a cutout seating area, which is shaped like a horseshoe with a front opening that makes washing easier.

 

 

 

For users who bathe independently and just need a place to sit while showering, a simple freestanding shower stool may be sufficient. These seats, sometimes referred to as perching stools, are a popular choice and are available in a wide range of prices.