The 10 Best Shower Chairs
Updated by · How we research
Ten shower chairs, stools and tub transfer benches compared on weight rating, warranty and fit. The Medline MDS89745RA, with padded arms and back, leads. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Original Medicare generally won't pay for a shower chair, so most families buy their own, and the first number to check is the weight rating: choose one with room to spare. For older adults or anyone healing from surgery, a chair with arms and a back suits a walk-in shower, while a transfer bench removes the risky climb over a tub wall.
Editor's Notes
November 1, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
A tub transfer bench may be the most useful thing on this page, because the climb over a tub wall is where bathing gets hard. That's why the Drive Medical 12011KD-1 sits just behind our new top pick, the Medline MDS89745RA, a sturdy chair with padded arms and back that suits most walk-in showers.
This page now covers chairs, stools and benches for both showers and tubs. Two picks from the old list came back: the Vaunn 725CHVM and the Drive Medical 12486 folding bench. The Eagle Healthcare Tub-Mount is still made, but it costs several times a good transfer bench, so it's now a special honor. The Nova 9026 roughly doubled in price, Platinum Health replaced its old bench with the Platinum Health Carousel, the Duro-Med bench now sells under the DMI name with weaker feedback, and the rest are gone.
The evidence here is mostly on paper: weight ratings, leg adjustments and warranty terms from Drive, Medline, Vaunn and the other makers, plus a roundup at Reviewed.com and the CPSC recall list. That search turned up a 2021 recall of a teak bench that could collapse, which is why we suggest checking the screws on the GreenTeak Teak Bench now and then.
Earlier notes
November 27, 2020, by Allean Phelps:
Wet tubs can get slippery, which can increase the chance of falling. And for those who have experience balancing issues, taking a shower can be difficult. A shower chair solves this problem by providing a secure place for you to sit while bathing. Models with a backrest and armrest like the Nova Medical 9026 make the showering experience more comfortable. While transfer options like the Eagle Healthcare Tub-Mount 77762 make it easier to enter and exit the tub.
But before you buy a shower chair, you will need to know your tub's dimensions. Most height-adjustable models take a wider stance the higher they go. Unfortunately, this may prevent the feet from making full contact with the surface, causing the seat to wobble.
If you share the space with other people, you may opt for lightweight models like the Essential Medical B3010 and the Drive Medical 12486 that lift out of the tub with ease. Keep in mind, you may need to install a shower grab bar for added safety.
As stated previously, customers were split about the sturdiness and durability. But since there were more satisfied customers than dissatisfied buyers, we kept the same brands. However, we changed the ranking and eliminated the Medokare Padded 002 since it is not available. We added the Vaunn Spa Bench with an anodized aluminum frame and a contoured polyethylene seat. It has a removable back and can support up to 250 pounds.
December 17, 2019, by Brett Dvoretz:
One thing you might notice if you take the time to read both positive and negative reviews on products, like we do, is that almost every shower chair model has horror stories about it collapsing under a user who was well within the manufacturer's recommended weight guidelines. Yet at the same time, that same model will often have hundreds, if not thousands, of four and five star reviews from happy customers. This begs the questions, was that particular unit defective or was it simply user error. Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing the answer to this question. We also can't guarantee that you won't get a faulty unit. Instead, the best we can do is recommend models that have a high percentage of satisfied users. We also suggest that you have an able-bodied person test any shower chair your buy before you rely on it for safety. This should entail putting more stress on it then you expect to subject it to on a regular basis. It can also be helpful to check with a local specialist or speak with your doctor regarding the model you have chosen to see if they feel it is safe for your needs.
With the above in mind, we felt the need to eliminate the Drive Medical Designer. Though it comes from a reputable brand that offers a variety of other seemingly safe and sturdy shower chairs, there were simply too many complaints of its legs bending or collapsing that we no longer felt safe recommending it.
For those who use wheelchairs or walkers and have trouble stepping over the wall of a tub, we recommend taking a look at the Duro-Med Sliding 522-1734-1900, Platinum Health Deluxe All Access Transfer, and Med Mobile Transfer Bench. All of these allow a user to sit down on the outside of the tub, and then slide themselves into the bathing area. Of these, the Eagle Healthcare Tub-Mount 77762 and Duro-Med Sliding 522-1734-1900 make for the most convenient transition due their sliding seats.
If tub space is an issue, the Dr. Maya Armless is one of the best options since it has a small footprint. Despite that, it is still stable and offers a wide seat. Another good model when space is an issue, specifically storage space, is the Drive Medical 12486, which folds up compactly. However, it is worth noting that it doesn't fit in narrow tubs.
Special Honors
Eagle Health Tub-Mount 77762 Eagle Health makes the Tub-Mount 77762, a sliding transfer bench that mounts on the tub rim. Its seat swivels all the way around and locks every quarter turn, so the user can turn to face the water before sliding in. It costs several times a basic transfer bench, which kept it off the main list, but it's worth a look for people who can't lift their legs at all. Eagle Health sells it along with its other bath aids. eaglehealth.com
Weight Rating, Seat Height And Fit
Treat a big number on a light frame from an unknown brand with some doubt, and check that the rating comes from the maker, not just a sales headline.
Start with the weight rating, and leave room to spare. Most basic aluminum chairs are rated for 300 to 350 pounds. Heavier-duty models reach 400 or 450 pounds with a wider frame or a brace between the legs. Treat a big number on a light frame from an unknown brand with some doubt, and check that the rating comes from the maker, not just a sales headline. Medline and Drive Medical both publish capacities and warranty terms for their bath seats.
Seat height comes next. Set the legs so the knees sit level with the hips or a little below them, which makes standing up easier. Most chairs and benches adjust from about 16 to 21 inches in one-inch or half-inch steps, using push pins in each leg.
Then measure the space. A chair needs a flat spot in the shower or tub with room for your feet. A transfer bench needs the tub wall to fit between its inside and outside legs, plus clear floor beside the tub. A curved tub rim or a very narrow tub can keep a bench from sitting level. Reviewed points out that a shower curtain may not close fully over a bench, so plan for some water on the floor.
Chair, Stool Or Transfer Bench
A chair with a back and arms is the usual choice for a walk-in shower or a large tub. The arms give you something to push on when you stand, and the back lets you rest. Removable arms help if a caregiver needs to reach in, or if someone slides over from a wheelchair.
A backless stool or folding bench is the lightest, cheapest and simplest to store. It works for people with good balance who mostly need to rest their legs. It's not a good fit for anyone who tires sitting upright.
A tub transfer bench straddles the tub wall, with two legs inside and two outside. You sit on the outside end and slide across, so you never step over the wall. Sliding benches go further: the seat moves along a rail and often swivels, which helps people who can't lift their legs. They cost more and take up more room.
Teak benches look good and feel warm, but they're heavier, usually fixed in height, and need care. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled about 70,000 teak shower benches sold at Costco in 2021 after reports that they collapsed (CPSC). Commode chairs on wheels and wall-mounted fold-down seats do different jobs, so they're not on this list.
Setting It Up And Keeping It Safe
After every height change, check that each push pin has clicked fully through its hole. A pin that's only partway in can let a leg slide shut under load. Look over the rubber tips or suction feet every few months and replace any that crack or harden.
Rinse and dry the seat after use, and take off any foam pads now and then to dry them. Mildew grows in drain holes and under pads. Wood benches need an occasional coat of teak oil and a check that the screws are tight.
A chair doesn't replace a grab bar. Have a grab bar screwed into the wall studs, since suction-cup bars can let go. A hand-held showerhead lets you wash without standing. Falls are common later in life: the CDC reports that about one in four adults 65 and older falls each year.
Paying for it: Original Medicare generally doesn't cover shower chairs, though some Medicare Advantage plans and state Medicaid programs may (Medical News Today). Many shower chairs qualify for FSA or HSA funds, so ask your plan. For a short recovery, a local loan closet or senior center may lend one for free.
How we researched this
We compared 18 shower chairs, stools and transfer benches from 11 brands, read the makers' specifications and warranty terms, Reviewed.com's roundup of shower chairs and Medicare coverage guidance, and checked every brand for recalls with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. We found no independent lab tests of shower chairs, so the ranking weighs published weight ratings, adjustments, warranties and each maker's track record.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare pay for a shower chair?
Original Medicare generally doesn't, because it doesn't treat shower chairs as durable medical equipment. Some Medicare Advantage plans and state Medicaid programs do cover them, so call your plan. Many are also FSA or HSA eligible.
Should I get a shower chair or a transfer bench?
If you shower in a tub and stepping over the wall is hard, get a transfer bench: you sit outside the tub and slide in. In a walk-in shower, a chair with arms and a back is usually the better fit.
What weight rating do I need?
Pick a rating well above the user's weight. Standard chairs hold 300 to 350 pounds; heavy-duty models reach 400 to 450. Check that the figure comes from the maker's specifications.
Is a teak bench as safe as an aluminum chair?
A well-made teak bench can be, but wood needs care. Check the screws and joints now and then and re-oil it. A teak shower bench sold at Costco was recalled in 2021 after reports that it collapsed.
Can I use a regular stool in the shower?
It's not a good idea. Ordinary stools lack rubber tips and drain holes, so they can slide on wet tile, and wood or fabric parts can rot.
How high should a shower chair be?
Set it so your knees are level with your hips or slightly lower when your feet are flat. That makes standing up easier. Most models adjust from about 16 to 21 inches.
