Written by Mike Price, OT
Daily hygiene and toileting can become daunting and hazardous for individuals facing mobility challenges. Shower commode chairs offer crucial support, ensuring safety and independence for seniors, people with disabilities, and those recovering from injuries or surgeries. When selecting a chair, consider key features such as adjustability, weight capacity, comfort, and ease of cleaning to find the best fit for your needs.
 | 1) Clean Height-Adjustable Commode Shower Chair by Etac View Product |
Ready to choose your perfect shower commode chair? Helping to prevent falls for the user and lifting injuries for the caregiver, a shower commode chair is a crucial device needed in every home where family members live with mobility impairments. But choosing the best one depends on how that shower commode design suits your needs.
If you plan to self-propel your shower commode for independent use, choose models specifically designed for this purpose, with larger back wheels. Caregiver-attended shower commodes should provide ergonomic propulsion for the attendant, and both types should be easy to navigate and control on a variety of floor surfaces.
All shower commode chairs will have some form of open seat to facilitate use as a portable bedside commode. They come in different configurations to meet specific needs, such as with open or closed front recesses or openings in the back that provide more space for toileting hygiene. They usually include the commode pail and can sometimes be upgraded to include other beneficial commode accessories.
Some shower commode chairs are formatted to be used as over-the-toilet support, providing added stability for users by rolling over existing plumbed toilets. Before ordering, be sure to match your toilet’s measurements to the dimensions of the shower commode chair to ensure it can work this way.
Because they come in different design formats, you must choose the type that corresponds to your specific shower’s configuration. Roll-in shower commode shower chairs won’t work with walled bathtub showers, but they’re great for roll-in, curbless showers or those with low thresholds. Other types, like shower commode chair transfer slides, are specially formatted to accommodate showers within bathtubs, lifting the user’s legs over the tub wall.
Be sure to choose a shower commode chair designated to safely accommodate the user’s weight. Bariatric models are generally the best choice for larger, heavier users, although some standard models feature a weight capacity of up to 550 pounds.
Several shower commode chairs offer some kind of adjustability to better meet individual user needs. Aside from maximizing user comfort, height adjustability is also helpful when different people use the chair or for growing children. Adjustable tilt functionality helps reduce pressure and enhance positioning, while adjustable footrests optimize angle comfort.
Flip-away, swing-away, and removable armrests and footrests provide more open access for transfers and bathing. Other shower commode chairs may be specially configured with a seat in front of the wheels for easier lateral transfers.
Shower commode chairs should be constructed with water-resistant, corrode-resistant, and rust-resistant material. The material needs to be strong and durable to withstand repetitive, daily use and constant water contact but lightweight enough for maneuverability. Design elements should include quick-drying backrests and seats that won’t retain water.
A shower commode chair is an assistive device that helps people with mobility impairments attend showering, toileting, and personal hygiene with ease and safety. Similar in appearance to a wheelchair, shower commode chairs come in various styles with various design differences, including those that can be used as over-the-toilet support frames and transport chairs.
Because they’re designed for constant contact with water, shower commode chairs are almost always constructed with water-resistant materials. Non-corroding aluminum is best, but PVCs and powder-coated stainless steel are also good choices.
Shower commode chairs are often used by people who are unsteady on their feet for various reasons, including aging, disability, injury, illness, or post-surgery. Helping to prevent falling injuries, shower commode chairs are ideal for anyone living with mobility impairments, providing stable, comfortable support for toileting, showering, and personal hygiene.
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "SB3T Roll-In ShowerBuddy with Tilt") | SB3T Roll-In ShowerBuddy with Tilt View Product |
Delivering the best all-around benefits for most users, the SB3T Roll-In ShowerBuddy with Tilt is our number 6 choice for the best shower commode chair. Its 30-degree tilting functionality offers multiple positioning and access advantages, effectively relieving tailbone pressure to maximize user comfort. Specially designed as a roll-in shower chair, this shower commode chair with tilt can also roll over most standard and elongated toilets for a toileting support frame. In addition, it has a commode opening and bucket for convenient use as a portable commode chair, providing all-in-one versatility. Although it comes standard with everything required for safe bathing and toileting, many accessories are available to upgrade the Roll-In Showerbuddy to customize its use to meet specific user needs.
Durably constructed with aluminum and stainless steel, the Roll-In Showerbuddy resists corrosion, rust, and mold, delivering long-lasting performance in a design that’s easy to clean and maintain. It’s simple to assemble without tools and offers a 550-pound weight capacity to support most bariatric users safely. It provides the advantage of height adjustability to ensure the utmost user comfort, along with a cushioned seat, adjustable neck rest, padded armrests, and adjustable footrests. The armrests flip back, the footrests swing away, and both armrests and footrests are removable, enabling the exact access you need for bathing and transfers.
This adjustable and easy-to-use shower commode from SolutionBased is the perfect mobility companion for roll-in showers. It provides a complete bathroom mobility aid. Its lockable casters easily navigate small thresholds and most types of floor surfaces, and it’s specially designed to provide more security in wet floor areas.
 | Etac Clean Fixed-Height Shower Commode Chair View Product |
Clean Fixed-Height Shower Commode Chair by Etac is a versatile and accommodating solution designed to help users maintain their independence and dignity. We chose this as our #5 pick because of its thoughtful design. This chair functions as a commode chair, an over-toilet chair, and a shower chair, providing excellent support for daily hygiene activities. It comes with a compact frame that fits over most toilets, including wall-mounted ones, and features locking casters for added safety and stability. The foot support offers additional safety, swinging away for ease of use. This chair is made from durable, easy-to-clean materials and includes effective water drainage holes to promote cleanliness and faster drying times.
.jpg&newwidth=365&maxheight=200 "Mobile Shower Commode Chairs with Double Drop Arms and Infection Control by Mor-Medical") | Mobile Shower Commode Chairs with Double Drop Arms and Infection Control by Mor-Medical View Product |
Rolling in at number 4 on our list is Mor-Medical’s Mobile Shower Commode Chair, a shining example of versatility and value in a crowded market. Thanks to its clever design, this 5-in-1 chair can function as a mobile commode chair, bedside commode chair, shower seat, toilet safety frame, and elevated toilet seat. You won't need anything else once you have the Mobile Shower Commode Chair.
The chair by Mor-Medical rolls smoothly on 3-inch locking casters, which enable it to move easily from room to room while keeping the chair completely stationary when needed. The PVC that makes up the chair's frame is durable and water-resistant, and the seamless design of this frame helps control infection by limiting bacteria growth over the entire chair, ensuring the health and safety of you and your loved ones. Drop-down armrests allow you to sit comfortably while making easy transfers when necessary, and models are available with footrests for those who need additional support.
With a weight capacity of 310 pounds and a wide range of use cases, this chair can benefit many homes. A comfortable, flexible, and particularly hygienic chair like this doesn’t come around often, especially at such an affordable price!
 | MaxiBathe 3-in-1 Bariatric Shower Commode Chair by Platinum Health View Product |
Obtaining the number 3 position on our list with its multifaceted use options, the MaxiBathe 3-in-1 Bariatric Shower Commode Chair by Platinum Health can be conveniently utilized as a shower chair, bedside commode, and transport chair. Specially designed to meet the needs of larger users with its 600-pound weight capacity, this chair highlights heavy-duty construction in a rustproof, medical-grade aluminum frame. The comfortable padded foam seat resists water and will never bottom out, while the padded backrest and armrests further optimize user comfort.
Able to adjust in width without tools with the user still seated in the chair, the MaxiBathe by Platinum Health enables users to fit through any doorway without transferring or breaking the chair down. As a shower commode chair is self-propelled, its larger back wheels and oversized front casters allow riders to self-propel to use this chair independently, or an ergonomic push handle in the back ensures easy maneuvering for caregiver control.
This bariatric shower commode chair promotes smooth mobility on a variety of flooring surfaces and thresholds. It has brakes to slow movement and locks for all four wheels to ensure stationary security. The retractable footrest and armrests facilitate open access for transfers and bathing assistance.
 | GentleBoost Uplift 3-in-1 Commode Shower Chair by Platinum Health View Product |
The GentleBoost Uplift 3-in-1 Commode Shower Chair by Platinum Health is a versatile and innovative solution designed to ensure safe, stable, and comfortable hygiene activities for users with limited mobility. Featuring GentleBoost technology, this chair provides a stand-assist function that facilitates easy seat entry and exit, helping users maintain their independence. Soft Touch padding optimizes comfort and safety, making the chair ideal for toileting and bathing. Lightweight yet durable, the chair is constructed from rust-proof, medical-grade aluminum, and its adjustable height allows for customization to meet individual needs.
 | Clean Height-Adjustable Commode Shower Chair by Etac View Product |
The Clean Height-Adjustable Commode Shower Chair by Etac is our top choice for those seeking to maintain their independence and dignity. This versatile chair is both a commode and a shower chair, offering a compact yet comfortable design. This chair's durable construction and adjustable height ensure user safety and customized support. The easy-to-clean surfaces promote a healthy environment, while the foot support provides additional comfort and protection.
When mobility becomes temporarily or permanently impaired due to aging, disability, illness, or injury, a shower commode chair can help to provide safety and comfort for showering and toileting needs. Offered in various formats, these mobile chairs decrease the need for multiple transfers to other assistive equipment and help prevent falls, keeping the user comfortable and secure within the chair to shower, attend to personal hygiene, and use the toilet.
While many of the shower commode chairs in our review could be the best choice for a given user based on the feature-to-need match, we found the Clean Height-Adjustable Commode Shower Chair to be the best overall selection. Its superior versatility, adjustable height, and durable construction make it the top choice for enhancing user independence and comfort.
Check out our comprehensive Bathing & Toileting catalog to find everything you need to create a safer bathroom environment for every family member. You can also find helpful, timely, and informative articles on a wide array of topics from our team of healthcare experts at Caregiver University.
Co-Founder of Rehabmart and an Occupational Therapist since 1993. Mike has spent his professional career working in multiple areas of Occupational Therapy, including pediatrics, geriatrics, hand therapy, ergonomics and inpatient / outpatient rehabilitation. Mike enjoys writing articles that help people solve complex therapeutic problems and make better product choices.
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.jpg&newwidth=365 "Mobile Shower Commode Chairs with Double Drop Arms and Infection Control by Mor-Medical")
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