Shower Chair Cost: Shower Seats, Tub Benches, and When a Transfer Bench Is the Better Buy

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“Dad gets tired standing in the shower, and climbing over the tub is getting risky. Do we need a shower seat or one of those benches that goes over the side, and what do they cost?”

The types, and what each one is for

When a transfer bench beats a chair

A shower chair helps once the person is in the tub. It does nothing for the hardest part, which is stepping over the tub wall. A transfer bench handles that step:

1. The person sits on the end of the bench that’s outside the tub, on the bathroom floor.
2. They slide across the seat, then lift their legs over the tub wall one at a time.
3. They shower seated on the inside end, then reverse the steps to get out.

Choose a transfer bench when getting over the tub wall is the problem. Choose a chair or stool when the person can get into the tub or a stall shower safely but can’t stand for the whole shower. In a walk-in or curbless shower, a chair or stool is usually enough.

Weight ratings and fit

• Check the rated weight. Every shower chair and bench lists a maximum user weight. Standard models have one rating. Heavy-duty (bariatric) models are rated higher and are usually wider. Choose a rating with room to spare.
• Seat height. Most models have adjustable legs. When seated, the person’s feet should rest flat on the tub or shower floor.
• Measure the space. For a stall shower, measure the floor inside the curb. For a transfer bench, measure the tub’s inside width and the tub wall’s height, and check that the bench’s leg spread fits.
• Leg tips. Rubber, non-slip tips matter on a wet tub floor. Check that they’re in good shape, and replace them when they wear.
• Back and arms. A backrest and arms add support when sitting down and standing up. They also make the seat bigger, which matters in a small shower.

Installation: mostly assembly

Freestanding stools, chairs, and transfer benches need no tools beyond what’s in the box, or none at all. The legs click or screw in, and the height is set with push-pins. Once you’ve set it up, check that every pin has clicked fully into place.

A fold-down seat is different. It’s mounted to the wall and takes a person’s full weight, so it has to go into studs, solid blocking, or anchors rated for that load. That’s the same job as a grab bar, with the same questions about tile and fiberglass surrounds. See the grab bar installation guide, and have a seat and grab bars installed in the same visit to save on labor.

Compare the same type and weight rating across at least two sellers, and for a fold-down seat, get the installation priced in writing.

Honest Downsides

• Transfer benches leak. A shower curtain can’t close all the way around a bench that sticks out of the tub, so water ends up on the floor. A split or slotted curtain helps, and so does a bath mat that won’t slide.
• A handheld shower makes seated showers work. A fixed showerhead aimed at a standing person is hard to use from a seat. A handheld shower on a hose is a common, small add-on.
• Pins and legs loosen. Height-adjustment pins can work loose over time. Check them, and the leg tips, regularly.
• Bigger seats crowd small showers. A chair with arms may leave too little room to stand, turn, or reach the controls in a small stall. Measure before you buy.
• Suction-cup and “no-drill” seats. Don’t rely on suction cups or adhesive to hold body weight, for the same reason suction-cup grab bars aren’t load-bearing.
• Cleaning. Seats with slots and hollow legs can collect soap scum and water. Look for drainage holes and parts that are easy to clean.

Rule of thumb: if the tub wall is the problem, buy a transfer bench. If standing is the problem, buy a chair or stool. Check the weight rating and the measurements before you order. Only a fold-down wall seat needs an installer.