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When you’re older, recovering from surgery, or dealing with a chronic illness, showers can be exhausting—it can be difficult to muster the strength to stand long enough to clean yourself. Shower chairs can help.

“We’ll recommend a shower chair to help conserve energy, because for a lot of people, showers can be really taxing,” says Renee Makin, an occupational therapist based in Culver City, California. “People start to avoid showering because it’s difficult for them. And sometimes it can be scary because a lot of people have falls in the shower. So if you can equip them with something that’s sturdy, they’ll feel a bit more comfortable.”

To identify the best shower chairs, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on products designed by 18 different companies, considering average price, maximum weight capacity, user ratings and more. Read on to find out more about the different types of shower chairs available, key features to look for and which shower chairs earned our recommendations.

Note: All prices are accurate as of the publication date.

Looking For A Spa-like Bathing Experience?

Enjoy the features of a shower with the comforts of a bathtub. Designed by Kohler with comfort and ease of use in mind and rooted in over 140 years of engineering expertise.

This model, which arrives fully assembled in a “gift box,” comes with a 10-year warranty and a full refund or replacement satisfaction guarantee. Purchasers also receive a free 12-inch shower handle grab bar. Corrosion is no concern here, as this product is equipped with anodized aluminum legs that won’t rust over time.

Drive Medical uses recycled materials to make this supportive bariatric shower chair, which has a higher weight capacity than many competitors despite its lower price. The aluminum frame is lightweight and corrosion-proof, and the chair comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

One reviewer with a 6-foot-7-inch-tall father writes on Eagle Health’s website that this chair is “perfect for very tall people.” The price point is high, but the chair offers features to match, including an extra-large seat and ultra-sturdy aluminum design that’s a cinch to assemble yet can withstand higher weights.

This heavy-duty chair’s reinforced aluminum structure is built to last and keep users safe. Assembly is a breeze (and tool-free), and you can choose from seven height adjustment options. This model is equipped with no-slip rubber tips for enhanced safety and a padded seat for extra comfort.

This model offers padded, removable arms and easy height adjustment for a comfortable showering experience. More than 9,700 customer reviews sing the praises of this chair’s easy assembly and smart design. While assembly may be simple, assembly instructions note consumers should “periodically retighten all screws on the bottom of the seat.”

This shower chair folds for easy storage and features large handles that make sitting down and getting back up easier (and safer). You can also easily remove the legs from this lightweight model, making it a good option for those wanting to travel with a shower chair. While this chair lacks a padded seat, it does feature no-slip grips on the legs and drainage holes to avoid excessive water accumulation.

Made with durable, recycled materials, this Drive Medical shower chair is well-equipped to handle higher weight capacities. It features a lightweight aluminum frame and corrosion-proof drainage holes that can help reduce slip risk. It also comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

The sleek, unique design sets this shower chair apart from the other options on our list. This Moen model, which weighs just over 11 pounds, includes built-in handles and a drainage system to prevent pooling. It also meets specifications required by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.

This model features a compact, lightweight design that easily fits inside most showers. The legs are capped with broad, circular rubber grips to prevent slips and padded, non-slip armrests add another element of comfort and safety. This chair is also resistant to mold and mildew, according to the company.

This durable design is made from corrosion-resistant aluminum and molded plastic. The sturdy legs are fashioned with slip-resistant rubber tips for increased safety and stability. However, while the product’s back can be easily removed, this chair is not foldable.

To determine the best shower chairs, the Forbes Health editorial team analyzed data on nearly 120 products from 18 different companies, ranking them based on factors including:

A shower chair is a waterproof chair designed for someone to sit on while they’re in the shower. It helps them “be safer and more independent with showering,” says Brandy Archie, an occupational therapist and founding director of AccessAble Living in Kansas City, Missouri. These chairs are particularly helpful for people experiencing permanent or temporary mobility issues, as well as those who find movement painful.

Most shower chairs have rubberized, non-slip feet, and they’re designed for safety in wet conditions. Some have backrests to provide extra support. Many have armrests on each side, and those that don’t are designed to be gripped on the sides.

There are several types of shower chairs. Below are the most popular options.

These stools, which are held up by four rubberized feet, don’t have armrests or provide any support on the back. They’re best for people who are fairly mobile, says Makin. “I generally don’t recommend them for very many people,” she adds. However, they can be an inexpensive option for those who need just a little bit of extra assistance in the shower. For example, they can be a helpful tool for people who struggle to balance on one leg when shaving.

These chairs feature four rubberized feet, a wide seat, a backrest and armrests. Standard shower chairs provide lots of support and space, says Makin. She frequently recommends this type.

Very similar to standard shower chairs, rolling shower chairs have wheels, a helpful feature for people with mobility needs and who, for example, use wheelchairs. The wheels lock into place, which ensures they don’t move around while someone is using the chair, but people who use them still need to be careful on wet surfaces.

These standard shower chairs are specifically designed for people who weigh more than 300 pounds. “They’re a whole lot more durable” than other chairs, says Karen Koch, an occupational therapist and certified aging-in-place specialist based in St. Joseph, Michigan.

These chairs are permanently installed in a shower and have two rubberized feet. The chair back is typically attached to the shower wall. If more than one person in a household uses the shower, a chair can get in the way of the person who doesn’t need it, says Koch. Fold-down chairs “are nice because that way, the people who need them have access to them, and the people who don’t can just flip them up [and] out of the way,” she says.

People with extreme limitations often benefit from transfer benches, which are basically extra long shower chairs. Two of the legs are placed inside the tub or shower space while the other two remain outside, providing excellent support for entering and exiting the shower. “Instead of having to step into the bathtub, you can sit on the bench, swing your feet into the tub and just slide over,” says Koch.

Shower chairs are commonly used at home and in senior living facilities, such as nursing homes.

At home, shower chairs help seniors maintain independence, says Makin. They offer peace of mind—and make showering less scary—while reducing the risk of falls or other bathroom injuries.

Those who benefit from shower chairs, according to Makin, include:

Shower chairs provide users with stability, as well as a place to sit if they grow tired during the shower.

There are a number of features to consider when choosing a shower chair. If you have a disability or specific diagnosis, Archie suggests consulting an occupational therapist so you can be sure you pick the right chair for you. Here are some features to look for in a shower chair.

People often forget to check whether a shower chair will fit in their space, says Makin. Before purchasing one, measure the floor of your shower or tub to be sure you’re getting the right size.

Here’s a tip if you’re unsure whether your shower chair fits: Do its feet sit flat on the floor without riding up onto the curves where the shower floor meets the wall? The chair should always be 100% on flat ground, says Archie.

It’s important to get a shower chair that’s height-adjustable. “Some people are tall and some people are short, so you want to be able to adjust the chair height so the person can sit down on the chair,” says Koch. When sitting on a shower chair, your feet should hit the floor—they shouldn’t dangle above, she adds.

Some shower chairs have weight limits. If you weigh more than 300 pounds, for example, you’ll likely need to buy a bariatric shower chair.

Think carefully about your physical strengths and weaknesses to determine what kind of shower chair you need. Koch always recommends armrests and backrests, because these features provide an extra sense of security.

Most shower chairs cost around $50, but prices can exceed $300, says Makin. “As far as medical equipment goes, it’s pretty inexpensive,” she says.

You don’t have to visit a medical equipment store to buy a shower chair—you can simply order one online. Makin recommends people on a tight budget check Goodwill stores or other thrift shops, as you can sometimes find one with these retailers for a discounted price.

At CVS, you can get a shower stool for $29.99 and a heavy-duty sliding transfer bench for $329.99. A bariatric chair with a backrest costs $129.99.

At Home Depot, a shower chair with a backrest costs $79.99, and a fold-up version costs $129.99. Meanwhile, a shower stool costs $34.98.

And at RehabMart, a standard shower chair with a backrest costs $130.97 while a rolling version costs $250.20.

Medicare typically doesn’t cover shower chairs. However, some Medicare Advantage plans cover over-the-counter supplies, which could include bathroom safety devices. Check with your plan.

“Health insurance covers things for your body and not things to modify your environment,” says Archie, adding that most private insurance plans don’t cover shower chairs. However, if you have long-term care insurance, it’s possible to be reimbursed if your plan allows for coverage for home modifications. Shower chairs can also be paid for with a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA).

Information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and wellness is unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional.

Forbes Health adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers.

Angela Haupt has been a health writer and editor for more than a decade. She was previously the managing editor of health at U.S. News & World Report, where she spent 11 years covering and editing wellness and conditions topics. She helped launch the popular Best Diets rankings and continued to oversee the franchise throughout her time there. Angela has also written about health and wellness for publications such as the Washington Post, USA Today, Everyday Health and Verywell Fit. She’s passionate about helping people make healthier decisions through accurate journalism that delivers the facts and puts them in context.

Robby has spent his career in a variety of writing, editing and storytelling roles. He now resides near Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife and three kids. He enjoys woodworking, playing rec league soccer and supporting chaotic, downtrodden sports franchises like the Miami Dolphins and Tottenham Hotspur.

Alena is a professional writer, editor and manager with a lifelong passion for helping others live well. She is also a registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and a functional medicine certified health coach. She brings more than a decade of media experience to Forbes Health, with a keen focus on building content strategy, ensuring top content quality and empowering readers to make the best health and wellness decisions for themselves.