Top pick
Grab bars
$34.99 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
A firm handhold by the toilet and in the shower.
Good to know:
Skip this if:
You run out of this.
Bathroom safety
Hard floors and water make it a common place to fall, and the same two moments come up again and again: stepping over the tub wall, and standing up from the toilet. How picks are chosen
What to look for
- Grab bars go into studs, or into hardware rated to hold a person's full weight.
- Never pull up on a towel bar. It's not built to take weight, and it comes off the wall.
- A transfer bench beats a shower chair when stepping over the tub edge is the risky part.
- Rubber feet and a textured seat, not smooth plastic.
All Bathroom safety picks
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Top pick
Shower transfer bench
$51.61 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
Sit and slide in instead of stepping over the tub wall.
Good to know:
Skip this if: The shower is a narrow walk-in stall. A transfer bench needs a tub to straddle and room beside it, so a plain shower chair fits there.
You run out of this.
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Top pick
Handheld bidet sprayer
$25.49 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
Rinse clean without having to reach around to wipe.
Good to know: It runs on cold water only, which is a shock in winter.
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You run out of this.
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Top pick
TOTO luxury bidet seat
$560.00 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
A warm-water wash, a heated seat, and an air dryer.
Good to know: It needs an outlet within reach of the toilet, and plenty of bathrooms don't have one.
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You run out of this.
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Top pick
Raised toilet seat with handles
$134.95 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
Less distance to lower down, with arms to steady.
Good to know:
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You run out of this.
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Top pick
Handheld shower head
$29.94 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
Control the water instead of standing under it.
Good to know:
Skip this if:
You run out of this.
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Top pick
Non-slip rubber bath mat
$23.79 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
A textured mat that covers the tub or shower floor, with strong suction cups to hold it in place.
Good to know:
Skip this if:
You run out of this.
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Top pick
Long-handled bath sponge
$8.75 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
A soft sponge on a long handle for washing your own back and feet without bending or twisting.
Good to know:
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Top pick
Adjustable toilet safety rails
$49.99 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
Rails that attach to the toilet itself, not the wall, for support when sitting down and standing up.
Good to know:
Skip this if:
You run out of this.
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Top pick
Backless shower stool
$29.99 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
Small and light, with adjustable height. It folds flat to put away.
Good to know: There's no back support, so it suits someone with reasonable trunk strength.
Skip this if: Stepping over the tub edge is the risky part. A transfer bench is the safer choice there.
You run out of this.
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Top pick
Shower chair with backrest
$39.99 as of Nov 1, 1:12 PM PST
For sitting down to shower when standing the whole time is too hard. The height adjusts.
Good to know:
Skip this if: Stepping over the tub edge is the risky part. A transfer bench is the safer choice there.
You run out of this.
Common questions
- Where should grab bars be placed?
- The most useful spots are beside the toilet and inside the shower or tub, at a height the person can reach both seated and standing. Mount them into wall studs or use hardware rated for the load. Never rely on a towel bar, which isn't built to take weight.
- What is the difference between a shower chair and a transfer bench?
- A shower chair sits inside the shower for someone who can step in safely. A transfer bench is longer, with two legs outside the tub and two inside, so a person can sit and slide across without stepping over the edge. Choose a bench when stepping over the tub wall is the risky part.
- Is a bidet attachment worth it?
- For many people with limited reach or grip, yes. It means getting clean without the twisting and reaching that can cause a fall. Basic attachments fit most toilets.