The Best Walk-In Showers With Seats
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Due to their ease of access, walk-in showers are a great tool for helping people with mobility issues bathe safely. They are also popular among families with children and pets, and people who prefer them for aesthetic reasons. Other benefits of walk-in showers include ease of cleaning and the potential to open up your bathroom space.
I’ve helped seniors find the right walk-in seated showers, whether they want a basic and safe option or a more luxurious or stylish option. The three manufacturers below are the best options for safety, comfort, and price.
The Best Walk-In Showers With Seats for Seniors in 2024
- Kohler : Best Designs
- Safe Step : Best Therapeutic Options
- American Standard : Best Budget Option
Top Picks Compared
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Kohler
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Safe Step
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American Standard
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| Rating out of 5 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.8 |
| Price range (includes installation) | Varies, prices not listed |
Varies, prices not listed |
$2,678 to $3,241 |
| Standout features |
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| Read More | Kohler Review | American Standard Review |
Best Walk-In Showers with a Seat
1. Kohler - Best Designs
What We Like Most:
- Four hardware finish options
- More than eight wall options
- Remote control for temperature
- Optional body jets, grab bars, and handheld shower wand
Overview
If aesthetics are your main concern after safety, you’ll love the customizable walk-in shower from Kohler. It has the most hardware finishes (chrome, brushed nickel, matte black, and oil-rubbed bronze), the most wall options (Calacatta crema, cintilante bluette, ice gray, white, biscuit, VeinCut dune, CrossCut dune, white brick, or combination walls), and the most shelving options (recessed, shower niche, floating, or corner shelf). The shower also has the essential safety features you need in a walk-in shower, such as a low threshold, optional grab bars, and an optional shower wand.
One caveat, however, is that the seat is optional and moveable. It’s lightweight, but it may not be ideal for someone with mobility issues since a seat that isn’t built in increases the likelihood of a fall. I would recommend Kohler to a more active senior, but it’s not workable for someone with serious mobility issues.
For more information, you can request a free quote on Kohler’s website or call the company directly at 800-704-9847. Installation is in-house, and there is 0 percent financing for the first 12 months if you don’t have thousands to spend up front.
To learn more about the company, read our Kohler walk-in tub review.
Pros
- Luxurious finishes
- Free quotes
- In-house installation
- Large variety of models
Cons
- Seat options not ideal for those with mobility issues
2. Safe Step - Best Therapeutic Options
What We Like Most:
- Shower wand with three spray patterns
- 8-inch rainfall showerhead
- Five wall options
- Optional body jets
Overview
Safe Step offers four walk-in shower models, but all have barrier-free thresholds and optional, built-in, foldable seats. I love that the seats are foldable, because it means you can move the seat out of the way if someone else — such as your grandkid — wants to use the shower. That feature would be ideal for a shared family vacation home or a spouse with differing mobility needs.
What I really want to highlight about Safe Step’s walk-in showers, though, is their therapeutic and luxurious features. Take the ShowerSpa LE, for example. It comes with six body jets, which feel incredible after a long day, plus a handheld shower wand for more relaxing streams. The floors are antislip, and there are two hardware finishes and three FiberGranite wall options: bianco chrome, pewter, and quarry. The seat is optional, as is a sliding glass door.
Like Kohler, Safe Step installs its showers itself. It doesn’t reveal any prices online, but it offers discounts of up to $1,500 for people with health issues such as arthritis. You may also be able to get a discount if you’re a veteran or senior, and all the showers come with a lifetime warranty. Call 888-608-2933 for more information, or fill out a form on the Safe Step website.
To learn more about the company, read my Safe Step walk-in tub review.
Pros
- Therapeutic and luxury features
- Antislip surfaces
- Lower prices than Kohler
- Lifetime warranties
Cons
- No pricing online
3. American Standard - Best Budget Option
What We Like Most:
- Prices start at $2,678, not including installation
- Professional installation within one to two days
- Antislip floors and barrier-free threshold
- Two shelves for storage
Overview
Of all the providers on this list, American Standard is the only one to offer its pricing on its website, so you can’t be upsold. There are two models available: one with a left-hand drain that costs $2,678 and one with a right-hand drain that costs $3,241. Keep in mind that those prices do not include installation, which American Standard does itself in one to two days.
As for the walk-in shower itself, it’s pretty basic compared to Safe Step and Kohler, hence the lower price. It has essential safety features such as antislip floors and a barrier-free threshold, along with grab bars and handheld shower wands, but it lacks a sliding glass door and there are only two wall colors to choose from (linen and white). The seat itself is built into the shower, but it isn’t foldable like the option from Safe Step. Since aggressive sales tactics are common with walk-in showers and tubs, you may be willing to sacrifice those luxuries to benefit from American Standard’s transparent pricing.
There are a few ways to buy a walk-in shower from American Standard. You can go to a local retailer, wholesaler, or showroom if you want to see it in person; you can search for a location near you on the company’s website; or you can call the manufacturer directly at 877-618-9532 to get a quote that will include the cost of installation.
To learn more about the company, read my full American Standard review.
Pros
- Great overall value
- In-house installation
- Seats built into the showers
- In-person showroooms
Cons
- Not as many luxury features
FYI: Not sure which provider is right for you? Read my comparison of American Standard vs. Kohler.
Honorable Mentions
The following providers didn’t quite make the best-of list, but I wanted to mention them in case Safe Step, Kohler, or American Standard don’t work for you.
- Ella’s Bubbles: For some reason, Ella’s Bubbles sells shower bases and shower doors, but not the entire shower with a seat.
- Amazon: Ordering anything from Amazon is a bit like the Wild West. What you get may not be exactly what you expected, which is why I don’t recommend buying a seated shower from the Everything Store. Even if the product itself is good, you’ll be on your own for installation, which includes ripping out and disposing of your current bathtub. That’s no easy feat.
- Home Depot: Home Depot will only deliver its showers curbside, and it outsources installation to third parties. That’s not as seamless as in-house installation from Safe Step, Kohler, and American Standard.
- Boca: You can add a rainfall showerhead to any tub model from Boca for a mere $500, but it’s more like a bath with a showerhead and not a true walk-in shower. Baths from Boca start at $8,430, however, so it’s a more expensive option than a company such as American Standard.
Who Needs a Walk-In Shower With a Seat?
Walk-in showers have universal appeal. Who doesn’t want to sit while they shower? You may find them in high-end resorts, senior living communities, and single-family homes. Older adults, in particular, should consider installing walk-in showers with seats — especially if they are remodeling or looking at new homes.
Not only do walk-in showers create a sense of luxury in the primary bathroom, but they also safeguard older adults against slip-and-fall injuries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 234,000 nonfatal injuries that occurred in the bathroom are treated each year in U.S. emergency departments. In addition to preventing slip-and-fall accidents, including a seat or bench in your walk-in shower adds an extra level of comfort and convenience.
Fun Fact: According to window and door home-improvement company See-Thru Windows, for every dollar you spend on a walk-in shower, you get $1.71 back in your home’s value. That’s a more-than-decent return!
Types of Walk-In Showers
Walk-in showers come in many shapes and styles. Below are some key styles to look out for.
- Open walk-in: A typical style for walk-ins, an open shower has no door and is spacious with a low threshold.
- Corner walk-in: If you have limited space for your walk-in, a corner walk-in can provide comfort within your size constraint.
- Shower room: For a more spa-like setup, a shower room is a great option. By creating or utilizing an existing enclosing wall, you can opt for a sauna feel with a doorless shower room.
- Curved enclosure: If you’d like to add some luxury, you can opt for a half-moon style enclosure for your walk-in shower by utilizing a curved glass enclosure.
Features of a Walk-In Shower
Here are some important features to consider if you’re thinking of adding a walk-in shower.
- Shower base: The shower base is arguably the most important feature of a walk-in. The foundational piece can be prefabricated or custom-made. Typical shower bases are made of acrylic, fiberglass, or tile, but high-end shower bases may use solid materials such as marble. You should prioritize slip-resistance and a low threshold when selecting a shower base, but there is no need to sacrifice style.
- Door: Many walk-in showers are doorless for the sake of easy access, but you can still choose to install a door if you want more privacy. You’ll find most manufacturers offer glass door options, and some have towel bar attachments.
- Grab bars: Grab bars are essential for your walk-in shower. Installed on your shower walls vertically, horizontally, or at an angle, grab bars ensure weight support and stability.
- Shower heads: There are hundreds — if not thousands — of shower heads to choose from. I recommend selecting a handheld showerhead or one with a handheld attachment. It will come in handy when you’re using your shower seat or washing hard-to-reach areas.
- Shower seat: A shower seat or bench is a walk-in shower essential for older adults. It can be either attached to the shower wall or you can purchase it separately as a stand-alone piece. There are benefits to both options: A stand-alone piece is more economical, while an attached seat will eliminate potential trips or bumps.
Expert Tip: Although lighting may not immediately come to mind when you think of your new shower, a well-lit shower area can help prevent missteps while also improving the general atmosphere. You may also want to go for a light-and-exhaust-fan hybrid to remove excess moisture from your bathroom.
Recap
Your shower should be a place where you can relax comfortably and safely. For seniors considering upgrades or changes to their homes, walk-in showers offer safety features and adaptability for lifestyle changes in the years ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a hybrid walk-in?
Hybrid walk-ins combine the features of a walk-in shower and a walk-in tub for a low-threshold, high-comfort bathing experience. Hybrid walk-ins are relatively new and generally carry higher price tags than singular showers or tubs.
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Does Medicare cover walk-in showers?
Original Medicare does not cover the cost of walk-in showers, since they are not considered durable medical equipment. You may qualify for partial compensation depending on your situation, however, so it never hurts to ask. People with Medicare Advantage may have coverage for a shower remodel. It varies by plan and state, so contact your insurance representative for details.
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Are walk-in showers difficult to clean or maintain?
Fortunately, walk-in showers are no more difficult to clean or maintain than a standard shower. If you opt for a teakwood bench or shower seat, however, you will need to clean and oil it regularly using special products.
