If you are looking for a safe and easy way to get in and out of the bathtub, you should consider installing a grab bar. Grab bars provide stability and support for those who need it, making them ideal for people with mobility issues. In this blog post, we will discuss the 10 best grab bars for the bathroom, according to accessibility experts. We will also provide tips on how to choose the right grab bar for your needs.
What Are Grab Bars?
Grab bars are grip-able bars that help people keep their balance and prevent them from getting tired while standing. They give safety in the bathroom for seniors, disabled individuals, and those recovering from an injury or illness that makes it hard to walk or move around.
Grab bars can be put near the bathtub or shower area, by the toilet or sink, and in other areas of a home, such as a kitchen, hallway, and additional rooms. We will mainly focus on grab bars for bathrooms later on in this guide.
Why Use Grab Bars?
Falls are a common occurrence among older adults, and many of them happen in the bathroom. Slippery surfaces like the tub, shower floor, and slick tile walls create a hazardous environment that can lead to accidents. Grab bars can help you avoid slipping and falling in slippery places, like bathrooms or showers. When installed beside the toilet, they can assist with sitting and standing, and when placed next to the sink or vanity, a grab bar can provide additional stability.
Types of Grab Bars
Bathroom grab bars are available in an assortment of styles, colors, and sizes. The most prevalent types of bathroom grab bars include:
- Wall-mounted. These grab bars are easy to install with just a few screws and anchors.
- Bathtub-mounted. Adjustable clamps allow the grab bar base to fit snugly over the bathtub rim, giving stability while entering or exiting the tub.
- Suction. These grab bars attach to tile walls with suction cups and provide extra balance when traveling or recovering from surgery or injury. They should not be used as your primary support and can become less secure over time, so check the suction regularly. Do NOT install on drywall; only use a non-porous surface like tile.
- Folding. These fold-down or flip-up grab bars save space in tight areas, such as beside the toilet or sink.
- Free-standing. There are two main types of free-standing grab bars: those that are floor-to-ceiling tension bars, and those that are toilet enclosures with stand-alone rails. Both types of grab bars offer assistance when exiting or entering the tub or shower, and can help with sitting down or standing up.
10 Best Grab Bars for the Bathroom
1. Vive Grab Bar – Best Tool-Free Installation
The Vive suction grab bar offers balance and support when you’re getting in/out of bathtubs or showers. Its tool-free installation makes it easy to set up, as long as you have a smooth, flat, non-porous surface to work with–be sure there are no grout lines where you place the suction cups!
For safety purposes, this product has an indicator to ensure the suction is airtight before using. With a weight capacity of up 309 lb., this bar will provide plenty of stability for most people–and it’s comfortable enough to boot! If you want more details about how it works and whatnot, check out this video.
- Non-slip grip
- Locking latches
- Textured, contoured rubber handle
- Travel-friendly
- Easy to reposition
- May not support full body weight
- This product is not recommended for surfaces such as textured, porous, and fiberglass
2. Moen Home Care Grab Bar- Best For Long Lasting
This bathroom grab bar from Moen is made of stainless steel and is wall-mounted. It can support up to 500lb safely and provides extra stability in the bathtub or shower. You can install it at any angle that suits you, as long as you find the wall studs first. The secure Mount anchors are perfect for a stable and safe fitting in any hollow wall.
This grab bar has a slightly grey metallic look which looks stylish and suits most bathroom decors. These grab bars are available in different sizes to help you find the right size for your needs. You may check this video for a better understanding of this product before purchasing it.”
- Easy to install
- Long-lasting
- Concealed screws
- ADA-compliant
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Screws may not be durable
- Secure Mount anchors are not included
3. Amazon Basics Grab Bar – Best Easy To Grip
If you or a family member is struggling with mobility, Check out the Amazon Basics Grab bar! Made from stainless steel, this bar can support up to 500lbs. The 1.5-inch diameter provides a comfortable grip for anyone who needs it and includes mounting screws and an installation guide in the package.
There are different sizes available so that you can pick what’s best for your home, with detailed product information provided in this video review linked above.
- Easy-grip finish
- Sturdy
- ADA-compliant
- Rust-resistant
- Installation may be difficult in some positions
4. Gotega Bathroom Grab Bar – Best Rust Proof
The shower grab bars are made of waterproof 304 stainless steel, making your bathroom safer to use. There are two grab bars in each set that can hold up to 500lb. The screws and flanges included making for easy installation not only in the shower but also in other places like the kitchen or stairs.
- One-year replacement warranty
- Sturdy
- Rustproof
- Can install in horizontal or vertical positions
- May be difficult to install
5. AmeriLuck Suction Bath Grab Bar – Best With Indicator Light
Ameriluck’s suction grab bars are made of plastic and easy to install, making them ideal assistive devices. This two-set includes 16.5-inch suction bars that only adhere to smooth, flat, non-porous surfaces– so avoid installing on grout lines or textured areas.
The secure hold is indicated by a green light, while a red light means the hold isn’t secure.
- Tool-free installation
- One-year warranty
- Compact and travel-friendly
- Can be placed at various angles
- Easy-grip
- The suction might not last long
- May not support full body weight
6. Zuext Shower Grab Bar0 – Best Anti- Slip
These wall-mounted bathroom grab bars are an excellent permanent fixture for any home as they’re made of durable chrome-finish stainless steel. They have a weight capacity of 500lbs and come with three whole flanges to allow installation at different angles.
- Anti-slip design
- Rustproof
- Corrosion-resistant knurled finish
- Concealed screw design
- Five-year replacement warranty
- ADA-compliant
- Anchors may be flimsy
- Screws may be small
7. Moen Flip-Up Screw-In Bathroom Grab Bar – Best Space Saving
The Moen flip-up grab bars are a great space-saving option for your bathroom. With a sleek, railing-like design, you can simply Flip up the bar when not in use. Made of high-quality 304-grade stainless steel, it is also available in two different shades to match your bathroom décor.
Additionally, this grab bar can support up to 300lb, making it a sturdy and reliable choice.
- Durable
- ADA-compliant
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Stylish design
- May be difficult to install
8. Budding Joy Shower Handles – Best Travel Friendly
The shower handles are simple to install and use. They provide a safe grip for flat, smooth, non-porous surfaces. Be sure to not place them on grout lines or textured walls. The pack contains two 12-inch long shower handles
- Tool-free installation
- Easy to change the placement
- Compact and travel friendly
- Comfortable, non-slip grip
- Flexible to install in different angles
- Suitable for fiberglass surfaces
- May not have suction indicators
9. HomeKaren Suction Grab Bars – Best Lightweight
Homkaren grab bars can provide support of up 250lbs. and they’re only 12 inches long with 4-inch diameter suction cups, making them a great choice for anyone in need! The installation is quite simple as well; all you need is a flat, smooth surface that’s clean and dry.
Keep in mind though that these grab bars aren’t meant for porous surfaces, so avoid grout lines or anything similar at the desired install location.
- Flexible to place in different angles
- Suitable for fiberglass
- Latch system
- Lightweight and travel-friendly
- May not have suction indicators
10. Safety Suction Bath Grab Bar- Best Flexible
The grab bar can be mounted on any flat, non-porous, and smooth surface without textures or grout lines. Press hard against the surface until the indicators turn green, then close the latches to ensure negative pressure has been achieved.
The indicators will help you check the suction status; if it turns red, it means that it is time for a new installation. This 17-inch grab bar comes in different colors to match your bathroom décor—just note that the suction grip is not meant for tiles smaller than 4×4 inches.
- Tool-free installation
- Compact and travel-friendly
- Comfortable and easy grip
- Flexible to install in different angles
- One-year warranty
- Suction may not be strong
How To Choose The Right Shower Grab Bars?
Below are a few aspects to think about before you select the best shower grab bar for you.
- Necessity: If you need a grab bar to pull up and sit down, putting a lot of pressure on the bar, you might want to consider getting a wall-mounted bar. If you simply need a grab bar for balance and support during movement, go for suction-type grab bars instead.
- Permanent/temporary: For a more permanent installation, choose wall- or tub-mounted grab bars made of stainless steel. If you plan on traveling soon, opt for the suction bars instead.
- Weighing capacity: Make sure the weight limit of your chosen grab bars falls within the 250 to 500lbs range so that they can support whoever uses them. Also, keep in mind that suction grab bars cannot hold an individual’s entire body weight.
- Material and finish: Depending on the look you want and how long you want it to last, select your bathroom materials and finishes accordingly. Materials such as stainless steel will outlast plastic ones.
- Quality: Keep yourself and others safe by using a grab bar that is sturdy and reliable.
- Bar length: Please select a bar length that is reachable and easy to grab in your shower space.
- Space and installation requirements: Grab bars are not one size fits all. Geometric series Before you choose which style to buy, take into consideration the amount of room you have in your bathroom and shower as well as any other unique features like the location of studs or if your walls are made of drywall. Additionally, think about what surfaces the grab bar will grip onto and at what angle it will be installed so that you can make the best decision for your individual needs.
