• Compact with folding options available
• Lighter and easier to move
• Space-saving for smaller bathrooms and showers
• Cheaper
• Suitable for users with good upper body strength

• More supportive due to the backrest, especially beneficial for those with fatigue or poor balance
• Solutions with arms
• Easier to stand up from
• Portable and fixed solutions available

A shower chair is often the better choice for users who need additional support, stability or comfort whilst showering. Unlike shower stools, shower chairs feature a backrest and armrests, providing extra support to help users feel more secure when sitting down, standing up and showering.

A shower chair may be more suitable for:

• Users with poor balance – The backrest and armrests provide additional stability and reassurance, helping to reduce the risk of slips and falls in the bathroom.
• People with reduced mobility – Armrests make it easier to lower onto the seat and stand up safely, supporting users who may struggle with movement.
• Those recovering from surgery – A shower chair can provide a safe and comfortable seating solution during recovery from procedures such as hip or knee replacements.
• Users who experience fatigue – Sitting with a supportive backrest can help conserve energy and make showering more comfortable.
• People who require additional assistance – Shower chairs provide a stable seating position for users who receive support from a carer.
• Those looking for extra comfort – Features such as padded seats and backrests provide additional comfort for regular use.

A shower stool may be a better option for more independent users who have good balance and simply need a stable place to sit whilst showering. Shower stools are typically more compact and lightweight, making them ideal for smaller bathrooms or users who need occasional support.

When choosing between a shower chair and shower stool, consider the user's mobility, balance, strength and bathroom space to find the most suitable option for their needs.

For additional guidance on choosing the right chair or stool for you, read our Shower Stool and Shower Chair Buying Guide. 

As mobility specialists, we understand that choosing the right bathroom aid depends on individual needs. When selecting our recommended shower chairs and shower stools, we considered the features that matter most for elderly users and people with reduced mobility. These include stability, comfort, ease of use, adjustability, weight capacity, bathroom space and overall suitability for different needs.

• Safety and stability - Non-slip feet, CE-marked and UKCA-marked 
• Comfort - Curved contoured seats and EVA cushioned seats
• Adjustability - Height adjustments to suit different uses 
• Easy to use - Lightweight designs which are easy to assemble and clean 
• Suitability - Options for different mobility requirements 
• Durability - High capacities, manufactured from long-lasting materials such as plastic and aluminium 

When choosing a shower stool or shower chair, it is important to check the following: 

• Weight capacity - Ensure the seat can safely support your weight. For heavier users, look for a bariatric shower seat. 
• Height adjustment - Most freestanding shower stools and seats are height-adjustable to allow the seat to be set to a range of heights. Ensure the seat height is suitable for you. When seated, your feet should rest flat on the ground.
• Supportive features - Consider whether you need a backrest or arms for additional support. Solutions with showerhead holders are also beneficial for many as it reduces the need for users to bend down or overreach. 
• Comfort features - For added support you may wish to seek a chair or stool with an EVA cushion. They are waterproof, slip-resistant cushions often found on bathroom aids to improve comfort.
• Size - Check the space available in your shower, wet room or bath tub to ensure the stool or chair will fit. It is important it can sit flat on level ground for stability. 
• Storage space - For shared bathrooms, consider where the stool or chair will be stored when not in use. You may wish to consider a lightweight or folding solution to ensure you can easily move it when it is not required. 
• Non-slip feet - As the stool or chair will be used in a wet environment, it's important it has feet designed to grip the ground, such as rubber grip feet. 
• Self-draining design - Ensure the seat will allow water to drain quickly from it, for instance through drainage holes, to prevent water pooling. Water pooling can lead to an increased risk of slips. 
• Material - Check the shower stool is easy to clean and manufactured from materials which are designed to last in wet conditions, such as plastic and aluminium. 

Large non-slip rubber feet

Shower head holder

EVA cushioned seat with drainage holes

Supportive backrest and arms 

Shower chairs and shower stools are a popular bathroom aid used to support the elderly, those recovering from surgery, those with limited mobility and the disabled. They are commonly used by users with:

• Elderly people with arthritis – Arthritis can make standing for long periods and moving around the shower painful. A height-adjustable shower stool or shower chair allows users to sit comfortably whilst showering, reducing strain on the joints. Models with armrests can also make sitting down and standing up easier.
• Those recovering from hip replacement surgery - Following a hip replacement, twisting, bending and standing for long periods should be avoided during recovery. A shower chair provides a stable place to sit, helping users shower safely and comfortably whilst following their healthcare professional's advice.
• Those recovering from knee replacement surgery - Recovering from knee replacement surgery often affects balance and weight-bearing ability. A shower stool or chair can reduce fatigue and provide extra confidence whilst showering. Solutions with arms provide support to users when sitting down or standing up, reducing pressure placed on the knee joint.
• Individuals living with Parkinson's - Parkinson's can affect balance, coordination and movement. A shower chair with a backrest and armrests offers additional support, allowing users to shower more safely and comfortably.
• Care home residents - Shower chairs are commonly used in care homes and assisted living environments to help residents shower safely. Durable, easy-to-clean designs with non-slip feet and adjustable heights are suitable for a wide range of users, making them ideal for shared care settings.

A shower chair or shower stool should always be chosen based on the user's individual needs, mobility and bathroom layout. If you're unsure which option is most suitable, seek advice from a healthcare professional, such as a nurse or GP, or contact our team for guidance.

Prior to purchasing a shower chair or shower stool it is essential you check there is enough space available.

• Measure the width and depth of your shower to check there is space for the stool itself. Ensure there is enough space for you to sit comfortably and to stand up and move around. It is important the bathroom mobility aid does not become a trip hazard to you or others in the home.
• If you plan to put the shower stool in a bath tub, measure the useable width and length of the bath. It is important to measure the flat area in the bath tub as shower stools need to sit on a flat surface for stability.

• To set a shower stool seat height, measure the vertical height from the back of your knee to the ground. This measurement should be the 'seat height'. It is important when you are seated on the stool or chair that your feet rest flat on the ground.
• Freestanding shower stools and seats are easy to adjust in height using an e-clip function. The product listings all state the minimum and maximum heights they can be set to.

VAT relief is available across all of our mobility aids including the bathroom mobility aids. In the UK, people with long-term disabilities, such as arthritis, COPD and Parkinson's do not have to pay VAT on mobility aids. Registered charities also do not have to pay VAT on these items. When you add the item to your basket simply complete your VAT exemption details in the VAT relief box to purchase the ramp without the VAT. It is a self-declaration, we simply require the user's full name and disability. You do not need to send over any paperwork as evidence, nor do you need to be registered as disabled or claim benefits.

Still need assistance? Our team is available throughout the week to help via phone, email, live chat or WhatsApp. If you’d rather we call you, you can easily request a callback here.