Written by Megan Smith, PT
If you struggle to accomplish activities of daily life including bathroom functions, the accompanying loss of autonomy in personal care and hygiene can be detrimental to your mental and physical well-being. Not being able to perform bathroom activities independently can cause a loss of self-esteem while negatively impacting mood and quality of life.
A bath bench with a cut out can safely position you in a tub or shower. If it is a model that has an attached pail, it can also be used as a standalone commode.
Slippery bathrooms present a significant fall risk, especially to someone with balance issues or mobility limitations due to disability or declining health. A transfer bench provides a solution to prevent being injured while maintaining your independence through keeping up with your own personal hygiene needs.
All bath benches are designed to provide safe transfer for bathing, but there are several options and configurations to consider when choosing which will be the best fit for you.
Padded benches offer more cushion and are more comfortable for longer showers. They are also generally more expensive than unpadded versions. People whose bodies are more boney will appreciate the extra padding this style provides.
Unpadded benches, with their hard seat surface, offer some freedom of movement the padded versions can’t provide. They’re a bit easier to reposition yourself, since you are more able to scoot from one side of the bench to the other.
Although there is not one universal standard, products designated as appropriate for bariatric patients can usually accommodate users weighing 400 pounds or more. Standard transfer benches are considered appropriate for users up to about 250 pounds.
A transfer bench with a commode pail offers the convenience of not having to get to the bathroom for toileting. But a pail needs to be emptied and cleaned, and if that isn’t done immediately, it could present an odor issue or even a health and hygiene problem.
You can get a bath bench with back or without. A bench with a back offers an added level of comfort and support, which is especially important if your trunk is weak and you have a hard time sitting up straight. Bariatric patients might not benefit from a bath bench with back, though. If you need as much space as possible, a bench with back might impinge on the seat space.
You’ll be more comfortable if your bath bench is the size and dimension to fit your frame. But a good fit is not just about the user. Bathtubs and showers are not all the same height, so an adjustable height transfer bench can accommodate you and the layout and fixtures of your bathroom.
 | 1) HydroGlyde Sliding Tub Transfer Bench by Platinum Health View Product |
Our number 5 entry on the list of best bath benches with cut out is the Bariatric Shower Stool. Produced by IPU, this sturdy bath bench can accommodate up to 900 pounds. If you are unable to stand long enough to take a shower safely, this stable seat can fit into just about any shower enclosure.
Made from lightweight, strong, and waterproof PVC, this shower bench can stand up to frequent long term use and its backless design provides wide clearance for users of any body type.
Its seat is made from high density polyethylene. Even when wet, it retains surface grip so you won’t slip. The bench’s cut out in front makes personal washing easy, and the feet have no-slip tips so the shower stool stays put on slippery floors.
If you have morbid obesity, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, or another condition that prevents you from standing unassisted for a shower, this bench allows you to enjoy some independence while taking a safe, slip-free shower.
Built on a rust-proof medical-grade aluminum frame and boasting a stain-resistant non-slip surface, this All Access Adjustable Bath Transfer Bench made by Platinum Health is number 4 on our list of top picks. It is versatile, easy to keep clean, and its slip resistant height adjustable legs make it a good fit for most bathtubs. The generous cut out allows you to clean your whole body safely and with confidence, and it comes with an insert to close the opening if you prefer to sit on a solid surface. With its reversible backrest, it can face right or left in the tub, and it doesn’t take any tools to put this transfer bench together. Multiple hand grips add a level of stability and security and its extra large seat surface area can support up to 330 pounds.
For users who are visually or cognitively impaired, the vibrant blue color is easy to see and distinguish from the background. Traditional white chairs can yellow with age, but this chair won’t lose its color and the non-slip bench surface doesn’t easily stain, and it has small holes to prevent water from pooling.
This user-friendly sturdy bath transfer bench made our top 5 list because it’s not difficult to scoot down the bench while it also keeps you from slipping, plus it stays put facing either way in the shower or tub. Its cut out makes getting clean easier, and this helps to foster independence and personal well-being.
At number 3 on our list of top bath and shower benches is this Bathtub Transfer Bench with Cut Out and Commode Pail made by Carex. If you have a hard time getting in and out of the shower, this transfer bench is packed with features that make bathroom activities easier and safer.
For toileting, with the commode seat opening you can be positioned over the toilet, or you can choose to use the commode with the pail and not have to make your way to the bathroom. The cut out can be used without the pail to provide cleaning access for personal bathing.
This sturdy bath transfer bench can accommodate users up to 300 pounds. It is unpadded, which makes it easier to move from one end of the transfer bench to the other. The seat has a non-slip surface and holes to drain water.
For a versatile bathroom aid that will fit most people and most tubs and showers, plus provide access to a commode, this bath bench with back provides a lot of value. It can be ordered with suction cups for added stability and it comes with a built-in oversized handle for safety.
If transferring in and out of the tub or shower and on and off the toilet or commode are challenging tasks, the TubBuddy Bathtub Transfer Chair - number 2 on our top 5 list - has several features that make these bathroom functions easier and safer than ever before. Made by Shower Buddy, this transfer system moves you safely over the bathtub and can also be used as a commode when rolled into position over a standard or elongated toilet.
This transfer bench is placed over the tub edge, so the bench doesn’t have to be lifted manually out of the tub. The commode cut out allows you to skip the trip to the bathroom for toileting if you want, or to safely use the bathroom if you choose to.
Removable foldaway arms make getting on and off the bench easier, and it comes equipped with chest and lap belts to keep you perfectly positioned for a safe and enjoyable bathing experience. This transfer bench has a weight capacity of 440 pounds and is height adjustable with the added features of adjustable neck and foot rests.
Lightweight and rust-resistant, this bath bench is one of the most convenient and versatile you can buy. And it’s easy to assemble, with no additional tools needed. It’s 5 ½ -inch locking casters can wheel over small obstacles while keeping this bench stable.
The long list of practical design elements and safety features have landed this shower transfer bench near the top of our list. If safe and extremely easy transfers from the tub to shower to toilet, along with a commode option are what you’re looking for, this transfer bench delivers.
At the top of our lsit is the Hydroglyde Sliding Tub Transfer Bench from Platinum Health. This bath bench with back helps you glide in and out of the sub safely and independently. Its long-lasting aluminum frame resists rust, so the bench slides smoothly for years in a motion that helps prevent skin irritation, falls, and joint strain that accompany getting into and out of the tub yourself.
The cut out makes personal cleansing convenient, and it can be filled with an easily accessible insert if a full bench is more comfortable for bathing. Its sturdy frame will hold up to 420 pounds and its rubber gripped feet keep it from sliding in the tub. This bath bench comes with a seat belt and has locking knobs to ensure the chair only slides when you want it to.
This transfer bench sets up in five minutes and does not require any tools for assembly. It comes with a padded non-slip handle that can be mounted to either side to help you slide in or out of the tub. The bath bench is easily adjustable depending on the body frame of the user and the layout of the bathroom. It is reversible to face in either direction. The seat has holes so water doesn’t pool, and it’s easy to clean and keep sanitized.
If you appreciate a chair that requires very little effort to safely glide into and out of the tub, this highly adjustable bath bench with back is a great choice. It can accommodate a wide range of body types, it can be set up for right or left-handed users, and it will work in a variety of bathroom layouts.
Bath benches come in many designs with various features, with the main purpose of all of them is to provide a safe, dignified, hygiene solution for people who can’t get into and out of a tub by themselves and can’t stand in the shower for long periods. Physical health is supported and maintained by good hygiene habits, and mental and emotional health is supported and maintained through the independence these assistive devices provide for users.
No matter which one you choose, if it’s a fit for the bathroom and fit for you, bathing will certainly be a more enjoyable experience with the help of one of these quality bath benches.
The bench straddles the side of the bathtub and the user sits on it, sliding it from the outside of the tub to the inside of the tub.
The ADA suggests showers be 36”x36”, which will accommodate a bench.
A bath transfer bench is a safety device the user sits on then slides on to get over the wall of the bathtub or shower for people who have a hard time standing for long periods or safely lifting their legs to get into a tub.
Megan has been a part of Rehabmart since its inception nearly 20 years ago. For the past several years she has been enjoying her role as HR Director while maintaining her Physical Therapy license. When she isn't working on her next in-service or working to find a new team member, she enjoys her five children, helping those who have PT type ailments, baking, practicing yoga, and working out.
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