Written by Hulet Smith, OT
Since more than 60 percent of falls happen at home, devices that make your home safer and reduce your risk of a fall are worthy additions to your house.
Since the fear of falling can keep you from doing things, including taking a bath if you are afraid of slipping in the tub, it’s important to put measures into place that allow you to be more confident and do the things you need to do to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle.
Good personal hygiene is part of overall good health, and a bathtub rail can give you the confidence and stability to bathe often to maintain your health, knowing you are safe from falling.
It is common for people to mistake towel bars for grab bars. Using a towel bar to steady yourself getting into or out of a tub can be very dangerous, since towel bars are designed to hold towels. Nothing more. A tub rail gives you the extra support and confidence you need, knowing you have the right device for the job, minimizing your fall risk and maximizing your independence.
Check the weight limit to ensure the rail can support you. Even though safety rails are generally used for balance, there could be times when you have to lean your full weight on it, so you should know you can count on it to hold you up when you need it.
Your tub rail should have a diameter that is 1¼ inches to 1½ inches and it should be positioned at a height that fits best for you. If you need something other than a standard height, a model with an adjustable height feature is best so you can make sure it’s comfortable and safe for you.
 | 1) Step 2 Tub Bathtub Safety Step with Rail View Product |
At number 5 on our list of Best Bathtub Rails is the Clamp-On Scratch-Proof Tub Rail by Drive Medical. This is a basic portable bathtub rail model that, like all entries on our list, is easy to install and will clamp to most standard tubs.
It won’t scratch the surface and the clamp-on scratch-proof tub raiul has an optional feature that affects height adjustment if you can’t bend down and need your bathtub support rail to be higher. Positioned parallel to the tub, it provides a handhold to lift yourself into or out of a bath without anyone’s assistance.
The simple design has clamps that secure this device to the existing tub and it has rubber pads to prevent scratching the tub and to also increase the rail’s traction in a wet bathroom environment. It can accommodate users up to 300 pounds.
Tub rails are a useful tool to help maintain independence and freedom. For an easy-to-install basic rail safety system that won’t scratch your tub, this piece of equipment will minimize your risk of falling and won’t damage your tub while you go about one of your personal care tasks.
The Tri-Grip Limited Mobility Bathtub Rail with Two Gripping Heights, made by Carex, enters our list at number 4. The adjustable clamp on bathtub rail make this compatible with most modern tubs.
It has two gripping heights, at 7 ½ inches and 16 inches, to ensure you can set it to the level that works best for you. It measures 18 inches across and has an attractive chrome rust-resistant finish.
The adjustable spring clamps allow for easy mounting on any tub with a flat tub tub wall. It takes just minutes to apply. It is recommended for adult use, with a weight limit of 200 pounds.
The durability of its steel construction, the simplicity of its design, and the wide range of tubs it fits earned the tri-grip limited mobility bathtub rail the number 4 spot on our list. If you are looking for a sleek, easily installed, and durable bathtub safety aid, this rail will definitely meet your needs.
Number 3 on our list of best bathtub rails is the AquaSense Multi-Adjustable Bath Safety Rail by Drive Medical. This rail can be affixed to the side of the tub in either a perpendicular or parallel orientation. Its eight gripping positions and four height adjustments ensure you will find the right position for your comfort and safety.
Earning a “Best Product” designation by the Global Conference on Aging, the AquaSense Multi-Adjustable Bath Safety Rail is an especially useful shower rail for the elderl, It can be installed without tools, is easy to clean, and comes with a five-year warranty. Its two independent contact surfaces provide reliable, adjustable support, and it has rubber pads on all contact points so it won’t mar the tub.
It has a generous weight capacity of 300 pounds for anyone needing supportive assistance getting into or out of the tub. Constructed with rust-resistant, heavy-gauge steel and aluminum, it will deliver years of functionality. It fits tub walls three to seven inches thick and its height adjusts from 13 ½ to 16 ½ inches.
If you want multiple options of customizable grip positions and height adjustments, and appreciate a device being internationally recognized as best in class, this bath assistance deice is a perfect choice.
Coming in at number 2 on our list of best bathtub rails is the Bathtub Safety Rail by Vive Health. Easy to grip with a textured surface, this safety device can support up to 300 pounds.
The top rail is 16 inches from the tub edge. This safety rail can be installed on a fiberglass tub and the clamp mechanism is deep enough to accommodate standard shower door rails. It is installed or removed quickly and simply with the setting or releasing of a lever. It’s unobtrusive and doesn’t take up much space, fitting in well to any bathroom.
Made of a durable composite, this ergonomically designed piece won’t rust and will be a valued part of your safe bath routine for years to come. In fact, it comes with a lifetime warranty from the manufacturer.
This is an easy-to-grip tub rail that can support up to 300 pounds. If you have shower doors installed, this rail can accommodate the tub ledge track for the doors. If you’re looking for something sturdy, well-built, easy to install or remove, that doesn’t take up much space, this is a great choice for owners of most standard tubs.
Topping our list of best bathtub rails is the Bathtub Safety Step with Rail by Step 2, While securely clamped to the tub, its extra-wide no-slip rubber platform helps maintain independence and prevent dangerous falls.
The feature that sets this bathtub rail device apart is the non-slip step that makes it easier to bring your feet over the tub wall. It’s ideal for those with a knee or hip injury. When not in use, to create more room in the bathroom, it can be removed from the bracket that fastens it to the tub and the safety step can be stored in the tub. The height-adjustable perpendicular handrail can hold up to 300 pounds.
It is compatible with most standard tubs and requires no tools for assembly. Made of steel for supreme durability and boasting a dual-clamp system, it promotes independence while getting in and out of the tub.
The added benefit of the raised step makes this bathtub safety rail our top choice. It won’t mark up your tub, it is as easy to install as all other clamp-style models, and the manufacturer stands behind it with a 100-percent satisfaction-guaranteed promise of quality and usefulness. It will provide you freedom to bath independently and the confidence that you can do it safely.
Personal hygiene plays a significant role in maintaining good health. Bathing is a daily life activity that can be negatively impacted for someone who has balance problems that increase the risk of a bathroom fall.
Bathtub safety rails can assist you in keeping your balance so you can safely get in and out of the tub on your own. The ability to manage personal bathing is a big step in maintaining independence, which contributes to a higher quality of life.
The bathtub safety rails on our Top 5 list have different design features, but no matter what works best for you, each of them will provide a safe way to get in and out of the bathtub.
For clamp-style bathtub rails, installation doesn’t require tools and is not a permanent fixture that drills into the side of the tub. The rail slides over the side of most standard bathtubs and is secured with a lever clamp mechanism that enables it to be quickly installed or removed.
Suction cup grab bars are the preferred choice if you are restricted on the bathroom modifications you can make. They are designed for people who need them for balance more than holding all your weight. To be safe, suction grab bars must be used on flat, non-porous surfaces, they shouldn’t be leaned on with your full body weight, and if they loosen, they need to be refastened.
Non-permanent rails are a more versatile choice. If you are a renter, you don’t need to get permission to install them or patch holes left behind when you move. You can reposition temrporary rails to get the perfect fit, take them with you when you travel, and remove them when not in use. They are less expensive than permanent rails and unlike the permanent versions, don’t require a professional to install them properly. If you don’t want to commit to the permanent location of a grab bar or rail in your bathroom, temporary versions are the best choice.
Co-founder/CEO of Rehabmart, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, husband, and father. Passionate about connecting special needs kids with superb nutrition, sensory integration, and complementary health strategies. Excited about Rehabmart's mission to become the premier online educational platform which empowers caregivers by spotlighting innovative devices and interventions to achieve optimal patient response and recovery.
