Written by Hulet Smith, OT
If you truly think about it, a bathroom is the most dangerous room in your house: slippery, small, difficult to maneuver about, and is full of hard objects like the counter and toilet. While most people don’t consider the importance of grab bars, they greatly reduce the risk of injury from slips and falls in the bathroom. Grab bars, otherwise known as assist bars, are an important addition to any restroom for shower and bath safety, but especially those of aging adults.
The supportive SuperPole with SuperBar by HealthCraft places #5 on our list due to its universal use and easy installation.
This grab bar can be utilized in your house or a facility and is designed to fit any room in which you might need a little extra support. Use it in the bedroom for help getting in and out of bed, bathroom for showering and bathing purposes, or kitchen for extra stability while cooking! There is also a bariatric version that provides support for users up to 450 pounds. The Super Pole with Super Bar provides stability and support while maintaining a sleek, modern design, ensuring your grab bar won’t be an eyesore no matter where you use it.
It is easily self-installed and is adjustable both vertically and horizontally so that you get exactly the support you need! The grab bar is held stable by is a pressure fit between the floor and ceiling, allowing you safe but temporary support. It also boasts foam grips which keep your hands from sliding on the metal surface and decreases the chance of falling. Your grab bar should keep you safe and the SuperPole with SuperBar does exactly that!
The #4 grab bar on our list for shower and bath safety is the Decorative Shower Accent Grab Bar Invisia by HealthCraft. It provides an excellent balance between function and form, offering a stylish design while supporting up to 500 pounds.
You can install this assist bar at just about any angle and location in the shower for support exactly where you need it most. The 9-hole flange allows manipulation during installation and ensures you will always find a stud for a secure set-up. Additionally, the aesthetically pleasing Decorative Shower Accent Grab Bar Invisia offers strong and reliable support. With a 500-pound weight capacity, the Decorative Shower Accent Grab Bar will safely support users of all sizes.
This assist bar is available in 4 different finishes: polished chrome, brushed stainless, oil rubbed bronze, and matte black. With this selection, you get to choose a model that goes with the rest of your bathroom fixtures, so don’t compromise style! The flange cover also conceals screws and makes the shower grab bar’s mounting area easy to clean and rust-free. Eliminate stress and safely maintain independence with this shower grab bar, while also not sacrificing your bathroom decor!
Perfect for getting in and out of a tub or even up and down steps, the Angled PT Rail by HealthCraft ranks #3 on our list. Don’t worry if your steps don’t have a handrail, this grab bar will keep you safe and secure!
It can help you in a multitude of difficult-to-maneuver areas such as a restroom. Individuals with limited mobility may have an especially difficult time getting in and out of a bathtub, but the angled design allows you to bathe without concern. It also can be easily folded up and put out of the way when not in use!
This Healthcraft grab bar is made of alloy steel and powder-coated for extra strength, allowing for support of users up to 400 pounds. It is mountable to any wall with basic structural reinforcements, however, rails or floor mats can be purchased separately if necessary. Whether you are looking for increased safety going up the stairs or out of the tub, the Angled PT Rail is an excellent choice for you!
Placing 2nd on our list is the Tile Grip Portable Suction Grab Bar by Bridge Medical. Featuring a suction cup attachment, this assist bar is extremely functional and easy to use.
The 3.7-inch suction cups offer a very strong hold, enough to support your weight and easily fit within standard 4-inch tiles. At its smallest, the grab bar is 15 inches long but can expand up to 18 inches! You can also place this grab bar horizontally, vertically, or at an angle.
It is extremely simple to install and can be moved to any location within your shower. Easily lock and unlock the suction technology without the need for any tools by using the tabs on each handle. At only 3.5 pounds and with such an easy set-up, this grab bar can even be easily taken on any overnight stays and vacations. Allow Bridge Medical to equip you with the Tile Grip Portable Suction Grab Bar and stay safe even on the road!
The Chrome Plated Knurled Grab Bars by Medline are ranked #1 on our list due to its high level of support and slip-proof grip style.
With a knurled texture design, this assist bar provides grip even in wet situations such as a shower to prevent slips and falls. You need a grab bar that will support your weight for balance, but you also need to ensure you’ll be able to hold onto it! What good is a grab bar if you can’t easily grab it?
The Chrome Played Knurled Grab Bars come in sets of 3 with 5 different lengths available: 12-inch, 16-inch, 18-inch, 24-inch, and 32-inch. They support an applied force of up to 250 pounds and while intended specifically for wet environments, these grab bars can be used in kitchens, hallways, and stairways in addition to the bathroom.
You are able to mount these rust-resistant steel bars on the wall horizontally, vertically, or at an angle, depending on your preference. They offer a visibly clean appearance and are well-suited for a modern, aesthetically pleasing bathroom. With the Chrome Plated Knurled Grab Bars, stay safe and fashionable!
Grab bars must be able to support your entire body in the case of a slip or fall. When purchasing a grab bar, look at the weight capacity and ensure it is well above your weight for utmost safety. While some descriptions will include a weight capacity (representing the recommended users’ maximum weight), others will include a maximum applied force. Generally, your applied force will be lower than your weight (unless completely standing or jumping on the assist bar), so if a grab bar is capable of supporting the same applied force as your weight, that is still an excellent choice for you.
Assist bars come in a wide variety of materials including metal, plastic, and foam. In terms of grip, you should find an assist bar that you can easily hold onto without your hands slipping. While this may appear to be a minor detail, it is crucial for your safety. If you fall and your hands slip from the grab bar, it will not protect you. Two examples of strong grips are the SuperPole with SuperBar which has foam grips attached to the metal bar and the Chrome Plated Knurled Grab Bars which has a textured grasp to reduce slippage.
Lastly, grab bars vary greatly in terms of installation and portability. The ideal choice for you depends on your specific needs. Are you looking for an assist bar you can take with you while traveling? Are you capable of more difficult installations? Do you want to use this grab bar in multiple locations? Depending on your answer to these questions, the ideal grab bar for shower and bath safety can change! For instance, the Tile Grip Portable Suction Grab Bar is very easily transported, while the Decorative Shower Accent Grab Bar Invisia is mounted into the wall but can support larger weights!
A: To prevent falls, the CDC recommends installing grab bars in your bathroom. Whether you have balance and mobility limitations or not, grab bars are an extremely important safety measure and we recommend that everyone has something to grab onto in case of a slip or fall in the shower.
A: While grab bar locations may vary depending on the shower or bathtub, it is recommended that for showers they are placed on the side opposite of the entrance and under the showerhead. For freestanding tubs, they should be on the outer rims near where you enter and exit. In general, grab bars should be between 18 inches and 24 inches long for the long side and approximately 12 inches for the short wall.
A: We recommend that two grab bars are installed in the shower. Due to the risk of falling, having one on the showerhead wall and on the wall beside you is extremely important.
A: As a rule of thumb, a vertical entrance bar should be utilized on the wall of the showerhead, near the entrance of the shower. A horizontal grab bar should be installed on the side wall. Some individuals may choose to angle the side wall assist bar.
A: The ADA requirements vary depending on the type of shower or bath. For standard showers without a seat, grab bars are required on three walls and they must extend to within 6 inches of the next wall. For showers with a seat, grab bars are only required on two walls. They cannot overlap or impede on the seat. Roll-in showers for wheelchairs are only required to have two grab bars. One bar must be installed on the back wall and another on the side wall furthest from entry. You also must ensure that no other objects attached to the wall are blocking the grab bars. Additionally, for grab bars to meet ADA requirements, they must be installed between 33 and 36 inches above the floor.
A: Generally, yes! Suction grab bars are a great way to increase safety and provide support, especially as a temporary balance while stepping over a barrier or completing a task while standing in the shower. However, they are less dependable than other types of grab bars. For instance, they must be placed on a completely smooth surface (not all showers are made of entirely flat tile!) and they are found to lose grip over time. Suction grab bars are great to provide support for balance issues, but most are not meant to support someone’s full weight.
Grab bars greatly reduce the risk of injury while using the shower or bath. Whether you are a child or an aging adult, grab bars can protect you in the case of a slip or fall. Why risk injury when there is a simple and easy-to-use tool that can be installed directly into your bathroom?
We chose the Chrome Plated Knurled Grab Bars as the best choice of grab bars for shower and bath safety. After lots of deliberation, we believe the stability, slip-proof textured grip design, and style is unparalleled. Install this assist bar in your bathroom and you will greatly increase safety while maintaining a fashionable bathroom!
If you’re still not certain what assist bar is best for you, take a look at our entire catalog of Grab Bars to see even more options and visit Caregiver University for more Product Reviews and Buying Guides!
1.) Stevens, PhD, J. A. (2011, June 10). Nonfatal bathroom injuries among persons Aged ≥15 years --- United states, 2008. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6022a1.htm.
2.) U.S. access BOARD. Chapter 6: Bathing Rooms. (n.d.). https://www.access-board.gov/ada/guides/chapter-6-bathing-rooms/.
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.
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