Shower commode chairs are designed to make showering easier for the less mobile and elderly people who suffer from incontinence problems, and are available as either static or wheeled models.
The dual-purpose shower commode chair allows the user to sit down safely whilst both showering or toileting, and is an essential aid to help with your personal care, and maintain your independence and well-being.
There are many models and styles available, from fixed static chairs to ones with wheels to be pushed, or even self propel ones. Also, some come with armrests, footrests, backrest support, or even a tilt-in-space option.
We have reviewed and tested many different commode chairs to bring you the best shower commode chair 2023.
1. Best Rolling Shower Commode Chair
NRS Healthcare Mobile Shower Commode Chair
Company: NRS Healthcare
Rating: 4.7 out of 5.0
Main Features:
- Mobile commode chair that can also be used in the shower
- Made of plastic coated steel
- Push handle support
- Braked castor wheels
- Includes a plastic commode pan
- Plastic detachable footrest
- Comfortable polyurethane cellular gap fronted seat
- Backrest and hinged armrests
Pros:
- Gives you have a safe and comfortable washing experience.
- It is easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces.
- The hinged armrests make it easier to transfer on and off it.
- The drop down plastic footrest ensures safer transfers and comfortable foot support when transporting and bathing.
- The plastic coated material used on the commode chair is peel resistant.
Cons:
- The commode chair is a little on the heavy side.
Specifications:
Width between Arms – 535mm (21″).
Height from floor to top of commode seat – 500mm (19¾”).
Seat Size – 420 x 420mm (17 x 17″).
Aperture – 330 x 220mm (13 x 8½”).
Overall width – 640mm (25″).
Overall Depth – 520mm (20½”).
Overall Depth (with Footrest) – 830mm (32½”).
Seat to Footrest – Lowest Position: 355mm (14″) / Highest Position: 430mm (17″).
Max User Wt – 160 Kg (25 Stones)
This Mobile Shower Commode Chair is ideal for reducing the number of transfers and eliminates the need for separate items in the shower and toilet. It will give you a safe and comfortable showering experience. Take a closer look at the NRS Healthcare Mobile Shower Commode Chair and see what you think.
2. Best ETAC Shower Commode Chair
ETAC Clean Height Adjustable Shower Commode Chair
Company: ETAC
Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0
Main Features:
- Award-winning design bathing aid that is also an international bestseller.
- Has removeable armrests and footrests that slides quickly and easily underneath the seat when not in use.
- Clever ergonomic designed chair.
- Has four lockable castor wheels.
- Chair seat is fully open to the rear.
- Sturdy polypropylene arm supports.
- Has powder coated steel push handle.
Pros:
The Etac clean shower chair has no holes or welded seams to catch your fingers or hand on. They also reduce the risk of the chair corroding increasing the life of it.
The cut away rear section of the chair makes it easier for you to manage your personal hygiene, whether that is you or the carer.
Simple durable design that will last for many uses.
The footrest slides quickly and easily underneath the seat, to allow easier access for the user and to make transfers easier and safer for everyone.
The armrests can either be swung away or fully removed which makes transferring on and off the chair easier and safer.
The Etac Clean Shower Commode Chair is an award-winning design bathing aid, that is also an international bestseller.
Comfortable and supportive arm supports that make it easier to get on and off the chair.
The lockable castor wheels ensure that the commode chair is fixed when in use, and the high quality wheels give you great manoeuvrability.
Cons:
- Could benefit from a urine guard cover attachment to the seat
Specifications:
Seat Width – 480mm ( 18.75″ )
Width between armrests – 435mm ( 17″ )
Length of armrests – 360mm ( 14.25 ” )
Distance between seat and armrests – 220mm ( 8.75″ )
External width – 520mm ( 20.5″ )
Castors – 125mm ( 5″ ) diameter
Weight – 14Kg
This height adjustable Etac Clean Wheeled Shower Commode Chair is an exceptional bathing aid for both the elderly and disabled users. This award-winning design chair is both durable and comfortable, and is an essential aid to assist you with all your personal care.
Take a look at the Etac Clean Height Adjustable Shower Commode Chair and see for yourself.
3. Best Bariatric Shower Commode Chair
Homecraft Atlantic Bariatric Shower Commode Chair
Company: Patterson Medical
Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0
Main Features:
- Available in two widths ( 510mm and 560mm ), with or without footrests
- Made of durable plastic coated steel
- Colour coordinated upholstery and braked castor wheels
- Multi-functional armrests
- Weight capacity 225Kg ( 35 Stones )
- Front cut out on the white aperture seat
- Includes toilet roll holder
- Standard square bowl included
- Optional perfection pan rack can be fitted enabling the chairs to be used with a re-usable bed pan and disposable bed pan
Pros:
Available in 2 width seats: The two different width seats means that it is able to accommodate a wider variety of users.
Easier personal cleaning: The front cut out on the seat makes it a lot easier to manage your personal care.
Multi-functional armrests: You are able to either drop the arms down, swing them back, or completely remove from the chair, which helps with side transfers.
Detachable parts: The chair has a removable clip on seat, back and armrests to help with your hygiene control.
Additional toilet roll holder: Unlike some other commode chairs, the toilet roll holder allows you to manage your personal care wherever you are.
Ideal for bariatric user: The shower commode chair has a maximum user weight of 35 Stones.
Good manoeuvrability: The lockable castor wheels ensure safe and easy transport from room to room.
Cons:
There are similar cheaper chairs available
Specifications:
Clearance – 440mm (17½”)
Diameter of Castors – 130mm (5″)
Maximum User Weight – 225kg/35¼st
Overall Depth – 780mm (31″)
Overall Height – 995mm (39¼”)
Overall Width – 620mm (24½”)/670mm (26½”) on larger seat width
Seat Depth – 430mm (17″)
Seat Height – 505mm (19¾”)
This 2 in 1 shower chair and commode ensures you are able to manage both your personal care ans showering safely. Take a closer look at the Homecraft Atlantic Bariatric Commode Shower Chair and see for yourself.
4. Best Shower Commode Wheelchair
Days Deluxe Blue Self Propelled Wheeled Shower Commode Chair
Company: Days
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Main Features:
- Lightweight and strong aluminium frame
- Available as self propelling or attendant propelled shower commode chair
- Front castor wheels have brakes
- Detachable footrests
- Square bowl fitted as standard
- Armrests flip backwards to help with transfers
- Cut away front seat for personal hygiene
- Seat insert for when you are being transported
- Detachable back
- Height adjustable with padded seat
Pros:
Easy to manouvre: The lightweight frame makes it easy for you to manouvre the shower commode wheelchair from room to room.
Both self propelling and attendant propelled: The wheel chair design allows you to either self propel or can also be pushed by an attendant.
Added security: The brakes on the front wheels help keep you safe and still when the chair is not moving and in use.
More space bathing: When showering or using the commode chair, the footrests can easily be removed to give you more space and make it more comfortable for you when sat in the chair.
Easier side transfers: As the armrests can be flipped backwards it makes getting on and off the chair sideways a lot easier.
More compact: The detachable back makes the chair more compact for storage.
Easier personal cleaning: The front cut out aperture on the seat makes it easier to manage your personal care.
Cons:
The chair feels quite upright and might not appeal to everyone.
Specifications:
Overall width – Self-propelled 690mm (27″) / Attendant-propelled 555mm (21¾”)
Seat height – 540mm (21¼”)
Seat width – 457mm (18″)
Seat depth – 425mm (16¾”)
Front wheel diameter – 130mm (5″)
Rear self-propelling wheels – 600mm (24″)
Under seat clearance – 465mm (18½”)
This deluxe shower commode wheelchair is both lightweight, easy to manouvre and comfortable to use. Take a look at the Days Deluxe Self Propelled Wheeled Shower Commode Chair and find out for yourself.
5. Best Folding Shower and Commode Chair
SHKD Folding Wheeled Shower Commode Chair
Company: SHKD
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
Main Features:
- One button foldable chair
- Aluminium alloy main frame
- Ergonomic handrail support
- Safety Footrest
- Front brake castor wheels
- Galvanised steel plate brake pads
- Two handle oval bucket
- Maximum user weight 200Kg
Pros:
Portable: If you are looking for a lightweight foldable shower commode chair then this is ideal. The one button operation is easy to manage and the chair can be stored away when not in use, or easily transported.
Non slip ergonomic hand grips: The hand grips are comfortable, supportive and easy to clean.
Large portable bucket: The bucket has two handles making it easier to carry and can be removed either from the top or the front of the chair.
Foldaway footrest: The footrest can be used either as support when you are sat on the chair, or as a supportive step to help you get on and off. In addition, the foot support can be folded away when it is not needed.
Strong rear castor brakes: The rear wheels have strong galvanised plate brakes which can be rotated 360 degrees. This allows the chair to be turned easily in small spaces when you are trying to put into position.
High maximum user weight: This foldable shower commode chair can accommodate a maximum user weight of 200Kg.
Comfortable seat: The chair has a soft leather cushion board cover.
Cons:
The only downside to this foldable chair is that the arms are fixed, so you are not able to transfer on and off it at the side, unlike some other shower commode chairs.
Specifications:
Sitting width of chair – 42cm
Sitting hole of chair – ( 22cm – 31cm )
Max user wt – 200 Kg
This lightweight foldaway wheeled 2 in 1 shower chair and commode is perfect for easy storage when not in use or transportation. Take a look at the SHKD Folding Wheeled Shower Commode Chair and see what you think.
6. Best Tilt Space Shower Commode Chair
Etac Swift Mobile Tilt 135 Shower Commode Chair
Company: ETAC
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0
Main Features:
- Seat tilt option ( up to 35 degrees )
- Gas assisted piston operated tilt
- Height adjustable seat
- Moulded plastic seat with commode aperture
- Fold up cantilever armrests
- Adjustable tension fabric backrest
- Simple bar mechanism tilt function
- Adjustable headrest
- Adjustable heel straps
- 4 braked castors
- Powder coated steel chassis
- Maximum user weight – 135 Kg ( 21 1/4 Stones )
(Also available in ETAC Swift Mobile Tilt 160 version )
Maximum user weight – 160 Kg ( 25 Stones )
Width between armrests – 540mm (21 1/4 inches)
Pros:
Unique tilt manoeuvring: The tilt operation can be done from the side, which gives you the ergonomic position to work from. In addition, it helps enables good eye contact and communication between user and carer or family member.
Smooth tilt operation: The gas pistons ensure that the chair is tilted smoothly and also returned to an upright position. They also lessen the risk of carers of family members injuring themselves when operating the tilt in space facility.
Comfortable head support: The adjustable headrest support ensures that your neck and head is adequately supported at all times and you are in a comfortable position when attending to your personal care.
Adjustable seat height: The 5″ seat height adjuster ensures that regardless of your height you are always sat in the optimum sitting position, where your legs are in a neutral position and your back is well supported.
Adjustable heel straps: This helps prevent the user’s feet from slipping backwards.
Cons:
The shower and commode chair may be a little on the large size unless you have a large wet room or shower area.
Specifications:
Tilt adjustment: (+ 5 to – 30 degrees) or (0 to – 35 degrees)
Seat height adjustment: 50 – 65 cm (19 3/4 – 25 1/2″)
Weight: 20Kg
Width: 58cm
Length: 94cm
Armrest height: 22cm
Weight capacity: Small (Mobile Tilt 135) – 135Kg ( Spec – HC091311356 )
Large (Mobile Tilt 160) – 160Kg ( Spec – HC091428135 )
For those looking for a high quality versatile multi-functional tilt in space shower commode chair, then this is for you.
Take a look at the ETAC Swift Mobile Tilt 135 Shower Commode Chair and see for yourself.
7. Best Invacare Shower Commode Chair
Invacare Aquatec Ocean Standard Shower Commode Chair
Company: Invacare
Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0
Main Features:
- Stainless steel frame
- Height adjustable seat
- Space saving push bar
- Height adjustable swing away detachable footrests
- Adjustable backrest
- Swing away flip up armrests
- Machine washable fabric backrest with adjustable tension straps
- Textured footrests
- 4 braked castor wheels
- Soft seat with insert pan and lid
Pros:
Adjustable seat height: The seat height adjuster ensures that regardless of your height you are always sat in the optimum sitting position, where your legs are in a neutral position and your back is well supported.
Easy to transfer on and off: The flip up armrests make it easy, even in small spaces, to get safely on and off the chair.
Non slip footrests: The textured pattern on the footrests ensures that your feet won’t slip off them even when it is wet.
Easy to manouvre: The 4 small swivel castor wheels turn easily even in tight spaces.
Wheel locking mechanism: The 5″ castor wheels have a locking mechanism so the chair will not move when you are attending to your personal care.
Washable backrest: The fabric back support can be easily removed and cleaned ensuring good hygiene control for you.
Comfortable back support: The tension straps allow you to control how taut you want the fabric back support, which ensures that you are comfortable.
Optimal positioning over the toilet: The space-saving push bar ensures that you are positioned in the right spot when using the toilet.
Cons:
Some people may need more space between the armrests and backrest posts for comfort when sat in the chair.
Specifications:
Seat height: 475mm – 600mm
Seat width: 480mm
Seat depth: 450mm
Total chair width: 560mm
Total chair depth: 900mm
Width between armrests: 460mm
Width (cut out in seat plate): 205mm
Height adjustment graduation: 25mm
Castor size: 127mm
Weight: 14.5Kg
Load capacity: 150Kg
Warranty: 3 Years
The Aquatec Ocean standard shower commode chair offers a lot for your money and is one of the best attendant propelled shower commode chairs available. Take a closer look at the Invacare Aquatec Ocean Standard Shower Commode Chair and see for yourself.
Benefits of using a Shower Commode Chair
1. Help improve your safety
A shower commode chair is a safe way to manage both your showering or toileting, and is an essential aid to help with your personal care, and maintain your independence and well-being.
Many people struggle to manage their personal care, often without knowing that there is equipment available to help them. Trying to shower or use a conventional toilet can be challenging for those with reduced strength, balance, co-ordination and other co-morbidities, putting you at increased risk of falls.
2. Increase your independence
If you have long standing mobility problems, then a shower commode chair is a perfect mobility aid to increase your independence.
If you are recovering from an injury or illness, and are unable to walk to the bathroom, then a shower commode chair gives you back your independence to manage your personal care needs safely.
The chairs are either self-propelled or attendant operated so depending on your circumstances, but both help maintain your dignity to perform these daily activities.
3. Promotes good hygiene
Personal hygiene is so important to prevent cross contamination and infection happening. A shower commode chair is made of durable moulded parts that are easy to remove and clean.
Many of the chairs have stainless steel frames that withstand modern cleaning methods. They also have covered castor wheels that help prevent debris collection.
4. More economical to use
Many people require a shower chair, toilet surround and commode to assist them with their toileting and personal care. However, for those who have limited space, and on a tight money budget, then the all-in-one shower commode chair is a much better option.
How to Choose the right Shower Commode Chair
Choosing the right shower commode chair depends on a lot of different factors, as each person will have their own personal preference and individual needs. Here’s a checklist of what you need to consider –
1. Self-propelled or Attendant propelled ?
Are you planning to use the shower commode chair on your own ? If yes, do you have enough upper body strength and range of movement in your arms and hands to self propel the chair on your own.
Although many chairs are lightweight to manouvre on their own, you may also need to consider your exercise tolerance. Do you soon fatigue of become short of breath quickly ?
How far do you need to manouvre the chair to and from the bathroom ?
Are you planning to manage your personal care on your own ?
2. How much space do you have ?
Space is a big issue. You need to make sure that you have sufficient access in and out of rooms with your shower commode chair.
Do you have enough room in your bathroom / shower area to manouvre the chair ? Consider your turning area – can you easily get access to things you may need whilst in the shower / toilet area ?
3. Tilt in Space or Foldaway ?
If you have more complex mobility needs then you may need a tilt in space chair. The tilt in space option provides a versatile bathing and toileting solution, however once in use they can take up more room.
All tilt-in-space chairs require the use of footplates and head or neck rests.
If you are looking for more information then AskSARA is an award-winning online self-help guide providing expert advice and information on products, and equipment for older and disabled adults and children.
Tips when using a shower commode chair
1. Always ensure that the chair is in good working order, and that all moving parts are securely fastened before using.
2. Check for any screws or fasteners on the chair which may be sharp and could potentially cut you when in use.
3. Always ensure that the brakes are on before sitting or standing from the commode chair, and always re-apply the brakes after moving the chair.
4. Always make sure that the shower commode chair is cleaned after use, to ensure good hygiene control, and avoid the risk of cross-contamination or infections occurring.
Best Shower Commode Chair 2023
Hopefully the above guide will help you decide which shower commode chair is for you. If you need any further advice, or information when choosing a chair, please contact me at mark@elderlyfallsprevention.com and I will gladly try to help you.
