Best ADA Grab Bars

Updated: Apr 13, 2023

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As we get older, our fear of falling can increase – especially in the bathroom. Installing grab bars near the toilet or in the shower can help you keep your balance, prevent falls and help maintain your independence.

When choosing a grab bar, you will want to make sure you pick the right bar that fits your needs. Determine first how many grab bars you may need in your bathroom – in the shower, outside the shower, by the toilet, by the sink. You will want to take into consideration how much wall space you have and where you put your hands for support.

We’ve taken care of the research for you and determined six of the best grab bars for seniors that meet the American Disabilities Act (ADA) recommendations. The ADA says the safest way to attach a grab bar is by screwing them into studs behind the bathroom wall. It’s a good idea to reinforce it with a wall anchor for extra stability.

How We Found the Best ADA Grab Bars

8 Reviewers
50 Products Considered
12 Hours of Research
7 Products Reviewed
3 Top Picks

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Best ADA Toilet Grab Bar

Medline Toilet Safety Rail For Seniors with Easy Installation, Height Adjustable Toilet Safety Frame, Bathroom Assist Rail with Armrests, Bathroom Safety, 250 lb. Weight Capacity

$40.33

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Features and Specifications

  • Handles are adjustable and rotate back to allow a wide range of comfortable and secure positions
  • Toilet rail with closed cell foam armrests provide a comfortable, secure grip | Great for elderly or adults post surgery
  • Toilet safety frame adjusts in height from 26 to 31 inches to accommodate standard or elevated toilet seats | Tool free assembly
  • Easy to clean aluminum frame mounts securely onto bowl with adjustable bracket 18 to 24 inches
  • Width Adjustment between armrests: 8″ – 24″ | Overall Depth: arm 16.75″, at leg 12″ | Weight capacity: 250 lbs

Pros

  • Rust-free aluminum frame

  • Adjustable height and width

  • No tools needed for installation

  • Works with most standard toilets

Cons

  • Limited weight capacity

  • Stability

  • Doesn’t fit elevated toilets

Medline Toilet Safety Rails attach directly to the toilet. They are easy to install and are considered ‘universal’ because they will fit on most standard commodes. The aluminum frame is lightweight, relatively easy to work with and adjust and won’t rust.

The rails are easy to grip because they have a texture that prevents your hands from slipping. when you are trying to stand up or sit down on the toilet. The legs have rubber tips to help stabilize and keep them from moving when you’re using it.

Our Verdict

No tools needed for installation and is easily adjustable.

Best ADA Shower Grab Bar

Vive Grab Bar – Suction Shower Handle – Bathroom Balance Bar – Safety Hand Rail Support for Tub, Handicap

Features and Specifications

Pros

  • Easy to reposition

  • No tools needed for installation

  • Security indicator

Cons

  • May detach from the wall on its own

  • Does not attach to every surface

  • Can only be installed on clean, dry surfaces

You won’t need any tools to install the Vive Grab Bar. The bars attach to the wall with suction cups, which makes it easy to move it to other places in the bathroom. It will attach to any non-porous, flat surface like tile, fiberglass or acrylic. If you’re worried about whether it’s secure, the bar has a display that lets you know. Green means the bar is secure, red means the suction isn’t airtight. The bar has a non-slip handle to keep your hands from slipping off when they’re wet.

Our Verdict

Locking latches and non-slip grip make it quick and easy to use.

You might consider other suction grab bars for the bathroom that we reviewed.

Best 18-Inch ADA Grab Bar

Features and Specifications

Pros

  • It is easy to install

  • Multiple choices for finishes

  • 500-pound weight capacity

Cons

  • Cost

  • Decorative cover may not stay on

The Delta Faucet Contemporary Grab Bar has a sleek and modern chrome finish. The length is a standard 18 inches, but it’s also long enough to hold a towel, if needed. It secures in places with no more than three screws and be installed in both dry and wet areas of the bathroom. The bar comes with a decorative cover to hide where the screws mount into the wall for a cleaner look.

Our Verdict

Short enough to fit into a small space, but long enough for safety.

Best 24-Inch ADA Grab Bar

Features and Specifications

Pros

  • Easy to install

  • 500-pound weight capacity

  • It has SecureMount anchors

Cons

  • Limited finish choices

  • May be slick when wet

The Moen Designer Bathroom Grab Bar is made of brushed nickel and stainless steel making it rust-resistant. It comes with grip pads to keep your hands from slipping when the metal is wet. The grab bar comes with a special SecureMount anchor that will add extra security, ensuring it stays in place while you’re using it.

Our Verdict

Long enough to serve as both a hand towel bar and grab bar.

Best 36-Inch ADA Grab Bar

Features and Specifications

Pros

  • Easy to install

  • Multiple color choices

  • 500-pound weight capacity

Cons

  • Cost

  • Chrome finish can be slippery when wet

The Delta Faucet Traditional Grab Bar has a polished chrome finish and closely matches many bathroom chrome bathroom fixtures, so it looks like part of the décor. The bar is slim, durable and is extra-long at 36 inches, making it easy to put both your hands on the bar at the same time. The bar is easy to install, and it comes with covers to go over where the screws attach to the wall.

Our Verdict

Extra-long bar makes it easier to distribute your weight when in motion.

Best Tub Grab Bar

Drive Medical 12036 Handicap Grab Bar, White

$32.31

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Features and Specifications

  • Shower Grab Bar: Designed to fit just about any style of bathtub, our handrail for the bathroom is exceptionally easy to install without tools
  • Quality Construction: An important shower accessory for daily living, our grab bars for elderly, disabled, and injured individuals are made of durable powder-coated steel
  • Adjustable: Designed to fit your unique needs, our bathtub handle grab bar can be adjusted from 3 to 7 inches in width
  • Secure and Scratchproof: Our grab bars for bathtubs and showers come equipped with a stainless steel locking mechanism and non-wearing rubber pads for scratch-proof installation
  • Dimensions: Clamp: 3 inch to 7 inch; Height: 14.5 inch; Weight Capacity: 300 lbs

Pros

  • Adjustable clamp

  • Stainless steel locking mechanism

  • No tools need for installation

  • Rubber pads prevent scratches

Cons

  • May not open full seven inches

  • Limited color options

  • Does not attach to fiberglass

The Drive Medical Clamp on Tub Rail attaches directly to the side tub and gives you support when stepping into a bathtub. It’s a great option if you prefer bathtubs to showers. It’s made of power-coated steel so it won’t rust and can be installed without any tools.

The lightweight bar is adjustable and can be as low as three inches from the edge of the tub or as high as seven, depending on the height you need to safely get in. One drawback is that it won’t attach to fiberglass tubs. It’s made with a stainless steel locking mechanism that keeps the bar in place and it comes with rubber pads to keep it from scratching up the sides of your tub.

Our Verdict

Clamps onto the tub quickly, does not move, and is highly durable.

To consider bathtub grab bars that use other mechanisms for stability, you can consider the other bathtub grab bars that we reviewed.

A grab bar is a fairly easy way to help keep you safe in the bathroom. Putting up one, two or even three bars around the shower walls and toilet can be just what you need to remain in your home longer. As you begin looking at options, there are several things to consider to make sure it fits your needs.

Choosing the right foldable cane seat is an important decision because it is something that you should be able to use for a while.

Size

Grab bars come in several sizes. They can be as small as 12 inches and as long as 36 inches. To determine the right size for you, consider how and where you will use this bar and how much open space you have on your bathroom walls.

You should also consider if you will need to use one hand or both hands to grab the bar. If balance is a concern for you and using both hands will make you feel safer, you will want to choose a longer bar to make room for both your hands.

Multi-Use Capabilities

Some grab bars are more than grab bars. Some are designed to hold bath towels, hand towels or your bath robe. If you have limited wall space in your bathroom, you may want to consider a versatile grab bar that can do more than keep you steady.

Durability

Choose a grab bar made of materials that can withstand the moisture that comes from a bathroom. Stainless steel and aluminum are good choices because they won’t rust. Heavy plastic materials also work well, especially if they come with textured places for your hands to go to keep you from slipping.

Installation

It’s important that you install your grab bar correctly. Determine where your bar will go before you buy one. You can decide those places by stepping in and out of the shower when you aren’t bathing and paying close attention to where you put your hands for support. You’ll want to install the bar to wall studs for optimal support and security. You will also want to consider using anchors for extra stability.

Comfort

Make sure the bar is easy for you to grab and that you can get your fingers and hand all the way around comfortably. Your hand should be able to fit all the way around the bar and still have some space between you and the wall. That will offer you the best and strongest stability.

Cost

Grab bars can range in price, depending on what you are looking for. They can be as cheap as 20 dollars and as much as 200 dollars. You’ll want to consider your budget and choose the best grab bar within your price range.

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