Best Bathroom Grab Bars
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Best Bathroom Grab Bars
One in four Americans 65 years and older fall each year, and a slippery bathroom floor is usually to blame. With proper safety bars in place, you can drastically reduce the likelihood that a fall or injury will occur.
We have chosen four of the best bathroom grab bars to recommend based on their design, safety features, and simplicity. These safety rails are intended to help improve your quality of life and peace of mind.
How We Found the Best Bathroom Grab Bars
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BEST SUCTION
Safe-er-Grip Safe-er-Grip Changing Lifestyles Suction Cup Grab Bars for Bathtubs & Showers; Safety Bathroom Assist Handle, White & Grey, 12 inches
Bathroom Grab Bars We Reviewed:
- Changing Lifestyles Saf-Er Grab Bar
- Changing Lifestyles Safe-Er Grip Balance Bar
- Stander Security Pole And Curve Bar
- Medical Safety Toilet Grab Bar
Best Overall
Safe-er-Grip Changing Lifestyles Suction Cup Grab Bars For Bathtubs & Showers; Safety Bathroom Assist Handle, White & Grey, 16 Inches
Features and Specifications
- NO TOOL INSTALL: position suction cup grab bar on bathtub or shower wall; flip latches up; apply pressure to handle; press each latch down to lock suction grips in place; ability to easily relocate this portable handle is perfect for travel
- Sturdy secure suction cups work on non-porous flat surfaces including tile, glass, acrylic, and metal; grab bars provide stability when entering or exiting a bathtub or shower; can be used as a disability aid to prevent falls for elderly, disabled, or…
- TIP: bar is to be used only to assist and help balance a person’s body; not to hold full body weight; suction cup device must be applied to smooth, flat, non-porous surface; do NOT cover grout lines; will not work on drywall, fiberglass, or marble tile
- NON SLIP GRIP: textured contoured rubber grip provides safety and comfort; total length of bar is 16.5″; suction cups are 3.75″ in diameter; measure tiles and distance between them prior to purchase as suction cups cannot overlap grout line
- BUY WITH CONFIDENCE: our durable, nontoxic material makes this a long lasting product to facilitate bathroom safety; perfect assist for shower or bath when traveling; strong suction design provides security needed without damage to applied surfaces
Pros
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Suctions well
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Long enough for most situations
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Can be moved easily
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Easy to install
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Comfortable grip
Cons
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Is not permanent
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Only works on tiles
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Can loosen over time
This grab bar is a fantastic option for your bathroom. It uses suction cups, so it allows you to remove it with ease and use it anywhere you want. The Saf-er Grab Bar can provide help getting in and out of the tub and can also support seniors as they lift and lower themselves onto the toilet seat.
All seniors should have a safety bar that is easy to secure in place and use where it is needed in their bathroom.
The Changing Lifestyles Grab Bar sticks easily to any tile. On the bathroom grab bar itself, it has two tabs that you use to activate the suction cups. The tabs are a bit difficult to move but once you get them, it secures the handle in place and will not slide.
A critical feature of a safety grab bar is sturdiness. Seniors must be able to comfortably grip the bar and put weight on it without losing support. The textured grip on the handle helps you secure your place when you grab on. The grip handle is perfect for seniors with arthritis or carpal tunnel because it is soft and comfortable to hold.
Our Verdict
This suction cup grab bar is versatile and can be moved throughout the bathroom. The suction cups are strong, and it holds well to most tile.
Best Suction
Safe-er-Grip Safe-er-Grip Changing Lifestyles Suction Cup Grab Bars for Bathtubs & Showers; Safety Bathroom Assist Handle, White & Grey, 12 inches
Features and Specifications
- Item will NOT work on dry walls
- Simply press the tab levers to securely attach.Toddlers can enter a wet and slippery tub safely
- Can be used on shower walls too
- Easy to install and remove just flip the tabs. The item is white in color with gray accents
- Instructions: . Easy to Install:. Position Safe-er-Grip where desired on tub or shower wall. Apply pressure to the handle while flipping the latches down. Be sure to attach to smooth dry non-porous surfaces. Tile must be 4″ x 4″ or greater. Easy to…
Pros
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Easily secure to the wall
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Does not require hardware or holes
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Does not require hardware or holes
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Provides you with peace of mind
Cons
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Only works on wet tile
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Loosens over time
If this safety bar sounds familiar, it’s because it is a variation of the previous item we reviewed. This bar is 11.5 inches, so it is a bit smaller, but this is ideal for seniors who may have more limited space or a smaller bathroom.
Much like its larger counterpart, installing this safety bar is simple. You press the bar up against an area of wet tile and secure the suction cups by moving the tabs into place.
The grip on this bar is excellent, providing users a comfortable, confident hold.
For seniors aging in place, simplicity and easy installation are essential. When compared to a permanent grab bar for the bathroom this is much easier to install, and it does not require any holes or hardware, which may require the assistance of a family member or caregiver to put in place.
We realize that many seniors also live in housing that may not allow them to install their own safety devices so having something that suctions to walls and does not leave holes is valuable.
Our Verdict
This safety rail is simple to install because it does not require any holes or hardware. This is a great option for seniors aging in place.
Best Security Pole
Stander Security Pole and Curve Grab Bar, Elderly Tension Mounted Floor to Ceiling Transfer Pole
Features and Specifications
- Prevent Falls: The Wonder Pole provides safety and stability when standing and sitting, stepping out of a bathtub or shower or getting into bed; the security pole is perfect for seniors, elderly adults or anyone needing standing assistance at home
- Use Anywhere in the Home: The versatile assistive tool can be used as a shower or toilet grab bar, chair stand assist, wheelchair transfer pole, or as a bedside support handle; the ladder grab bar offers multiple handrails to easily sit or stand up
- Rotating Grab Bar: The rotating assist handle swivels 360 degrees and locks into place every 45 degrees for versatile use from multiple angles; replace bulky toilet rails and mounted grab bars with the slim multi-purpose pole; supports 300 pounds
- Easy to Install: No wall mounts or drilling needed to install anywhere in your home; the Wonder Pole can easily be adjusted to fit flat ceilings from 7 to 10 feet tall; not compatible with vaulted ceilings or to be used inside bathtubs or showers
- Tension Mounted Design: The Wonder Pole installs in minutes with tension between the floor and ceiling, no tools required; avoid costly renovations without permanently altering your home; available in four colors: white, black, bronze, and graphite
Pros
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Works in most homes
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Versatile and adjustable
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High weight capacity
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Can be put anywhere
Cons
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Swiveling grab bar moves when you hold it
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Swiveling grab bar moves when you hold it
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More difficult to install
This security pole offers added support and stability while minimizing the risk that it will come loose or fall off when you put your weight on it. This standing pole has a bar that runs from your ceiling to your floor that is mounted using tension, so it does not require any holes, and it does not damage your floor or ceiling.
The pole has a swiveling grab bar that is adjustable based on the height of the user. It works on ceilings from seven to ten feet and has a weight capacity of 300 pounds. The adjustable nature is convenient and will work well for a wide-range of users.
This bar is an excellent option for seniors because it can be used anywhere in the house and is easily adjustable. You can install it at your toilet, outside your shower or even in your kitchen.
Another advantage of this bar is the ability to adjust it while you are using it. Once you are ready to get up from the toilet, you can pull the handle down to make it easier to grab, than adjust it, so it is higher for when you want to sit again.
Our Verdict
This security pole is a versatile option that can be put anywhere in your home. This is perfect for a senior looking for more than a removable grab bar.
Best Seat Support
23.6 INCH WochiTV Flip Up Toilet Grab Bar Safety Rails for Bathroom Support Foldable Non-Slip Nylon
Price not available
Features and Specifications
- ✅ HIGH QUALITY HANDCAP RAILS- The garb bar Interior molding by 304 stainless steel and 1.3mm thicken tubular, durable and hard to rust; Nylon exterior material, Non-toxic, eliminate static electricity, up to 380 lbs load-bearing.
- ✅ FLIP UP BAR & SAVING SPACE – Flip-up design, 180°Horizontal rotation and 90°vertical rotation, the folding grab bar helps you save precious bathroom space when not in use, it is the real toilet aid and elderly care.
- ✅ NON-SLIP GRAB HANDLE – Our safety handicap bathroom grab bars with skid resistance surface bump design, high-quality sturdy nylon material cover, it feels warmer and comfortable in winter compared with the metal, never hurt your hands, it‘s a…
- ✅ PRACTICAL HEALTH CARE – The handicap bars is designed for pregnant women, the elderly and the disabled individuals, post-operative mobility-impaired people. Pays attention to the people who you love and guard their safe.
- ✅ EASY INSTALLATION – Commode chair railing handle with completed accessories to ensure long-lasting service life and stability, just follow the instruction manual, easily attaches to the wall. You can make this grab handles be your bathroom helper…
Pros
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Durable
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Long lasting
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Can hold up to 600 pounds
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Folds up and out of the way
Cons
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Requires more installation
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Puts holes in the wall
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Cannot be installed on tile
This safety grab bar provides additional support because of the leg that runs from the bar to the floor. Compared to a generic rail, this is much sturdier because you can rest all of your weight on it with the floor is acting as a support. This safety rail prevents any slipping or falling, which is always a concern when seniors are using the bathroom.
One of the major positives of safety rail is its overall durability and even weight distribution. Once the unit is appropriately secured to the wall, it will be sturdy enough to reliably stay put.
We understand that many seniors may not have large bathrooms, so it is essential to have something that can be moved out of the way when it is not in use to keep the area clear of potential obstructions. This safety grab bar folds up and stores easily.
Our Verdict
This is a permanent device that requires assembly and installation using hardware. It is extremely durable and long lasting.
The Importance of Proper Installation
Showing and recommending bathroom grab bars and safety rails is essential, but installation is the crucial part. If the device is not installed or assembled correctly, it is more of a danger and hazard than not having one at all.
Each product we’ve reviewed has been determined easy to install.
The suction cup grab bars only require you to move two tabs in the opposite direction to secure it to wet tile only. This is the same as using any other type of suction cup on a window, for example.
The suction cup grab bars are smaller, lighter and more affordable but they do not offer the same level of stability that the floor to ceiling bar offers.
For the floor to ceiling rail, it also does not require any installation, and works by putting pressure up against the surface using the bar. Doing this allows the bar to stay in place, but it is important to remember you cannot use this on a vaulted ceiling or a surface that is not entirely flat.
Choosing the Perfect Bathroom Grab Bar
There is never a one-size-fits-all option for safety at home. The product you choose depends on your need, your bathroom, and your price range. The suction cup grab bars are smaller, lighter and more affordable but they do not offer the same level of stability that the floor to ceiling bar offers.
Make sure to choose a bar from a reputable company and one that is durable and long lasting. Bathroom grab bars made of thick plastic or stainless steel are the best because they will not rust or corrode when they get wet, and they will typically last longer than others.
Summary
We’ve covered a few products that are intended to keep you safe and sound in your home, and want to give you our perspective on what is the best choice for you. If you are looking for something that you can move around from place to place you want to go with one of the Changing Lifestyles suction cup bars. They have an excellent grip on them, and you can quickly move them around as you need.
For something more permanent that won’t require permanent holes in the walls, you could go with the Stander Security Pole. This gives you the option to move it around as well, but it is something we see as more permanent in its location.
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