7 Reviewers
Best Suction Grab Bars For The Bathroom
Updated: Apr 13, 2023
The National Council on Aging says every 11 seconds a senior citizen is treated in the emergency room for a fall. Bathrooms can play a big role, but you can protect yourself in the shower and bathtub. One of the most practical ways is with products like the ones in our Best Suction Grab Bars for the Bathroom.
How We Found the Best Suction Grab Bars for the Bathroom
35 Products Considered
11 Hours of Research
5 Products Reviewed
3 Top Picks
Suction Cup Grab Bars We Reviewed:
Best Grip
Features and Specifications
Pros
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The tabs make it easy to use wherever you need a hand
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It requires no installation or tools to attach it
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Textured pads underneath it allow for a more secure grip
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It’s affordable
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You can take it with you when you travel
Cons
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Limited weight capacity
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Limited color options
The Changing Lifestyles Safe-er-Grip 17″ Bath & Shower Handle offers a quick way to add an assist bar wherever you need it. You don’t need to drill holes or mess up any fixtures to attach it. It has 4-inch diameter suction cups on each end. You can use it on any smooth surface that is large enough to accommodate them. It’s a decent value for the price if used as directed.
Our Verdict
Its clever attachment allows you to use it anywhere.
Best Swivel
MABIS Shower Grab Bar
Features and Specifications
Pros
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Easy to attach
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24-inch length allows room for both hands
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Red/green safety indicator
Cons
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Works only on smooth, dry surfacesLimited color options
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Smaller than average suction cups
The DMI Shower Grab Bar has a red/green indicator to show when it is safely attached to the wall. Green means it’s safe to use, red means the suction isn’t air tight. This grab bar doesn’t require any tools to install and can be moved based on your need and will swivel 180 degrees.
Our Verdict
The safety indicator is a welcome feature of this product.
Best 12-Inch
Features and Specifications
Pros
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Easy to install
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Comfortable, contoured shape
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Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
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Can’t be used on tiled surfaces
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Limited color options
The Moen LR2308W Home Care 12-Inch Suction Balance Assist Bath Grip is another no-tools-required product that can attach where you need it. It has a comfortable grip and the bar attaches to the wall with suction cups that are 3 ¾ inches in diameter. It’s best to use for balance instead of pulling yourself out of the shower or tub or up or down from the toilet.
Our Verdict
The pleasing design makes it a practical addition to your bathroom.
Best On A Budget
Carex Suction Shower Grab Bar
Features and Specifications
Pros
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Easy to install
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Secure attachment indicator
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No tools needed for installation
Cons
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Limited color option
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Limited weight capacity
The Carex Ultra Grip Shower Wall Grab Bar has a safe use indicator that lets you know when it’s installed properly. The suction cups are larger than average at just under 4 inches in diameter and can also be used in walk in tub with shower combo set ups. It stays securely in place until you release it.
Our Verdict
It’s a decent value with excellent suction.
Features & Specs
- Comes in 19.5 or 23.5-inch lengths
- Weighs1.5 pounds
- Ribbed surface for extra grip
Pros
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Available in two sizes
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Six-month warranty
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Easy to install
Cons
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Cost
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Works only on 4-inch tiles or larger
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Limited weight capacity
The Drive Medical Quick Suction Grab Bar has two sizes from which to choose. The tabs for installation and removal are a different color than the bar for better contrast. It has a slimmer profile than many similar products. The suction cups are also around 4 inches for better adhesion.
Our Verdict
The profile and design are nice though it is the most expensive of its kind.
What Should You Consider When Buying a Grab Bar
Suction grab bars useful for elderly needs in bathroom, but there are several things you should consider before purchasing one. Things to look for include:
- Materials
- Dimensions
- Design
- Other Features
- Installation
- Materials
Most of the grab bars with suction cups are made with heavy duty plastic. They’re designed with textured grips – usually strong rubber – to keep your hand in place when they’re wet.
Dimensions
You’ll find suction grab bars in standard sizes of 12 and 24 inches with some variations, depending on the manufacturer. The swivel ones are an excellent option if you have an odd-shaped space. The other dimension you should note is the height and how far it will protrude out from the wall or another attachment area.
The value of knowing it is that you’ll have an indication of how easy it is to get a grip on it. If you have larger hands, you should look for a product that’ll give you plenty of room between the grip and the wall. Also, pay attention to the diameter of the main piece if you have smaller hands. It can make it more difficult to get a hold of it if it’s too bulky.
Many product descriptions include an image of the suction bar in place to give you an idea of how it’ll work for you. It’s an excellent way to rule out the ones that may give you problems.
Design
There are several features to consider when it comes to design. One is the overall shape. Many will have ends that curl down, giving them a more rounded edge. From a design perspective, it softens the lines and makes them appear less sterile and more likely to fit in with your decor.
Many grab bars come with textured patterns along the bar to improve grip. You’ll see options from contoured handles to texture to rubber pads all with the same purpose. It’s a matter of preference. It’s important that the suction bar have something to make it easier to grip. You should also take into consideration which type of bathtub you are trying to compliment with a grab bar. If you have a walk-in tub, the grab bar of your choice might be different than if you have a standard bathtub or walk-in shower.
Other Features
The snap tab function is undoubtedly an added convenience and contributes to the overall value of the product. If you travel a lot, it’s worthwhile to have since you can take it with you when you’re on the road. Unless you’re staying in a room with preinstalled grab bars, it’s best to take it with you.
Some of the products have a red/green indicator to let you know if the suction bar is securely attached. It’s an added safety feature that’s important to look for when considering your options.
Installation
Most of the products we reviewed did not require installation making it easy to put a suction grab bars wherever you need it.
It’s essential when using these types of grab bars that you attach them to surfaces that are clean and dry. They’ll work as described on smooth suraves but may not stick to textured ones since that would leave less space between the suction cup and the wall. Likewise, soap scum will cause a barrier and prevent a good seal.
Looks
We touched on the overall look of each suction bar as part of our reviews. It doesn’t speak to how well a product will work but instead considers aesthetics of the piece. Again, it treads in the direction of preference rather than practicality. While not a dealmaker necessarily, it is a factor in our decisions with any object we bring into our home. It’s why style was one of the categories we highlighted.
Using a Suction Cup Grab Bar in the Bathroom
Suction cup grab bars are best used for balance in the shower and bathtub instead of pulling yourself up and down out of a tub or off a toilet. Because suction cup grab bars aren’t wall mounted, they aren’t intended to help leverage your entire body weight.
To decrease your risk of injury, wall-mounted grab bars for the shower and ADA grab bars for the toilet and bathtub are designed to put more weight on them.
Summary
The best suction grab bars for the bathroom give older adults that welcome measure of safety when entering or exiting your shower stall or bathtub. It can help provide a quick way to help you balance as you go about your day. It’s a small, practical way to help you continue to age in place.