Many, perhaps even most, hotel bathrooms just don't cut it when it comes to accessibility, and many readers often report being unable to use the shower or toilet based on poor choices in (in)accessible design. The inconsistency in hotel bathroom accessibility across properties means that many travelers would be better off bringing a shower or commode chair of their own.
If you're in that camp, and would like to find a shower chair that you can use at home or on the road, this list of the most popular shower and commode chairs is a great place to start. If you have another suggestion of your own, drop it in the comments!
KMINA PRO Self-Propelled Shower and Commode Chair
If you'd like a shower chair that promotes ease of use and independence, the KMINA PRO Self-Propelled Shower and Commode Chair would be my top choice. While I don't use this at home, I have encountered it a few times during my travels, and it's a product we have made available to travelers on select Wheelchair Travel Group Trips.
I find it great for navigating small bathroom spaces where I can grab onto surfaces to pull myself forward (I'm one-handed, so I'm not equipped to use it to its full potential) and adjust my positioning. The folding armrests, removable footplates and locking wheels are all features that make this shower chair stand out but, even more importantly, it is comfortable to sit on!
If you want to travel with this shower chair, note that it can be checked for free as medical equipment — it is recommended that you remove detachable objects and parts and carry those onboard.
KMINA PRO Shower and Commode Chair for Assisted Use
The KMINA PRO chair, with its long list of superb features, is also available in a lighter-weight version for assisted use.
This chair has everything as the self-propelled version except the large wheelchair wheels. Instead, four locking casters allow your family member or care assistant to maneuver the chair into tight spaces with an impressive turn radius. It's an excellent choice for those who need assistance in the bathroom.
Carex Portable Tub Seat
The most portable solution on this list is carry-on sized and will make hotel bathtubs more accessible and safer to use. It's the Carex Portable Bathtub Seat, which can transform the accessibility of bathtubs at home or on the road for less than $40!
Hotels often place four-legged stools inside bathtubs, which violates the ADA requirement to provide seats capable of secure placement so that they are immovable during use. I rarely have founds with a compliant solution so, if using a bathtub is your preference, this solution from Carex is the best and most portable product that you can bring along on your trip.
Reclining Shower and Commode Chair
The Juiwere Reclining Shower Chair is a fully loaded chair designed for 4-in-1 use as a shower chair, commode chair, bedside commode or even as a short-distance transport chair. The chair features the ability to tilt the seat to a 45 degree angle, which is especially useful during a shower and shampoo.
The chair is adjustable in nearly every way and adapts to fit the needs of its user. Four locking caster wheels allow an assistant to maneuver the chair in the bathroom and shower and secure it for use when positioned. Like the KMINA PRO chairs, this full-featured shower chair can be checked for free as medical equipment on airlines.
Drive Medical Height-Adjustable Shower Chair
When I moved to Boston in 2022, I needed a shower chair to place inside of the walk-in shower — something that would be easy enough to assemble and sturdy enough to transfer onto. I searched Amazon and settled on the Drive Medical Handicap Bathroom Bench with Back and Arms.
The seat is 21.75 inches wide, and has an adjustable height of 16 inches to 20.5 inches. It is capable of supporting people of up to 350 pounds, and required no tools to assemble. I’m a big fan of this product and, after using it for a couple of years, it has certainly been worth the price I paid, which was less than $50!
Note that, since I live in an apartment building, I chose not to install a permanent shower seat. If you own your home and would prefer to invest in a permanent solution, the Shower Seat with Folding Legs from Grab Bar Specialists is the model I would choose.
