Short answer: choose a shower chair if you'd like a backrest to sit back against and armrests to hold while you sit down and stand up. Choose a shower stool if you sit steadily without back support, or if your shower is small. Either way, look for adjustable height and rubber feet, and ask an occupational therapist (OT) if you're unsure which suits you.
Both let you sit while you wash, but they suit different needs. Below we compare them, cover what to check and how to set one up, and explain how NDIS low-cost assistive technology works. Or browse our full range of shower chairs and shower stools.
Shower chair vs shower stool: quick comparison
| Shower chair | Shower stool | |
|---|---|---|
| Backrest | Yes | No |
| Armrests | Usually | Sometimes (handles or arms on some models) |
| Footprint | Larger | Smaller, good for tight showers and over-bath setups |
| Sitting balance | Backrest gives extra support while seated | Needs good sitting balance |
| Height adjustable | Usually | Usually |
| Best for | People who want support to sit back and to push up from | People who are steady when seated, or have a small shower |
What is a shower stool?
A shower stool is a seat on legs with no backrest. Most are height adjustable, and some have handles or armrests to hold as you sit down and stand up. Victoria's SWEP practitioner manual notes that a stool needs very good sitting balance, because there's nothing behind you to lean on.
Because a stool is smaller, it often suits a narrow shower recess or a shower over a bath. Our two stools both list a load rating:
- Shower Stool with Handles: a curved moulded seat (approx. 51 x 41cm) with built-in handle cut-outs, seat height 41–58cm, rated to 120kg.
- Shower Stool for Elderly: a compact rectangular seat (approx. 51.5 x 31.5cm) with six heights from 36 to 51cm, rated to 136kg. It has no handrails.
What is a shower chair?
A shower chair adds a backrest, and usually armrests, to the seat. Aidacare's guide describes a shower chair as having a seat, backrest and arms, and it's usually height adjustable. The SWEP manual notes that a backrest gives extra support for people with reduced sitting balance, and many chairs have drainage holes in the seat so water runs through.
Our three shower chairs:
- Shower Chair with Arms & Backrest, 150kg: padded armrests, a backrest and a moulded seat with drainage holes and a front cut-out. Six height settings (70–83cm overall), rated to 150kg.
- Shower Chair with Arms & Backrest, Non-Slip: the backrest and armrests both come off, so it can be used as a chair or a plain stool. Aluminium frame, adjustable height and non-slip feet.
- Shower Chair with Backrest: a 42cm seat with a removable non-slip pad, seat height about 35–45cm and a backrest that fixes on with a knob. No armrests.
5 things to check before you buy
1. Sitting down and standing up
If getting up from a seat takes effort, armrests or handles give you something to push from. TasEquip's fact sheet says to always push weight through both armrests, not one, because putting weight through only one armrest can make a chair or stool tip.
2. Your shower size
Measure your shower recess (or bath base) and compare it with the product's footprint or seat size. A chair with arms takes more room than a stool.
3. Seat height
Check the seat height range against the person who'll use it. When you're seated, your feet should rest flat on the floor with your knees at about a right angle. That's the setting the TasEquip and Aidacare guides point to: a height that lets you sit and stand with ease.
4. Load rating
Choose a seat rated for the user. Our product pages list a load rating where the manufacturer gives one; if one isn't listed, ask us before you buy.
5. Drainage, feet and cleaning
Drainage holes let water run through the seat. Rubber feet grip the shower floor, and they should be checked regularly for cracks or wear. A removable seat pad or a smooth moulded seat is easier to clean.
How to set up a shower chair or stool
- Set the height. Press the push button on each leg and slide it to the hole you want. Set all the legs to the same hole, unless one leg has extra holes for an uneven floor.
- Check the buttons. Make sure every button has fully popped out before anyone sits on it.
- Place it on a flat floor. Remove loose bath mats, and check that the chair or stool is stable and can't slide.
- Sit down slowly. Back up until you feel the seat behind your legs, hold both armrests or handles if it has them, and lower yourself into the centre of the seat.
- Look after it. Dry the chair after each use, including the legs. Check the rubber feet and frame regularly, and stop using it if anything is cracked, bent or worn.
These steps follow the Aidacare and TasEquip guides. If an OT has given you instructions, follow those first.
What can you use instead of a shower chair?
- A wall-mounted fold-up shower seat. The SWEP manual notes that these fold away so other people can use the shower, and that they must be fixed into the wall studs. We don't sell these, so speak to a builder or installer.
- Grab rails. A fixed rail gives you something to hold while you stand. See our grab rails and toilet frames. Our suction grab rails need no drilling, but they're a steadying handle only, not a load-bearing rail, and they only hold on smooth, clean, non-porous surfaces.
- Not a plastic garden chair. Aidacare's guide says plastic garden chairs aren't recommended for shower use, because of their poor strength and stability and because they can't be height adjusted.
Can NDIS funding help pay for a shower chair?
This is general information only, taken from the official NDIS website (ndis.gov.au). Always check your own plan.
- Shower chairs are listed as low-cost assistive technology. The NDIS says low-cost assistive technology costs less than $1,500, and it lists shower chairs, hand showers and handrails as examples of bathing and toileting support items. (NDIS: What is low-cost assistive technology)
- It comes from your consumables budget. You can buy low-cost assistive technology with your consumables budget. You'll need to tell the NDIA the types of low-cost assistive technology you might need so they can include it in your plan.
- It still has to meet the NDIS rules. The item must be related to your disability, help you work towards your goals, be something NDIS rules say can be funded, be safe for you to use, and be supported by evidence, such as a recommendation from your allied health professional.
- Quotes and approval. For low-risk items under $1,500, the NDIS says you don't need to provide quotes, evidence or assessments, and you don't need approval before you buy. It still suggests getting advice before buying, even for low-cost items.
- How your plan is managed matters. If your funding is self-managed or plan-managed, you can use registered or unregistered providers. If it's NDIA-managed, your providers must be registered. (Self-managed · Plan-managed · NDIA-managed)
OZ Home Online is not a registered NDIS provider, and our products are not "NDIS-approved". If you're unsure whether you can use your funding with us, check with your plan manager, support coordinator or the NDIA before you order.
FAQs
Is a shower chair or a shower stool better for older people?
It depends on the person, not their age. A shower chair has a backrest, and usually armrests, for people who want support while seated and something to push up from. A shower stool suits people who sit steadily without back support or who have a small shower. If you're unsure, ask an occupational therapist.
Can I use a plastic garden chair in the shower?
It isn't recommended. Aidacare's safe-use guide says plastic garden chairs aren't recommended for shower use because of their poor strength and stability and because they can't be adjusted in height.
Is a shower stool with handles the same as a shower chair?
Not quite. A stool with handles or armrests gives you something to hold as you sit down and stand up, but it has no backrest. A shower chair has a backrest, so you can sit back while you wash.
Does the NDIS fund shower chairs?
The NDIS lists shower chairs as an example of low-cost assistive technology, which is items under $1,500. Participants can buy low-cost assistive technology with their consumables budget if it's included in their plan and meets NDIS rules. Check your plan, or ask your planner or support coordinator.
Find the right seat
Still deciding? Compare all our shower chairs and shower stools side by side. Standard delivery is free Australia-wide and takes up to 10 business days to regional and remote areas. Express Post is available at an extra cost. Every order comes with 30-day returns and a 3-month warranty. Our shower chairs and stools are bathroom aids, not medical devices. For advice about your own needs, talk to an occupational therapist.
Choosing between a walking frame, rollator or transit wheelchair as well? Read our guide.