Top 11 Bath Transfer Benches – An In-Depth Analysis
Searching for the best bath transfer bench available for sale these days? If that’s the case, it’s a good thing you’re reading this article. Following extensive research where we looked at anything from social media reactions to hundreds of customer reviews, we came to the conclusion that the first product you should consider is Drive Medical’s Plastic Tub Transfer Bench 12011KD-1. This unit is designed to be convenient and comfortable and it comes with an adjustable backrest that renders it usable for several types of body shapes and heights. It can be assembled effortlessly, especially since you don’t need any tools for the process. It is reversible and its design includes extra-large non-slip suction cups. If this particular model is no longer available, we suggest going for the Platinum Health Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench.
Comparison table
1st Choice
This unit is effective and versatile and it has been deemed as comfortable by those who have purchased it in the past. It comes with extra large suction cups on the bottom of its feet, which add to the overall security ensured by the model. The bath chair is reversible and is known to fit most bathtubs available in American homes these days.
The directions are, as some of the people who have opted for this product have stated, horrible. You might have a hard time assembling it.
A stable and effective alternative that comes with a durable build.
2nd Best
Since it is made by front-line healthcare workers, you should know that the Carousel model is safe and provides easy bathing for most people who can’t get in or out of the bathtub. It comes with a quick height adjustment feature which makes it capable of assisting most body types and heights. It has a 360-degree swiveling seat.
The button in the front can make it awkward for the person that is using the chair to push. It might be embarrassing for someone else.
This padded transfer bench is comfortable and safe and can be sanitized easily.
Also To Consider
This product can hold people who weigh up to 350 pounds. It measures 30.5 inches in width and 23 in in depth. The reversible backrest boasted by this design makes it fit the majority of the bathtubs available in most American households. The model also comes with suction cup feet and the wide base tips render it secure and stable.
Some of the customers have complained about this particular brand’s customer service. Apparently, it might not be up to par.
A height-adjustable transfer bench that’s convenient and budget-friendly.
11 Best Bath Transfer Benches (Reviews) in 2023
It can take you a long time to find a good bath transfer bench nowadays, both because the market seems to be overflowing with decent alternatives, and because they come packed with all sorts of features. We’ve listed some of our favorite choices below. Check them out if you haven’t made up your mind yet.
1. Drive Medical Plastic Transfer Bench with 3 Position Backrest
If you have been looking for a convenient and comfortable model, perhaps this one by Drive Medical might fit the bill. It’s made with the safety of seniors and disabled individuals in mind, and that it is precisely why it has been outfitted with extra large suction cups on the bottom of its feet.
Furthermore, the unit is versatile and effective, and it can be used right after you receive it. You will not require any tools or special skills to put it together, and the easy assembly is an advantage in itself.
Another aspect you might want to know about this model is that it comes with an adjustable backrest, which renders it capable of being a good fit for many types of users. The bath chair is reversible and it boasts height adjustable legs that fit the majority of bathtubs. Also, the durable plastic build of this product is another thing that recommends it.
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2. Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench with Swivel Seat
Some people can have a really hard time getting into and out of the bathtub, and this product is specifically developed for their needs. Having been designed by front-line healthcare workers, the Carousel model by Platinum health allows for safe and easy bathing without endangering the safety of any user.
The neatest thing about this product is that it comes with a tool-less and quick height adjustment feature that enables it to fit most showers, as well as tubs. It’s constructed of aluminum that’s resistant to rust and that will provide you with many years of use.
Naturally, the 360-degree swivelling and locking seat is the best feature this unit is equipped with. The soft padding makes this product highly comfortable, but unlike many other alternatives out there, this one can be sanitized conveniently and effectively. The padding also makes this transfer bench a lot warmer to the touch.
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3. Medline Microban Medical Transfer Bench with Antimicrobial
Despite its somewhat basic design, the Medline option is another that you ought to take into account. It has a weight capacity of 350 pounds, which makes it a good fit for most small to medium-sized individuals. It measures 30.5 inches in width and 23 inches in depth.
Similarly to some of the other options that we have showcased here, this one comes with a reversible backrest that enables it to fit most bathtubs across American households. To add to its safety, the manufacturing engineers have developed the model with suction cup feet. The wide base tips make this unit secure and they also ensure extra stability.
You do not require any tool to get this product assembled. It’s also worth noting that the height of its legs can be customized as per your bathtub and the physical features of the person using it. The legs are made of anodized aluminum, so it’s likely to withstand the test of time.
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4. Healthline Tub Transfer Bench Lightweight Medical Bath
Having been constructed of durable material both for the frame and for the bench, this product can last for a decent amount of time and give you the reassurance that it won’t break down exactly when you need it to be stable and secure. It can be accommodated to most of the bathrooms available across the United States.
As is the case with some of the other models that we have stumbled upon, this one allows for tool-free assembly. You can select the right height of the legs from 17.5 to 21.5 in increments of half an inch.
In addition to all of this, this product is reversible so that it works with any type of bathtub. You’re free to use it in the shower, as well. The seat measures 26 inches in width and the unit has a weight capacity of 350 pounds. The transfer bench itself weighs in at seven and a half pounds.
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5. Tub Transfer Bench and Sliding Shower Chair Non Slip
This sliding transfer bench is another alternative that you should take into account if you are in the market for a budget-friendly choice that works under most circumstances. Thanks to this unit, you can both enter and exit your bathtub with as much ease as possible.
The best thing about the Duro-Med choice is that it is equipped with several features in the way of ensuring that the person using it is perfectly safe at all times. For example, it includes a nylon strap that locks the seat in its position while you are showering. It also includes a safety belt that prevents accidental slipping.
The shower wand holder is a neat addition, to be sure, and the fact that the bench has a removable cut-out makes it easy for the caregiver or for the individuals themselves to clean their perineal areas. The backrest adds to the unit’s safety and comfort.
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6. Drive Medical Folding Universal Sliding Transfer Bench
This sliding transfer bench lets you sit down outside of the tub and just slide your body into it. You can then lock the seat in place, and you’ll remain in the same position throughout your shower. Based on the reviews that this product has received over time, it is dependable, safe, as well as comfortable, and it definitely increases the independence of seniors or disabled individuals.
The lightweight design makes it a great choice for those that cannot lift overly heavy things. It can also be assembled without the use of any particular tools, which is another advantage that you ought to consider, especially if you can’t think of yourself as being a tech-savvy person.
Another reason you ought to keep this model in mind is that it comes with large suction cups installed on the bottom of its feet. The weight limit of this choice is 300 pounds, so it doesn’t address the need of heavier persons.
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7. Gateway Premium Sliding Bath Transfer Bench
With the 360-degree swivelling and locking seat boasted by this alternative, you will find it considerably easier to wash your body than you would if you were to use a model that’s not a sliding transfer bench. This particular unit comes with a water-shedding padding that’s soft to the touch and that enables the user to avoid that horrible feeling of sitting down on a cold surface.
Furthermore, the Platinum Health model comes with a reversible design, which means that it is a great fit for a lot of types of bathtubs. Some of those that have opted for this product say that it is capable of giving families peace of mind since people don’t have to worry about their elderly family members while they are taking a bath any longer.
Others say that the model has surpassed their expectations, and many claim that they have assembled it in a very short amount of time — even five minutes.
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8. Moen Non Slip Adjustable Transfer Bench
If you would rather get a more affordable choice, perhaps this one by Moen is right up your alley. It’s quite budget-friendly, but that doesn’t mean that it’s any less safe compared to other choices that we have showcased here.
This model comes with an easy grip support handle, it boasts a unique leg design that ensures superior stability, and it boasts a whopping 400 pound capacity. As you might have noticed if you took the time to read all of our suggestions, most of them come with a 350-pound capacity.
Moen’s option also comes with an adjustable height which can be set between 16.5 and 21 inches. It fits most shower styles and a wide variety of tubs.
Besides, it comes with a somewhat spacious seat, which means that the one sitting in it will feel at ease. With its easy-to-assemble design, this product addresses most people. It also has a clean and bright look which you might not find in others.
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9. Vive Bariatric Tub Transfer Bench Heavy Duty Bath & Shower
If you want to actively do something to reduce the risk of injury in your bathroom, you can choose this product right here as it is perfectly capable of keeping you safe when you enter or exit your bathtub or shower. You can adjust the height of the legs with ease since they come with push pins.
Furthermore, you can adjust the chair to either side of the bench so that it accommodates most tubs. A really convenient feature boasted by this alternative consists of the drainage holes as they let the water to flow through the structure so that the user doesn’t end up sitting in a puddle.
Last, but not least, it’s worth noting that VIVE’s alternative comes with non-skid rubber feet which can prevent the risk of injury and slipping. Since the model is delivered partially assembled, it raises no difficulties even to less tech-savvy individuals.
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10. EagleHealth Tub-Mount Swivel Sliding Bench 77762
This bathtub chair can ensure that the person using it has a sense of security and comfort. Furthermore, thanks to its design, anyone can benefit from a little more independence and dignity, which is something they might not get if they were to choose a model that’s not a sliding chair.
You don’t have to scoot yourself across the bench seat so as to get in the bathtub with this model. Just swivel and glide into the shower or tub as smoothly as possible and with little to absolutely no help. The space-saving design boasted by this unit lets owners store the product when they do not require its services.
The 350-pound weight capacity is the industry’s standard, so keep it in mind and match it with the physical attributes of the individual who is going to be using the transfer bench. The seat of this product measures 17.75 inches by 14.75 inches and its sliding distance is 6.75 inches.
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11. Platinum Health Bath Transfer Bench
One of the things that should make this product stand out from the crowd is its design since it includes a cutout that allows easy access to the perineal area of the user.
That makes it a lot easier for someone or for a caregiver to clean even more sensitive body regions, and all that without making a lot of effort in this sense. Best of all, this feature is a removable insert, so you can choose not to use it if you don’t need it.
The rust-proof aluminum that this model is constructed of is an advantage in itself since it will allow the bench to last for as long as possible.
Much like other products in the same line, this one is reversible and fits most showers and tubs. Naturally, this product is less convenient than a sliding bench and less comfortable than a padded one, but it still gets the job done how it is supposed to.
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Our Yearly Guide
Whether you can afford a pricy or a cheap bath transfer bench, the truth is that bathing is an essential part of every individual’s life. For people who have more or less limited mobility due to disability or advanced age, bathing can be dangerous.
Since everyone needs to clean their body once in a while, selecting the right bath transfer bench might be a good option if you’re looking to prevent life-threatening injuries. Check out our guide if you want to be able to select the right unit for seniors or disabled individuals.
Weight capacity and backrest
The weight capacity is an important feature of the transfer bench because you have to make sure that it is appropriate for the person that will be using it. Some have capacities that are around 250 pounds whereas many handicap bathtub transfer benches have capacities that go beyond 350 pounds.
Many bath transfer bench reviews agree that you should never get a product that barely fits your body weight – you will feel safer and more comfortable in a stable unit, so if you weigh 300 pounds, it might be better to get a model with a capacity of 350 or 400 pounds.
The backrest can be removable or not, but regardless of whether it is, it’s a great addition in the way of providing the user with some comfort. Some people have a weak core and they can’t maintain their balance even while they’re sitting in a chair, so they might not be able to do that while they are sitting in the bath transfer bench – if it weren’t for a backrest.
Materials and padding
Padding definitely adds to the overall comfort felt by the user, but many of the models that we have come across and that boast padding are more or less harder to clean compared to simpler choices.
Padded transfer benches are quite comfortable, but you will find it difficult to sanitize them. If you work in a nursing home or care for both of your grandparents, for example, you need to be able to clean the unit properly before using it with another person.
Unpadded models are more budget-friendly, but since they can be somewhat light, they might become unstable. You can get a separate pad and use it every time with the bench. Transfer benches can be made of many materials from aluminum to plastic. Plastic is great if you want to rest assured that you can disinfect the unit. However, it’s not exactly great when it comes to weight capacity – it’s less reliable than an aluminum unit.
Size and weight of the product
The size of the transfer bench has to match the physical attributes of the person that is going to use it.
The bigger, the better, in most cases, and that’s because let’s face it – bigger things are usually more stable. As for the weight of the product, it matters because either the caregiver or the one actually taking the bath will have to lift it up and position it correctly in the bathtub.
As such, it would be quite uncomfortable or cumbersome to have to lift a bath transfer bench that’s rather heavy.
Other security-related concerns
It would be great if you were able to add suction cups to the bottoms of the feet of the transfer bench so as to prevent any slipping mishap. We’ve already noted that you can use a pad to ensure that the senior or disabled person sits comfortably, but you have to make sure it comes with a non-slip design.
Also, even if you intend to help the person to get out of the bathtub safely, you still need a non-slip bath tub or shower mat and one for your bathroom floor.
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