Grab bars are a quick, easy, and affordable safety item for anyone with movement challenges. We understand the importance of this safety feature and have reviewed some of the best toilet grab bar options for your home. Check out our guide to understand what features to look for, and the pros and cons of some of the best options in the market today.
Favorite Picks
Review Champion: Vaunn Medical
Editor’s Choice: Moen R8960FD
Runner Up: Zelen Handicap
Most Reviewed: Famard Handicap Foldable
Best Value: Onebook Safety Handle
Main Features
Finding the ideal grab bar for you can be quite tough, seeing that there are a lot of different brands on the market. However, this brief buying guide will help you figure out what it is you are looking for in a grab bar.
★ Height of Grab Bars
When it comes to the height of the grab bar, there is no general rule that works with every model. However, the ADA Standards for Accessible Design offer excellent guidelines for proper installation. Based on their recommendation, grab bars should be between 33 to 36 inches from the floor of the bathroom, bathtub, or the shower.
★ Grab Bar Material
One of the things you should consider when buying a toilet grab bar is the material. High-quality grab bars are usually constructed of metal, usually stainless steel. This is very important as the material of the grab bar determines how long that grab bar is going to last. Aside from that, always aim for models that are corrosion-resistant.
★ Supported Weight
The weight a toilet grab bar can support is extremely important. The more weight a safety rail can support the better. You should always go for grab bars that can support at least 400 pounds. This way you ensure that the grab bar won’t break if being used by a heavyweight person.
★ Type of Bar (Shower vs Toilet Bars)
This means they are not locked in one position and can be moved out of the way when you are not using them. This is a very convenient feature, especially if you have a smaller bathroom. With foldable grab bars, you can save up a lot of bathroom space.
Comparison List of the Most Popular Grab Bars for Toilets (2023)
Review of the 5 Best Toilet Grab Bars (Updated)
Let’s start with our reviews for our top safety rail choices for 2024. With so many different brands and products available on the market, it can be challenging to find the ideal one. To make it easier, we picked out the top 5 toilet grab bars to consider.
1. Vaunn Medical Safety Rail Grab Bar – Review Champion
- Weight Support: 300 lbs
- Bar Length: 17″
- Wall Mounted: Yes
- Diameter: 1-1/4″
Material: Stainless Steel
Thankfully, the Vaunn shower grab bar provides a stable, sturdy option to support all users.
This safety rail has a padded rubber clamp with a very powerful locking mechanism for added stability, securely attaching the grab bar to the side of the tub.
Made from steel with a firm grip, this grab bar can support up to 300 pounds.
It’s also quite simple to install as you don’t need any special tools, and the clamp is actually adjustable, allowing you to secure the rail to any bathtub wall.
Furthermore, the smooth-white color of this safety rail ensures that it blends in with any type of bathroom decor.
Pros and Cons
- Provides a very firm grip
- Minimalistic and modern design
- Easy to install
- Not the most durable option
Summary of Recent Reviews
Buyers agree that this is a great option for those with mobility challenges such as post-surgery and the elderly. Installation is easy – “so easy to install, just screw tight, like a heavy-duty clamp.” Overall customers feel safer utilizing this product.
2. Moen Flip-Up Grab Bar – Editor’s Choice
- Weight Support: 300 lbs
- Bar Length: 30″
- Wall Mounted: Yes
- Diameter: 1-1/4″
- Material: Stainless Steel
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This grab bar is quite space-efficient and can be used for the shower, bath, or toilet.
Since the Moen R8960FD flips up and can be moved out of the way, it’s the perfect choice for smaller bathrooms. This grab bar is also ADA-compliant and can support up to 300 pounds.
Now, when it comes to the design, this product is available in both stainless and glacier finish. If you want it to be a bit more sleek and classic, the stainless finish is the right choice.
However, if you want to bring a brighter and cleaner look to your bathroom, go with the glacier finish.
This safety rail accommodates hands of all sizes as it is 30 inches long and 1-1/4 inches in diameter. What’s more, it is also corrosion-resistant.
Finally, this product also comes with a lifetime warranty against finish defects, drips, or leaks, offering you long-term production with the purchase of this product.
Pros and Cons
- Lightweight
- Two-color options
- Lifetime warranty
- Stable
- ADA-compliant
- Corrosion esistant
- Expensive
Product Documentation
Summary of Recent Reviews
Customers are raving about the stability of this product! Buyers mention that its important to follow the install instructions to ensure proper installation. Users also appreciate that this can be folded up and out of the way – “bar feels very very solid, looks good and nicely folds out of the way when not needed.”
3. Zelen Handicap Toilet Grab Bar – Runner Up
- Weight Support: 440 lbs
- Bar Length: 24″
- Wall Mounted: Yes
- Diameter: 1-1/4″
- Material: Stainless Steel
Made out of stainless steel, this grab bar is quite durable and sturdy and can support up to 440 pounds.
This option is designed for the elderly, pregnant individuals, disabled users, seniors, and post-surgery mobility-impaired people.
Basically, this T-shaped grab bar mounts to the floor and the wall, helping the user keep balance while using the toilet. And, especially with the provided instructions, this grab bar is quite simple and quick to install.
And beyond the toilet, this grab bar provides a reliable grip even when used to get in and out of the shower.
Pros and Cons
- Quite sturdy and durable
- Can support up to 440 pounds
- Provides a reliable grip
- The top rail is a little short
Summary of Recent Reviews
Customers agree this is a good option for those with mobility issues. While this does come with mounting hardware, several buyers mention that they opted to use better quality hardware. Several buyers even used this option in other places, such as a garage or shower.
4. Famard Handicap Foldable Toilet Grab Bar – Most Reviewed
- Weight Support: 450 lbs
- Bar Length: 29-1/2″
- Wall Mounted: Yes
- Diameter: 1-1/4″
- Material: Stainless Steel + High Quality Sturdy Nylon Material Cover
The inner pipe of this product is made out of 304 stainless anti-rust steel, with a 5 mm thick base and 1.3 mm thick wall that increases the durability of the bar.
Not only can this grab bar support up to 450 pounds, it also has a foldable design that allows for 90-degree vertical rotation.
Thanks to the folding technology, you can fold the bar out of the way when not in use. And when in use, the sturdy, high-quality nylon cover of the grab bar feels quite comfortable and warm.
Most safety rails out there are only about 24-1/2 inches long.
The Famard one, on the other hand, offers an extended handle of 29-1/2 inches, making it perfect for most toilets. Plus, it features 6 fluorescence rings that allow you to easily find it in the dark.
Finally, if you stick to the instruction manual, the installation process for this bar should also be a piece of cake.[/su_expand]
Pros and Cons
- Visible in the dark
- Simple to install
- 90 degrees vertical rotation
- Only available in white
- Unstable
Summary of Recent Reviews
Buyers like this grab bar option for small bathrooms as it can fold away when not in use. Some users mentioned that it would feel more stable with a locking mechanism, but overall, customers felt confident in the stability of this grab bar.
5.Onebook Safety Handle Handicap Grab Bar – Best Value
- Weight Support: 264 lbs
- Bar Length: 24″
- Wall Mounted: Yes
- Diameter: 1-1/4″
- Material: Aluminum Alloy + Anti-Slip Cover Foam
This product offers very strong hand support. It can also support up to 246 pounds. This U-shaped bar is almost fully coated with rubber, providing a very comfortable and firm grip.
The exposed flip-up aluminum base of this product is anti-static and anti-rust, built to last a long time.
Additionally, this grab bar can be easily pulled down and pushed out of the way to save space.
Finally, while this bar can withstand heavy weight, it’s actually the lightest option on our list, weighing less than 3 pounds altogether.
Pros and Cons
- Quite long-lasting
- Coated with rubber
- Flip-up design
- Requires reinforced mounting hardware
Summary of Recent Reviews
When installing this grab bar, users suggest utilizing reinforced hardware for stability. Once securely installed, users were satisfied with the quality of this grab bar, and liked the option to fold up when not in use. “The fold-up and out of the way is especially great for my application.”
Mounting a Toilet Grab Bar
Now that you know what to consider when picking out a grab bar, it’s time for installation. Follow our simple steps to have your new grab bar installed in no time!
- Assemble the necessary tools – Start by gathering all of your tools and equipment to get the job done. The main tools you need include measuring tape, electric drill, pencil, masking tape, hand screwdriver, and silicone shower caulk.
- Determine the mounting location – Once you have the necessary tools, confirm the mounting location. As we have already mentioned, grab bars should always be from 24 to 36 inches away from the floor. Use a tape measure to confirm where you want the grab bar to go in your bathroom.
- Mark the location – After measuring, mark the location where you are planning to drill holes. Keep in mind that even if your wall is tiled, you can use the masking tape to mark the spot. Using masking tape also helps prevent the tile from cracking and will also keep the drill bit from skating across.
- Drill the holes – Now that you have prepared your wall for drilling and marked all the locations, you need to drill the holes. Follow the instructions for your grab bar to know where the holes should go to line up with the bar.
- Seal the seams with silicone – When you finish drilling, tighten the screws of the grab bar with a hand screwdriver. Then, seal the seams around the holes you drilled with silicone caulk to prevent any water from seeping through. Let the silicone dry for 2 hours.
- Test it out – Once you have done all of the previous steps, you can test the grab bar by pulling on it. If the grab bar doesn’t feel loose or move around, you’ve successfully installed it!
Our Opinion
If you or any of your family members have some mobility issues, definitely consider installing a grab bar in your bathroom. These bars make almost all movement in the bathroom much simpler. From our top 5 list, we recommend the Zelen handicap grab bar for the perfect combination of price-to-quality ratios. It provides quite a reliable grip and is very durable and long-lasting.
On the other hand, if you have limited space in your bathroom and still need a grab bar, you should aim for the models with the flip-up design. The Moen R8960FD makes a perfect choice. Aside from the sleek design, it has a foldable, 30-inch long design.
Ultimately, whatever your needs are, start with our top recommendations to select and install the best safety rail or grab bar for your bathroom today!