Page Contents
Our Top Picks
| › | Vaunn Medical Adjustable Safety Rail | |
|---|---|---|
| › | Editor's Choice | Moen R8960FD Grab Bar |
Toilet Grab Bars – 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.
Quick Comparison
[amazon table=”10967″]Best Toilet Grab Bars – 5 Reviewed (Updated)
Let’s start with our reviews for our top 5 safety rail choices for 2023. 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
- Material: Steel
- Color: White
- Item Weight: 6 pounds
- Support: 300 pounds
- 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
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Color: Peened
- Item Weight: 5 pounds
- Support: 300 pounds
- Lightweight
- Two-color options
- Lifetime warranty
- Stable
- Expensive
Summary of Recent Reviews
Customers are raving about the stability of this product! Buyers mention that it’s 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
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Color: Brushed Stainless
- Item Weight: 4.86 pounds
- Support: 440 pounds
- 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
- Material: Stainless steel + high quality sturdy nylon material cover
- Color: White
- Item Weight: 7.6 pounds
- Support: 450 pounds
- Visible in the dark
- Simple to install
- Durable
- Only available in white
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
- Material: Aluminium alloy + Anti-slip cover foam
- Color: Black
- Item Weight: 2.97 pounds
- Support: 246 pounds
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.
- 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 33 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!
Final Thoughts
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!