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Oct 30, 2024

The 4 Best Grab Bars of 2024 | Reviews by Wirecutter

By Anna Wenner We've added a section on how to properly install a grab bar. Using a grab bar is one of the best ways to prevent slips and falls in your home. But it can be a challenge to find one that

By Anna Wenner

We've added a section on how to properly install a grab bar.

Using a grab bar is one of the best ways to prevent slips and falls in your home. But it can be a challenge to find one that works for your space and doesn’t look like it’s straight out of a hospital.

After testing 11 models, we recommend two straight grab bars: the sturdy, ADA-compliant Moen Home Care Stainless Concealed Screw Grab Bar and the Zuext 16-Inch Anti Slip Stainless Steel Shower Grab Bar (the latter of which is better for smaller hands and slip resistance).

For a stylish, smaller grab bar, we prefer either the Moen Brushed Nickel 8″ Grab Bar With Toilet Paper Holder LR2352DBN or the Grabcessories 2-in-1 Tub and Shower Grab Ring 61029.

This straight grab bar is our only pick that’s ADA-compliant, and Moen’s six size options offer more versatility for bathrooms of all sizes than any of our other picks.

This inexpensive straight grab bar is thinner, which can be better for smaller hands, and its top-notch slip resistance is the best among the bars we tested. It isn’t ADA-compliant, though.

This compact grab bar doubles as a toilet-paper holder and is the most discreet option we found to add some extra security to your bathroom without advertising your need for assistance.

This curved grab bar is a more elegant addition to your bathtub or shower than a straight grab bar, though its slip resistance isn’t as strong as that of other bars we tested.

We sought grab bars with high-quality installation hardware, a weight capacity of at least 250 pounds, and solid construction.

An excellent standard grab bar doesn’t need to cost more than $50, and you can get a stylish one for less than $100.

We looked for grab bars that could work in different parts of the bathroom or home and could serve multiple purposes.

A grab bar needn’t mar your home’s aesthetic. We considered options that could fit in with existing decor.

This straight grab bar is our only pick that’s ADA-compliant, and Moen’s six size options offer more versatility for bathrooms of all sizes than any of our other picks.

The Moen Home Care Stainless Concealed Screw Grab Bar is a no-frills, straight grab bar that is surprisingly affordable for its quality. It’s the only bar we recommend that’s ADA-compliant; though ADA compliance isn’t required in private dwellings, it’s a reassuring mark, and it indicates that the grab bar has met specific safety requirements.

Moen makes this grab bar in six lengths, from 18 inches to 48 inches, which, along with its straight shape, allows you to fit a bar in most spaces and place it at the angle that works best for you. It offers solid slip resistance, has a 500-pound weight capacity (more than double what the ADA stipulates), and comes at a reasonable price. Though it looks straight out of a hospital, its functionality is well worth the aesthetic trade-off.

This inexpensive straight grab bar is thinner, which can be better for smaller hands, and its top-notch slip resistance is the best among the bars we tested. It isn’t ADA-compliant, though.

The Zuext 16-Inch Anti Slip Stainless Steel Shower Grab Bar, typically sold in a set of two, also looks quite clinical, but it’s a great choice if you need extra support in the bathtub. Each 16-inch bar features exceptional slip resistance and will feel secure under even the slickest of conditions.

This bar is thinner than other straight grab bars we considered, so it may be better for people who have smaller hands, though its smaller diameter also means that it’s technically not ADA-compliant. We don’t think you need to spend more on a straight bar, but if you want one that is ADA-compliant, opt for the Moen straight grab bar instead.

This bar typically comes in a set of two, so if you need just a single grab bar, and the set is all that’s available, you may find the extra one an unwelcome addition. But if you have multiple bathrooms in your home, or if you need a grab bar near the toilet and in the shower, this set is a boon. Regardless, thanks to the low price, you’d likely end up paying around the same price for the set that you would for a single bar elsewhere.

This compact grab bar doubles as a toilet-paper holder and is the most discreet option we found to add some extra security to your bathroom without advertising your need for assistance.

The Moen Brushed Nickel 8″ Grab Bar With Toilet Paper Holder LR2352DBN is small enough to fit into any bathroom space and offers extra functionality beyond its intended purpose. If you’re concerned about changing the look of your bathroom to incorporate grab bars, we like this bar because its clever design prioritizes safety yet remains more attractive than any other bars we considered. At just 8 inches, it’s one of the smallest bars we tested, and we’re confident that it will fit well in most bathrooms.

Though this grab bar is not as slip resistant as many other bars we tested, you aren’t likely to install it for use in particularly soapy conditions, and it more than serves its purpose of helping someone get up from the toilet safely.

This curved grab bar is a more elegant addition to your bathtub or shower than a straight grab bar, though its slip resistance isn’t as strong as that of other bars we tested.

The nearly circular Grabcessories 2-in-1 Tub and Shower Grab Ring 61029 fits seamlessly around just about any shower or bath handle, giving you some extra support in one of the slipperiest places in the bathroom. It takes up less space than a standard, straight grab bar, and it has a more attractive design in comparison with other shower- and tub-specific bars we saw.

Though this bar’s shape and design make it a prime choice for a shower or bathtub, it’s versatile enough that it could fit elsewhere in a bathroom, too, such as around a toilet-paper holder. We wish that its slip resistance were better, considering that it’s most likely to see use in the shower, but you can always pair it with a standard grab bar for additional support.

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I’ve tested and reviewed items that can benefit older and disabled people for USA Today’s Reviewed. I also spent years as a caregiver for my mother while she went through cancer treatments, and I remained her caregiver through her final days. In addition, I’ve researched and installed grab bars in my own home to make my bathroom more accessible to physically disabled family members.

As someone with scoliosis and long COVID, I’m personally familiar with how complicated and stressful it can be to shop for things that work well for specific accessibility needs—and how important it is to have advice that you can trust.

To gain more insight, I dug into what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, AARP, and medical journals say about grab bars and fall prevention. I also interviewed three occupational therapists and scoured advice from prominent disability activists and accessible-design experts.

Experts consistently cite bathroom grab bars as the best way to prevent falls in the home. They are most immediately necessary for people who are aging in their homes, who have physical disabilities, or are caregivers. That said, grab bars can be useful for everyone, and it’s best to install them before you find out the hard way that you need them. Even if you’re relatively young and at your peak physical ability, adding a grab bar or two in your bathroom is worth considering.

Karen Jacobs, an occupational therapist and a clinical professor at Boston University, said that she “can’t underscore how important it is to be proactive” about installing grab bars to make your home safe and accessible, and she emphasized that you shouldn’t wait until you need them in your home. Experts recommend consulting with an occupational therapist before installing a grab bar for advice about the best bar and placement for your needs.

According to the WHO, falls are the second leading cause of death by unintentional injury worldwide and are especially dangerous for people who are 65 years of age or older or physically disabled. The CDC estimates that more than one in four older Americans fall each year; a single fall doubles a person’s chance of falling again in the future.

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Renters can install grab bars. Under the Fair Housing Act, most housing providers are required to allow for grab bars as a reasonable modification. You may need to foot the bill for both the bar and its installation. Some landlords may offer to install the bar with their preferred contractor.

Much as with other modifications to a rented space, the landlord may also require that you remove the grab bar and return the walls to their original condition when you move out.

Examine your state and local laws or consult with a local housing-advocacy organization to learn what your rights are if you need to request a reasonable modification, as well as what your landlord is obligated to pay for.

This straight grab bar is our only pick that’s ADA-compliant, and Moen’s six size options offer more versatility for bathrooms of all sizes than any of our other picks.

The Moen Home Care Stainless Concealed Screw Grab Bar is a sturdy and versatile straight grab bar that you can place in your bathroom or elsewhere in your home. It isn’t the prettiest bar we tested, but if you’re looking for a dependable grab bar that comes in multiple length options, this bar is a good fit.

It’s ADA-compliant. Though ADA compliance isn’t required for grab bars in homes, it can still be a useful confirmation of a grab bar’s safety and functionality. ADA-compliant bars must meet specific requirements for length, diameter, shape, and weight capacity, so the mark can be a good indicator of quality, though in choosing a bar you should prioritize your individual needs with regard to bar shape and size.

It has an impressive weight capacity. Whereas many grab bars that we considered top out at 250 pounds or less, this grab bar can support up to 500 pounds (as two of our other picks can), so it’s a good choice if you weigh more than 250 pounds.

It’s versatile in both shape and size. The grab bar’s straight shape allows you to mount it at any angle you need, and thanks to Moen’s six different length options—ranging from 18 to 48 inches—you can fit this bar in most bathrooms or even in other parts of your home.

Its textured grip helps prevent slips. The texture of this bar creates a strong nonslip surface that’s safe to use in most slippery spots, including your bathtub. That said, we found that the Zuext grab bar offered even better slip resistance.

It’s affordable. This bar is well priced compared with most competitors, especially in its longer versions. Even the 48-inch bar, the longest available, doesn’t cost more than $40. This bar is also much cheaper than many of the specialized and luxury grab bars out there.

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This inexpensive straight grab bar is thinner, which can be better for smaller hands, and its top-notch slip resistance is the best among the bars we tested. It isn’t ADA-compliant, though.

What the Zuext 16-Inch Anti Slip Stainless Steel Shower Grab Bar lacks in subtlety it makes up for with its functionality. This bar boasts an impressive anti-slip texture that stops even the soapiest of hands from sliding off. In addition, the price is hard to beat, with a set of two bars costing around the same as the average single grab bar.

It’s highly slip resistant. Of the grab bars we tested, the Zuext bar easily offered the strongest slip resistance—which is all the more important because this bar would work well in a shower or bathtub, where slip resistance is a must. With the knurled texture on the center of the bar, you can grip it securely knowing that your hand will stay in place.

It’s narrower than competing bars. With a diameter of 1 inch, this bar is a quarter of an inch narrower than the thinnest standard bars. As someone with long fingers and fairly large hands, I expected this narrow bar to be harder to use. Instead, I found that it allowed me to get a much stronger grip than the thicker bars did, therefore providing me a secure way to keep my balance. The narrow structure is also ideal for anyone with especially small hands who may not be able to wrap them around a thicker bar. While this narrow bar design may not work for someone who has difficulty closing their hand tightly, we’ve concluded that it’s a benefit for most people.

It’s budget-friendly. Grab bars can come with a hefty price tag, especially if you need to hire someone to install them. If you are on a tight budget, this bar’s two-for-one package is perfect for outfitting your bathroom thoroughly while paying only around $16 per bar—about a third less than what you’d pay for the other straight bars we tested.

It has an impressive weight capacity. Despite the thin and lightweight design, each bar can support up to 500 pounds, nearly double the maximum of many other bars we tested.

It’s flexible for different spaces. This bar is short enough to fit in most bathroom spaces while still providing enough length to make it easy to grab in case of a slip. It can work anywhere in the bathroom, from the shower to the toilet, and you can mount it at whatever angle works best. You can even place it elsewhere in the house, such as by doorways with steps.

This compact grab bar doubles as a toilet-paper holder and is the most discreet option we found to add some extra security to your bathroom without advertising your need for assistance.

For a grab bar that blends seamlessly into most bathrooms, we recommend the Moen Brushed Nickel 8″ Grab Bar With Toilet Paper Holder LR2352DBN. It’s pricier than most straight grab bars, but its compact size and clever design make it worth the extra expense. It’s the best choice if you want a discreet grab bar.

No one will know that it’s a grab bar unless you want them to. Grab bars shouldn’t be a cause for shame or embarrassment, but such feelings do bubble up for many people. Unless you specifically tell your guests what this grab bar is, most will assume that it’s a sleek, decorative toilet-paper holder (a few of our testers mistook it for one). If you’re still coming to terms with the fact that you need grab bars, this model is a great first step.

It fits into small bathrooms. Most of the grab bars that we tested are bulky additions that may be hard to fit into many tight bathrooms. At only 8 inches long, this Moen model is smaller than a traditional grab bar, and its clever toilet-paper holder design helps reduce the presence of clutter on the wall.

This dual-use bar is safe and works well. We initially worried that the placement of a toilet-paper roll on this bar could cause an extra slipping hazard. However, the bar is cleverly designed so that even in the last second before a fall, the grab bar is the first thing you reach for rather than the loose toilet-paper roll.

It provides stability in an overlooked spot. Occupational therapist Karen Jacobs told me that many people try to use a toilet-paper holder for stability when getting up from the toilet. Considering that, we’ve concluded that installing this bar could help people avoid a safety hazard, as a regular toilet-paper holder is not sturdy enough for use as a grab bar.

It holds up to 250 pounds. Despite measuring only 8 inches long, this bar has impressive strength and can hold up to 250 pounds of full weight, the same as what many larger, bulkier bars can accommodate.

The included hardware is strong. Grab bars are only as good as their mounts, and during our research we saw online reviews with photos showing too many bars that come with only cheap plastic screws that break easily. Moen includes high-quality metal hardware for all parts of the process, including the anchors necessary to secure the bar to the wall.

The instructions are clear and concise, and they include pictures. The installation instructions were the clearest and most thorough among the bars we tested, and this bar was the only model to come with a template showing where to drill the holes to prevent measuring errors. Though the instructions are written in three languages and have accompanying pictures, they still manage to be only a few small pages long. Each step is clearly communicated, and special features such as the mounting options are explained in easy-to-understand language.

The toilet-paper holder is easy to refill for anyone. One of our favorite surprises was how effortless it was to refill the toilet-paper roll. Whereas many holders have mechanisms that can be hard on arthritic hands or for those with fine-motor issues, changing the roll on this holder is a breeze. After two years of using this particular grab bar in my bathroom, I’ve never seen the toilet paper become accidentally dislodged.

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This curved grab bar is a more elegant addition to your bathtub or shower than a straight grab bar, though its slip resistance isn’t as strong as that of other bars we tested.

If you’re looking for something that will blend in with most bathrooms well enough that no one will give it a second thought, the Grabcessories 2-in-1 Tub and Shower Grab Ring 61029 is a good choice. Thanks to its nearly circular design, it neatly wraps around most shower and bath handles, giving you a secure place to hold while you’re turning the water off or on.

It saves space. Because it utilizes the empty area around existing bathtub or shower handles, this grab bar doesn’t add bulk to a space that might be pretty small.

It looks great in most spaces. Even if the finish doesn’t prove to be a direct match for your bathroom fixtures, the brushed nickel and chrome color options are broad enough to complement most spaces.

It has an impressive weight capacity. Like the straight Moen bar and the Zuext bar, this grab bar has one of the highest weight capacities we saw, up to 500 pounds, making it a better choice for people who weigh more than 250 pounds than the Moen toilet-paper holder bar and several other models we considered.

When it comes to grab bars, you can find hundreds of options out there, so we started by narrowing down what elevates a grab bar from okay to exceptional. Safety was our top priority for all the bars that we selected, though we also wanted to find bars that looked nice.

Grab bars are not one-size-fits-all. They vary widely in size, shape, and intended purpose, even within a room as small as the bathroom. Because of that, we selected recommendations that span a variety of needs and styles, as we know that what might work for one person may be the wrong choice for another.

Though we did consider more niche styles of grab bars, such as bathtub-mounted bars and floor-to-ceiling pressure-mounted bars, ultimately we decided to recommend models that offer the greatest versatility for the average person to customize their space however it works best for them.

We looked for models that met the following criteria:

We read through hundreds of reviews and spoke to three experts in occupational therapy. We also dug into conversations on social media to find any gems that people especially loved.

We tested 11 bars in total—six wall-mounted grab bars, two folding assist bars, and three suction-mounted assist bars. For every model, we took note of the packaging to see if people most likely to need the grab bar would be able to open the materials without help.

We chose not to install the wall-mounted bars. Because the safety of the installation relies mainly on the skill of the installer and the surface it’s installed into, we concluded that our own tests wouldn’t offer much for readers. Instead, I tried to bend the bars in a variety of ways to see how much stress they could withstand. I tested each bar for slip resistance by coating my hands in a mix of Dawn dish soap, hand soap, and water and then sliding my soapy hand across the bar while holding on tightly.

We also tested any moving elements or secondary features, such as the folding bars’ ability to stay upright and the dual-use bar’s ability to serve as a toilet-paper roll dispenser.

We hung the suction-mounted bars on both tile and smooth plastic shower walls. We wanted to see if they could stay up multiple days, and we pulled on them every few days. We tested in humid conditions, such as directly after a shower, as well as in regular air-conditioned humidity levels.

We also wanted to see how much weight the suction bars could actually hold, so we hung increasingly heavy dumbbells from each model until they fell off the wall.

We hung the suction models at a variety of angles, including vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. We used them to stand up from a seated position on the shower floor, from a shower bench, and as a support while stepping in and out of the shower.

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A grab bar’s safety depends on the skill of the installer and the surface it’s installed into more than anything else. So it’s crucial that installation is done correctly.

Choose a location: There is no “correct” placement for most straight grab bars. Ultimately, the height and angle should be determined by the needs of the user. Some of the most common areas for bathroom grab bars are around the toilet, in and around the shower and bathtub, and any other transitional space where you’re moving from one area to another (especially if that area may be wet). Consider where your hand rests during these transitions and where it would be most helpful to have support.

Choose an angle: Grab bars can be installed vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, depending on how they will be used and by whom. For instance, a vertically installed grab bar will work for shorter and taller people in the home equally well. And according to occupational therapist Pamela Toto, some evidence suggests that diagonal installation can cause less stress on the joints of the hand.

Check whether your chosen spot can support a grab bar: Whenever possible, a grab bar should be installed directly into a wooden stud in the wall. It should never be installed into hollow or flimsy materials, such as thin plastic shower sides, where the installation area might bend or break.

Know when to hire a professional: Although most grab bars can be safely installed into drywall by the average person, it’s worth considering your home-improvement skills, your budget, and the wall material before attempting this. For those who aren’t particularly handy or who are installing into trickier materials like tiles, hiring a contractor is money well spent to ensure the grab bar is safely and securely installed without damaging your bathroom walls. If you’re not sure where you need the grab bar most, consider scheduling a home assessment with an occupational therapist; this can be a great way to get the optimal recommendations for everything, from placement angle to the shape of grab bar you should use.

Install with these steps: To install a grab bar, you’ll generally need a drill (and bits), stud finder, tape measure, level, pencil, screw driver, and eye protection. Depending on the material you’re drilling into and the location, some extra materials, such as tape or silicone caulk, may also be helpful.

Because we know that many people look for temporary grab bar options, we tested three suction-style assist bars along with our selected wall-mounted models. However, after extensive testing, research, and discussions with experts, we’ve determined that no suction-style bars offer the consistent safety and security required for us to wholly recommend them.

Suction-style assist bars are not designed to hold a person’s full weight and are not interchangeable with a grab bar, despite their similar appearance and marketing. Because suction bars are not permanently attached to the wall, they always require checking before every use, and they tend to need reinstallation after coming loose every so often. In short, they are not reliable for long-term use.

Toto told us that suction handles like those we tested are the first thing she tells a client to get rid of when she sees one in their bathroom because they will not hold if a person grabs it while falling. Occupational therapist Karen Jacobs agreed: “I would not recommend it to a client, a family member, and I wouldn’t put it in my own home.”

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If you want to add storage space while staying safe: The Grabcessories 2-in-1 Grab Bar Towel Shelf 61037 is one of the best multi-use grab bars available. It offers a shelf to display or store things, two hefty grab bars on either side of the shelf, and a towel rack below. Some assembly is required with this shelf, as it comes entirely disassembled, and though the glass shelf is aesthetically pleasing, it could pose a danger during a fall. However, if you’re looking to maximize your space, this model is a great option.

Though we liked the look and sturdiness of the Delta Contemporary Tissue Holder With Assist Bar 41550, the design in practice felt like an accident waiting to happen. Because the toilet-paper roll area is positioned more readily within reach in comparison with the grab bar, we worried that a person might grab the roll by mistake, which could lead to a fall.

The Famard Flip-Up Grab Bar and the Meetwarm Foldable Toilet Grab Bar offered some promising features, but when we saw the bars in person, we were less impressed by the designs. Though it’s great that these bars fold up to create more space in the bathroom when they’re not needed, when you’re folding and unfolding them, you have no way to secure the supporting leg. As a result, during the folding process, the leg could easily hit you as you’re moving the bar.

We don’t recommend any suction-style grab bars, but if you’re set on buying one—either for use during travel or because you can’t install a permanent grab bar in your home—and you understand the risks, the 16-inch Safe-er-Grip suction-cup assist handle and the 16.5-inch AmeriLuck Suction Grab Bar were the best we tested. Both were briefly able to hold around 90 pounds during our testing and stayed secure for several days with minimal usage. Keep in mind that these bars are intended only to help a person maintain their balance and should never be relied upon to stop a fall or to support a person’s full (or even partial) body weight.

We also tested the suction-mounted Safety+Beauty Suction Grab Bar but found it unreliable. It was difficult to install securely, it didn’t stay mounted in place for as long as our other tested models did, and it fell during one test with only 70 pounds of weight added.

This article was edited by Claire Perlman and Christine Cyr Clisset.

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Karen Jacobs, OT, EdD, OTR, CPE, FAOTA, occupational therapist and clinical professor of occupational therapy at Boston University, phone interview, September 19, 2023

Pamela Toto, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, FAOTA, FGSA, occupational therapist and professor of occupational therapy at the University of Pittsburgh, email interview, September 12, 2023

Regi Robnett, PhD, OTR/L, occupational therapist and professor emeritus at the University of New England, phone interview, September 15, 2023

Anna Wenner

Anna Wenner is a freelance writer. Though Anna’s writing spans everything from fandoms to fashion, she especially loves accessibility and LGBTQ+ topics. Previously Anna created cards at Hallmark, documented graves at a cemetery, and photographed everything from the NCAA tournament to President Barack Obama.

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