3 Best Walk-In Shower Companies Reviewed in 2024 (2024)

Walk-in showers can be an excellent choice for homeowners seeking an updated bathroom design, older adults wanting to make it easier to navigate their home and individuals with mobility issues. The main benefit of walk-in showers is that they offer easy access without the need to step over high thresholds. This enhances safety and reduces the risk of falls, making everyday use more convenient and secure.

In this guide, read about how walk-in showers work, how much they cost and what your design options are to help decide whether this type of bathroom renovation makes sense for you.

What is a walk-in shower?

A walk-in shower is a stand-alone unit with little to no curb to step over when entering and exiting. It may be enclosed by a glass door or curtain. Walk-in showers are easier to access than traditional shower units, like shower-tub combos, which typically have a 15-inch entry barrier.

Walk-in showers aren’t only a popular bathroom upgrade; they’re also ideal for those with mobility issues and for homeowners who are aging in place.

Walk-in shower vs. walk-in tub

Walk-in tubs have a low step threshold, built-in seats and a handheld showerhead. A walk-in tub may be a good option if you have mobility issues and prefer a soaking bath to a shower.

A walk-in tub is typically a smaller enclosure and may be easier to enter and exit than a walk-in shower. You can install a grab bar and a shower seat in your walk-in shower, however, to accommodate any mobility issues.

» MORE: Walk-in showers vs. walk-in tubs

Walk-in shower pros and cons

Walk-in showers can make a bathroom look sleek and luxurious, and they can create a safer bathing environment for older adults and those with mobility issues. They’re also easy to clean and maintain.

You can also customize many components of a walk-in shower, from size to safety and comfort features, making it ideal for various homes and lifestyles. These showers aren’t for everyone, though — if you have children or limited space in your bathroom, for instance, a walk-in shower might not be the right choice.

Walk-in shower designs and features

There are several walk-in shower designs available, from prefabricated shower kits to fully custom-tiled showers.

Some of the most popular walk-in shower design trends today:

• Zero-entry showers with no doors or glass doors that flow seamlessly to the floor
• Larger, more expansive walk-in showers
• Showers with natural light sources (e.g., frosted glass windows)
• Fully tiled showers
• Showers with high-end fixtures and finishes, like polished nickel, marble, stone, wood and black onyx
• Built-in benches or niches for added storage and functionality

Make sure the design you pick aligns with your long-term needs, especially if you plan on aging in place.

Walk-in shower materials

Your walk-in shower material options may depend on whether you get a prefabricated shower kit or a fully custom shower. Each material differs in look, cost, durability and ease of maintenance.

• Stone: You may choose stone tiling for not only its durability but also its aesthetic. Natural stone can give a spa-like feel to the bathroom. There’s a variety of stone types to choose from, including quartz, marble and granite.
• Glass: Glass tile is available in many different shapes and colors. If you’re looking for a bright, vibrant color to use in your new shower, you may be able to find it in a glass tile. It's popular for its sheen and shine, but it’s also easy to clean.
• Ceramic: Ceramic is versatile. Ceramic tiles are generally less expensive than glass, but you’ll need to reseal the tiles periodically so water doesn't stain the surface.
• Porcelain: Porcelain tile gives an elegant and sophisticated look, but it costs much more than ceramic tile. Since porcelain is produced through a high-temperature manufacturing process, it's a very dense and strong material. Porcelain is chip-, stain- and scratch-resistant.
• Acrylic/fiberglass: Acrylic and fiberglass are commonly used in the prefabricated shower kits you can buy from home improvement stores. Both are low-cost alternatives to stone, porcelain, glass and ceramic.

Walk-in shower comfort features

You can also add innovative features, like rainfall showerheads or sound systems, to your walk-in shower to create an ambiance of relaxation and comfort.

• Showerheads: You can customize the spray pattern and water flow with your choice of showerhead. Rainfall showerheads are installed on the ceiling and are light in water pressure. There are also eco-friendly options, like low-flow showerheads, which may use up to 50% less water than a traditional showerhead. You can also opt for a combo (e.g., both a rainfall and a handheld showerhead).
• Spa-like features: Consider features like built-in seating or a steam system to make your shower into a steam room. Just be sure your bathroom has proper ventilation to help circulate the air and prevent mold from growing.
• New technology: You can make your shower a “smart” shower by adding voice activation, which can turn the shower on or off by the sound of your voice. There’s also new tech that lets you create and save temperature settings for each person.

What if I have mobility issues?

If you’re looking to install a walk-in shower for its accessibility perks, there are barrier-free walk-in showers with no ledge to step over and no door to open or close. You can also get a model with a glide bar, handheld showerhead, grab bars and a foldable seat.

Walk-in showers cost

In general, for both the product and installation, you can expect to spend between about $4,000 to $16,000 total. Larger walk-in showers require more materials and labor to install, so a smaller shower is typically less expensive to install than a larger one.

Materials can also significantly impact your walk-in shower costs. Acrylic and fiberglass are typically less expensive than other materials, for instance, but tile costs can vary widely. Ceramic tile is an affordable option, but if you want glass tiles, know that it’s one of the more expensive alternatives.

You might spend between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars for a professional to install your new walk-in shower (this depends in large part on your labor costs). There are several cost considerations, though — i.e., a tiled shower will have higher labor costs than prefabricated shower inserts because it takes more time to install.

» LEARN: The costs of aging-in-place remodeling

Walk-in shower labor and installation costs

You might spend between a few hundred and a few thousand dollars for a professional to install your new walk-in shower (this depends in large part on your labor costs). Costs can range from around $1,500 for a prefabricated shower kit to up to $20,000 for more custom jobs. There are several cost considerations, though — i.e., a tiled shower will have higher labor costs than prefabricated shower inserts because it takes more time to install.

If your space isn’t outfitted for your new shower’s plumbing requirements (i.e., converting a bathtub to a walk-in shower), you’ll likely pay more for installation. Changes to the existing plumbing will also cost extra.

How to save money on a walk-in shower

If you’re planning to buy a walk-in shower, it’s a good idea to make a budget and start saving now. Breaking down the costs can make saving more manageable — if you plan to spend $4,000, for instance, you can put $334 into a savings account monthly for the next year. You can also put any extra cash you make, like a work bonus, toward this budget.

If you’d like to save on your walk-in shower upgrade, consider purchasing prefabricated shower kits over installing custom showers. Prefabricated units are cheaper to install and cost less overall.

Also, look for discount tile outlets or retailers in your area. These often have a variety of tiles at deep discounts. If you decide to purchase your tile from a place like this, however, be sure to adequately measure the space and buy a few boxes more than you think you’ll need to install. Once a style is sold out, the outlet may not get any more in stock.

Another cost-saver is to opt for a shower curtain rather than a glass shower door. You can dress up your shower with a curtain and save hundreds of dollars. This also gives more privacy than a glass door.

» MORE: Cost of a shower replacement

What’s the ROI?

Bathroom remodels tend to have a high ROI (return on investment). If you add a walk-in shower in particular, you’ll likely recoup your costs and add some value to your home in the process.

Just keep in mind that many potential homebuyers, especially those with young children, want at least one bathtub in the house. If you plan to sell soon, you may not want to convert your only tub into a walk-in shower.

To select our top picks, we started with a list of seven popular walk-in shower companies. We looked at reviews and ratings on our site to determine whose customers have had the best experiences over a recent three-year period. Here’s how we weighted the importance of several key features:

Customer service and staff: 20%

Staff know-how and solid customer service are important to reviewers of walk-in shower companies. We prioritized brands with a reputation for excellent customer service.

Punctuality: 20%

No one wants to wait forever for their bathroom remodel. We considered how prompt walk-in shower companies were when it came time for installation.

Installation: 20%

We prioritized companies with a history of quality workmanship from thorough, tidy, communicative installers.

Price: 15%

Though price isn’t the most important factor to the majority of walk-in shower reviewers, it still affects customer satisfaction. We analyzed our reviews to gauge if buyers felt the price of the product was reasonable and worth it.

Warranties: 15%

With any large investment, you want some kind of guarantee you’re covered in the event of a defect or installation issue. We gave preference to brands with generous workmanship and product and component warranties.

Overall reputation: 10%

We also looked at the big picture: How do our reviewers feel in general about walk-in shower companies? As of publishing, all our top picks have at least a 4.4 star rating on our site.

To recap, our top picks are:

• Safe Step
• American Standard
• Independent Home
• Kohler LuxStone
• BCI Bath & Shower