Shower Chairs & Benches
Waterproof chairs, stools, and tub transfer benches that let someone sit to bathe safely, instead of standing on a slippery surface.
Typical cost: $30–$350
How much do shower chairs & benches cost in Canada?
- Shower stool or basic chairNo back, light and simple
- $30 to $90
- Shower chair with back and armsMore support to sit and stand
- $70 to $180
- Tub transfer benchSit, then slide over the tub wall
- $120 to $350
Prices in CAD, illustrative as of 2026. What you pay depends on whether it is a simple stool, a chair with a back and arms, or a tub transfer bench, plus the weight rating and any padded or swivel seating.
Compare shower chairs & benches brands
The major brands sold in Canada, with where each one fits. We note real differences in service and reliability, not just price, so you can ask the right questions. Each quote goes to vetted local dealers.
Drive Medical
Shower Chairs & Benches
Wide, affordable range of shower chairs, stools, and transfer benches in most medical stores.
- Price tier
- Budget
- Weight capacity
- Up to 300 lb; bariatric to 500 lb
- Warranty
- Standard
Best for: Families who want a dependable, low-cost bath seat.
Nova
Shower Chairs & Benches
Comfort-focused shower chairs and benches with padded seats and easy height adjustment.
- Price tier
- Mid-range
- Weight capacity
- Up to 300 lb
- Warranty
- Limited
Best for: Everyday comfort with a padded, adjustable seat.
Carex
Shower Chairs & Benches
Trusted everyday bath-safety line, including stools, chairs, and transfer benches.
- Price tier
- Budget
- Weight capacity
- Up to 300 lb
- Warranty
- Standard
Best for: Reliable basics at a friendly price.
AquaSense
Shower Chairs & Benches
Bath-safety specialist with ergonomic, corrosion-resistant shower seating.
- Price tier
- Mid-range
- Weight capacity
- Up to 300 lb
- Warranty
- Limited
Best for: Rust-resistant frames and a comfortable, contoured seat.
Medline
Shower Chairs & Benches
Value-focused shower chairs and benches sold widely across Canada.
- Price tier
- Budget
- Weight capacity
- Up to 350 lb (heavy-duty)
- Warranty
- Limited
Best for: Simple, sturdy options including heavy-duty sizes.
Grants & funding by province
Bathroom accessibility work often qualifies for the federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit (up to $20,000 in eligible expenses) and the Medical Expense Tax Credit, plus provincial home-renovation and accessibility grants. March of Dimes and municipal programs may help.
Which grants can help pay for this?
Choose your province to see the funding that applies. Federal credits apply across Canada.
- Federal
Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)
A federal tax credit for renovations that make a home safer or easier to get around, including stair lifts, ramps, walk-in tubs, and grab bars.
- Typical amount
- Up to $20,000 in eligible work a year, worth up to $3,000 back (15%).
- Who qualifies
- Seniors 65 and older, or adults eligible for the Disability Tax Credit, claimed on the yearly tax return.
- Federal
Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC)
A federal credit on eligible medical expenses. A stair lift and similar equipment can qualify with a doctor's note, and can often be claimed alongside the HATC.
- Typical amount
- 15% federal credit on eligible expenses above the yearly threshold.
- Who qualifies
- Anyone with qualifying medical expenses; equipment usually needs a prescription or letter from a doctor.
- Federal
Veterans Affairs Canada (Veterans Independence Program)
Support for eligible veterans and some survivors to stay independent at home, which can include home adaptations and accessibility equipment.
- Typical amount
- Coverage varies by assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- Eligible veterans and certain survivors, assessed through VAC.
- ProvincialIncome-tested
March of Dimes Home & Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP)
Ontario funding toward home modifications like stair lifts, ramps, and lifts for people with a substantial mobility impairment. Income-tested.
- Typical amount
- Up to $15,000 toward eligible home modifications, for those who qualify.
- Who qualifies
- Ontario residents with a substantial mobility restriction expected to last a year or more; income-tested.
- ProvincialIncome-tested
Ontario Renovates (municipal)
Forgivable loans or grants for low-income homeowners to make accessibility and safety repairs, delivered locally (Toronto, Ottawa, London, and others).
- Typical amount
- Varies by municipality (often forgivable loans up to several thousand dollars).
- Who qualifies
- Low-income homeowners; income limits and rules are set by each municipality.
- Provincial
B.C. Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors & Persons with Disabilities
A refundable B.C. tax credit for renovations that improve access or safety, on top of the federal HATC.
- Typical amount
- Up to $1,000 a year (10% of up to $10,000 in eligible work).
- Who qualifies
- B.C. residents 65 and older, or living with a person with a disability.
- ProvincialIncome-tested
Alberta Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP) & AADL
RAMP grants help wheelchair users adapt a home; Aids to Daily Living (AADL) cost-shares mobility and accessibility equipment.
- Typical amount
- RAMP up to $7,500 over three years; AADL cost-shares assessed equipment.
- Who qualifies
- Albertans with a permanent mobility disability who use a wheelchair (RAMP); assessed need (AADL).
- Provincial
Saskatchewan Aids to Independent Living (SAIL)
Cost-shared mobility aids and self-help equipment for residents with qualifying disabilities or conditions.
- Typical amount
- Cost-shared by program; varies by item.
- Who qualifies
- Saskatchewan residents with eligible disabilities or chronic conditions.
- Provincial
Manitoba Home Care equipment & adaptations
Equipment and home-adaptation support arranged through the Manitoba Home Care program for people assessed as needing it to stay home safely.
- Typical amount
- Based on assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- Manitoba residents assessed through the Home Care program.
- Provincial
PEI Disability Support Program
Funding toward accessibility equipment and home modifications for eligible Islanders living with a disability.
- Typical amount
- Based on assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- PEI residents who qualify under the Disability Support Program.
- Condition-specific
MS Society of Canada equipment support
Regional MS Society programs can help offset the cost of accessibility and mobility equipment for people living with multiple sclerosis.
- Typical amount
- Varies by region and program.
- Who qualifies
- People living with multiple sclerosis, through regional MS Society chapters.
- Condition-specific
Muscular Dystrophy Canada equipment program
Funding toward mobility and accessibility equipment for people living with a neuromuscular disorder.
- Typical amount
- Based on assessed need.
- Who qualifies
- Clients of Muscular Dystrophy Canada living with a neuromuscular condition.
What to look for in shower chairs & benches
- A stable, wide base with non-slip rubber tips
- A back and armrests, or a simple stool, for the user's balance
- Height adjustment and a 250 to 500 lb weight rating
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between a shower chair and a transfer bench?
- A shower chair sits inside the shower or tub so someone can bathe seated. A tub transfer bench is longer and straddles the tub wall, so a person sits on the outside end and slides across to get in without stepping over. If stepping over a tub wall is the hard part, a transfer bench is usually the safer choice.
- Does the government help pay for a shower chair in Canada?
- Shower chairs are usually affordable enough that families pay out of pocket, but help can exist. A prescribed bath seat may count toward the Medical Expense Tax Credit, and some provincial programs, Veterans Affairs, or private insurance may contribute. A pharmacist or occupational therapist can point you to local options.
- How do I choose the right shower chair?
- Match it to the user's balance and the bathroom. Look for a wide, stable base with non-slip rubber tips, a weight rating above the user's weight, and adjustable-height legs. A back and armrests help people who need support to sit and stand, while a simple stool suits steadier users in a small shower.
- Are shower chairs safe on a slippery tub floor?
- Yes, when they have non-slip rubber tips and sit level on the surface. Check that all four feet rest flat and the tips are in good shape, and add a non-slip bath mat for extra grip. Avoid a chair that rocks or slides, and wipe up soap that can make the floor slick.
- What weight can a shower chair hold?
- Most standard shower chairs and benches are rated to about 250 to 300 lb. Heavy-duty and bariatric models support 400 to 500 lb with a wider, reinforced frame. Always check the weight rating and choose one comfortably above the user's weight.
- Can a shower chair be used in a walk-in shower and a bathtub?
- A basic shower chair or stool works in a roll-in or walk-in shower and inside a bathtub. For a standard tub with high walls, a transfer bench is better because it lets someone sit and slide over the wall rather than step in. Measure your space first so the chair or bench fits.
Senior Care Path may earn a referral fee from some providers and a commission on some product links. This never affects your price, and our brand notes and rankings are editorial. Requesting a quote is free, with no obligation, and you can ask us to stop contacting you at any time.