Home / Daily living aids

Transfer benches: getting into the tub without stepping over the wall

By the Life in Good Form editors. Updated 2026-10-13.

We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.

Quick answerA tub transfer bench is a long seat that straddles the bathtub wall, with two legs inside the tub and two outside. You sit down on the outside end, slide across, and lift your legs over the wall while seated, so you never have to step over it. It suits people who cannot safely step into a tub. Check the weight capacity, make sure the legs adjust so the seat sits level, and set it so the seat is high enough that your knees stay below your hips if you have hip precautions.
Our picks at a glance
  • Tub transfer bench with backrest and reversible frame. Best for: Most standard bathtubs, after surgery or with balance problems. See options on Amazon
  • Heavy-duty transfer bench. Best for: Larger users or anyone wanting extra margin. See options on Amazon
  • Padded transfer bench. Best for: Longer showers, thin or sensitive skin. See options on Amazon
  • Handheld shower head on a hose. Best for: Showering while seated on the bench. See options on Amazon

Compare the picks and what to watch out for

Why the tub wall is the hard part

A CDC study of bathroom injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments found that about 68% happened in or around the tub or shower, and falls caused 81.1% of all bathroom injuries. Getting out of the tub or shower set off 9.8% of injuries, far more than getting in. Stepping over a wet tub wall on one leg is exactly the move a transfer bench removes.

MedlinePlus advises sitting on a bath chair or bench when taking a shower, and suggests asking for a referral to an occupational or physical therapist who can visit your bathroom and recommend changes. A therapist can also teach the transfer.

Transfer bench or shower chair?

NeedBetter fit
Cannot safely lift a leg over the tub wall while standingTub transfer bench
Walk-in shower with no wall or a low lipShower chair or shower stool
Coming from a wheelchair to the tubTransfer bench, possibly a sliding transfer bench
Want to sit low in the bath waterBath lift

How to choose and measure

Setting it up

  1. Place two legs inside the tub with the inside legs close to the far wall, and two legs outside, as the Canadian Red Cross describes.
  2. Adjust the two inside legs to the same height and the two outside legs to the same height so the seat sits roughly level, with every leg on the floor and none resting on the tub wall.
  3. Check each spring button pokes fully through its hole.
  4. Rock the bench gently to test stability before every use.
  5. Put a slip-resistant mat outside the tub.

Getting in and out

Getting in: back up until your legs touch the bench, reach back for it, and sit on the outside end. Slide toward the middle, then lift one leg at a time over the tub wall. Turn slowly without twisting, as the Red Cross advises. Northwestern Medicine suggests having someone help the first few times.

Getting out: slide to the edge, move your legs out first, then push down on the seat to stand, using your walker or a grab bar. MedlinePlus advises grab bars mounted vertically or horizontally, never diagonally, and warns not to use towel racks as grab bars. Set the water heater no higher than 120 F to prevent burns.

What to look for when you buy

Tub transfer bench with backrest and reversible frame

Best for: Most standard bathtubs, after surgery or with balance problems

A bench that switches sides works whichever end the faucet is on, and a backrest helps while seated. Drive lists its three-piece bench as reversible with half-inch height steps.

Watch out: Check the seat height keeps your knees below your hips if you have hip precautions.

See options on Amazon

Heavy-duty transfer bench

Best for: Larger users or anyone wanting extra margin

Weight ratings vary by model; Drive's three-piece bench is rated to 400 lb. Pick a rating above your weight.

Watch out: Heavier frames are harder to move in and out of the tub.

See options on Amazon

Padded transfer bench

Best for: Longer showers, thin or sensitive skin

A padded seat spreads pressure while you sit through a seated shower.

Watch out: Padding must be wiped and dried after use; check for tears that can hold water.

See options on Amazon

Handheld shower head on a hose

Best for: Showering while seated on the bench

A seated shower is easier when the water can come to you instead of you turning toward a fixed head.

Watch out: Keep the hose clear of your feet when you stand.

See options on Amazon
When to talk to a doctor: After hip replacement, use the bench only within your surgeon's precautions and ask your occupational therapist to set the height. If you have limited mobility, have someone supervise or help with transfers, as the Red Cross recommends.

Questions people ask

What is a tub transfer bench?
A bench that straddles the tub wall with two legs in the tub and two outside, so you can sit outside and slide across instead of stepping over the wall.
How high should a transfer bench be?
Level, with all four legs on a floor. After hip replacement, Northwestern Medicine says your knee should be below your hip when sitting.
Does a transfer bench fit any tub?
Most fit standard tubs, but measure the floor space outside the tub and confirm the inside legs can reach the tub floor and adjust level.
Is a transfer bench better than a shower chair?
If you cannot safely step over a tub wall, yes. A shower chair sits inside the tub or shower, so you still have to step in.

Sources

Sources checked 2026-10-13.

Related guides