Nov 10, 2023 6 min read Accessible Travel Tips

4 Portable Shower Chair Options for Travel [+ pros and cons]

Nuprodx brand travel shower chair

This article is written by Alvaro Silberstein - an avid traveler, co-founder of Wheel the World, and a C5 quadriplegic. In this article, he shares his advice and guidance on the best shower wheelchairs for travel.

Alvaro Silberstein - Founder of Wheel the World in Patagonia — Alvaro Silberstein: co-founder and CEO of Wheel the World

Shower and bathrooms are always an issue for people with a physical disability. Each of us, with different disabilities, has a different technique, equipment, and assistance needs when it comes time to take a shower. Portable shower chairs are often essential for many travelers with disabilities.

In my case, I am a complete C5 quadriplegic. I need assistance to transfer and the best solution for me is a bathroom wheelchair that lets me enter a roll-in shower to be able to shower. Some people require a bench or shower seat built within the shower and then transfer onto it. For those more daring, all they need is a plastic seat placed in the shower, or simply to transfer to a cushion on the shower or bath floor.

Traveling with a Portable Shower Chair

Many people wonder how those who need a shower wheelchair go about traveling. Is it possible to fold it up and take it with you?

The answer is yes, but not always.

Some shower wheelchairs have been designed specifically to be able to store easily for travel. I’ve had the opportunity to try out many different options. In this article I want to share the best alternatives for those who are looking for a travel shower wheelchair.

Disclaimer 1: The order is random. I will go over the pros and cons of each option. As we know well, every disability is different, so we want to give as many details as possible so that you can decide based on your needs.
Disclaimer 2: Like a lot of adaptive equipment, these chairs are expensive. Some government programs offer subsidies for them and all of these chairs last a long time. I’ve had mine for ten years.

Can I Bring a Shower Chair on a Plane?

No, you cannot bring your shower chair on the plane. Shower chairs aren’t considered carry-ons and should be checked like other baggage. However, airlines cannot charge you to check a shower wheelchair because it’s considered essential mobility equipment. Don’t let them charge you extra!

Travel shower wheelchair by Seatara

The Best Portable Shower Chairs to Consider for Travel

Lets get into the some options you should consider when looking for a solid shower wheelchair to bring with you during your travels.

Go-Anywhere Portable Commode Shower Chair

Pros: The Go-Anywhere portable chair is easy to put together and take apart. You can assemble it in just five minutes or so. The first time can be a little difficult, but then it becomes like second nature after a few tries.

You can also use this shower chair in the bathtub. A slider attaches to the chair so that it can be placed in the tub without leaving the chair. It’s functional and very useful for when there is a bathtub instead of a roll-in shower.

Cons: What could be improved on this chair? Its weight, bulkiness, and carrying case. The case has wheels, but it’s very big. If you bring all of the parts including the slider, it’s a bit heavy. On long trips it can be uncomfortable to transport and it takes up a lot of space in the trunk of a car.

Seatara Wheelable Chair

Pros: This modern and ergonomic chair was designed to accommodate smaller bathrooms and narrow doors. It has big wheels that allow users with functional movement in their arms to push themselves independently.

The best thing about this chair is its weight and how easy it is to store. It’s mostly made of plastic which makes it much lighter than its aluminum alternatives. It has an innovative design which takes less than a minute to put together and take apart. It has a compact bag that’s easy to transport and lighter than its counterparts. The carrier bag is so light, in fact, that it’s a little weak and easier to break when traveling on an airplane for example.

Cons: The con of this bathroom wheelchair is that it’s so compact that people with reduced mobility may not feel secure and stable when seated in the chair. It has a low back rest and the seat is a bit low (49 cm of space), so using a taller than normal toilet isn’t possible. It could be uncomfortable for caregivers assisting people with their bathroom procedures.

Overall, this chair is a great solution because it’s compact and easy to set up, but it’s not for everyone. It doesn’t meet certain requirements for people with less mobility (for example, tetraplegics) that need more assistance and mobility.

Portable shower chair folded next to storage bag — Seatara portable shower chair with storage bag

Seatara BathMobile Chair

Pros: The BathMobile Chair, from the same brand as the Wheelable Chair, is the less compact and autonomous sister that is more stable and comfortable for people with less mobility. It's a foldable shower chair with a back, but still very light (more than the Goes Anywhere chair) and is as easy to transport and store.

Cons: The most complicated part of this chair is the height - with a 47cm space between the seat and the floor. It’s less than the Wheelable, which keeps it from entering some bathrooms. Accessible toilets in hotel rooms are often higher than normal (designed with the elderly in mind). This can be an issue for those who use this chair.

Although this chair has small wheels and was designed to be used with assistance, a user with more mobility can change them to larger wheels to be able to push it. But, these wheels will not fit in the carrying case.

Nuprodx Model MC4000TX Chair

Pros: This model of shower wheelchair is compact when it’s stored away and has a relatively small carrying case. It’s stable and made to be assisted like the Goes Anywhere and BathMobile chairs. You can adjust the height of the chair and, therefore, the space between the seat and the floor from its legs. It takes about 5 minutes to set up and one person can do it easily. It’s easier to set up than the Wheelable and the BathMobile and a little simpler than the Goes Anywhere.

Cons: It’s case is easy to transport and tough, although it’s a little heavy compared to the Seatara chairs.

In my opinion, this the best solution for those with less stability like me because it has other optional features like a headrest and seat belt.

Final Thoughts

These are four options of shower wheelchairs that can be folded up and stored in a transportable case to bring with you on a trip. It’s important to mention that there are many people with a physical disability who can make it work without needing one of these chairs while traveling. If that’s you, traveling is even easier.

If you know of any other shower wheelchairs that are good options, don’t hesitate to reach out to us so that we can improve this article and add more options. Comment your suggestions below!

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