If you or a loved one has mobility issues, you understand how difficult and unsafe it can be to get on and off the toilet without assistance. Toilet safety frames and rails help provide support and stability to give people their independence back without the risk of falling. Whether the mobility loss is temporary, like from an injury, or permanent, like from a disability or old age, toilet rails are a crucial mobility aid for many people.
There are so many to choose from that it can be hard to know what to pick. We’ve found six of the best toilet safety frames to help you narrow down your search to the one that will work best for you or your loved one.
Best Toilet Safety Frames
1. Drive Medical Stand Alone Toilet Safety Rail
This freestanding toilet safety rail fits around most toilets and includes a built-in magazine rack for convenience. It has a 300-pound weight capacity, but only 21” between the arms, so it may not work well for people with large hips.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Customer Reviews
The design of this product means that you have to put equal weight on both arms, or you risk it tipping over. People also complained that the base was a tripping hazard and that the arms were too low for taller people. Still, these complaints are far outweighed by people who love this product and say that it more than meets their needs.
Our Take
This product will work best for small to average-sized people who use both arms to stand up. Larger people or those who prefer to lean on one arm may struggle with this one.
2. Medline’s Guardian Toilet Safety Rail
This bathroom safety rail is easy to install without any tools, and the adjustable height allows it to work in conjunction with some toilet seat risers. It fits most standard toilets, and the width between the handles adjusts up to 24”.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Customer Reviews
People with newer toilets complained that this wouldn’t fit, and the item is not returnable. Some people said it isn’t very sturdy. On the other hand, most people said this worked perfectly for their needs and was easy to install.
Our Take
This product may not work if you have a modern toilet, and some people found it wobbly. However, there’s a good chance it will work for you or your loved one.
3. Vaunn Medical Bathroom Adjustable Height Toilet Rail
If you’re looking for a portable toilet rail with an adjustable height, this fits the bill. The height adjusts from 24” to 29”, and there is 23” between the rails. It fits around most toilets and includes a built-in magazine rack.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Customer Reviews
There were several reports of missing or wrong pieces. In fact, complaints about quality control issues outnumber those of the product being unstable. Most people, however, had great things to say about this product. It’s highly rated with the majority of reviewers saying it’s easy to install and very stable.
Our Take
This is one of the highest-rated handicap toilet bars on the market. As long as you get a properly manufactured set with all the pieces, it’s likely to be perfect for your needs.
4. Medline Toilet Safety Rails, Safety Frame for Toilet
This minimalistic toilet safety rail is fully adjustable and doesn’t take up much space. It can hold up to 300 pounds and fits most standard toilets.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Customer Reviews
Many people report that this safety frame is not very stable. The rails being adjustable can make them unsteady. Most people, however, are pleased with this product.
Our Take
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This product is best suited for people who just need a little support to stand up from the toilet. It may not work as well for people who need to lean heavily on it to get up.
5. OasisSpace Stand Alone Toilet Safety Rail
This freestanding toilet safety rail folds up for easy storage and is easy to assemble. The front legs are tipped with non-slip caps, while the back legs have suction cups. The handles are cushioned and non-slip.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Customer Reviews
The suction cups are either amazing or worthless, depending on the type of floor you have. People love that it’s portable, but that portability comes at the cost of stability. This product is returnable, but you have to pay the cost of shipping.
Our Take
If you’re looking for a collapsible toilet frame, this is an excellent choice as long as you don’t have an uneven bathroom floor.
6. Carex Toilet Safety Frame
For bathroom safety handles that attach directly to the toilet without any legs getting in the way, check out the Carex Toilet Safety Frame. The width between the handles adjusts from 16” to 18”, and it supports up to 300 pounds. The design fits most toilets.
Key Features
Pros
Cons
Customer Reviews
Many people reported the grab bars slipping out of place, sometimes leading to falls. There were also complaints about the small width between the handles making it difficult for larger people to use. However, most people loved this product and found that it suited their needs.
Our Take
It may depend on your toilet how sturdy this product is. You may have problems with the arms slipping off the toilet, or it may be perfectly stable. You won’t know until you try it. The width between the handles is also too small for larger people.
How to Choose the Best Toilet Safety Rails
Here are some tips to help you choose the best toilet safety rails for your needs.
Width and Height
Pay close attention to the width between the handles. Very small people may struggle with handles that are too close together, while larger people may be uncomfortable with handles that are too close together.
Likewise, the height is critical. Handles that are too low will be unsteady for tall people, while short people may struggle with handles that are too high.
Weight Capacity
While the width between the handles may be the most significant factor in how large of a person can use the product, you should still pay attention to the weight capacity. While most toilet rails can support 300 pounds, some can only support 250 pounds. If you or your loved one are on the heavier side, you want to make sure the product won’t collapse.
General Shape
How much room do you have around the toilet? What is the layout of the bathroom? How large is the person who will be using the product? Will multiple people of different sizes and abilities be sharing the same toilet? The answers to these questions will help you determine which general shape will be best for you or your loved one.
“No Mark” Installation
Do you own your own home? Is your loved one renting an apartment in a retirement community? Some toilet rails are more permanent than others. You don’t want a product that screws into the wall or floor if you’re renting. However, that may be an option if you own your home and foresee being there for a while.
Wheelchair Transfers
What features make it easier or harder to transfer from the wheelchair to the toilet and vice versa? Do you need handles that can swing out of the way, or are fixed handles better? Will a frame on the floor in front of the toilet get in the way? If wheelchair transfers are involved, a whole different set of factors need to be considered when selecting toilet frames.
Smaller Spaces
If you have a very small space around your toilet, you may be limited in what type of frame or rail you can install. You may want to measure the width of the area around the toilet to ensure that any rails you buy will fit. Many of these products are not returnable, even if the package is unopened, so figure out the best dimensions and style before placing an order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Toilet Rails
To save you time, here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about toilet rails.
How Are Toilet Safety Frames and Rails Installed?
Each type of safety frame has a different installation process. Some portable ones are like walkers and simply need to be assembled. Others attach underneath the toilet seat. Some secure inside the bowl. Yet others might screw into the wall or floor. Always check the product specifications and reviews for how to install the product and whether other people had any difficulty installing the product themselves.
How Do You Clean a Toilet Safety Frame?
Generally, you can clean a toilet frame once or twice a week with soap and water or an antibacterial wipe. Pay attention to the product details. Foam handles, in particular, may degrade under harsh cleaners. Frames that attach to the toilet seat may be difficult to keep clean. Reading the reviews can give you an idea about how easy or difficult a product is to keep clean.
What Is a Safety Grip?
The safety grip is the cushion or coating on the handles where you hold on to support yourself. It should have a non-slip grip to help prevent falls. Safety grips may be powder-coated or covered in soft foam.
Wrapping Up
While it can be challenging to find the best toilet frame or rail for your situation, hopefully one of the products we’ve talked about here will work well for you or your loved one. There are many terrible products on the market, and it can be difficult to find mobility aids that are worth the money.
Have you tried one of these products, or another one? How well did it work? Let us know in the comments, so other people in the same situation know which frames and rails to try and which ones to avoid.
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