Medical disclaimer: This page is general information, not medical advice. An occupational therapist (OT) or physical therapist can check which bath equipment is safe for your body, your tub and your home.
Last updated October 2026 · By Walkers4Seniors Editorial Team
Quick answer: A tub transfer bench lets you sit down outside the tub and slide in, so you never have to step over the tub wall. Most benches hold 300 to 500 lb and adjust to a seat height of about 17.5 to 23.5 inches. For most seniors, a basic bench like the Drive Medical 12011KD-1 (400 lb) is enough; choose a sliding bench if moving sideways is hard.
Our 3 quick picks
- Best for most people: Drive Medical Transfer Tub Bench 12011KD-1 – 400 lb, 10 lb, reversible backrest, about $62.
- Best if sliding over is hard: Platinum Health Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench PHB3400G – padded seat slides 12 in and swivels 360°.
- Best for larger users: Drive Medical Heavy Duty Bariatric Transfer Bench 12025KD-1 – 500 lb, extra-wide seat.
Tub transfer benches compared
| Bench | Weight limit | Seat height | Key feature | Price seen (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive Medical 12011KD-1 | 400 lb | 17.5-22.5 in | Light (10 lb), reversible back | $61.91 |
| Carex Universal Transfer Bench | 400 lb | About 17.5-23.5 in* | All plastic, 2 built-in handles | $202.40 |
| Drive Medical 12025KD-1 Bariatric | 500 lb | 18.25-23.25 in | Seat 26.5 x 16.5 in | $151.71 |
| Platinum Health Carousel PHB3400G | 330 lb | 19-23.5 in | Slides 12 in, swivels 360° | $169-$393 |
| Eagle Health Sliding Bench 77662 / 77663 | 400 lb | 18.75-23 in | Slides 15 in; 77663 has a cutout | $225 / $302 |
| Medline Guardian G3-101KBPX1 | 400 lb | About 18-22 in* | Commode cutout + pail, padded back | $145.49 |
Specs are from manufacturer and retailer listings, checked October 2026. *Retailer listings give slightly different height ranges for these two benches; check the label or the seller before you buy. Prices change often.
See tub transfer benches on Amazon
What is a tub transfer bench?
A tub transfer bench is a long seat that sits partly inside the bathtub and partly outside it. Two legs stand inside the tub and two legs stand on the bathroom floor. You sit down on the outside end, then lift your legs over the tub wall and slide across.
It is different from a shower chair. A shower chair sits fully inside the tub or shower, so you still have to step over the tub wall to reach it. A transfer bench removes that step.
This matters because bathrooms are a common place for injuries. The CDC found that about 234,094 people aged 15 and older were treated in emergency rooms for bathroom injuries in one year. 81.1% of those injuries were caused by falls, and 68.3% happened in or near the tub or shower. Injury rates were highest at age 85 and older (515.3 per 100,000).
Who should use a tub transfer bench?
- People who cannot safely lift one leg over the tub wall while standing.
- People who use a walker or rollator and need both hands for balance.
- People recovering from hip or knee surgery who must follow movement precautions (ask your surgeon or OT first).
- Caregivers helping a parent bathe who want the parent seated for the whole transfer.
Who a transfer bench is NOT for
- People who weigh more than the bench’s weight limit. Choose a bariatric model rated for at least your weight.
- People with poor trunk control, seizures, spasticity or pressure sores. An OT evaluation is advised before buying any bath seat.
- Walk-in showers with no tub wall. A shower chair or fold-down seat usually fits better.
- Very small bathrooms where the outside legs block the doorway or toilet.
How do you use a tub transfer bench safely?
These steps follow patient guides from GBMC hospital rehab and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. Practice first with a helper and with the tub dry.
- Walk up to the bench with your walker. Turn and back up until you feel the bench against the back of your legs.
- Reach back with both hands and lower yourself slowly onto the outside end of the seat.
- Scoot back as far as you can.
- Lean back slightly, then lift one leg at a time over the tub wall.
- Slide further onto the seat, toward the middle of the tub.
- To get out, reverse the steps: slide out, lift your legs out one at a time, then push up with both hands to stand.
Keep the walker within reach but out of the water, and never use a towel rack to pull yourself up. Towel racks are not built to hold body weight.
How do I measure my tub for a transfer bench?
- Tub wall height: measure from the bathroom floor to the top of the tub wall. Some sliding benches only fit walls up to about 18.5 in (the Carousel fits 14 to 18.5 in).
- Tub width: the inside legs must stand flat on the tub floor. The Eagle 77762 tub-mount model needs a tub at least 25 in wide.
- Seat height: with shoes off, your feet should rest flat and your hips should be a little higher than your knees.
- Floor space: make sure the outside part of the bench leaves room to walk and to open the door.
- Uneven floors: if the tub floor is lower than the bathroom floor, set the inside and outside legs to different lengths so the seat is level.
The 6 best tub transfer benches, in detail
1. Drive Medical Transfer Tub Bench 12011KD-1 – best for most people
Manufacturer and retailer specs: 400 lb weight limit, seat height 17.5 to 22.5 in in 0.5 in steps, about 26 x 19.5 in, weighs 10 lb. Adjustable backrest that switches sides, suction-cup leg tips, tool-free assembly, limited lifetime warranty. No commode cutout. FSA/HSA eligible at Vitality Medical, where it was $61.91 in October 2026.
What owners report: 4.7 out of 5 from 10 reviews on Vitality Medical.
Not for: people who need a padded seat or a toilet cutout.
2. Carex Universal Bathtub Transfer Bench – best all-plastic option
Specs: 400 lb, seat about 30 x 19.25 in. The backrest is removable and switches sides for left or right tub entry. Two built-in handles. All plastic, so there is no metal to rust. Tool-free snap assembly. Listed at $202.40 at Performance Health and $80.45 direct from Carex.com in October 2026.
What owners report: no rating was shown on the retailer page we checked.
Not for: small bathrooms; at 30 in wide it is one of the larger benches here.
3. Drive Medical Heavy Duty Bariatric Transfer Bench 12025KD-1 – best for larger users
Specs: 500 lb weight limit, seat height 18.25 to 23.25 in, seat 26.5 x 16.5 in, overall about 33 x 25 in. Aluminum frame, reversible backrest, extra-large locking suction cups. $151.71 at CME Corp in October 2026.
What owners report: no reviews yet on the retailer page we checked.
Not for: narrow bathrooms; check that 33 in of width fits your space.
4. Platinum Health Carousel Sliding Transfer Bench PHB3400G – best if sliding is hard
Specs: 330 lb, seat height 19 to 23.5 in, padded 15 x 13 in seat that slides 12 in and swivels 360° (locks every 90°), pivoting arms. Fits tub walls 14 to 18.5 in high. Prices ranged from $169.49 (third-party seller on Walmart) to $393 (1800Wheelchair) in October 2026.
What owners report: 4.4 out of 5 from 89 ratings on Walmart. Owners mention easy assembly and smooth sliding; one review summary noted thin leg tubing.
Not for: users over 330 lb.
5. Eagle Health Sliding Transfer Bench 77662 / 77663 – longest slide
Specs: 400 lb, seat height 18.75 to 23 in, seat slides 15 in and swivels 360°. The 77663 adds a personal-care cutout. A tub-mount version (77762, 350 lb) needs a tub at least 25 in wide. Vitality Medical listed $225 (77662) and $302 (77663) in October 2026 and asks for a prescription or professional license to order there.
What owners report: 4.3 out of 5 from 52 reviews on Vitality Medical.
Not for: short bathrooms; the base is about 39 to 40 in long.
6. Medline Guardian Combination Transfer Bench and Commode G3-101KBPX1 – best with a toilet cutout
Specs: 400 lb, aluminum frame, suction feet, fixed arms, padded backrest, commode cutout with pail, lid and splash guard. Listed at $145.49 at Staples in October 2026 but shown out of stock there, so check other sellers.
What owners report: no reviews on the retailer page we checked.
Not for: people who want the lightest bench to move around.
Standard bench vs sliding bench: which is better?
A standard bench (like the Drive 12011KD-1) is cheaper and lighter, and works well if you can scoot yourself across the seat. A sliding bench (Carousel or Eagle) has a seat that glides across the tub wall, so a caregiver can move you with less pulling and less friction on the skin. Sliding benches cost about 3 to 6 times more and are longer.
Does Medicare pay for a tub transfer bench?
Usually not. Original Medicare treats most bathroom safety equipment as comfort or convenience items. CMS’s Durable Medical Equipment Reference List (NCD 280.1) lists bathtub seats, grab bars and raised toilet seats as “Deny.” Transfer benches are coded E0247 (standard) and E0248 (heavy duty).
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer bathroom safety devices as a supplemental benefit, and some state Medicaid programs may help. Ask your plan, and see our Medicare guide for walkers and rollators. FSA and HSA funds can often be used.
Make the rest of the bathroom safer
- Bathroom safety for walker users – full room checklist and grab bar tips.
- Best shower chairs for seniors – for walk-in showers and seated washing.
- Best grab bars for seniors – where to install them beside the tub and toilet.
- Best raised toilet seats for seniors – less effort sitting and standing.
- Non-slip slippers and shoes – safer steps on wet floors.
- Reacher grabbers – pick up dropped soap or towels without bending.
- Medical alert systems – help if a fall happens when you are alone.
- Free fall risk self-check – see how high the fall risk is.
- Best walkers after hip surgery and best walkers for seniors.
Frequently asked questions
Which legs of a transfer bench go inside the tub?
Two legs go inside the tub and two stay outside on the bathroom floor. Set the bench so the seat is level, check that the suction tips grip, and ask your OT which side the backrest should go for your tub.
What is the difference between a shower chair and a transfer bench?
A shower chair sits fully inside the tub, so you must step over the tub wall to use it. A transfer bench straddles the tub wall, so you sit down outside the tub and slide in.
Is a sliding transfer bench better than a standard one?
A sliding bench is easier when sliding across a fixed seat is hard or a caregiver helps you. A standard bench costs less, weighs less and is enough for many people.
What is the weight limit of a tub transfer bench?
Most standard benches hold 300 to 400 lb. Bariatric benches like the Drive 12025KD-1 hold 500 lb.
Can a transfer bench be used in a walk-in shower?
Usually not. A transfer bench is designed to straddle a tub wall. In a walk-in shower, a shower chair or a wall-mounted fold-down seat is the better fit.
Does Medicare cover a tub transfer bench?
Original Medicare generally does not, because it treats bathroom safety equipment as convenience items. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover it as a supplemental benefit.
Sources
- CDC MMWR. Nonfatal Bathroom Injuries Among Persons Aged 15 Years and Older, 2008 (2011).
- GBMC Rehabilitation. Tub transfer bench instructions (PDF).
- Health New Zealand. Set up and use a transfer bench.
- Rehab Management. How to evaluate bath equipment.
- CMS. NCD 280.1 Durable Medical Equipment Reference List.
- CMS. Reinterpretation of “Primarily Health Related” for Medicare Advantage supplemental benefits (April 27, 2018).
- Product specs: Vitality Medical (Drive 12011KD-1), Performance Health (Carex), CME Corp (Drive 12025KD-1), 1800Wheelchair (Carousel), Vitality Medical (Eagle), Staples (Medline Guardian).