15 best shower cabins – 2021 rating

Updated: 04/23/2021 15:30:05

Expert: Konstantin Borisovich Polyakov

*Review of the best according to the editors of expertology.ru. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

A shower has long been an accessible way to invigorate the body and restore lost strength. A large number of property owners prefer shower cabins to classic bathtubs. In some cases, this is explained by the need to save space in a cramped room. Other consumers want more health-promoting services. Indeed, entire massage parlors, Turkish baths and even physiotherapy rooms can be hidden in modern shower cabins. Important factors when choosing a suitable model are design and price. This technique differs in design.

What to look for when choosing a shower cabin for your home

For any household appliance, the main selection criterion is its reliability, durability and ease of use. When buying, try to look closely even at the little things that at first glance seem insignificant.

Shape and dimensions. A significant part of the models have a square base ranging in size from 70 to 190 cm. This shape is convenient if there are no problems with square meters in the bathroom. If there is little space, then pay attention to oval or rectangular models.
Depth. Depends on the circumstances. If the shower cabin will be used by older people, then it is better to buy a model with a 3-5 cm tray. It is more convenient to bathe children in a cabin with a side height of up to 40 cm.
Materials. The metal is durable, but heavy and the coating wears off quickly. Earthenware is not as noisy compared to metal models, more comfortable, but at the same time fragile.
Doors. Hinged ones provide a wide opening, but require more space in front of the cabin. Sliding ones can become loose during use, but they save space. Folding ones are not reliable.
Door material. Glass doors are a classic, characterized by high performance and an affordable price tag. Thickness starts from 4 mm. Plexiglas will cost more. Triplex doors, which are characterized by high strength and safety, significantly affect the cost of the cabin.

Before purchasing, evaluate not only the technical characteristics, but also the reviews of customers who have experienced this or that model.

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Pallet shapes

In addition to manufacturing materials, pallets are distinguished by geometric shape; the most common types are the following:

Square . The minimum size of square pallets for open cabins is 800x800 mm; boxes have larger overall parameters.
Rectangular . Closed shower stalls of the usual or combined type with a high tray have a similar shape; their length varies from 900 mm and above, popular standard sizes are 900x700 mm, 1700x900 mm.
Corner semicircular . Often, semicircular shower stalls of different sizes are installed on the corner, occupying minimal space and most suitable for the combined sanitary facilities of Khrushchev-era buildings. Their standard wall lengths are 800, 900, 1000 and 1200 mm.
Rectangular semicircular (asymmetrical) . The wall length in such models reaches 1700 mm; in the design, one or two outer corners have an oval shape.
Pentagonal . Small-sized models of a similar design are installed in a corner; their advantage over the semicircular shape is the ability to install flat doors made of sheet glass.

Pallets are also divided into the following groups according to height.

Low up to 150 mm

Typically, such pallets come with inexpensive open-type shower stalls, suitable for small bathrooms. During installation, the sewer drain pipe is placed in the floor to maintain the required slopes or a special flat siphon is used for connection.

Medium from 150 to 350 mm

High-sided pallets are used in open-type structures and boxes; they are supplied complete with screens. The advantages of medium height are the ability to connect the cabin to a high-lying sewerage pipeline.

With high side from 350 mm

Trays with this depth are bowls in combined models, with built-in seating or allowing for water procedures similar to conventional baths.

Basic forms of pallets

The best shower cabin manufacturers

The household appliances market does not experience a shortage of manufacturers, which introduces certain difficulties for the ordinary consumer when choosing a particular device. The main criteria are the reputation and reliability of the brand.

Niagara. Production is concentrated in South Korea and China. It features a variety of models in different price segments. All products comply with European standards. It has been on the market for more than seven years.
River. A domestic economy class brand whose production is concentrated in China. It has been present on the market for more than 12 years and offers sanitary ware for sale at affordable prices in the most popular shapes, sizes and configurations.
Arcus. A Russian manufacturer that has not been on the market for long, but has been able to establish itself as a brand with high quality products even in the smallest details. Tempered glass and various innovative materials are used in the production of shower cabins. It features a wide range and flexible pricing system.
Atlantis. A Chinese company that entered the market in 2012. Now it is a large enterprise, the products of which are supplied to many countries around the world. All products are certified.
Grossman. German nonsense, which has deservedly received high marks in terms of quality, environmental friendliness and style. The brand produces shower cabins, fences and acrylic hydromassage bathtubs.
WeltWasser. A company from Germany, founded in 2005. Manufactures shower cabins, accessories for them, curtains and other elements for bathrooms. The products are distinguished by ease of operation and installation, functionality and design.
Timo. A brand from Finland that supplies high-quality shower cabins with advanced functionality to the domestic market. The main production is concentrated in China.
Avanta. Elegance and functionality are the basis of this Chinese brand. This company has held a strong position in the global household services market for more than 40 years, and in the Russian market for more than 10 years.
Bandhours. Russian company founded in 2004. It is distinguished by high quality products. Specialists from Germany are involved in the development, which adds additional advantages to the indicative characteristics of each product.
Triton. Another domestic company that has proven itself since 2012. The products of this brand are distinguished by aesthetics, compact sizes and prices to suit any budget.

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Manufacturing materials

Conventionally, any shower cabin, depending on the material of manufacture, can be divided into the following units.

Pallet

Most often, it is made of acrylic, like the bathtub bowl, reinforced from below with fiberglass and binding resins; ABS plastic and polymethyl methacrylate are used from polymer materials. Less commonly, pallets are made of ceramics, enameled cast iron and steel, natural and artificial stone, quartz - a modern material made from a mixture of acrylic and quartz. Some users prefer separately manufactured structures, lined with ceramic tiles and mosaics.

Walls

Shower partitions are made of sheet glass or plastic. For production, durable tempered glass of various colors is used, resistant to mechanical stress and temperature changes. There are no scratches on the glass, so the surface has an aesthetic appearance throughout its entire service life. The main disadvantage of glass partitions is their high cost.

Plastic is the second most popular material, it is distinguished by a wide range of colors, light weight and ease of installation, less resistant to mechanical stress - over time, scratches appear on its surface, worsening its appearance. Plastic screens are distinguished by a wide variety of colors and affordability; they can be purchased at a significantly lower cost than glass models.

Cab frame

The most commonly used materials for cabin frames are aluminum, less often stainless steel; they securely hold glass panels. The most budget-friendly types use corners made of cheap plastic to fix polymer partitions.

Pallets made of various materials: cast iron, steel, ceramics, acrylic, quarry, natural, artificial stone, ceramic mosaic

Which shower cabin is better to choose?

So, before buying a shower stall, decide:

With features you'll definitely need. Otherwise, there is a risk of large overpayments for unnecessary options and imposed marketing.
With the dimensions of the bathroom, and then with the shape, size and height of the shower tray.
Evaluate your sensations inside the cabin: enter it, raise your arms and bend them at the elbows (similar to washing your hair). If nothing interferes with your elbows, then this is the optimal size for you.
If the water is hard, then it is better to choose frosted, tinted or patterned glass so as not to have to worry about cleaning.

It is better to entrust the installation to a professional. Do not attempt to install the shower enclosure yourself. What seems simple at first glance can cause problems during further operation.

Doors

Depending on the design, shower doors are divided into the following groups.

Swing on hinges

They have one or two doors that open outwards or into the cabin and provide reliable sealing. Their disadvantages include a high probability of mechanical damage and the need for free space to accommodate open doors, which is not always convenient in small bathrooms.

Sliding

A convenient option for doors that move on aluminum guides, do not take up extra space in the room and are less susceptible to impact. The design of sliding doors is more complex than that of swing doors; they usually move on metal rollers along runners.

Folding type clamshell

The design is designed for a large entrance area or replaces one of the walls; it usually consists of two halves that move along guide runners. Folding doors, when opened inside the cabin, do not take up free space in a small room.

Articulated

A fairly common type of door that is attached to the top and bottom of the shower frame; they rotate on hinges around an axis offset from the middle. They are distinguished by more reliable fasteners, unlike swing ones.

Rotary (swinging)

The door is mounted on retractable slats at the bottom and top, moving on hinges on runners; the system is not so often found in cabins.

Door types: hinged, folding, sliding, hinged

Take a bath or shower

When it comes to hygiene, taking a bath will always leave you cleaner than taking a shower. Although there is some doubt about this because if you shower thoroughly, you will also be clean.

Another factor to consider when taking a shower is that hot water can be alternated with cold water, and this action greatly improves blood circulation. The bath also has positive qualities, as it dilates the bronchi, cleanses the skin, improves heart rate, and regulates blood pressure.

Another option to consider is that a bath is always very relaxing and creates a state of peace that a shower does not provide. For this reason, we usually take a shower in the morning to energize the body and a bath to de-stress and relax in the afternoon or evening.

A very important fact is that older people tend to swap bathtubs for showers due to ease of access, while younger people tend to install bathtubs to bathe their children in.

In conclusion, we can say that people shower more often than they take baths. The vast majority of people are so busy that they hardly have time to take a bath.

Are there any disadvantages?

Despite the numerous and undeniable advantages, this plumbing equipment also has its disadvantages. There are not many of them, but they exist.

High cost compared to a bath.
Dependence on water pressure in the system.
It is impossible to wash large items in small trays.
It is impossible to lie down and relax in the shower, as you can in a bath.
Installation difficulties.
The doors and walls of the cabin very quickly become covered with limescale. Considering that all surfaces are textured, they are difficult to clean. The housewife needs to wipe them every time after water procedures. If you do not do this, then over time you will have to spend a lot more effort and detergents on cleaning.
If the room has a bathtub, the sink can be removed, which cannot be said about the shower stall. It is not possible to wash your face or brush your teeth in the shower.

Additional functions and equipment

The choice of a shower cabin that is suitable for a specific user is primarily influenced by its cost, design, manufacturer’s brand, equipment and functionality. High-tech shower cabins are equipped with the following functions and accessories:

Tropical shower . It is a large-diameter shower head of a special design (with holes for air intake), from which water pours out in the form of drops.

Hydromassage . It is implemented by several or one water jet flowing under high pressure from the nozzles; for correct operation, a pressure in the system of 2 - 3 bar is required. Hydromassage nozzles can be placed in the top shower head, on the side walls of the cabin, or in the floor of the bowl for foot massage.

Water fog. A special mode in which the water flow is broken into tiny particles to a dust-like state.

Combination shower . The multifunctional shower head can simultaneously operate as a regular shower, a tropical shower, a hydromassage shower and a water cloud shower.

Combination shower heads

Cold and hot shower . Automatic alternation of hot and cold water flows from the shower head.

Steam generator. The device creates high-temperature water vapor, thanks to which the shower cabin partially performs the functions of a Russian bath.

Ozonation. The social setting allows you to saturate the air in the shower stall with active oxygen - this helps to destroy pathogenic bacteria and other types of biological flora.

Saunas . Some high-tech shower cabins additionally implement the functions of a Finnish sauna with dry steam, a Turkish bath with an air temperature of up to 60 ° C and a humidity of 90 - 100%. Sometimes electric heaters with infrared radiation are built into the cabin design, which allow you to warm the body with dry hot air.

Aromatherapy . The device works in tandem with a steam generator; the function of saturating the air with various odors is realized by adding aromatic substances to the water for the generator.

Chromotherapy . To illuminate the water, an LED lamp of the appropriate color is added to the shower head assembly and low-voltage electrical power is supplied to it.

Ventilation . Built-in fans are used for quick ventilation and cooling of shower cabins.

Touch control of the mixer. High-tech cabins are equipped with mixers with thermostats that allow you to set a constant water temperature. The water flow is controlled electronically using electrical mechanisms for opening and closing taps. For the convenience of the user, keys are placed on the walls of the shower cabin (sometimes a remote control is used), with which you can switch the operating modes of the shower head and set the water temperature.

Electrical engineering. In modern shower cabins you can listen to the radio, music, talk on the phone, and some types of equipment have a voice control system.

Accessories. For ease of use, shower cabins are equipped with seats, shelves for hygiene items, mirrors, and towel hangers.

Tropical shower with lighting and its modes