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Best Shower Stall Reviews (What Are the Best in 2021?)

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A shower stall encloses your bathing space such that water does not splash to other areas of your bathroom. A shower stall is a great idea if you are limited to a budget but can afford a customized shower stall for you or your family. Unfortunately, shower stalls are not created equal. To find the best shower stall that won’t cost you much in plumbing and other additional costs takes some time. Read on the following shower stall reviews to preview the bestselling shower stalls on the market.

As you read on, one of the most important factors you need to keep in mind is that the space you have influences to a great extent the type of shower stall you end up buying. There are several types of shower stalls to fit the different bathroom needs you may have. Read keenly to find the right shower stall that will fit your bathroom space and serve your family’s needs accordingly.

Top 6 Shower Stalls in 2021

Shower Stalls Reviewed

DreamLine Prism Shower Stall

best shower stallThe DreamLine prism is a frameless neo angle shower stall that could look perfect in any bathroom. For someone looking for a stall with no frame to block the view, the DreamLine Prism is a great shower stall to buy.

This is one of the best quality shower enclosures to buy as it is engineered with tempered glass that is 3/8 inches thick and that is strengthened by a few vertical panels. It is clear glass that is designed to make your bathroom space visually seem bigger while also creating an irresistible focal point.

Moreover, the glass has ClearMax coating. It’s a factory applied coating that creates a surface that is resistant to stains and water marks. With this coating, the upkeep of the shower stall is a breeze.

Measuring 34-1/8 x 34-1/8  in size, this shower enclosure fits perfectly into smaller corners. It also measures 72 inches in height, which is the standard for many of the shower stalls.

If you have uneven walls, this stall allows small adjustments. It’s built with a special U-channel that allows adjusting each side up to 3/8 inches. By making the adjustment, you can create the perfect shower space even with imperfect walls.

The shower stall is also built with sturdy hardware. It features stainless steel pivot bars that are strong and durable. And they also provide good reinforcement for the whole shower stall structure, giving it good stability. This stainless hardware also comes in two different finish options, so you can choose one that would better suit your bathroom. These options are chrome and brushed nickel.

The door of this shower stall can be installed either on the right or left side. This reversible installation allows different shower configurations.

Lastly, one more notable feature is the magnetic door latch. It provides tight and sealed closure, so no water gets out of the shower stall.

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PROS
  • Thick 3/8 inch glass.
  • Frameless design.
  • ClearMax coating.
  • Stainless steel hardware.
  • Up to 3/8 inch adjustability.
  • Chrome/brushed nickel finish.
CONS
  • The shower base is not included.

DreamLine French Corner Shower Stall

best shower enclosureAs the name reads, DreamLine French corner shower stall is designed for installation in a corner of a bathroom. This helps maximize your bathroom space, while also creating a beautiful focal point. With its bold satin black window pane design and finish, the French Corner can add style to your bathroom in a way not many shower stalls can.

For strength and durability, the stall has tempered glass 5/32 inches thick. It is not as thick as the 3/8 inches glass shower stalls, but it is still a good quality shower enclosure since it made of certified tempered glass and in this design, the glass is reinforced with the frame, which makes the structure more sturdy.

Like most other DreamLine shower stalls, this model also features ClearMax coating. This coating technology creates a special surface that is resistant to water stains and mineral buildup. It makes it very easy to maintain the glass in its shiny condition.

This top rated shower stall measures 34.5 inches by 34.5 inches in depth and width, and 72 inches in height. It’s perfect for smaller bathrooms as it compactly fits into a corner, maximizing the available space.

Moreover, its fixed glass panels measure 16-3/4 inches each, although the dimensions can be reduced by a ½ inch to suit your specific needs. The aluminum wall profiles allow adjusting for uneven walls.

The stall also features two extra panels for doors. Each measures 17-7/8 inches in width. Both of them slide away, creating a large opening for you to walk in through.

To create a watertight seal, the stall uses a magnetic door latch. It ensures that no water leaks out while you shower.

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PROS
  • Tempered 5/32 inches glass.
  • Frame pattern design.
  • ClearMax coating.
  • Two sliding panels.
  • Spacious walk-in opening.
  • 1/2 inch adjustments per each side.
  • Magnetic door latch.
CONS
  • Thin glass.
  • The shower base is sold separately.

DreamLine Cornerview Shower Stall

shower stall reviewsDreamLine Cornerview is a combination of a frameless enclosure with a solid base that provides a watertight showering enclosure. If you have limited bathroom space, you can maximize your space with this corner shower stall.

The corner shower stall features most of the features that other top rated shower stalls have, except for the fact that its glass is a bit thinner at 5/32 inches thick. However, the reinforcement with the aluminum frame provides good stability and durability. Moreover, the thicker 3/8 inches glass is more commonly used on frameless shower doors.

The tempered glass is clear and except for the frame, there’s nothing obstructing the view. This can be beneficial for smaller bathrooms, as this clear glass design opens up the space, making it seem bigger.

It measures 34.5 x 34.5 x 72 inches, providing a spacious cabin. It also has two stationary panels and two sliding door panels.  The two doors slide to the sides, giving you lots of space to step through when entering the shower. This sliding door design is also perfect for small bathrooms, where there’s not enough space for a swing door.

Just like the other DreamLine shower enclosures, this model comes with ClearMax coating, so you won’t have to worry about annoying stains on the glass. On top of that, it has the DreamLine’s magnetic strip design on the latch, which ensures sealing from water when you close the shower enclosure doors.

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PROS
  • 5/32 inches clear, tempered glass.
  • Frame design.
  • ClearMax technology.
  • Spacious corner opening.
  • Anodized aluminum profile.
  • Profiles allow up to 1/2 inches adjustment.
  • Magnetic strip.
CONS
  • Thin glass.

Aston Avalux Frameless Shower Enclosure

high quality shower enclosureThe Aston Avalua shower stall is designed for today’s contemporary life. With its large swing doors, a spacious cabin, and clear glass, the Aston introduces elegance to your bathroom.

Similar to other bestselling shower stalls, the Aston Avalux is made from tempered glass, which provides durability and sturdy construction. However, unlike the framed shower stalls, this frameless design features glass that is 3/8 inches thick. Thanks to the thick, reinforced glass, the product does not need panels for support.

The use of clear, frameless glass, in turn, enhances your view. It helps in making the bathroom brighter and visually bigger as there’s nothing obstructing the view.

This shower cubicle includes two fixed panels and one swing door panel. The overall measurement of the enclosure is 42 x 36 x 72 inches. The door measures 28 inches, so you get ample space for stepping into the shower. And this door can be installed either on the left or right hand.

However, keep in mind that it features a hinged swing door. So when measuring for this shower enclosure, make sure that you have enough space in your bathroom to allow proper door opening.

The advantage of this frameless shower enclosure is also that it comes in a variety of sizes. Except for the size we’ve mentioned, there are multiple other size options from enclosures as small as 32 x 30 inches to as big as 48 x 38 inches. This means that there’s a size for almost any bathroom, big and small.

If you want a large shower stall to be your bathroom’s focal point, the watertight enclosure is probably what you are after.

For durability and sturdiness of the construction, the shower stall’s hardware is made of stainless steel. It’s strong and resistant to corrosion. Moreover, there are full length seals that provide tight closure of the door and stop water leakage out of the enclosure.

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PROS
  • Frameless design.
  • Lots of sizes available.
  • 3/8 inches thick glass.
  • Large door opening.
  • Reversible door installation.
  • Stainless steel hardware.
  • Full length clear seals.
CONS
  • No out-of-plumb adjustability.
  • No shower base available.

DreamLine Prime Shower Cabin

top rated corner shower enclosureDreamLine Prime is another corner shower cabin best suited for someone who wants to maximize their bathroom space. Instead, of the common square design, this shower stall features a more rounded form, which results in it taking up less space of your bathroom floor. This makes it the best shower stall for small bathrooms.

Another thing that makes this shower enclosure unique is that it comes as a full kit. It includes not only the front glass panels but also the shower base and the back walls. So the only thing that would be left for a complete shower install is to buy a drain and a shower head or a shower panel. However, buying a full kit does come at a price and this is the most expensive shower stall in our reviews.

The front panels feature 1/4 inch tempered glass, which is thicker than many other framed shower enclosures. The glass is also clear, which is perfect at brightening up the space and opening up the view of the shower interior.

The overall dimension of the kit is 36 x 36 x 76-3/4 inches. The 76-3/4 inches height includes the 72 inch shower panel height. There are two fixed panels on the sides and two doors in the middle, which provide an opening of 20-3/8 inches. These two doors also slide to the sides when opening them. So you don’t have to worry about having extra space for door opening.

In the shower stall kit, you also get the shower base and back walls. They are made from ABS material in white acrylic finish. The back walls have a beautiful tile pattern that adds to the elegant look of the shower stall. And the shower base has a textured surface, so you can safely shower without the risk of slipping. On top of that, it has a low threshold, which makes it easy to step in and out of the shower.

This shower cabin is also made with quality in mind. In addition to the high strength glass, it is also equipped with aluminum hardware, which makes the structure more stable. Moreover, the glass has ClearMax coating, which ensures that the surface is easy to maintain. Also, the enclosure features a full length magnetic strip and an integrated tile flange. When you close the door, it creates a watertight seal.

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PROS
  • Includes shower enclosure, base, and back walls.
  • Rouned design.
  • Sliding space saving doors.
  • 1/4 inch tempered, ClearMax coated glass.
  • ABS/ acrylic shower base and back walls.
  • Attractive tile finish on the back walls.
  • Anti-slip shower base surface.
CONS
  • Expensive.

DreamLine Cornerview DL-6150-01 Shower Cubicle

high quality corner shower stallThe DreamLine DL-6250-01 is yet another bestselling square shaped framed shower stall. It is also one of the best shower enclosure kits as it comes as a fully equipped kit that includes the front glass panels, a shower base, and back walls.

This DreamLine product also displays elegance with its clear glass design and chrome finish of the hardware. It’s a perfect fit for contemporary bathrooms with a corner of available space.

The stall measures 36 by 36 inches in width and 76-3/4 inches in height. This is the overall height, including the shower base. The shower panels on their own have a height of 72 inches.

Made of 5/32 inches, the front panels don’t have the thickest glass. However, this is a framed shower stall, so the structure is reinforced with an aluminum profile. The use of this aluminum profile also allows making small width adjustments of up to 1/2 inches per side. These adjustments you would need to do if you have uneven walls.

There are two sliding doors, which slide away to create a 20-3/4 inches opening. So you don’t need any more space for this shower stall except for the above mentioned dimensions.

Both the shower base and the back walls are made from ABS material. The shower base has a low profile and an integrated tile flange that seals the enclosure and prevents leaks. The base is also texture for slip resistance.

As for the back walls of this corner shower kit, they feature ABS material that is reinforced with fiberglass, which makes them more sturdy. They are also covered with a glossy acrylic finish and tile texture. The finish is scratch and stain resistant, so it’s easy to maintain its glossy look.

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PROS
  • Comes as a full kit.
  • Clear, tempered glass.
  • Sliding door panels.
  • Aluminum hardware.
  • Walls made of reinforced fiberglass ABS.
  • Low profile shower base.
  • Anti-slip shower base texture.
  • Glossy acrylic finish.
CONS
  • Thin glass.

How to Choose the Best Shower Stall

A quality shower stall starts with a base that allows easy access and a watertight structure. For a high end and high quality shower stall, you will also get seats, spa shower heads, and sliding doors. Unfortunately, you can get confused by the many luxury features in a unit and end up buying one that won’t serve your bathroom needs. Read below for a summary of the features that really matter and the factors that should help you settle for the right shower stall.

Durability

All of the shower stalls we reviewed above are made from thick tempered glass. But not every other stall is made from the same material. Ensure that the first feature you look in a potential shower cabin is its material of construction. Choose between the reinforced glass and tempered glass. Most modern shower stalls have tempered glass reinforced with fiberglass to strengthen the product and make it absolutely durable. In addition to buying from the strong glass, consider the thickness of the glass. A quality shower stalls glass measures between 4 and 10 mm in thickness. For the narrower sized glass stalls, they will often have frames or panels for extra durability.

Design

People buy shower stalls for different reasons. One of the reasons is to maximize space. Corner shower stalls are the best choices when you have limited bathroom space. A circular shaped stall can also maximize the space. If you have enough space, on the other hand, a large rectangular stall or a neo angled stall will add style and luxury to your bathroom. Since there is more to design than simply the shape and size, you can shop around to find the perfect match for your bathroom.

Installation

Manufacturers recommend that you ask for professional help when installing this enclosure. However, you can install the shower stall provided it is not too complex to install. Simply look for a stall designed with several panels and one that provides instruction on how to assemble each part of the unit. A unit that comes in several pieces is easier to manage and install with the help of a friend.

Cost and warranty

Shower stalls sometimes seem to have almost similar features, but the prices could vary a lot. The huge difference in costs among shower stalls comes in the thickness and type of materials used, the presence of frames, and overall dimensions. Measure up your bathroom space, therefore. Consider the thickness of the glass you can afford, the style, and the important features in the unit before you pay for it.

Shower Enclosure Installation

To install a shower enclosure demands that you possess several carpentry skills and have a habit of following instructions. You may also ask a friend for help, noting that some of the items in the unit are quite heavy. If you are not good at handling fragile glass, don’t install the shower stall. With that in mind, our guide describes the steps you need to follow to successfully install the shower stall.

Step 1: Prepare the Installation Location

Decide the location you want to install your cabin. Drill the drainage hole if there is not one. Additionally, decide if you should tear out the tiles and replace them with the textured tiles that come with some shower enclosures. If your shower cubicle comes with a base pan, note that it will often have a drainage hole. Attach a PVC pipe and secure it with PVC cement to connect it to the drainage system that lets water out of your shower.

Step 2: Install the base and wall panels

Once you have the drainage system secured, embed the shower base on a 1 inch thick layer of drywall. Once that is done, ask a friend to help you attach the walls to the marks you must have earlier made. If you had not bored holes, mark out where you want each wall installed by first positioning the walls. Attach the walls alongside the holes and use nails to secure the first wall into place. Attach the second and latter walls while leveling them up to fit your marks.

Step 3: Secure the hinges and Frames

If your shower stall has panels and frames on the top ends, secure them properly. For vertical frames, secure them when installing the glass panels and doors. Secure the flanges and paint drywall over them. Attach your shower head and test the unit for water tightness.

Bottom Line

While it may look like an easy process, finding the best shower stall can be difficult. Make the process worth it by following the tips on our shower stall reviews above. Take time to decide the type of stall you need, take measurements twice, and ensure to ask for professional help where you need it. Fortunately, quality modern shower stalls don’t ask for demanding maintenance. They often have water and lime resisting panels after all. Nonetheless, take care of your unit by regularly cleaning it and clearing the drainage system when it gets clogged.

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