6 Best Shower Bases and Pans

Our #1 pick for the Best Shower Pan is DreamLine SlimLine 32 in — Click to See the Current Price

Table of Contents:

Best Shower Pan

Best Shower Pan for Walk in Shower

Best Shower Pan for Basement

Best Shower Pans for Tile

Best Shower Pan for Campervan

 

When it comes to a good shower, the shower base (also known as the shower pan) is as important as anything else. For those who don’t know, the shower base is the bottom part of the shower, the part that you stand one, which funnels the water inside down towards the drain.

The shower base acts as the foundation, supporting the rest of the shower and making sure that leaks don’t find their way out onto the floor. Here, we’re going to look at some of the best, and what you should be looking for when choosing a shower base.

What to look for

What makes a shower base worth taking a closer look at? There are numerous factors to consider, but here are some of the core features:

• Waterproof: Naturally, your shower base should be able to bear having water on it. Not only will it prevent leaks, but being made of waterproof material can prevent watermarks from showing, too.
• Size: Of course, you need to make sure you choose a base that can fit reliably into the bathroom, giving you enough room to enjoy a shower, too.
• Durability: The material plays a big role in the durability. Metal pans are strong, but unless they’re waterproof, they can rust and require replacement. Acrylic is a frequent choice for stronger, more resilient bases.
• Mark resistance: You can find shower bases that are both stain and scratch resistance, which will maintain their peak condition for a lot longer. Again, both acrylic and steel can be good choices for this reason. A mark resistant material can also mean less maintenance for the owner.

Hopefully, you should be a little more aware of what separates the best shower pans from the rest. Now, let’s take a closer look at what’s on offer.

Best Shower Pan

DreamLine SlimLine 32 in — Click to See the Current Price

An acrylic-layered, scratch and stain resistant center-drain shower, resilience and strength are clear advantages of this base. Furthermore, its limited lifetime warranty ensures that it’s likely to keep your shower supported for a long time indeed.

Due to the location of the drain and the integrated tile flanges, it’s important to measure the dimensions with your bathroom very carefully. Furthermore, installation requires a layer of mortar which the base can be placed on, so you might require a little professional help, which can add to the budget.

However, if you don’t mind that, it’s an excellent quality base, available in many different dimensions and colors, each of them bringing a unique sheen thanks to its high-gloss acrylic foundation.

Best Shower Pan for Walk in Shower

DreamLine SlimLine 34 in. D x 60 in. W x 2 3/4 in.– Click Here to See Current Price

 

Relatively compact compared to some of the other products that we’re looking at here, this square-shaped acrylic brings a clean, minimalist look, perfect for more modern settings. It doesn’t just look quality, either. 

The DreamLine SlimLine 34 in. base seems built with ease of maintenance, accessibility, and safety in mind. It’s easy to maintain in part due to the side standing drain hole, which not only helps avoid the chances of a leak, but can help prevent water marks from accumulating. It’s accessible because it’s only 3/4-inches high, making it easy for anyone to enter. It’s safe because of the slip-resistance surface.

If you want a beautiful walk in shower pan with  spa-level quality, then the The DreamLine SlimLine 34 in. might be the choice for you.

Best Shower Pan for Basement

Bestbath Step-in Shower Base — Click Here to See Current Price

A sturdy, durable fiberglass shower base, the Basebath Step-In Shower Base is a little pricey due to the strength of the material, but that’s also what makes it more resilient. Clearly, Bestbath believes in their product, too, because they offer a 30 year warranty on the product.

The material is further supported by a gel goat, which brings high level scratch and stain resistance, meaning this base isn’t going to need as much care or maintenance as some of the others here. Furthermore, the gel coating is slip resistant, meaning that safety is a clear concern here, too.

Though it might be a little expensive for some, and there aren’t any options for different colors, if you’re looking for resilience and ease of maintenance, consider Bestbath’s option.

Best Shower Pan for Tile

Tile Redi USA P3248C-RB32-KIT– Click Here to See Current Price

If you’re looking for a base that you can easily install yourself, then Tile Redi USA has you covered. It provides a full installation kit with extremely clear instructions. Simply put, you’re not likely to find a shower base that’s as easy to fit yourself.

Ease of installation isn’t the only benefit that comes with the Tile Redi USA base, however. It also brings the option to install a shower bench seat, perfect for those with mobility issues or those who simply like to relax beneath the water. It’s even relatively leak-proof, so clean up isn’t much of a consideration.

It may be pricey compared to some of the others reviewed here, but if you want a convenient DIY project and a comfortable shower, it’s worth thinking about the Tile Redi USA kit.

Best Shower Pan for Campervan

DreamLine SlimLine Quarter Round– Click Here to See the Current Price

Another DreamLine SlimLine product, but this one is worth a closer look primarily due to the unique shape that could make it a little easier to fit in your bathroom than a standard square. It’s perfect for fitting in the corner with a curved door installed on the outer edge. Furthermore, it comes in several sizes, so it’s easy to find one which gives your campervan bathroom maximum space.

The shape and size aren’t the only things worth paying attention to. The acrylic material is strong, stain resistant, and scratch resistant, with a coating that also prevents slips, while the fiberglass reinforcement ensures it can take the pressure of daily use.

Compared to the other DreamLine SlimLine product reviewed here, it’s drain and tile flanges are much better positioned, allowing for a quicker installation as well.

Conclusion

Pretty much all of the showers we’ve reviewed here match the modern standards for resilience and resistance, preventing scratches, stains, and slips. Your choice comes down to which fits your budget and the dimensions of the bathroom, as well. Otherwise, you can’t really go wrong.