Best Shower Pan

Choosing the best shower pan or base if you are designing a new bathroom or just remodeling the old one. The wrong choice might lead to severe consequences.

Your bathroom floor may start leaking, or you may slip while bathing.

It would be best if you took various things to avoid these consequences and choose the best shower pan. Please keep reading to know all the essential factors you need to consider.



Benefits of Shower Pan

  • Protection of the floor – Your bathroom floor may not be leakproof like the shower pan. This may lead to damage to the floor. So, a shower pan is needed.
  • Surface for tiles – One of the best uses of a shower pan is to put tiles on it. Existing tiled shower pans can be tiled over as long as they are structurally sound, have no visible damage, and do not leak.
  • Prevents slippage – Slippery bathroom floor may lead to serious consequences like slipping and hurting yourself. To prevent this, a shower pan is necessary.

What are the Various Materials Used in the Best Shower Pan?

The choice of a good shower pan depends highly on the material used for making it. Hence, you must know the type of material used in the shower pan before buying it. Take a look at the list below for various shower pan materials.

  • Fiberglass – Fiberglass is a much cheaper alternative than other materials for a shower pan. Moreover, it will likely get damaged sooner and require frequent repairs. It is made by mixing polyester resin with woven glass fibers.
  • Composite – Composites are engineered materials that combine two or more elements. They are strong, lightweight, and stable. This is why they are easy to install and can last for decades. On the negative side, composites are expensive.
  • Acrylic – Acrylic shower pans are made by molding the acrylic sheet into a pan shape. Acrylic is durable, easy to maintain, and requires fewer repairs. Though repairs can be costly.

Features of a Good Shower Pan

Confirming how effectively the shower pan prevents leak-proof and offers a great nonslip design
Here, we will look into some of the primary features of the shower pan you choose. Let’s start!

  • Slip-resistant design – One of the crucial things you need to consider in a shower pan is slip-resistant. A good shower base always has a slip-resistant surface that ensures safety while bathing.
  • Curb and splash walls – You don’t need to wet your whole bathroom, do you? Hence, looking for a shower pan with high splash walls and a curb is necessary.
  • Leakproof – The primary reason you buy a new shower pan is a leakproof design. Could you make sure that the surface of the shower pan is leakproof? This will protect your concrete bathroom floor from damage.
  • Drainage – You also need to ensure that the shower pan’s design has an effective drainage outlet connected with a drainage pipe. You may also have weep holes if your shower drain is integral to the pan. In addition, for this to remain clean and safe, you can a Shower Drain Cleaner.

How We Test and Score Shower Pans

These reviews are based on intense research, analysis, and feedback from our experts and real users from different digital platforms.

We spent 31 hours trying, testing, and scoring these Shower Pans for different key parameters and then shortlisted the best products in the market, saving you time and effort.

We used the following parameters for our tests and analysis.

  • Slip Resistant – We analyzed how effectively the shower pan material resists the foot from sliding its surface to avoid accidents.
  • Leakproof – We checked how well-designed or constructed the shower pan was to prevent leakage.
  • Maintenance – We researched how long users could use the shower pan without any reported changes in the quality and how easy it was to clean.
  • Non-Porous – We noted how smooth and sealed the surfaces of the shower pan so liquid and air could not move through it.
  • Easy Installation – We noted how easy it was to install without exerting much effort.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Shower Pan

  1. What is the difference between a shower pan and a shower base?
    The difference between a shower pan and a shower base is that a “shower pan” is the actual shower floor you step on, whereas a “shower base” is the framework underlying the shower itself.

  2. Do all showers need a shower pan?
    Many showers necessitate custom-sized shower pans, which you won’t get at your local home improvement store. Standing water in your shower or tub, as well as potential leaks and costly damage to your floors and subfloors, are all risks if you do not have a professional shower pan installation.

  3. Which type of shower pan is best?
    A composite shower pan is an excellent option. They are designed to be exceptionally sturdy and watertight, preventing water from leaking through or underneath the pan. This will keep water out for years to come.

  4. Does a shower pan need a liner?
    Yes, it is safe to possess. Not having a liner under the tiles can be riskier than having one. Installing a shower pan liner is essential, and it can be the difference between an exciting daily experience and a leaking bathroom.


Reviews: Best Shower Pans

We have compiled a list of the best shower pans to make it easy for you to choose one.
We hope you love the shower pans we recommend!
We may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.


1
Reviewed by: John Max Score: 97.2

  • Dreamline’s single-threshold shower base is designed for a three-wall alcove shower.
  • This product is also available in other colors like biscuits and black apart from white.
  • It has a slip-resistant SlipGrip floor surface that ensures safety while bathing.
  • In addition, the surface is made of premium, high-gloss, non-porous acrylic, which allows for easy maintenance and lasting beauty.
  • The fiberglass reinforcement and the structural support foundation provide stability and sturdiness to the shower base.
  • The base has a center drain concerning its width.


Pros
  • Durable Material.
  • Easy Maintenance.
  • Stable.
Cons
  • Only Comes in Three Colors.

Rating CategoryWeight %Score
Slip Resistant30%100
Leakproof20%95
Maintenance20%100
Non-Porous15%100
Easy Installation15%90
Total Score100%97.5


2
  • You can get the ICON shower pan that has a combination design to fit alongside a toilet.
  • It allows the installation of a holding tank under the toilet.
  • The shower pan is made of durable ABS material, which is sturdy and stain-resistant.
  • It has a molded-in drain that you can drill during the installation.
  • The polar white color of the pan gives it an exquisite look.
  • Moreover, the pan has a universal fit and is ideal for most showers.

Pros
  • Easy Installation.
  • Quality Materials.
  • Stain Resistant.
Cons
  • One Color Available Only.

Rating CategoryWeight %Score
Slip Resistant30%100
Leakproof20%95
Maintenance20%100
Non-Porous15%95
Easy Installation15%90
Total Score100%96.75


3
  • I’d like you to please get this single-constituted DreamLine SlimLine shower pan that has a 3-wall design.
  • It has a left-side drain location for a comfortable fit.
  • The shower pan has a glossy white look that appears classy and functional.
  • It is made of non-porous acrylic material that is long-lasting.
  • The pan can be installed quickly and prevent any flexing in the shower.

Pros
  • Non-Porous Acrylic Material.
  • Anti-Slip.
  • Long-Lasting Beauty.
Cons
  • Plain Design.

Rating CategoryWeight %Score
Slip Resistant30%100
Leakproof20%95
Maintenance20%95
Non-Porous15%95
Easy Installation15%90
Total Score100%95.75


4
  • The ingeniously designed PROFLO shower pan has a slip-resistant surface for a safe bathing experience.
  • It has a single curb with raised splash walls to prevent water from spilling outside the pan’s boundary.
  • The base is designed in a way that is easy to install.
  • It is a spacious 34 by 34 Inch surface that provides enough area for you to turn around while bathing.
  • In addition to this, you can also use this shower base for a custom shower project.
  • The shower base’s water drain is in the center of the structure.


5
  • The shower base from Tile Redi has an excellent blend of both design and function.
  • It has an innovative design that requires no preparation for installing tiles on it. Hence, you can model the pan according to your bathroom.
  • The shower base’s waterproof and leakproof design offers you peace of mind for a long time.
  • The shower pan prevents the surrounding surface from getting wet with its curb and splash walls.
  • In addition to all this, the shower pan has a rectangular design featuring a two-inch PVC drain.


6
  • Get this Lippert shower pan that is white in color.
  • It is made of a sturdy ABS design that is coated with fiberglass.
  • This shower pan does not need to be painted or tiled.
  • The shower pan has a chip-resistant material for secure use.
  • Moreover, it is light in weight due to the use of fiberglass.


7
  • The state-of-the-art shower base from KBRS has all that you need for a comfortable shower.
  • First of all, it features a single threshold and raised edges to prevent water from spilling outside of it.
  • Tiles can customize the material used in making the shower base.
  • The shower pan’s anti-slip base offers the user a safe bathing experience.
  • Moreover, it has a left side drain that helps in water drainage. It is available in two different color variants.
  • It also includes a white grid strainer made of acrylic.


Index Table: Top-Rated Shower Pans

No.ProductImageFeaturesBrandScore
1DreamLine White - Slimline Shower Base
  • Single Threshold
  • CUPC certified
DreamLine97.2
2ICON Polar White - Combo Shower Pan
  • Universal
  • Durable
ICON98
3DreamLine SlimLine - Best Shower Base
  • 3-Wall
  • Alcove
DreamLine97
4PROFLO Single Curb - Rectangular Shower Pan
  • White
  • Center Drain
PROFLO96
5Tile Redi PVC Base - Black Shower Pan
  • Ready To Tile
  • Leakproof
Tile Redi95
6Lippert Right Hand - Best Shower Pan
  • ABS
  • Tough
Lippert95
7KBRS Columbia - Best Acrylic Shower Pan
  • Raised Edges
  • Tile-Able
KBRS98


About the Author

John Max

John is a certified fitness trainer, writer, and hygiene enthusiast and has worked with people of all age groups. He understands the difference a right shower makes towards the fitness and comfort of the human body. He reads a lot of stuff on the internet to explore and stay updated with the latest advancements in the shower industry. John also regularly tests and analyzes the benefits and features of as many shower accessories as possible. Without a surprise, many of our readers love his reviews and testing style for how thorough and straightforward they are.