In a Nutshell:
The NOVA Shower and Bath Chair with Arms is a simple, exceptionally designed shower stool that’s a good fit even for people with serious mobility issues. Recommended for anyone with any type of mobility issue, weighing up to 300 pounds.
Value for the Money
Comfort
Brand Reliability*
Overall Rating
4.2/5
Benefits
Drawbacks
Recommended For: Anyone with any type of mobility issue, weighing up to 300 pounds.
Do you suffer from a mobility issue that’s serious enough to make bathing a challenge? Have you been looking for a shower chair to help make your life easier on that front? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then you’re going to like what you read in this review.
Nova is a well-respected company in the industry, and makers of a wide range of medical devices, including a full line of shower chairs in a variety of styles.
The NOVA shower and bath chair with arms has a lot to offer. While most shower stools aren’t a good fit for people with serious mobility issues, this one is an exception and provided the weight limit isn’t an issue for you; it’s a good fit for most of the potential market for this kind of medical device.
In the sections that follow, we’ll step you through everything this stool has to offer, so you’ll have all the information you need to decide if this model is right for you.
Even if you ultimately decide that it isn’t, we think you’ll be impressed. Let’s take a closer look.
An Overview of the Nova Shower and Bath Seat With Arms
The NOVA shower and bath chair with arms is not an attractive shower stool. That’s the first thing you’re going to notice when you see it for the first time. It’s definitely not much to look at, but then, if you’ve got a mobility issue that prevents you from taking a bath, you probably aren’t all that interested in aesthetics.
You just want something that will help solve the problem. This stool gets the job done, and if that’s what matters most to you, you’re going to love it, even if it’s not the prettiest product on the market.
Before we say more, let’s take a quick look at the stats for this model. Here are the basics:
These numbers are, with just one exception, outstanding. The overall dimensions are good, but note that it might be a struggle to get this to fit into a standard-sized tub or pocket showers unless you leave two of the legs outside the space. Even so, it’s not so big that it cannot be made to work in those circumstances.
We love the seat height that can be adjusted between 16” and 21,” which makes it useful to a wide range of possible buyers. Bear in mind that the big and tall height range for chairs starts at 18” and goes to 22” or higher, which means that this stool straddles both worlds. Even if you’re exceptionally tall (and provided that the weight limit isn’t an issue), this stool will be a good fit.
The seat width is also excellent for most users. The only potential downside is the seat depth, which is underwhelming at 13”. Even so, given the length of time, you’re likely to be sitting on this stool, it’s adequate.
Even better, the stool only weighs 5 pounds, so it’s a simple matter to get it out of the way and store it elsewhere when you don’t need it.
The weight limit is also quite good. Most of the furniture on the market today support in the neighborhood of 300 pounds and this product hits that mark, which makes it a good fit for some 95% of the market.
Adjustability, Comfort, and Extras
The NOVA shower and bath seat with arms only has one adjustable feature, and we’ve already made mention of it. The legs are adjustable, which makes the height of the seat adjustable in a range that starts 2” below the big and tall range and extends well into that territory.
Comfort-wise, the seat is made of hard plastic, so it’s about as comfortable as you’d expect it to be.
Note that the seat features a number of smooth-bored holes in it to facilitate water drainage, so you won’t wind up sitting in a growing puddle of water while you’re using it.
The big thing to talk about here is the oversized handles on either side of the stool. They’re big, and even better, they’re rubberized, giving you a solid handhold to help you get onto and off of the stool.
Depending on the severity of your mobility issue, this alone may not be enough, so you still may need a bit of assistance. For most people, that, combined with the sure-grip, rubberized feet will be enough to allow you to use the stool with confidence, and that’s awesome.
Some Assembly is Required
If you decide you want one of these, one potential downside is the fact that you’ll have some work to do before you start using it. It will arrive at your door in a medium-sized box and in about half a dozen pieces.
The good news is that the production quality is quite high, the assembly instructions are clear, and the pieces go together quickly and easily. Expect the process to take no more than twenty minutes from start to finish.
Kudos to Nova Medical for a great job on that front!
Pros & Cons of the NOVA Medical Products Shower and Bath Chair
Here are the things we think you’ll like best about the Nova Medical Products Shower and Bath Chair (which has no back and is, therefore, not really a chair):
The only potential downsides here are the fact that it’s only got an average supported weight limit. If you weigh more than 300-pounds, no matter how much you like this one, it’s just not going to work for you.
The other potential stopper is the fact that it’s a fairly unattractive piece of bathroom furniture.
If you’re looking for something that’s at least somewhat attractive, it’s going to be difficult for you to love this model because it simply isn’t.
Nova Shower and Bath Chair With Arms Review Conclusion
The Nova shower and bath with arms is one of the best shower stools on the market today. It’s not pretty, but it is very good at what it does. If you have a mobility issue, even a fairly serious one, this would be an excellent addition to your home, and may well be the solution you’ve been looking for. We recommend it.
Recommended Reading
Drive Medical Deluxe Folding Bath Bench Review
We reviewed the Drive Medical Deluxe Folding Bath Bench, a simple, sturdy solution for users with moderate mobility issues.
Carex Universal Bath Seat and Shower Chair Review
Our assessment of the Carex Universal Bath Seat and Shower Chair highlights its sturdy, no-frills design and high weight support.
References & Resources:
- Nova Medical Products, Official Brand Website.
- Benefits of Mobility Bath Aids, 3 Benefits Of.
- What Type of Shower Chair is Best?, UKS Mobility.
- How to Make a Bathroom Accessible For the Mobility-Impaired, AmeriGlide.
- 5 Bathroom Safety Tips For Those With Mobility Issues, Advantage Home Health Solutions.