10 Best Shower Pan & Base 2021 – Comparison, Review & Ultimate Guide

The first shower base on this list is from DreamLine. You may or may not have heard about this manufacturer, but it’s got a good history of ensuring quality. These shower bases are a single prefab piece best suited for smaller bathrooms where you need to save space.

Now, let’s talk about its quality. Firstly, the material on this one is ABS plastic with an acrylic coating. And ABS plastic, as we all know, is the easiest to fabricate, and it’s quite lightweight as well. Despite that, ABS can withstand hard impact and stay in one piece without experiencing even single chipping.

This shower has its drain at the center with a spot for compression drain, which is not included with the package. It’s a square-sized shower base, so if you want to save space, it’s a good option, although it may feel crowded sometimes.

Thanks to the ABS plastic construction, installing the base is simple and fast. Abs plastic doesn’t flex easily, even with the weight of a person. It’s a cUPS certified base, and you need a professional to install it.

This is an elevated shower base with a height of 2 and a quarter of an inch, so it might not be a good idea for older people. But the floor is anti-slip as it grips to the floor. You have to use a mortar bed under it to have the best outcome.

Schulter is a known manufacturer of bathroom fittings and popular with customers. If you have a medium to large bathroom, this shower base from Schluter Systems can be a good fit. The rectangular shape of it has sufficient room to breathe, and it also doesn’t take too much space.

Among the materials generally used in shower bases, this one is made with PS40 polystyrene. It’s a type of polymer that’s lightweight and quite durable. These pre-fabricated one-piece shower bases don’t need mortar beds to sit properly. That’s a plus point.

This shower tray has its drain located at the center, and the surface is a bit tilted to direct the water to the drain hole. But the tilt isn’t noticeable with the naked eye. Install it at a corner of your bathroom, and it’ll sit pretty.

Admittedly, Schulter’s shower trays aren’t the cheapest, but you know you’re getting quality. Easy installation is one of its perks because there’s no requirement for mortar beds, as mentioned before. Even then, it now has a pre-applied membrane at the base, which wasn’t there in the previous models.

It is a bit elevated from the floor, but that is to keep the water in the shower. There might be a concern for older people, but it isn’t a big issue.

This one is for the neat and clean crowd with a bit of money to spend. As you’ll see, Icon’s combo shower is a bit different as it also has space for your toilet’s water tank. If you have a plan to put the shower and toilet adjacent to each other, then this is for you.

The pan itself comes in white color and would be a great fit for a small bathroom with a white theme. With 3 feet by 2 feet dimension, it will be enough for a person. But it may seem a bit small sometimes, especially if you need relaxation.

In terms of construction, it has ABS plastic as its material. ABS plastic is known for its absolute durability, even against hard impacts. It’s not that heavy as you might expect from such a robust product. And the heavy acrylic coating makes it even better. That being said, these are on the pricier side.

The drain hole is located on a corner of this shower pan with just enough tilt to guide the water without making you feel it. It’s a universal design that will fit all kinds of bathroom designs.

Here’s something to keep a note of, it has a high elevation of 7 and a half inches. So, we do not recommend it if your shower will be used by older people. It may cause injury if leg placement is wrong.

Lippert Components is a part of the Better Bath brand. You can guess where the brand’s expertise lies from its name itself. This shower pan is another great buy for those with a small bathroom but still want a clean and bright look. The good news is that it’s not as pricey, even with great material.

And that material is everyone’s favorite ABS plastic. ABS is strong but malleable. It means that it absorbs impact very well and still keeps its original shape without chipping. And that’s the complete opposite to polymers or even stone shower pan.

The coating on the ABS shower pan makes it even more durable and non-porous. That maintains structural integrity. Furthermore, the shower pan is also scratch-resistant, and that’s such a blessing to have in a white shower pan.

It’s lighter than those pan made of Fiberglass with similar durability. And these proved to be better for the environment as well. The drain sits at the side of the pan so that you can attach the drainpipe easier.

The recommendation is to put a mortar bed under it for the best result and do it when renovating. If you want the pan to be level with the floor instead of elevated, you’ll have to install it during a full bathroom construction or renovation. Even with this installation process, the features make it a good option.

We have another shower tray from Schluter systems, and it’s because these deserve to be on here. Unlike the previous Schluter shower tray, this one is a fit for large bathrooms because it has a dimension of 6 feet in length and 3 feet in width. It can fit two people comfortably.

In terms of the build material, this prefab shower tray uses a type of resin called polystyrene (PS40). Resins, as we all know, are sturdy while being light. One worry with polystyrene is compression. But the expanded polystyrene used here is dense enough that it won’t compress down in the long run.

If your drainage system is along the bathroom wall, then this should fit right in without needing to add pipes because of the offset drain location as opposed to the center.

Even though resin-built trays need regular maintenance, this design made it a whole lot easier to clean as the dirt goes directly on to the sides instead of the middle.

As with all Schluter shower trays, easy installation is such a blessing. You can cut and customize it according to your liking and install it without having to use a mortar bed under it. It’s quick and simple.

And you should know that Schluter’s products aren’t cheap. But the prices are justified seeing the quality and durability you’re getting. Why not invest in a good product than having to repair and replace it once in a while?

This is a product set for its class. Woodbridge’s shower bases are expensive, but they provide quality, elegance, and value. If you have a gorgeous bathroom setup, this one will fit nicely. It might be the best solid shower pan on the market.

Solid surface shower pan are mainly made of tough stain-resistant resin. These are also known as cultured granite. With the top surface polished with buffers, it becomes very easy to clean. These can also be thermoformed if you want to customize their shape.

The drainage comes with a complete package. You’re getting a modern brushed stainless steel drain cover as well as the drain itself. The overall visual of your shower will change. And that makes the high price even more justified.

Due to the cultured granite, you won’t experience any mold or mildew, even with high humidity. If somehow you manage to chip a corner or scratch it, you can always sand it to bring back the original look. The product quality will stay untarnished.

The anti-slip design is a big plus for senior citizens, and the elevation from the floor isn’t too much, just enough to keep the water inside. So, who’s it for? It’s for those with medium to large bathrooms with some space to spare.

At number 7, we have another shower base from DreamLine. It’s quite similar to the one we reviewed above, with a few fundamental differences. As far as quality is concerned, it has proved itself in the market. But is it for you?

If you want a mild and light color, this can be a great option. The color biscuit is very light on the eyes as it mixes with the surroundings. It’s not only creamy but white also, just in between.

Then, we come to the big question of build material. Is it any good? Well, it should be as this shower base has ABS as its base with acrylic coating on top.

Furthermore, it is reinforced with Fiberglass. The durability can be experienced with a touch. In the construction, there are PVC pipe rings as reinforcements to ensure structural integrity.

Thanks to the acrylic used as a coating, the surface of this shower pan will prevent any mishaps by slipping on the floor. Moreover, the acrylic coating also prevents any formation of mildew and protects the surface from scratches. Your shower pan will have a long-lasting beauty.

The drain hole is in the center, but it doesn’t come with a shower drain. You’ll have to buy one from the market. Other than that, you should be set for years of service from this shower base.

Kohler has its branches all over the world, and their products cover everything you might need for your bathrooms. How did they reach such a position? That’s right, by providing quality products to customers. And here we have a shower base from Kohler. What does it have to offer you?

Well, for starters, Kohler didn’t play around with the material. It’s straight up cast iron with enamel over it. It’s the strongest material on this list and also the heaviest. It won’t break or chip even with sharp impacts. So far, it sounds good and performs well too.

The enameled cast iron is then coated with a safeguard anti-slip finish. This finish does two things; first, it prevents mishaps by slipping, and second, it prevents scratches. Even if you see any chipping, it will be on this coating only, which can be readily fixed.

It has a drain hole at the center with no drain in the package. You will have to acquire it separately. The shower pan has an elevated border to keep the water inside, and you should consider this point if you have senior citizens that might use it.

As for the visuals, the almond color is close to white and cream. It may look a bit bland or dull to some, while others will appreciate the simplicity. Which one are you? See the shower pan reviews to see how good it performs.

This is a cute one. Swanstone isn’t a big brand compared to Woodbridge or Kohler, but the products are respectable, to say the least. Take this shower pan; for example, it has a different kind of material that serves the same purpose while reducing the cost. That is how technology should be used.

Swanstone used a material called Veritek to produce these shower bases. It acts just like those made of acrylic material, and it’s on par in terms of durability, impact absorbency. Swanstone claims that it’s better than acrylic, but we won’t go into that.

They didn’t use any surface coating on it, so it’ll be safe from paint chipping and scratching. But is it slip-resistant? Yes, because the texture on the surface is similar to a pebble-bed. You’ll be safe from slipping on it.

The surface is non-porous, meaning there’s not enough space for mold and mildew to grow. And that also means you can swiftly and easily clean it. Easy maintenance means an easy life. Nobody wants to spend much time in the bathroom for cleaning.

It comes in a bisque color similar to almond and fits right in your bathroom and enhances the look. With all these features, you’d expect it to be pricey, but it’s the opposite. This affordable shower base gets our approval.

The prefabricated shower bases have replaced the need for tile. With all the improvement in this sector, Tile Redi is one of those leading companies. As with all prefab shower pieces, this one comes ready to install with very little preparation.

It has polyurethane, a type of polymer in its construction. Polymers come second to ABS plastic when it comes to durability and strength. But they are cheaper too. And the durability isn’t something to scoff at. You can repair it easily if somehow it gets chipped.

Contrary to what you’ve seen on the above shower bases, this Tile Redi doesn’t come with a drain hole. Instead, it has a trench design with a nickel drain grate to prevent any object from being lost into the drainage. The trench is better as the water ejects out faster.

The rectangular shape of this base makes it suitable for medium size bathrooms. It has enough space to move around and relax after a long day. You may want to check if the 4.5 inches of elevation will be alright with you or not.

You or the contractor will need to install a mortar bed under it. It will make the shower more durable. Install your tiles on the shower pan surface without any prior preparation. It’s as simple as that.