A shower drain is one of the most important plumbing fixtures in your bathroom yet neglected at times. It is usually fixed between a drainage pipe and a shower closure, where its main purpose is to funnel water into the sewage system.
Choosing an ideal shower drain and elegant shower system ensures that your bathroom has the ultimate decor and looks bath-ready any time.
It is, however, important to remember that there are various types and brands of shower drain in the market. Therefore, finding the best shower drain that suits your needs and offers the ideal features can be quite a hassle.
Here we have done a thorough research and reviewed 10 of the top rated products that you should consider if you are looking for the best shower drain.
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
Picture |
Product Name |
Details |
 |
1. LEKEYE Shower Drain | |
 |
2. Ebbe E4401, Silver | |
 |
3. KES SUS 304 | |
 |
4. Kohler K-9136-2BZ | |
 |
5. ZOIC Linear Stealth |
10 Best Shower Drain Reviews
The following are our top picks for the best shower drain after surveying the market and talking with some plumbing experts. We have also read the opinions of the users and examined some of the products physically. Let us look at our unbiased and detailed reviews that will help you in picking the right shower drain.
1. OXO Good Grips Easy Clean Shower Drain Protector
The OXO Grips Shower Drain is our top pick for the best shower drain that you should consider if you are looking for a quality and classy product. It comes with great features that help in preventing the clogging of the shower drains, which makes your life much more comfortable.
Moreover, the shower drain protector is rust proof as it is built with silicone and stainless materials and thus aids in maintaining the elegant look of your bathroom.
It also includes a bunch of well-arranged holes that provide a fantastic flow rate to ensure that water drains out quickly. Besides, the shower drain protector features a great pattern of holes that are effective in catching hair without blocking the system.
The OXO Good Grips shower drain has a silicone rim that allows the drain protector to fit in the shower stall and remain in place throughout without any hassle. This enables you to clean the product easily as compared to standard shower drains available in the market.
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Easy to install and clean
- Comes with a silicone rim that keeps it in place all the time
- Built with rustproof materials
- Effective in preventing clogging in the shower drains
Cons
- Features a great design but allows some hairs through
- Too large to fit in standard bathtubs
2. LEKEYE Shower Drain Hair Strainer
This is our alternative pick in the round up for another reliable and a relatively affordable product available on the market today. With the stainless steel construction, the LEKEYE Shower Drain traps all the hair to avoid clogging while retaining the elegance in your bathroom.
Additionally, the shower drain protector is easy to clean, which helps in keeping the shower area hygienic and clean.
The LEKEYE Shower Drain Protector sits flat on the shower stall and thus does not get in the way of the flowing water. Besides, the product features an excellent design of the holes that makes it effective in grasping hairs that are likely to block the outlet of the shower system.
The shower drain protector has an intermediate semi-circle design with a smooth surface, which means it is ideal for preventing clogging.
Pros
- Features an excellent holes design
- Effective in trapping most of the hairs
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Offer great value for your money
- Provides a convenient water flaw system
- Has rust-proof stainless steel construction
Cons
- Holes are too big to catch small hair and some tiny objects
- Not ideal for upright showers
- Does not stay in place
3. Ebbe E4401 Square Shower Drain Grate
Ebbe E4401 is another top quality and reliable product from Ebbe America, which is one of the leading manufacturers of innovative products according to most plumbing experts. Therefore, if you are looking for an effective shower drain with amazing quality structure, it is advisable to consider this product.
The shower drain protector is also easy to clean, which ensures that your shower are area remains clean and hygienic.
The Ebbe E4401 Square Drain Protector features a complete PVD finish, which is the most resilient finish available today. This ensures that the product retains its stunning look and appearance, which means that your bathroom will never look ugly.
Furthermore, the shower drain is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use due to the flameless look that enables it to adjust easily to any type of the surrounding tile. The shower drain does not require any special care and comes with a simple installation system.
Pros
- Simple installation system that does not involve taking any screws
- Perfect for both indoor and outdoor use
- Features an amazing construction quality
- Comes with a resilient finish
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Easily removable
Cons
- Relatively expensive
- Requires drain riser for some installations
4. Stop-A-Clog Bathtub and Shower Drain
Stop-A-Clog Shower and Bathtub Drain Protector by SlipX Solutions is another reliable product that is designed to fit over standard bathtubs and shower drains. Therefore, if you are looking for a product that will keep your drain free-flowing, then you should consider SlipX Solutions.
The SlipX Solutions Protector features 3-inch inner diameter and an outer diameter of about 5 inches, which allows it to get the work done comfortably.
Moreover, the shower drain protector comes with PVC construction. The study built helps in enhancing the lifespan of these effective drain protectors. It also features six suction cups that conveniently hold the shower and bathtub protector firmly in place.
Finally, the SlipX Solution’s Stop-A-Clog shower drain has a white finish that blends perfectly with other existing features in the bathroom.
Pros
- Effectively prevents drain clogs by catching hair
- Extremely easy to clean as it is also machine washable
- Hold firmly in place
- Features a great design
- Fits over standard bathtubs and shower drain
- Sturdy Construction for enhanced durability
- Considerably affordable
Cons
- Relatively smaller for drain stopper
- Hard for some users to press suction cups down
- Not ideal for ceramic bathtubs
5. HANEBATH Linear Shower Drain Floor Strainer
If you are looking for high-quality shower drain protector with delicate detailing and modern design, you should look no further than HANEBATH Linear Shower Drain Floor Strainer. The shower drain features a brushed finish and stainless sturdy construction that ensures long life.
This stainless construction is undeniably durable as it is strong enough to take on a large amount of pressure and force. Therefore, the shower drain has the ability to withstand constant rigors for a long time.
Besides, the stainless material in its structure is non-corrosive, which makes the shower drain one of the ideal products to fix in the bathroom. The non-corrosive nature of the steel construction makes it resistant to rust while the sleek design prevents the build-up of hard water deposits and soap scum.
Finally, the reflectiveness and sheen of this product make it blend well with all the best bathroom finishes.
Pros
- Innovative rectangular design
- Ideal stainless steel construction
- Durable and non-corrosive body
- Suitable for multiple uses
- Offers relatively faster drain rate than standard products
- Attractive brushed finish
Cons
- Relatively expensive than some of the products on the list
- Installation is a little messy
6. Aqva DBASE2 PVC Shower Drain
The Aqva DBASE2 Shower Drain is another top quality product that helps in effectively preventing clogging of the bathroom’s drainage system. It includes a rubber gasket that allows for 2-inch optional connection with no hub.
Besides, the shower drain is UPC approved, which serves as a guarantee for excellent performance in preventing the clogging of your bathroom’s drainage system.
With the innovative design, the shower drain protector works with most 2-inch linear drains with no hub connection including Luxe. The shower drain PVC flanged base allows for comfortable 2-inch PVC connections.
This makes it a suitable shower drain protector for individuals who are comfortable with plumbing and who are aware of how to install a shower base properly.
However, the product is relatively overpriced as compared to some of the top products available in the market. The installation might also require you to purchase longer screws in some bathrooms.
Pros
- Includes a rubber gasket for optional 2-inch no hub connection
- Suitable for most linear drains
- The shower drain is UPC approved
- Ideal height for uninterrupted water flow
- High-quality construction
- Fits to all 2-inch PVC drain pipes easily
Cons
- Considerably overpriced
- Installation requires a bit of plumbing expertise
- Standard base unit
7. Zoic Linear Stealth Tile Insert Floor Grate Shower Drain
Zoic Linear Stealth shower drains are commonly installed on laundry and bathroom floors. The shower drain protector helps in draining excess water to ensure that the bathroom remains bath-ready while preventing large things and objects that might cause blockages of the drainage system. These include foodstuffs in the kitchen sink or long hair in the shower.
It is advisable to slope the shower bases from all directions to the drains, as it limits the selection of tiles ideal for this shower drain to mosaics and other considerably smaller format tiles.
However, the shower drain can also work well for bathrooms with large-format tiles if the shower bases are sloped on a single plane to a zoic linear drain.
With the closed design, the linear shower drain adds the much needed distinctive look and function to your wet room floor or walk-in shower floor. On the other hand, the frameless tileable drain offers a large panel for placing matching shower tiles and allows you to retain your stylish plans.
Finally, the zoic Linear Stealth features a side outlet that allows for easy installation of the drain against the wall. It also accommodates various types of tiles, stone or any flooring material with up to ¾-inch thickness.
Pros
- Features marine grade stainless steel construction
- Comes with easily removable tray
- Accommodates any tile or flooring material
- Allows for easy installation against the wall
- A high-quality body that provides great resistance to corrosion
- Ideal for laundry and bathroom floors
Cons
- Relatively too small for some shower drains
- Considerably new product with few customer reviews
8. KES SUS 304 Stainless Steel Shower Floor
The KES SUS 304 Stainless Steel is quality and durable product that is made of sturdy stainless material but also includes a removable cover. This great construction allows it to take in the day-to-day rigors while in use and enhances the longevity of the shower drain as it prevents rusting.
On the other hand, the removable cover prevents the crawling of insects and mice from the drain outlet and bad smell.
The shower drain is ideal for wide range of applications due to its innovative design and sturdy construction. Therefore, it can be used in a bathroom, kitchen, garage, toilet, and the basement area.
Besides, the shower drain unit is lightweight as it weighs just 2 pounds and requires about 13x8x3 inches space for proper setup. It also features a big removable cover with up to 11.8-inches that ensures proper wastewater disposal in your bathroom.
Pros
- Features a rust resistant 304 stainless steel construction
- Comes with an 11.8-inch profile for proper water disposal
- Prevents crawling insects and mice from the drain outlet
- Ideal for multiple applications in places like the kitchen, bathroom, basement and much more
- Offers great value for money
- Easy to install
- Excellent design
Cons
- Less information on installation
- Does not properly fit in 2-inch drain pipe
- Produces falling water echoes
9. Kohler K-9136-2BZ Tile-In Square Shower Drain
The K-9136-BZ is an amazing product from one of the leading brands in the bathroom products industry known as Kohler. Kohler is known for their top quality products that suit the needs of the users and are available at a reasonable price range.
Therefore, if you are looking for affordable price range shower drain, then this product is no exception.
With its high quality and durable construction, the K-9136-2BZ Square Shower Drain offers great value for your money. It also comes with incredibly stunning features that include a vent, strainer, trap, and grid.
This allows it to provide a great flow rate that outshines most of the products available on the market today.
Moreover, the shower drain features a polished bronzed finish for a great look and smooth surface that blends with other bathroom fixtures. The product is a top quality shower drain that offers long-lasting durability.
It is also easy to install, as the shower drain is a square product that fit in most shower drains without any problem.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Product of a reputable brand
- High quality and durable construction
- Features a polished bronzed finish for a smooth surface
- Comes with incredible features
Cons
- Relatively overpriced as compared to some top products
- Black color that might not match with some bathroom fixtures
10. Kohler K-9132-CP Shower Drain
This shower drain is another reliable product from Kohler that you should also think about if you are looking for the right product to install in your bathroom drainage system. The K-9132 Kohler shower drain features a great design that helps in preventing clogs and build-ups on the drainage system.
This includes a grid-style and a perforated drain top that traps most of the hairs and other objects that can potentially cause blockages.
The Kohler K-9132 shower drain protector is designed for showers with 2-inch outlets. It also features hardy brass construction, which is available in polished brass or polished chrome finishes.
These finishes ensure clean looks and provide a well-built construction that will save you from annoying and costly clogs, which results from gross build-ups. It also includes a connection gasket for easier installation that also ensures that the shower drain remains in place.
Pros
- Available in two great finishes
- Suitable for 2-inch caulk connection shower drains
- Features a hardy solid brass and stainless steel construction
- Provides excellent resistance to build-ups and clogs
Cons
- Considerably overpriced
- Somewhat difficult tightening down the drain
- Installation requires hard surfaces
Buying Guide: How to Install a Shower Drain
After choosing the best shower drain, the next important step involves knowing how to install it properly to enable you to get the best from it. Therefore, whether it is new construction or renovation, the installation has to be done well to ensure that the shower drain drains all the water while trapping objects.
Here are easy steps on how to install a shower drain to ensure that you achieve the best possible results.
Identify the Perfect Location
Choosing the clean location is one of the most notable things to do when it comes to installing a shower drain. This should be done earlier as it influences the type of drain that you choose.
For instance, a linear shower drain can be installed in four different ways which include against the wall (three-sided or one-sided) or on the floor (between two walls or free in the floor). However, regardless of the location that you choose, the floors should be sloped towards that area to secure that all the water is drained.
Prepare the Installation Area
The next thing after choosing the right location is making sure that the work area is ready for the installation process. This involves cleaning all the filth and debris to prevent them from getting into the shower drain during installation. Consequently, it is advisable to protect the drain by using a cloth or pre-assembled sealing membrane.
Determine the Height of Shower Drain
Calculating the height of the shower drain before installation is important as it helps in creating a slope towards the channel. It is also good to remember that the tiles should be placed 1 mm higher than the upper edge of the shower drain or level for optimal wastewater drainage.
Therefore, when determining the total depth, you should consider the tile adhesive layer, tile thickness, and level layer.
Install the Build-in Set
You should then insert, align and level the built-in set using the height adjustable stands after creating a space for the installation of the shower drain. However, shower wall models include a special mounting that allows for perfect installation against the wall.
Connect the Shower Drain with the Drainage Pipe
Connect the shower drain protector to the pipe and ensure that drainpipe has an adequate slope that allows perfect water flow. This involves sliding the shower drain in the connector as the connector offers sufficient sealing. Then, check the water tightness of the drain connection to the drainage pipe to avoid leaks.
Design a Sloped Floor
Create adequate slope on the floor towards the location of the shower drain to make sure that all the water runs to the drain. It is also advisable to use enough material and ensure that the equipment connects well to the top edge of the shower drain to avoid hollow spaces.
Ensure Watertight Installation
After the screed the hardening of the screed, you should then make sure that the shower drain is waterproof by sealing with a sealing membrane and paste.
Place the Tiles
Once you ensure the shower drain is waterproof, you should then place the tiles in your bathroom while making sure that you create a slope with a gradient of at least 2% to the drain’s channel. When placing the tiles, you should leave 5 mm space for the application of the elastic sealant.
Seal the Joints
After placing the tiles, you should now seal all the joints between the shower drain and the bathroom tiles with an elastic sealant. The surfaces being sealed should be free of adhesives, free mortar or other materials that would affect the adhesiveness of the sealant.
Fix the Grate Cover
Finally, you should place the grate cover after ensuring that sealing of the shower drain has fully dried up. It is also advisable to choose shower drains with adjustable grate covers, as they are convenient and easy to place.
Best Way to Clean Shower Drain
Using the best ways of cleaning the shower drain is important as it helps in preventing clogging and makes sure that your bathroom remains bath-ready all time. This involves cleaning the siphon trap periodically to remove trapped hairs and other objects that can potentially block the drainage system.
Apart from removing the trapped filth, the easy daily clean sets help in cleaning stains that would be hard to remove in the end and this gives the shower drain its shine back.
What is the Best Way to Unclog a Shower Drain?
Cleaning the shower drain periodically helps in preventing clogging, which enables you to avoid the expenses of unclogging your drainage system. However, in case the worst happens, it is important to understand that unclogging a drain is not as difficult as you might think.
This means that most of the clogged shower drain issues can be solved by applying easy and straightforward ways and simple tools.
However, it is important to work on reducing and preventing the chances of clogging once you unclog your shower drain. The following are some of the best and effective ways to unclog a shower drain.
The Best 8 Ways to Unclog a Shower Drain
- Pouring boiling water down the drain
Pouring boiling water helps in dissolves some of the dirt and filth trapped on the clogged shower drain. This includes breaking down grease or soap particles that might be holding the clog together.
- Using vinegar and baking soda
This serves as the best alternative to chemicals as it does not damage the drainage plastic pipes.
- Try a plunger
Using a plunger helps in solving problems that relate to minor clogging and has less success rate in dealing with serious clogging but it is worth a try.
- Use a hook
This method is used in removing the clogging filth and dirt that are trapped down the drain.
- Remove the drain cover and use your hands to pull the clogging filth out
In case, the clogging filth proves hard to remove using other ways, you can take the drain cover off and remove the clog with your hands. This is trapped hair causes an ideal method for removing clogging but it is essential to use rubber gloves to avoid sustaining injuries.
- Try a plumber’s snake
If you are unable to reach the clogging dirt with your hands, you can try using a plumber’s snake. This involves inserting the plumber’s snake and turning the handle before pulling it back.
- Use Chemicals
In some cases might happen down the drain in an area that cannot be accessed with your hands, hook or plumber’s snake. In such cases, you can use chemicals that help in dissolving the trapped filth to clear a way to drain the wastewater.
- Involve a plumber
If you are unable to handle the situation on your own using the simple ways above, it is advisable to call a professional plumber. This is the least affordable way of unclogging the shower drain, but it is the last resort.
Types of Shower Drain
Determining the type of shower drain that is ideal for your home is one of the most important things in ensuring that your drainage system works properly. However, it is good to understand that there are many types of shower drain available in the market and thus picking the right one requires you to have enough knowledge about them.
Here are the common types of shower drain that you will find in most plumbing stores.
Snap-In Shower Drain Protectors
These drain protectors are designed in the drain base perfectly and come with 2-7/8” screw holes. Besides, Snap-In Drain covers are available in different finishes such as copper, chrome, nickel, almond, and brass.
Screw-In Shower Drain Protectors
Just like the Snap-In cover, Screw-In covers come with different finishes that include polished brass, antique brass, oil rubbed bronze, chrome and stainless steel. Its screw holes are located at the center, measure about 2-7/8”, and are sold separately.
These drains are compatible with Casper drains, Oatey, American Aluminium, and Brass drains and Fits Plumbing products.
Heavy Duty Screw-In Cast Drain Protectors
These drain covers have slotted patterns and usually bears manufacturer’s logo or words. Heavy Duty Cast Screw-In covers are available in polished brass, cast nickel, and antique brass finishes.
Screw-In Drain Strainers with Tile Square
Usually, these drain covers come with square tile frames, which allow automatic installation. However, if you have a round-shaped drain you do not need to cut square tiles as there are other top showers drains that would fit perfectly.
These covers fit in a number of showers drains that include Cast Iron Drains, Plumbing Products, American Aluminium & Brass and Oatey.
Snap-In Replacement Shower Drain Strainers
These showers drain strainers offer great versatility as they can be used in a location where a drain cover is needed. With the snap-in feature, you do not have to purchase screws as it fits comfortably into most standard bathroom pipes.
However, these shower drain covers are available in three measurements that include 3-1/4”, 4” and 5-1/8”.
Final Verdict
Overall, choosing the best shower drain can be a huge hassle due to the number of products in the market and the factors that you should put into consideration. However, we believe that with the detailed information that we have prepared above will help you find the right product that suits your bathroom needs.
Apart from finding the right shower drain, the other major challenge in preventing and reducing chances of clogging, which is a problem often experienced by most people. This proves that keeping the shower area clean can be difficult regardless of the shower drain that you pick.
Nevertheless, following the cleaning ways that we have included in our buyer’s guide above can greatly help you in addressing this challenge.