Our top picks: Best Shower Pans of 2024
Whether you have redesigned your shower or built a new one, a shower pan is a necessary thing that you need to include in the setup.
This part serves as the base of the shower, providing a floor for you to stand on. Therefore, you must get a good shower pan so as to prevent leaks to the floor below, ugly discolorations, and breakages, among many other issues.
For these reasons, this article looks at 10 of the best shower pans that are available in the market, with the intention of helping you get the most suitable one that fits your bathroom and suits your needs.
Reviews of the Best Shower Pans
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DreamLine SlimLine
—
$194.00
$409.99 - Lippert Components 210371 — $206.43
- Swanstone FF03636MD.010 — $327.00
- Swanstone FR03260RM.010 — $513.50
- Tile Redi 4242C-PVC Redi — $708.00
- Tile Redi T3660C-SCDNBVZ — $905.00
- Tile Redi USA - Base’N Bench — $970.00
- PROFLO PFSB3434WH —
- Bestbath 30x30 Shower Pan —
- KOHLER 9026-96 Purist —
Here is an in-depth look at 10 of the best of these products in the market. Go through the list and pick the one that you prefer the most.
1. DreamLine SlimLine 32 in.
DreamLine’s Slimline DLT-1132480 is a single-threshold shower base, which makes it ideal for installation in a 3-wall alcove shower. In terms of size, the unit is available in a large variety of them (about 16), and this gives you enough options to choose from for fitting in the shower size of your choice.
Regardless of the size, this product has a very durable construction, consisting of a multi-layered design that ensures the highest form of strength. These layers include a bottom PVC support, a fiberglass middle layer for reinforcement, and an upper scratch and stain-resistant acrylic layer.
This construction ensures that the pan is strong enough to eliminate flexing and is very lightweight due to its middle fiberglass layer, which forms the main part of the unit.
For safety, the upper acrylic layer has a textured surface, which offers the grip required to prevent slipping that can occur very easily in a soapy environment. Apart from this, the glossy acrylic also makes the DLT-1132480 very easy to clean.
When it comes to drainage, this base is available in a center drain, left drain, and right drain, giving you the option to pick the style that fits right into your floor drain.
Other features include a rectangular-shaped design and the availability of white, black, and biscuit colors for matching with different bathroom interiors.
Features at a glance
- Single threshold shower.
- Available in multiple sizes.
- Durable, 3-layer construction (PVC base, fiberglass core, and acrylic top)
- Textured and glossy acrylic top for non-slip grip and easy cleaning
- Available in center drain left to drain and right drain configurations.
- Rectangular in shape.
- Comes in 3 colors (white, black, and biscuit)
2. Bestbath P3030 Step-in Shower Pan
As the name suggests, Bestbath’s P3030 is a step-in shower pan, featuring 6-inch-high walls that make you feel like you are stepping inside a deep pan. In terms of design, it is also a single threshold unit, which means that it is designed for use in 3-wall alcove shower enclosures.
Size-wise, the product measures 30 by 30 inches, with a height of 6 inches. This means that it is square in shape, and thus, your walled closure must measure exactly that for the unit to fit in.
Structurally, this P3030 is made entirely out of fiberglass, which makes it very lightweight for easy handling during installation, and also very durable. The fiberglass is coated using a high-quality slip and stain-resistant gel coat, which ensures that the base is easy to clean and maintain.
On the upper surface, the fiberglass, through this coating, has a textured finish that helps improve on gripping so that you get a slip-resistant floor for safety purposes. This is very important for preventing fatal accidents in slippery shower conditions.
Other features include a center drain style for water removal, a brass compression drain as an accessory, and availability in white color.
Features at a glance
- Step-in shower pan with 6-inch high walls
- Single threshold design for use in 3-wall alcove shower enclosures.
- Square shape, measuring 30 by 30 inches
- One-piece fiberglass construction.
- High-quality, slip and stain-resistant gel coat for easy maintenance.
- Textured surface for safety purposes.
- Center drain style pan.
- White in color.
- Comes with a brass compression drain as an accessory
3. PROFLO PFSB3434WH Shower Pan
Proflo’s PFSB3434WH is a single curb shower pan, featuring 3 tiling flanges on 3 sides for easy installation on a 3-wall alcove, and a curb on one side for the door allowance.
On construction, this product is made using high-quality composite material, with a slip-resistant top for safety purposes in soapy showering conditions. This material is also very lightweight, which makes it easier to handle during transportation and installation.
In fact, the base is built around ease of installation, thereby providing the best value on the market.
Design-wise, a center-placed drain means that you must install it above a drain pipe placed at the center of the alcove, and on the shape, the unit’s 34 by 34-inch design gives it a square shape, and this means that your alcove should have these dimensions for this piece to fit in.
In terms of color, the pan comes in white only, and this gives it a universal application because white can blend easily in almost all bathroom interior decors.
Features at a glance
- Single curb shower for fitting on an alcove
- Made using a high-quality composite material with a slip-resistant top for safety purposes.
- Lightweight.
- Center-placed drain.
- Square shape with 34-inch square dimensions
- Available in white color.
- Factory tested to ensure it functions flawlessly.
4. Swanstone R-3636-010 Shower Base
Swanstone’s R-3636-010 is a very solidly built shower base because it is made using Veritek, which is a compression-molded material with no surface coating to chip or crack over time.
Veritek is also non-porous, and this means that it does not grow mold or mildew, making it very safe to use. It also has a non-slip surface for providing a grip against slippery soapy waters as you take a shower.
On design, this unit is a single threshold shower pan, which means that it has 3 tiling flanges for installation on an alcove and one curb for the door fitting.
In terms of size, the R-3636-010 measures 36 by 36 inches, with a height of 5.5 inches. Therefore, before buying, you should ensure that your alcove is in these dimensions for perfect fitting.
Additionally, it has a center-placed drain, and this should also be considered when factoring in the measurements so as to ensure a good fit.
Other features include its availability in white and bone colors with a color-matched drain strainer.
Features at a glance
- Veritek construction gives it a solid construction with no surface coating to crack or chip.
- Non-porous and thus, won’t mess up the floor below or allow mold and mildew to grow.
- Single threshold design.
- 36 inches square by a height of 5.5 inches in size.
- Center-placed drain.
- Available in white and bone colors with a color-matched drain strainer.
5. American Standard 3636.NEO.020 Shower Base
American Standard’s 3636.NEO.020 is quite a unique shower pan because it has a neo-angle shape, making it ideal for fitting on a 2-wall corner.
This is coupled with tile flanges on 2 sides, which make it easier to install on a cornered wall, and prevents water leakages once installed while a water dam on the front threshold ensures that no water leaks outside once you shut the door.
Construction-wise, the unit has an acrylic top with a fiberglass core for reinforcement. Fiberglass makes it very sturdy while also making it a bit lighter. The acrylic, it gives a glossy finish that is easy to clean and has a textured surface that prevents slipping.
In terms of size, the pan is available in 3 of them, which include 42 × 42, 38 × 38, and 36 × 36-inch options for fitting in different-sized spaces.
On drainage, this piece comes with its shower drain and a stainless steel drain plate, which is placed near the intersection of the 90-degree corner, and the base has slightly dredged grooves that direct all the water to this plate for quick water removal.
Other features include white, linen, and bone color options to select from to match different bathroom interior décors.
Features at a glance
- Neo-angle in shape.
- Tile flanges for easy installation and waterproofing
- Acrylic and fiberglass construction.
- Non-slip textured surface.
- Available in 3 sizes.
- Comes with a shower drain and a stainless steel drain plate
- White, linen, and bone color options
6. Kohler K-9026-47 Shower Receptor
Kohler is well-known for making strong and durable products, and the K-9026-47 shower base does not disappoint. It has an enameled cast iron construction, which consists of a heavy cast iron core and an outer enamel layer, resulting in a very tough and durable pan.
This outer enamel coating gives the product a glossy, shiny finish and also has a textured surface for safety purposes because it provides enough grip to prevent slipping.
On the shape, the K-9026-47 is rectangular, measuring 48 inches in length and 36 inches in width, making it pretty big, and thus, you get a lot of showering space.
For installation, this receptor has a single threshold design, with tile flanges on 3 sides for easy installation in an alcove. These flanges help prevent water leaks from the sides and provide a good base to mount wall tiles during installation.
Other features include a center drain and its availability in multiple colors such as white, almond, and biscuit, among many others.
Features at a glance
- Strong and durable enameled cast iron construction
- Textured base surface to prevent slipping
- Rectangular in shape, measuring 48 inches in length and 36 inches in width
- Single threshold design.
- Center drain.
- Available in many colors.
7. Swanstone FR-3260R-037 Shower Base
Just like the R-3636-010, Swanstone’s FR-3260R-037 is made out of Veritek, which is a compression-molded material that has no surface coating to chip or cracks over time. This material is also non-porous, and thus, the pan will not mold or mildew, making it safe and very hygienic.
For safety, the upper side of this unit’s surface is pebbled, and this gives it the grip required for preventing slipping, which can be fatal.
In terms of shape, this piece is rectangular and measures 60 inches in length by 32 inches in width. This means that you get a very long shower space and consequently, you should ensure that your alcove is big enough to fit this big plate.
On design, the pan is a single threshold unit, with tile flanges on 3 sides for easy installation and waterproofing along the sidewalls of the alcove.
Drainage is through a molded-in Fit-Flo right-hand drain, but there is also a left-hand side option, just in case the right-hand base does not match your drainage configuration. Other features include white, bone, and biscuit color options.
Features at a glance
- Made of Veritek material.
- Pebbled surface for grip.
- Rectangular shape, measuring 60 inches in length by 32 inches in width
- Single threshold design.
- Molded-in Fit-Flo right-hand and left-hand drain options
- White, bone, and biscuit color options
8. Tile Redi USA T3660C-SCDNBVZ Redi Trench Shower Pan
Tile Redi USA’s T3660C-SCDNBVZ is quite an expensive shower pan, but it has unique finish options and is very flexible in terms of how it can be used.
On finishing, this product is available in brushed nickel, tileable grate, and polished chrome colors, in which all of which are leak-proof, pre-pitched, and have integrated curbs on three sidewalls (single threshold).
Additionally, all of them are ready to tile, just in case you want to customize the finish further to match the walls of your alcove, and come with stainless steel drain gates for covering the waste waterway.
In terms of size, this product is available in a number of them, which include 60 × 30, 60 × 32, 60 × 34, 60 × 36, 60 × 37, 60 × 42, and 60 × 48 inches. This gives you enough options to choose from, depending on the size of the shower space that you want.
Although a center drain pan, the unit is also available in a number of styles, and these include a center round drain plate w/ and w/o flashing, center square gate with flashing, center square tileable grate, center tileable top grate, and center designer grate among many others.
Features at a glance
- Polyurethane construction.
- Available in brushed nickel, tileable grate, and polished chrome finishes.
- Ready to tile surfaces.
- Available in multiple rectangular sizes and multiple styles.
- Lightweight polyurethane construction.
9. Lippert Components 210371 Shower Pan
Lippert Components’ 210371 is a very lightweight shower pan, owing to its ABS plastic construction. This makes it weigh up to 25% less than fiberglass-built pans of a similar size, and results in much easier handling, especially during installation.
This construction is also tougher than coated fiberglass, making the shower pan very strong and durable, and has a textured surface for preventing slipping, making it safe to use.
In terms of size, the 210371 is a rectangular pan measuring 32 inches in length and 24 inches in width and has a height of 9 inches. Each piece has a right-hand drain, but there is a left-hand option to match different drainage configurations.
Other features include a single threshold design with tile flanges on three sides for installation in a 3-wall alcove, white color-only option.
Features at a glance
- Lightweight ABS plastic construction.
- Textured surface to prevent slipping
- A rectangular shape measuring 32 × 24 inches
- Right-hand and left-hand drain options
- Single threshold.
10. DreamLine SlimLine DLT-7038380 Shower Tray
DreamLine’s SlimLine DLT-7038380 is a double-threshold shower tray that is designed to be installed in a 2-wall corner, with tile flanges for easy installation and waterproofing. However, it is not rectangular or square in shape. It has a quarter-round design that leaves the curved side for fitting a sliding door.
On measurements, the tray has a width and depth of 38 inches, with a slim profile build that measures only 2.75 inches in height.
Construction-wise, this slim profile is made up of 3 layers consisting of a PVC base for structural support, a middle fiberglass layer for reinforcement, and an upper high gloss acrylic, which has a slip-resistant texture for safety purposes.
For the drain, this unit fits a standard compression fitting drain, which is not included in the package and thus, must be bought separately.
In terms of placement, this drain is placed close to the intersection between the 90-degree corner, and this must be considered before installation because the underlying drain pipe should be in a similar position. Other features include white, black, and biscuit color options.
Features at a glance
- Double-threshold shower pan.
- Quarter round shape.
- Available in 3 sizes (33 × 33, 36 × 36, and 38 × 38 inches).
- Slim profile, 3-layered design with a PVC base, a fiberglass core, and an upper high gloss acrylic layer
- Non-slip textured surface.
- Fits a standard compression fitting drain
- Available in white, black, and biscuit color options.
Consider Before Buying the Best Shower Pans
Before buying the best shower pan, there are a couple of things that you need to consider. These are:
Size
A critical factor to consider before buying a shower pan is its size. Of course, the pan must fit in your designated space because you cannot cut or adjust its size. Therefore, always ensure that you measure the alcove or corner area and use these measurements to get a fitting piece.
Design and Shape
Shower pans come in several designs and shape such as single threshold, double threshold, rectangular, square, neo-angle, and quarter-round. You must consider these because they fit in different shower configurations.
For 3-walled alcoves, only rectangular or square-shaped shower pans with a single threshold can be used. This is because they have one side with a curb for the door allowance while the rest of the 3 sides feature tile flanges that fit under the tiled wall finish to waterproof the joints.
For cornered showers, a wider variety of options can be used, such as double-threshold rectangle, square, neo-angle, and quarter-round shower bases.
Construction
The material used to make the shower pan says a lot about its character. Acrylic with fiberglass reinforcement is very common because of its relatively strong structure fiberglass core and the glossy, easy-to-clean acrylic surface.
An enameled cast iron construction makes the pan extremely sturdy, but also very heavy, while a fully plastic construction, such as ABS, makes the unit very lightweight, but might be prone to staining and flexing as you step on it.
There are other construction types that you can consider, and basically, the option is down to personal preference. However, also consider the cost factor because each type of construction commands its own price range.
Color
Color should be considered for aesthetic purposes. It might be a good idea to color-match this pan with your bathroom’s interior décor, and therefore, if a bone or biscuit color is the best match, then go for it. If you cannot find a matching color, a white option is worth considering because it is universal.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a lot about shower pans that you probably did not know about. However, after going through this shower pan review, I hope that you will be in a better position to pick the best shower pan from the listing provided above.
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