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Whether folks hop into the shower to rev up for the day or to relax into the evening, they deserve a personal experience that is as pleasant as possible. That may not happen if a shower is worn and damaged—possible indications of rot, leaks, and mold growth behind the walls and under the floor.
Replacing an existing shower may put a homeowner’s mind at ease while giving the bathroom a much-needed update. But before deciding on a new tile pattern, research the best shower kit for a situation. A shower kit may include several prefabricated components—walls, a shower pan (the floor of the shower), and a door—that allow for a shower to be renovated or even built from scratch. Shower kits tend to be more DIY-friendly than building a traditional shower by tiling the walls and floor.
With many different styles and configurations available—including space-saving corner shower kits, luxury steam options, and sleek modern looks—making the right choice can be challenging. Use this guide to understand the functions and features of these bathroom essentials, and check out descriptions of some of the best shower kits on the market to ensure that the kit suits the current space and truly meets the buyer’s needs.
- BEST OVERALL: DreamLine Encore Bypass Shower Door and Base Kit
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: A&E Casey Neo Round Shower Kit
- BEST STEAM: Athena Luxury One-Person Corner Steam Shower Kit
- BEST CORNER: DreamLine Prism Plus Neo-Angle Shower Enclosure
- BEST FRAMELESS: Vigo Winslow Frameless Sliding Door Shower Enclosure
- BEST MODERN: A&E Jana Framed Pivoting Shower Door Enclosure
- BEST FREESTANDING: Steam Planet Kascade Hinged Shower Kit
- BEST 3-PIECE: Delta Classic 400 Shower Wall Set
- BEST 5-PIECE: Foremost Jetcoat Five-Panel Shower Wall System
- BEST OUTDOOR: Zippity Outdoor Products Hampton Outdoor Shower Kit
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Shower Kit
Rather than purchasing a new shower kit on a whim, take some time to learn more about key product factors, including dimensions, materials, design, colors, and components. This will prepare shoppers to evaluate complete shower kits and find the right one for the bathroom.
Size
Before starting the search for the best shower kit, decide where it will go. Even if shoppers simply plan on replacing an existing shower in the same spot, they’ll want to take precise measurements to ensure that the new shower kit will fit. If a new shower will be installed in a different place in the room—a somewhat more challenging prospect—consider the room’s square footage and that of the proposed new shower area as well as the location of hot and cold water lines and drain lines.
Measure the height, width, and depth of the space where the shower will be installed. For those who wish to install a corner shower kit, measure from the corner outward along both walls to where the base will be installed. Use these measurements as a guide to find a shower kit that’s the appropriate size for the space.
Components
There are one-piece prefabricated shower stalls on the market that often require only that the buyer purchase a shower curtain and rod or suitable shower door. However, most shower kits come as more than one piece. The most common option is a three-piece version that includes prefabricated walls, a shower pan (the base or floor on which bathers stand while showering), and a door. Two-, four-, and five-piece shower kits are also available.
A two-piece shower kit, which includes a shower pan and a door, might be a good choice if homeowners already have tiled walls in good condition. Those who want to install waterproof wallboard or cover existing drywall will want to look for a shower kit that includes walls and a base.
Design
The design of a shower kit typically refers to how it takes up space in the bathroom. There are three basic design options: corner, alcove, and freestanding.
- Corner shower kits typically come with two walls, a base, and either a curved door or a door within a glass wall. The design is relatively affordable and space-saving, so it’s suited to small bathrooms, but the square footage of the shower typically isn’t spacious.
- Alcove shower kits are made to fit between three walls. They sit against a back wall and have a wall on either end, with a wide opening at the front for the shower door. These kits can come as a one-piece prefab model, with a vinyl mold that includes the shower pan and three walls. However, alcove shower kits can also be as complex as a five-piece version with individual walls, a door, and a shower pan.
- Freestanding shower kits, the least common option, are made with a base and three walls. Though the walls don’t require support, it’s recommended to at least position the freestanding shower stall with the back wall against an actual wall through which to run the hot and cold water lines.
Materials and Color
Unlike more traditional shower stalls, which are made of separate tiles laid into the bathroom walls, shower kits offer a quick and easy way to build or update a shower. A variety of materials means there’s a shower kit for virtually every budget. Components run the gamut from affordable vinyl, acrylic, and fiberglass through such high-end options as engineered stone, glass, and various metal finishes.
A variety of color and pattern choices are available as well, even in lower cost materials, to add pizazz. If shoppers are not renovating the entire bathroom, they should make sure that the color and pattern chosen for the shower kit blends well with the current aesthetic.
Additional Features
Shower-kit manufacturers tend to add extra features to make their products safer, visually appealing, and more private.
- Frosted glass walls or doors add a premium look and a greater sense of privacy.
- Built-in seats are important for folks with mobility issues and for bathing small children.
- Grab bars are a safety feature that give bathers something to hold onto while getting in and out of the shower. They suit those with mobility issues or anyone concerned about slipping on a wet floor.
- Slip-resistant floors add texture to the shower pan for improved traction. The trouble with this feature is that dirt and grime can stick to the textured surface, making it more difficult to scrub clean.
Our Top Picks
The shower kits in this lineup were selected based on design, material, construction, size, color options, component features, and overall quality. A variety of styles and price points are represented to help shoppers find the best shower kit for their bathroom.
Best Overall
DreamLine Encore Bypass Shower Door and Base Kit
This two-piece shower kit is made to be installed in an alcove with pre-existing tiles. The kit includes a black slip-resistant shower pan that measures 60 inches wide by 32 inches deep. Its tall black frame holds two sliding glass doors, giving the shower a sleek, modern appearance. The frame is 78.75 inches high by 60 inches wide.
The shower pan has a glossy acrylic finish that resists scratching and stains. The tempered glass doors slide on gliding rollers to open and close smoothly, and they boast a ClearMax coating that’s resistant to water and stains.
Product Specs
- Design: Alcove
- Components: Shower door and base
- Dimensions: 78.75 inches high by 60 inches wide by 32 inches deep
Pros
- Slip-resistant textured shower floor
- Silent-glide rollers
- Water and stain-resistant glass coating
- Sleek, tempered glass doors
Cons
- Does not come with walls
Get the DreamLine Encore shower kit at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Lowe’s.
Best Bang for the Buck
A&E Casey Neo Round Shower Kit
Smaller bathrooms can do well with this compact, corner-style shower kit from A&E, which has a stylish curved shape. The kit includes all the components for DIY installation: the shower door, walls, base, and drain hardware.
The shower walls each measure 70 inches high by 38.5 inches wide and feature integrated shelves to hold personal care products. The rounded sliding door is made of 5-millimeter thick tempered glass that keeps moisture locked inside the shower via a built-in magnetic seal. Larger bathers will probably find this compact shower a bit cramped.
Product Specs
- Design: Corner
- Components: Shower door, walls, base, and drain
- Dimensions: 70 inches high by 38.5 inches wide by 38.5 inches deep
Pros
- Affordable
- Integrated shelves on the shower walls
- Full kit, with no prior tiling required
- Compact shape takes up very little space
Cons
- May be too small for some users
Get the A&E Casey shower kit at The Home Depot.
Best Steam
Athena Luxury One-Person Corner Steam Shower Kit
For spa-style indulgence at home, consider the Athena steam shower kit. It is designed for corner installation and measures 89 inches high by 39 inches wide by 39 inches deep. A 4.5-kilowatt steam generator and steam head, as well as an oak ceiling, floor panels, and folding seat, transform a shower into a luxurious experience.
Other fabulous features include built-in speakers and chromatherapy lighting with an LCD computer control pad to set up the shower to suit personal preference. Users can enjoy the oversize rainfall shower head or relax as the six acupressure jets massage weary muscles.
Product Specs
- Design: Corner
- Components: Shower door, base, walls, ceiling, chromotherapy light, steam generator, steam head, rainfall shower head, built-in speakers, folding shower seat, acupressure massage jets, and LCD computer control pad
- Dimensions: 89 inches high by 39 inches wide by 39 inches deep
Pros
- Compact size suitable for 1 person
- 4.5-kilowatt steam generator
- 6 acupressure massage jets and oversize rainfall shower head
- Chromatherapy lighting and aromatherapy system
Cons
- Expensive
Get the Athena shower kit at The Home Depot, Sunflare Saunas & Spas, or Find Your Bath.
Best Corner
DreamLine Prism Plus Neo-Angle Shower Enclosure
This corner shower kit by DreamLine has a slip-resistant textured base that measures 42 inches in width by 42 inches in depth, plus an acrylic coating protects it from scratches and stains. Two glass panels and a hinged glass door allow for entry and exit. The frameless glass-door design pairs well with the low-profile shower base. Each piece of glass features a ClearMax coating that resists water streaks and stains.
Buyers will want to keep in mind that this shower kit does not come with walls. It requires either tiled walls in place or the purchase of either compatible prefabricated shower walls to protect drywall or waterproof wallboard behind the shower.
Product Specs
- Design: Corner
- Components: Shower door and base
- Dimensions: 74.75 inches high by 42 inches wide by 42 inches deep
Pros
- Water- and stain-resistant glass coating
- Slip- and scratch-resistant textured floor
- Frameless glass door design
- Low-profile shower base with integrated tile flange
Cons
- Does not include back walls
Get the DreamLine Prism Plus shower kit at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Lowe’s.
Best Frameless
Vigo Winslow Frameless Sliding Door Shower Enclosure
Designed for a curbless shower space with two pretiled shower walls, this rectangular corner-style shower kit comes with two glass wall panels, a glass door, and stainless steel hardware for mounting. The narrow wall panel and glass door make up one side of the rectangular enclosure that measures 74 inches high by 47 inches wide. The broad wall panel makes up the other side of the rectangular enclosure and measures 74 inches high by 35 inches deep.
This kit has a frameless design, with a stainless steel drain and wall mounting brackets to anchor and reinforce the glass panels and door. The predrilled tempered-glass door can be installed to open to the left or to the right depending on the bathroom layout and personal preference. This kit does not come with back walls or a shower pan.
Product Specs
- Design: Corner
- Components: Shower door and 2 wall panels
- Dimensions: 74 inches high by 47 inches wide by 35 inches deep
Pros
- Frameless sliding glass-door design
- Install the glass door to open either left or right
- Predrilled tempered glass and stainless steel construction
- Rail and wall-mount brackets to anchor and reinforce walls
Cons
- Does not include full set of walls or a base
Get the Vigo shower kit on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Best Modern
A&E Jana Framed Pivoting Shower Door Enclosure
To bring a sleek, striking look to bathroom decor, check out this modern corner-style shower kit. It comes with a base, two glass-wall panels, and a tempered-glass shower door that is made to pivot open and closed instead of hanging on hinges.
Black anodized aluminum frames support the weight of the shower kit, while black strips run vertically and horizontally across the glass for an eye-catching framed design. This shower enclosure has a low-threshold base that’s easy to enter and exit. Note that walls are not included, so the two back walls must be installed first.
Product Specs
- Design: Corner
- Components: Shower door, panels, and base
- Dimensions: 75 inches high by 48 inches wide by 36 inches deep
Pros
- Sleek, black-framed tempered-glass doors and panels
- Anodized aluminum frame with magnetic door seals
- Low-threshold base for easy entry and exit
- Modern pivoting shower door
Cons
- Does not include back walls
Get the A&E Jana shower kit at The Home Depot.
Best Freestanding
Steam Planet Kascade Hinged Shower Kit
Steam Planet’s freestanding shower kit has sturdy walls that can stand freely without support, and it can be installed without caulk. However, the shower must be installed against at least one wall to run the hot and cold water lines into the stall. This kit includes the shower base, walls, door, drain, eight chrome body jets, and a handheld shower head.
Black walls and chrome hardware make for an attractive look. Built-in body jets are a spa-worthy touch to help massage tight muscles. The low-profile base enables easy access.
Product Specs
- Design: Freestanding
- Components: Shower door, walls, base, body jets, and handheld showerhead
- Dimensions: 84 inches high by 59 inches wide by 32 inches deep
Pros
- Freestanding doesn’t require multiple support walls
- No caulk required for installation
- Built-in body jets
- Low-profile base for easy entry and exit
Cons
- Expensive
Get the Steam Planet shower kit at The Home Depot.
Best 3-Piece
Delta Classic 400 Shower Wall Set
This alcove shower kit by Delta is affordable, attractive, and designed to last. It comes with three separate shower walls designed for direct-to-stud installation in a pre-existing alcove space that measures 74 inches high by 48 inches wide by 34 inches deep.
The two end walls and back walls are made of high-gloss nonporous acrylic that’s durable, mildew-resistant, and easy to clean. Seven built-in shelves allow for convenient organization of shower supplies. The kit does not include a shower door or a base.
Product Specs
- Design: Alcove
- Components: Shower walls
- Dimensions: 74 inches high by 48 inches wide by 34 inches deep
Pros
- Mildew-resistant
- Built-in shelves
- Easy-to-clean high-gloss acrylic
Cons
- Does not include shower pan or door
Get the Delta shower kit at The Home Depot, Wilmar, or DK Hardware.
Best 5-Piece
Foremost Jetcoat Five-Panel Shower Wall System
Want a shower kit with safety and style? Check out this Foremost model. The textured base of this five-piece shower kit is designed specifically to prevent slips and trips, and it also features a low threshold for easy entry and exit.
The five-piece shower kit comes with fiberglass-and-resin composite shower walls that are resistant to water streaks and stains. These walls and panels can be adhered directly to existing tile or waterproof backer boards with no negative consequences. Keep in mind that this kit does not come with a shower door, rod, or curtain.
Product Specs
- Design: Alcove
- Components: Shower walls, panels, and base
- Dimensions: 78 inches high by 60 inches wide by 32 inches deep
Pros
- High-gloss, scratch- and stain-resistant base
- Walls can be installed over existing tile
- Low-threshold entry and exit
- Textured, nonslip floor
Cons
- Does not include a shower door
Get the Foremost shower kit at The Home Depot, Faucet Direct, or Menards.
Best Outdoor
Zippity Outdoor Products Hampton Outdoor Shower Kit
This outdoor shower is an ideal backyard addition for folks who have a swimming pool or simply want to get clean al fresco. The freestanding shower kit comes with four sturdy posts, three walls, a hinged shower door, and even a ceiling (not required for installation). However, this kit does not include floor- or ground-mounting brackets to keep the shower stall in place, but they are available as a separate purchase. The shower kit doesn’t include a shower head or plumbing parts either, but the structure can also serve as a cabana without water.
Product Specs
- Design: Freestanding
- Components: Shower door, walls, and roof
- Dimensions: 89 inches high by 62 inches wide by 47 inches deep
Pros
- Durable materials made for outdoor installation
- Large, private enclosure for showering or changing
- Freestanding structure doesn’t require walls for support or installation
- Can be installed with or without the roof
Cons
- Does not come with surface mounts
Get the Zippity shower kit at The Home Depot, Wayfair, or Zippity Outdoor Products.
Our Verdict
The DreamLine Encore shower kit includes a SlimLine shower base and two sliding glass doors, making it a great choice for a bathroom with a pre-existing alcove space. Those with a smaller bathroom or who hope to convert a powder room into a half bath may appreciate the A&E Casey shower kit, a smaller and very affordable corner shower kit.
How We Chose the Best Shower Kits
Shower kits can simplify the shower installation process because instead of building walls and putting in a tiled floor, they come with the base, walls, and doors ready to go. However, not every kit has all the components for a full shower setup, so we looked at the included components first when selecting the best shower kits.
Construction material was also important. We wanted to present shower kits with a variety of materials we believed to be durable and easy to care for. Wood and vinyl are common materials for an outdoor shower kit or for mobile home shower kits. Glass and metal are popular finishes, especially for a steam-shower kit or walk-in shower kits. The size of each product based on completed dimensions, as well as the design and color selection, was also used to select this lineup of the top shower enclosure kits.
Tips for Installing Shower Kits
Installing a shower kit can be a project for an experienced DIYer. Ideally, the shower will be installed in close proximity to hot and cold water lines as well as to a pre-existing drain line. Folks will want to sweep and scrub the floor where the shower kit will go and allow the area to dry fully before installing. If the shower kit is to be installed against drywall, it should be treated with a waterproofing primer. For best results, however, install waterproof wallboard instead of drywall in the area where the shower will be installed.
- Locate the new shower close to a pre-existing drain line.
- Sweep, scrape, and scrub the floor before installing the shower pan.
- Waterproof the nearby walls to avoid future problems.
FAQs
Learn more about shower kits and how to choose the best product for your home with these helpful answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about these bathroom basics.
Q. Is it cheaper to build your own shower?
Unless you are planning on purchasing a high-end clawfoot tub shower kit or a four-piece shower kit with a premium ornate design, it is usually cheaper to install a prefabricated shower kit rather than trying to build your own tiled shower stall.
Q. How do I choose a shower kit?
This guide is intended to teach you more about stand-up shower kits and how to find the best shower kits for your home. If you have perused the guide but still aren’t sure about which shower kit is right for you, start by measuring the area where you will install the new shower. Look for shower-stall kits that fit the space, then continue to narrow the selection by identifying products that meet your aesthetic taste. Don’t forget to purchase a shower-valve kit and any additional hardware you require to complete the job.
Q. How long do shower kits last?
On average, you can expect a shower kit to last up to 20 years with appropriate maintenance, such as regular cleaning of the home shower faucets as well as ensuring that water doesn’t seep into any gaps around the exterior edge of the shower walls or base.
Q. How much does a shower kit cost?
Once you factor in labor and hardware (such as drains, faucets, and shower heads for your bathroom), the cost can vary between $400 for a simple fiberglass shower insert up to $2,000 for a luxury option.
