Choosing the best shower enclosure for your bathroom can be an overwhelming experience with the sheer volume of choice available and various options within each product type.
We feel your pain here thats for sure.
When you, or a guest, first steps into the bathroom the shower enclosure will be one of the first things they see, and you want them to be impressed.
This is why we are here – to help you learn more about shower enclosures, as well as which one is going to be right for you. In order to help you find the best shower enclosures, we have put this guide together, compiling all of the relevant shower enclosure reviews in one place so that you can find the one that will bring your bathroom to life.
MODEL | PRICE | RATING |
|---|---|---|
Best Shower Enclosure for Small Bathroom – Apollo
Even little bathrooms deserve a shower enclosure that looks amazing while remaining spacious, and that is why we have chosen this model from Apollo.
It’s the best shower enclosure for small bathrooms, and all you need to do is read the reviews below to see why.
The Good
Measuring in at 700x700mm and with 1850mm of height, this shower enclosure has been designed for smaller spaces, although there is the option to choose larger sizes as well.
It can stand nicely anywhere in your bathroom, even slotting neatly into a corner if you are short on space, and the chrome finish gives it a really modern and refined look that you are sure to love.
The frameless design has an almost tropical feel, while the hinged shower door remains incredibly robust and durable – so you don’t have to be extra careful when you open it. All of the glass used is 6mm safety glass, which is thick and reliable.
The support arms that are included keep it all standing, and the installation process is very simple, and you can even do it yourself.
The Not So Good
There have been no negative reviews for this particular shower enclosure so far.
Our View
One of the best things about this shower enclosure is that it comes at a really good price, and one that can be slipped into most budgets quite comfortably.
It is the perfect size for smaller bathrooms, and the shape means that it can be placed in the corner of really tight ones as well – which is quite convenient.
The fact that there are no negative reviews for it yet shows that customers have had a great experience with it, and many praise the easy installation that saves them money and hassle.
Also Read: How to Change Shower Head
Best Walk-In Shower Enclosure - Elite
Walk-in showers are glorious, and there is nothing quite like stepping into one. Spacious and airy, they just bring a whole new level of energy with them – almost like you are outdoors and showering in the wild. If you think this is the experience for you, we suggest having a read of the info below.
The Good
This shower enclosure comes in three different sizes, each of which is at least 1500mm long – making it a great choice for medium or large bathrooms.
The frame has a silver finish for a modern look as well as an amazing shine, and if you decide to buy the tray that goes with it, you don’t have to worry about it being too tall as it only measures in at 45mm high.
The glass panels are clear and incredibly easy to clean, as they have been made to help ensure things are a little easier on you, and they come with a lifetime guarantee to give you peace of mind.
The standard thickness for the safety glass walls is 8mm, but you do have the choice to upgrade it to 10mm if you are looking for something really durable that will last a long time.
The Not So Good
There have been no negative reviews for this shower enclosure so far.
Our View
This shower enclosure comes at quite a reasonable price, and fits in with a mid-range budget. So, if you are looking to spend a little more on a walk-in model, this could be the best price for shower enclosures for you.
With no negative reviews so far, it gives you a little confidence that customers love it, and the lifetime guarantee on the glass is extra reassurance. Made to last and with a really gorgeous design, this could be the enclosure of your dreams (and it even has the tray).
Best Curved Shower Enclosure - Soak
With a unique design and the ability to fit almost anywhere, a curved shower enclosure could be just what your bathroom has been asking for.
This particular model from Soak has everything you could want for a very good price, so we suggest you have a read below and see what you think of it.
The Good
This shower enclosure measures in at 800x800mm, which means that it is the ideal fit for smaller bathrooms and can squeeze into little spaces quite nicely.
The curved design also means that if you put it directly into a corner, there is no issue as the doors are located on the actual curve, so you can get out through a smaller space without issue.
It has 8mm safety glass that has been fully tested for durability, so you know what you are getting when you pick this model up.
Cleaning has also been made easier as the glass is coated in an environmentally-friendly solution that helps it to resist dirt, oil, limescale, and streaks quite effectively. Combined with waterproof properties, it makes for a robust little model.
The Not So Good
A couple of customers had missing parts, but they were replaced quickly by the company.
Our View
This shower enclosure does have a lot to offer, and it comes at a low price that can work with most budgets – so you don’t need to break the bank in order to pick up a good-looking curved shower.
While some customers did end up with missing parts, this is very rare, and the company replaced them very quickly. With some fantastic cleaning properties on the glass, and easy installation, it’s hard for this enclosure to go wrong.
Best Corner Shower Enclosure – Lakes
These are great for small spaces, and if you are searching for the best corner shower for a tight bathroom, this is the place for you to be.
Our top pick from Lakes is sure to meet all your needs, so why not take a look at the information below and maybe pick one up?
The Good
With this shower enclosure, you can either choose a 760mm model or an 800mm one, both of which are well-suited to smaller spaces.
While it is a corner shower, it is also what is known as a true corner shower enclosure because of the fact the doors are located on the actual corner – so you could install it between two tight walls and still be able to use it freely.
With 6mm thick safety glass, this enclosure is suitable for use with power showers, so you don’t need to worry if you are fitting it around an existing system. You also have the option to include the tray with your purchase, allowing you to pick up the whole package.
The doors are quick release and very easy to open and close, and it has a good height at 1950mm for those who are quite tall.
The Not So Good
There have been no negative reviews for this model of shower enclosure so far.
Our View
This shower enclosure comes at a great price, and one that many in the mid-range bracket can afford very comfortably. With no negative reviews so far, it is one of the best shower enclosures out there, and the way it has been designed is proof of that.
With the genius corner doors, your new shower can be installed in even the tightest spaces – all while leaving enough room to wash comfortably. Overall, it is an excellent choice for any bathroom.
Best Quadrant Shower Enclosure - Lakes
Another curved shower, these really are the trending enclosure at the moment, and it’s no wonder when you consider how sleek and stylish these models are.
If quadrant showers are your thing, you’re going to want to take a good, long, look at this particular model before it gets away.
The Good
This shower enclosure measures in at 900mm, making it suitable for medium and large bathrooms that need a model with extra room.
This particular one also comes with some great options, like the ability to buy a shower tray to go with it, or a plumbing kit for easy and regular maintenance at an additional cost.
You can also choose to have a silver or white finish, depending on your preference. The doors open using handles, and do so very smoothly for an effortless showering experience.
The glass is easy to clean and is made from 8mm safety glass for durability and a solid finish. It also has an eco-friendly coating on the glass to resist dirt, limescale, and bacteria, keeping things cleaner for you, and also taking a lot of your work away to make things easier.
The Not So Good
Some customers felt that the price for this model is quite high.
Our View
This shower enclosure comes from an excellent brand, and is definitely priced for those with some extra cash. While there are some that found this model too expensive, you are paying for the quality, and it really shines through with this one.
It is a good size, has loads of handy extras that can be added on, and there are no other negative reviews that this time to say it is anything short of excellent. It’s a solid choice, and one of the best quadrant shower enclosures.
Further Reading: Small Shower Room Design Ideas
Best Budget Shower Enclosure – Wickes
Being on a budget doesn’t mean you can’t have a good shower that is equally good quality, and this model that we have chosen from Wickes ticks all the boxes.
So, if you are strapped for cash or simply don’t want to pay a lot, this could be the perfect solution for you.
The Good
This rectangular shower enclosure measures in at 760mm, so it’s a good one to go for if you have a small bathroom, and has a height of 1860mm.
It has a white frame surrounding it, as well as clear glass that comes in at 4mm thick for safety and reliability.
It does not come with a tray, but there are plenty available to buy separately at really low prices to stop you spending too much. The door opens using a handle, but it can be fit to suit both left-handed and right-handed people – offering comfort and ease to every customer.
The magnetic strips along the seams of the frame and door provide a tight waterproof seal to prevent any leakage while you wash, and the adjustable profile means that you can fit it to an uneven wall if necessary, for more versatility.
The Not So Good
There have been no complaints about this particular shower enclosure so far.
Our View
This shower enclosure comes at a truly budget price, and one you won’t regret spending because you are still getting great quality from it.
There are no negative reviews so far, and all the positive ones talk about is how good the enclosure is, but also how you can install it yourself and without professional help.
It’s small, but also mighty, and it is able to offer you everything you need in order to get back on track and start enjoying your showers again, but without spending a fortune.
Best Luxury Shower Enclosure – Milano Vaso
We all deserve to have some luxury in our lives, and when we shower, we should feel good about it and not as though we need to get through it quickly.
This luxury shower enclosure has exactly what you need to feel good about yourself again, and you can learn its secrets by reading about it below.
The Good
This shower enclosure comes in a variety of sizes, starting from 900mm and going all the way up to 1500 – so you know that you can get a luxury model regardless of the size of your bathroom.
Made from stainless steel and with a brushed finished, it screams modern and will spice up your room perfectly.
It even comes with thick easy-clean glass to make life easier for you. It’s a walk-in shower with no door or step, making it simple and easy for anyone to use.
The best part is the fact that it comes with both the tray and the shower tower, providing you with the complete package to get started quickly. The tower contains push controls for the shower head, with loads of water spray settings for you to choose from and even a little shelf for toiletries.
The Not So Good
There are no negative reviews for this shower enclosure at the moment.
Our View
This shower enclosure does come at a higher price, but when you look at the amount it comes with, it is hardly a surprise. This isn’t just a stunning walk-in enclosure, it is also the actual shower tower, head, and tray, providing you with a fully-functioning bathroom set to play with.
When you look at that, it is no wonder there have been no negative reviews for it, and there are so many great features for you to use and love. It could be the best purchase you make this year.
Further Models of Shower Enclosure
Here are some further models of shower enclosure for you to look at, just in case the ones above do not quite meet your requirements.
Best Sliding Door Shower Enclosure – John Lewis
This rectangular shower enclosure has a stunning silver finish that leaves the whole room sparkling as well as a semi-frameless design that gives it a strong modern aesthetic to fit any bathroom style.
The straight sliding door means that it is easy to access and step into, and you are assured smooth and fluid movement when you go to open it.
The toughened safety glass ensures durability throughout its life, and the sliding mechanism has been made with your convenience in mind as it is very easy to clean. It is a medium-sized enclosure that should suit most bathrooms quite nicely.
Best Frameless Shower Enclosure – Mode Harrison
A frameless look is what so many are after, especially as it gives the impression of floating glass when you first enter the room.
It is a larger enclosure, meaning that it has a good amount of room for movement, and so it is not suited to small bathrooms – although there are smaller models available.
Despite being frameless, this enclosure remains incredibly sturdy and reliable, with 8mm safety glass that offers you peace of mind and a robust place to wash.
The door can be fitted for right- or left-hand entry, and it comes at quite a modest price when you consider this as well as the overall size.
Best Shower Enclosure for Elderly – Kudos
All too often, the needs of older people are forgotten when it comes to showers, and that is why we have looked long and hard for a perfectly suitable model.
This particular shower enclosure does not have any steps, so you can walk right in without fear of tripping over as you do so. The sliding door makes entry even easier, and the robust design means that it can withstand quite a lot.
The finger-pull handle reduces strain on the hands when you go to open it, and the glass is resistant to limescale and scum to make cleaning a lot easier for you.
Easy to install and at a good price, it is the perfect match for older people that want a quality and reliable enclosure.
Shower Enclosure Buyers Guide
Shower Enclosures by Size
There is a whole load of different sizes out there, as well as shapes, so you are definitely going to find one that suits your bathroom perfectly.
While there is an abundance of different sizes out there, here are some of the most common ones so that you get a rough idea:
Quality Quick Release Shower Door Rollers
This isn’t something you can expect to find on the cheap models of shower enclosure, but it is a feature you need to look for when you spend a little extra. Metal/Zinc alloy bodied rollers are so important, and the bearings should be stainless steel as opposed to plastic.
They allow the doors to open smoothly and in silence, which is the complete opposite to the cheaper plastic rollers. The Zinc ones also last a lot longer than their plastic/Nylon counterparts and not only that they look so much better.
Whilst on this topic - Always buy a can on silicone spray and give them a squirt once a month, this will extend the life of rollers 5x.
Reduce Hassle with Easy Fit Shower Enclosures
Most shower enclosures need two people to fit them, but this isn’t always possible, and that is why so many companies have created models that can be easily fitted by one person.
These not only take a lot of the stress out, but they can be fit solely by you, and you won’t need to hire a plumber in order to get it installed and hooked up.
Branded or Unbranded Products?
This is a pretty big question that leaves people feeling quite divided, because it is such a personal choice. The great benefit of an unbranded shower enclosure (or general product) is that they are usually a lot cheaper to buy, and this can really save you some cash.
However, there is so much that you don’t know about them. Where did it come from? Where was it manufactured? What is it actually made of? All of these are questions that an unbranded product is very unlikely to answer, and you also have no idea how durable it is or if it will even last.
With a branded shower enclosure you will have to spend more, but you will be assured that it is safe to use and know everything about it.
Cut and Shaped Glass Detailing
This is a really gorgeous feature that is relatively new for shower enclosures, and while it can cost a bit more, the results are so worth it. What the process of cut and shaped glass means is that there are rounded profiles or cut-outs that allow the rollers to sit on the edge of the shower glass.
It means that you need less parts, gives it an amazing aesthetic, and also helps to improve the longevity of the enclosure.
No Need to Clean with Easy Clean Glass Coatings
Easy clean glass is not a lazy option as there are plenty of us out there that work long hours and just don’t have the time to do a thorough shower clean on top of everything else.
Of course, this glass does need to be cleaned, but the effort required is minimal when compared to standard glass. The very basics of how this works is that shower glass is actually filled with tiny dips that can only be seen under a microscope, and so water droplets, dirt, and bacteria all get stuck in them quite easily.
The coating fills these dips in to create a smooth surface, which allows the water to just run down smoothly and therefore means that a lot less ends up getting stuck there. It needs a lot less cleaning, and when you do go to do it, the process is so much faster and easier.
Thickness of Glass
What’s the deal with glass thickness? In short, it will provide you with a more robust shower that can handle a lot more, but it will also tend to get more expensive as the thickness increases. The bare minimum level is 4mm, with the standard being 8mm.
However, you can get glass that goes up to 15mm thick if you have the cash for it. Showering in an enclosure with 8mm glass leaves you feeling more separated from the world than if you are in a 4mm space.
The thicker glass is also heavier, and you should keep this in mind when it comes to installing the enclosure because it will require two people to get it up safely. Similarly, be wary of shower enclosures with anything thicker than 8mm that are cheap – make sure they are up to code and go for the pricier option.
No matter what kind of thickness you want from your glass, you need to make sure that it has been made to the British Safety Standards before you buy it. An additional bonus that shows you are getting the best glass is to look for either of these European Standard codes: EN 12150 and EN14428. Though its a given in most cases that most shower enclosures available will meet this criteria.
What are Shower Enclosures Made of?
The most common material for the frame of a shower enclosure is stainless-steel, or other metals that do not rust, and a lot of the time you will find they come with a chrome finish for some extra sparkle. This is the most frequently used material, alongside the glass, and you will find that it is even used in frameless shower models.
While the frameless ones don’t use as much metal, and the primary material is glass, they still come with supports that are made from metal so that it can be secured to the wall safely.
If you buy a really cheap shower enclosure, they are often made from plastic – both in terms of the frame and the “glass” windows. Plastic models can still look good, but they aren’t as durable or robust as their metal counterparts.
How long should a shower enclosure last?
How long does it take to get a shower enclosure installed? It should take about two weeks from the time that your shower is measured to the time that your shower enclosure is installed.
To Conclude
Hopefully, this guide has been able to help you discover the best shower enclosure in UK for you, and the shower enclosure reviews have ensured that you are able to find the kind of shower enclosure you were looking for, both in terms of the size, shape, and features.
With this guide, the most important thing to us was that we were able to present you with a good number of options to look at – whether you have a small bathroom that needs a little enclosure, or you want one that has specific features.
We have gathered all of the most important types of enclosure and put them together in one place for you to browse through, complete with a detailed set of advice packed full of tips for making the right choice. As a result, we are confident you will find just what you are searching for.
What did you think of our shower enclosure guide? Are there any that you would have liked to see or recommended? We love hearing from you, so make sure to leave us a message in the comments below.
