The Best Shower Curtain Rods of 2024 to Complement Your Decor, Tested
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Often an afterthought, the shower curtain rod plays a key role in bathroom design, so choose wisely.
Shower curtains are often a focal point of bathroom design, but shower curtain rods that complement them are just as important. We tested 10 shower curtain rods that not only fit a variety of configurations but also offer a range of finishes to match any bathroom decor.
That’s because, for many shoppers, aesthetics matter nearly as much as function. David Mason, an interior designer and the founder of Knobs.co, an industry partner of the American Society for Interior Designers, says, “The most important factor is that the shower curtain rod is able to hold up your shower curtain and keep water from splashing out of the tub. However, a shower curtain rod is not only a functional piece in the bathroom, but it also adds to the overall aesthetic of the space.”
The ideal shower curtain rod will depend on your bathroom decor, the size and configuration of the shower or tub/shower combo, and the weight of the shower curtain. Our favorite product is the Briofox Industrial Shower Curtain Rod due to its sturdiness, easy-to-install design, and availability in multiple sizes and finishes. However, this guide includes a wide range of types, sizes, and designs to suit a variety of bathrooms. Read on to discover the best shower curtain rods to outfit your space.
- BEST OVERALL: Briofox Industrial Shower Curtain Rod
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Pottery Barn Wall-Mount Classic Shower Curtain Rod
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Teeck Adjustable Tension Shower Curtain Rod
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR CORNER SHOWER: Sikaiqi L-Shaped Corner Shower Curtain Rod
↓ Jump to Review - BEST HOOP WALL MOUNT: PrettyHome Shower Curtain Rod Hoop
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DOUBLE-CURVED: Zenna Home NeverRust Double Curved Shower Rod
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR RENTERS: HBlife Tension Shower Curtain Rod
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: Amazon Basics Adjustable Tension Curtain Rod
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Shower Curtain Rods
We spent over 30 hours installing and testing each product in this guide to determine the best shower curtain rods for a variety of designs and budgets. We looked at several factors, including appearance and finish options, ease or difficulty of installation, and sturdiness and durability.
We left each shower rod in place for at least 3 days, during which time we hung heavy wet towels and pulled aggressively on the shower curtain. After 2 days, we added weight to each rod to test the manufacturer’s weight recommendation and noted its sturdiness. We also considered price and value for the product quality.
Finally, we scored each shower rod based on a rubric that included points for all of these factors. Once testing was complete, we used these scores to rank the products accordingly.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 10 |
| Time spent testing | 30+ hours |
| Tests performed | 4 |
| Price range | $19 to $69 |
Our Top Picks
The best shower curtain rods are strong enough to hold the weight of a shower curtain—and several wet towels—and are rust-resistant. Tension shower curtain rods should have a strong spring and adapt easily to a wide range of sizes. And whether it’s a curved rod designed to give more elbow room or L-shaped corner shower curtain rods, they should all offer durability while complementing a bathroom’s decor. In fact, pairing one of the best shower curtains with a new shower curtain rod is an easy and affordable way to makeover a bathroom in a matter of minutes. Keep reading to learn more about our top picks in a variety of categories.
Best Overall
Briofox Industrial Shower Curtain Rod
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Appearance 5/5; Sturdiness 5/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Tension
- Material: Stainless steel
- Shape: Straight
What We Like
- Multiple finishes to suit bathroom fixtures
- Multiple sizes to fit different widths of shower stalls
- Sturdy construction; high weight capacity
- Tool-free installation takes just minutes
- Smooth glide for shower curtains
What We Don’t Like
- Can lose grip with excess weight
- May require readjustment over time
The Briofox stainless steel shower curtain rod is available in four sizes and adjustable from 27 to 90 inches—simply twist the ends in opposite directions to shorten or lengthen the rod between opposing walls. It comes in up to eight finishes, such as chrome, gold, and matte black, to suit a host of bathroom decor.
We installed this rod in a matter of minutes without any tools. During our testing, it was strong enough to hold the 30-pound maximum weight limit as suggested by the manufacturer, which is significantly more weight than the average household puts on a shower curtain rod. The rod is suitable for use on tile, fiberglass, and painted drywall alike, and the rubber endcaps help prevent it from sliding and protect bathroom walls from scratches. Though some users stated it can slip a bit over time, we only experienced a slight shift after adding heavy weights to the rod.
This Briofox rod edged out the Pottery Barn wall-mounted shower curtain rod as our Best Overall pick because it is easier to install and can be handy for users who prefer not to drill into their bathroom walls or acrylic tub surround.
Get the Briofox shower curtain rod at Amazon.
Runner-Up
Pottery Barn Wall-Mount Classic Shower Curtain Rod
Photo: Pottery Barn
Our Ratings: Installation 4.5/5; Appearance 5/5; Sturdiness 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Mounted
- Material: Steel
- Shape: Straight
What We Like
- High weight capacity; can hold up to 45 pounds
- Suitable for heavy usage settings
- Simple classic design
What We Don’t Like
- Less adjustability range, so may not fit some showers
- Requires tools to install mounting brackets
Simple but durable, this shower curtain rod from Pottery Barn is a good choice for those who prefer a long-lasting model. As a mounted rod, it best suits permanent installations. This rod is also contract grade, which means it’s great for high-traffic and commercial spaces. An added convenience is the inclusion of sturdy wall anchors in case there is no stud where the mounting brackets will go.
The installation directions were clear and straightforward. However, while the directions claim a tool-free installation, we recommend having a drill handy in case you need to drill into a stud. The rod is adjustable from 54 to 90 inches. During our testing, we adjusted the rod with ease to install it in a 58-inch-wide shower stall. Other than our Best Overall pick, this was the easiest installation process of all the rods we tested.
This Pottery Barn rod is made of steel and comes in a chrome or matte black finish, invoking a classic style that suits almost any bathroom decor. Since this rod is contract grade, it’s tested for stricter corrosion and load capacity standards—it will hold up to 45 pounds. We put this manufacturer’s recommendation to the test, and it held up to this weight and beyond without any buckling or bowing.
Get the Pottery Barn shower curtain rod at Pottery Barn.
Best Bang For The Buck
Teeck Adjustable Tension Shower Curtain Rod
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Installation 5/5; Appearance 4/5; Sturdiness 4/5; Value 3.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Tension
- Material: Stainless steel
- Shape: Straight
What We Like
- Adjustable design allows for easy extension and retraction
- Tool-free installation takes just minutes
- Sturdy construction
- Budget-friendly option
What We Don’t Like
- Can be difficult to fit tightly
- Can lose its grip over time with excess weight
Made from premium stainless steel, this Teeck shower curtain rod won’t rust. The tension rod comes in four sizes and is adjustable from 26 to 85 inches. Users can easily adjust the rod by rotating the ends in different directions, and the rubber endcaps suction to the bathroom walls without leaving scratches, making it a great choice for tile walls or fiberglass surfaces. It is available in five finishes.
Since this is a tension rod, the installation doesn’t require a drill. The manufacturer claims that the rod holds up to 22 pounds, and it lived up to that claim in our testing. However, when we extended the rod to its maximum length, it bowed a bit in the middle from any excess weight. For this reason, we recommend choosing a length that goes beyond your maximum range to ensure a sturdier fit—in other words, if you need a rod that reaches 73 inches, don’t choose the rod that maxes out at 73 inches but instead select the next longest size to ensure a snug fit.
Get the Teeck shower curtain rod at Amazon.
Best For Corner Shower
Sikaiqi L-Shaped Corner Shower Curtain Rod
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Installation 4/5; Appearance 5/5; Sturdiness 4/5; Value 5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Mounted
- Material: Stainless steel
- Shape: L-shaped
What We Like
- Sturdy design; suitable for long-term and heavy-duty use
- Works with a single shower curtain
- Multiple mounted installation options
What We Don’t Like
- More complicated installation (requires 2 people)
- May feel loose without a ceiling mount shower curtain rod
- “Drill-free” glue method is for tile surfaces only
Users can fully mount this Sikaiqi L-shaped shower curtain rod, which is the sturdier option, or attach the glue-on brackets to support the ends of the rod. However, the glue is only designed for use on tile. The rod itself is easy to assemble and adjusts to a square shape or a rectangular shape for a corner shower, ranging from 23.6 to 69 inches on each side of the L-shaped rod, depending on the configuration. It comes in a classic silver finish.
Installation via wall brackets is relatively straightforward and the instructions explain the steps well; however, we found it easier to install with two people. This rod’s installation requires a drill and a stud finder or the use of wall anchors if a stud is not available. The rod itself does not call for the use of a central additional ceiling-mounted support as some L-shaped rods do. This permits the user to hang a single curtain, rather than a split curtain, which is necessary with a ceiling support. The corrosion- and rust-resistant rod is suitable for all types of shower walls.
However, the Sikaiqi L-shaped shower curtain rod does include a ceiling mount. While some shoppers may not prefer this type of installation so they can use a single shower curtain, we found the rod felt significantly sturdier with the ceiling mount in place, allowing it to securely hold the manufacturer’s weight limit of 30 pounds. Without the ceiling mount, the rod began to bow at 20 pounds of weight.
Get the Sikaiqi shower curtain rod at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Hoop Wall-Mount
PrettyHome Shower Curtain Rod Hoop
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Installation 1/5; Appearance 4/5; Sturdiness 4.5/5; Value 3/5
Product Specs
- Type: Mounted
- Material: Aluminum
- Shape: Rounded rectangle
What We Like
- Ceiling- and wall-mount combination offers durability
- Attractive, simple design to suit most decor
- Ideal for use with freestanding tubs
What We Don’t Like
- More complicated installation (requires 2 people)
- Will become unstable unless mounted flush
- Requires 2 curtains (split) because of ceiling and wall mounts
For shoppers with a freestanding bathtub looking for an oval shower curtain rod, this PrettyHome rod attaches to the wall at the head of the tub and hangs from a ceiling-mounted support bar on the opposite side. Because the ceiling mount is a bar and not just a wire, the shower curtain rod is more stable. Made from high-quality aluminum and available in a variety of finishes to match most bathrooms, this hoop-shaped curtain rod won’t rust or corrode. Because this rod has a hanging support bar, a split shower curtain will be necessary to enclose the tub completely.
Installation requires mounting brackets to one wall and drill mounting the support bar to the ceiling with the included fasteners and hardware. The ceiling mount bar is not adjustable; users may need to cut it if it’s too long, although this would not be ideal. Overall, we found this installation to be the most difficult of all of the shower curtain rods we tested. This was due in part to the complexity of the rod itself but also because the installation required multiple, tedious, time-consuming steps. Ultimately, if this is the right configuration for your bathroom, it is a sturdy product that will last.
Get the PrettyHome shower curtain rod hoop at Amazon.
Best Double-Curved
Zenna Home NeverRust Double Curved Shower Rod
Photo: Amazon
Our Ratings: Installation 3.5/5; Appearance 4.5/5; Sturdiness 5/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Tension
- Material: Aluminum
- Shape: Double curved
What We Like
- Slightly curved rod design creates extra room in the shower
- Adjustable rod fits multiple shower sizes
- Incredibly sturdy; able to hold twice as much weight as recommended
What We Don’t Like
- More complicated installation (requires 2 people)
- Limited finishes available
- No option for drilled wall mounting
When showering in an existing shower or tub/shower combo feels cramped, a curved curtain can make a shower more refreshing by adding extra space. This Zenna Home NeverRust double curved shower rod bows gently outward to offer up to 9 extra inches of elbow room in the shower and adjusts to fit tub spaces as long as 72 inches. However, keep in mind the amount of space will depend on how far away from the shower the rod fits. Because we have an acrylic tub surround, the wall and surround are not flush, which limited the distance from the tub that we could install the rod during our testing.
Because of the length, weight, and curved nature of the product, it was easier to install with two people. Once in place, the rod felt sturdy, and—even with limited distance from the tub—it still offered an additional 4 inches of elbow room. It is available in chrome, nickel, and black finishes to match existing faucets and is suitable for hanging shower curtain sets, such as a shower curtain with a liner or a single shower curtain and towels.
The Zenna Home shower curtain rod held up to our weight stress test, exceeding twice the manufacturer’s maximum weight without slipping. Some buyers may find the rod too heavy and the shower rod holders a bit too bulky, but this is the nature of double curtain rods in general.
Get the Zenna Home double-curved shower curtain rod at Amazon or