The Best Shower Curtain Rods of 2023

Update your bathroom in a flash with these top-rated shower curtain rods.

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July 06, 2023

Our Top Shower Curtain Rod Picks

Design rule #145: Never underestimate the visual and functional impact a shower curtain rod has on your bathroom design. Sure, picking out the perfect shower curtain seems more exciting, but we're here to make a case for shower curtain rod shopping. These often-overlooked accents are the backbone of your shower experience, keeping your curtain and liner securely in place while you belt out your rendition of Beyoncé's latest hit. What's more, shower curtain rods are understated accents that have the power to visually elevate your space and create cohesion within your bathroom design.

So, what makes the perfect shower curtain rod, and how do you find the best rod for your bathroom? There are endless shower curtain rod options, so narrowing down your search can feel like a monumental task. But fret not. We're here to streamline your shopping experience with the 10 best shower curtain rods for every style and budget.

After hours of research and scrolling through our favorite retailers, we compared shower curtain rods based on their installation type, shape, finishes and customer reviews to bring you the best of the best. Read on to get the 411 on choosing the best shower curtain rod, and shop our favorites from the links below.

How to Choose a Shower Curtain Rod

MOUNTING: Shower curtain rods are available in two mounting styles: tension and permanent. Deciding between mounting options comes down to the type of wall in your bathroom. For tiled shower walls, you need a tension shower curtain rod because it secures in place without drilling into the walls. By contrast, if your bath or shower is flanked with drywall, you can use a tension rod or opt for a permanent wall-mounted shower curtain rod to hold your curtain and liner in place.

SHAPE: Once you determine the best mounting mechanism for your shower rod, it's time to narrow down the search by considering the shape. Shower rods come in four main shapes to cater to various needs: straight, curved, D-shaped or L-shaped. Straight shower rods are a solid option for a standard shower or bath stall, while a curved rod is ideal for small showers as it creates more space for you to move about. D-shaped rods are an elegant, ceiling-mounted variation and are the go-to option for free-standing tubs; L-shaped rods shroud cozy corner stalls in privacy.

FINISH: Finally, the fun part: choosing the best shower curtain finish for your space. Shower curtain rods are available in all the popular metallic finishes including brass, gold, polished nickel, brushed nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and chrome. Other sought-after options include matte black, cream and white. Our advice? Use your bathroom design style as your muse to select the perfect finish for you. Timeless gold, brass, chrome or polished nickel shower curtain rods are failproof picks for traditional, transitional and contemporary bathrooms, while matte black or inky, oil-rubbed bronze are fitting additions to modern and farmhouse spaces.

$28
Target

Drum roll, please! Our selection for the number one, blue ribbon, best overall shower curtain rod goes to Threshold Dual-Mount Shower Rod from Target. This winning design extends from 43 to 72 inches to fit most standard shower stalls and comes in four classic finishes to complement all bathroom design styles: black, brass, silver or chrome. The dual-mount rod can be installed to tiled stalls using tension or mounted to drywall using simple tools you have on hand. The best part? This beauty rings in just shy of $30, so you have plenty of room left over in your budget for a fresh shower curtain.

$14.99
Amazon

Are you gearing up for your first semester away from home? Add this budget shower rod to your cart and check another dorm essential off your shopping list. The basic steel shower retention rod adjusts from 36 to 60 inches and holds up to 30 pounds. It comes in your choice of white or cashmere finish and is available in another length to cater to larger stalls. Even better, this highly-rated rod only costs fifteen bucks.

$59
West Elm

Hardware is the jewelry of your home, so get your sparkle on with this modern shower rod beauty from West Elm. The sleek tension rod is forged from durable steel that will last years and adjusts from 36 to 54 inches in length to serve showers big or small. Take your pick from three classic colorways to complete your contemporary bathroom design: antique brass, chrome or matte black.

$219
Build.com

Outfitting a corner shower with a curtain rod can be tricky — but it doesn’t have to be. Enter the Signature Hardware Corner Shower Rod. The classic, ceiling-mounted shower rod features an L-shaped silhouette and is brass-forged for enduring quality. Each rod measures 60 inches long and 30 inches wide, providing ample space in most shower stalls. Shop the stately rod in three finishes to round out your bathroom design: chrome, matte black or brushed nickel.

$58.99 $44.88
Amazon

Hang your liner and shower curtain on one sleek rod with this top-rated double shower rod from Amazon. The JS Jackson Supplies Double Curved Shower Curtain Rod adjusts from 44 to 77 inches wide to serve showers of all sizes and holds up to 22 pounds. Bonus: This hardworking design mounts securely into the wall, so you won't need to worry about your curtain falling mid-shampoo. The contemporary design is aluminum-forged and comes in black, brushed nickel, chrome or oil-rubbed bronze. Need more convincing? Take a peek at its 4.6-star rating and 3,000+ glowing customer reviews.

From $21.84
Amazon

Looking for a failproof curtain rod you can use in your bathroom shower and beyond? The Amazon Basics Tension Curtain Rod delivers. This number-one bestseller on Amazon comes in five finishes, four adjustable lengths and has over 72,700 customer reviews to vouch for its excellence. The metal design is ultra-lightweight, easy to install and holds up to 12 pounds. Use it in your primary ensuite, kids' bathroom or to hang drapes in other rooms in your house. Oh, and did we mention prices start at $21.84?

$107.99 $93.78
Wayfair

Fancy tubs deserve fancy curtain rods, and the Utopia Alley D-Shaped Shower Curtain Rod is prepared to dazzle. The D-shaped fixed shower curtain brings vintage appeal to any bathroom with its ceiling-mount design. The top-rated rod measures 61 inches long and comes in five timeless metal finishes to elevate your bathroom design: gold, brushed nickel, chrome, oil-rubbed bronze or black.

From $24.99
Amazon

The last thing you want is your new shower curtain to wind up on your bathroom floor, but not to fret: The EBOATOP Shower Curtain Rod won't let you down. This top-rated tension rod can hold up to 30 pounds so you can shower stress-free with the assurance of knowing your high-end curtains will remain securely in place. The 4.7-star steel rod is available in three adjustable length options and six chic colors to complement your bathroom design: gold, bronze, brushed nickel, matte black, stainless steel and white.

$43.99 $39.59
Amazon

Curved shower curtain rods are our secret tool for making small shower stalls feel a bit roomier, and this Amazon find is our favorite. The PrettyHome Arched Curved Shower Curtain Rod is rust-proof, adjustable and secures directly into your bathroom wall as a permanent fixture in your space. It expands from 38 to 72 inches long and is available in five fresh finishes: chrome, bronze, brushed nickel, white or black. Oh, and did we mention it boasts a 4.7-star rating and over 16,600 rave reviews? Yes, it's that good.

$69.45 $50.21
Amazon

Elevate your bathroom in a snap with the help of our pick for the best wall-mounted shower rod. The Moen Permanent-Mount Curved Shower Rod expands from 60 to 72 inches to fit standard stalls and sports a gently sloped silhouette that provides generous open space during your deep conditioning treatment. It features pivoting mounting flanges for easy wall installation and comes backed with Moen's limited lifetime warranty. Refresh your bathroom with this 4.7-star shower rod in your choice of six sleek finishes: brushed nickel, brushed gold, chrome, matte black, polished nickel or Old-World bronze.

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