By Glenda Taylor | Updated May 11, 2022 2:26 PM

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A shower curtain takes top billing in a bathroom, but getting the best shower curtain rod to hold it is just as important. Not only must a shower curtain rod be sturdy enough to support the weight of the curtain, but it should also complement the look of the bathroom. The best shower curtain for your bathroom will depend on the size and configuration of your shower or tub/shower combo, the bathroom decor, and the weight of the shower curtain you plan to use.

Design plays a big part in choosing the best shower curtain rod for your bathroom. Ease of installation and durability are top considerations, too.

Most shower curtain rods are straight and attach to the walls of the shower. But, other shapes are available for a range of shower and tub configurations. Square, L-shaped, and round shower curtain rods are available for open showers and freestanding tub/shower combinations. Double rods come with two parallel rods: an outer rod for a decorative shower curtain and an inner rod for the waterproof liner. Still other shower curtain rods feature a small outward bow that adds a little extra room to the inside of a tub/shower unit.

Shower curtain rods are typically made of metal and plastic. Consider choosing a durable one that goes with your bathroom’s decor. Many metal shower curtain rods come treated with a water-resistant coating to reduce rust and corrosion risk. Plastic rods have come a long way, but they still aren’t as durable as metal rods. Reserve these for lightweight shower curtains.

The bathroom is often the smallest room in the house, so anything that’s “off” with the decor will stick out like a sore thumb. Something as simple as a shower curtain rod that doesn’t blend in with the bathroom decor can leave the bathroom looking completely mismatched. Metal rods are available in various finishes, including brass, stainless steel, aluminum, and even copper. Try to match the shower curtain rod to the finish on the faucet, shower head, and shower caddy. If those items are chrome, for example, your shower curtain rod should be, too.

Shower curtain rods install in two ways: through tension or mounting. Each has benefits and considerations.

Tension shower curtain rods are by far the easiest to install. Twist the rod to a length about an inch longer than the distance between the walls and then pull one side inward to shorten the rod and slide it into place.

Mounted rods are a bit trickier as you have to drill holes in the walls and install mounts. If you’re handy with a drill and a measuring tape or a level (for getting the bar level), mounting a shower curtain rod is a DIY task. If you’re not comfortable installing a mounted rod, a tension rod is a good idea. Both are strong enough to hold most shower curtains.

The best shower curtain rods should be strong enough to hold a shower curtain’s weight, be rust and corrosion resistant, and, in the case of tension rods, have a strong spring. It should also be durable and complement your bathroom decor. The following shower curtain rods are good options for a variety of needs, and one is sure to be the right choice in your bathroom as well.

Available in two sizes designed to fit either shower stalls or tub/shower surrounds, the adjustable BRIOFOX Stainless Steel Shower Curtain Rod features a strong extension spring and can bear up to 30 pounds. No tools are necessary for installation. You only need opposing walls to fit the rod between. Twist the ends in opposite directions to lengthen or shorten the rod. The BRIOFOX shower curtain rod features rubber end caps that won’t slide on walls and won’t leave scratches. Appropriate for tile, fiberglass, and painted drywall.

Get the BRIOFOX curtain rods on Amazon and at Sears.

Made from premium stainless steel, the TEECK Shower Curtain Rod won’t rust. Because it’s a tension rod, there’s no drilling required. The rod comes in four sizes and adjusts to fit between opposing shower walls or tub/shower combo walls. By rotating the ends of the rod in different directions, the length can be adjusted. The rubber end caps suction to the walls without scratching. This rod is a great choice for tile or fiberglass.

Get the TEECK curtain rod on Amazon.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a durable shower curtain rod that will complement your bathroom’s decor. The affordable Amazer Shower Curtain Rod is available in several sizes and adjusts to fit shower stalls and tub/shower combos. It comes in several standard rust-resistant metal finishes to match your bathroom’s existing fixtures. The rubber end caps keep the rod firmly in place. You can remove them before installation to slip round shower curtain hooks over the bar, and it’s suitable for fiberglass, tile, painted walls, or even wood paneling.

Get the Amazer curtain rod on Amazon.

The Sikaiqi L-shaped shower curtain rod can be fully mounted, which is the sturdier option, or attached with glue-on brackets that support the ends of the rod. The rod itself does not call for the use of 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 rust- and corrosion-resistant rod is suitable for all types of shower walls.

Get the SIKAIQI curtain rod at Amazon, Sears, and Walmart.

Dress up your bathroom with the PrettyHome L-shaped Corner Shower Bathtub Rod designed to fit a tub with an open wall on one side. Made from high-quality aluminum, the rod is available in various finishes to complement your bathroom fixtures. You might need to drill-mount it to adjacent walls for stability with the included mounting brackets and fasteners. This corner shower bar is rust and corrosion resistant and will support up to 20 pounds of fabric weight. It does not require the use of a ceiling-mounted support bar, although you can use one to increase stability.

Get the PrettyHome L-shaped curtain rod at Amazon, Sears, and Walmart.

Add a shower curtain to a freestanding tub with the PrettyHome Hoop Shower Curtain Rod. It attaches to the wall at the tub’s head and hangs from a ceiling-mounted support bar on the opposite side. Made from high-quality aluminum in finishes to match most bathrooms, this hoop-shaped curtain rod won’t rust or corrode. Installation requires mounting brackets to one wall and drill-mounting the support bar to the ceiling with the included fasteners and hardware. Because this rod has a hanging support bar, a split shower curtain will be necessary to enclose the tub completely.

Get the PrettyHome curtain rod hoop at Amazon, Sears, and Walmart.

The Zenna Home NeverRust Adjustable Double Shower Rod will support an inner waterproof shower curtain and a decorative outer curtain or towels on two separate rods. This versatile rod is spring-loaded for tension installation and comes with fasteners for a permanent wall mount. The rod adjusts from 44 to 72 inches to fit various size showers and tub/shower combos. It features NeverRust Aluminum, and it’s suitable for installation on all types of shower walls.

Get the Zenna double shower rod at Amazon, Sears, and Walmart.

If showering in your existing shower or tub/shower combo feels cramped, check out the Zenna Home NeverRust Double Curved Shower Rod. It bows gently outward to offer an additional 9 inches of elbow room in the shower. The double rod adjusts to fit tubs up to 72 inches long. The rust-free aluminum will keep it looking new for years. This tension rod features strong springs and rubber ends that won’t damage bathroom walls. The decorative wall mounts give it a polished look. This double shower curtain bar is available in chrome and nickel finishes to match existing faucets, and it’s suitable for hanging two curtains or for a single curtain and towels.

Get the Zenna Home double curved shower rod at Walmart, Target, and The Home Depot.

Coming in over 5 finishes and styles, the Amazon Basics Tension Curtain Rod comes in multiple sizes and easily installs with a spring pull rod and rubber end caps that will not damage shower walls. Suitable for use in showers, bathtubs, stalls, closets, and windows, this curtain rod is durable and lightweight while being able to handle the average shower curtain and liner.  The only downside of this product is that it cannot hold more than 7 pounds of weight.

Get the Amazon Basics curtain rod on Amazon.

For a simple yet effective shower curtain rod, consider the BRIOFOX Shower Curtain Rod, which comes in multiple finishes to match your existing bathroom fixtures. If space feels tight in your shower, create more space with a curved rod like the Zenna Home NeverRust Double Curved Shower Rod; the double rod could hold a shower curtain plus be a great place to hang towels.

The best shower curtain rods are easy to install—and stay there without constantly slipping. They are made from durable materials and come in the right finishes to match existing fixtures and the bathroom decor. Our list of top picks covers the main types of shower curtain rods for shoppers and offers a range of options in terms of shape, material, and type of installation.

We made sure to include plenty of products with adjustable rods since shower areas come in a multitude of sizes, so most of our recommendations are able to cater to most sizes. All of our top picks are also available in at least two finishes to match the most common bathroom fixture finishes including chrome, nickel, brass, black, and more.

In our research we also made sure to look at installation and materials to round up a range of products made from high-quality materials that are also easy to install, with options for tension rods as well as more permanent mounted rods.

Shower curtain rods are straightforward for the most part, but if this is the first time you’ve purchased one—or if you’re wondering about how to install one—read on.

Choose a finish that matches your sink and shower faucets. Choose either a mounted or a tension rod depending on your DIY skills. If you aren’t comfortable drilling into walls to mount a rod, opt for a tension rod.

Tension rods are well suited to tile walls.

A curved shower rod has a gentle outward bow that provides more elbow room in the shower.

Between the opposing walls of a shower or a tub/shower combo.

Standard shower curtain rod height is approximately 75 to 77 inches above the floor.

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