The Best Shower Screens For Keeping Your Bathroom Dry
Bath screens and walk-in glass panels that keep the water in the shower and off the floor.
Our quick verdict
Our pick of the best shower screen is the Nuie Pacific Modern Bathroom Screen, a solid, reversible bath screen in 6 mm toughened glass that suits most straight baths and comes with a five year guarantee. For a wet room, the ELEGANT Walk In Shower Screen is the better choice, as it's a single fixed panel with concealed fixings and a wide spread of sizes.
DIY Works is reader supported. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission, which never changes what we recommend. How we make money.
Our Picks At A Glance
- Check price of Nuie Pacific Modern Bathroom Screen
Best Overall
Nuie Pacific Modern Bathroom ScreenStandard straight baths where you want solid glass without a premium price
- Check price of VeeBath Jade Curved
- Check price of Luxura 4 Panel Shower Screen
Best Folding
Luxura 4 Panel Shower ScreenSmall bathrooms where the screen needs to fold out of the way
- Check price of ELEGANT Walk In Shower Screen
Best Walk-In
ELEGANT Walk In Shower ScreenWalk-in showers and wet rooms needing a single fixed glass panel
- Check price of ELEGANT Black Shower Enclosure
Best Sliding
ELEGANT Black Shower EnclosureAlcove showers where a sliding door saves space and black frames suit the room
- Check price of Mecor Shower Bath Shower Panel
Bath shape picks half the shortlist before looks come into it. A P-shaped bath rules out every flat screen, a walk-in panel has to match the tray, and a straight bath leaves you the widest choice. Spend less and you give up glass thickness and build quality, and whatever you buy, check the wall is plumb before ordering, since the wall profile only takes up so much lean.
We've fitted screens across the rentals and Airbnbs we look after, and the six here cover hinged, folding, sliding and walk-in layouts. Where a screen won't suit the bath, our pick of the best shower curtains is the cheaper fix.
How We Chose These Shower Screens
Between the rentals and Airbnbs we look after, we've fitted several shower screens over the years. Some have gone over a bath, like the one in the photo below from one of our recent installs, and we've also put up screens for walk-in showers.
For us, a screen is part of every shower we put in. It keeps water off the bathroom floor, which matters even more in a rental where guests won't always be careful, and it gives the room a tidier look than a curtain ever does.
Fitting one is a job most people can manage with a drill, a spirit level and some patience, and we've photographed each stage in our guide on how to fit a shower screen. Alongside our own installs, we compared each screen on these points:
- Design: frame finish, the shape of the top corner and how it suits a modern bathroom
- Build quality: glass thickness, toughened safety glass and the frame material
- Adjustability: how much give the wall profile has for walls that aren't quite plumb
- Fitting kit: what comes in the box and how clear the instructions are
- Guarantee: how long the manufacturer stands behind it
- Value: what the price buys you compared with the other screens here
The Shower Screens We Recommend
The list covers hinged, curved, folding, sliding and fixed screens. Measure your bath or shower opening before you order, as several of these only come in one size.
Best Overall
Nuie Pacific Modern Bathroom Screen
Best for: Standard straight baths where you want solid glass without a premium price
Check Price On AmazonThe Nuie Pacific gets the basics right for a bath screen that doesn't cost a fortune. The 6 mm toughened safety glass feels sturdy, the aluminium frame stands up to corrosion in a steamy bathroom, and the curved top corner gives it a softer, modern look than a plain square panel.
It's reversible, so the same screen works whether your bath has the taps and wall on the left or the right. Nuie also sells it as a standard screen or with an optional fixed panel or rail.
When we fitted one ourselves, it was a bit more fiddly to install than other screens we've put up, so give yourself extra time to get the wall profile plumb before drilling. Nuie backs it with a 5 year guarantee.
What we like
- 6 mm toughened safety glass
- Aluminium frame that resists corrosion
- Reversible for left or right-hand fitting
- Curved top corner for a modern look
- Optional fixed panel or rail available
- Backed by a 5 year guarantee
What to know
- Slightly trickier to fit than other screens we've installed
Our verdict
The Nuie Pacific is the screen we'd put over most straight baths. It feels solid, fits either way round and doesn't cost a fortune, and the five year guarantee backs it up. The one thing we'd warn you about is the fitting, which took us longer than other screens. P-shaped baths need the curved VeeBath Jade instead.
Best For P-Shaped Baths
VeeBath Jade Curved
Best for: P-shaped shower baths with a wider curved end
Check Price On AmazonVeeBath makes P-shaped, folding, straight and round screens, and the Jade Curved is the one shaped to follow the rounded end of a P-shaped shower bath. At 1435 mm high and 720 mm wide it gives good cover, and the 6 mm toughened safety glass sits in chrome profiles with seals along the edges.
The 180 degree swing lets you push the screen right back against the wall to clean the bath or bathe young children. It fits left or right-handed, comes with a wall fixing pack and instructions, and the wall profile has enough adjustment to cope with walls that aren't perfectly straight.
You can choose a knob or a rail for opening it. VeeBath backs the screen with a 5 year guarantee, which matches the Nuie Pacific.
What we like
- Curved glass shaped for P-shaped baths
- Swings through 180 degrees
- Adjusts for uneven walls
- Supplied with a wall fixing pack and instructions
- Left or right-hand opening
- Choice of knob or rail
- 5 year guarantee
What to know
- Only suits P-shaped baths
Our verdict
The VeeBath Jade Curved is the right buy if you have a P-shaped shower bath, as the curve matches the wider showering end and covers it properly. It won't suit a straight bath, so anyone with a standard tub should look at the Nuie Pacific or the budget Mecor instead.
Best Folding
Luxura 4 Panel Shower Screen
Best for: Small bathrooms where the screen needs to fold out of the way
Check Price On AmazonA folding screen makes a lot of sense in a small bathroom, and the Luxura splits into four panels that concertina back against the wall when you're not showering. That leaves the bath clear for cleaning and stops a big sheet of glass dominating a tight room.
Each panel uses 4 mm thermally strengthened safety glass with polished chrome wall profiles. That's thinner than the 6 mm glass on the hinged screens here.
The fixings are reversible, and the screen is CE marked and made to BS EN 14428, the standard for shower enclosures. Luxura backs it with a 10 year warranty.
What we like
- Folds flat against the wall when not in use
- 10 year warranty
- Reversible fixings for either side
- Polished chrome wall profiles
- Made to BS EN 14428 and CE marked
What to know
- Only sold in one size with four panels
- 4 mm glass is thinner than the hinged screens here
Our verdict
Small bathrooms are where folding glass earns its keep, and the Luxura tucks away against the wall when you're done. A 10 year warranty is a strong vote of confidence from the maker. The trade-offs are thinner glass, joins between panels and a single size, so measure carefully before ordering.
Best Walk-In
ELEGANT Walk In Shower Screen
Best for: Walk-in showers and wet rooms needing a single fixed glass panel
Check Price On AmazonELEGANT is best known for its complete shower enclosures, but it also sells the parts separately, including this fixed walk-in screen. Sizes run from 700 x 1900 mm up to 1200 x 1900 mm, and you can choose 6 mm or 8 mm glass.
The screen is held by a stainless steel support bar running back to the wall, with concealed fixings hidden under top cover caps for a clean finish. The wall profile gives 15 mm of adjustment, which takes care of most walls that are slightly out of plumb.
ELEGANT treats the glass with a nano coating that helps water run off, so there's less limescale to scrub. The frame is corrosion-resistant aluminium and the glass is certified to BS EN 12150, the standard for toughened safety glass.
What we like
- Choice of 6 mm or 8 mm glass
- Sizes from 700 to 1200 mm wide
- Stainless steel support bar
- Concealed fixings with top cover caps
- 15 mm of adjustment at the wall
- Nano coated glass for easier cleaning
- Glass certified to BS EN 12150
What to know
- Dearer than many other walk-in screens
Our verdict
Wet rooms and walk-in trays only need a single fixed panel, and this is the one we'd choose for that job. The spread of sizes and the 6 or 8 mm glass options make it easy to match your tray. It costs a little more than many walk-in screens, but the concealed fixings and nano coating justify it.
Best Sliding
ELEGANT Black Shower Enclosure
Best for: Alcove showers where a sliding door saves space and black frames suit the room
Check Price On AmazonThis sliding door from ELEGANT closes off a shower recess, with the glass running on rollers rather than swinging out into the room. That's handy in a narrow bathroom where a hinged door would hit the toilet or basin.
It comes in seven widths from 1,000 mm to 1,700 mm, so check yours against your tray before ordering. The glass is 8 mm tempered safety glass with ELEGANT's nano coating, and the frame is aluminium in a matt black finish that suits a modern tiled bathroom.
ELEGANT says it's built to current British standards. It's the most expensive screen in this roundup, and you'll need a matching tray in the alcove if you don't already have one.
What we like
- Sliding door that doesn't open into the room
- Seven widths from 1,000 to 1,700 mm
- 8 mm tempered safety glass
- Matt black aluminium frame
- Nano coating to help water run off
- Rollers for a smooth slide
What to know
- Most expensive screen in our roundup
- Needs a tray of a matching width
Our verdict
Black frames and a sliding door that never swings into the room make this the stylish option for a shower alcove. You're paying the most of any screen here, and it needs a tray of the right width. Over a bath, the Nuie Pacific does the job for far less.
Best Value
Mecor Shower Bath Shower Panel
Best for: Straight baths on a budget where a frameless look appeals
Check Price On AmazonThe Mecor is a frameless bath screen with a curved top corner, sold in one size of 800 x 1,400 mm. Without a frame around the glass, it looks lighter than the Nuie Pacific and leaves less edging to clean.
Mecor uses 6 mm glass with what it calls an Easy Clean coating to help water and soap run off. A 180 degree pivot hinge lets it fold back flat against the wall, and the screen carries a CE mark.
The build quality could be better, so it's a fair choice for a budget refresh or a rental bathroom rather than a high-spec room. Check that 800 mm wide and 1,400 mm high suit your bath before you buy, as there's no other size.
What we like
- Frameless design with a curved top corner
- 6 mm glass with an Easy Clean coating
- 180 degree pivot hinge
- CE marked
What to know
- Build quality could be better
- Only available in one size
Our verdict
The Mecor makes sense for a budget refresh or a rental, especially if you like the frameless look. The construction is where the savings show. Check the 800 x 1,400 mm size against your bath first, since there's no alternative.
Choosing The Right Shower Screen For Your Bathroom
The shape of your bath or shower area decides most of this for you, then glass thickness, opening style and fitting details narrow it down. These are the things we check before ordering a screen for one of our properties.
Bath Screen Or Walk-In Panel
A bath screen fixes to the wall at the tap end of the bath and covers the area where you stand. Straight baths take a flat screen like the Nuie Pacific or Mecor, while P-shaped baths need a curved screen such as the VeeBath Jade to follow the wider end.
A walk-in panel stands on a shower tray or a tiled wet room floor and stays fixed, so there's no door at all. If you're planning a full shower area rather than a screen over the bath, our roundup of the best shower trays is worth reading first, as the tray size sets the screen size.
Glass Thickness And Safety Standards
Every screen should use toughened or tempered safety glass. Thickness affects how solid the screen feels, with 6 mm and 8 mm glass feeling sturdy and 4 mm suiting folding panels that need to stay light. Look for BS EN 12150, which covers toughened safety glass, or BS EN 14428, which covers shower enclosures as a whole.
Coated glass, sold as nano or easy clean, helps water bead and run off. It won't stop limescale entirely, but it makes the weekly wipe-down quicker.
Hinged, Folding Or Sliding
Hinged screens are the standard choice over a bath and swing back against the wall when you need to reach the tub. Folding screens stack their panels against the wall and suit small bathrooms where a single sheet would be in the way. Sliding doors close off an alcove without opening into the room, which helps in a narrow space.
Measuring Your Bath And Walls
Measure the width of the bath rim or tray where the screen will sit, and the height from the rim to where you want the glass to stop. Check the wall with a spirit level too, since the adjustment in the wall profile is what takes up any lean. The ELEGANT Walk In gives 15 mm of adjustment, so a wall that leans further than that needs packing or a different screen.
Sealing And Looking After The Glass
Even a well-fitted screen needs a bead of silicone down the outside of the wall profile and along the bottom, so water can't track behind it. A mould-resistant product from our pick of the best bathroom sealants does that job, and our guide on sealing a bath properly shows how to run a neat line where the bath meets the tiles.
To keep the glass clear, squeegee it after each shower and descale it now and then. We've covered the methods that work in our guide on cleaning shower glass.
Shower Screen Questions We Get Asked
Is a shower screen better than a shower curtain?
A shower screen is better at keeping water in the bath because it doesn't move and has seals along its edges. It also lasts longer and is easier to keep clean than a curtain, which grows mould along the bottom hem. A curtain costs less and needs no drilling, so it suits a temporary setup or a rented home where you can't make changes.
Why does my bath screen leak onto the floor?
A bath screen leaks when the seal along the bottom has worn, the screen is left partly open, or the silicone down the wall profile has failed. Replace the bottom seal strip, reseal the outside of the wall channel and keep the screen fully closed while showering. A screen that's too short for the showering area will also let spray past the open end.
What thickness of glass is best for a shower screen?
6 mm toughened safety glass is the sweet spot for most bath screens, feeling solid without being too heavy to fit. 8 mm suits walk-in panels and sliding doors, where a large fixed sheet needs more stiffness. 4 mm glass is fine for folding screens, as the lighter panels are easier to fold back against the wall.
Can you fit a shower screen onto tiles?
Yes, most shower screens fix straight onto a tiled wall. Use a tile drill bit to get through the glaze without cracking it, then a masonry bit for the wall behind, and fit the plugs supplied. Mark the holes with the wall profile held plumb, and seal the outside edge with silicone once the screen is fitted.
Was the Nuie Pacific difficult to fit?
The Nuie Pacific took us longer to fit than other screens, so allow extra time to get it plumb. It's the screen we'd still put over most straight baths, with 6 mm toughened glass, a corrosion-resistant aluminium frame and a five year guarantee. It's reversible, so the same screen suits a left or right-hand bath.
Is the Mecor a sensible buy for a rental bathroom?
Yes, the Mecor suits a budget refresh or a rental, especially if you like the frameless look. It has 6 mm glass with an Easy Clean coating and a 180 degree pivot hinge that folds it back against the wall. The construction is where the savings show, and it only comes in one size of 800 x 1,400 mm, so measure your bath first.
Does the thinner glass on the Luxura 4 Panel matter?
The Luxura uses 4 mm thermally strengthened safety glass, which is thinner than the 6 mm glass on the hinged screens here. The trade-off is worth it in a small bathroom, because the four panels concertina back against the wall and leave the bath clear. Luxura backs it with a 10 year warranty, but it's a single size.
Is the ELEGANT Black Shower Enclosure worth the extra over a bath screen?
The ELEGANT Black Shower Enclosure is worth it only for a shower alcove, where the sliding door never swings into the room. It comes in seven widths from 1,000 mm to 1,700 mm and needs a tray of the right width. You're paying the most of any screen here, so over a bath the Nuie Pacific does the job for far less.
Our Top Shower Screen Picks
The Nuie Pacific is the shower screen we'd fit over most straight baths. Its toughened glass feels solid and it fits either way round. Allow a little extra time to get it plumb, as it took us longer to fit than some.
For a P-shaped bath, go for the VeeBath Jade Curved, and for a walk-in shower the ELEGANT Walk In screen gives you the widest choice of sizes and glass thickness.
Richard has spent years renovating properties and turning them into rentals and Airbnbs. Like a lot of people he started out as a beginner, and these days there isn't much DIY he won't take on.