The Best Editor-Tested Shower Curtains You Can Buy Right Now (2024)

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While home improvement shows and Instagram constantly showcase luxurious walk-in showers with floor-to-ceiling glass or stone partitions, the reality is that most homes aren’t outfitted with such grand bathrooms. Instead, traditional showers in need of shower curtains are the norm. With that in mind, we set out to find the best shower curtains of 2023. As much as we love the many, many printed fabric options on the market, most offer little more than looks. Because of this, we searched high and low for well-made, easy-to-install (and wash!) curtains that are built to last. We didn’t just find a few highly rated shower curtains and call it a day, though. Instead, we put each curtain to the test, paying close attention to its coverage, durability, utility, and appearance. In doing so, we landed on the top five shower curtains of 2023. The best part? Not a single one costs more than $65. Check them out below.

The Best Shower Curtains of 2023

What to Consider Before Buying a Shower Curtain
A few characteristics can determine the quality of a shower curtain. They are as follows:

Material
When shopping for a shower curtain, you’ll want to prioritize materials that are both water- and odor-resistant. Both of these things will affect how well a curtain stands up to the mildew-prone environment. You’ll also want to choose a material that’s durable and easy to care for. If you opt for a plastic shower curtain, you can easily spray and wipe it down. If you prefer a fabric shower curtain, consider materials like polyester, which is known for its durable, water-resistant nature that’s easy to wash.

Installation
While shower curtains aren’t particularly difficult to install, some are easier to hang than others. The traditional hook style tends to be the easiest to hang, as the hooks can either be looped over the rod or unlatched and hung on it. Additionally, a hook-style shower curtain offers the option to tailor the shower accessory to your personal style preference, as you can choose between chrome, brass, acrylic, and other ring options. That said, if you dislike the appearance of rings, you’ll be better off going with a pocket or pop-on shower curtain, like the SPACE Expanding Shower System (which you’ll learn more about, below).

Coverage
Shower curtains, like window treatments, come in a variety of lengths. Traditional tub showers call for a 72″x72″ curtain, which is the most common size. If you have a stall shower, though, you may prefer a curtain that measures 54”x72” or 54”x78”, unless you prefer the look of a super-bunched curtain.

Duality
Oftentimes, a well-dressed shower calls for a curtain and a liner. Nowadays, though, many companies have streamlined their products to offer 2-in-1 options. Generally, plastic shower curtains can serve both purposes, but some fabric curtains, like the N&Y Home Waffle Weave Shower Curtain with Snap-In Liner, also offer dual use, thanks to a built-in liner.

What We Look for in a Shower Curtain
We tested a range of shower curtains to uncover the best of them all. We tested each shower curtain with the below criteria in mind.

Ease of use: How easy was it to set up the shower curtain? How easy is it to clean? Is it machine-washable?

Utility: What is the shower curtain made of? Is it durable? Does it offer full coverage? Does it stay in place? Is it water-resistant? Odor-resistant?

Appearance: How stylish is the shower curtain? Is it thick and heavy or flimsy and thin?

The Best Shower Curtains of 2023

The Quiet Town Sun Shower Curtain is a favorite among TikTokers, thanks to the way it transforms showers — especially those with windows — into gorgeous, glowing bathing oases. The thick, EVA curtain is waterproof, making it a great liner, too. That said, thanks to the more than a dozen colors it’s sold in, many prefer to let it shine on its own.

“I love the look of this shower curtain … it makes my bathroom feel so much bigger,” says AT Associate Social Media Director, Rachel. “Also the grommets are so stylish and durable.” Her only complaint about the beloved curtain is that it accumulates water spots quickly, which she found very hard to fully remove. According to the brand, the trick to keeping your Sun Shower Curtain looking its best is to wipe it clean with a spray cleaner at the first sign of soapy residue buildup. Another thing to keep in mind? If you have a dark bathroom, the color of your Sun Shower Curtain might not look as saturated IRL — it all depends on lighting.

Specifications:

Who It’s Best For: Anyone in the market for a high-quality shower liner; those who prefer clear shower curtains and fun colors. (The Lime Sun Shower Curtain is an absolute vibe.)

Good to Know: Because this curtain is made of EVA, it can’t be washed in a washing machine, as high heat will melt it.

Whether you’re in the market for a decorative shower curtain or a high-quality liner, the interdesign Rain Shower Curtain is a great choice — especially if you’re on a budget. The EVA curtain is water-, odor-, and mildew-resistant and features a minimalist pebble design that gives it a spa–like vibe.

“It’s very cute and simple,” says Quinn, Cleaning & Organizing Editor at The Kitchn and Cubby. “It works well and does the job! Definitely great for the price, and I like that it has a subtle pattern.”

Specifications:

Who It’s Best For: Those shopping for a durable shower liner or a minimalist translucent shower curtain.

Good to Know: This shower curtain is only sold in a single option. That said, it features pebbled dots all over it, so it’s not entirely clear.

If your idea of the best shower curtain is one that’s patterned, you’ll love the Urban Outfitters Myla PEVA Shower Curtain. The floral-printed curtain is so intricately detailed that it looks more like cotton than the PEVA plastic that it is.

“I don’t know if this product is supposed to be both a shower curtain and liner, but I found it was both a great decoration and good at keeping things water-free,” says Hollis, AT’s Email & Acquisition Manager. “And having just one curtain allowed me to get more light into my shower, which is a big plus.”

The only thing Hollis didn’t love about the UO Myla Curtain was its unweighted design. In her opinion, the lightweight curtain needs weights or magnets at the bottom to keep it from billowing up. Still, she says it’s a great option for someone with a tub/shower combo!

Specifications:

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for a decorative, durable shower curtain that looks like fabric but offers the easy-to-care-for utility of plastic.

Good to Know: This shower curtain is sold without a liner or rings. Although, thanks to its plastic nature, it doesn’t really need a liner.

The 72”x72” Madison Park Spa Waffle 3M-Scotchgard Shower Curtain is specifically designed with style and effectiveness in mind. The fabric shower curtain has an attractive waffle weave and a chic stripe pattern that will upgrade your bathroom in an instant. “This shower curtain has a high-quality look and feel,” says AT Ad Operations Director, Valerie. “It comes in a classic design with multiple textures that provide visual interest to a bathroom essential.” Because it’s treated with Scotchgard, this shower curtain is conveniently water-repellent, although use with a liner is recommended to preserve its longevity.

Specifications:

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for a shower curtain that looks more luxurious than plastic.

Good to Know: This liner has nine holes instead of the typical 12 for hooks.

If you prefer the look of waffle shower curtains, look no further than the N&Y Home Waffle Weave Shower Curtain with Snap-In Liner. The 2-in-1 curtain features a woven, machine-washable polyester blend curtain with a removable plastic liner (complete with magnets to keep it in place). It even comes with a pack of hooks so you can hang it as soon as it arrives without having to worry about making a trip for rod rings.

“I was so impressed with this shower curtain and liner combo because of how smart and stylish it is,” says Best List Editor, Britt. “It’s so convenient to have an all-in-one piece that helps to make cleaning the shower curtain liner less of a chore. The liner detaches from the curtain so I don’t have to pull the entire thing down to clean. Plus, it’s machine-washable, which is even better.”

When washing the liner, just make sure not to toss it in the dryer, as high heat can melt the plastic. Additionally, while on the topic of the fabric, know that because this shower curtain is primarily made of fabric, it’s water-resistant, not water-proof. “It still does a great job at keeping water off the floor, in my experience,” Britt adds.

Read our full review of the N&Y Home Waffle Weave Shower Curtain with Snap-In Liner.

Specifications:

Who It’s Best For: Those searching for a high-quality shower curtain sold in a bunch of colors and sizes.

Good to Know: The curtain comes with chrome hooks accented with white balls, so you’ll have to buy replacement hooks if those don’t fit your fancy.

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