10 Best Shower Curtain Rods for Nifty Shower in 2023

This is the ultimate Smartlydwelling.com review of the Best Shower Curtain Rods on the market for 2023.

Thinking of adding an additional accent to your shower? 

While there usually is not much room for excess decoration in the bathroom, especially in a narrow shower cubicle, there will always be a need for a shower curtain rod.

And let me tell you this.

You don’t have to sacrifice functionality to have a pretty or expensive-looking shower curtain that’s fit for the finest hotel.

But you certainly don’t have to go out of your way and try every model just to find the perfect one for you.

Because we already did the job for you.

We researched, bought, and tried some of the most popular and highly-rated shower curtain rods on the market and narrowed down the list to just the 10 best of the best.

You can now have your favorite bathroom accent and a functional piece all in one unit. 

Take note…

This list contains the best and varied shower curtain rods for every preference.

Whether you like it a bit fancy or minimalist, we had your own style and preference in mind while selecting these guys.

So as we give you the 10 best shower curtain rods on the market today, we’ll also tackle:

• The best shower rods for every budget;
• Stylish ones for your design needs;
• The most durable and heavy-duty rods to last you for years;
• Important facts you need to know;
• Lots more!

Aesthetics isn’t everything. 

So we’ve also included in this article the most essential things you need to know when choosing a shower curtain rod that can make your shower place sweeter to the eyes while providing longtime service to you.

So let’s not keep you waiting.

Draw the curtains and let’s get right into it!

Being more like an afterthought most of the time, or the last accent to be thought of when building a home, a good shower curtain rod can change the dynamics of your bathroom or shower walls completely. 

Starting with the aesthetics…

…because that’s what most people are buying for, really. 

And there’s nothing better than all your bathroom décor and accents coordinating perfectly with each other. If you have a chrome faucet, a chrome rod would look great with it.

But some people also use a bold-looking shower curtain rod as a statement piece.

I mean, imagine a shower curtain rod with carved designs, or one with a neon color!

Now, what you might want to consider when buying a shower curtain rod is its longevity.

Remember…

…it will be exposed to moisture and possibly even pretty high temperatures. So you’d want a shower curtain rod that’s corrosion- and rust-free.

Now, this isn’t everything … yet.

You have more than aesthetics and longevity to consider. 

So here’s the thing – our team agreed on 5 qualities that are the most important considerations when choosing a rod for long-term use.

And these five qualities became the metrics that helped us in choosing what’s the best pick and what is the perfect one for every sort of preference.

Sounds thrilling?

And I didn’t mention yet that we didn’t even rate them by the metrics but bought, installed, and used them ourselves.

These rods were used for between 1 and 6 months, amongst our team of testers.

The results?

They’re all in this definitive guide for shower curtain rods.

10 Best Shower Curtain Rods On The Market – 2023 Reviews

So before you take any step further, make sure to read until the end for some facts that you don’t want to miss!

Ready to freshen up?

Check out this comprehensive definitive review of the 10 best rods on the market today, and also the most attractive ones too!

Let’s dive right in.

1. Best Shower Curtain Rod for Shower Stalls – Amazon Basics Tension Curtain Rod (Editor’s Choice Award)

Color	Nickel
Material	Nickel silver
Weight	1.08 lbs.
Shape	Linear and rounded
Dimensions	54” x 1.4” x 1.4”
Manufacturer	Amazon Basics
Bottom Line	A sleek and classic nickel silver shower curtain rod that’s very easy to install and heavy-duty, as well.

SUMMARY:

If you’re looking for a very straightforward shower curtain rod for your shower enclosure, this sleek and classic number from Amazon Basics might be worth considering.

And when I say straightforward…

…this tension shower curtain rod doesn’t play around. It’s as basic and simple as can be and it worked very well for me.

First off, I have to commend the packaging because it’s packaged nicely and securely. The rod is packed in a long and thick flat box and inside, there are holders for the rod so that it won’t move during the trip.

Not that rods can break, but it’s a very nice and thoughtful detail.

The installation was nothing but a breeze, especially because you don’t need any tool to get this guy up and working.

All I had to do was adjust the rod and extend. You do this by twisting the end to get the length that you want. It has rubberized ends so it clings much better on your walls without messing up with the paint.

Now, this is a very much appreciated feature, for the slipping of the tension shower rod down from the walls is one of the most common issues when it comes to standard tension rods. 

This makes it perfect for people who are alone in an apartment without anyone to help with the installation. Even a teenager can do it!

In case you’re wondering…

…the length can be adjusted from about 36 inches to 54 inches. Great range!

Tension shower rods work by using tension from springs to exert force to both sides and into the walls so you won’t need to take the trouble of drilling a hole through your walls and destroying the paint.

But for the tension rod to be functional, you need to make sure that its spring is well-made enough to hold the rod even when loaded with a curtain.

As for this shower rod?

It held on and it held on very, very well.

As a matter of fact, after 2 weeks of use, some of my teammates also got their own and even used it to hang a very heavy drape to be used as a partition between two rooms.

The guy didn’t even budge!

I got the nickel silver variant just because I like a very minimalistic look. It’s sleek and classic, but it also looks neat with a brushed nickel look. 

But what’s cooler…

…is the fact that it also comes with quite a wide variety of colors to choose from, such as black, bronze, chrome, and white, so you can have your classic bathroom accent any way you want it. 

And because it’s a shower curtain rod, one of the most important things you have to consider is its ability to not rust even when exposed to moisture and high temperatures.

I’m on my 6th month using this, and so far, it’s still shiny and new.

But what I find way cooler…

…is its price! It’s very cheap for something so sturdy and that can handle very heavy drapes.

I was amazed through and through and this was totally unexpected as I didn’t expect much from this cheap and simple shower curtain rod.

Only goes to show that you don’t judge a product by its price!

This easily makes this Amazon Basics piece one of the best shower curtain rods on the market today.

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2. Best Tension Shower Curtain Rod – Zenna Home 35633BNP, Aluminum Tension Mount Curved Shower Rod (Best Value Award)

Color	Satin nickel
Material	Aluminum
Weight	2.5 lbs.
Shape	Curved
Dimensions	46″ x 4″ x 7″
Manufacturer	Zenith Products Corporation
Bottom Line	A curved shower curtain rod that’s designed to give you more room. It’s also rust-free even after using it for a long time, hence it’s the winner of the best tension shower curtain rod award.

SUMMARY: 

Do you ever feel like being in a stuffy den whenever you shower?

Tired of your skin touching the curtains whenever you move?

That’s what this Zenna Home curved curtain rod is for!

With a curved design, this rod provided me with 6 inches more space for my shower enclosure. 6 inches may not sound much but believe me when I say it made a big difference!

As for the installation…

…with it being a tension shower curtain rod, you won’t need any tool or hardware to put this up to your shower area.

All you need is an extra pair of hands and maybe a screw adjuster.

Now, it can get a bit tricky if you’re not used to installing tension rods. 

The only way to get this up and working is to screw the rod together first, and that’s when you’ll be able to adjust its length according to your desire.

Ideally…

…you’ll need two sets of hands for this. One is for holding the tension rod properly fixed against the wall and the other for adjusting the length.

Now, this is my favorite part.

There may be many shower curtain rods that claim to be rust-proof, but this NeverRust curved rod is so rust-proof that even its name directly says so!

But kidding aside…

…this unit isn’t new to me anymore. I’ve had one before moving out and it never had any rust even when exposed to moisture and the high temperature of the shower room.

Ask any user and this is the feature that everyone can all agree with.

In addition to that…

…it’s unbelievable, but it’s also very lightweight but once you hang your shower curtains in, it will never even wobble.

It also comes in chrome and oil-rubbed bronze variations and with rings to hang your shower curtain in!

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3. Best Shower Curtain Rod for Bathtubs – BRIOFOX Shower Curtain Rod (Top Pick Award)

Color	Stainless
Material	Stainless
Weight	2.59 lbs.
Shape	Linear
Dimensions	43” x 3” x 2.5”
Manufacturer	Briofox
Bottom Line	This Briofox shower curtain rod is one of the most durable and dependable shower curtain rods on the market. It also has a stylish and luxurious look to boot.

SUMMARY:

Who says you can’t find both luxurious looks with perfect functionality and more?

This durable shower curtain rod by Briofox is now starting to gain a reputation for being one of the strongest curtain rods for your bathtub area on the market.

So there’s nothing left to do but to try it myself.

Straight out of the box, this straight extendable curtain rod is stunningly shiny but not in a cheap way. It looks like the bathroom fixtures you’d see in hotels.

And in case you’re wondering…

…will it fade over time? Let me tell you that it’s completely rust-proof and will stay like this for a long time.

What’s unique with this tension rod is the plates it comes with.

It includes 2 plates for each side where you can rest your tension rod against, instead of directly to the wall.

As if tension shower rods aren’t wall-friendly enough…

Now…

…tension shower rods have a bit of a reputation for being not so very dependable in holding heavy weights. That’s because they’re not permanently attached and drilled deep into a wall.

So the holding power of this tension rod came as a surprise.

I’ve heard some unbelievable things about this, such as the way it held a wet and heavy blanket without breaking or dropping, or even about 3 wet towels at once.

True enough, this shower curtain rod can hold up to 30 pounds of weight.

Heck, a child can even swing in it without dropping…. But of you, you wouldn’t wanna try that!

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4. BINO Tension Shower Curtain Rod (Best Shower Curtain Rod for Bathrooms)

Color	Available in brushed nickel and chrome
Material	Steel
Weight	1.55 lbs.
Shape	Linear
Dimensions	2″ x 2″ x 42″
Manufacturer	BINO
Bottom Line	A great shower rod for your bathroom that boasts thick foam padding for extra protection to your walls and paint.

SUMMARY:

Looking for a shower curtain rod for your bathroom that you can also easily assemble in case you need to move places?

Well, this BINO tension shower curtains rod is so affordable with the price of a temporary rod but the quality and features fit for a long-term one. 

It’s coated by a semi-matte brush nickel finish so if you like your fixtures a little muted and subdued, you’ll surely love its aesthetics.

It is also rust-proof, and so far, after having it for 5 months now, it’s still holding up its promise, except for some spots here and there.

What I did was just wipe them with a semi-damp towel and the spots were gone. 

Does it hold up well, you ask?

First off, the installation was a breeze, just as how tension rods should be. All I had to do was extend it, pull, and then twist to adjust or calibrate. 

While it sounded quite easy, it could also be tricky if you’re doing it alone and don’t have as much strength as I had to exert. 

You have to rest the other end to the wall in the spot where you want it to be fixed permanently and then pull and adjust the length. It should be some inches longer than the two walls’ distance. 

After that, you just have to force it between the walls.

What’s cool…

…is the fact that our walls’ aesthetics were in the mind of the makers of this guy here, so it was designed to be gentle with your paint or tiles.

In fact, the foam pads on either side of the shower rod are thicker than most rods’ pads or protectors that even if the force exerted by the shower rod to the wall is very tight, you can rest assured that your wall or paint won’t have marks or scrapes on it. 

On the other hand…

…if you care about aesthetics so much, this feature could be a downside to you. Because they’re thicker than usual, they are quite visible between your wall and the shower rod, too, if you mind details.

It can fit in a 42 to 72 inches opening, which is quite a great range so that’s another thumbs up!

If you prefer your fixture shinier and flashier, this baby is also available in poshy chrome. 

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5. Vailge Premium Curtain Tension Rod (Best Shower Curtain Rod for Room Divider)

Color	Black
Material	Steel
Weight	2.33 lbs.
Shape	Linear
Dimensions	83 x 2.7 x 3.5”
Manufacturer	Vailge
Bottom Line	A nice classy-looking decorative shower curtain rod that is also perfect to use in the living room or as a divider.

SUMMARY:

Looking for a nice-looking shower rod that is not so steely-looking like most shower curtain rods so that you can display it in the living room or with your rod divider?

We are so loving this black adjustable curtain rod by Vailge, mainly because of how cool and stylish it looks, especially when combined with a decorative or colorful curtain!

Now here’s the thing…

…if you have a large undivided space or a bedroom that you want to divide, you can use a tension curtain rod to make a partition. But using a steely one could make your room like a hospital at the very least.

So imagine my delight when I found this badass black rod!

True enough, it looked so damn good with my colorful printed curtain for the tall windows in my living room.

What’s cooler?

It’s not only beautiful to look at but made to be heavy-duty, as well. 

It didn’t bend one bit even with a thick curtain hanging on it. 

For that reason, this is also recommendable as a rod for blackout curtains.

You might want to take note of, though, the fact that it’s kind of challenging to install.

It’s thick and it has a long-range of length so you’d do well to remember to have an extra pair of helping hands with you when installing this baby up.

This brand has no claim of it being rust-proof but basing on its excellent finish, it looks like it isn’t going to rust anytime soon.

And again…

… if you care about the looks, you’ll most probably be glad to know that its protective paddings are clear rubber so they won’t be visible once installed!

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6. Moen CSR2172BN Single Curved Shower Curtain Rod (Best Shower Curtain Rod for Wallpaper Wall)

Color	Brushed nickel
Material	Steel
Weight	2.43 lbs.
Shape	Curved
Dimensions	5.8 x 60 x 3.2 “
Manufacturer	Moen
Bottom Line	An attractive-looking curved rod that gives more elbow room in your bathtub area or shower area.

SUMMARY:

Moen, Moen. If you’re a hands-on homeowner, you’d most probably recognize this household name. 

They’ve been one of the most popular home fixtures manufacturers over the past years so if you’re brand-conscious, then take that, and you might just love this simply stylish curved shower rod by Moen.

Not only is it quite stylish…

… but it’s also made for people who are somehow looking to add more space in a cramped shower or bathtub area. 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel so particularly well about bumping into a wet shower curtain every time I take a bath, much more so if you have a bathtub with curved sides. 

This Moen curved shower rod is designed with a slightly slanted design on each end so aside from being a curtain rod, it can also be an elegant bathroom decor. 

Enjoy more elbow room by installing it with the rod curving outwards. Though, I must tell you that installation can be quite a challenge.

Fortunately…

…I had a buddy with me who held the rod in place as I adjusted the length. Due to its curved design, your rod may drop down, so be careful in installing it into place.

Once it’s up, it should be able to hold your shower curtains and even a couple of wet towels!

What I love more…

… is how warm its brushed nickel finish looks. Definitely, a must-have if you’re maintaining a classy look in your bathroom. 

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7. Zenna Home E36602BN Double Tension Shower Rod (Best Shower Curtain Rod for Standard Tub)

Color	Nickel
Material	Nickel
Weight	4.04 lbs.
Shape	Double linear
Dimensions	72 x 3 x 3”
Manufacturer	Zenith Products Corporation
Bottom Line	One of the best double rods on the market, you have the free will to mount this Zenna double rod as you like.

SUMMARY:

A far cry from the utilitarian shower curtain rods nowadays, this double rod by Zenith has an outer and inner rod that opens the door for more possibilities in dressing up your bathroom walls the way you want to!

Let me just warn you.

This guy is much heavier than most tension shower rods that you will certainly need an extra pair of hands or two to aid you with the installation. 

Now, this is my favorite feature.

You can either choose to mount it permanently on your bathroom or tile walls or mount it by tension if you are renting a place and can’t afford to damage the walls.

I’ve tried both, of course.

What I can say is, if you can, mount it by screw. Most people go for the screwless path as it seems easier but fixing it with tension actually took me much longer. 

And another tip: it’ll be a lot easier if you mount the thinner rod first before the thick one, after which you’ll want to attach the shower curtain hooks. 

Now you have a shower rod that lets you use a bathroom lining inside the shower area while displaying a great bathroom decor with a nice outer curtain!

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8. ALLZONE Tension Shower Window Curtain Rod (Best Shower Curtain Rod for Wooden Frame)

Color	White
Material	Alloy steel
Weight	Not stated
Shape	Linear
Dimensions	43 x 2 x 2”
Manufacturer	ALLZONE
Bottom Line	A simple-looking shower rod that is actually pretty powerful and sturdy enough to hold heavy weights.

SUMMARY:

Now, this white wonder right here is the proof that you never really judge something by its look.

At first glance, this l shaped rod is very simple and even quite common in white along with its neat design. But it’s actually one heck of a boss among the many shower curtain rods in the market today!

It’s great in every aspect but one of its best qualities is its durability. 

Its tension held up well even when I used it with a blackout curtain which is very thick and heavy.

It’s easy to install and even easier to adjust with its special design lock buttons, but when used with heavy fabrics, it didn’t move a bit.

It’s as if it’s mounted permanently with a screw!

It’s also corrosive-free, even after long months of use and abuse, being in a moist place. 

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9. Chrome L Corner Shower Rod (Best Shower Curtain Rod for Laundry Room)

Color	Chrome
Material	Stainless steel
Weight	4.19 lbs.
Shape	L shape
Dimensions	61.3 x 6.5 x 2.6”
Manufacturer	Barclay
Bottom Line	One of the best-curved shower rods on the market, this can give you full coverage for your shower area without installing more than one rod. Very durable, too.

SUMMARY:

Looking for a complete covering to your shower area? Want to avoid installing one too many rods and spending more time mounting them?

Why not get an L-shaped rod?

This chrome L-corner rod is one of the best ones in the market, especially that it comes with ceiling support to ensure its sturdiness and stability once it’s up.

And it’s not only ceiling support but an adjustable one at that!

However…

…if you’re not much of a handyman, it might take some more time for you to install. Depending on the opening of your shower area, you might also have to do some cuttings to balance out the length of both sides.

But hey…

…once it’s up, it’s a rewarding piece of fixture that you can expect to be with you for many years to come. 

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10. Moen CSR2167BL Curved Fixed Mount Shower Curtain Rod (Best Shower Curtain Rod for Tile Wall)

Color	Matte black
Material	Aluminum
Weight	2.14 lbs.
Shape	Curved
Dimensions	‎7.47 x 59 x 3”
Manufacturer	Moen
Bottom Line	A very stylish matte black curved fixed mount shower rod and winner of the best shower curtain rod for tile award. It doesn’t only answer your styling needs but gives you more room in your shower area.

SUMMARY:

This one is for those of you who have a very clear vision of what your bathroom should look like.

Its black matte finish is certainly a bold choice, but if you want to go bolder, you can also get Moen’s Trivia Collection so that all your bathroom fixtures are all uniformly classy in matte black!

On the other hand, having only this curved rod is already a statement in itself.

Not only is it stunning to look at, but it’s also very practical. The curved design gives you more room in the shower or tub area, way more than you ever had with your former rod.

That said…

…if you’re not very much of a handyman, you might want to get some help for the installation of this stunner, as it’s not adjustable, and depending on the size of the opening of your shower area, you might need to cut this.

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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. What is the best shower curtain rod that won’t fall?

A great shower rod that won’t fall is one that’s made to be heavy-duty, such as the Briofox shower curtain rod with a maximum weight capacity of 30 pounds! 

Q. What kind of shower rod won’t rust?

If it’s made from stainless steel or chrome, then you can rest easy knowing that it won’t rust even after years of use. 

Q. Why have a curved shower curtain rod?

Curved rods take the curtain away from the enclosure, giving you more space to move around. This comes in very handily especially for the elderly and handicapped. 

Summary: Best Shower Curtain Rod

Indeed, it’s the small details that eventually make up a wonderful place!

If you’re still on the fence over what to get…

…all I can say is that our overall best shower curtain rod for shower stalls, the Amazon Basics Tension rod, was able to tick off almost all the boxes for us with the exception that it’s just a little heavy, although some people prefer it that way as it’s a sign of durability. 

And as most of these products proved, you don’t really need to break the bank to enjoy great quality fixtures. 

The Zenna Home aluminum tension mount towered over all the others in affordability and great value for your hard-earned cash. 

We also enjoyed the aesthetics the curved rods such as the Moen CSR2172BN and the classy Moen curved fixed mount shower curtain rod gave. They gave such a nice hotel-quality feel to our humble shower cubicle.

Details are everything and we hope you’ll be as pleased as we were with these 10 shower rods’ details and features – whichever you may decide on.