Best Bedside Step Stools For Seniors
Updated for December, 2021
Last update on 2021-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How We Found the Best Bedside Step Stools
Best Bedside Step Stools we Reviewed:
- Drive Medical Bariatric Heavy Duty Footstool with Handrail
- eXpace 13 Inch Plastic Folding Step Stool
- Simplay3 Handy Home Plastic Step Stool
- Duro Med Step Stool With Handle
- Drive Medical Non-Skid Rubber Footstool
- North American Healthcare Portable Folding Step
- Kings Brand Cherry Bedroom Step Stool With Storage
Best Bedside Step Stools For Seniors
Many areas are difficult to reach or access, especially when you experience limited mobility and balance as you age. Seniors have to be much more cognizant about how they get in and out of bed, the bathtub, the car, and the list goes on.
For seniors who wish to remain independent for as long as possible, without relying on the help of other to complete everyday tasks, a bedside step stool may be a valuable investment. We reviewed a range of products from simple plastic stools to variations that include built-in handrails, so you can find one that will improve your quality of life by making it safer and less stressful to age in place.
This is one of the best bedside step stools on the market and it comes with a handrail to help pull yourself up when you need to.
Drive Medical Bariatric Heavy Duty Footstool with Handrail
- Attractive, easy to maintain silver vein finish
- Non-skid ribbed rubber platform
- Constructed of durable 1" steel tubing with cross brace for extra strength
- Comes fully assembled
Last update on 2021-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Durable
- Non-slip rubber
- Does not require assembly
- High weight capacity
- Light enough to move around
- Comes with a handrail
Cons
- Handrail requires you to pull yourself up without any weight on the stool resulting in the stool tipping over
- Some may find it too heavy to comfortably move
This is an excellent footstool ideal for aiding seniors in getting in and out of bed, cars, bathtubs, and other places that might require a high step. The rubber pad on the footstool prevents slipping, and the handrail is durable and does not feel flimsy when you put your weight on it.
All of the components of this stool have welds, so you do not have to do any assembly or worry about bolts coming loose without your knowledge. The stool is also 13 pounds, which makes it easy to move when you need it.
The primary issue with this stool is the height of the handrail, which requires you to pull yourself up using only the rail with no weight on the stool. This causes the stool to tip over because you do not weight the stool itself.
Not sure if it was meant to be this way or if it’s merely a design flaw.
Best Collapsible
For a plastic step stool this one is incredibly durable and folds up within seconds.
eXpace 13 Inch Plastic Folding Step Stool
- EXTRA WIDE: Our 13-inch wide, collapsible step-stool provides multipurpose use indoors including bathroom, bedside, kitchen and office...
- FOLDABLE AND COMPACT: Lightweight, portable and folds up flat with handle for easy carry, storage, daily use and long-lasting...
- SAFE AND DURABLE: This folding one-step foot stool, made with anti-slip rubber, provides a safe and sturdy grip for use even,...
- DESIGNED FOR FAMILY: Our copyright designs and patent pending structure provide high-quality stools for use by children, kids, adults...
Last update on 2021-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to move around
- Foldable to hide when not in use
- Looks nice
- Surprisingly sturdy
Cons
- The risk of the stool collapsing while you are on it
- The risk of pinching fingers in collapsible design
For seniors who require a lightweight stool that is easier to transport or move throughout the house, this is an excellent option.. This stool folds up easily to slide underneath the bed or dresser when you are not using it and can be pulled out and set up within seconds.
It is a plastic stool, so you are not getting the amount of durability and stability you get from a welded steel stool, but this one is surprisingly sturdy and has a weight capacity of 350 pounds.
Best Plastic
This step stool is a great option for people who are more mobile and can climb up the two steps. It’s great for use in bathtubs where it will get wet.
Simplay3 Handy Home Plastic Step Stool
- 8 inch and 16 inch high sturdy steps with extra wide grooves for safety, stability and traction.
- Step stool is designed for those just out of reach places in kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, offices, gardens, and garages.
- Molded-in notch handle is underneath top step for quick, easy grip carry.
- Convenient size that's easy to clean and small enough to store almost anywhere.
Last update on 2021-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Durable
- Can get wet
- Two steps for higher access
- Comes with a built-in handle
- Lightweight
Cons
- Steps are too high and too narrow for people with limited mobility
- Risk of tripping/falling
This is a simple plastic stool that has a wide range of applications to make life for seniors aging in place more convenient and stress free. It gets made with a double walled plastic, so it is highly durable and lightweight. It’s great for use in areas where it may get wet because of its design.
This would be a great stool for getting in and out of bathtubs. The primary issue we see with this one is that the steps themselves are high and require you to take quite a high step. They are also narrow so putting both feet on them is not exactly logical.
Based on the design of this step stool we would recommend this to seniors with good balance and better mobility who need to access something that is out of reach.
MORE ADVICE Discover more tips for comfortably aging in place
Best With A Handle
This step stool comes with a padded handle to help pull yourself up but assembly is quite difficult.
Duro Med Step Stool With Handle
- FOOT STEP STOOL provides easy reach for objects out of grasp with the support of a convenient handrail for safety and stability. Step...
- MULTIPURPOSE BED STEP, STAIR LIFTS OR BED STOOL to safely step up to high beds, out of tubs or showers, in or out of vehicles and hard...
- WIDE STEP STOOL features a non-slip textured matting and reinforced rubber tips to enhance stability and provide additional safety.
- PORTABLE STEP is made of heavy duty steel construction with a chrome plated steel frame and wider legs that holds up to 300 pounds
Last update on 2021-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to transport
- Comes with a handrail
- Rubber stoppers prevent slipping
Cons
- Instructions are difficult
- The hardware might be wrong
- The risk of tipping over due to unstable base
This is a standard steel step stool with a handle and rubber grips, making it a safe and sturdy choice for seniors. The handle itself has a rubber grip on it to prevent slipping, which is necessary since it does require you to pull yourself up using only the handrail. We feel that the design could be improved upon if it included a platform at the base to steady the stool while you stepped up.
The rubber platform and stoppers are nice, and they prevent the stool from slipping when you step down onto it, providing seniors with added protection against a fall
One of the primary issues we noticed with this stool is the instructions and assembly. The assembly process is difficult due to inappropriate hardware. If you purchase this, be prepared to supply your hardware and call on someone if assistance is required.
Best Non-Skid
This simple rubber step stool gives you everything you need without all the fancy bells and whistles.
Drive Medical Non-Skid Rubber Footstool
- Bathroom Footstool: Designed to provide a safety step up, this stepping stool is ideal for a stable boost for those hard-to-reach items
- Quality Construction: The ultimate bathroom accessories for daily living, our plastic stool for elderly, disabled, and injured...
- Secure and Safe: Our step stool has a non-skid ribbed rubber platform and rubber feet which add to stability when it comes to reaching...
- Dimensions: The bathroom stool comes fully assembled measuring 14 inches in width and 9 inches in height with a weight capacity of 300...
Last update on 2021-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Simple and gets the job done
- Ribbed rubber platform
- Rubber stoppers on legs
- Fully assembled
- Perfect height
Cons
- Does not come with a handrail to help pull you up if you need that
This stool has a simple, no-slip rubber platform that makes a variety of tasks safe and attainable for seniors who live independently. The non-skid rubber is ribbed, providing stability if you have to reach for something high up.
The rubber feet are great on surfaces like tile where slipping is common and the stool comes fully assembled and ready to use.
The key benefits of this stool include its overall feeling of durability and broad surface, which accommodates both feet creating a safer, more stable experience..This is perfect for people with limited mobility to step onto because of the moderate height, which is something we find highly important in a step stool that is appropriate for seniors.
Best On A Budget
The budget bed step stool for adults is low to the ground so it’s perfect for people with limited mobility and it folds up easily to hide when you do not need it.
North American Healthcare Portable Folding Step
- IDEAL USE: Great for caregivers and their patients
- EASY STEPPING: Ideal for stepping into your car, bathtub, or doorway, the 4” folding step cuts the climbing effort in half
- FOLDABLE & PORTABLE: The easy folding design encourages easy portability and storability
- Item Package Dimension: 5.334cm L x 26.162cm W x 43.434cm H
Last update on 2021-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy to transport
- Collapsible
- Low step for people with decreased mobility
- Looks nice
Cons
- Slips easily on tile and other hard surfaces
- Low height may not be versatile enough
This plastic step stool is a great option if you are looking for something small and easy to transport. It is ideal for a caregiver who needs a bedside step stool to help the senior in their care get in and out of bed.
This step stool is quite a bit lower than a lot of the other ones at well being only four inches high, but this can be a major benefit for seniors who require moderate lift.. For people with limited mobility, it can mean that you get up to the step much easier, but it also means that you have further to go from the step once you are there.
The stool has a 300-pound weight capacity, but we only recommend using this stool on carpeted surfaces like a bedroom. The stool has no grip so it will slide easily on tile and even concrete.
Best Wood
This great looking stool works best with seniors who still have good mobility.
Kings Brand Cherry Bedroom Step Stool With Storage
- Kings brand Furniture dark Cherry Finish wood Bedroom step stool with storage.
- This Functional Item can be used as a ladder or a step stool and provides a little extra storage space.
- This piece offers a durable wood Construction, and a rich Finish.
- Dimensions: 13"W x 13"D x 13"H.
Last update on 2021-12-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Pros
- Looks amazing
- Comes with storage
- Easy to assemble
- High steps
- Great next to the bed
Cons
- Slippery
- Steps are small for people with limited mobility
- Too heavy to transport around as needed
This dark cherry bedroom stool delivers on style and functionality. . It is perfect for seniors who need extra height to get in and out of bed and includes a bit of storage as well.
This stool may not prove safe for seniors who have more limited mobility or who experience dizziness as the surface is slippery and offers no gripping at all. Because it is heavy, especially when used as additional storage area, it becomes a piece of furniture instead of something you transport around as you need it.
MORE ADVICE Discover more tips for comfortably aging in place
How To Choose The Right Bedside Steps For You
There are many different options covered above, and even more beyond these, so it’s important to find the right choice for your unique needs. Many variables go into deciding on a bed step stool for adults, and we want to help you make the best purchase.
Here are some important factors to consider before purchasing.
Size of Step Stool
We noticed this to be an issue with a lot of the step stools we tested. Many of them are too small for someone with limited mobility to stand on with both feet at one time, and to us, that is a deal breaker.
The obvious hazard that a stool presents for seniors is falling, so it is incredibly important to consider the height and surface area of the stool in relation to what you need it for most. If you just need it to get in and out of bed, then find a stool that is just high enough off the ground to give you the lift you need. It is essential that seniors avoid heights that exceed their needs as it presents a serious risk should they fall or lose balance. It is also recommended that you find a product that can comfortably hold your weight while accommodating two feet to ensure stability. If both feet cannot be firmly planted without feeling wobbly and unstable, you may want to move on to your next option.
Handrail vs. No Handrail
A handrail is a great thing to have if it functions properly. We noticed in a lot of the stools we tested that the rail becomes a hazard if you rely on it too much. Using the handrail as the primary source of stability to pull yourself up from the floor can result in the stool tipping over and ultimately you falling.
A lot of these handrail stools can be improved upon if they added a platform at the base for you to put your one foot on while you pull yourself up to the step. But even in the absence of that, a handrail may be a very important feature for people who experience dizziness or have trouble balancing, so look for products that are welded together for added security and have a handrail height that is appropriate for your stature.
The handrail somewhat lowers the ability to transport the stool from place to place, but if that is not a concern for you, then this type of stool is a great option.
Collapsibility
Many of the bedside step stools you find on the market are collapsible, plastic ones, so you want to be careful when choosing a portable stool. Some of them lack quality and barely hold 200 pounds (even though they claim to hold 350), so you need to spend some time vetting this category.
Several of our recommendations are durable enough to hold your weight, yet portable enough to fold up and slide underneath a dresser. Pay close attention to the size of the stool when folded because some are much more compact than others.
Rubber Gripping
This feature is a must when choosing a step stool. You want to make sure you choose one that has plenty of rubber on the stand as well as on the feet. This prevents it from slipping around, but it also keeps you from slipping while you are standing on the stool.
The best bedside step stools have rubber on the platform so you can grip it while you are moving from the stool to your bed.
Summary
While step stools do carry an inherent risk of falling, they serve a vital purpose in the daily lives of seniors aging in place. Once you find the one that best suits your needs, it can enhance your independence by giving you the ability to do a host of daily tasks that you would otherwise look to help for. Safety of the primary concern when purchasing, so try not to let budget drive your decision, but instead prioritize safety features, materials, and range of uses.
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