After my Mom had her hip replacement, we found that raised toilet seats were not at all to her liking, and that we needed something more sturdy, and which could be used in different rooms from the bathroom, as well as being used over the toilet, eventually.
In my research for Mom I found bedside commodes with 29 different weight limits for the different models, so you really do need to check. To make this job easier, I made a listing here with the different models, manufacturers and weight capacities, all in this post – over 140 examples of bedside commodes and their weight limits.
Bedside commode weight limits range from 220 lb to 1500 lb.
Contents Overview & Quicklinks
Portable bedside commode weight limits – with multiple examples of each type of commode
- 200 – 300 lb weight capacity
- 300 – 400 lb weight capacity
- 400 – 500 lb weight capacity
- 500 – 600 lb weight capacity
- 600 – 700 lb weight capacity
- 700 – 800 lb weight capacity
- 800 – 900 lb weight capacity
- 1000 lb weight capacity
- 1500 lb weight capacity
What are the main types of bedside commodes ?
- Portable bedside commodes
- Drop arm bedside commodes
- Transport or rolling bedside commodes
- Shower transport bedside commodes
- Transfer bench commodes
Extra wide bedside commode for adults
Bariatric bedside commodes with a large seat opening
Portable bedside commodes weight limits
In this article, I have listed over 140 bedside commodes of the main types of bedside commode, according to their maximum weight capacities, or limits, and then each type within that weight limit.
I have included the manufacturers’ product numbers for the different commodes to avoid any confusion if you search for them, as the names of the commodes tend to get very muddled, but the numbers stay the same.
Bedside commodes around 400 lb and above are typically referred to as bariatric, or heavy duty bedside commodes.
In the sections following the weights limits, you will find a brief illustrated guide to the different types of bedside commode.
200 – 300 lb weight capacity bedside commodes
Static folding bedside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes
Transport bedside commodes
Shower/ transport / bedside combi commodes
Transfer bench commodes
300 – 400 lb weight capacity bedside commodes
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Static shower chair/bedside commodes
Drop arm bedside commodes
Transport bedside commodes (can have drop arms)
Shower/ transport/ bedside commodes (can have drop arms)
Transfer bench commodes
400 – 500 lb weight capacity bedside commodes
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes
Shower/ transport/ bedside commodes (can have drop arms)
Transfer bedside commodes
500 – 600 lb weight capacity bedside commodes
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes
Shower/ transport/ bedside commodes (can have drop arms)
600 – 700 lb weight capacity bedside commodes
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes
Shower/ transport/ bedside commodes (can have drop arms)
700 – 800 lb weight capacity bedside commodes
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes
Shower/ transport/ bedside commodes (can have drop arms)
800 – 900 lb weight capacity bedside commodes
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes
1000 lb weight capacity bedside commodes
Static beside commodes with fixed arms
Drop arm bedside commodes
1500 lb weight capacity bedside commodes
Drop arm bedside commodes
While you are looking for bedside commodes, there is lots more that you can do to make your bathroom a safer place for seniors, or anyone else with mobility issues.
To find out all the different things you can do, to have an instant impact on bathroom safety, take a look here, “54 Bathroom Safety Tips For Seniors – A Helpful Guide”.
What are the main types of bedside commodes ?
The following types of bedside commodes are the most common types and can all be –
- folding
- padded
- lightweight
- bariatric or heavy duty
- wide and extra wide
If you want to read more about the different types of bedside commode, their functions, their suitability for our elderly parents, and the experiences I have had with them as a caregiver to my parents, with my tips on how to use them properly, you can find that article here, “Bedside Commodes: How To Make The Right Choice ?”.
Portable bedside commodes
The static bedside commode is commonly referred to as the 3-in-1 commode and the all-in-one commode.
But in fact there are a number of types –
- basic static folding bedside commode – folds like a chair and can only be used as a bedside commode
- static stacking commodes, which can be used as a bedside commode and as a raised toilet seat over a toilet
- static shower/bath chair and bedside commode which is waterproof and can be used as a chair in the bath or sower and as a bedside commode – some models fold, some don’t
Static folding bedside commode
Static shower bedside commode
Static stacking bedside commode
The 3-in-1 bedside commode is also a static bedside commode, but it is more versatile, and can be found in a wide range of models with variations and capacities, that the other basic commodes cannot match.
Its three main uses –
- bedside commode
- as a raised toilet seat
- as a toilet safety frame when you remove the seat, pale and lid
The models can be found to support a whole range of different weights, all the way up to 1500 lb.
3 in 1 bedside commode
Drop arm bedside commodes
Static drop arm bedside commode
Drop arm commodes are very similar to the standard 3-in-1 bedside commode, except that the arms are not fixed, and can be moved out of position to allow side access and may also be removed on a lot of models.
Drop arm commodes are used generally by people who are transferring from a bed, or by wheelchair users, as they can slide over and in from the side.
In some cases it helps for caregivers to give assistance with cleaning from the side, and this is why the arms are made, so they can be swung up or down, or removed.
As well as finding drop arms on static commodes, they can be found on shower chair commodes and on transport, or rolling, bedside commodes.
Static drop arm commodes are can also be used –
- as a bedside commode
- as a toilet safety frame
- as a raised toilet seat over a conventional toilet
Transport or rolling bedside commodes
Transport, or rolling, bedside commodes are bedside commodes with wheels, which also allow the commode to also be used as a transport chair.
Transport, or rolling, bedside commodes typically have casters, or rubber wheels, up to about 5″ in size.
There do exist commode chairs with larger wheelchair size back wheels, which are known as “self-propelling” transport commodes.
The transport commode can be used as –
- a transport chair
- a bedside commode
- a raised toilet seat over a toilet
Attendant transport bedside commode
Self-propelling transport commode
Shower transport bedside commodes
Shower commodes have been specifically designed for wheeling into the shower, but won’t function if your shower has any kind of rim, or step, if it has very tiny wheels.
As with the transport bedside commode, there are two types of model, the “attendant” model where the user is pushed by another person, or the “self-propelling” model with large wheelchair type wheels, where the user is able to wheel themselves around without assistance.
The shower chair and bedside transport commodes’ functions include –
- as a shower chair
- a transport chair
- a bedside commode
- a raised toilet seat over a toilet
If it is important to you that your shower transport bedside commode can be used over a toilet as a raised toilet seat, you must take care not to buy one which has any horizontal bars across the back legs, as these will not allow you to push the commode over the toilet.
Often these commodes don’t have a great range of adjustable heights, if any, and this may mean that they can’t go over a toilet, so check with the seller that the shower chair commode is able to go over a toilet, and make sure that it clears the rim of your toilet bowl.
Attendant shower transport bedside commode with four small wheels
Attendant shower transport bedside commode with medium sized rear wheels
Self-propelling shower transport bedside commode
Transfer bench commodes
Transfer bench bedside commode
Bariatric bedside commode
Bariatric commodes, also called “heavy duty”, as I noted earlier, are for larger individuals, usually start with weight capacities of 400 lb, and can go all the way up to supporting 1500 lb for some static commodes, and for rolling commodes 750 lb, and understandably the structure of the commodes change a little.
Transfer bench bedside commode
Extra wide bedside commodes for adults
Bedside commodes are mad for users of all sizes –
- seat widths range from 13″ up to 31″
- seat depths range from 14″ up to 23″
- widths between armrests range from 17 3/4″ up to 31 1/4″
Extra wide frames and seats can be found on a whole range of bedside commodes.
As well as the seat being wider, the frame is also wider, typically between 24 and 26 1/2″ in between the armrests, as opposed to around 19″ on a standard bedside commode.
The seat form is a touch more elongated – deeper from front to back.
If you want to find out more about the different widths, heights, depths, materials and the specific models, you can read about that in my article “Do Bedside Commodes Come In Different Sizes ?”.
Bariatric bedside commodes with a large seat opening
Elongated bedside commode seats
For easier access for personal cleaning, some bedside commodes have seats which are elongated in form, front to back, giving more depth and space than a rounder design.
The standard bedside commode seat is typically 14 1/2″ deep and 13″ wide, and elongated bedside commode seats are generally between 15 1/2″ to 19″ deep.
The seats may also be open front or closed front, depending on the model, with the open front affording even greater access for personal hygiene.
Elongated seats with extra wide frames
The seats are designed to give greater width for the thighs and hips, and elongated to make cleaning yourself easier.
The extra wide frames are typically on commodes with weight capacities of 400 lb and up.
For those of you looking for a post which covers all aspects of the different types of bedside commodes –
- the types
- set up who needs one
- using over a toilet
- liners emptying
- cleaning
- odor control
- where to buy
- top brands
- bedside commodes for larger people
- using over the toilet
- maintenance
- features
- sizes
- and more
You can find all of that in this article, “What is a bedside commode ?”.
Where to buy a bedside commode ?
You can purchase new bedside commodes at large retailers – Walmart, Amazon, Walgreens, Home Depot, Target, Lowes, and at specialist medical suppliers equipment suppliers.
You can buy online at specialist suppliers such as Rehabmart.com and American Discount Home Medical Equipment.
If you want to buy a refurbished bedside commode, you have medical equipment refurbishment outlets all across the US run by non-profits and AT programs.
If you are purchasing a bedside commode, and you have coverage, you will need to use a Medicare-enrolled Durable Medical Equipment Suppliers.
To find out more about all of this, you can go to my article “Where To Buy A Bedside Commode ?”.
How much does a bedside commode cost ?
Bedside commodes cost between approximately $40 at the bottom end, all the way up to and $3300.00 at the top end.
A standard portable bed side commode is typically between $70.00 – $100.00
The average price, by type, is –
Static bedside fixed arm commode – $220.00 (38 models $37.99 to $815.00)
Static drop arm bedside commode – $309.82 (33 models $72.98 to $1363.74)
Static shower chair bedside commode – $169.31 (3 models $119.95 to $199.00)
Transport bedside commode – $286.71 (11 models $192.00 to $449.00)
Shower Transport bedside commode – $917.05 (70 models $119.00 to $3303.88)
Transfer bench bedside commode – $404.99 (11 models $117.00 to $1845.00)
I have put together a huge list of all the bedside commodes I could find, along with their weight capacity, model number and price, which you can see here – “How Much Does A Bedside Commode Cost ? A Guide With Over 160 Examples By Category”
I’m Gareth, the author and owner of Looking After Mom and Dad.com
I have been a caregiver for over 10 yrs and share all my tips here.
