The best shower curtains to spruce up any bathroom
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When was the last time you took a good look at your shower curtain? If yours is worn, crinkly, dirty or moldy — or you find puddles all over your floor after a shower — it's time for a replacement. The best shower curtains? They're not only water-resistant but also sturdy and quick-drying. Bonus points if they're low-maintenance and add a splash of personality to your bathroom.
In an effort to find the best shower curtains out there, I put 10 top-rated picks through a series of stress- and splash-tests in my bathroom and beyond. I assessed them for look and feel (including opacity and perceived durability). I hung them, yanked on them, poured water on them, and timed how long it took them to air-dry. I even threw machine-washable options into the washer and dryer to account for shrinkage and color fading. And I happened to have friends staying with me during my testing, so you can rest assured my top picks have also been guest-vetted.
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Best shower curtains for 2026
Size:72" x 72" (72" x 84" also available) | Material:Cotton and recycled polyester | Colors:Dark olive green (shown), white, gray, khaki and five others | Care:Machine wash, tumble dry
Topping my list is this fabric shower curtain from Threshold, which hit the sweet spot in my testing for style, performance and price. Though the fabric is a cotton-poly blend, it felt more like cotton and was very sturdy. It has an all-over waffle pattern and metal grommets at the top for added durability (they also serve as decorative accents).
This shower curtain isn't completely water-resistant, so you'll likely want to use it with a liner. Still, it's fairly absorbent: Water didn't run off the fabric, but the curtain kept general splatter contained when I showered with it. After pouring water on the curtain, I hung it over the ledge of my deck to air-dry, and it was dry in about two hours.
As I did with all the shower curtains I tested, I also put this shower curtain through a cycle in the washer and dryer. Although it did shrink slightly, there were no signs of wear or color fading. Big bonus: The fabric emerged from the dryer ready to hang, with barely any wrinkling.
I know several people who've owned this shower curtain for at least a year, and they confirmed that it has held up well with regular use and washing. I tested the dark olive shade, which I love for fall and winter months, but if that's not for you, know that it comes in nine colors, from warm neutrals and rose tones to cool blues and grays.
- Machine-washable, with minimal shrinking
- Quick-drying
- Oeko-Tex-certified
- Available in nine colors and two sizes
- Shrank about 3 inches in length and width
- Not water-resistant
Size:72" x 72" | Material:Polyester | Colors:Coral/orange (shown), dark teal/orange, sky blue/white, cream/yellow and eight others | Care:Machine wash, tumble dry
Like to experiment with colors and shapes? Monday Moose's affordable shower curtains make for a striking display. I tested the tri-color version pictured, but this shower curtain comes in a range of multicolored paneled and scalloped options. Monday Moose also offers similarly vibrant and affordable bath mats for mixing and matching (and leaning into the dopamine decor trend).
The curtain I tested is constructed of what felt like durable polyester in a honeycomb texture. The look and feel were similar to the Threshold curtain above, but the fabric is a little lighter with hints of shimmer. Like my other top picks, the curtain features grommets at the top for easily threading through shower curtain rings.
In my splash test, water ran off the Monday Moose curtain, leaving it only slightly damp. It air-dried quickly and was one of only two machine-washable shower curtains I tested that not only didn't fade but also didn't shrink after a wash-and-dry cycle. It also came out of the dryer with minimal creasing.
- Water-resistant
- Quick-drying
- Machine-washable (and didn't shrink)
- Available in 12 colors and patterns
- Only one size option
- Fabric is thinner than others
Size:72" x 72" (different weights available) | Material:PEVA plastic | Colors:Clear (shown), frosted, white, clear bubbles and 10 other finishes and colors | Care:Wipe clean with a gentle spray cleaner
If it's a good liner you're seeking, this one from LiBa gets the job. It shielded my bathroom from water, resisted soap scum and is very budget-friendly. I tested the clear version, but the brand offers a variety of finishes and colors, including more opaque options, which means you don't need an additional curtain.
It's made of PEVA plastic that, as confirmed by my testing, is completely water-resistant. It's lightweight yet seemed durable in testing, and it was a cinch to spot clean. (I simply sprayed it with a shower spray and wiped it down.) This shower curtain dries quickly and has grommet-style holes for easy hanging. It would easily lie under a fabric curtain, if that's your preference.
- Water-resistant
- Quick-drying
- Available in 14 colors and finishes, of varying weights/thicknesses
- Very affordable
- Can't go in the washing machine
- Completely transparent
Size:72" x 72" (72" x 84" also available) | Material:Partially recycled EVA plastic | Colors:Honey (shown; available to pre-order), Pine, Rose, Cloud and 26 other colors and patterns | Care:Wipe clean with a gentle spray cleaner
Plastic shower curtains are the easiest to spot clean, and Quiet Town's offer high style — plus performance — with minimal maintenance. The brand is beloved by designers for its chic, more sustainable takes on plasticky curtains. According to Quiet Town, this one is made of 30% recycled EVA (think of it as a durable, rubber-like plastic). It features large, grommet-lined holes along the top that thread onto hooks easily — and the curtain showed no signs of stress when I pulled it.
Quiet Town's Sun Shower curtain is completely water-resistant, with water beading and running right off in my splash test. And once wet, the curtain air-dried in a matter of minutes. While not machine washable, this curtain can be easily spiffed up with a gentle shower cleaner for everyday maintenance. The brand also offers instructions for giving it a deeper clean (it involves a brush and hose, FYI).
Despite arriving folded, this curtain didn't have any wrinkles — just light creasing, which creates a natural accordion-style fold for opening and closing. And despite being made of plastic, the thick material and saturated color provided good coverage (I tested the Honey color and would place the transparency at about 20% or 30%).
- Water-resistant
- Quick-drying
- Durable plastic that doesn't stick
- Available in two sizes, in 26 colors and patterns
- Can't go in the washing machine
- Slightly transparent
Size:72" x 74" (72" x 84" also available in select colors) | Material:Cotton | Colors:Baked Clay (shown), white, Frost gray, dark olive and four others | Care:Machine wash warm, tumble dry medium
If you're willing to splurge, West Elm's Waffle Shower Curtain is among the plushest and most luxurious I've tried. The fabric is woven of Fair-Trade-certified cotton. Like the Threshold curtain, it features an all-over waffle texture — in this case, with more pronounced "pockets" and a cushier, softer fabric. West Elm's waffle is available in one of the more elevated palettes I've come across, including muted greens and striking earth tones.
As is typical with traditional cotton blends, the fabric isn't water-resistant, but it was thick enough to capture and hold rogue splashes while I showered. When left on my deck to air-dry, it took about two hours. The curtain shrank a bit in the dryer, but still covered my shower. Post-laundering, the fabric felt softer and looked even better than new (with no wrinkling).
- Machine-washable, with minimal shrinking
- Quick-drying
- Fair Trade-certified cotton
- Available in eight colors and two sizes
- Shrank about 4 inches in length and width
- Not water-resistant
Waffle stack: These West Elm (top) and Target Threshold (bottom) curtains both have waffle textures, West Elm's with a slightly cushier fabric.
Factors to consider when choosing a shower curtain
Selecting a shower curtain from a sea of options can be daunting. Below are a few things to keep in mind when shopping ...
✓ Size:Standard shower curtains measure 70 to 72 inches by 72 inches. Some manufacturers also sell extra-long versions (72 inches by 84 inches) and extra-wide versions (108 inches by 72 inches) for wider tubs. For narrower, stall-style showers, both of the curtains I tested measured 36 inches by 72 inches.
✓ Material:
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Plastic:Often categorized as EVA, PEVA or PVC, these curtains are typically water-resistant, but they can't go in the washer or dryer or otherwise be exposed to high heat. They are also typically (at least somewhat) transparent, meaning less privacy and, depending on how they're folded, more prone to deep creasing.
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Cotton or cotton-poly blend:These shower curtains aren't usually see-through, and are typically machine-washable. Given that they go in the dryer, they're more prone to shrinking and color-fading, however. Additionally, those without plastic or polyester liners aren't usually waterproof, so you'll need a liner for added splash protection. When fabric curtains get wet, they usually need at least an hour to air-dry.
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Polyester:Generally, polyester is both water-resistant and machine-washable, though the fabric, in our experience, tends to be thinner, and therefore more prone to blowing or twisting (hence why many I tested featured magnets). Additionally, they tend to wrinkle more than cotton and cotton blends and are not as easy to wipe clean as plastic options.
✓ Care:Durable plastic shower curtains are the most convenient to spot clean. Polyester fabrics can be sprayed with a shower cleaner, but don't always wipe or brush down as easily. Cotton is often machine-washable, but if it's thick or dark-colored, it may be difficult to see trouble spots (such as soap scum or mold). Generally, fabric shower curtains should be used with a liner.
Splash test: Quiet Town's Sun Shower Curtain is completely waterproof, with water running off and any remaining beads quick to dry. (Kristin Granero/Yahoo)
How to clean a shower curtain
If you're wondering, "Can you wash a shower curtain?" or "Can you wash a shower curtain liner?" know that the answer to both is a resounding yes. The cleaning method, however, differs depending on the material.
To clean a (cotton or polyester) fabric shower curtain, always make sure to use a product type that the brand recommends. Many fabric curtains can also be machine-washed using a mild laundry detergent and tumbled dry on low or medium.
How we tested these shower curtains
I spent several days putting 10 top-rated shower curtains through a series of tests in my quest to find the best. I assessed each shower curtain for look and feel, taking notes on material thickness, texture and transparency. I also checked for loose threads and any design snags before putting each curtain through a round of evaluations:
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Pull test:I hung each shower curtain up on the shower rod in my bathroom, then gave it a good tug to assess for any stretching or tearing.
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Splash test:I poured water on each shower curtain to gauge its water-resisting capabilities.
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Deck test:Post splash, I hung each shower curtain over the edge of my deck to see how long it would take to air-dry.
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Laundry test:I put machine-washable shower curtains through a cycle in the washer and dryer, according to brand instructions, to account for any color-fading, shrinking or wrinkling.
When selecting my top picks, I also took into account factors like ease of maintenance, cost and aesthetics, as well as the fabric quality before and after machine-washing, when applicable.
Deck test: A selection of fabric shower curtains is left to air-dry after being wet. The thicker the fabric, the longer the dry time.
Other shower curtains we tested
West Elm Watercolor Stripe Shower Curtain :Like West Elm's waffle-weave curtain above, this shower curtain is made of Fair Trade-certified cotton, but with a canvas-like feel. It doesn't feature a plastic lining, but it was mostly water-resistant (much of the water I poured on it beaded and rolled off, but when I persisted with the faucet, some seeped in). Because the curtain wasn't quick to absorb — and the material not thick enough to really retain — a lot of water, the little dampness that remained air-dried in under 30 minutes. There's only one pattern available, and this curtain did shrink a bit (hence why I went with Monday Moose for my aesthetic pick), but I'd consider this a good shower curtain in general and, given the playful watercolor theme, among the best shower curtains for kids' bathrooms.
N&Y Home Fabric Shower Curtain :This 36-inch-by-72-inch stall shower curtain has polyester lining along the interior, which was effective at keeping water off my floor. It air-dries quickly, and magnets on the bottom corners help keep it in place. It's the only shower curtain, aside from Monday Moose's, that didn't shrink after machine washing and drying. However, this one's thin polyester-blend fabric didn't feel as durable or look as elevated as my top picks.
Alyvia Stall Fabric Shower Curtain : Alyvia's shower curtain has grommet-style holes that make for easy hanging and is machine-washable for easy cleaning. I like how it features magnets on the bottom corners, and in my splash test, the polyester-blend fabric proved to be water-resistant. The shower curtain also comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. But the fabric was the thinnest of any curtain I tried; it shrank 2 inches in width after drying and was also the wrinkliest.
River Dream Waterproof Shower Curtain : River Dream's shower curtain differs from those above in that it doesn't require hooks (rather, it has rings that split so you can hook it to the rod. I liked the streamlined style and that the plastic (PEVA) is frosted for a little more coverage than you'd get with a clear liner. But I ultimately went with the slightly shorter, slightly wider LiBa for my liner pick because the smaller, hook-style holes make it easier to layer with the average fabric curtain. The LiBa is also available in three finishes, plus various thicknesses and color options.
West Elm's Watercolor Shower Curtain only comes in one color palette, but is a solid pick for creatives and kids at heart.
Shower curtain FAQs
How often should you wash a shower curtain?
Though you don't need to clean it as often as you clean your shower , aim to wash your shower curtain every two to four weeks to keep dirt and mildew at bay, advises Dr. Shaan Waqar, an allergist and immunologist at ENT and Allergy Associates . "Molds are primarily found in warm, damp locations," he explains, "and they can build up on your shower curtain over time."
Outside of regular maintenance, Dr. Evan Li , an assistant professor of medicine in Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine, notes you'll want to clean a curtain, ideally with a 5% bleach solution, at the first sign of mold. "If you allow mold to grow uncontrolled, it can become embedded in the curtain, which makes it impossible to eradicate," he cautions.
What types of shower curtains don't need a liner?
Plastic, vinyl and polyester shower curtains tend to be water-resistant by nature. You can also look for water-resistant fabrics or fabrics lined with water-resistant materials for added protection.
What material is best for a shower curtain?
As I get into in more detail above, plastic and vinyl shower curtains and liners are typically water-resistant, but also transparent. Cotton and cotton blends are typically machine-washable but less water-resistant and take longer to dry. Polyester is typically water-resistant and machine-washable, but tends to be thinner and more prone to sticking and folding.
If you like the style (and privacy) of a fabric shower curtain but the water-resistance of a plastic or vinyl curtain, I suggest layering the two. You can then regularly spray and spot treat the liner, and toss the fabric curtain in the washer and dryer when it needs a deeper clean.
Meet our experts
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Dr. Shaan Waqar, allergist and immunologist, ENT and Allergy Associates
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Dr. Evan Li , assistant professor of medicine, Immunology, Allergy and Rheumatology at Baylor College of Medicine
Update, June 4, 2026: We checked prices and availability for all products. Our No. 1 pick for the best shower curtain remains unchanged.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.
