Overwhelmingly the most popular shower storage solution is the hanging shower caddy or hook over shower caddy.
The most economical of these are mostly made out of painted or coated steel but there are also coated or painted aluminum caddies and stainless steel shower caddies.
Shower head caddy's are very popular because they are generally inexpensive, are within easy reach in the shower, and they provide a lot of storage space in the shower without restricting the shower area too much.
In the next sections I will show some of my favorite Amazon offerings made of steel and even wood.
Metal Hangable Shower Caddy
The more economical metal showerhead caddy is made of powder coated or plastic coated ferrous metal so they can rust if the coating chips or cracks. The more expensive rust proof shower caddies are made of corrosion resistant metals such as aluminum and stainless steel.
The aluminum ones are often coated with chrome electroplating so they do not chip as easily. Stainless steel caddies are the highest quality because they have no coating to chip or crack. But stainless steel is also a more expensive metal, making these a more pricey caddy style shower storage options.
All of these metal caddies are strong enough to hold all of your shower essentials including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and any other toiletries.
Under $25 – Aluminum
Aluminum Caddy
Aluminum Caddy
Under $25 – Stainless steel
Stainless Steel Caddy
Between $25 and $50
Stainless Steel Caddy
Over $50 – Aluminum
Aluminum Caddy
Aluminum + Stainless steel
Wood Shower Head Hanging Shower Caddy
Other slightly higher maintenance but also higher end hanging shower caddy options are made out of wood, specifically bamboo and teak which are very strong yet resistant to mold and mildew. Although these caddies lack the durability of steel, and are a bit higher maintenance, many people choose them because they're more attractive, with a warmer feel, that improves their shower experience.
These Caddies can sometimes be heavier than average, so keep in mind how you will keep it from sliding off the shower head. Some of these caddy’s come with an anti-slip material. Accessibility and functionality of these caddies matches that of most metal caddies.
Wood caddies are also strong enough to hold all of your shower essentials (shampoo, conditioner, body wash, etc), but they are generally not as durable as metal caddies and need to be treated with more care to maintain their durability.
Between $25 and $50
Bamboo Caddy
Over $50
Teak Caddy
Teak Caddy
Over the Door Hanging Shower Caddy
This type of hanging shower rack hangs over the shower door or shower screen and can be made of coated metal stainless steel, aluminum, wood or even fabric.
Under $25
Stainless Steel Caddy
Between $25 AND $50
Powder Coated Steel Caddy
Over $50
Anodized Aluminum Caddy
Chromed Steel Caddy
Hanging Container Caddies
Suction Hanging Shower Caddy
This category of hanging shower organizer mostly includes rigid wire containers or baskets made to hold small items like bar soap or razor. They have suction cup attachments for the shower glass or tile so they can be easily relocated.
Under $25
Suction Caddy
Between $25 AND $50
Suction Caddy
Over $50
Suction Caddy
Suction Caddy
Adhesive Hanging Shower Caddy
This type of hanging shower organiser is more like a hanging shower basket and makes up a large part of this group. These include mostly rigid wire containers or baskets designed to hold a smaller number of items than shower head caddies. They have adhesive attachments for shower door glass or tile and are not designed to be relocated once their fixed in place.
Under $25
Adhesive Caddy
Between $25 AND $50
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Adhesive Caddy
Over $50
Adhesive Caddy
Corner Hanging Shower Caddy
In this section we will show you a couple of options for hanging corner shower caddies. They can be mounted on the wall with suction cups or with adhesive pads (no screws caddy).
I don’t generally recommend these types of corner caddies to my clients, preferring to go with the more secure in-grout corner shelf. These in-grout shelves are reasonably priced and super easy to install into any shower as long as there’s a grout line to install it into.
Under $25
Adhesive Corner Caddy
Between $25 AND $50
Suction Corner Caddy
Over $50
Suction Corner Caddy
Hanging Shower Head Caddy Problem
A disadvantage of the shower head caddy is that it hangs on the shower head water supply pipe, and this pipe was never really designed to carry any significant load.
A hanging shower caddy can be quite heavy, especially when loaded down with bottles, brushes soaps etc. This can cause undue stress on this water supply pipe.
If this pipe is made of a cheaper grade of steel, or the caddy is very heavy, it can cause this pipe to crack when it flexes.
And this crack usually happens right where the pipe enters the shower head T fitting inside your shower wall. Pretty much the worst place for a leak.
There is however a way to reduce this risk.
Assessing the Problem
To check if your shower water supply pipe is supported by more than just the water supply coupling in the shower wall, you can pull back the escutcheon on your shower head water supply arm to inspect the gap between this pipe and the shower wall (the escutcheon is the ring that rests against the wall where the shower arm pipe comes out of the wall).
If you slide this back you can usually see quite clearly if the underside of the arm is supported by tile and/or mortar beneath. If it’s not, and you can see a gap underneath it, the pipe will be carrying all the weight of the caddy.
This is not ideal because the pipe (shower arm) will flex up and down and could easily fracture over time. As I mentioned, this could be quite disastrous if the pipe cracks and water leaks into your shower wall.
Fixing the Problem
There is a simple way to fortify this pipe (shower arm) so it does not flex when it’s loaded down with a hanging shower caddy.
You simply glue a small piece of something solid underneath the pipe, just between the pipe and the wall tile below. This material can be a piece of plastic or something else rigid that doesn’t absorb moisture.
You want to avoid wedging the piece in too tightly and flexing the pipe upwards. You simply want it to support the weight of the arm.
You can also squeeze a bead of structural polyurethane construction adhesive between the pipe and the tile below. If you do this when there’s no caddy hanging from it, the water supply pipe should be perfectly supported (Ad: The above text link is an Amazon affiliate link. See affiliate disclosure page for details).
When the glue dries, you can slip the escutcheon back in place over the hole and hang up your shower head caddy again.
Voila, you’ve done it!
FAQ
How do I choose the right hanging shower caddy for my bathroom needs?
You should first determine a budget to narrow down your options. Then determine if you like the aesthetic of a hanging shower caddy or rack that protrudes into the shower space or would you prefer a more "built-in" shelf like an in-grout corner shelf. Then you need to decide if you want one that hangs over the shower head bar or over the shower door. You should consider your daily routine and your specific needs (aesthetic and practical) before deciding.
What features should I look for in an adjustable hanging shower caddy?
I would suggest you look for one made of stainless steel so you reduce the chances of corrosion problems. Make sure it meets all your needs including storage, functionality, accessibility, and reducing clutter because you don't want more than one of these in your shower.
How do I clean and maintain my hanging shower caddy to avoid mold and buildup?
I would suggest to periodically remove it from the shower and soak it in a bucket of water with a bit of dish soap in it. Soak it for about 1 hour and clean any stubborn areas with a soft brush (under water) if any soap scum remains after soaking.
Can hanging shower caddies fit any shower head or do I need to check compatibility?
The shower head supply arm/ pipe is a pretty standard size so this will not typically be a problem. However, you should check to see that the angled section of the shower head pipe is not too close to your tiled wall. Shower head caddies will only be stable on the horizontal section of this pipe and can slip down the angled section and fall off the wall if your contractor made this common installation mistake.
Wrap Up
I hope you enjoyed my list of hanging shower caddy options. Hopefully it can steer you in the right direction when considering the type of shower storage that works best for you.
This post is for information purposes only and should NOT be interpreted as professional advice. You should always consult a licensed local contractor before undertaking any remodeling work in your home. Click here for my full Personal / Professional Disclosure.
