The Best Editor-Tested Shower Curtain Liners You Can Buy Now

It’s probably safe to say that choosing a shower curtain liner isn’t a decision that’s ever kept you up at night, right? For most of us, buying a liner for our shower curtains is a pretty thoughtless process. Personally, as long as it keeps the shower water from creating a puddle on my bathroom floors, I tend to not be too particular about the brand, make, or style of the liner. However, after testing out a variety of shower curtain liners here at AT, it turns out there are a few that really stood out from the pack. We looked for ones that were sturdy, had features that prevented shower leaks, and liners that didn’t leave us with a damp, moldy smell after prolonged use. Because it’s generally recommended that shower curtain liners be changed out every 4-6 months, we made it a point to test these liners within that length of time to inspect how resistant they were to mold and mildew. Here were our favorites:

• Best Overall: N&Y Home Waffle Weave Shower Curtain with Snap-In Liner
• Best Vinyl: LOVTEX Frosted Shower Curtain Liner
• Best Fabric: Truly Calm Embossed Fabric Shower Curtain Liner
• Best Magnetic: downluxe Waterproof Frosted Shower Curtain Liner
• Best Weighted: Glacier Bay PEVA Shower Curtain Liner

The primary purpose of a shower curtain liner is to keep water from the shower contained in the tub and off your bathroom floor. But shower liners have evolved, and now come in a variety of styles, and colors, and even have storage options (who knew?). Shopping for the best shower liner tends to be straightforward for most of us, but getting a quality one that will get the job done requires a bit of research.

Most liners are made from inexpensive yet durable plastics that are designed to repel water. They’re easy to maintain by wiping them down with your favorite household cleaner and a sponge or cloth. Some can even be thrown in the wash for a more thorough clean. You can and should replace them once they’ve developed too much buildup or begin to smell damp. Since not all showers are created equally, you’ll want to measure the width and height of your shower so you don’t end up with a liner that’s too short (thus, ineffective) or that will crowd you with excess fabric.

Polyester: While polyester is considered somewhat of a substandard fabric when it comes to items like sheets and clothing, this synthetic material actually performs well as a shower curtain liner. It repels water, is easily washable, and generally makes for an inexpensive product. While polyester liners tend to be not quite as effective in protecting shower leaks as plastic liners, they’ve got a much longer shelf life (plus, the environment will thank you!).

PEVA: PEVA stands for polyethylene vinyl acetate. This material is commonly used to make shower curtain liners and is considered more eco-friendly and less toxic than PVC liners. These liners have antimicrobial properties, which make them ideal for standing up to the wet and damp climate of our bathrooms. They also cause no off-gassing like PVC shower curtains do, since they are chloride free.

PVC/Vinyl: Vinyl liners are made out of PVC, or polyvinyl chloride. While they are inexpensive, this material can sometimes have a noticeably strong odor due to the chemicals used to make it. Like PEVA liners, PVC/vinyl liners are highly effective at repelling water and keeping the output from your shower contained.

• Water resistance: How well does the liner prevent water from splashing onto the floor?
• Mildew resistance: Did mold or mildew form after weeks or months of use? How easy was it to clean?
• Coverage: How well did the shower curtain liner stay in place while in use? Does it have weights or magnets to keep it steady?

The importance of convenience can never be overstated, which is a big reason why the N&Y Home Waffle Weave Shower Curtain with Snap-In Liner is at the top of our list for shower curtain liners. There are few things more annoying than removing a shower curtain liner out of the individual hooks on your curtain rod, so the fact that this N&Y Home liner features a snap-off liner is cause for a huge sigh of relief. “I was so impressed with this shower curtain and liner combo because of how smart and stylish it is!” says Best List Editor Britt. “It’s so convenient to have an all-in-one piece that helps to make cleaning the shower curtain liner less of a chore.” The liner is also machine washable, furthering the ease of keeping your liner nice and clean. 

Read our full review of the N&Y Home Waffle Weave Shower Curtain with Snap-In Liner.

Specifications:

• Polyester
• 100gsm liner, 230gsm outer curtain
• Water-resistant
• Available in 18 colors and 10 sizes, including extra-long and stall
• Features a detachable fabric liner, magnets on bottom corners, and sheer viewing window
• Includes 12 metal hooks
• Machine washable

Who It’s Best For: Those looking for an easy-to-clean liner; those who prefer fabric liners

Good to Know: With the exception of black, grey, linen, and navy, all of the snap-on liners for this shower curtain are white.

If you’re looking for a solid vinyl liner to keep water off your floors, look no further than the LOVTEX Frosted Shower Curtain Liner. “Bye-bye, boring clear plastic liners!” says Mark, Executive Director of Commerce. “I usually use just plain, clear shower curtain liners but switched things up with this one, which is frosted with a grid pattern. I really like that it has a design and would consider just using the liner as a curtain.” This durable and stylish liner is also made from thoroughly-tested PEVA material, which means no harmful chemicals or unpleasant smell. “It feels durable, keeps the water contained inside the tub, and only recently showed a slight patch of mildew near the bottom, after months of using it (a quick spritz of Lysol Power Bathroom Cleaner got rid of it immediately).”

Specifications:

• PEVA
• 72″ x 72″
• Waterproof
• Features weighted magnets at the bottom
• Includes 12 rust-proof grommets
• Hand wash, then air dry only

Who It’s Best For: Those who prefer vinyl liners; those looking for more design-forward liners

Good to Know: In addition to the frosted shower curtain liner, LOVTEX also offers clear, heavy-duty, and neutral fabric styles.

If you’re tired of clear liners and are curious about the fabric side of things, the Truly Calm Embossed Fabric Shower Curtain Liner is a great place to start. Though it’s on the pricier side for shower curtains, its durable and long-lasting qualities more than make up for it. “This is the best shower curtain liner I’ve ever owned and one of the nicest ones I’ve ever used, too,” says Nic, Commerce SEO Writer. “Its material has the look and feel of fabric, but it performs more like waterproof plastic. I like that it’s easy to hand wash and clean when any yellowish stains start to form at the bottom.” Made from high-quality microfiber material, this fabric liner comes in three neutral shades and could even stand on its own without a curtain with its embossed design. 

Specifications:

• Microfiber
• 70″ x 72”
• Hooks sold separately
• Available in 3 colors
• Machine washable

Who It’s Best For: Those who prefer fabric liners; those looking for liners that can double as shower curtains; those who prefer to machine wash their shower curtain liners

Good to Know: This curtain does not come with weights sewn into the bottom, so keep that in mind before purchasing. 

The downluxe Waterproof Frosted Shower Curtain Liner is the way to go if your main focus is keeping your shower liner firmly in place during your showers. Boasting three strong magnets at the bottom hem, this liner is sure to keep all water in your shower during use. Plus, this curtain’s durability will ensure it’ll be in your bathroom for the long haul. “I don’t have the best luck with shower curtain liners, because every single apartment I’ve lived in has had a poorly ventilated bathroom,” says Senior Commerce Editor Alicia. “After a few months, whatever liner I own becomes moldy. I’ve tested this downluxe liner for about eight months, and mold has yet to appear. I also enjoy the frosted look, because it looks a little more upscale than your average plastic liner.”

Specifications:

• PEVA
• 72” x 72”
• Water-repellent
• Hooks sold separately
• Features 3 weighted magnets at the bottom and 12 metal grommets
• Hand wash, then air dry only

Who It’s Best For: Those who prefer magnetic weights on their liners; those who prefer vinyl liners

Good to Know: If the frosted look isn’t your thing, this liner also comes in eleven other shades.

If you prefer a weighted liner rather than one with magnets keeping it in place, then the Glacier Bay PEVA Shower Curtain Liner is the shower curtain liner for you. Though it doesn’t have magnets, this weighted liner will keep your liner close to the bathtub walls as if it’s magnetized. This vinyl liner is also treated to resist mildew, making it super long-lasting. “It kept clean even on the weeks that I skipped giving it a thorough wipe down,” says contributor Jasmine. “I kept it on for about four months before replacing it with a new shower curtain, and I noticed no mold or mildew buildup within that time.”

Specifications:

• PEVA
• 70” x 72”
• Waterproof
• Mildew-resistant
• Hooks sold separately
• Available in 2 finishes
• Features rust-proof grommets
• Shower rings sold separately
• Hand wash, then air dry only

Who It’s Best For: Those who prefer weighted liners over magnets; those who want a liner that doubles as a shower curtain

Good to Know: The plastic in this liner is thick enough to use as a shower curtain by itself; the thickness also adds to its longevity.