A bathroom is not truly complete without a shower niche, which provides a built-in storage area for shampoo, conditioner, body wash and shaving products. You can make it as large as you like and add color and texture with tile.
Niches are adaptable and simple, and they suit almost any shower: a walk-in shower, a Roman shower or a shower and tub combination. They give you storage that is stable and tidy, instead of a floor crowded with bottles, and they look good when finished in matching tile. The easiest way to get one is a prefabricated, waterproof niche that goes into the wall opening and is tiled over. Below we compare six of the best ready-made niches, followed by installation tips and the problems to watch for.
| Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|
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Best overall
Tile Redi Standard Double Niche, 16" W x 20" H x 4" D, Two Shelves with Divider |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best value
Tile Redi Single Niche, 16" W x 14" H x 4" D, One Inner Shelf |
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Best for families
Tile Redi Triple Niche RNT1620D-14, 16" W x 34" H x 4" D, Three Shelves |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best large niche
Uni-Green Ready Tile Shower Niche Shelf, 17" x 25" x 4", Large Wall Niche Insert |
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Best for pros
Schluter KERDI-BOARD-SN Shower Niche, Waterproof and Ready to Tile, 12" x 20" |
VIEW ON AMAZON | |
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Best no-tile niche
Qeke 12" x 24" Stainless Steel Shower Niche with Double Shelves, No Tile Needed |
VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Shower Niche Reviews in 2026
Best Ready-to-Tile Plastic Shower Niches
1. Tile Redi Standard Double Niche, 16" W x 20" H x 4" D, Two Shelves with Divider
The Tile Redi double niche is a one-piece, ready-to-tile recessed shower shelf with two compartments and a divider. It can be installed horizontally or vertically, and because it is 100 percent waterproof and leak-proof, you do not need extra waterproofing, seams or liners. The upper compartment is tall enough for large bottles, and the lower one holds soap and razors.
- One-piece niche with two shelves and divider
- 16 x 20 x 4 inches, horizontal or vertical
- Ready to tile, 100 percent waterproof
- No extra waterproofing or liners needed
- Very easy installation compared with a hand-built niche
- Waterproof and leak-proof, which protects the wall
- Tile can be applied directly to the surface
- Two compartments suit tall bottles and small items
- Excellent owner ratings
- Costs more than building a simple niche from scratch
- Fixed size, so you need to plan the wall opening around it
Our Verdict: Our top pick: a well-built, easy-to-tile double niche that suits nearly every shower.
2. Tile Redi Single Niche, 16" W x 14" H x 4" D, One Inner Shelf
The single Tile Redi niche is the compact version, with a single inner shelf in a 16 by 14 inch opening. It is waterproof, ready to tile and can be mounted horizontally or vertically, and it is an easy upgrade for a small shower or an additional niche lower down for use from the tub.
- One-piece niche with one inner shelf
- 16 x 14 x 4 inches
- Install horizontally or vertically
- Waterproof, ready to tile
- The most affordable Tile Redi niche
- Small enough for a compact shower or a tub surround
- Quick installation with no extra waterproofing
- Highly rated by a large number of buyers
- Limited space for several bottles
- Only one shelf, so no separate compartments
Our Verdict: A great budget niche for small showers or for a second niche near the tub.
3. Tile Redi Triple Niche RNT1620D-14, 16" W x 34" H x 4" D, Three Shelves
For a family shower with plenty of bottles, the Tile Redi triple niche gives you three shelves in a 16 by 34 inch frame. Like the smaller models, it is made of durable plastic, 100 percent waterproof and ready to tile, and it can be installed either vertically or horizontally.
- Three shelves in one unit
- 16 x 34 x 4 inches
- Ready to tile, waterproof and leak-proof
- Durable high-impact plastic
- Lots of storage for a family shower
- Highest owner rating of the Tile Redi range
- Same easy installation as the smaller models
- Vertical or horizontal orientation
- Needs a taller wall opening, so check the stud spacing
- More expensive than the single and double niches
Our Verdict: The best choice for a family, with enough shelf space for everything.
4. Uni-Green Ready Tile Shower Niche Shelf, 17" x 25" x 4", Large Wall Niche Insert
Uni-Green offers a large ABS plastic niche with an outer size of 17 by 25 inches and a 14 by 22 inch opening inside. The lightweight but impact-resistant material is chemical-resistant, 100 percent waterproof and leak-free, and the niche is made for tile to be applied directly onto it.
- Large ABS niche, 17 x 25 x 4 inches (14 x 22 inside)
- Waterproof, leak-free
- Impact- and chemical-resistant plastic
- Ready for tile
- A large opening for the price
- Lightweight and simple to set
- Waterproof and leak-free design
- Strong owner satisfaction
- Brand is less well known than Tile Redi and Schluter
- One large compartment without a divider
Our Verdict: A budget-friendly large niche for those who want one wide compartment.
Best Professional and No-Tile Shower Niches
5. Schluter KERDI-BOARD-SN Shower Niche, Waterproof and Ready to Tile, 12" x 20"
Schluter’s KERDI-BOARD-SN is a ready-to-tile niche made from foam board that is lightweight yet waterproof and can be tiled over directly. It is designed for the Schluter waterproofing system, so it integrates with KERDI membranes, and it is backed by a 10-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects when installed according to Schluter’s handbook.
- Waterproof foam board niche, 12 x 20 inches
- Ready to tile, designed for the Schluter system
- 10-year limited warranty when installed to the handbook
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Professional-grade quality favored by tile installers
- Highest owner rating in the group
- Lightweight and easy to cut and install
- A good warranty, backed by a major tile-setting brand
- Designed to be used with the Schluter KERDI waterproofing system
- More expensive than the plastic niches
Our Verdict: The pro’s choice for a high-quality tiled shower, particularly if you use Schluter membranes.
6. Qeke 12" x 24" Stainless Steel Shower Niche with Double Shelves, No Tile Needed
The Qeke is a fully finished stainless steel niche that needs no tile. It has an inner size of 12 by 24 inches and 4 inches of depth, a fixed shelf that divides it into two 12-inch tiers and seamless welding for a 100 percent leak-free design. It is made from SUS304 stainless steel with a coating that resists corrosion, scratches and rust.
- SUS304 stainless steel with a protective coating
- Inner size 12 x 24 x 4 inches, two tiers
- Seamless welding, 100 percent waterproof
- No tile needed, ready to mount
- Saves the cost and effort of tiling the niche
- Seamless welded construction does not leak
- Stainless steel is rust-resistant and easy to wipe clean
- Well liked by owners
- Looks different from a tiled niche, so it will not blend into the wall
- Higher price than the basic plastic niches
Our Verdict: A modern, finished niche for people who want to skip the tiling.
Where to Put a Shower Niche
- Height. A niche usually sits about 48 to 60 inches above the floor, so that everyone can reach it. A common size is 12 by 24 inches between studs.
- Position. Place the niche on a wall that is not facing the spray directly, so that water does not run straight in. In a shower and tub combination, add a second niche lower down for easy access from the tub.
- Alignment. Line up the niche with your tile grout lines for the best look. Using large tiles, notch each of them neatly around the top and sides of the niche.
Tips of the Trade
When you set the bottom of the niche, tilt it slightly forward so that water runs into the shower once it is tiled. A grade of about 1/16 inch, made with a cardboard shim, is enough. If you are using listello tiles, line them up with the top of the niche, slightly higher.
Common Niche Problems
- Moisture damage. A niche can hold standing water, and porous materials such as stone or grout can absorb water or leak. Install the niche away from the direct spray, give the bottom a slight forward slope and re-seal grout and stone at least once a year.
- Mold. Heat and moisture make a niche a good place for mold to grow. Wipe it dry after each shower with a squeegee or an absorbent towel, and use a mold-killing cleaner regularly.
- Cleaning. Dark, deep niches have corners and crevices that trap grime. Use surface-appropriate spray-and-rinse cleaners, and avoid harsh chemicals that can damage grout or waterproofing.
Related guides
Choose a ready-made, waterproof niche to avoid leaks, plan the height and location carefully and keep it clean. For more ideas, see our walk-in shower door hardware review and our shower glass cleaner reviews.
