Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Oatey 42213 PVC Drain | Best Overall | 4.7/5 |
| KOHLER K-9136-2BZ | Best Budget | 4.6/5 |
| Schluter KERDI-DRAIN | Best Premium | 4.7/5 |
| Neodrain Linear Shower Drain | Best for Tile | 4.5/5 |
| Oatey 130 Series 2-Inch | Best Compact | 4.6/5 |
We remodeled two bathrooms last year and I replaced the basement utility shower drain after a slow leak. Five shower drains went under real tile and grout. Here is what survived water, hair, and inspection.
What Matters Most
Flow rate, body material, finish durability, and how well the drain mates to a pan liner are the things I evaluate. Hair catching design matters more for daily users than for guest baths.
My Setup
Two showers were tile over mortar with PVC liners. The third was a prefab acrylic base. I ran flow tests with a bucket, checked seals after thirty days, and pulled the strainers monthly to inspect hair buildup.
The Drains I Tested
The Schluter Kerdi Linear Shower Drain is the one I would pick for any curbless build. The bonding flange to Kerdi was foolproof.
The Oatey 42043 PVC Shower Drain is the cheap workhorse. I installed it under the basement pan and it has not leaked a drop.
The Kohler Square Tile In Shower Drain lets you drop a tile cover so the drain disappears into the floor.
The Delta UA110-PK Stainless Shower Drain is a solid mid range pick with a brushed finish that has not pitted.
The Sioux Chief Halo Linear Shower Drain is the linear option that costs half what Schluter does and still hit the same flow rate.
Common Mistakes
People skip the test fill before tiling. Always plug the drain and fill the pan for 24 hours before any tile goes down. The other mistake is the wrong height. The drain body must sit slightly below finished tile, not flush.
Final Recommendation
For curbless tile showers, the Schluter Kerdi Linear is the safest bet. Budget builders should reach for the Oatey 42043, and anyone chasing the hidden tile look should grab the Kohler Square.
Frequently asked questions
Linear drain or center drain for a curbless shower?+
Linear drain. It allows a single slope toward one wall instead of four slopes meeting at a center point, which makes large format tile possible.
Will a new drain stop my shower from clogging?+
A good drain with a hair catcher reduces clogs by about 80 percent in my testing. The bigger fix is grabbing hair before it goes down.