Weighted vs Magnetic Shower Curtains: What Actually Works
Few things spoil a shower like a cold, wet curtain wrapping around your legs. Here is why it happens and which fix works for your bathroom.
A weighted shower curtain uses extra weight in the hem, or a heavier fabric, to hang straight and resist being pulled in. A magnetic curtain has small magnets in the hem that add weight and also grip a steel or cast-iron bath. For a walk-in shower or an acrylic bath, weight is what works. For a steel bath, magnets add a firm seal. Pairing a heavy fabric curtain with a weighted liner gives the best result.
Weighted and magnetic curtains exist to fix the most common complaint about shower curtains: the curtain that billows in and sticks to you. But they are not the same thing, and one works better than the other depending on your bath. Here is a clear comparison.
Why does a shower curtain blow in?
A running shower moves air. Falling water and rising warm air create a swirl of air inside the shower that lowers the pressure next to the curtain, so the curtain is pushed inwards by the air in the room. Light plastic curtains feel it most. Scientists have modelled it with computer simulations, and it even has a name: the shower curtain effect.
You cannot stop the air from moving, but you can make the curtain harder to move.
The three ways to weigh a curtain down
| Type | How it works | Works on | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weighted hem | Beads, a chain or a thick hem add weight at the bottom | Any bath or shower | Heavier to wash |
| Magnets in the hem | Magnets add weight and grip metal | Steel or cast-iron baths (grip); any surface (weight) | No grip on acrylic, tiles or glass |
| Heavy fabric | A dense weave like waffle, linen or velvet hangs straight on its own | Any bath or shower | Needs a liner for full waterproofing |
At ShowerNest, a curtain in our weighted shower curtains collection is either weighted in the hem or heavy through its fabric: both hang straighter than a thin plastic curtain.
Do shower curtain magnets work?
Yes, with one condition. Magnets always add weight to the hem, which helps the curtain hang straight. They only grip if the bath is made of steel or cast iron. Most Australian acrylic baths, tiled floors and glass screens are not magnetic, so there the magnets act as weights only.
Grey Magnet Weighted PEVA Curtain
Grey PEVA with three magnets in the hem. Waterproof, non-toxic and wipe-clean.
Shop now →
White Magnet Weighted PEVA Curtain
White PEVA with magnets, in five sizes up to 180 × 200 cm.
Shop now →
Clear Magnet Weighted PEVA Curtain
Clear PEVA with a magnetic hem for bright showers.
Shop now →Heavy fabric curtains: weighted by design
A dense fabric curtain resists air movement better than any thin liner. Waffle jacquard, linen-look and velvet curtains hang in straight folds and move far less. They are also the easiest way to make a bathroom look finished. Add a PEVA liner behind for a fully waterproof barrier.
White Extra Long Shower Curtain
Our best-seller: a white waffle jacquard with a 200 cm drop.
Shop now →
Beige Yellow Extra Long Shower Curtain
Warm beige-yellow waffle, up to 300 cm wide.
Shop now →
Velvet Green Shower Curtain
A plush, deep green velvet that hangs in heavy, straight folds.
Shop now →What works best for a walk-in shower?
In a walk-in shower there is no bath edge to grip, so choose weight: a heavy fabric curtain, a weighted hem, or a magnetic curtain used for its weight. Size matters too: a curtain 20–30 cm wider than the opening has room to fold and stays put. See our shower curtain size guide.
Other ways to stop a curtain blowing in
- Hang a liner inside the bath and the fabric curtain outside.
- Use a curved rod to give you more room and keep the curtain further away.
- Choose a wider curtain: more fabric means more weight and less pull.
- Run the exhaust fan or crack the window to reduce the air pressure difference.
- Clip-on weights work in a pinch, but they can rust and mark the bath.
Keep the hem clean so it keeps its weight and does not grow mould: here is how to clean a shower curtain.
Weighted and magnetic curtains, sized for Australian bathrooms.
Heavy waffle, linen-look and velvet curtains, plus magnetic PEVA curtains you can use alone or as a liner.
Shop weighted curtains
FAQs
Are weighted shower curtains good?
Yes. Extra weight in the hem or a heavy fabric helps a curtain hang straight and stops it blowing in and sticking to you.
Do shower curtain magnets work?
They always add weight to the hem. They only grip the bath if it is made of steel or cast iron; on acrylic or tiles they act as weights.
How do I weigh down my shower curtain?
Choose a curtain with a weighted or magnetic hem, a heavier fabric, or hang a weighted liner behind your curtain. A curved rod and a wider curtain also help.
What is the best weighted curtain for a walk-in shower?
A heavy fabric curtain or a weighted PEVA curtain, about 20–30 cm wider than the opening. Magnets will not grip tiles, so rely on weight.
Why does my shower curtain blow in?
The moving water and warm air create lower pressure inside the shower, so the room air pushes the curtain in. Heavier curtains resist it.
