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No Joke: The Hair Monster is Real 👾
Let’s talk honestly: If you’ve got thick, wiry, and rebellious hair like mine, then learning how to keep hair from clogging the shower drain is basically survival. The hair monster is real — and he lives in your pipes.
💡That’s why I went on a mission to find the best shower hair catchers 🧼👾—because the Hair Monster may be real, but he’s not welcome here.
I have the kind of hair that laughs at brushes and sneers at conditioner and lately, it’s shedding more than I’d like to admit. But it wasn’t always this way. I used to be the innocent bystander to creating the shower hair monster (or so I told myself) when my daughters lived at home. Some of them seemed to shed their tangles mid-shower and let them tumble straight into the tub drain. Others must’ve dealt with their hair outside the shower because I never saw a trace.
Either way, every few weeks, we’d be ankle-deep in slow-draining water, and my sweet, sometimes-patient husband would end up hunched over with WITHOUT gloves🤮, pulling out what we lovingly (and horrifiedly) called the shower hair monster.
And here’s the kicker: my husband is completely bald. Shaves his head every other week. So his tolerance for handling these grotesquely gooey, gunky hair balls is… low. Understandably! I imagine he dry heaves as he frees our drain from the monster (I wouldn’t know because I simply can’t watch that level of gross). He protests. He has every right to. And yet, because I love him, I want to do better.
So now, we’re going to talk about what I’ve learned about the best shower drain hair catchers — the different kinds of drains, what makes them worse (or better), and the progression of tools that have increasingly served to save our family harmony, and tame the hair monster once and for all!
🚿 Drain Types: Know Thy Enemy
1. Pop-Up Drains (aka The Sneaky Culprit)
These drains have a plug that you push down to close and pop up to open. They don’t stop hair. Anything smaller than a pea slips right past the opening.
Pros:
- Keeps your drain looking clean
- Easy to open and close
- Allows bath water to remain in tub for bathing
Cons:
- Allows everything through
- Hidden clogs build up until it’s too late
Verdict: Doesn’t clog daily — but when it does, it’s catastrophic. The monster grows unnoticed.
2. Plate Drains with Small Holes
Usually a flat metal disk with small holes. Thicker/longer hair gets caught on top and is visible.
Pros:
- You can see and remove the hair buildup
- Slows the drain monster’s progress
Cons:
- Frequent scooping required
- Some hair still sneaks through
Verdict: Easier to manage with regular cleaning — but eventually clogs, although less frequently than the pop up drains.
3. Open-Hole Drains (Danger Zone!)
Just a big open hole with zero filter. Like a funnel to the abyss.
Pros:
- Fast drainage at first
- Nothing blocks the water or hair
Cons:
- Hair monster builds in the pipes unseen
- You’ll need to pull out hair and sludge that belongs in a sci-fi movie
Verdict: A guaranteed horror show if left unmanaged.
4. Built-In Crossbar Drains
Some drains come with built-in crossbars below the surface.
Pros:
- Stops big chunks and valuables
- Slightly slows hair buildup
Cons:
- Hair wraps around the bar like it’s making a nest
- Super annoying to clean
Verdict: Prevents catastrophe… until it becomes its own disaster.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I sometimes earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
🛁 10 Best Shower Hair Catchers to Stop Clogs and Tame the Hair Monster
Note: Ratings shown below are subject to change. These reflect ratings registered as of 6/23/2025
⭐ Chaokant – Wall‑Mount Hair Catcher
Rating: 4.5 stars (8 reviews)
How it works: Suction-mounted silicone bristles catch hair as you shower; pull off to clean.
🎯 Zero gross drain gunk—your hands stay squeaky clean!
💡 Mount Style: Wall surface mount
🧼 Ick Factor: Low – You swipe hair off, no slimy contact.
Pros: 👍 Reusable, easy-clean, great for thick hair.
Cons: 👎 Few reviews—newer product.
Review highlight: “Game‑changer… keeps hair off my hands and out of the drain.”
⭐ TubShroom – Toss Disposable Strainers (21‑pk)
Rating: 4.5 stars (535 ratings)
How it works: Mesh liners drop into tub/shower drains—lift & toss.
🎯 Perfect for the squeamish—no icky touch, ever.
💡 Mount Style: In-drain installation
🧼 Ick Factor: Very Low – Throw away the entire liner.
Pros: 👍 No-touch, discreet, great for long & pet hair.
Cons: 👎 Needs frequent replacements.
Review highlight: “Very easy to replace without touching anything icky.”
⭐ DrainWig – Flower Drain Catcher (2‑pk)
Rating: 4.3 stars (~14,000 ratings)
How it works: Flower cap sits on flat drain; whisker chain drops into pipe—grab & toss.
🎯 No hand contact—just flick and forget. Look away!
💡 Mount Style: In-drain installation
🧼 Ick Factor: Low – No messy cleanup
Pros: 👍 Touch-free, easy install, long-lasting.
Cons: 👎 Only fits flat/open drains.
Review highlight: “Only preventative product I trust for drains.”
⭐ Aire Allure – Mesh Sticker (25‑pk)
Rating: 4.3 stars (~10,700 ratings)
How it works: Peel-and-stick mesh covers the drain; replace when full.
🎯 Stick it and forget it—no scooping wet hair!
💡 Mount Style: Over-drain adhesive
🧼 Ick Factor: Medium-Low – Hair may adhere to edges.
Pros: 👍 Budget-friendly, easy, disposable.
Cons: 👎 May peel in hot water.
Review highlight: “Easy to use… lasts quite a while.”
⭐ Shower Cat – Silicone Wall Pad
Rating: 4.2 stars (3,278 ratings)
How it works: Suction-hair-catching silicone pad; swipe to collect hair.
🎯 Adorable and effective—just swipe and smile!
💡 Mount Style: Wall surface mount
🧼 Ick Factor: Medium – You’ll need finger cleanup.
Pros: 👍 Cute, reusable, tames thick hair.
Cons: 👎 Clumps may fall off when full.
Review highlight: “Works great with my long thick hair.”
⭐ Porcupine – Shower Wall Hair Catcher
Rating: 4.0 stars (130 ratings)
How it works: Soft silicone “porcupine” sticks to wall; flip inside-out to dump hair.
🎯 Hides the hair monster—flip it and forget it!
💡 Mount Style: Wall surface mount
🧼 Ick Factor: Medium-Low – No drain contact, but some cleanup required.
Pros: 👍 Reusable, stylish, hair stays hidden.
Cons: 👎 Needs regular flipping.
Review highlight: “Genius… great hiding place for shower hair.”
⭐ HairyGrabster – Drain Hair Catcher (Purple)
Rating: 3.9 stars (609 ratings) (Some people had issues if they didn’t clean it enough)
How it works: Wall-mounted silicone pad; swipe wet hair to collect.
🎯 Swipe-your-hair superhero—no drain diving!
💡 Mount Style: Wall surface mount
🧼 Ick Factor: Medium – You’ll touch the pad hair.
Pros: 👍 Reusable, keeps hands clean.
Cons: 👎 Hair can cling to wall pad.
Review highlight: “Works great… easier than collecting off the wall.”
⭐ HairyGrabster – Drain Hair Catcher (Blue)
Rating: 3.9 stars (609 ratings) (Some people had issues if they didn’t clean it enough)
How it works: Same swipe-wall pad—blue edition.
🎯 Swipe-goodness, new style!
💡 Mount Style: Wall surface mount
🧼 Ick Factor: Medium – Requires pad cleanup.
Pros: 👍 Same reliable performance.
Cons: 👎 Same cleanup routine.
Review highlight: “Works great… easier than collecting off the wall.”
⭐ Silicone Heart Pad (2‑pc)
Rating: (Not enough data)
How it works: Heart-shaped suction silicone pad; swipe to catch hair.
🎯 Sweet style and less grossness!
💡 Mount Style: Wall surface mount
🧼 Ick Factor: Medium – Manual pad cleanup.
Pros: 👍 Cute and compact.
Cons: 👎 Weak suction, only one review.
Review highlight: “Just swipe your fingers over the little “teeth” and it pulls the hair off.”
⭐ Vikooyes – Cute Duck Tweezer Tool (2‑pk)
Rating: (Not enough data)
How it works: Hand-held duck tweezers to pull drain hair.
🎯 Manual grab—no slimy fingers needed!
💡 Mount Style: Hand-held tool
🧼 Ick Factor: Low – You touch the tool, not the hair.
Pros: 👍 Reusable and hygienic.
Cons: 👎 Manual effort, one review only.
Review highlight: “Ingenious Item… nice price for 2.”
Have a favorite I missed? Let me know in the comments—or better yet, share your hair monster survival tips!
🧠 How to Choose the Right Shower Hair Catcher
Not sure which one’s your hair hero? Let’s break it down:
💡 Mount Style Matters:
If you want to avoid the drain entirely (and the goo that lurks within), go for a wall-mounted model. These stick to your shower wall and let you swipe hair away as you wash. For everything else, you’ll need something that goes near or over your drain—and here’s the kicker: not all of them fit every drain.
🎯 Be sure to double-check the drain compatibility by reading the product descriptions.
🧼 Know Thy Ick Factor:
– If you’re squeamish about hair (we see you, gag reflex), opt for a no-touch disposable option.
– If you don’t mind the occasional pluck-and-rinse, a reusable catcher, such as this TubShroom, will save money and waste.
– If you want to avoid the drain *and* the slime, wall-mounts are your new best friend.
💇♀️ Consider Hair Volume:
Thick or curly hair? You’ll want something heavy-duty—like the porcupine or the wall pads.
Fine or short hair? Most in-drain catchers will do the trick without drama.
🛁 Bathroom Aesthetic:
Does it matter if your catcher is cute? If yes, go duck or cat. If not, function can trump form. I like to call mine the HAIR MONSTER😆.
💸 Budget Check:
Some options require frequent replacements (like toss-away mesh or stickers). Others are buy-once-and-done. If you’re in it for the long haul, reusable wins. If you just want something easy for now? Go disposable.
Bottom line: Pick the one that fits your vibe, your hair situation, and your tolerance for drain gunk. If all else fails—start with the duck. 🦆
