One of the most important aspects of personal grooming is hair. Walk into any salon you come across and you’ll notice people either getting their hair colored, shampooed, cut or styled. One of the basic equipment needed in a well-functioning and well-established hair business is a shampoo bowl, and not just any shampoo bowl but a portable one.
The best portable shampoo bowls allow for both functionality and portability. Not only do you get a convenient way to rinse out your clients’ hair, but you also get the convenience of being able to carry the bowl around with you. This is ideal if you are a mobile hairstylist, or if you travel a lot for work. Portable shampoo bowls have detachable and extendable hoses that make them easy to use anywhere. If you are shopping around for one, then our review and buying guide will help make the choice easier for you.
List of The Best Portable Shampoo Bowls of 2023
10. Pibbs Head Washing Unit
With this shampoo bowl from Pibbs, plumbing is not an issue, thanks to the fact that no plumbing is required. You can easily set up near a drain or have the water drain in a bowl or bucket, which makes it easy to use. For added flexibility, the bowl comes with a 5ft drain pipe. With its adjustable height of between 31 to 49 inches, almost everyone can comfortably use the bowl.
This bowl is suitable for mobile hairstylists or stylists who travel often for work. It is also suitable for stylists who work from home. Its design allows for patients who are wheelchair-bound to use it comfortably. The bowl is made from plastic which is durable and will serve you for a long time.
Pros
- No plumbing required
- Convenient and safe for travel
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Customers complain that the base falls apart very quickly
9. GOTOTOP Shampoo Basin
This lightweight and portable shampoo basin from GOTOTOP offers you professional features that will improve your clients’ experiences. This basin comes with an extra-wide bowl which helps prevent water from accidentally spilling from the sides.
This durable product is made from PP composite and has a stainless-steel support stand. The base is wide enough and provides enough stability to prevent the bowl from accidentally toppling over. The support stand is adjustable and you can adjust it from 45 to 50 inches. This adjustability makes it ideal to suit different customers’ needs. The bowl comes with a stopper to prevent water from flowing out, and it also has a pipe that makes it easy to drain water. You can opt to permanently install the sink in your salon, also this is not necessary because it is portable.
Pros
- Extra-large basin design
- Made from durable PP composite and stainless steel
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Too tall for average height clients
8. Mefeir Portable Shampoo Sink
An extendable hose, adjustable height, and angle and a professional style basin are what you get with this portable shampoo sink from Mefeir. It features a stain-resistant bowl that is easy to use and to clean. You can also adjust not only the height of the bowl but the angle too. This feature allows for added comfort for your clients.
You may like that this portable sink comes with an extendable hose. This means that you can shorten or lengthen the hose depending on the availability of the drainage. The bowl itself has a drain stopper, which can prevent water from flowing out. This basin is applicable in several ways. For instance, it is suitable for coloring, haircuts, and even attending to in-bed patients.
Pros
- Drain stopper and extendable drain hose
- Angle and height adjustable
- Easy to assemble and use
Cons
- Customers complain of missing parts
7. Exttlliy Shampoo Bowl
If you are short on space and still need the functionality of a shampoo bowl, then this one from Exttlliy is your best choice. It features a foldable design that makes it easy to store and hang whenever it is not in use. It is lightweight and thin, making it easy to put away.
The basin features a removable drain pipe that you can connect directly to the floor. The basin features a front and back buckle design that makes it suitable and comfortable for even pregnant women to use. The design is also suitable for elderly patients, inconvenient people, and bedridden people.
The folding area of the basin features soft TPE rubber that is comfortable for your clients and lessens the strain on their necks.
Pros
- Foldable design takes up little space
- Removable drain tube
- Multipurpose applications
Cons
- Users complain that the neck gap is too narrow
6. Saloniture Portable Basin
This product from Saloniture offers a wide basin with adjustable height and a tilting feature. For stability, the bowl has a base that is wide enough. It also has a drainage pipe that you can connect to a drainage area. Because it is portable, no plumbing is necessary.
Thanks to its tilting function, this shampoo basin can adjust to any seating arrangement you may have. This makes it ideal for use for pregnant women, people who are bedridden and elderly patients. The large capacity of the basin helps prevent water from accidentally splashing over the sides of the bowl.
This shampoo basin can easily accommodate your clients’ needs thanks to its adjustable height. The bowl can also withstand everyday wear and tear thanks to the fact that it’s made from ABS composite.
Pros
- Made from durable ABS composite
- Adjustable height
- Tilting function for ease of use
Cons
- Users complain of the hose having holes
5. Saloniture Portable Shampoo Sink
Yet another product from Saloniture makes it onto our list of the best portable shampoo bowls. If you are a mobile hairstylist then you will be pleased to know that this bowl is made from ABS composite which is very durable. This makes it ideal to withstand everyday wear and tear.
The last thing you would want as you’re working on a client’s hair is for the shampoo bowl to topple over, and that is why this particular bowl comes fitted with a strong and stable base. The shampoo sink is capable of catering to your clients’ needs thanks to its height adjustment feature. You can adjust the supporting pipe between 39 to 55 inches.
You can tilt the basin, which allows for proper neck support and added comfort.
Pros
- Made from durable ABS composite
- Strong and stable base
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Drainage pipe fits poorly
4. Shampoo Buddy Children’s Rinser
Our list of the best portable shampoo bowls wouldn’t be complete without including an option for children. All the products reviewed above may be too large for children, but Shampoo Buddy has just the right product. You’ll love how easy it is to install and use this bowl. There are no pipes to attach, hence no tools required to install it. Simply place it in your sink and you are good to go.
Applying pressure on your neck for too long is uncomfortable and thankfully, this product has a solution for that. The basin comes with a removable silicone gel neck pad that helps provide cushioning to increase your child’s comfort. This product is compatible with most kitchen sinks and bathtubs.
Pros
- Designed specifically for kids
- Water drains into sink
- Comes with a removable silicone gel pad
Cons
- Users complain that the suctions stop working after a couple of uses
3. Duro-Med Inflatable Shampoo Bowl
This is the ideal shampoo bowl for people who may have limited mobility, including the elderly, those who are bedridden, handicapped people, and children. It is inflatable, meaning you can use it anywhere you want. It is also easy to use and to store; simply deflate it, fold it up and store it somewhere until you need it next.
Made from vinyl, it is easy to keep clean. A little bit of soap and water should get the job done. With the right kind of care, you can reuse this blow-up shampoo bowl over and over again. Your clients’ comfort comes first and that is why the basin comes with a built-in pillow for their heads.
Pros
- Easy to inflate and deflate
- Suitable for children, the elderly, disabled and handicapped people
- Comes covered with Amazon exclusive warranty
Cons
- Users complain that it does not drain easily
2. Chrome Cherry Portable Basin
This shampoo basin from Chrome Cherry features a patented and unique style that is bound to catch your eye. This portable bowl makes it easy to do your hair from home. It is suitable for caregivers, hairstylists, the disabled, and the elderly.
It is very comfortable to use, thanks to the great neck support it offers. Your clients won’t have to worry about straining their necks. It is easy to inflate and is ready to use with just two breaths.
If for whatever reason, you are dissatisfied with your experience with this bowl, you can return it and receive 100{e26c06a30006207cd8540191faed959b4c4c291c3a1dcd1afea5a52102474541} of your money, and no questions will be asked. Your satisfaction as a customer is important to the company. The moneyback guarantee also shows the confidence the company has in its product.
Pros
- Patented design suitable for
- Offers great neck support
- Moneyback guarantee
Cons
- It is not deep enough to create a sink
1. Nova Microdermabrasion Shampoo Sink
If you are looking for a professional shampoo sink that is portable and has all the necessary features then this product from Nova is your best choice. It has an extra-large basin which makes it ideal for cutting, coloring, and shampooing hair. Its portability makes it suitable for use even at home. It is low maintenance and easy to clean thanks to the stain-resistant plastic. The support pipe is made from stainless steel, which is very durable.
With a wide base, you won’t have to worry about the basin toppling over. For added stability, the feet of the base has rubber bumpers that help prevent skid marks on your floor. The edges of the bowl are rounded, which helps add to the client’s comfort. It features an adjustable height and has drainage with a drainage stopper.
Pros
- Extra-large capacity
- Stain-resistant bowl
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Users complain of constant leaks
Buying Guide-Best Portable Shampoo Bowls
As you shop around for the best portable shampoo bowls, there are key factors you need to look out for. These include:
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Mobility
One factor you will need to look into is the mobility of the shampoo basin. Not all your clients will be able to walk into your hair salon; some of them may require you to travel or to visit their homes. The best portable shampoo bowls you choose should allow you to move around with them with ease. Also, some of the bowls have designs that are suitable for bedridden people, while others are suitable for people who are wheel-chair bound. Choose a shampoo bowl that offers you the most mobility.
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Material
The material used to make the best portable shampoo bowls is important too. Some bowls are inflatable, which makes it easy to store and transport. But over time, due to wear and tear or an accident, the material easily gets damaged leading to the bowl deflating much quicker. Also, inflatable bowls will require an air pump, as you won’t have enough to fill them up.
Plastic portable shampoo bowls are the most popular, and this is because they are more durable and easy to clean and store. Some plastic material is also light.
- Functionality
Shampoo bowls are ideal for those who are not able to access a bath or a shampoo. These bowls are also flexible in that some are as big as a mini-tub that collect water as you use them, while others drain water.
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Ease of storage
As you shop around for the best portable shampoo bowls, choose ones that are easy to store. This is especially important if you are low on storage space. You also need to choose bowls that fit the space in which you intend to use the bowl.
Conclusion
The best portable shampoo bowls make washing hair a breeze, anywhere you may be. Each of the products we reviewed is of high-quality and will improve your hair-washing experience. We like that these shampoo bowls are also suitable for pregnant women, patients and disabled people, and anyone else who may have limited mobility.