In This Article
Nobody dreams about their shower tray. You dream about the shower itself — the pressure, the steam, maybe a rainfall head if you’re feeling fancy — and the tray is just… there. The unglamorous slab holding the whole operation up. But here’s the thing: get it wrong, and it’s the one part of the renovation you’ll curse every single morning, forever, or at least until the next refit. Get it right, and you genuinely never think about it again. That’s the goal.

If you’re hunting for a shower tray under £150, you’re in the sweet spot of the UK market — the zone where “cheap” stops meaning flimsy and starts meaning smart. There’s a huge amount of real choice below that ceiling: acrylic-capped stone resin, SMC composite, slate-effect finishes, low-profile and riser designs, from both budget specialists and household names. This guide walks through seven genuine, currently available options, breaks down what the specs actually mean once you’re standing in them barefoot, and shows you how to stretch a modest budget across a whole bathroom without anything looking or feeling cheap.
We’ll cover shapes, materials, drainage, installation quirks, and where the real value sits versus where you’re just paying for a logo. By the end you should know exactly which tray fits your bathroom, your floor, and your wallet.
What Is a Shower Tray?
A shower tray is the moulded base unit that sits beneath a shower enclosure or wet room screen, catching water and channelling it to a waste outlet. It replaces the need to tank an entire floor area and, depending on design, sits either low-profile against the floor or raised on a riser kit for easier waste access underneath.
Quick Comparison Table
| Shower Tray | Shape | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEGANT 800 x 800mm Square Tray | Square | Under £100 | Tightest budgets, en-suites |
| NRG 1000 x 800mm Slate Effect Tray | Rectangular | £130-£150 range | Best spec-per-pound at the ceiling |
| Hydrolux 760 x 760mm Riser Tray | Square | £90-£130 range | Solid floors, DIY installers |
| ELEGANT 900 x 900mm Square Tray | Square | £95-£120 range | Family bathrooms wanting more room |
| Mira Flight Safe 800 x 800mm | Square | Around £130-£150+ | Buyers who want a known brand name |
| Balterley 1000 x 760mm Rectangular | Rectangular | £90-£140 range | Stone resin feel on a budget |
| Roman Anti-Slip 760 x 760mm | Square | £100-£150 range | Certified slip resistance |
Looking at this spread, there’s no single “best” tray — the ELEGANT 800 x 800mm Square Tray wins on raw price, but the NRG 1000 x 800mm Slate Effect Tray squeezes noticeably more bathroom into almost the same budget ceiling. If certified anti-slip performance is non-negotiable for you, the Roman Anti-Slip 760 x 760mm and Mira Flight Safe 800 x 800mm both lean on independently tested surfaces rather than marketing claims alone.
💬 Bookmark this table — you’ll want to scroll back to it once you’ve read the full breakdown below.
Top 7 Shower Trays Under £150: Expert Analysis
Picking a shower tray under £150 isn’t about finding the cheapest slab of plastic that fits the hole in your floor. It’s about matching material, drainage type and floor structure to your actual bathroom — because a tray that’s perfect for a ground-floor wet room can be completely wrong for a first-floor en-suite with joists to work around. Here’s the honest breakdown of seven real, currently available options.
1. ELEGANT 800 x 800 x 40mm Square Shower Tray — smallest footprint for tight en-suites
The ELEGANT 800 x 800 x 40mm Square Shower Tray is built for bathrooms where every centimetre is fought over. At 800mm square and just 40mm deep, it slots into compact en-suites, downstairs cloakrooms and loft conversions where a full-size cubicle simply won’t fit. Based on the spec comparison with pricier trays, the 40mm profile is genuinely low without needing a riser kit on a suspended timber floor — expect a modest single step, not the awkward mounting-block feel of older tray designs. It comes with a waste trap included, which matters because separately bought wastes routinely add £15-25 to a “budget” tray once you factor them in.
This is squarely a beginner and budget-conscious buyer’s pick. Aggregated marketplace feedback for the ELEGANT range consistently flags straightforward fitting and a surface that resists everyday scuffing, though a recurring theme in reviews is that the included fixings feel basic and some buyers upgrade the silicone seal at installation for extra peace of mind.
Pros:
- ✅ Genuinely low price point, freeing up budget elsewhere
- ✅ Compact size suits small or awkward bathroom layouts
- ✅ Waste trap included, avoiding a hidden add-on cost
Cons:
- ❌ Limited standing room compared with 900mm+ trays
- ❌ Basic fixings mean careful, patient installation pays off
At around £70-£90 in the UK market, this is about as close to entry-level bathroom fittings as a tray gets without sacrificing basic durability — a smart budget shower tray deals pick for anyone renovating a small space on a tight number.

2. NRG 1000 x 800mm White SMC Slate Effect Tray — most spec for the money at the £150 ceiling
The NRG 1000 x 800mm White SMC Slate Effect Tray sits right at the top of this budget bracket, and it earns the spot. SMC (sheet moulding compound) is a genuinely tough composite — what most buyers overlook about this material is that it resists chipping around the edges far better than thin acrylic-only trays, which matters most in busy family bathrooms where things get knocked. The slate-effect texture also does real work underfoot, adding grip that a flat gloss finish can’t match, while a 90mm centre waste keeps drainage straightforward on most standard plumbing layouts.
Here’s what the spec sheet won’t tell you, but real buyer reports on marketplaces suggest: delivery and packaging quality for this brand tends to draw specific praise, with one recent verified purchaser describing the ordering experience as quick and well-priced. That’s the kind of unglamorous detail that actually predicts a smooth installation day.
Pros:
- ✅ Largest usable floor area on this list under £150
- ✅ SMC construction resists chips better than basic acrylic
- ✅ Slate texture adds genuine underfoot grip
Cons:
- ❌ Sits at the very top of the budget, little room to spare
- ❌ Anthracite and larger sizes push past the £150 mark fast
Priced around £140-£150, this is the pick if you want your money working hardest — check current price before ordering, as this model sits right on the line.
3. Hydrolux 760 x 760 x 140mm Shower Tray with Riser Kit — best for solid floors needing above-floor drainage
The Hydrolux 760 x 760 x 140mm Shower Tray with Riser Kit solves a very specific, very common problem: a solid concrete floor with nowhere for the waste pipe to go except above it. Rather than chasing out concrete, this tray sits on an adjustable leg riser system, creating the plumbing void underneath. On paper this means a straightforward retrofit even in older houses with solid ground floors; in practice it also means the tray is noticeably lighter than solid stone resin equivalents, which is genuinely useful if you’re fitting it solo.
The included waste is rated for a strong flow rate, which matters more than people think — a slow-draining tray pools water around your feet mid-shower, which is both unpleasant and, per HSE slip-resistance guidance, a real hazard. Reviewers commonly note the lightweight panels make the tray easy to manoeuvre into position, a common complaint with heavier stone resin trays being the two-person lift required.
Pros:
- ✅ Riser kit solves solid-floor plumbing without chasing concrete
- ✅ Lightweight enough for one person to install
- ✅ Strong-flow waste reduces pooling risk
Cons:
- ❌ Riser height adds a visible step compared with low-profile trays
- ❌ Leg extension kits for extra height cost more separately
Typically priced in the £90-£130 range depending on retailer, this is the honest pick for anyone whose floor, not their budget, is dictating the decision.
4. ELEGANT 900 x 900 x 40mm Square Shower Tray — extra elbow room for family bathrooms
Ninety centimetres doesn’t sound like much more than 80, but the ELEGANT 900 x 900 x 40mm Square Shower Tray feels meaningfully roomier in daily use — enough to fit a parent washing a toddler’s hair without both of you doing an awkward shuffle. Based on the spec comparison with the smaller 800mm version above, you’re getting genuinely more standing area for a price bump that’s usually under £30, which is one of the better value jumps anywhere in this category.
What most buyers overlook about stepping up a tray size is the knock-on cost: a bigger tray often needs a bigger enclosure and screen too, so this only stays a value shower tray options pick if your existing frame or new screen order matches the 900mm footprint. Aggregated review sentiment for this size mirrors the 800mm version — praise for ease of fitting, with occasional notes that the drain cover could sit slightly flusher for a cleaner finish.
Pros:
- ✅ Noticeably more usable space than 800mm trays
- ✅ Small price increase for meaningful practical gain
- ✅ Same low 40mm profile as the smaller ELEGANT tray
Cons:
- ❌ Requires checking enclosure compatibility before ordering
- ❌ Drain cover finish is functional rather than premium-looking
Expect a price range of roughly £95-£120, making this the sensible middle step for anyone torn between compact and generous.
5. Mira Flight Safe Square Anti-Slip Shower Tray, 800 x 800mm — the trusted-name pick with BioCote hygiene tech
The Mira Flight Safe Square Anti-Slip Shower Tray, 800 x 800mm brings something the smaller budget brands generally don’t: a household UK name with an established reputation and a proper 10-year guarantee behind it. It’s made from acrylic-capped stone resin, and the anti-slip coating isn’t a vague marketing phrase — Mira builds the texture into the material itself rather than adding a surface spray that can wear off over time. It also includes BioCote antimicrobial technology, which the brand states is proven to reduce bacteria and mould growth by up to 99.9%, a genuinely useful feature in a room that’s damp more often than not.
Here’s what the spec sheet won’t tell you: this model regularly sits right on the edge of the £150 threshold, sometimes just under it during sales and sometimes drifting slightly over depending on the retailer and current promotions. Reviewers consistently note the vortex waste drains fast — rated around 25-30 litres a minute — and that the surface has stayed scratch-free even after regular family use.
Pros:
- ✅ Established British brand with a long-standing 10-year guarantee
- ✅ BioCote antimicrobial technology built into the surface
- ✅ Fast-draining vortex waste reduces standing water
Cons:
- ❌ Frequently sits right at or just above the £150 ceiling
- ❌ Costs noticeably more than unbranded SMC alternatives
At around £130-£170 depending on the retailer and timing, check current price closely — this is the pick for buyers who’ll happily trade a slightly tighter budget for brand-name tray warranty confidence.

6. Balterley 1000 x 760mm Rectangular Stone Resin Shower Tray — stone resin feel without the stone resin price
The Balterley 1000 x 760mm Rectangular Stone Resin Shower Tray is where things get interesting for anyone who wants the weighty, premium feel of stone resin without paying premium-tier prices. Stone resin — a composite of crushed natural stone bonded with polymer resin, as the material science behind it explains — is denser and generally quieter underfoot than lightweight acrylic-only trays, because the mass dampens the drum-like sound some cheaper trays make when water hits them. On paper this means a more substantial, less “plasticky” shower experience for a price that’s still comfortably under £150 for the 1000 x 760mm size.
The rectangular footprint also suits a wider range of enclosure styles than square trays, particularly sliding-door units in narrow bathrooms. A common theme in aggregated feedback for stone resin trays at this price point is praise for the finish quality relative to cost, balanced against notes that the corner waste position needs planning around if you’re retrofitting into an existing plumbing layout rather than starting from scratch.
Pros:
- ✅ Stone resin density gives a premium, solid feel underfoot
- ✅ Rectangular shape suits narrow bathrooms well
- ✅ Strong value relative to true premium stone resin brands
Cons:
- ❌ Corner waste position may not suit every existing layout
- ❌ Heavier than acrylic-only alternatives, needs two-person lifting
Priced around £90-£140 depending on size and retailer promotions, this is a genuine affordable shower tray option for anyone chasing a higher-end feel on a realistic budget.
7. Roman Anti-Slip 760 x 760mm White Square Shower Tray — independently tested slip resistance
The Roman Anti-Slip 760 x 760mm White Square Shower Tray is the lesser-known name on this list, but it shouldn’t be — Roman has been manufacturing solid surface products in the UK for close to two decades, and this tray’s anti-slip surface is independently tested to DIN Class C, the highest classification generally referenced for domestic slip resistance. That’s not a claim printed on the box; it’s a specific, checkable standard, and it matters more than people think — the HSE’s own research into flooring slip resistance underlines just how much variation exists between materials that all claim to be “anti-slip” in marketing copy.
What most buyers overlook about this tray is that it’s self-reinforcing, meaning it can be laid directly onto joists on a timber floor without extra structural backing in many installations — a genuine time and cost saver versus trays that need a full plywood substrate first. The 40mm depth keeps it low-profile, and a self-levelling kit is included as standard rather than sold separately.
Pros:
- ✅ DIN Class C anti-slip rating, independently tested
- ✅ Self-reinforcing design suits direct-to-joist installation
- ✅ Self-levelling kit included in the box
Cons:
- ❌ Fewer colour options than some competitors at this price
- ❌ Riser kit for raised installation sold separately
Typically priced from around £100 up to £150 depending on chosen waste finish, this is the pick for anyone whose priority is proven, certified safety over brand recognition.
Top 7 Shower Trays: Full Spec Comparison
| Tray | Material | Height | Waste Included | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELEGANT 800 x 800mm | Acrylic-capped | 40mm | Yes | Standard |
| NRG 1000 x 800mm | SMC composite | 32mm | Yes | Standard |
| Hydrolux 760 x 760mm | Composite + riser | 140mm (raised) | Yes, high-flow | Standard |
| ELEGANT 900 x 900mm | Acrylic-capped | 40mm | Yes | Standard |
| Mira Flight Safe 800 x 800mm | Acrylic-capped stone resin | 40mm | Yes, vortex | 10 years |
| Balterley 1000 x 760mm | Stone resin | 40mm | Yes, corner | Extended |
| Roman Anti-Slip 760 x 760mm | Solid surface | 40mm | Yes, 90mm | Long-term |
The spec table makes one thing obvious: guarantee length tracks pretty closely with brand recognition rather than raw material quality, which is why the NRG 1000 x 800mm and ELEGANT trays can match the durability of costlier names without matching their paperwork. If long-term backing matters more to you than shaving off the last £20, the Mira Flight Safe 800 x 800mm and Balterley 1000 x 760mm are the two worth stretching toward.

Practical Usage Guide: Fitting and Maintaining Your Budget Shower Tray
Getting a shower tray under £150 home is the easy part — fitting it properly is where good money gets protected or wasted. Before anything touches the floor, dry-fit the tray in position and check it sits dead level in both directions; even a couple of millimetres of tilt will send water pooling toward one corner instead of the waste. Most low-profile trays need the subfloor levelled first, either with self-levelling compound on solid floors or a properly supported timber frame on suspended ones.
Silicone sealant is the single most underrated part of any tray installation. A thin, uneven bead is the number-one cause of leaks in the first year, so run a generous, continuous bead around every edge and use masking tape either side for a clean line — pull it before the silicone skins over. During the first 30 days, avoid slamming enclosure doors and keep an eye on the seal for any hairline gaps as the tray settles.
For ongoing maintenance, a simple weekly wipe with a non-abrasive cleaner keeps acrylic and stone resin surfaces looking new for years; avoid bleach-heavy products on coloured or slate-effect finishes, as repeated use can dull the texture over time. Re-silicone every couple of years as a matter of routine, not just when you spot a problem — it’s cheap insurance against much costlier water damage underneath.
Real-World Scenarios: Which Shower Tray Actually Suits You?
If you’re a first-time buyer renovating a small upstairs en-suite on a strict bathroom renovation budget, the ELEGANT 800 x 800mm Square Shower Tray is the sensible starting point — low cost, low profile, and a footprint that won’t crowd an already tight room. If you’re a parent with two young kids sharing a family bathroom daily, the extra space of the ELEGANT 900 x 900mm or the drainage capacity of the NRG 1000 x 800mm will earn their keep fast, since family bathrooms see the heaviest daily traffic of any room in the house.
If you own an older property with a solid ground-floor bathroom and no easy route for below-floor plumbing, don’t fight the building — the Hydrolux 760 x 760mm Riser Tray is built precisely for that situation. And if you’re renovating to sell, or simply want the reassurance of a recognised name on the paperwork for future buyers, the Mira Flight Safe 800 x 800mm carries brand weight that a completely unknown import simply can’t match, even at a slightly higher price point.
Problem → Solution: Common Shower Tray Issues
Problem: Water pooling instead of draining. This is almost always a levelling issue rather than a faulty waste — check the tray with a spirit level in both directions and adjust the subfloor or riser feet before blaming the product.
Problem: Tray flexes or creaks underfoot. Thinner acrylic-only trays need full support across the entire base, not just the edges; a bag of self-levelling compound or a properly built timber frame underneath solves this in most cases.
Problem: Silicone seal turning black with mould. This is a ventilation issue as much as a cleaning one — run an extractor fan during and after every shower, and re-seal with a mould-resistant sanitary silicone rather than standard bathroom sealant.
Problem: Waste trap smells. A dry trap loses its water seal if the shower isn’t used for a while; running the tap for thirty seconds refills it and usually resolves the smell immediately.
Problem: Slippery surface despite an “anti-slip” label. Genuine slip resistance varies hugely between products, as the HSE’s flooring research demonstrates — trays like the Roman Anti-Slip 760 x 760mm, tested to a specific DIN classification, offer real reassurance that unverified marketing claims don’t.
How to Choose an Affordable Shower Tray
- Measure the enclosure first, not the tray. Buying the tray before confirming your screen or door dimensions is the single most common — and most expensive — mistake in this category.
- Check your floor type before picking low-profile vs riser. Solid concrete floors generally favour riser kits like the Hydrolux 760 x 760mm; suspended timber floors handle low-profile trays more easily.
- Confirm the waste position matches your existing plumbing. Centre, corner and side wastes aren’t interchangeable without extra pipework.
- Look past the marketing word “anti-slip.” Independently tested trays such as the Roman Anti-Slip 760 x 760mm back the claim with a real standard, not just packaging copy.
- Factor in the waste trap cost. Some listings exclude it, quietly pushing a seemingly cheap tray over budget once you add it.
- Weigh brand guarantee against price. A 10-year guarantee, like Mira’s, has real value if you plan to stay in the property long-term.
- Leave headroom in your budget for silicone, levelling compound and fitting tools. These small extras routinely add £20-40 to even the cheapest tray project.
Common Mistakes When Buying a Budget Shower Tray
The most expensive mistake buyers make isn’t overspending — it’s under-measuring. Ordering a tray that’s a few millimetres too large for the enclosure frame, or too small and leaving a visible gap, wastes both money and time on returns. A close second is ignoring the tray’s actual height when a riser or leg extension kit isn’t included as standard; some listings quote a tempting low-profile depth but the practical installed height, once you add flooring build-up, ends up taller than expected.
Buyers also frequently underestimate how much a “budget” tray’s true cost depends on what’s excluded — wastes, trim kits, and riser legs sold separately can turn a £70 sticker price into a £110 real one. Reading the full listing, not just the headline price, is the difference between a genuine value shower tray options pick and a false economy.

Shower Tray vs Wet Room Former: What to Expect
A pre-formed shower tray, like any of the seven above, gives you a defined, contained shower area with a visible or low-profile edge and a standard waste connection — it’s faster to fit, cheaper upfront, and far more forgiving for DIY installation. A wet room former, by contrast, creates a fully level, tanked floor across the whole bathroom with no upstand at all, which looks sleeker and suits accessibility needs, but demands proper waterproofing, tanking membrane and usually professional fitting.
For most UK bathrooms on a modest budget, a tray wins on cost and installation simplicity — a wet room former realistically adds several hundred pounds in labour and materials once tanking is factored in, even before you touch tiles. Trays under £150 close most of the practical gap for everyday family use; wet rooms earn their premium mainly where step-free access genuinely matters, which UK building regulations formally recognise through Approved Document M’s guidance on level-access showers.
Shower Trays for Different Bathroom Types
Small en-suites and cloakrooms do best with compact square trays like the ELEGANT 800 x 800mm, keeping floor space free for movement around the basin and WC. Family bathrooms benefit from the extra elbow room of the ELEGANT 900 x 900mm or the drainage capacity built into the NRG 1000 x 800mm, since these rooms see the most daily use and the least patience for a fiddly, cramped shower area. Older properties with solid floors are best served by riser-based designs such as the Hydrolux 760 x 760mm, sidestepping expensive concrete chasing entirely. Accessibility-focused bathrooms should prioritise certified anti-slip performance above almost everything else — the Roman Anti-Slip 760 x 760mm and Mira Flight Safe 800 x 800mm both lead here, which matters given that RoSPA’s falls prevention research consistently identifies the bathroom as one of the highest-risk rooms in the home for slips.
Long-Term Cost & Tray Warranty: What Coverage Actually Means
A tray warranty is only as useful as what it actually covers, and this is where budget and premium options genuinely diverge. Standard guarantees on trays like the ELEGANT and NRG ranges typically cover manufacturing defects for a set period, which is reasonable for the price but won’t stretch to accidental damage or installation errors. The Mira Flight Safe 800 x 800mm‘s 10-year guarantee is a meaningfully longer commitment, reflecting both the brand’s confidence in its acrylic-capped stone resin construction and the fact that you’re partly paying for that peace of mind.
In practical terms, total cost of ownership rarely comes down to the tray alone — a £75 tray that needs replacing after six years costs more over a decade than a £140 tray backed by a genuine long-term guarantee that never needs claiming on. If you’re planning to stay put for years rather than flipping the property, weighting your decision toward warranty length is one of the more overlooked ways to get real value shower tray options out of a modest budget.
Features That Actually Matter (And Those That Don’t)
Genuinely worth paying for: a fast-flow waste rated above 20 litres a minute (pooling water is both annoying and a slip risk), a tested rather than merely claimed anti-slip surface, and a waste trap included in the box rather than sold separately. Largely marketing noise at this price point: exotic colour options beyond white or anthracite, which usually only matter if you’re matching an existing tiled scheme exactly, and branded “technology” names for surface coatings that, on inspection, function much like any other acrylic cap.
Reviewers consistently note that the two features correlating most closely with long-term satisfaction are a solid, non-flexing feel underfoot and a drain that clears quickly — both of which show up clearly in the full spec table above, regardless of brand name or price tier.
Entry-Level Bathroom Fittings: Building a Full Bathroom Renovation Budget Around Your Tray
A shower tray under £150 is rarely bought in isolation — it’s one line item in a wider bathroom renovation budget that also needs to stretch to a screen, waste kit, sealant, tiling adhesive, and often a new shower valve. As a rough planning guide, budgeting roughly £120-£200 for the tray and waste combined, £100-£250 for a basic enclosure screen, and a similar range again for entry-level bathroom fittings like taps and a shower valve keeps a full budget refit realistic without tipping into mid-range territory.
The trays covered here genuinely support that approach — several, including the ELEGANT 800 x 800mm and NRG 1000 x 800mm, come with waste traps included, quietly protecting your wider budget from one of the sneakier hidden costs in bathroom projects. Spending slightly more on the tray itself, as with the Mira Flight Safe 800 x 800mm, can also be offset by choosing simpler, entry-level bathroom fittings elsewhere in the room — the goal is a balanced spread, not maximum spend on every single component.

FAQ
❓ What is the best shower tray under £150?
❓ Do cheap shower trays under £150 include the waste?
❓ Is a low-profile or riser shower tray better for a budget renovation?
❓ How long should a budget shower tray last?
❓ Are anti-slip shower trays worth the extra cost?
Conclusion
A shower tray under £150 doesn’t have to mean compromise — it means being deliberate about where your money actually goes. Whether that’s the raw floor space of the NRG 1000 x 800mm, the riser flexibility of the Hydrolux 760 x 760mm, or the long-term brand backing of the Mira Flight Safe 800 x 800mm, every option on this list earns its place for a specific kind of bathroom and a specific kind of buyer. The trick isn’t finding the single “best” tray in the abstract — it’s matching the right one to your floor, your household, and the rest of your renovation budget.
Measure twice, check your waste position, don’t skimp on silicone, and you’ll get years of quiet, unremarkable, perfectly functioning use out of any tray on this list — which, for a shower tray, is exactly the point.
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