Kohler vs. Independent Home
What is the difference between Kohler and Independent Home?
Both Kohler and Independent Home provide free in-home consultations and quotes with a price freeze to ensure that the estimate includes all necessary work and the price won’t change during installation. Kohler focuses on customized design elements, and Independent Home offers more options for accessibility. Kohler has just one walk-in tub; Independent Home offers eight. Both companies have hydrotherapy and air jets.
- Independent Home is best for customers looking for a wheelchair-accessible, bariatric or specialized walk-in tub. The company offers several accessibility options, along with luxury features such as hydrotherapy jets and chromotherapy.
- Kohler is best for customers who want a customizable and stylish new walk-in tub. Kohler’s single model comes standard with popular options like hydrotherapy jets and a heated backrest, but you can choose design elements and surrounding walls for a well-coordinated look.
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
 |  | |
| Overall star rating | 4.9 | 4.6 |
| Verified customer reviews | Read reviews | Read reviews |
| 4.9 | Read reviews |
| 4.6 | Read reviews |
Cost
| | |
| Basic tub starting price | Only available with quote | Only available with quote |
| Installation | Included | Included |
| Financing offered | ||
| Discounts offered | ||
| In-home quotes required | ||
| Warranty - Labor | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Warranty - Parts | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Warranty - Tub | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Only available with quote | Included | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime | |||
| Only available with quote | Included | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
Available walk-in tub types
| | |
| Soaker tub | ||
| Wheelchair-accessible tub | — | |
| Bariatric tub | — | |
| Tub/shower combo | ||
| Two-seat tubs | — | — |
| — | — | — | ||
| — |
Tub features
| | |
| Step-in height | 3 inches | 4.5 inches |
| Fast drain | ||
| Quick filling | ||
| Grab bars included | ||
| Number of hydro jets | 10 | Customizable |
| Number of air jets | 17 | Customizable |
| Chromotherapy offered | ||
| Heated seats option | — | |
| Heated backrest option | ||
| Remote control option | — | — |
| Showerhead options |
| 3 inches | 10 | 17 | — | — | ||||||
| 4.5 inches | Customizable | Customizable | — |
Services included with installation
| | |
| Bathroom door resizing | ||
| Old tub removal | ||
| Wall repair and repaint | ||
| Electrical wiring | ||
| Flooring touch-up |
| |||||
|
All information accurate as of publishing date.
Kohler
Kohler offers walk-in tubs along with a full line of bathroom fixtures. The company also offers professional installation through local authorized dealers. A representative will help you design the overall look of your new walk-in tub to suit your space, including a range of stylish LuxStone surround walls. Kohler walk-in tubs are known for their low 3-inch step threshold.
The Kohler Walk In-Tub features a 3-inch step-in, extra-wide door and easy-grip handrails. The hand-held shower wand has three settings, and the tub comes with hydrotherapy whirlpool jets and BubbleMassage air jets. The tub has fast-drain technology, a heated back rest and an extra-wide seat. Choose from several colors, faucet finishes and surround wall finishes. Customize the size to fit your bathroom.
Kohler offers monthly financing plans for qualified customers, with no money down and no interest for 18 months. During the consultation, your authorized Kohler dealer will go over financing options and special offers.
What Kohler customers say
Kohler walk-in tub customers give the company great reviews on ConsumerAffairs for professionalism, tub comfort and an easy installation process. Customers appreciate that staff is knowledgeable and not pushy; however, some customers say Kohler is more expensive and mention unprepared installers when it comes time to put the tub in.
I like the ability to get in and out and sit in warm water. My legs feel great when I come out. I’m very happy and everything's fine, except I have some little gray dots on some of the white that don't seem to come off.”
– Marilyn D. of Chapel Hill, NC
Independent Home
Independent Home specializes in walk-in tubs for safe bathing and hydrotherapy to relieve pain. The company offers a free in-home consultation and professional installation. Certain models feature choice of seat width and left or right door configuration. The tubs have 2-inch drains for quick draining and fast-fill faucets. Independent Home’s walk-in tub options include heated seats, spa hydrotherapy jets and chromotherapy, and the company offers a wheelchair-accessible walk-in tub and a power-lift tub that lifts and lowers the bather.
Independent Home features eight models of walk-in tubs, including:
- The Life Walk-In Tub is Independent Home’s most popular model. It comes with hydrotherapy jets, 5-inch step-in, built-in safety bar, foot jets, aromatherapy spa set, non-skid flooring and an extendable shower wand.
- The Dignity Walk-In Tub features 30 jets and eight oversize water jets for massage. It’s 40 inches deep for soaking, with a 5-inch step-in. It has a safety bar, chromotherapy, self-cleaning system, double ozone purification, non-skid floor and seat and your choice of a left- or right-hand door. It comes in several sizes.
- The Access Walk-In Tub is wheelchair-accessible so bathers can slide into the tub instead of stepping in. The door can swing to the left or right — your choice. The seat is 21 inches high.
- The Royal Walk-In Tub features a lift that lowers the bather to the floor of the tub for traditional reclined bathing. A hand-held showerhead is included. This model features a full hydrotherapy spa experience with 16 jets and a hot temperature maintainer.
As of publishing, you can check the company website for a downloadable discount certificate.
What Independent Home customers say
Independent Home has many positive reviews on ConsumerAffairs for its walk-in tub service, selection and installation. Customers say it offers competitive pricing. There were a couple of instances in which customers felt like they were oversold for more than was needed, however.
I was a pleasure doing business with Independent home. The guys they sent me (David ** and Donnie **) were amazing. They installed my tub in one day. Very professional. Thanks David and Donnie for my new walk-in tub. My husband and I can't wait to enjoy it.”
– Melanie of Nashville, TN
Bottom line: Kohler or Independent Home?
Both Kohler and Independent Home are good options for walk-in tub purchases. Kohler offers one model of walk-in tub with several design-centric customization options, and Independent Home offers a variety of walk-in tub models with options for accessibility and special needs. Walk-in tubs from both companies feature hydrotherapy jets for relaxation and pain relief. Kohler’s step-in is fairly low at 3 inches, while Independent Home’s tubs have a 5-inch step threshold.
