Best Walk-In Tubs

American Standard has a wide selection, including two-seaters, tub-shower combos, bariatric and wheelchair-accessible models. It’s an excellent walk-in tub for seniors because of the low step threshold and easy-to-open door that can open inward or outward.

The company’s tubs drain quickly, so you don’t have to wait very long to get out once you’re done. They also have many comfort features, including heated seats and remote control options to customize your bathing experience.

American Standard provides a lifetime warranty on the Liberation tub model’s fixtures, parts, labor and installation. Acrylic tubs come with a 15-years warranty on the tub shell and a 10-year warranty on other components; Gelcoat models have a 10-year warranty on the tub shell and a 5-year warranty on other parts.

Safe Step received some of the best feedback about wheelchair accessibility during our recent phone surveys of walk-in tub customers. All tubs come with standard anti-slip and temperature safety features. Its hydrotherapy system is great for arthritis and joint pain.

At the time of publication, the company offers discounts on shower package upgrades and SpaSounds built-in speakers. Compared with American Standard, it’s better for those who want to customize their tub rather than select from several models.

Safe Step provides a lifetime warranty on the tub (including any manufacturing defects), door seal, faucets, water pumps, heaters, blowers, parts and labor. There’s also a two-year warranty on caulking.

Independent Home provides professional installation with bathroom door replacement if necessary, electrical wiring, wall repair, flooring touch-up and old tub removal. The company stands out with its options for wheelchair-accessible, bariatric or specialized walk-in tubs.

Standard safety features include anti-slip floors, grab bars, low-entry door threshold and overflow drainage. Tubs come with 17-inch ADA-compliant seating and a self-purging cleaning system. Built-in microbubbles, chromotherapy and aromatherapy benefits are also nice.

Independent Home includes a lifetime guarantee on major tub components.

Kohler walk-in tubs come with standard safety features like handrails, textured surfaces, wide doors and a control panel. You can also get whirlpool jets, heated backrests and wide seats for added comfort.

Kohler stands out from its competitors for its design options. You can find a selection of classic and contemporary colors, finishes and showerheads. The LuxStone designs feature dynamic patterns inspired by marble and stone.

Kohler provides a lifetime tub warranty. It covers manufacturing defects related to the bath door seal, hydrotherapy systems, faucet and hand shower.

Ella’s Bubbles stands out for its selection of quality walk-in tubs — you can find U-shape, L-shape and S-shape doors that swing outward or inward. Different sizes are also available, and the largest holds up to 95 gallons of water. We also like that it only takes about 80 seconds to drain.

Compared with Hydro Dimensions, Ella’s Bubbles’ tubs have more jets and showerhead options. Unlike our other top picks, you can install the tub yourself or hire a local contractor (the company provides a network of installers to choose from).

Ella’s Bubbles provides a limited lifetime warranty on the tub and a five-year warranty on parts. If needed, it includes free parts but does not cover labor or shipping costs.

Hydro Dimensions is a good walk-in tub option for those who want style plus accessibility. You can find different packages for faucets and fixtures, natural stone surround kits and custom shower curtains for a more sophisticated look.

Optional upgrades include the Safe-T drain, which can drain the tub in about a minute and a half. Massage therapy hydro jets, heated seats and UV sanitation upgrades are also available.

Compared with Kohler, Hydro Dimensions has more models to choose from, including bariatric tubs (the Plus Size series holds up to 90 gallons). However, the tub’s price does not include installation services.

The bathtub’s shell, door seal, motors, electronic controls and supporting equipment come with a limited lifetime warranty. Labor is covered for one year.

One of the main reasons to install a walk-in tub is to reduce the risk of falls and other accidents in the bathroom. Generally, the lower the threshold (step-in height), the safer the tub.

As you compare walk-in tubs, look for companies that offer a free quote and no-obligation consultations. It could be a red flag if a company wants to charge you for an estimate or consultation. Here are some other things to keep in mind:

• It’s a significant investment: Walk-in tub pricing starts around $2,000, but the total price can be much higher once you add in installation costs. Many companies offer financing options or discounts to make it more affordable.
• Safety and comfort matter: Consider your long-term needs as you compare options. Basic soaker tubs will be cheaper, but it’s often worth paying more for jets or other feature, such as a quick drain feature that lets you get out of the tub more quickly.
• You might need to upgrade your water heater: Before you buy, confirm that your home’s hot water capacity is compatible with the model you like during this time. After all, you don’t want to spend money on a tub that you can’t fill with hot water.

We suggest starting with the top-rated companies listed above. You can also check major retailers like Home Depot or Lowe’s, but be sure to ask about installation services.

1. Consider your bathroom space: Generally speaking, walk-in tubs are quite tall. Width and length vary among models and providers, but tubs are usually between 37 to 47 inches tall with a basin about 2.5 feet deep — standard bathtubs are typically just more than a foot deep.

Most models should fit into your existing bathtub space, but you’ll still need to consider whether it can fit through your bathroom door. There are also other considerations if you live in a mobile home.

2. Compare a few quotes: Walk-in bathtubs are an investment, so compare a few cost estimates to ensure you purchase the best tub to fit your needs and budget.

Walk-in tubs cost anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000 with installation.

Estimates might cause some sticker shock, but many companies offer financing options or discounts so those who need them can afford the expense. Also, consider looking at local walk-in tub dealers to compare multiple financing options.

Prices can be highly variable depending on your needs, your bathroom, your existing plumbing and what floor you’re having the tub installed on. Because of this, some companies require an in-home consultation before you can get a cost estimate.

3. Ask the right questions: Most companies will be eager to help you research, so don’t waste your time with unhelpful reps.

Confirm that your home’s hot water capacity is compatible with the model you like. Some other important questions to ask before you buy a walk-in tub include:

• What are my financing options? You don’t have to drain your savings account just to get a walk-in tub. Often, it makes more sense to finance the tub and pay the cost off over several years.
• What is the door like? Walk-in tubs come with inward- and outward-facing doors situated on the left or right side. Occasionally, you find walk-in tubs with a rising wall instead of a swinging door. Ask about the width to make sure you can safely step in and sit down in the tub.
• Will you remove my old tub? Ask if the installation service includes removal and disposal of your old bathtub. Some walk-in tub installers do this as part of a package deal, but not all.
• How long is the warranty? Walk-in tubs are no small investment — find a manufacturer that stands by its product. Most companies provide some kind of guarantee on their products, though the warranty terms differ. Some include lifetime coverage on fixtures, parts, labor and installation; others only cover select repairs and replacements for a relatively short period. Often, the warranty only applies to the original owner and is not transferable if you sell your home.

4. Customize the walk-in tub: If the in-home consultation goes well, then you can start customizing your order. Most of the top walk-in tub companies offer popular upgrades to enhance safety, comfort and convenience, including:

• Heated seats: A heated seat is helpful if you have a walk-in tub that takes a while to fill. Maintaining a comfortable temperature lets you use the tub for long, therapeutic soaks. We also suggest looking for tubs with contoured seating to prevent you from slipping and sliding.
• Chromotherapy features: Chromotherapy refers to color therapy used in conjunction with water. Multicolored lights shine in the water, which can help improve your energy and mood.
• Aromatherapy features: Aromatherapy walk-in tubs let you incorporate essential oils into your bathing experience.
• Aerotherapy features: Aerotherapy tubs are soaker tubs outfitted with air jets for water circulation. These tubs are designed to provide a therapeutic massage experience.
• Wall surrounds: An acrylic wall surround can be added to your tub if you want to create a taller shower. It’s good for extra shelf space and protects your walls from potential water damage.
• Custom color or finish: Entry-level models of walk-in tubs usually come in shades of off-white or beige. Depending on your current bathroom design, you might want a stainless steel faucet color or marbled wall finish.
• Self-cleaning system: Hardly anyone enjoys cleaning the bathroom, and self-cleaning walk-in tubs make this task a little easier.

5. Schedule the installation: If you’ve already had an in-home consultation, installers will arrive at your house and do all the heavy lifting. If you ordered the tub online, you’ll have to measure where the tub will be installed to ensure it will fit before you place your order.

Some brands include installation services and send out their own technicians. If the company doesn’t, you might have to look for a local bathroom remodeling contractor.

If you added seat cushion risers, bath pillows or other support accessories, they should arrive at the same time.

To choose our top picks, we started with a list of 14 walk-in tub companies. Companies with an overall satisfaction rating below 3.5 stars were eliminated first, including those without any reviews on our site.

With 10 brands remaining, we dug a little deeper. The ConsumerAffairs research team analyzed more than 1,000 recent verified reviews from the last year (Oct. 13, 2020, through Oct. 13, 2021). To make the final cut, we required our picks to have at least twice as many 5-star reviews as 1-star reviews during the last year.

To rank them, we scored each on what we consider the most important features:

• Value: Companies scored higher for offering discounts and financing options, providing a lifetime warranty and including installation services.
• Comfort upgrades: Companies scored higher for offering hydro and air jets, chromotherapy, heated seat, remote control and showerhead options.
• Installation: Companies scored higher for offering installation services like door sizing, old tub removal, electrical wiring and floor touch-up.
• Safety features: Companies scored higher for low step-in height, grab bars and advanced draining/filling technology.
• Selection: Companies scored higher for having multiple types of tubs.
• Price transparency: Companies scored higher for having clearly available pricing information.