Walk-in Tubs Buyers Guide

Reviewer:  Aaron Creighton | December 3, 2018 | Affordable Walk-in Tub Buyers Guide

An affordable walk-in tub provides a safe, spa-like experience for seniors, people with mobility issues, and anyone else who wants a more comfortable bath at home.

What You Need to Know

Our staff reviews products that improve the quality of life for senior Americans. We evaluated dozens of the best walk-in tubs available today (you can find our Top Picks here) based on the following criteria and gave each a unique score.

• Safety
• Comfort
• Overall Affordability
• Installation Costs
• Therapeutic Benefits
• Customer Service
• Durability
• Warranty

Walk-in Tub Overview

Walk-in tubs provide a safe, spa-like experience for seniors, people with mobility issues and anyone else who wants a more comfortable bath at home. Walk-in tubs provide safe, healthy living for people of all ages.

Benefits of a Walk-in Tub

Increases Safety

Seniors have much more to lose from a fall than a younger person. Even a small fall without a serious injury can cause a big drop in confidence, the loss of independence, and ultimately lead to rapidly declining hygiene and overall health.

Walk-in tubs bring safety features that dramatically reduce the chance of a fall:

1. Anti-Slip Tub Floor –  Texture provides sure footing even when wet.
2. Built-In Chair – No-slip seat is both comfortable and safe. ADA compliant.
3. Quick Release Drain – Exit the tub quickly after a bath. No waiting for slow draining.
4. Wide, No-Step Door – Extra-wide, low door for the obese and wheelchair-bound.
5. Built-in Grab Bars – Provide a dependable handhold when entering and exiting tub.
6. “Safe Water” Cleaning System – Easy way to keep your tub in great working order.
7. Anti-Scald Technology – Keeps water warm while preventing accidental burns.
8. Low-Step – Perfect for those with limited mobility and balance issues.
9. In-Front Access Panels – Allows for quicker repairs if necessary.
10. Aluminum Frame – Sold structure provides long-lasting durability.
11. Interior Gel-Coat – Keeps tub sanitary and mold-free.

Reducing the risk of falling helps increase independence, and greatly improves quality of life.

Relaxing and Soothing

These tubs give you a spa-like experience in the privacy of your own home. With relaxing jets, deeper water, and a more comfortable seating position, comfortable bathing has never been easier. The deeper tubs do take a bit more time to fill, up to 15 minutes, but the results are well worth the wait.

Improves Health

Relaxation is great, but actual health benefits are better. The warm, bubbling water helps alleviate a variety of health issues including joint pain, arthritis, diabetes complications and more.

Customizable for You

There’s a tub for practically any site, bathroom layout and budget. You can find a relatively low-cost tub with the basics or you can find something fancier for a bit more. Basically, all manufacturers offer a variety of styles, colors and design.

Features

1. Anti-Slip Tub Floor – Secure texture provides sure footing even when wet. See if you can feel the texture, as some extreme versions can cause scrapes to feet and knees.
2. Built-In Chair – ADA compliant, no-slip seat is both comfortable and safe. An added feature for many tubs is a heated seat. Heated seats can make waiting for your tub to drain and fill a much more pleasant experience.
3. Quick Release Drain – Since the coldest part of the bath is waiting for the tub to drain, a quick release can make a big difference to comfort. Many tub manufacturers can provide estimates on how quickly a tub can drain, but only a professional plumber can confirm that your plumbing can handle the volume.
4. Wide, No-Step Door – Wider doors are useful to larger people and the wheelchair bound. It’s always a good idea to try the actual tub prior to buying. So make sure you can visit a salesroom floor to make sure you can comfortably enter and exit your tub.
5. Built-in Grab Bars – Most grab bars are strategically placed to be maximally useful. However, people come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of fitness, so what works well for one person may not work well for another.
6. Cleaning System – Makes sure that your tub is always clean and fresh. This reduces the need to get down and clean it extensively. Preventing mineral build up reduces the need to clean a walk in tub substantially, as dirt and debris do not stick to surfaces without mineral buildup as easily.
7. Anti-Scald Technology – Scalding is a major danger for anyone who is filling up a tub while already inside. Temperature sensing technology can reduce the risk of scalding by controlling the temperature of the water coming out of the spigot.
8. Low-Step – The lower the step, the easier it is for people with limited mobility to enter and exit the tub. Step height should always be an important consideration in your decision.
9. In-Front Access Panels – Front access panels for maintenance and repairs can reduce the cost of ownership. If service technicians have easy access, they typically charge less money for repairs.
10. Aluminum Frame – A lighter frame can reduce installation costs, and provide a sturdy, long lasting and corrosion resistant body for maximizing the lifespan of the tub and ensuring that it lasts as long as your house does.
11. Interior Gel-Coat – Gel coatings are antimicrobial and reduce the chances of mold. These coatings can improve health and hygiene and require less upkeep.

Installation

Installing a walk-in tub isn’t something you can tackle on your own. It involves framing, plumbing, electrical, tiling and more. Plumbers are great resources. So if you have a trusted plumber, they are great people to ask!

A plumber can often give you a non-biased opinion of features and companies, but many walk-in tub companies offer their own installation services. This is great for anyone who prefers to deal with only a few representatives, and have the entire process taken care of by professionals.

Unless you’re a plumbing professional, installing your walk-in bathtub isn’t a project you can do on your own. Safe installation involves plumbing, electrical, framing, tiling and more. Hiring the right installation team is an important part of the process.

An independent plumber is the cheaper option in 9 out of 10 cases. They’re also more likely to recommend the best tub with the features you need.

How to buy

Do your research first! Once you’re knowledgeable on the basics of walk-in tubs, get some free quotes and request information from several reputable companies. You can compare features and prices to determine which combination works best for your life. If possible, check out a local showroom where you can try the tubs out dry. Our experts have assembled a list of the best walk-in tubs available to make it easier on you