Comparing Walk-In Tubs, Showers and Tub-Shower Combos for Your Perfect Fit
If you’re shopping for a bathing solution that combines beauty and accessibility, a walk-in tub, shower or tub-shower combo should be at the top of your list. Compare these options by cost, features and safety to find the best fit for your home and lifestyle.
Making Aging in Place a Priority
A strong majority of adults ages 50 and older want to remain in their homes or communities as they age, but high housing and senior care costs can limit their options, according to AARP. Taking steps to future-proof your home can increase its resale value and enable you to enjoy your golden years in familiar and comfortable surroundings.
Along with stair safety, your bathroom should be a priority to enable you to accomplish your daily routine seamlessly. Accessible bathing solutions go beyond grab bars and nightlights. They offer safety, therapeutic and convenience features to improve your quality of life and soothe the aches and pains associated with aging. Plus, with today’s modern designs, you don’t need to sacrifice style for safety.
Understanding Your Bathing Options
There are three main types of accessible bathing solutions to consider—a walk-in tub, walk-in shower and a tub-shower combo. When deciding which option is right for you, consider the needs of everyone in your household, especially if you share bathrooms.
When to choose a:
- Walk-in Tub: Choose a walk-in tub when safety, comfort and therapeutic benefits are your priorities. It’s ideal for those with limited mobility or anyone who wants a relaxing bath, modern features and ease of access.
- Walk-in Shower: A walk-in shower offers a streamlined, open-concept bathroom design that’s easy to enter and maintain. It’s ideal for those seeking accessibility and quick, convenient daily use.
- Tub-Shower Combo: Choose a tub-shower combo when you want the flexibility of both fast showers and full baths in one space. It’s a practical choice for families, small bathrooms or homeowners who want to maximize functionality without sacrificing comfort.
What’s the Difference Between a Walk-In Tub, Shower and Combo?
Walk-in tubs, showers and tub-shower combos share many common safety features, but each has other pros and cons depending on your age and stage of life. Let’s break down the differences to help you decide.
Walk-In Tubs
Walk-in tubs are specifically designed to help individuals with mobility limitations bathe comfortably. Safe Step is North America’s No. 1 walk-in tub retailer, and our valued customers enjoy the safety and modern therapeutic features that ease sore muscles while providing a spa-like daily routine.
“I expected something user-friendly, and there are more bells and whistles on this unit than I even dreamed of. The added benefit of the little well where you can put some aromatherapy that gets distributed during the bathing process is phenomenal,” said Robert V. of Mesa, Arizona.
Key Features
Walk-in tubs offer a low-threshold entry, a built-in seat, an easy-to-open door and convenient grab bars. Safe Step Walk-In Tubs also have slip-resistant surfaces with sanitary gel coats to prevent falls and inhibit mold growth. A hand-held shower wand, rapid-fill faucet and quick-drain features make using the tub effortless.
For total relief, walk-in tubs soothe the body and mind with a variety of innovative features. Safe Step Walk-In Tubs include air therapy, massage jets, a heated seat, color therapy and aromatherapy functions, which can add an even greater level of relaxation.
Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of a walk-in tub:
Pros:
- Enhanced safety: Walk-in tubs come with safety features like a low-step in and a built-in seat to ensure you stay safe during your daily routine.
- Increased independence: Users with limited mobility can bathe without assistance, promoting dignity and privacy.
- Heightened comfort: Walk-in tubs allow you to soak and have a heated seat to increase comfort.
- Cutting-edge features: Walk-in tubs have advanced features, like a heated seat and air therapy, to elevate your bath.
Cons:
- Water use: A standard bathtub only holds about 45 gallons of water, while a walk-in tub holds about 85 gallons. Although walk-in tubs come with rapid-fill faucets and quick-drain technology, you may need to upgrade your water heater to gain the full benefits.
- Limited design options: Walk-in tubs focus on accessibility and therapeutic benefits and have fewer design options.
Cost and Installation Factors
The price of your walk-in tub depends on the customizations you choose and the layout of your bathroom. A Safe Step design consultant will evaluate your space during an initial consultation to determine the best solutions for your family. Bathroom accessibility upgrades return roughly 60% of their cost at resale, according to the Journal of Light Construction.
Walk-in tubs fit in the footprint of a traditional tub-shower combo. Many walk-in tubs can be installed in as little as one day. Safe Step’s professional local installers handle the process from start to finish, removing and disposing of your existing tub or shower and quality testing your new tub after installation.
Walk-In Showers
A walk-in shower is an ideal choice for customers who want a bathing solution that ages with you. They offer zero or low-threshold entries and provide a modern design upgrade to your bathroom. Safe Step’s walk-in showers can be customized to match your home’s aesthetic.
Key Features
While walk-in showers have fewer therapeutic features than a walk-in tub, they’re a popular upgrade that appeals to people of all ages. They offer many safety, comfort and design options that make bathing quick and simple.
With rainfall shower heads in a variety of finishes, glass shower doors and tile accents, Safe Step’s walk-in showers elevate the design of a bathroom. You can choose between a built-in folding seat or add a stylish teak shower bench for comfort and safety. Acrylic walls make them easy to clean, and optional grab bars can be added to provide a helping hand.
People also choose walk-in showers for their streamlined design. Walk-in shower bases come in a variety of low step-in heights, including roll-in options for wheelchairs. Safe Step’s walk-in showers have a step-in height of less than 4 inches to accommodate people with mobility needs and give the space a sleek appearance.
Pros and Cons
Check out the pros and cons of a walk-in shower:
Pros:
- Appealing design: Walk-in showers come in a variety of styles for a design-forward look. Homeowners can choose finishes, accent tiles and built-in storage to enhance the look and feel of any bathroom.
- Convenience: This bathing solution offers users the option for a quick shower and can be customized with a fold-down seat for those who need to rest their legs. Unlike a tub, there’s no wait time for fill-up or draining.
- Limited maintenance: Many walk-in showers feature groutless walls and glass doors, making maintenance easy.
- Small-space friendly: Walk-in showers come in a variety of sizes to accommodate any bathroom.
Cons:
- No bathtub: A built-in folding seat or removable bench can be added to a walk-in shower for convenience, but if you want the ability to enjoy a relaxing soak, a walk-in tub or tub-shower combo is a better choice.
- Water splashing: Walk-in showers without doors or curtains can increase the risk of slipping, but Safe Step’s design helps prevent spills and standing water. Our two-inch drain kit quickly clears water, preventing slips, spillage and standing water.
Cost and Installation Factors
It’s important to weigh the overall cost of your walk-in shower with the impact it will have on your quality of life. Similar to our walk-in tubs, a Safe Step Walk-In Shower easily fits in your traditional tub space, making installation stress- and hassle-free.
Tub-Shower Combos
Unlike a walk-in tub, a tub-shower combo allows you to take a quick shower or a long soak. It provides a versatile bathing solution for the entire household.
Key Features
A tub-shower combo, or hybrid tub, has all the therapeutic and safety features of a walk-in tub alongside the convenience of a walk-in shower. It typically includes a low step-in threshold, comfortable seating and optional hydrotherapy jets for a spa-like bath. This innovative design offers both luxury and accessibility, making it ideal for users who value comfort without compromising safety.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Versatility: Tub-shower combos ensure guests and other family members can continue to enjoy a traditional shower or a bath.
- Safety features: Hybrid tubs have all of the safety features of a walk-in tub, with the ability to take a quick shower.
Cons:
- More maintenance: A tub-shower combo has more components than a walk-in tub or shower. This may increase your maintenance requirements. Safe Step’s hybrid tubs are specially coated to resist mold growth and make cleaning less challenging.
- Traditional look: Compared to walk-in showers, a tub-shower combo has a more traditional look that might not appeal to all homeowners. You can elevate your hybrid tub with a shower curtain to add a colorful accent to your bathroom.
Cost and Installation Factors
The pricing of a tub-shower combo can be designed to match your financial and mobility needs. Safe Step’s hybrid tub has a low-price guarantee, and a design specialist can give you information about special rebates and discounts that may apply. Our lifetime-limited warranty provides added assurance.
With Safe Step, installation is included in the price of your hybrid tub. Relying on professional installers ensures the process goes smoothly.
Before and After
Look at these real bathroom makeovers. Each one showcases how our bathing solutions can transform your bathroom into an accessible sanctuary.
How To Choose the Right Option for Your Home
Still searching for your ideal safe bathing option? Explore and compare each product’s accessibility features and design details to find the one that best fits your needs.
| Walk-In Tub | Walk-In Shower | Tub-Shower Combo | |
|---|---|---|---|
| You need safety features. | ✅ Grab bars, slip-resistant surfaces and more come standard. | ✅ Customizable safety features to match your mobility needs. | ✅ Grab bars, slip-resistant surfaces and more come standard. |
| You want therapeutic features (e.g. hydrotherapy). | ✅ Has hydrotherapy jets, color light therapy and heated backrests. | ❌ Limited therapeutic features. | ✅ Has hydrotherapy jets, color light therapy and heated backrests. |
| No special equipment required. | ❌ A walk-in tub may need a higher-capacity water heater to ensure it fills adequately for deep soaking. | ✅ No special equipment required. Walk-in showers run efficiently with a standard water heater. | ❌ A walk-in tub may need a higher-capacity water heater to ensure it fills adequately for deep soaking. |
| You want a design-focused upgrade. | ❌ Focuses on accessibility, rather than style. | ✅ Walk-in showers feature modern styles and accents to make a statement. | ❌ Focuses on accessibility, rather than style. |
| You share the bathroom with people who prefer showers. | ❌ Includes a handheld shower wand but does not feature a stand-up shower. | ✅ Ideal for households with diverse bathing needs. | ✅ Ideal for households with diverse bathing needs. |
| You prefer a relaxing soak over a quick shower. | ✅ Deep soaking for comfort and therapy. | ❌ Primarily designed for standing, but a fold-away seat is available for convenience. | ✅ Take a long soak or hop in for a fast shower. |
| You need the flexibility to sit or stand while bathing. | ❌ Only allows deep soaking for comfort and therapy. | ✅ Primarily designed for standing, but a fold-away seat is available for convenience. | ✅ Take a long soak or hop in for a fast shower. |
Trust Safe Step with Your Bathroom Safety Needs
Still not sure which is the right choice? Our free, no-obligation consultation allows you to meet one-on-one with a Safe Step expert who can help you decide which product best fits your space and needs.
Safe Step’s premium bathing solutions are tariff-free and crafted with American-made quality you can trust. Connect with a design specialist to learn the Safe Step difference.
