Walk-In Shower vs. Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo: Which One Is Right for You?
Remodeling your bathroom or searching for a safer way to bathe? A walk-in shower or tub-shower combo offers low-threshold entry and therapeutic features to future-proof your home. Learn the key differences to help you choose the best fit.
What Is a Walk-In Shower?
A walk-in shower’s low threshold or curbless entry makes it easy to access for people with mobility limitations or disabilities. The open layout and glass doors combine safe bathing with modern design to create a spa-like atmosphere and stress-free daily routine.
Many manufacturers also include senior-friendly safety and convenience features, such as slip-resistant surfaces, built-in grab bars, recessed storage, a handheld shower wand and a rainfall shower head.
Walk-In Shower Pros and Cons
From a classic style to an upgraded model with body jets and a contemporary design, walk-in showers offer customization and convenience.
Pros
Many homeowners love their walk-in showers for their space-saving design, easy maintenance and mobility features.
- Accessibility: Each year 3 million older adults visit the emergency room after a fall. A walk-in shower enables seniors to step in and out over an EZ step or ultra-low threshold entry. A handheld shower wand helps you rinse hard-to-reach areas, while slip-resistant flooring and built-in storage shelves increase ease of use.
- Modern aesthetic: Many walk-in showers come with sleek, durable walls made from acrylic, stone or glass, along with stylish hardware finishes, open shower designs and a rainfall shower head.
- Limited maintenance: With no grout lines and fewer nooks and crannies, cleaning a walk-in shower takes less muscle and time than a conventional tub or shower. After your shower, rinse with the handheld shower wand, and then wipe clean.
- Space-saving: Walk-in showers often fit into the footprint of a standard tub, helping free up floor space in smaller bathrooms.
- Increased home value: Walk-in showers are a highly attractive selling point for homebuyers due to their upscale design, safety features and ability to provide a truly spa-like shower experience.
Cons
A walk-in shower may not fit everyone’s lifestyle and bathing needs, but that doesn’t mean a safe bathing solution is out of reach.
- No bathtub: If you’re looking for similar accessibility benefits found in a walk-in shower but with more versatile features, like the ability to sit and soak in a bath, consider the walk-in tub and shower combo.
- Water splashing: If your shower doesn’t have a door or curtain, and depending on the shower head position, there can be concern over water splashing onto the bathroom floor. This can be easily addressed during your consultation or before installing the walk-in shower, whether by adding doors or changing the shower head position.
- Fewer mobility aides: Without the ability to sit and bathe, some people may find mobility more challenging in a walk-in shower unless a fold-away seat is installed.
Walk-In Shower Considerations
A walk-in shower offers total-body rejuvenation. Multiple design options and features enhance your sense of luxury while making it easy to use for people of all ages. Here are three considerations to keep in mind.
- Mobility needs: In the U.S., more than one million seniors use a mobility device, like a walker or wheelchair. A walk-in shower is designed for easy entry and exit and wheelchair accessible to increase your bathing independence. If you have trouble standing for long periods, make sure your walk-in shower includes a seat of some kind.
- Style preferences: Choose hardware finishes and wall materials that complement your room, including color-matched shelves and a sliding glass door for more privacy. Our walk-in shower design guide can help.
- Space requirements: Walk-in showers fit in a small footprint in your bathroom, freeing up space. Keep in mind that rerouting plumbing can get expensive if you’re drastically reconfiguring your bathroom layout.
What Is a Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo?
A walk-in tub-shower combo, also referred to as a hybrid tub, provides bathers with the two-in-one benefit of both a shower and a tub. With a low step-in threshold and the ability to rinse off while standing or sit and soak, the versatile design is a popular choice for people with mobility limitations who prioritize bathing flexibility and may share their bathroom with others.
“We can safely shower and bathe without the worry of falling,” said G. Kuller, a satisfied Safe Step customer who made a one-time investment in our hybrid tub.
Pros and Cons of a Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo
People choose walk-in tub-shower combos for their convenience and restorative features, such as hydrotherapy massage jets and deep soaking.
When exploring the pros and cons of a tub-shower combo, consider that exact features may differ between brands and models.
Pros
A tub-shower combo lets you bathe with ease and enjoy total-body relief.
- Versatility: Unwind in a warm bath or rinse off under the rainfall shower head for a more traditional shower experience.
- Heightened mobility: For seniors and individuals with limited mobility or disabilities, the hybrid tub design improves bathing safety and convenience. Step in or out easily over the low threshold, while slip-resistant surfaces and built-in grab bars provide stability as you move.
- Space-saving: Many tub-shower combos fit the same or similar footprint to a traditional bathtub, streamlining the installation process and minimizing home renovations.
Cons
The walk-in tub shower combo offers bathers a range of benefits, but it may have some drawbacks depending on your home.
- Space limitations: A walk-in tub-shower combo has a door that swings inward or outward, depending on the model. This may limit where you can place the tub in your bathroom or require minor remodeling.
- Water usage: With a larger basin compared to a traditional bathtub, walk-in tub-shower combos use slightly more water on average for each soak. However, many come with efficient, rapid-fill faucets and drain systems.
- Traditional look: Compared to walk-in showers, hybrid tubs emphasize function over style.
Things to Consider About a Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo
Look for a tub-shower combo that delivers on the ability to bathe and shower comfortably. Durable quality, safety, available features, size, price and customization options are also worth considering.
- Family needs: Is your house full of kids and grandkids, parents and grandparents? Bathe on your own terms in a hybrid tub suitable for everyone at home, from simple showers to stress-free bath time.
- Enhanced safety: Hybrid walk-in tubs are engineered to mitigate fall risks and bring peace of mind, no matter your range of motion.
Which Option Is Right for You?
Are you still trying to find your perfect safe bathing solution? Compare accessibility and design features to determine which one is right for you:
| Walk-In Shower | Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo | |
|---|---|---|
| Do you want a design-forward upgrade? | ✅ Walk-in showers feature modern styles and accents to make a statement. | ❌ Walk-in tub-shower combos focus on accessibility, rather than style. |
| You prefer a relaxing soak over quick showers. | ❌ Primarily designed for standing, but a fold-away seat is available for convenience. | ✅ Deep soaking for comfort and therapy. |
| You need therapeutic features (e.g., hydrotherapy). | ❌ Limited therapeutic features. | ✅ Hydrotherapy jets, color light therapy and heated backrests. |
| You don’t want to install special equipment. | ✅ No special equipment required. Walk-in showers run efficiently with a standard hot water heater. | ❌ A walk-in tub may need a higher-capacity water heater to ensure it fills adequately for deep soaking. |
| You share the bathroom with others who prefer showers. | ✅ Ideal for households with diverse bathing needs. | ✅ Perfect for households with diverse bathing needs. |
For more information on bathroom renovations and considerations, read our guides to bath safety and choosing the right type of walk-in tub.
Upgrade With Safe Step
At Safe Step, we specialize in bathroom upgrades that put safety, independence and comfort first. Whether you choose a walk-in shower or a hybrid tub, you’ll enjoy:
- Expert installation backed by 15+ years of nationwide experience
- A best-in-class warranty
- Rigorous quality testing for peace of mind
Transform your bathing routine today! Get started with our free, no-obligation quote.
