Different Types of Walk-In Tubs
A walk-in tub can make bathing more accessible and stress-free. Explore the different types of walk-in tubs in our guide to find the right solution for your home.
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Traditional Soaker Walk-In Tub
Rediscover the joy of bathing with all the essential safety features and a range of add-ons for a more therapeutic soak. Soaker walk-in tubs provide a straightforward, comfortable way to bathe at home for seniors and those with mobility limitations or disabilities.
Common features include:
- Low-step entry
- Anti-slip surfaces
- Built-in grab bars
- Watertight door
Some brands, including Safe Step, also offer a rapid-fill faucet, no-strength locking handle, MicroSoothe® air therapy and a heated seat and backrest.
Walk-In Tub Shower Combo
Enjoy the versatility of both a walk-in tub and a safer shower in a space-saving design built for comfort and convenience. While specific features vary by brand, the Safe Step Hybrid Tub includes:
- Rainfall shower head
- Handheld shower want
- 10 hydro massage jets
- Anti-slip floor and seat
- Built-in grab bars
Hydrotherapy Walk-In Tub
Unwind and relieve tension from head to toe while improving circulation. Hydrotherapy walk-in tubs, sometimes known as whirlpool tubs, use water jets to massage your body’s pressure points and provide deep relaxation.
Air Therapy Walk-In Tub
Jets of air create a gentle massage experience, helping to relieve pain and rejuvenate and relax the mind and body. The Safe Step MicroSoothe® air therapy system uses oxygen-enriched air bubbles to massage and exfoliate your skin.
Bariatric Walk-In Tub
Bariatric walk-in tubs are built with a larger, stronger frame and wider door and seat compared to a traditional soaker tub. This provides greater accessibility for heavier bathers and those in wheelchairs who need extra space.
Wheelchair-Accessible Tub
With wider doors and specially designed seats, wheelchair-accessible tubs give bathers extra support and mobility assistance with every soak.
Which Walk-In Tub Is Right for You?
From safety features and dimensions to therapeutic add-ons, there’s a lot to consider when choosing a walk-in tub. Explore the benefits of each type below, or schedule a free in-home consultation with Safe Step. Our safe bathing experts will help you find the walk-in tub best suited for your needs.
Step in, sit back and enjoy improved safety, comfort and therapeutic benefits compared to a conventional bathtub or shower.
Get the best of both worlds in a versatile tub engineered for stress-free bathing, whether sitting or standing.
Powerful hydro massage jets deeply relax muscles and improve circulation for a restorative bathing experience.
Air jets soothe aches and pains, nourish skin and create a weightless sensation with tiny, oxygen-enriched bubbles.
Built with a wider seat, frame and entry, so larger bathers can enjoy the accessibility they need.
Enjoy extra support and easier mobility in a tub designed to accommodate wheelchair users.
Safe Step vs. The Competition
See what puts us a step ahead of the competition. We’re proud to be North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub and the only walk-in tub company with the Arthritis Foundation Ease of Use certification.
| Features | Safe Step | Leading Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Low Step-In |  | |
| Anti-Slip Floor & Seat | |  |
| Handheld Shower Wand | | |
| Personal Hygiene Bidet | | |
| Heated Seat & Backrest | | *some, not all |
| Hydrotherapy | | |
| Chromotherapy | | |
| Aromatherapy | | |
| Grab Bars | 2 | 1 |
| Floating, Waterproof Remote Control | | |
| Towel Bar | | |
| Arthritis Foundation Ease Of Use Certified | | |
Additional Walk-In Tub Features
Explore the many features of our walk-in tubs, from therapeutic hydro massage jets to anti-slip surfaces.
Bathe Without Stress
Our walk-in tub includes safety features for a secure, independent bathing experience.
Ultra-Low Threshold
Enter and exit your tub without the risk of straining, slipping or falling.
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Anti-Slip Floor and Seat
Minimize the slipperiness of your tub’s surfaces with additional texture.
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Built-In Grab Bars
Move securely within your tub using two well-placed, stabilizing grab bars.
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Anti-Scald Technology
Protect your skin from irritation or burns with perfectly warm water.
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Sanitary Gel Coat
Protect your tub from the unchecked growth of harmful mold and bacteria.
Learn MoreBathe In Comfort
Our therapeutic tub features deliver total-body relief for your most comfortable bath.
MicroSoothe® Air Therapy
Envelop and nourish your skin with millions of tiny, oxygen-enriched bubbles.
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Heated Seat and Backrest
No more cold seats! Enjoy soothing warm comfort from start to finish.
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Aromatherapy
Diffuse calming essential oils throughout your tub for a stress-reducing soak.
Learn MoreBathe With Built-In Support
Easily access everything you need for your bathing routine with our convenience features.
No-Strength Locking Handle
Create an airtight seal for your tub without straining your muscles or joints.
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Handheld Shower Wand
Select your spray setting and target hard-to-reach areas with the flexible hose.
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Quantum® Quick Drain
Drain your tub up to 38% faster than previous models with a simple lever.
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LED Electronic Keypad
Press a button to control your tub’s jet systems, lights and heated seat.
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Water-Resistant Remote
Operate your tub’s jet, heating and light systems with a waterproof, floating remote.
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Built-In Towel Bar
Hang your washcloth or towel within reach on your tub’s door for reduced bodily strain.
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How Much Does a Walk-In Tub Cost?
The cost of walk-in bathtubs can vary widely depending on the type of tub you choose, the number of features, the brand and any additional bathroom remodeling required, making it difficult to pinpoint an exact price online or over the phone. With Safe Step, enjoy our lowest price guarantee, lifetime warranty and custom pricing. Read our Price Guide to learn more.
Walk-In Tub FAQs
Medicare does not usually cover the purchase of a walk-in tub, since they are not classified as medically necessary durable medical equipment (DME), though there are some rare exceptions. You can offset upfront costs through grants and discounts, veteran benefits and special offers and promotions through the manufacturer.
Both acrylic and fiberglass are durable, long-lasting materials commonly used in today’s walk-in tubs. While both are scratch-resistant, easy to install and flexible, acrylic requires a more complex manufacturing process and tends to come at a higher price tag. Fiberglass is also easier to repair and cheaper to replace compared to acrylic.
Shower seats, transfer chairs, bath lifts and similar products are common alternatives to walk-in tubs that, while at a lower price tag than walk-in tubs, often come with less comprehensive benefits and can be cumbersome to use. Additional options for safer bathing include assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and in-home care programs such as home health aides. Keep in mind that these types of services come at higher long-term costs without the added therapeutic and convenience benefits of walk-in tub technology.
Most standard bathtubs have high walls that pose difficulties for entry and exit, plus slippery surfaces and uncomfortable seating on the tub floor. By comparison, walk-in tubs feature a low step-in height, built-in seating for added comfort and grab bars that make moving around much more accessible, especially for seniors and individuals with mobility limitations or disabilities. Read our blog for the full breakdown of a traditional tub versus a walk-in tub.
Air tubs and whirlpool walk-in tubs both use jets to massage your body while you bathe, providing therapeutic pain relief and easing tension. Air tubs push heated air through the water for gentle relaxation, while whirlpool or hydrotherapy walk-in tubs use water jets to promote deeper, more targeted full-body relaxation. Whirlpool tubs can include customizable speed, direction and pressure settings.