Top-Rated Tubs: To learn more about walk-in tubs, be sure to check out our guide to this year’s best walk-in tubs.
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September 8, 2023
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With over 100 years in the plumbing industry, American Standard is one of the most popular providers of walk-in tubs. More recently, their walk-in tubs have evolved to include luxurious features like water jets that turn one’s bath into a spa-like experience.
But just how luxurious are the tubs from American Standard? More importantly, how safe can they keep your loved ones, and how much will they cost?
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at American Standard’s line of walk-in tubs, and I’ll even recount my experience with touring their factory, where I was able to talk to the experts at American Standard.
Top-Rated Tubs: To learn more about walk-in tubs, be sure to check out our guide to this year’s best walk-in tubs.
American Standard specializes in plumbing and building products. The company was first founded in 1875, as the Sanitary Standards Manufacturing Company. Back then, they pioneered many of the plumbing fixtures we take for granted, including combination faucets, one-piece toilets, and corrosion-resistant coating for brass fittings. By 1929 they were the world’s largest bathroom fittings manufacturers. In 1967 the household name American Standard was adopted, and these days they supply bathroom fixtures and fittings to homes, businesses and venues around the country.
In fact, according to their website, American Standard is in three out of five homes in the United States today. They have a long legacy and a strong reputation for quality and usefulness.
One of American Standard’s offerings is walk-in tubs. They have an impressive range of tubs with various additional spa-like features for an even more relaxing bathing experience. Let’s take a closer look at what they offer.
To many, it might seem like a stressful prospect to purchase an American Standard walk-in tub. Unlike other caregiving devices like medical alert systems that can fit in the palm of your hand, a walk-in bathtub takes a bit more work. Likely, you already have a tub or shower in your bathroom, so that has to be dealt with. Making matters more complicated, American Standard has hundreds of different models in their online store, so it could be difficult to know where to start.
Luckily, nearly all of these concerns can be addressed by logging on to American Standard’s website and requesting a free installation estimate. In a matter of days, they’ll dispatch one of their professional bathroom safety specialists to your home. They’ll assess the specifics of your bathroom and walk you through which tub models would be best suited to your needs and the constraints of your space.
Purchasing Advice: While American Standard’s full range of walk-in tubs can be purchased online, they can also be found in stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, so you can check them out in person.
Currently, American Standard offers four different types of walk-in tubs. While nearly all of these tubs feature built-in grab bars and quick fill/draining, we found there are several key differences. Here’s a brief overview of the different American Standard categories of tubs:
Savings Tip: If you purchase your walk-in tub directly from American Standard, the cost includes installation, whereas brick and mortar vendors usually charge an additional fee.
Most people are not aware of this but American Standard offers over two hundred different models of walk-in tubs, several of which I was able to examine as I toured their factory. While prices vary depending on the specific model, here’s a general overview of their pricing.
| Type of Walk-In Tub | Number of American Standard Models | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bath | 64 | $5,979 – $11,155 |
| Deep Soaking Tub | 58 | $5,340 – $8,979 |
| Whirlpool Tub | 63 | $5,592 – $10,697 |
| Combo Massage Tub | 66 | $6,928 – $11,981 |
At the American Standard Factory, I was given an up-close look at one of American Standard’s higher-end models, the Luxury Series Right Drain Walk-in Tub, a combo massage tub with just about all the bells and whistles available.
Here’s a rundown of its features which I got to see:
There was a lot to love about this American Standard Luxury Series Tub, even without stepping inside of it. Right off the bat, I appreciated how elegant it looked in the showroom. Using a matching extender, the tub was able to fit it snugly against the wall. Additionally, its white acrylic construction and polished chrome faucet would pair nicely with almost any type of bathroom. With the addition of a safety grab bar on the wall bordering my tub, my total cost would come to $9,989, which is definitely on the higher end when it comes to walk-in tub prices. Still, the quality of this tub was undeniable.
The first thing I noticed when I stepped into this showroom tub was the low height of the door’s threshold. At only a few inches high, I didn’t have to strain myself to get in and seal the door. The next thing that stood out was the textured acrylic floor. It was pleasantly rough, designed to ensure that I would not slip when sitting or standing in the tub. With falls being a leading cause of fatal injuries among older adults, I always appreciate features that help prevent them. Once I was seated in the tub, I shut its door and leaned back on my tub’s cushioned neck rest.
I didn’t go so far as to actually fill the tub. After all, I was fully clothed and in the middle of a warehouse! With that said, I could certainly feel the durability and comfort offered by this American Standard model. As I opened the door and stepped out of the tub, I was secretly wishing I had one of these in my own bathroom.
The More You Know: Although most of American Standard’s walk-in tubs include safety grab bars, additional bars can be purchased for adjacent walls and installed with your tub.
While you can use a credit card to purchase a walk-in tub, American Standard also offers financing options. On their website, I was able to receive a free estimate and would have qualified for a twelve-month payment plan with no interest. This would be a great option for those intimidated by the large upfront costs.
American Standard and Kohler are two of our favorite walk-in tub manufacturers; however, the two providers differ in terms of price, features, and warranties.
American Standard walk-in tubs are slightly more affordable than Kohler walk-in tubs. The starting price for an American Standard walk-in tub is around $5,000, while the starting price for a Kohler walk-in tub is around $6,000. Keep in mind, however, that both brands offer a wide range of models, and total pricing can vary greatly based on your installation costs.
Both American Standard and Kohler walk-in tubs offer the standard features of hydrotherapy jets, air jets, heated seats, quick filling, and non-slip features. That said, in our tests, we found that Kohler walk-in tubs had faster quick draining features. For those who prefer slightly more advanced tubs and showers, Kohler might be the better choice.
American Standard and Kohler offer different warranty lengths for their walk-in tubs. American Standard offers a limited warranty of five years on the tub itself and two years on the components. Kohler offers a limited warranty of one year on the tub itself and three years on the components.
That said, the warranties often vary based on the specific model of tub, so be sure to consult with the manufacturers themselves.
In addition to the factors mentioned above, you may also want to consider the following when choosing a walk-in tub:
To learn more about how these tub manufacturers compare, read our comparison of American Standard vs. Kohler.
There are many benefits of a walk-in tub. First and foremost is the safety component. Between low step-in thresholds and anti-slip surfaces, walk-in tubs provide a greater degree of safety than traditional baths and showers. Then, of course, there are the comfort features, the hydrotherapy, chromotherapy, and ergonomically designed seats that I’ve come to expect from companies like American Standard.
Although walk-in tubs are traditionally thought of as best for those with mobility issues, an American Standard tub would be great for just about anyone. Sure, the initial cost is relatively high, but in terms of the bathing experience, combined with both safety and luxury features, American Standard is hard to beat.
American Standard Walk-in tubs are bathtubs to make bathing both safer and easier for those with limited mobility. Built with a seat and watertight door, these bathtubs take the hassle and risk out of bathing in a standard tub or shower.
What’s best for you depends upon a variety of factors including the size of your bathroom and the additional features you’d like. With that said, American Standard’s most popular model is their Luxury Series Walk-In Tub with Combo Air Spa and Whirlpool Systems, according to their website.
For any person with restricted mobility, walk-in tubs provide a safe and effective means of bathing. In addition to safety features such as handrails and textured floors, many models also have air jets, LED lighting, and aromatherapy capabilities, making them more spa-like and relaxing.
Much like any other bathtub or shower, your American Standard Walk-In Tub will get dirty over time. Luckily, you can give your tub a thorough scrub-down with a spray bottle and a solution of warm water and white vinegar.
Unfortunately, for most people, walk-in tubs are not considered to be durable medical equipment. Because of this, Medicare will neither pay for nor contribute to the cost of your walk-in tub.