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You want a walk-in tub that will allow you to enter and exit comfortably and safely, given that falls are a leading cause of injury and death for adults 65 and older, according to the CDC. With an average price tag of around $5,000 and some models reaching $12,000, however, walk-in tubs are far from a small purchase.
We’ll walk you through the cheapest and best walk-in tubs on the market, because bathing safely shouldn’t break the bank. We’ll also include some ways to get financial assistance on your tub purchase, since Medicare typically won’t cover it. Getting a high-quality walk-in tub may seem financially unattainable, but we’ll show you all the hidden ways to keep it affordable.
Walk-in tubs can range from around $1,500 on the low end to nearly $12,000 on the high end. If you buy a tub directly from a manufacturer, the cost likely will include installation. If you purchase from a big-box store like Home Depot, however, you’ll usually have to pay for installation separately. Some models come with a lot of bells and whistles, such as air and water jets, chromotherapy, aromatherapy, and Bluetooth speakers, which will increase the cost.
Walk-in bathtub prices vary based on the model, manufacturer, and state of your bathroom, but the best way to find out how much a tub will cost is to get an estimate directly from a retailer. Estimates are typically free, so there’s no harm in asking!
Safety features: Safe walk-in tubs must include antislip floors, grab bars, low step-in heights, and quick drainage, which will help prevent you from falling while in the tub.
Comfort: Features such as air and water jets, chromotherapy, aromatherapy, shower wands, and built-in towel bars make walk-in tubs as comfortable as possible for the average bather.
Overall value: Walk-in tubs are certainly not a small-ticket item, but pricing isn’t the only factor we keep in mind. The cheapest option may not be the best if it’s low quality or doesn’t include installation.
4.88 out of five rating from customers on the Better Business Bureau
Lifetime limited warranty
Financing available
10 hydro-massage jets for healing and comfort
Starting price: $3,900 to $5,500
If you’ve ever checked out company ratings on the Better Business Bureau (BBB), you may have noticed that they tend to be negative — and angry. But that’s not the case with Ella’s Bubbles. Customers gave the company, which has been based in Chicago since 2005, 4.88 out of five, which is much higher than any other company on this list. The BBB itself gave the company an A+ rating along with accreditation. That should make you feel more comfortable investing in a walk-in tub from Ella’s Bubbles.
Ella’s Bubbles Walk-In Tub
With Ella’s Bubbles, you can choose from over 20 models, including options with doors that swing inward or outward, tubs that seat one or two people, wheelchair-accessible tubs, and more. Soaking tubs start at just $3,900, while options with luxury features like jets start around $5,500. Because Ella’s Bubbles is a manufacturer, installation is included in the costs. Other retailers offer models with more features, but Ella’s Bubbles has a variety of more affordable tubs. And if you still need help covering the cost, the company offers financing with 0 percent APR.
Pros
20 models to choose from
0 percent financing available
Options for adults who use wheelchairs
Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
Not the cheapest option on the market
Doesn’t have bells and whistles such as chromotherapy or Bluetooth speakers
Discounts available on tubs and installations with higher-price models
$1,000 referral fee if you refer another customer who buys and installs a tub
Starting price: $5,874 to $10,000
If price is the biggest sticking point for you, the most affordable option from American Standard is the Safety Tub, with a list price of $5,874. The tub includes a comfortable seat and a drain on the right side. It’s fit for one person, and it comes with a 10-year warranty on the tub itself and a five-year warranty on its components. That’s a bit disappointing, since many other tubs on this list come with a lifetime limited warranty. With such basic features and no jets, however, it should last with little to no maintenance required.
American Standard Walk-In Tub
American Standard offers 12-month financing with 0 percent APR. One big caveat, however, is that the offer is available only for tubs that cost $10,000 or more, so you’d have to pick a more expensive model to get the financing deal. After the first year, the interest rate is 17.99 percent. That’s pretty steep, so we recommend paying it off in the first year. The company also offers a discount of up to $1,800, a free toilet and bidet, and 50% off installation, which would otherwise cost 10 percent of the total price. The offers are valid through September 30, 2023. With so many discounts, it may be worth it to get a tub with more luxury features since you can pay it off in the first year to avoid those high-interest payments!
Basic options have luxury features such as jets, bidets, aromatherapy, and more
4-inch step-in height
A+ BBB rating
$750 discount available
Starting price: $2,500 to $8,000
The cheapest option from Safe Step is its basic walk-in tub, but you won’t be able to get an exact price unless someone comes to your home to give you a quote. Prices for a walk-in tub range from $2,500 to $8,000, but installation costs $5,000 or more, so the total will be $7,500 at a minimum.
Safe Step Tub
Safe Step’s cheapest option is basic, but don’t confuse “basic” with “lacking.” The tub has many luxury features, including:
10 water jets
Handheld shower wand
Aromatherapy
Chromotherapy
Bidet
16 air jets
Rainfall shower head
Those are just the bells and whistles, but it also boasts all the safety features you’d want in a walk-in tub, including:
Floor and seat antislip protection
4-inch step-in height for easy entrance and exit
Gel coat for sanitation
Quick drainage
Two grab bars
The price includes installation, and the tub comes with a lifetime limited warranty. Its 2.87 customer rating from the BBB leaves something to be desired, but it has an A+ rating from the BBB itself and has been accredited since 2009. With 15 years in business, there’s little risk in getting a free quote from Safe Step.
Safety features such as grab bars and a low step-in height
Built-in bidet
Lifetime limited warranty
Cons
Low BBB customer rating
Only three models to choose from
Kohler - Most Customizable
4.7 / 5
What We Like Most:
Tub-only starts at only $2,000
0 percent financing available for the first 12 months
Can customize your tub with luxury features such as jets, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy
Sleek design
Starting price: $2,000 to $5,000
Kohler has four main options to choose from, which range in price from $2,000 all the way up to $20,000 for premium tubs.
Tub-only price
Basic
Hydromassage
Specialty
Premium
Minimum
$2,000
$5,000
$25,000
$7,000
Maximum
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
$20,000
A basic Kohler tub costs anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000, and they don’t come with features such as air or water jets, a shower-tub combination, a heated backrest, or wheelchair access. If you don’t require any luxury features and just want a safe tub to get in and out of, however, a basic tub will do the trick. They have a step-in height of only 3 inches, grab bars, built-in seats, and wide doors, but the best part is that they’re completely customizable. If you have more money left in your budget, you can add air and whirlpool jets, a heated backrest, and a hand shower. Additional accessories, ranging in cost from $1,000 to $5,000, include extra grab bars, walls, and a shower option.
Kohler Walk-In Tub
These prices include only the tub itself. Installation will cost another $2,500 to $8,000, but the good news is that the tub is cheap to maintain, especially if you don’t get jets. Including installation, a walk-in tub from Kohler could cost anywhere from $5,500 to $33,000. If you can’t afford the cost up front, Kohler offers 0 percent financing for 12 months, plus a free toilet set at a comfortable height. Request a free quote to learn more!
Pros
Can completely customize your model with features and accessories
Overall price starts at only $5,500, which includes installation
Attractive designs and backwalls available
Can finance with no interest for one year (and get a free toilet)
Cons
Installation is a separate charge
Basic tub lacks jets, wheelchair accessibility, and a shower
If you want the absolute lowest price on a walk-in tub, check out the Universal Tubs Builder’s Choice 53, available from Home Depot. The tub lacks the extra features some other models on this list have, such as chromotherapy and jets, but it will allow you to bathe safely, which is the basic function of a walk-in tub. The tub comes with a lifetime warranty on the door seal, which is essential for its functionality. While you’re in the tub, you’ll be kept safe by the antislip floor, grab bars, and a quick drain (you can choose whether you want it on the left or right).
Universal Tubs from Home Depot
One reason the tub is so cheap is that the $1,988 price tag includes only the tub itself and not installation. To make matters worse, Home Depot will only ship it curbside and will not bring it inside your home, so make sure you’ve added installation costs to your bottom line. Even with additional costs, however, the tub may be the cheapest on the market.
Pros
Lowest-cost option
Lifetime warranty on door seal
Antislip floor
Grab bars to prevent falls
Cons
Installation not included
Curbside delivery only
Financial Assistance for Walk-In Tubs
Can you use Medicare or Medicaid insurance for financial assistance for walk-in tubs? The answer typically is no, since neither considers walk-in tubs durable medical equipment. There are other options for certain groups, however, including:
Housing Improvement Program: Are you an American Indian or Native Alaskan? If your income is 150 percent of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services poverty line or below, you could receive thousands of dollars in assistance.
Older Adult Homes Modification Programs: The Office of Healthy Homes provides state and local governments with funds to help older adults improve their homes to make them safer. Low-income adults ages 62 and older can apply for funding. Visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website to apply.
USDA Rural Repair and Rehabilitation Program (single family housing repair loan): If you’re a low-income homeowner, you may be able to get 20-year loans for up to $40,000 — or a $10,000 grant — for a tub.
Other options: From state-based programs to veterans’ programs to Habitat for Humanity, there are many charitable organizations that provide older adults with financial assistance for walk-in tubs. Make sure you’ve explored all your options before paying out of pocket, especially if you have to obtain a high-interest loan.
You’ll never know exactly how much a tub will cost until you request an estimate from the manufacturer or retailer, so reach out directly to get a price — and don’t be afraid to negotiate!
Written By
Amie Clark
Amie has been writing about senior care products and services for the last decade. She is particularly passionate about new technologies that help improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. Seeing her parents and grandparents age made Amie ask herself, “Would this be good enough for my loved ones?” In her spare time, Amie enjoys outdoor adventures and spontaneous road trips. Learn more about Amie here
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