Best Walk-In Tubs in 2026
We tested the most popular walk-in tub brands to find the best ones. Our top pick is Ella’s Bubbles.
- Ella’s Bubbles earned Best Walk-In Tub overall because it offers a wide range of tub models and virtual tours, making shopping more accessible.
- The walk-in tubs on our list have starting costs between $3,000–$5,000 (not including installation).
- Installation can add a high cost to the total price, so it’s important to ask for a full quote before buying.
- A walk-in tub may help lower falls risk by making bathing easier for people with limited mobility.
- Comparing tub type, installation costs, and safety features can help shoppers find the best option for their home and budget.
NCOA supports everyone’s right to age well. So we take the time to research, test, and recommend products that can help you live a healthier life. We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing walk-in tubs to give you the most accurate product reviews. To find the best walk-in tubs, we:
- Consulted with mobility specialists including gerontologists, physical therapists, and primary care doctors for guidance on choosing the best walk-in tub
- Mystery-shopped five brands by scheduling five free, in-home consultations
- Surveyed more than 500 older adults on their experience using a mobility product like a walk-in tub
- Held a focus group with five older adults who use mobility products like walk-in tubs
- Interviewed experts on the importance of mobility, independence, and aging in place for older adults
- Read thousands of verified customer reviews
Read more about our mobility products review methodology.
One option to help reduce falls in the home and age in place is through home safety modifications, like replacing your traditional bathtub with a walk-in version. Walk-in tubs have lower thresholds so you don’t have to step as high to get into them. This can result in fewer falls and injuries compared to traditional bathtubs and allows for safer entry and exit. Many walk-in tubs come in wheelchair-accessible and bariatric versions (made for higher-weight and taller people). When we surveyed 600 people with mobility issues, 65% said they chose to install home modifications like walk-in tubs to increase their safety and prevent falls.1
In our review of the best walk-in tubs, we highlight different features, outline the benefits and drawbacks of each brand, and explain how to find the right walk-in tub for you.
Best Overall
Ella's Bubbles
Offers the most models to choose from and free, personal virtual tours of their showroom
Best Comfort Features
American Standard
More jets than most walk-in tubs, with strategic placement for pain relief
Best for Seniors
Safe Step
Lowest price and comes with a free extra grab bar and extra-tall toilet
Best walk-in tubs in 2026
- Ella’s Bubbles: Best Overall
- American Standard: Best Comfort Features
- Safe Step: Best for Seniors
- Kohler: Best Luxury
“The walk-in tub has been a game-changer. I was having difficulty lifting my leg into the tub and was nervous about slipping and falling and getting injured.”
—Respondent to NCOA’s August 2025 Mobility Survey1
Comparing the best walk-in tubs
| Comparison Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score (out of 10) | 9.9 |
9.8 |
9.7 |
9.6 |
| Best for | Overall |
Comfort Features |
Seniors |
Luxury |
| Standout feature | 6 models |
Highest number of jets |
Lowest price |
Upscale design options |
| Tub types | Soaking, wheelchair- accessible, bariatric, whirlpool |
Soaking, wheelchair- accessible, bariatric, whirlpool |
Soaking, wheelchair- accessible, bariatric, whirlpool |
Soaking, whirlpool |
| ADA compliant | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Lowest (non-wheelchair tub) threshold height | 3″ |
3″ |
2″ |
3″ |
| Wheelchair-accessible model* | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
| Max. weight capacity (pounds) | No limit |
600 |
600 |
600 |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime |
Lifetime on tub and install |
Lifetime on tub and install |
Limited lifetime on tub and install |
| Financing | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
*Wheelchair-accessible tubs have a “roll-in threshold,” which is an ultra-low barrier (up to 0.5″ high) that lets a wheelchair pass over with little to no resistance.
What we look for in the best walk-in tubs
We looked for the following features when choosing the best walk-in tubs:
Ella’s Bubbles: Best Walk-In Tub Overall
We chose Ella’s Bubbles as our Best Walk-In Tub Overall because they offer the most model options (six models compared to one to two), including wheelchair-accessible and bariatric tubs. It also earned the highest score of all the walk-in tub companies we tested.
- Ella's Bubbles Review
- Free virtual tours of the tubs available
- Highest water capacity of any tub we tested
- Standout feature: Six different models to choose from (compared to one to two from other companies)
- Tub types: Walk-in tub, hybrid shower, wheelchair-accessible, bariatric
- Lowest (non-wheelchair tub) threshold height: 3 inches (″)
- Max. weight capacity: No set weight capacity
- ADA compliant: Yes
Pros
- Widest variety of tub models
- Highest water capacity on the list
- Friendly and informative staff
- Helpful, one-on-one virtual demonstrations
Cons
- Tubs come fully assembled, which might be an issue for homes with narrow doors
- Ella’s Bubbles doesn’t offer installation
American Standard: Best Walk-In Tub Comfort Features
We chose American Standard for the Best Walk-In Tub Comfort Features because it earned the highest comfort score (9.3/10) of any walk-in tub we tested (It also scored 9.8/10 overall). Not only do they have the most jets, but they also place them strategically to help relieve common pressure points and reduce chronic pain.
- Soothing features like aromatherapy and chromotherapy
- Highest comfort score on this list
- Standout feature: 44 jets (most of any brand we tested)
- Tub types: Soaking, wheelchair-accessible, whirlpool, bariatric
- Lowest (non-wheelchair tub) threshold height: 3″
- Max. weight capacity: 600 lbs
- ADA compliant: Yes
Pros
- 44 jets (most of any brand we tested)
- Great comfort features (like aromatherapy and chromatherapy)
- Unique air-purge feature (only Kohler has this too)
Cons
- Limited color options
- Only one model available
Safe Step: Best Walk-In Tub for Seniors
We chose Safe Step as the Best Walk-In Tub for Seniors because it is the most affordable tub on the list (about $900 less than the next least expensive brand) and offers a great lifetime warranty for both the tub and installation. We think Safe Step is a more affordable and accessible choice for older adults on a budget.
- Lifetime warranty on both tub and installation
- Financing available through the manufacturer
- Standout feature: Lowest price on this list (about $900 less than the next least-expensive brand)
- Tub types: Soaking, whirlpool, wheelchair-accessible, bariatric
- Lowest (non-wheelchair tub) threshold height: 2″
- Max. weight capacity: 600 lbs
- ADA compliant: Yes
Pros
- Most affordable walk-in tub on our list
- Lifetime warranty on tub and installation
- Free extra grab bar and extra-tall toilet
- Sales experience was enjoyable, professional, and not pushy
Cons
- Lowest water capacity on our list (70 gallons)
- Fewest number of jets on our list (26)
Kohler: Best Luxury Walk-In Tub
We chose Kohler as the Best Luxury Walk-In Tub because no other walk-in tub company offers the luxurious design options it does. They are the only company on our list to offer additional features, such as stone wall inserts, that create an upscale look for your tub and bathroom.
- Luxury design options
- Legacy company with more than 150 years in business
- Standout feature: Highest quality design options (luxury stone walls, upscale accessories, and more)
- Tub types: Soaking and whirlpool
- Threshold height: 3″
- Max. weight capacity: 600 lbs
- ADA compliant: Yes
Pros
- Upscale design options
- Ability to design your entire bathroom around your walk-in tub
- Kohler has a long history and solid reputation
Cons
- Testers were underwhelmed by the sales process
- Most expensive tub on our list
- Fewer comfort features
- Limited model choices
Walk-in tubs that didn’t make the cut
Not every walk-in tub we tested made it into our review. Our testers had an overwhelmingly negative experience with Independent Home.
Independent Home
When our tester called Independent Home, they found the salesperson to be pushy and demanding. They assumed our caller's marital status and orientation and requested that ‘the husband’ be available during the appointment, even though our tester is not married.
“The salesperson was also very adamant I did not miss my appointment time,” the tester said. “He said, ‘If I send someone out there, I need to make sure they aren’t wasting their time. Some of our salespeople are driving an hour or more to make your appointment.’”
After all of that, Independent Home didn’t even show up to the appointment, and they didn’t call to tell our tester they wouldn’t make it. Due to this lack of professionalism, we cannot recommend Independent Home.
How we tested the best walk-in tubs
Our team has spent hundreds of hours researching and testing walk-in tub brands so you can feel confident in our reviews. We work with experts in medicine, mobility, aging, physical therapy, and occupational therapy. Those experts help us learn what features are most important when searching for the best walk-in tubs.
For this review, we personally tested five brands of walk-in tubs identified through our research as offering safe, comfortable, and therapeutic options. While we didn’t sit in these tubs ourselves, we mystery shopped the process as a consumer would. That means we called each company and set up a free, in-home quote to understand the buying process.
We considered these important factors when researching the best walk-in tubs for older adults:
Safety features
We researched the most common safety features in walk-in tubs and compiled a list of which brands offer which safety features. We prioritized brands with the most safety features, such as extra grab bars and no-slip floors.
Low threshold height
Walk-in tubs should have the lowest possible threshold height. That way, users only need to step over a small barrier to get into the tub, rather than lifting their whole leg. We confirmed every brand on this list offers the industry standard of 3” threshold heights or lower.
Good warranty
With an expensive product like a walk-in tub that must be installed, a good warranty is crucial. We ensured that every brand offers a basic warranty on its product, but prioritized companies that offer a lifetime warranty on both the installation and the bathtub itself.
How do walk-in tubs work?
Walk-in tubs are taller than the average tub and have a bench for you to sit on. Some walk-in tubs come in lie-down versions, but most are designed for you to sit upright. A wide door swings out or in, and you step in over a very low threshold (usually 3”), eliminating the need for you to lift your foot or leg over the side. They are typically designed to empty quickly, so you don’t have to sit in cold water for long. Walk-in tubs sometimes have a detachable shower head. They look similar to a hot tub.
If you live in a mobile home, you might need a specific tub model that addresses the potential weight limits or narrower doorways in your home. Make sure to tell the salesperson you need a mobile-friendly tub model.
Types of walk-in tubs
Walk-in tubs can come in a huge variety of sizes, styles, and features, but these are the four main models of tubs:
- Soaker: A typical tub style that fills with water and has no jets.
- Whirlpool: Like a soaker tub, but has hydro or air jets for a spa-like experience.
- Wheelchair accessible: Designed for a wheelchair user to safely enter and exit the tub.
- Bariatric: Designed for higher-weight people (typically more than 300 lbs) to comfortably fit inside.
How much do the best walk-in tubs cost?
The price of a walk-in tub varies widely due to factors such as style, features, and size. The installation price can vary, too, depending on whether you go through the manufacturer or a local contractor. According to our research, the average price to install a walk-in tub is $5,000. For the most accurate pricing for your desired tub, please contact your preferred company for a personalized quote. The company should give you a free quote. If that’s not an option, we don’t recommend working with that brand.
| Comparison Features | Ella’s Bubbles |
American Standard |
Safe Step |
Kohler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average starting cost (tub only) | $3,870 |
$4,500 |
$3,000 |
$5,000 |
| Financing | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Warranty length | Limited lifetime |
Lifetime |
Lifetime |
Limited lifetime |
Walk-in tubs cost estimate by tub type
| SOAKER | WHIRLPOOL | LUXURY (multi-feature) | |
| EQUIPMENT COST | $2,000–$5,000 | $5,000–$8,000 | $8,000–$12,000+ |
| INSTALLATION COST* | $1,000–$5,000 | $1,000–$5,000 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| TOTAL ESTIMATE | $3,000–$10,000 | $6,000–$13,000 | $9,000–$17,000+ |
*Installation fees depend on individual circumstances, including any additions or modifications to electrical or plumbing systems, structural changes, and regional differences in the cost of goods and labor.
The pricing of wheelchair-accessible and bariatric tubs varies depending on your personal needs. We recommend calling your preferred company for a quote.
Tips for finding trusted installers
- When approaching an installer you haven’t worked with before, ask for their credentials, training, and experience with installing walk-in tubs.
- When possible, request to see photos of their previous installations. Ask if they can provide contact information for previous customers who could share their experience and satisfaction level.
- All the better if you can ask friends or family who have had similar work and were satisfied with it for a referral to their installer.
How to save money on walk-in tubs
The best walk-in tubs, like the best stair lifts or other home safety modifications, can be expensive. But there are ways you can save money. Some companies sell used tubs for a lower price than buying new.
All of the companies on our list offer financing, so you can pay over time instead of all at once. And if you can choose a local contractor, you can compare installation prices and go with the most affordable option.
In our 2025 focus group of older adults with mobility issues, some participants explained that it was more cost-effective for them to move into a different home (a single-story home or a trailer) than to pay for home safety modifications.3 While we hope to provide the resources and information to make it easier to age in place, it’s important to remember that everyone’s best decision is different.
Where to buy walk-in tubs
You can buy a walk-in tub either through the manufacturer or a big-box home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowe’s. Buying from the manufacturer tends to be a better experience because of financial incentives and certified installers. But a home improvement store might be helpful if you want to see the tubs in person and don’t live near a showroom.
Walk-in tub warranties
Walk-in tub warranties are designed to cover either the tub, the installation, or sometimes both. Warranties are a great way to save money on repairs. They also help keep the repair process smooth, since the manufacturer will either repair or replace the covered parts themselves. With a lifetime warranty on both the tub and the installation, we think Safe Step and American Standard have the best warranty on the list.
Benefits of walk-in tubs
Walk-in tubs have a lot of benefits, such as better safety and a reduced falls risk, but they are especially beneficial to older adults. The security features of a walk-in tub can help older adults feel more willing to bathe by themselves, increasing their independence and quality of life.9 In our 2025 survey of people with mobility issues, 86% of respondents said their walk-in tub had either a very positive or positive impact on their lives. Only 1% said it had a negative impact.1
“After injuring my knee, having my walk-in tub was really helpful for me to not stress when bathing,” one survey respondent said. Another added, “It made me more independent so I no longer need to ask others for constant help.”
Of all the rooms in an average home, bathrooms have the highest number of fall-related risks.10 “Research tells us that bathrooms are a high-risk area for older adult falls,” said Nina Pflumm Herndon, MAG, CMC, CLPF, the founder and executive director of Sage Eldercare Solutions in San Francisco. “Walk in tubs eliminate one of the dangers in the bathroom: imbalance or falls that happen as people step over a tub wall. Being able to bathe safely is a quality of life issue— we've all had the experience of our outlook brightening or 'feeling better' after a shower or bath. It's not just about the functional need of bathing, but also supporting well being.”
If you have balance or mobility issues, a walk-in tub could make you feel safer and more independent. If you want to learn more about other tools for increasing independence in the home, read our guide to the best medical alert systems.
What to consider when buying a walk-in tub
When purchasing a walk-in tub, consider these factors:
- What type of tub (soaker, whirlpool, bariatric) would best fit your needs?
- What comfort features are you looking for?
- Do you need a wheelchair-accessible tub?
- What’s your budget?
- Do you prefer a local contractor?
How can I tell if a walk-in tub is right for me?
While a walk-in tub can support bathing, it is important to consider the level of assistance you need while bathing. If you receive help with bathing from a caregiver, or if you have a progressive condition that may worsen over time, an occupational therapist (OT) can advise on whether purchasing a walk-in tub is right for you.
OTs are licensed health care professionals who work with individuals to support their daily activities by adapting the home environment to increase independence, promote health, and prevent injury. They can provide guidance on whether a walk-in tub will meet your needs now, and in the future. You can ask your doctor for a referral to an OT.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover a walk-in tub?
No, Medicare does not typically cover walk-in tubs. Some Medicare Advantage policies might cover a walk-in tub, either partially or in full, but it depends on your specific policy. Check with your insurance provider for more information.
Are walk-in tubs covered by insurance?
No, walk-in tubs are not typically covered by insurance. Double-check your specific policy to be sure, but it’s usually not the case.
What is the best walk-in tub?
We picked Ella’s Bubbles as the best walk-in tub because of their wide range of tub models and knowledgeable customer service.
What size heater do I need for a walk-in tub?
A walk-in tub requires a minimum 50-gallon water heater.
Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.
