A walk in tub replaces the 18-inch climb over a bathtub wall with a door and a 3-to-7-inch step. You sit on a built-in seat at chair height, close the door, fill the tub to chest depth, and soak with hydrotherapy if you choose it. We have installed them since 2012 in all 50 states, and the three brands below are the ones that have held up: Hydro Dimensions (fiberglass, California, lifetime warranty), Ella's Bubbles (acrylic, Chicago, the widest range of seats and doors) and Meditub (acrylic, best value).
Walk In Tubs: Every Model We Install, Compared
Sixty tubs from three factories, filtered by the numbers that matter: alcove size, seat width, door swing and therapy. No prices online because every install is different; call and we quote a range on the first call.
Related: Handicap bathtubs for wheelchair and caregiver transfers → · Installers near you →
60walk in tub models
3factories we install
1 daytypical installation
50states served
Find your tub
How to choose a walk in tub in five minutes
- Measure the alcove: length wall to wall, width, and the narrowest door on the path in. Most tubs are 52 to 55 inches long and use extension panels to close a 60-inch alcove.
- Measure the person: hip width seated, and height. Seat width matters more than tub width. Ella publishes seat and hip numbers for every model, which is why we list them.
- Pick the door: inward doors seal tighter and need no clearance in the room; outward doors give more room inside and are the only option for a level wheelchair transfer.
- Pick therapy: soaker, hydro (water jets), air (bubbles), dual, foot massage, or microbubble. It is built at the factory, so decide before ordering.
- Decide who installs: our factory-certified crew in one day, or supply-only to your plumber with free tech support and the same warranty.
Walk in tub or roll in shower?
If you want to soak, sit, and use hydrotherapy for arthritis or circulation, a tub wins. If you use a wheelchair or walker, need a caregiver in the room, or want a two-minute wash rather than a 20-minute bath, a roll in shower wins. A walk in tub with shower does both when the household disagrees.
Questions we answer every day
How much does a walk in tub cost installed?
Fully installed walk in tubs start around $15,000 and most premium installs come in well under $20,000 depending on the model, therapy options and what your bathroom needs to accept it. Supply-only tubs cost less. We quote a written range on the first call; see our walk in tub cost page for the full breakdown.
Do walk in tubs leak?
Not when installed correctly. Door seals are pressure-tested at the factory, and leaks in this industry almost always trace to installation, which is why our installs carry a leak protection guarantee.
How long does it take to fill and drain?
Filling takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your water heater and the tub size; you sit inside with the door closed while it fills. Draining takes 80 seconds with Ella's dual drain, under a minute with Meditub's auto drain, and 2 to 3 minutes on a single drain.
Can a walk in tub fit in my existing tub space?
Almost always. A standard alcove is 60 by 30 inches; most walk in tubs are 52 to 55 inches long and ship with extension panels to close the gap, and 30 x 60 models drop straight in.
Will Medicare pay for it?
Original Medicare generally does not. Some Medicare Advantage plans, state waiver programs and the VA HISA grant do help. See our Medicare and walk in tubs page for what actually works.
Free, no-pressure guidance
Let's make your bathroom a safer room in the house.
Talk to a real person about walk in tubs, roll in showers, installation in your area and pricing. Veteran & senior discounts included.