Types of Bathtubs

A new bathtub can upgrade the overall look of your bathroom, add value to your home, and give you a relaxing space to bathe, give kids a bath, or whatever else you’re envisioning for your new tub. However, the bathroom tub you choose is primarily going to come down to your budget and the dimensions of the space where the tub will go. This guide will show you the six types of bathtubs you can choose from, what each costs, their pros and cons, and additional links to each tub type’s guide so you can make the best decision for your home and your family.

Bathtub/Shower Combo

• Best for families with young kids, households with pets, and homes with only one bathroom.
• Average cost: $2,990 – $8,150

A shower and tub combo is exactly what it sounds like: a bathtub (which can be any of the below styles) with a showerhead installed on one wall. Depending on the tub type, either a glass surround or a curtain can be used to keep water contained. You can learn everything you need to know about this classic, popular bathtub type by visiting our tub and shower combo guide.

Freestanding Tub

• Best for homeowners with larger bathrooms and bigger budgets.
• Average cost: $3,656 – $4,100

Freestanding tubs are not dropped into an existing platform or alcove. Instead, they are a standalone tub that does not have be anchored a particular wall. There are many types of freestanding tubs, including clawfoot tubs and slipper tubs. You can learn all about this luxurious tub type in our guide to freestanding tubs.

These tubs can go anywhere with nearby access to plumbing. This can allow you to show off the bathtub as a visual focal point in your modernized bathroom and choose from some unique types of tub faucets.

Soaking Tub

• Best for those who want to enjoy long, luxurious soaks.
• Average cost: $3,608 – $4,100

Soaking tubs are deeper than average tubs, allowing for full-body immersion in some cases. The average depth of a soaking tub is 20 to 24 inches. The deepest models reach 32 inches. They come in drop-in, standalone, and alcove varieties, so you can choose the tub placement that is ideal for your home while still finding a model that reaches greater-than-average depths. Visit our guide to soaking tubs to learn more.

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Jetted Tub

• Best for people with sore muscles or other body aches.
• Average cost: $5,500 – $7,500

Massage tubs are tubs with jets. The jets might shoot water, air, or a combination of both. These tubs also come with jets in many different locations to target specific areas of the body, with jets for the back and legs being most common. Many types of tubs, from drop-in to alcove, can have gets added to them. Read our guide to massage tubs to learn more.

Drop-in Tub

• Best for larger bathrooms and those looking for extra space to store toiletries.
• Average cost: $4,230 – $5,160

This type of bathtub is dropped into an elevated platform. It has a sleek, modern look, and it’s a style that accommodates several depths, sizes, and shapes of tub, including soaking tubs and extra-long bathtubs. A shower can also be added to a drop-in tub. The platform these tubs are dropped into allow for extra storage space for shampoo, soap, or even baskets of towels depending on how large the platform is. Read all about this gorgeous, versatile tub type in our guide to drop-in tubs.

Alcove Tub

• Best for smaller bathrooms, anyone on a budget, and families with young kids or pets.
• Average cost: $1,625 – $2,000

Alcove tubs are installed against three walls, fitting into an alcove just as you’d guess from the name. They are the most common tub type across the U.S. This is, in part, because of how budget-friendly this bathtub is. However, it is also because alcove tubs are so versatile. It is extremely common to add a showerhead to an alcove tub to create a tub/shower combo, making this a good choice for homes with only one bathroom or where several people share a bathroom. A basic alcove tub is very affordable, but you can also choose a soaking tub, drop-in tub, or massage tub that fits into an alcove. You can read more about alcove tubs in our buying guide.

How Do I Choose the Right Type of Bathtub?

We recommend first ruling out the tub types that won’t work for your space or family, and then narrowing in on the right type. Here’s how to choose a bathtub:

1. Check out your available space. Are you taking your bathroom down to the studs and can put your tub in several spots? Or are you replacing your tub and need to find something that fits into the space you already have? If you are doing a full remodel, the first thing you should do is consult with your contractor on where your plumbing allows you to easily put a tub. If you need to fit a tub where you have an existing bathtub, then the first thing you should do is take measurements so you know what your space constraints are. You can read more about standard bathtub sizes in our guide.
2. Finalize your budget. If you’re doing a full remodel, talk to your contractor about how much of your budget should be allocated to the bathtub. If you are only replacing or remodeling your bathtub, then be sure you keep in mind that the cost of the tub is just one of the prices that goes into the process. You also need to take demolition, installation, hardware, and any plumbing work into account. We recommend reading about bathtub replacement costs to ensure you understand all the line items associated with this renovation.
3. Evaluate your family’s needs. Once you know which types of bathtubs won’t fit into your space and/or your budget, you’ll be left with a smaller pool of options. Now is when you should look at what your household needs from a bathtub. Is it going in a bathroom that will be shared by many people? In that case, you might want a tub and shower combo to suit many needs. Do you have accessibility concerns? Then you may want to choose a walk-in tub instead or pick a tub with a lower tub wall.

Once you have narrowed down your options, we recommend you read more about bathtub remodeling to understand everything involved in the project, and then compare quotes from contractors. We’ve found getting three to four quotes gets you the best price for your project.

You can ask friends, family, and neighbors for contractor recommendations, or you can browse our contractor directory to see which pros in your area can give you a free quote.

If you’d rather have Modernize do the legwork for you, you can click below to answer a few questions about your project and have us match you with up to four remodelers.

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