Best Styles of Walk-In Tubs

Walk-in tubs aren’t just functional; they’re a canvas for style and comfort in your bathroom. Whether you’re looking for a multi-functional walk-in tub with a shower, a cozy tub made for two, or something more specific to your needs, you’ll find a range of options here. Dive into our selection of walk-in tub styles to find the perfect match for your bathroom remodel.

Tub and Shower Combo

This type of walk-in tub is similar to the tub/shower combo found in many homes. The difference is that the tub is made with a door, has a low step-threshold, and comes with all the other safety features standard among walk-in tubs. A shower is mounted to the wall above the tub, and then a shower curtain or shower screen is added to keep water off the floor.

A tub/shower combo walk-in tub is suitable for users who have other family members using the same bathroom who would prefer to shower or for walk-in tub users who are able to safely stand and shower but who require the low step-threshold walk-in tubs provide.

Massage Tub

A massage walk-in tub, also known as a jacuzzi walk-in tub, comes with features to help soothe sore muscles and/or help muscles feel more invigorated. Jets are strategically built into the walk-in tub to target specific muscle groups. The jets shoot either water or air. Some massage tubs even come with specialty options like jets aimed at the feet for a foot massage.

A massage walk-in tub is a good option for users who regularly experience sore or tired muscles in their back, legs, or feet.

Bariatric Tub

A bariatric walk-in tub is designed for the comfort of users with bigger bodies. A standard walk-in tub is typically built for users who are under 300 lbs, which may mean the door and seat are uncomfortable or difficult to maneuver for users with bodies larger than that. The doors and seats of bariatric tubs are wider than on standard walk-in tubs, and they may also be deeper.

This type of tub is best for users who have larger bodies or who would benefit from a wider seat, a wider entry door, or a deeper tub.

Wheelchair-Accessible Tub 

Also called a slide-in tub, this type of tub has a chair-height seat that is immediately accessible once the door of the tub is open. This eliminates the need to stand and step over a threshold. Instead, the user can slide from a wheelchair to the seat, then shift or lift their legs sideways over the door threshold. These tubs have an L-shaped door, and the seat inside is available in several different widths to accommodate all body sizes.

A wheelchair-accessible walk-in tub or slide-in tub is best for anyone who wants the ease of sitting before needing to lift feet or legs over a threshold. It is particularly well-designed for anyone who uses a wheelchair.

Soaker Tub

Often referred to as a “deep walk-in tub,” a soaker walk-in tub typically has between two and four extra inches of depth when compared to a standard walk-in tub. Similar to a traditional soaking tub, this allows water levels to come to the user’s shoulders.

Soaker walk-in tubs or deep walk-in tubs are a wonderful option for anyone who is six feet or taller or for anyone who would prefer a high water level for full-body submersion. 

Two-Seater Tub

As the name suggests, a two-seater walk-in tub can accommodate two bathers at once. Some brands allow users to customize each side of the tub so that each bather has the features they need.

A two-seater walk-in tub is especially useful if there is more than one person in the household who needs a walk-in tub or for any user who may need assistance bathing.

Petite Tub

Also called a short walk-in tub, a compact walk-in tub, or a space-saving walk-in tub, a petite walk-in tub is smaller than a standard one.

There are several reasons to choose a petite walk-in tub, including:

• The user has a shorter (under 5’5”) or smaller (under 140lbs) body
• The bathroom is smaller or has a shorter space for installing the tub
• The home has narrow hallways that a standard walk-in tub cannot fit through to be installed

Lay-Down Tub

A lay-down walk-in tub does not have a seat inside. Instead, it has a door with a low threshold, non-slip flooring, and the other safety and comfort features users would find in a walk-in tub, but otherwise appears quite similar in design to a standard bathtub.

Lay-down walk-in tubs are suitable for any user who is able to safely get from sitting to standing and vice versa. A user who would prefer to keep their bathing experience as similar as possible to what they have experienced with their current standard tub but have the extra features and peace of mind that come with a walk-in tub should consider a lay-down tub. This tub type is not available from all brands.