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Best Bathtub Reviews: Our Top Choices & Buying Guide

By Lynda Stevens · · Updated

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With so many different options on the market, finding the best bathtub for your home can be tricky. That’s why we prepared this guide to the best models out there – to save you the time and trouble of finding the perfect bathtub that looks and feels exactly the way you want. Whether you are looking for an affordable and simple choice, or prefer a tub that will add enjoyment to the hours spent soaking and relaxing, you’ve come to the right place.

The recommendations below cover the best baths of all prices, sizes, features, and styles. Our carefully assessed reviews will give you a good idea of what each bathtub has to offer, and why we’ve included these specific ones. Make sure to read our buying guide at the end, too, as you don’t want to buy your new tub without getting our essential advice! Whether you are looking for a large tub, compact tub, or one with tons of features, we have tubs of all types on our list!

Read on to find the perfect bathtub for your home!

1. Best Overall: American Standard Cambridge

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We think it’s the best choice for a standard recessed bathtub, and we recommend it as the top standard option for the majority of homes.

The American Standard Cambridge bathtub is the best one-size-fits-all choice on the market, which makes it suitable for most people. This is our top recommendation because it offers quality, durability, and comfort. While it’s not the most budget-friendly purchase, this bath is a good value for your money. We think it’s the best choice for a standard recessed bathtub, and we recommend it as the top standard option for the majority of homes.

Pros:

The American Standard Cambridge bath has a very durable build. It’s made from Americast, American Standard’s proprietary alternative to cast iron. Americast pairs an enameling-grade steel layer with a structural composite backing for strength and insulation. The top layer is a porcelain enamel finish, which resists scratches and protects the metal underneath.

American Standard describes Americast as more durable, lighter and less costly to install than cast iron.

The tub is backed by a limited warranty. Confirm the current warranty terms for your model before you buy.

It has slip-resistant matting on the bottom, which makes it a great choice for the elderly.

This tub is a space-efficient fit for any bathroom with a right-hand drain and a standard size of 60”x32”x17-¾”.

The Cambridge is also easy and comfortable to use. It has slip-resistant matting on the bottom, which makes it a great choice for the elderly whether they enjoy to shower or bathe. It’s also ideal for older consumers because it’s angled for lumbar support so that you can comfortably sit down to soak in the tub. On its product page, American Standard lists it as ADA compliant when a seat is installed at the head end.

This bath’s design is also quite simple, subtle, and stylish. The model comes in four colors, which are variations of white – regular white, arctic, bone, and linen. This will make it easy for you to choose the color which best matches your bathroom’s decor.

It is not freestanding, so it can easily connect to a shower as well.

Cons:

The Cambridge is not a great choice if your bathroom is very cramped.

Additionally, for a standard recessed bath, the price is a bit hefty.

2. Best Freestanding Bathtub: Empava Luxury Freestanding Bathtub

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The freestanding design allows you to set up the bathtub at the center of your bathroom.

Our favorite freestanding bath is the Empava Luxury Freestanding Bathtub. This product is very stylish, which makes it a great aesthetic addition to any bathroom. The freestanding design allows you to set up the bathtub at the center of your bathroom. If you enjoy spending more time soaking, we’re pretty sure you’ll love the Empava.

Pros:

The Empava Luxury bathtub is one of the most beautiful products on this list. The large, curved edges of the design give a wave-like impression, which reminds one of the sea.

The curves are also a great ergonomic addition to the functionality of the bath. They will give you a comfortable place to rest your arms. Plus, the slanted sides can help improve the alignment of your back and lower body.

This freestanding bathtub can be positioned anywhere in the bathroom. This makes it a good choice for rooms that don’t have so much space on the sides, or for spacious bathrooms that allow for fashionable interior design choices.

A detachable shower head can be installed to make hair washing a breeze.

The Empava is an affordable as well as a durable option, which makes it a good value for your money. The bathtub is made using 100% white glossy acrylic that is reinforced by fiberglass, which allows the color to be consistent and not lose shine over time. Unlike paint, the color runs through the acrylic, so it won’t chip away with use.

The durability of this bath is backed by a 5-year warranty on parts.

This freestanding bathtub can be positioned anywhere in the bathroom.

The size of the bath is suitable for full-body immersion for people of all sizes. The 66”x31”x27” dimensions and 58-gallon capacity will allow you to spend hours soaking and relaxing in this bathtub.

The Empava Luxury Freestanding Bathtub is also easy to install. Customers with DIY experience have reported that it’s an easy two-person job.

Cons:

The brushed nickel drain and overflow that come with this bath have developed rust over time in a few cases.

Another issue is the drain pipe. As it’s made of plastic, some people have reported that it drains too slowly, while others have complained that it leaks. Make sure that the drain is snug in place before installing the tub, this will keep your floor dry and free of mold.

Lastly, Empava’s customer service doesn’t have the best reputation for responsiveness and swift action.

3. Best Luxury Bathtub: Ella’s Bubbles 93057-HB Deluxe Dual Massage Acrylic Walk-In Bathtub

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While for some people this may be an enjoyable splurge, it’s actually a great choice for people with limited mobility.

The Ella’s Bubbles 93057-HB Deluxe Bathtub is undoubtedly the most luxurious choice on our list, offering a walk-in option and over 22 whirlpool jets for air and hydro massage. While for some people this may seem like a frivolous splurge because of the high price, it’s actually a great choice for people with limited mobility. It’s also good for people recovering from injuries, or people suffering from any sort of ailments that affect muscles or bones.

Pros:

The Deluxe Dual Massage can be a soothing part of your routine. Warm water and massage jets can help tired, tense muscles relax. If you are recovering from an injury, ask your doctor how hydrotherapy fits your care. The massage features include therapeutic and standard jets, along with an in-line heater which regulates the temperature of the water in the tub.

The bathtub is also quite space-efficient and ergonomic. Its measurements (30”x55”x38”) make it compact enough to fit into limited spaces, but spacious enough to accommodate any users. The seat is almost 20” wide, which makes it suitable for individuals of all sizes.

Ella’s Bubbles is easy to use, too. The maker says its dual drain technology empties the tub in under 80 seconds. That matters with any walk-in tub, since you have to stay seated inside while it fills and drains before you can open the door.

Another reason why this is a great choice for people with mobility issues is that the tub comes with a door on the side. This makes access very easy. The door is covered with chrome and designed to seal the water off completely, eliminating the possibility of leakage.

Alternatively, this bath is a great choice for people who can afford a pricey way to relax and enjoy. The different setting types on the whirlpool jets allow for relaxing massages, and not just therapeutic ones.

As the Ella’s Bubbles bathtub is geared towards people who want to soak for longer periods of time, it’s designed to remain clean and hygienic. It comes with an ozone sterilization function that helps keep the jet system cleaner between uses. You still need to clean and flush the system on the maker’s schedule.

The seat is almost 20” wide, which makes it suitable for individuals of all sizes.

The build of this bathtub is quite durable, with an acrylic shell and a chrome finish on the door, which reinforces the powerful seal. This product’s durable build is reinforced by a 5-year parts warranty, and a lifetime limited warranty on the frame, the door, the door seal gasket, and the acrylic in the tub shell.

Last but not least, the Ella’s Bubbles customer service team is reported to be very helpful and responsive.

Cons:

Some people have found the temperature control on this bath a bit confusing to use, so their water would end up either too hot or too cold.

Additionally, this product comes with a high price tag, and its pump and heater need dedicated electrical circuits. This Old House recommends GFCI protection for every electrical component and a licensed electrician to confirm the setup meets code.

4. Best On A Budget: Bootz 011-2364-00 Aloha Bathtub

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Although the quality of our other recommendations is superior, this bathtub’s low price makes it a good value.

The Bootz Aloha is the best choice if you’re on a tight budget. It’s a standard, lightweight recessed tub. We also recommend the Bootz if you need a basic tub to fit a standard three-wall alcove. Although the quality of our other recommendations is superior, this bathtub’s low price makes it a good value.

Pros:

This bathtub’s top feature is its price tag. It is one of the more affordable recessed tubs, so it offers great value for your money. The Aloha is made of steel with a porcelain enamel finish, which resists abrasion, stains and household chemicals.

This bathtub is easier to maintain than most other options in its price range. The color holds up well, since it is part of the porcelain enamel rather than a coat of paint. The sleek, nonporous surface makes cleanup very easy.

The design of the Aloha bathtub is reasonably durable. This steel tub comes with a porcelain enamel finish, which retains its gloss after years of use and resists abrasions. As Family Handyman notes, enamel on steel can chip and wear through, and exposed steel can rust, so avoid dropping heavy objects in it. Although the tub comes with a 1-year warranty, customers have reported that the Aloha can easily withstand years of use.

The sleek, nonporous surface makes cleanup very easy.

This bathtub is quite easy to install, thanks to its straightforward design. Although it doesn’t come with an instruction manual, people with some DIY experience and professionals can easily get the job done thanks to the weight of the tub being light and easily maneuverable.

This recessed tub is a standard 5-foot bathtub and it easily fits in most bathrooms.

The Aloha is also a safe choice, especially for elderly consumers, as the bottom is slip-resistant.

A shower line can easily be installed with it for an all-in-one experience.

Cons:

The fact that the tub comes without an instruction manual can be a nuisance.

Another issue is that if you leave metal inside the tub while wet, the rust will easily stain the tub. A chip in the enamel can also let the steel underneath rust.

Conclusion

After reading our reviews for the top bathtubs available on the market, you may wonder: which bathtub is the best choice for your home?

The best bathtub is the American Standard Cambridge bathtub. In our opinion, it is an ideal choice for nearly everybody. This quality bathtub is very durable and backed by a limited warranty. It’s also very ergonomic thanks to the lumbar support and slip-resistant matting. The standard size allows it to fit into almost any bathroom, and the different color options allow you to choose a shade that best matches your bathroom tiles.

If you are looking for a standard-sized recessed bathtub, but are on a tight budget, the Bootz Aloha bathtub is a good choice. This bathtub doesn’t have the quality of the American Standard, but it comes at a much more affordable price. The Aloha is a straightforward product that is easy to install and can endure years of use, adding value for your money.

Yet, the Aloha bathtub is not the most stylish choice. If you are willing to spend more money on aesthetics (and quality), the Empava Luxury Freestanding bathtub is by far the most beautiful product on this list. This freestanding bathtub can be placed at the center of sizeable bathrooms. Its full-immersion capacity will allow you to spend hours relaxing and soaking.

Lastly, if money is not an issue for you, the Ella’s Bubbles Dual Massage bathtub is our top luxury choice. It’s good for both those who enjoy relaxation and those in need of physical therapy.[1] The multiple hydro and air jets can relax your muscles and give you a full body massage. Additionally, the walk-in option makes it an ideal choice for individuals with mobility issues and the elderly.

Buying Guide

Price

Our reviews include products in all price categories. Knowing how much you are willing or able to spend on a new bathtub will make it easier for you to make a choice. Basic steel and acrylic tubs are the most affordable, quality Americast and cast iron tubs cost more, and walk-in or jetted tubs with added features cost the most. Prices change often, so compare current listings.

Knowing how much you are willing or able to spend on a new bathtub will make it easier for you to make a choice.

Size

The size of your bathroom can limit your pool of options. Measure carefully how much space you have available for a new bathtub. While the standard recessed bathtubs can fit in most bathrooms, freestanding tubs, tubs with larger capacities, or tubs with more special features tend to take up more space.

The size of your bathroom can limit your pool of options

Tub Material

Bathtubs can be made out of several different material options, ranging from the least expensive fiberglass to acrylic, porcelain, as well as cast iron. Each of these materials brings something different to your bathroom and might affect which style you choose. Porcelain-enameled steel, for example, is a strong option at a moderate price, though the enamel can chip. Cast iron, on the other hand, is more expensive and very heavy, but it can last for decades.

Each of these materials brings something different to your bathroom and might affect which style you choose.

Features

You may be looking for a simple bathtub for showers and occasional baths, or you may be looking for a bathtub which offers more versatile features. If you are looking for an aesthetic addition to your bathroom, consider choosing a freestanding bathtub. On the other hand, if you’re after something that can help alleviate muscle and joint pain, look into bathtubs with whirlpool jets, temperature control, and other features which can help treatment or recovery.

If you are looking for an aesthetic addition to your bathroom, consider choosing a freestanding bathtub.

Warranty

A good warranty will give you confidence in your purchase. Keep in mind that good warranties usually accompany better quality products, which come at steeper prices.

Buyers Also Asked

Acrylic is one of the most popular tub materials. This is because it is relatively affordable, lasts a long time, and is easy to move and maneuver.

What Is The Most Durable Material For A Bathtub?

If you want a bathtub that your great-great-grandchildren will be bathing in, cast-iron is the choice for you. Cast-iron is one of the most durable material for a bathtub choices. Its enamel finish is non-porous and stain-resistant, and the iron resists dents. Plan for the weight, though: Family Handyman puts cast iron tubs at 300 to 500 pounds empty.

How Long Do Bathtubs Last?

The right bathtub can last a lifetime, or even longer. Many cast-iron and copper tubs have been used for a hundred years or more and are still going (with updates to plumbing, of course). Over the course of time you might want to refinish a bathtub, but that does not mean it isn’t useable. Refinishing your bathtub will put it out of commission for a few days, but a good refinishing job can last for years.

What’s Next?

Hopefully, you found our review and buying guide for the best bathtubs helpful in choosing the best option for your home. To get more information about each of our recommended products, follow the title links to learn their price, in-depth specifications, and customer reviews.

In the meantime, make sure to visit our homepage to find links to our latest buying guides, featured reviews, and fun blog posts. You can also swing by our contact page to drop us a line if you have questions, comments, or any other feedback for us.

Happy soaking!

Don’t miss our niche guides:

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homeworthylist.com/best-steam-shower-reviews/
homeworthylist.com/best-corner-bathtub-reviews/
homeworthylist.com/best-alcove-bathtub-reviews/

Sources

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