The 5 Best Bathtubs (2023 Review)

If you prefer bathing to showering, a functional, comfortable bathtub is a must. Whether you want a deep tub to cover your entire body with water or a long tub to extend your legs, there are many shapes and sizes on the market to choose from. To help you select a model, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best bathtubs on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.

Top 5 Bathtubs

• Best Small Freestanding: FerdY Acrylic Freestanding Bathtub
• Best Large Alcove: Kingston Brass Alcove Bathtub
• Best Small Alcove: American Standard Apron Bathtub
• Best Large Freestanding: WOODBRIDGE Bathtub
• Best Walk-In: Empava Freestanding Walk-In Bathtub

Best Small Freestanding: FerdY Acrylic Freestanding Bathtub

Pros and Cons

✔ Made from acrylic that’s reinforced with fiberglass for long-lasting durability
✔ Has a high load capacity of 1,750 pounds
✔ Comes with a drain that you can purchase in different finishes

✘ May be difficult for people with limited mobility to climb into
✘ Has a six-year surface warranty that doesn’t cover scratches

What Customers Are Saying

Those who were happy with this soaking tub said that it was comfortable to sit in and made from sturdy materials. They also mentioned its stylish, modern design. However, unhappy customers found installation to be a challenge.

Best Large Alcove: Kingston Brass Alcove Bathtub

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a tile flange and apron
✔ Can choose a left- or right-facing drain
✔ Can stretch your legs out

✘ Doesn’t include a drain kit
✘ Fits only in a 60-by-30-inch cutout

What Customers Are Saying

Customers were pleased with how easy to install and comfortable to use this affordable tub was. However, some users felt that the manufacturer sacrificed durability for this affordability, as the tub didn’t last for them.

Best Small Alcove: American Standard Apron Bathtub

Pros and Cons

✔ Features contoured lumbar support
✔ Compatible with universal and deep-soak drains
✔ Has a pre-leveled bottom for easier DIY installation

✘ Doesn’t have a left drain option
✘ Not the best for soaking because it’s only 18 inches deep

What Customers Are Saying

Overall, customers thought that this alcove bathtub was durable, specifically noting its scratch-resistant finish. Displeased customers did struggle to get water to drain from it properly, though.

Best Large Freestanding: WOODBRIDGE Bathtub

Pros and Cons

✔ Offers one- or two-person bathing
✔ Uses a double-walled design to keep the water at your desired temperature
✔ Comes with matching drain and overflow hardware

✘ Comes with a short one-year warranty
✘ May not fit in small bathrooms

What Customers Are Saying

Customers found this tub to be both easy to install and drain. They also appreciated how helpful and responsive the manufacturer’s customer service team was. However, some customers received the incorrect finish. Others said that it cracked easily.

Best Walk-In: Empava Freestanding Walk-In Bathtub

Pros and Cons

✔ Can latch the door once you’re inside
✔ Has a textured floor to prevent slipping
✔ Include a pre-installed faucet and additional hardware

✘ Has extra features that bring up its price
✘ Weighs 160 pounds without water in it

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who left positive reviews of this model said that it was sturdy and easy to install. They also found it to be the perfect solution for those with limited mobility. Customers who left negative reviews said it was prone to leaks.

Buyer’s Guide

This buying guide will help you identify the most important factors to consider before you select your ideal soaking bathtub to relax in.

Size

Choose a tub that fits in the available space in your bathroom. Standard bathtubs are around 60 inches long and 30 inches wide and generally fit into small spaces. Extended bathtub sizes are suitable for taller users and measure up to 70 inches long.

Weight

Bathtubs can range from lightweight plastic models to heavy metal and ceramic models. Add the weight of water to that, and a full tub can weigh anywhere from several hundred to a thousand pounds. Make sure that your bathroom floor can handle the weight of the tub you select. Otherwise, your floor could crack or sag.

Capacity

Capacity refers to the amount of water, in gallons, a bathtub can hold before it overflows or begins to drain. Choose a bathtub with a higher capacity to cover your entire body with water.

Type

The right type of bathtub ensures comfort, durability, and compatibility with your existing bathroom space. Bathtubs fall into the following categories.

Alcove

Alcove bathtubs fit into an existing space in your bathroom and are enclosed on three sides. They usually have a rectangular shape.

Drop-In

Drop-in tubs are similar to alcove tubs in that they have a rectangular shape. However, they’re only enclosed on one or two sides instead of three.

Freestanding

Freestanding bathtubs are open on all sides, and they usually have an oval shape. These tubs are often deep, making them ideal for soaking. Freestanding models with four legs to elevate the tub are known as clawfoot tubs.

Walk-In

This type of tub has an opening for walking in instead of stepping in. They often have a built-in seat and a rectangular or square shape.

Material

Choose a bathtub material that matches the aesthetics of your bathroom design and doesn’t exceed your floor’s weight limit. While acrylic bathtubs are typically the most affordable, other common materials include:

• Cast iron
• Ceramic
• Copper
• Enameled steel
• Fiberglass
• Porcelain
• Resin

Drain Location

Install your bathtub over an existing drain in your bathroom, as this allows the water to drain without pooling. To do that, make sure that you choose a bathtub with a drain on the same side as your floor drain. Manufacturers usually list if the drain is on the left or right side of the tub.

Color

Many bathtubs are offered in a standard white or off-white finish. This is the most common bathtub color. However, you may be able to find a bathtub in the following color finish:

• Blue
• Green
• Metallic
• Pink
• Purple
• Red
• Yellow

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an acrylic or a porcelain bathtub better?

Acrylic bathtubs are better than porcelain bathtubs because they’re less expensive, easier to install, and weigh less. Additionally, acrylic bathtubs are more resistant to mildew compared to porcelain bathtubs. However, porcelain tubs are more durable, easier to clean, and typically last longer.

Can I install my bathtub by myself?

DIY enthusiasts can install new bathtubs themselves as long as they follow proper procedures, such as wearing work gloves and shutting off the water. However, because bathtubs are heavy and bulky, we recommend enlisting the help of at least one other person to avoid injury when you’re lifting and placing it.

How often should I clean my bathtub?

Clean your bathtub once per week to prevent the buildup of grime. Scrub your tub with either a dedicated bathroom cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.

What do I do if my bathtub develops a crack?

If you see a large crack in your bathtub, it’s probably time to start looking for a new one because cracks can lead to leaking and pooling on the floor. However, if there’s only a small crack or a few chips, you have a couple of other options. You can refinish it with a polyurethane coating or glue a vinyl or acrylic liner to its interior.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.

We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

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