A walk-in bathtub is for anyone who finds stepping over a standard tub wall risky: seniors aging in place, people recovering from surgery and anyone with limited balance or strength. What matters most is getting in and out safely, so the entry threshold, the door, the seat and the grab bars come first, followed by how long you sit waiting for the tub to fill and drain. Jets and heaters are comfort extras. Below are six walk-in tubs from our current range, from a compact non-jetted soaker to a wheelchair access model.
Quick picks
| Pick for | Product | Key spec | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest price | ANZZI Value Series 26 x 46 Walk-In Soaking Tub | 26 x 46 in, non-jetted, no wiring | $1,899.99 |
| Budget jets | ANZZI Value Series 26 x 53 Walk-In Air Tub | 18 air jets, easy-press buttons | $1,989.99 |
| Smallest bathrooms | ANZZI Coupe Series 32 x 38 Walk-In Soaking Tub | 38 in long, left swinging door | $2,924.99 |
| Door lock and service access | Sabre Paris Auvergne 53 x 27 Walk-In Tub | Lever door lock, 7 gpm faucet, 10 jets | $2,844.06 |
| Fastest exit | 53 to 60 x 26 Air and Whirlpool Jetted Walk-In Tub | Powered fast drain, 15 whirlpool and 23 air jets | $3,495 |
| Wheelchair transfers | Fully Loaded Wheelchair Access Walk-In Tub | 12 whirlpool and 18 air jets, inline heater | $3,995 |
How we chose
Every pick comes from the current range at The Everything Depot. We chose tubs on the criteria that matter for limited mobility: door design, low step threshold, seating and grab bars, fill and drain features, and whether the tub needs electrical work. We have not tested these tubs hands-on; specs come from the listings, and we flag gaps.
Lowest price: ANZZI Value Series 26 x 46 Walk-In Soaking Tub
At 26 by 46 inches, the ANZZI Value Series 26 x 46 Walk-In Soaking Tub is the smallest and least expensive tub in our picks. It is non-jetted, and the listing notes that no electrical wiring is needed, which keeps the install to plumbing. You get a wide opening door with a watertight pressure seal, a Quick Fill faucet with a handheld shower head on a 60 inch reach and a cable operated drain you can open and close while seated. The shell is marine grade gelcoat with fiberglass reinforcement on a freestanding steel frame, with door and drain on the right. Trade-off: a 46 inch tub will not fill a 60 inch alcove on its own, so confirm the trim you need.
Budget jets: ANZZI Value Series 26 x 53 Walk-In Air Tub
For a small step up in price, the ANZZI Value Series 26 x 53 Walk-In Air Tub adds 18 Acu-Stream air jets for a full body massage. The listing highlights a low step threshold, slip resistant textured flooring, contoured seating described as ADA compliant, a built-in Safe Reach grab bar and raised easy-press buttons that reduce finger and joint strain. It is marine grade acrylic with fiberglass reinforcement on a steel frame, with a Quick Fill faucet and a 60 inch reach handheld shower. Trade-off: air jets need power, so budget for an electrician, and this listing does not mention a fast drain.
Smallest bathrooms: ANZZI Coupe Series 32 x 38 Walk-In Soaking Tub
At only 38 inches long, the ANZZI Coupe Series 32 x 38 Walk-In Soaking Tub is built for bathrooms that cannot fit a full length tub. It is 32 inches wide with a left swinging door, and the listing includes a wide opening door with a watertight seal, a Quick Fill faucet with a 60 inch reach handheld shower, a cable operated drain you can work while seated and a built-in Safe Reach grab bar. Like the other soakers, it is non-jetted and needs no electrical wiring. Trade-off: a short tub means a more upright bath with less legroom.
Door lock and service access: Sabre Paris Auvergne 53 x 27 Walk-In Tub
The Sabre Paris Auvergne 53 x 27 Walk-In Tub uses a large hand lever that locks the door to prevent accidental opening during a bath, a useful detail when a caregiver is helping. It measures 53 by 27 by 42 inches, with a built-in ADA height seat, integrated grab bars, an anti-slip base and a waterproof pillow. A deck mount faucet and hand sprayer are included, with an integrated 7 gpm quick-fill faucet, and ten massage jets add hydrotherapy. Removable exterior acrylic panels give access to the plumbing for service. Trade-off: the door is on the left, so check that it suits your bathroom layout.
Fastest exit: 53 to 60 x 26 Air and Whirlpool Jetted Walk-In Tub
Because the door stays shut until the water is out, drain time matters. The 53 to 60 x 26 Air and Whirlpool Jetted Walk-In Tub has a powered fast drain that the listing says removes the water in as little as a minute. It also has 15 whirlpool jets (9 mini-stream and 6 directional), 23 Acu-Stream air jets, an inline maintenance heater to help hold water temperature, a water-resistant head rest and a Quick Fill faucet. At 26 inches wide, it suits narrower bathrooms. Trade-off: this is a fully powered tub that needs electrical work by a licensed electrician, and it costs about $1,600 more than the basic soaker.
Wheelchair transfers: Fully Loaded Wheelchair Access Walk-In Tub
A wheelchair access design is meant to ease transfers from a chair. The Fully Loaded Wheelchair Access Walk-In Tub pairs that with 12 adjustable whirlpool jets, 18 Acu-Stream air jets, an inline maintenance heater, a Quick Fill faucet with a 60 inch reach handheld shower, aromatherapy, chromatherapy lighting and built-in Safe Reach grab bars. The shell is marine grade acrylic with fiberglass reinforcement on a freestanding steel frame, with a left drain. Trade-off: our listing does not show overall dimensions or door swing, both critical for planning a transfer, so ask us for the spec sheet.
What to look for
Door type and swing
Inward swinging doors seal with water pressure, while outward and wheelchair access doors give more room to enter but need clear floor space in front. Match the door and drain side to your bathroom so the user enters from the open side of the room, and look for a latch that is easy to work with weak hands.
Threshold and seat height
A low step threshold is the main reason to buy a walk-in tub, so compare the step height on each spec sheet against what the user can manage. The seat should let feet rest flat on the floor, and grab bars should sit where the user naturally reaches when standing up.
Fill and drain time
You sit in the tub while it fills and drains, which can feel chilly. A Quick Fill faucet shortens the wait, and a powered fast drain shortens the end. Make sure your water heater can supply a full tub of hot water.
Heating, jets and electrical
Non-jetted soakers need only plumbing. Jets, inline heaters and powered drains need electrical work by a licensed electrician, done to local code.
A filled walk-in tub plus a bather is heavy, so confirm floor support, follow the manufacturer’s install manual and check local plumbing and permit rules. If the user has heart or circulation concerns, ask a doctor before using hot water or jets.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a walk-in tub take to fill and drain?
It depends on your water pressure, water heater and the tub. Quick Fill faucets cut fill time, and a powered fast drain like the one on our 53 to 60 inch air and whirlpool pick can empty the tub in as little as a minute per the listing.
Do walk-in tubs need electricity?
Non-jetted soakers like the ANZZI Value Series 26 x 46 and the Coupe 32 x 38 need no electrical wiring per their listings. Tubs with jets, heaters or powered drains need an electrician.
Will a walk-in tub fit my existing bathtub space?
Listed lengths in our picks run from 38 to 60 inches, so measure the alcove, the bathroom doorway and the path in from the delivery point before ordering.
Is a walk-in tub a good choice for a wheelchair user?
A wheelchair access model is designed for it, but transfer ability varies. Have an occupational therapist assess the user and the bathroom layout first.
Which drain side do I need?
Choose the side that matches your floor drain and how the user enters the room. On the ANZZI Value Series 26 x 46, the listing places both door and drain on the right.
Questions about fit, delivery or install? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM Pacific. Orders of $999 or more ship free within the United States; a $200 flat rate applies below that. Planning a bigger bathroom update? See our freestanding bathtub buying guide and our towel warmer buying guide.
