The 14 Best Bathtubs for 2023

Oct 27, 2023

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For those who enjoy an occasional deep soak or regularly treat themselves to bubble baths, a comfortable and well-built bathtub is an essential fixture of their home. The most common kind of bathtub is an alcove tub, which is surrounded by walls on three sides. They usually include a showerhead to maximize space and utility. Other types of bathtubs include drop-in, corner, freestanding, and walk-in tubs.

The best bathtub for you depends on the size of your bathroom and where you'd like to place the tub. The location of your plumbing and the size of your water heater may also impact what type of tub you buy. Finally, you'll want to consider whether you want certain features, including massage jets or accessibility options such as grab bars or seating.

Learn more about the differences among bathtub types, factors and features to consider, how to install a bathtub, and other bathtub FAQs. For each type of bathtub, we included a few options so you can find the best one for your needs, budget, and style. Alex Rennie contributed previous reporting to this piece.

You're probably most familiar with the ubiquitous alcove bathtub. There are plenty of options to choose from, and we love them because they're usually pretty affordable.

The popular alcove bathtub is made from acrylic and is built with reinforced support to make installation easy and prevent cracks. It comes in both left and right drain designs, so make sure to double check which one your bathroom supports. Note that the drain and overflow assembly aren't included.

Enameled steel tubs are highly durable and resistant to scratches and stains, so they might be good for people with kids or dogs who love bath playtime. The soaking depth isn't very deep (8.5 inches) but if you need a very affordable tub and are considering turning this into a shower-bath combo, it's a good choice.

The VIllager is Kohler's most popular bathtub, made from enameled heavy-duty cast iron and featuring integrated lumbar support for top comfort. At 14 inches tall, it's ADA-compliant and easy to step over.

A drop-in tub requires a little more space than an alcove tub because it doesn't touch your walls. It has a slightly more sleek look and tends to be more expensive.

This drop-in tub, made of acrylic and fiberglass, combines an extra-deep bathing pool with a functional ergonomic design. It's extra long (72 inches) and deep (18.5 inches) and has molded armrests and a 25-degree slope for reclining.

The Devonshire is convenient because it has a reversible drain, which means you can rotate the tub on either the right or left side. The acrylic is sturdy, and it has a decent soaking depth of 14 inches. There are also other colors available if you don't want a classic white tub

Corner bathtubs make the most of limited space. These days, they commonly have built-in jets so you can enjoy a bath and massage without going to the spa. Extra features like jets or lights do make corner tubs more expensive.

This is a basic soaking tub if you don't care for massage jets but still want to save space. It's made from high-gloss acrylic for a simple look and has a textured slip-resistant floor.

This deep tub from Clarke can hold up to 105 gallons of water and has seating for three people. The 18.5-inch soaking depth generously lets you sink into the water and settle into the tub.

This acrylic and fiberglass tub has all the bells and whistles: 14 whirlpool massage jets, comfortable capacity to fit two people, a built-in Bluetooth speaker, a hand shower, and two headrests. There's even a heater included to keep your water warm as you enjoy a relaxing jet massage.

Freestanding bathtub styles range from vintage and elaborate to modern and minimalist. Whatever your personal style is, keep in mind that freestanding tubs take up a lot of space and can be heavy since many tend to be made from cast iron.

With its deep red, curved body and polished claw feet, the tub will be the elegant centerpiece of your bathroom. It measures 67 by 32 inches and is made from acrylic and fiberglass. It comes with an overflow and pop-up drain, but you’ll need to buy a flexible drain hose separately.

Choose from four different trims (brushed nickel, matte black, polished chrome, and shiny white) for this sleek white acrylic tub. It measures 60 by 32 inches and claims to be warmer to the touch than a steel or enamel tub.

Another simple option, this tub comes in two lengths — 59.1 and 67.3 inches. It comes with everything you need, including an overflow, pop-up drain, leveling legs, and flexible drain hose, and it's fairly lightweight at 90 pounds, making it easier to install.

With its block feet, this model is a modern take on the clawfoot tub for people who are still seeking an elevated design. It's made from enameled cast iron and is long (67 inches) and deep (31 inches) — ideal for drawn-out soaking sessions. It's currently available for pre-order.

Walk-in tubs are designed with accessibility and ergonomics in mind, so you don't need to lift your leg over a ledge. Not only are they easier to enter, they often feature comfortable benches, a grab bar, and other add-ons to enhance your bathing experience.

Equipped with 12 massage jets, a quick-fill faucet, showerhead with 60-inch reach, and chromatherapy (colored light) lighting, this walk-in tub is as luxurious as it gets. The watertight door comes with a lifetime warranty guarantee, while the drain quickly empties the 70-gallon capacity tub in under a minute.

With 15 upper jets and six lower jets, the Ella ShaK is a walk-in tub that's luxurious and relaxing. The 36-by-72-by-42-inch tub includes a wide 29-inch seat and LED lights. It has a 110-gallon capacity, textured floor, and three grab bars.

We consulted Kerrie Kelly, National Board Chair of the American Society of Interior Designers, and Tricia Fraser, a merchant and bathtub expert at The Home Depot, for insights into the bathtub-buying process.

Taking their advice and our own research and experience into account, we chose two to three options covering a variety of materials, budgets, and styles for each category. We also looked at whether the retailer offered home installation and other services that make it easier to buy a bathtub.

Alcove bathtub: An alcove tub is surrounded on three sides by walls, so you get in on the exposed side. It's usually the most affordable and space-efficient.

Drop-in bathtub: A drop-in tub is "framed by materials like cabinetry, tile, or solid surface slabs and 'drop-in' to a deck," said Kerrie Kelly, National Board Chair of the American Society of Interior Designers. Although it might be surrounded by walls like an alcove tub, its sides do not actually touch the walls directly.

Corner bathtub: A corner tub is often three-sided or heart-shaped, with two of the sides in the corner of your space. It's best for small spaces.

Freestanding bathtub: A freestanding tub can be placed anywhere in the room and is often the focal point. It can stand directly on the floor, on a low pedestal, or on claw feet. It takes up a lot of space and tends to be heavy, so you might need to reinforce your floor, but it has the most eye-catching and elegant look of all the tub types. Both Kelly and Tricia Fraser, a merchant and bathtub expert at The Home Depot say freestanding tubs are growing in popularity and the biggest trend in bathroom design recently.

Walk-in bathtub: A walk-in tub is for people who can't step into a regular tub. It has a watertight door and "typically has safety features, like a grab bar, slip-resistant textured flooring, and ADA-compliant seating. These tubs can also offer a therapeutic massage experience with features like jetted whirlpool or jetted air," said Fraser.

The main factors to consider as you decide which bathtub to buy are:

Bathroom size: Take measurements of your bathroom and doorway. Depending on the amount of space available, you may only be able to buy certain tub styles.

Plumbing location: The location of your plumbing rough-in limits where you can place your tub. The drain location needs to work with your tub's design.

Water heater size: "Confirm that your water heater can handle the size of tub you are looking to fill. Make sure your water heater is large enough to fill about 2/3 of your tub with warm water," said Kelly. This is especially important if you opt for a deeper soaking tub.

Material: Material affects the price, feel, and longevity of your tub. The most common bathtub materials are acrylic, fiberglass, porcelain-enameled steel, and porcelain-enameled cast iron. Acrylic is long-lasting, lightweight, affordable, and widely available in many colors and styles. Fiberglass is the most affordable but not as durable. Both enameled cast iron and steel are very durable and resistant to scratches and stains, but cast iron has even greater heat retention, keeping your bath water hot for a longer period of time.

Weight capacity of your floor: If your tub is going on the second floor, you might need to reinforce the floor based on what materials you choose. Acrylic tubs are lighter in weight, while cast iron tubs are a lot heavier. There may also be bathroom code requirements you need to meet.

Extra features: Features like whirlpool jets, grab bars, and seating will bring the price of your tub up but add to the overall experience of your bath.

According to Fraser, a standard tub measures 60 by 30 inches. The average water depth is 16 inches. Corner, freestanding, and walk-in baths tend to be deeper. As you look at different sizes, consider the heights of anyone who will use the tub, how many people will usually be in the tub at once, and if you prefer to curl up or splay out in the water. If you're in a physical store or showroom, it always helps to climb into the tub to test the ergonomics and feel out the size for yourself.

It all depends on the materials and features, but a bathtub usually starts at $200 and averages around $300 to $500. Corner, freestanding, and walk-in tubs tend to be more expensive and can cost thousands of dollars.

We love a DIY project, but it's best to call a professional for this one. Because bathtub installation involves plumbing and tiling expertise, "incorrect installation can result in water damage or an unleveled tub," said Fraser.

If you do have prior plumbing experience, Fraser's advice is "to double check the door width to make sure you can move the tub into the bathroom, be knowledgeable on basic plumbing and framing, and know your existing flooring and plumbing's condition."

Replacing a bathtub can be an expensive, lengthy process. If your bathtub is in relatively good condition, you might be able to repair it or have it reglazed. For significant damage or to update the look of your bathroom, replacement may be necessary.

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