Pros and Cons of an Outdoor Soaking Tub

Nov 01, 2023

The ability to relax in your own backyard by sinking into a soaking tub is a luxe amenity nearly every homeowner can get behind. If you need convincing, simply picture yourself, the stars (or sun), and warm water. Ahhhh.

And yet, adding an outdoor tub to your home isn't as easy as filling a vessel with water and grabbing a glass of pinot noir. Truth: Some backyards lend themselves better to an outdoor soaker than others. And there are mechanical issues that may crop up with this watery wonder.

So before you take the plunge, we’ve gathered some intel from the experts. Behold, the pros and cons of owning an outdoor soaking tub.

You’ll be the envy of the neighborhood with an outdoor tub.

"Owning one is a unique feature that could attract more buyers if you sell your home, or at least make the listing stand out," adds Robert Oleysyck, owner of All In Creative Agency.

Oleysyck equates an outdoor soak to the Japanese tradition of forest bathing.

Taking a bath outside "is eco-therapy," he says. You can gaze at the sunset and unwind from the stress of the day. And if you have kids, the more the merrier in the water.

"They’ll love having a bubble bath outside," he adds.

Placement is everything, people!

"If you have a very wooded setting in your yard, an outdoor soaker can be peaceful and enjoyable—but without a privacy fence, you’ll be bathing on display," points out Adam Graham, an industry analyst at Fixr.

And if you surround your tub too fully, you’ll kill your view.

The bottom line: Homeowners need to figure out how to conceal the soaker to ensure enough privacy without compromising the view and spoiling the whole effect, says Oleysyck.

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"With so many regions experiencing drought conditions, are soakers environmentally conscious?" asks Oleysyck.

These tubs tend to be on the large size, adds Graham, which means you’ll need "a dedicated small water heater and plumbing to reach it, or you’ll have to upgrade your home's water heater."

To install a tub, you’ll need a plumber to install hot and cold water lines to the tub, mostly likely underground—and that's not cheap. (You could just settle for the garden hose, but that means an ice-cold bath outside.)

Lastly, consider how you’ll drain the tub.

"If a soaker's too close to the foundation, a lot of water could do some damage to it," says Graham.

So when you install a tub, you’ll want to fit a drain that carries the water to another part of your yard.

Hello, leaves, twigs, and dirt!

"No matter how much you cover your outdoor soaking tub, dust and bugs will find their way in there," says Oleysyck.

And don't forget the sun and rain, which can do a number on your serene soaker.

"Wood tubs may require some maintenance over time to keep them looking good outdoors," says Graham. "But this material doesn't hold heat well, so your soak might not reach the temperature you’d like."

Metal is a possibility, however, as it retains warmth better.

"But if your tub is too heavy, it’ll sink into the ground or compromise the stability of your deck or patio pavers," adds Graham.

Weighing whether to add a pool is a common homeowner dilemma. Deciding if you have the space, the time to devote to maintenance, and a suitable climate that allows for maximum pool usage are just a few of the considerations.

But above all else, it's the cost factor that really matters. Installing an in-ground pool isn't cheap—the starting number is usually around $35,000 and soars to $65,000-plus. But an outdoor soaker costs way less money.

Per Graham, the cost for the soaker itself starts at $300 for a basic acrylic number and can go as high as $3,000 for large cast-iron or wooden tubs.

"And the cost of installing a dedicated heater would range from $900 or $3,000," he adds.

And don't forget the need for drainage, so plan to add an additional $500 to $750 to channel the tub water away from the house.

All in, you’re looking at several thousand dollars to make an outdoor soaker comfortable and clean. But if you can place your tub in a spot that's not visible to neighbors and you can figure out how to fill and drain it, you may be on your way to total relaxation. A soaking tub under the sky can be lovely, especially if you live in a region where you can use it year-round.

"For most other homeowners, though, an outdoor tub may be a very expensive birdbath," says Graham.

Jennifer Kelly Geddes creates content for WhatToExpect.com, American Airlines Vacations, Oxo, Livestrong and Parade.

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