The Best Walk-In Tubs for Small Spaces

A walk-in tub may seem out of reach if you have a small bathroom. Although some walk-in tubs can indeed be bigger than a traditional 60-inch-by-32-inch bathtub, plenty can fit into your existing tub’s space, with some options that are even smaller than a traditional bathtub.

Getting a smaller walk-in bathtub doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the features you want, either. There are many compact walk-in bathtubs with different luxury features to choose from. They also come at various prices, so you can find one that fits your budget.

Here are the best walk-in tubs for small spaces that will increase your bathroom’s safety and comfort, regardless of size.

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Mobility Bathworks Elite 3338 walk-in tub

Smallest overall footprint

Mobility Bathworks’ Elite 3338 tub is the smallest walk-in bathtub available. It measures just 33 inches by 38 inches by 38 inches, with plenty of choices to customize your bathing experience.

The basic tub is one of our favorite budget walk-in tubs because of its affordable price. You’ll get free shipping when you buy your tub from Discover My Mobility. It also comes with a best-price guarantee: If you can find a better price for this tub, Discover My Mobility will match it and give you 10% of the difference.

You can add a wide variety of features to your tub, including:

• Water jets.
• Heated seat.
• Inline heater.
• Double drain.
• Headrest pillow.
• Ozone sterilizer.

Just keep in mind that these features cost extra.

Grab bars and anti-slip flooring are included, and chromotherapy (colored lights that emit from within the tub) and aromatherapy are available for free. You also have your choice of tub color, door placement, and faucet selection at no additional cost.

No matter what details you choose, you’ll enjoy a 25-year warranty on the tub body, with a lifetime warranty on the door, seal, and air jets.

Its compact size makes it an ideal choice for even the smallest of bathrooms. It’s also an excellent option for those with sizeable bathrooms who want to add a walk-in tub without removing an existing tub or shower. However, its small size could make bathing uncomfortable for larger bathers.

Cost at time of publishing: $2,377.00

Visit Mobility Bathworks to learn more

Buy a Mobility Bathworks Elite 3338 walk-in tub at Discover My Mobility

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Meditub 2739 walk-in tub

Among the smallest of side-entry walk-in tubs

If you are searching for small walk-in tubs but don’t like the look or functionality of a front-entry tub, the Meditub 2739 walk-in tub might be a good option. At just 39 inches by 27 inches with a maximum water capacity of 50 gallons, it’s one of the smallest side-entry walk-in tubs on the market. Thanks to its size, it’s also among the few walk-in tubs designed to be freestanding, so you won’t need an extension kit. You can replace your existing tub with this Meditub model, but it can also be added to existing bathrooms without significant renovation.

The tub has a textured floor, an interior grab bar, and a built-in headrest. It comes with a 10-year limited warranty on workmanship and materials and a lifetime warranty on the door seal.

Purchasing the tub from Walmart is convenient, but you’re stuck with the left drain placement and the corresponding swinging door. You also don’t have the option to upgrade your tub with luxury features, like hydro and air therapy jets. Purchasing directly from Meditub gives you more options, but you’ll have to contact the manufacturer directly so they can put you in touch with a dealer near you.

Cost at time of publishing: $3,048.34

Visit Meditub to learn more

Buy a Meditub 2739 soaking walk-in tub at Walmart

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Ella Transfer26 walk-in tub

Best compact wheelchair-accessible tub

The Ella Transfer26 walk-in bathtub is among the best for small spaces. It measures 26 inches wide and 52 inches long, smaller than most standard tub and shower combos. Even with its small size, it’s still wheelchair accessible. It features an L-shaped, outward-swinging door with a barrier-free sidewall, making it a great choice for wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges. However, it may not be the best choice for larger bathers: With a seat that measures just 19 inches wide, it might be a tight squeeze for some.

Ella is known for tubs with top-of-the-line features. You can choose various jetting options like air and hydro systems, a heated seat and back, and optional features, like a shower screen, head pillow, and shower column. The more features you add, the more expensive the tub gets. It’s important to consider which features you need if you’re trying to stick to a budget.

Some features come standard with the tub, including dual drain technology that empties the tub in around 80 seconds, which is great when you must wait for it to drain before opening the door. It is ADA-compliant, with two safety grab bars and slip-resistant flooring. You also have your choice of drain and door position.

Financing is available from both Ella and Home Depot. The tub comes with a limited lifetime warranty on the door, frame, and shell, with a five-year parts warranty and a one-year warranty on the thermostatic faucet.

Cost at time of publishing: $5,492.00

Visit Ella’s Bubbles to purchase

Buy an Ella Transfer26 at Home Depot

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Universal Tubs 2653 walk-in soaking tub

Cheapest 53-inch choice

If you’re looking for affordable walk-in baths for small bathrooms, look no further than Universal Tubs’ 2653 walk-in soaking bath. It measures 53 inches long and 26 inches wide, so it has a smaller footprint than traditional tub and shower combos. It’s shorter and narrower than many other walk-in tubs, making it a great option for smaller bathrooms.

This walk-in tub includes ADA-compliant contoured seating, a grab bar, anti-slip flooring, and a low entry threshold. It features an inward-swinging door, which can save space in small bathrooms, but you should keep in mind that an inward-swinging door could make getting into and out of the tub more difficult.

You’ll enjoy various warranties when you purchase your walk-in bathtub from Universal Tubs. There’s a 10-year warranty on the tub shell, a one-year warranty on parts, and a lifetime warranty on the advanced GE water seal.

Since this is a soaking tub, it does not include jets, although it is safe for bath salts and aromatic oils. Universal Tubs offers other small tubs with such features as whirlpool and air jets, aromatherapy, and chromotherapy, but the added features increase the cost. You can find these upgraded tubs online at Universal Tubs or Home Depot. 

Delivery and installation are important considerations. Home Depot offers free delivery, but the box will be left at the curb, so you have to figure out how to get it into your house. Home Depot doesn’t offer installation services, but Universal Tubs does when you buy your tub directly from their website.

Navigating Home Depot’s website for the right products and pricing can be a bit challenging due to its wide selection of products. We’ve linked to the least expensive options for a left-drain and a right-drain tub below.

Cost at time of publishing: $1,988.00

Visit Universal Tubs to learn more (select soaker option for least expensive model)

Buy a Universal Tubs 2653 left-drain or right-drain walk-in soaking tub at Home Depot

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American Standard 2848 119 Luxury Series walk-in whirlpool and air tub

Best small tub with many features

This walk-in tub from American Standard proves that not all compact walk-in bathtubs require giving up on the luxury features common with other tubs. It includes an air spa system with 26 air jets and a variable-speed heated blower for a bubbly, relaxing bath. That’s in addition to the 13 targeted water jets that provide a deep-tissue massage experience. You can even fill the tub halfway for a legs-and-feet-only massage.

A self-cleaning ozone sanitation system keeps your tub clean without constant wiping and scrubbing. It includes an inline heater that keeps the water warm and a chromotherapy system. The only feature this luxury tub doesn’t have is a dedicated aromatherapy system.

The luxury 48-inch-by-28-inch walk-in whirlpool and air bathtub from American Standard also includes what you would expect from a walk-in tub. It has a built-in grab bar and textured flooring to help prevent slips and falls, a quick drain system, and easy-touch push-button controls. The faucet, hand shower, and neck rest are all included. The door handle was designed for those with partial grip or arthritis, so it’s easy to open and close. The door swings inward, which can save space in an otherwise cramped bathroom. You get various warranties on the door seal, tub shell, and other components. 

With so many bells and whistles, it should be no surprise that this is the most expensive walk-in tub on our list. You can buy your tub from Home Depot, but they offer only curbside delivery, so you’ll have to get it into your home. You might consider purchasing your tub directly from American Standard. They offer installation services, but you have to talk to a representative to get tub information and pricing.

Cost at time of publishing: $6,639.00

Visit American Standard to learn more

Buy an American Standard 2848 119 Luxury Series walk-in tub at Home Depot

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Pros and cons of a smaller walk-in tub

Walk-in tubs for small bathrooms can be a lifesaver for older adults and those with mobility issues who also have small bathrooms. However, there are still some things you’ll want to think about before taking the plunge and installing a space-saving walk-in bathtub.

Freestanding tubs can be an excellent choice for those who want to add a walk-in tub to their bathroom without extensive remodeling. It can easily be removed if you move, and it’s a great option for those who share their home with others who don’t need the safety of a walk-in tub. However, they are also among the smallest walk-in tubs on the market. They might be uncomfortable for larger bathers, and some may not like that they can’t stretch out their legs or lean back in the water. You also should consider the size of the seat. Some people may find the smaller seats of some of these tubs too narrow, making taking a bath uncomfortable.

Water capacity is an important consideration, too. In today’s environmentally conscious world, having a tub that holds less water costs less money and is better for the environment. However, the less water it holds, the more cramped the tub might be. If you envision leaning back and lounging in a luxurious bath, a tub that holds less than 55 gallons may not be a good choice.

It’s important to think about the functionality of an inward-swinging door, which can be good if you have a smaller space where an outward-swinging door isn’t an option. However, inward-swinging doors have the potential to cause problems. Some bathers find getting out of the tub difficult and might need assistance.

See our Best Walk-in Tubs

See our Best Walk-in Tub and Shower Combos

See our Best Feature Rich Walk-in Tubs

See our Best Wheelchair-Accessible Tubs