Taking a bath is one of life’s simple pleasures, but taking a bath might not be simple or pleasurable if you have to get in and out of a traditional deep-basin tub, especially if you use a wheelchair. A wheelchair-accessible walk-in tub can be a great solution. It supports independence with no-slip surfaces, grab bars, and a built-in seat so you can enjoy a bath once again.
The trouble is not all walk-in tubs are wheelchair accessible.
So, which tubs are the best for wheelchair users? What makes a walk-in tub wheelchair accessible?
We have researched the best wheelchair-accessible tubs, so you don’t have to. Here are our top five wheelchair-accessible walk-in bathtubs.
See our Best Walk-in Tubs
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See our Best Walk-in Tubs for Small Spaces
See our Best Feature Rich Walk-in Tubs
Ella Transfer Series
Best luxury option
Pros:
- All Transfer Series tubs come with both hydro jets and air jets.
- Tubs come in a variety of sizes to fit your space.
- Limited lifetime warranty on all tubs.
Cons:
- Tubs are pricier than other comparable options.
Ella frequently makes the list of top ten walk-in tubs for seniors for good reason.
Based in Chicago, Ella’s Bubbles creates a variety of premium-quality acrylic bathtubs, including true wheelchair-accessible tubs. They offer five different Transfer tubs with different dimensions that feature an outswing aluminum L-shaped door and a comfortable molded seat.
All their tubs come with both hydro jets and air jets. All tubs offer a full-body hydro massage experience, while select models enable you to fill the footwell for a relaxing foot and calf massage without the need to fill the entire tub. In addition, all wheelchair-accessible tubs come with your choice of drain side and door location.
Another huge plus is the fact that their Ella tubs feature some of the fastest drains in the industry. That’s an important consideration when you have to sit in the tub until all the water drains before opening the door.
Price is a serious consideration with this brand. Their tubs can be pricey, but the extra cost comes with more online transparency and more options compared to other brands, which is why Ella’s Bubbles tops our list of the best wheelchair bathtubs.
Their website dives deep into each tub’s design, all optional accessories are discussed at length, and select models even have their own video feature so you can see the functionality of each tub in real time. Financing is available through their website; they offer multiple payment methods and can even help you find a verified installer in your area.
You do still have to contact a representative to get a quote, but you’ll go into the conversation knowing exactly what you want, which makes for a more pleasant sales experience.
Cost: $5,000.00-$8,128.00
Visit Ella’s Bubbles to learn more
Universal Tubs wheelchair-accessible walk-in bathtubs
Best option with a shower surround
Pros:
- Affordable base price.
- Extended warranty coverage for up to 10 years, depending on the part.
Cons:
- Finding the right tub can be confusing with so many different tub options.
Universal Tubs is a well-known, American-made brand that offers wheelchair-accessible walk-in tubs. Models can include a heated backrest and the ability to infuse the bubble massage jets with fragrances. A fast drain system ensures that the water drains from the tub in around one minute. You can choose from various therapeutic experiences, including air jets and whirlpool features. You also have your choice of color and drain side.
It is important to note that Universal Tubs are constructed out of high-grade marine fiberglass with a triple gel coating. That makes these tubs lightweight but less beautiful and durable than acrylic. Gelcoat fiberglass eventually fades and cracks over time, while acrylic does not.
We especially like that Universal Tubs offers options that come with built-in shower surrounds. Although the addition of a shower surround increases the price of a walk-in tub, it’s a great option for DIY installers. It’s also a good option for couples when one partner needs the ease and safety of a wheelchair-accessible tub while the other partner would prefer to take a traditional shower.
Cost: $3,459.00-$7,309.00
Visit Universal Tubs to learn more
Buy a Universal Tubs bathtub at Home Depot
American Standard
Best brand name you know
Pros:
- Brand name backed by over 150 years of experience in the industry.
- Choose from a wide variety of customizable features.
- Limited lifetime warranty that can include installation and labor.
Cons:
- Learning more about their walk-in tubs online without contacting American Standard for a quote is difficult.
Trusted as a manufacturer of plumbing fixtures like toilets, faucets, and tubs for over 150 years, American Standard products can be found in almost every home across America.
Their walk-in tubs include what you would expect from any wheelchair-accessible bathtub, like an L-shaped door, a built-in seat, and grab bars. Tubs also come with a variety of features, like air jets, an in-line heater to keep the water warm, and different sizes to fit a variety of spaces. You are able to choose between a right- or left-draining tub with a door that swings to either the right or left, depending on the layout of your bathroom.
American Standard wheelchair-accessible walk-in tubs feature gelcoat over fiberglass. Gelcoat is a more affordable option compared to acrylic and can be used at any floor level. Acrylic is more durable and easier to keep clean, but it is more expensive and recommended only for first-floor installations.
Prices are midrange and come with the American Standard brand, which can bring you peace of mind, as can the fact that American Standard walk-in tubs come with a limited lifetime warranty that can include installation and labor.
Cost: $4,899.00-$7,079.00
Visit American Standard to learn more
Buy an American Standard tub at Lowe’s
Meditub wheelchair-accessible walk-in bathtubs
Best price
Pros:
- Models with L-shaped doors and oversized swinging doors are available.
- Customization options are outlined nicely on the Meditub website.
- Warranties cover manufacturer defects and the door seal.
Cons:
- Only two size options.
If price is at the top of your mind, Meditub offers some of the best wheelchair-accessible tubs for those on a budget. They offer two main wheelchair-accessible designs. The 2953WCA Series has a traditional L-shaped door, while the 3060WCA Series features a wide door that provides full access to the seat.
It is important to note that although the 2953WCA Series tub enables you to choose between a right or left drain and corresponding swinging door, the 3060WCA Series bathtub does not. Because of its unique design, it is available with only a right-side door and corresponding left drain.
There are only a few sizes to choose from, so it’s important to measure your space carefully to ensure a Meditub will fit. They do offer an extension kit if you want your walk-in tub to fit snugly within a larger space.
They have a wide variety of customization options that are outlined nicely on their website. You can opt for add-on features that include chromotherapy (colored lights that emit from within the tub), an air system, aromatherapy, an in-line heater, and more.
Meditub offers a 10-year limited warranty against manufacturer defects along with a lifetime guarantee on door seals.
Cost: $2,862.79-$3,965.70
Drive Medical Colorado Spring Bathing System
Best freestanding tub
Pros:
- It has anti-scald protection features that you won’t find with other tubs.
- Adjustable legs enable you to modify the entry height to fit your needs.
- Five-year warranty on finishes and composite shell, three years on moving and stationary parts, and a lifetime warranty on the door seal.
Cons:
- It is more expensive than other types of wheelchair-accessible walk-in tubs.
- Some may think its design is unattractive compared to other tubs.
Drive Medical offers a freestanding walk-in tub that could be a good option if you don’t want a built-in look to your bathtub or want to remove it in the future without extensive remodeling. Because it’s made for patient care, it’s ideal for seniors who require in-home care or those who anticipate requiring in-home care in the future.
As a medically based walk-in tub, it has some features you won’t find with other tubs. The Drive Medical wheelchair-accessible bathtub features anti-scald protection with a temperature safety display. It can also come with an optional air spa and disinfection system.
Another nice feature of this tub is that it has adjustable-height legs, enabling you to modify the entry height of the tub to fit your needs. However, it doesn’t come with the options and add-ons that are available with many other tub brands. For example, the door configuration is right hinge only, you won’t find multiple hydro jet packages, and there are no shower accessories to choose from.
Because it’s made for medical settings, the tub is pricier than other walk-in tubs. It’s also bulky and looks clinical, which may not be appealing to those who like the sleek look of more modern walk-in bathtubs.
Cost: $9,089.99-$10,151.19
Visit Drive Medical to learn more
Buy a Drive Medical tub at Serfinity
ADA-compliant versus wheelchair-accessible tubs
The ADA has rules and regulations for tubs to be considered ADA-compliant. They include things like having an in-tub seat and grab bars, with specific rules on where features should be located (you can learn more about their requirements here). Most walk-in tubs are ADA-compliant, but that does not automatically make them wheelchair accessible.
When shopping for a wheelchair-accessible tub, look for ADA-compliant features, but you also have to look carefully at the door. A wheelchair-accessible bathtub should have an L-shaped or oversized door that exposes the seat inside the tub. This enables those in a wheelchair to slide directly into the seat without swinging their body around a wall to sit down safely. Look for an ADA walk-in bathtub with one of these door styles to ensure you or your loved one can get in and out of the tub safely.
Our process for finding the best wheelchair-accessible tubs
Only after considering dozens of walk-in tub models that are specifically designed for wheelchair access did we feel confident enough to recommend these five brands. We used a set of criteria when determining which tubs to add to our list because we believe you deserve to find a tub that’s right for you or your loved one.
Here’s how we determined the five best wheelchair-accessible tubs.
True wheelchair accessibility
Bathtubs had to be truly wheelchair accessible. Only handicap-accessible tubs with an L-shaped or oversized opening that exposes the built-in seat were considered for this list.
Reliable brands
There are a lot of retailers that offer walk-in tubs at discount rates. You can even find wheelchair-accessible bathtubs on eBay. We focused only on American-made brands that offer their tubs directly through reputable online retailers.
Essential features
In order for a tub to make our list, it had to include essential features, like ADA-compliant grab bars, a built-in seat, and a handheld showerhead for easy cleaning. Additional features, like air jets and in-line heaters, were considered a bonus.
Price
No walk-in tub was included or excluded from our list based on price alone, but only tubs with prices that can be found easily online were included on our list.
Warranty
Warranties are the mark of well-built tubs. They provide you with peace of mind, which is important when you’re preparing to spend thousands of dollars on a walk-in bathtub. That’s why we included only tubs that offer warranties in our top five.
