A walk in tub and a walk in shower are the two most popular safe bathing upgrades, and they solve the same core problem: climbing over a high tub wall is the single most common way people fall in the bathroom. They just solve it in different ways. Here is how they compare so you can pick with confidence.
| Walk in tub | Walk in shower | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Soaking, sore joints, hydrotherapy | Quick easy access, small spaces |
| Entry | Low threshold door, you sit then fill | Low step or curbless, walk straight in |
| Bathing style | Seated soak in a deep tub | Stand or use a bench seat |
| Space | Fits a standard tub alcove | Opens up a small bathroom |
| Typical installed range | $14,000 to $25,000 | $14,000 to $25,000 |
| Install time | About 1 day | 1 to 2 days |
Choose a walk in tub if you love a warm soak, want hydrotherapy jets for arthritis or sore muscles, or feel safest seated with the water around you. You step in over a low threshold, sit on a built in seat, and the door seals before you fill. Look for a fast drain so you are not waiting in the cold while it empties.
Choose a walk in shower if you prefer to shower rather than bathe, have limited mobility that makes sitting down into a tub hard, or want to open up a small bathroom. A low step or curbless entry, a bench seat, grab bars, and a handheld sprayer make it easy and safe whether you stand or sit.
Both land in a similar range for a quality one day system, so budget is rarely the deciding factor. The bigger questions are how you like to bathe and whether anyone in the home needs to roll a wheelchair or walker straight in, which points to a curbless walk in shower. Tubbs by Grubbs installs either with our own trained team, usually in about a day, and backs it with a lifetime workmanship warranty.
Both are far safer than a standard tub because they remove the high wall you have to step over. A walk in shower with a curbless entry is usually easiest for a wheelchair or walker, while a walk in tub is great for a secure seated soak. The safest choice depends on the person's mobility.
A walk in shower tends to appeal to the widest range of buyers and keeps a bathroom feeling open, while a walk in tub is a strong draw for buyers focused on aging in place. Tubbs by Grubbs can help you weigh comfort now against resale later.
Yes. A walk in tub with a shower combination, or a tub and shower combo, lets you keep a soaking option and a standing shower in one space. We review the layout during your free in home visit.
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