My clients love walk-in tub and shower combinations, otherwise known as hybrids, because they give them the flexibility to shower or bathe, all in the privacy of their own homes. It’s models like these that allow seniors to age in place, maintaining their independence and avoiding nursing homes. Over the years, my clients have tried hybrid walk-in showers/tubs from many different manufacturers, but they’ve had the most success with models from Safe Step, Ella’s Bubbles, and American Standard. I’ve evaluated these models based on the experiences of my clients, along with safety, comfort, and pricing.
Pro Tip: Don’t need a shower? Then check out my rundown of the best walk-in baths overall.
Our Favorite Walk-In Tub/Shower Combos
- Safe Step : Best Installation
- Ella’s Bubbles : Best Customer Service
- American Standard : Best With 0 Percent Financing
Top Picks Compared
| Safe Step
| Ella’s Bubbles
| American Standard
| |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating out of 5 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.8 |
| Price range (includes installation)* | $2,500-$10,000 | $2,400-$4,000 | $5,874-$11,500 |
| Standout features |
|
|
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| Read More | American Standard Review |
*Ella’s Bubbles does not include installation in its costs.
The Best Walk-in Tub/Shower Combos of 2024
Safe Step - Best Installation
4.6 / 5
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Call for best price:
888-766-6911
What We Like Most:
- Anti-slip floors
- 16 air jets and 10 hydro jets
- Quick drainage
- Rainfall showerhead
888-766-6911
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Price range: $2,500-$10,000
The Hybrid Walk-in Tub from Safe Step provides the safety and comfort you need to shower and bathe at home independently. Of course, it has the standard features of a walk-in tub, including a 4-inch step-in height for easy entrances and exits, quick drainage, and anti-slip floors and seats to help prevent falls.
But this tub isn’t only safe; it’s also comfortable, with aromatherapy and chromotherapy, and a shower wand for those hard-to-reach parts. It also features 10 hydro massage jets that turn your bath into a luxurious experience. After hard days, my clients love relaxing in the tub, or showering if they’re in a rush.
While the company’s customer rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) leaves something to be desired, at only 2.81 out of five stars, the BBB itself has given it an A+ rating and accreditation since 2009. Plus, like all of the walk-in shower and tub combinations on this list, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so there’s little to no financial risk involved. To get started, get a free quote from Safe Step’s website or over the phone at 888-342-7075. Or to learn more about this provider, read my full Safe Step walk-in tub review.
Pros
- Two grab bars
- Anti-scald technology
- Electronic keypad
- Water-resistant remote control
Cons
- No financing options
- 2.81 out of five stars from customers on the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Ella’s Bubbles - Best Customer Service
4.6 / 5
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Call for best price:
(800) 798-7955
What We Like Most:
- 4.89 customer BBB rating
- Four 0 percent financing options
- 20 air jets and eight water jets
- Optional heated seats
(800) 798-7955
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If you’ve ever looked at the customer reviews on the BBB, they’re usually abysmal, with people complaining about aggressive sales tactics, shoddy installation, and useless customer service. However, that’s not the case with Ella’s Bubbles, which has a nearly perfect 4.89 out of five-star customer rating on the BBB, as well as an A+ rating from the BBB itself. While it doesn’t have a Trustpilot, I’ve heard nothing but good things from my clients regarding Ella’s Bubbles customer service, whether they requested quotes online or over the phone.
The company offers two hybrid shower/tub models, one of which is slightly larger than the other. With either, you’ll get 20 air jets, eight water jets, and an optional seated heat. Strangely, the models lack grab bars or extras like chromotherapy, aromatherapy, or bidets, so they’re not quite as luxurious (or safe) as the Safe Step model. Additionally, Ella’s Bubbles does not handle installation — you’ll have to find someone to install it on your own. While prices aren’t listed, the company has four financing partners, all of which offer 0 percent APR for qualifying customers. To learn more, request a free quote online or call the company directly at 800-480-6850.
Pros
- Ability to choose drain location (right, left, or center)
- Lifetime limited warranty
- 0 percent APR financing available
- Great customer ratings on the BBB
Cons
- Doesn’t include installation
- No prices on website
American Standard - American Standard: Best With 0 Percent Financing
4.8 / 5
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Call for best price:
844-641-0230
What We Like Most:
- 0 percent financing for the first 12 months
- Aromatherapy and chromotherapy
- Hand-held shower wand
- Grab bars for safety
844-641-0230
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American Standard offers a walk-in tub with a hand-held shower wand. While it’s not exactly the same as the hybrid options from Safe Step and Ella’s Bubbles, it will get the job done, allowing someone with mobility issues to enjoy both showering and bathing in the same safe space.
Aside from having safety features like a slip-resistant floor and grab bars, the tub also comes with a total of 44 water and air jets, which has to be a record, as well as chromotherapy and aromatherapy. This model in particular includes professional installation, and the total amount my clients have spent on the tub, including installation, ranges from about $6,000 to $11,500, pretty pricey.
However, some were able to afford it because of American Standard’s amazing financing offer, no interest or payments for the first 12 months with a minimum $10,000 purchase, plus half off installation and a $1,800 discount. That being said, it’s best to pay off the tub in the first year, if possible, as the APR goes up to 17.99 percent for the subsequent 84 months. This offer ends on June 30, 2024, so if you’re interested in this tub and hand-held shower wand combo, fill out the form on American Standard’s website or call 888-758-9701.
Still on the fence? To learn more about my experience with this company, read my American Standard walk-in tub review.
Pros
- In-house installation
- Lifetime warranty on parts and labor
- No interest or payments for the first year
- $1,800 savings
Cons
- No showerhead aside from the wand
- Most expensive starting price at nearly $6,000
Honorable Mentions
These manufacturers didn’t make the list for best hybrids, but they’re still worth mentioning.
- Kohler: You can opt to add a gooseneck shower arm to your walk-in bath from Kohler, making it a hybrid. Kohler is a very design-focused company, so it may only be worth it if you’re willing to pay more for customized bath walls, hardware, and other aesthetic features.
- Boca: You can add a rainfall showerhead to any of the walk-in tubs from Boca for an extra $500. But that’s in addition to the company’s lowest starting cost of $8,430, making Boca far from the cheapest option.
- Ameriglide: While Ameriglide offers 12 walk-in tubs and five conversion kits, prices start at $3,866 for a tiny tub, and that does not include the cost of shipping. Additionally, while there’s a lifetime warranty on the tub’s door seals, the warranty on the tub itself lasts only 10 years. You’ll receive just a five-year warranty on the pump and motor and one year on the faucets. I prefer tubs that last a lifetime.
My Methodology
To choose the best walk-in tub and shower combos, I rated manufacturers on the following criteria:
- Safety features: I look for safety features like anti-slip floors and seats, grab bars, low step-in heights, and quick drainage.
- Comfort: I prioritize tubs with wide seats, air and water jets, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy, plus extra features like heated backrests, bidets, and music.
- Price: While walk-in tub prices will vary significantly by the provider and specific model, not to mention the cost of installation, I looked for companies that had models in the ballpark of $3,000.
What Is a Walk-In Tub/Shower Combination?
A walk-in tub/shower combination is a walk-in bathtub that also has a showerhead or an extendable shower wand, allowing the user to bathe while sitting or standing. Walk-in tub and shower combos will also have the safety benefits of walk-in tubs, like nonslip floors, low entry thresholds, quick drainage, and grab bars to help prevent falls.
Cost of a Walk-In Tub and Shower Combo
The cost of a walk-in tub/shower combination breaks down into the cost of the equipment itself, along with the installation and additional costs. You can purchase a tub either straight from a manufacturer like American Standard, or from a big-box store like Lowe’s or Home Depot. With a manufacturer, however, the cost of installation is typically built-in, unlike with a big-box store, which will not remove your old tub or install a new one.
As far as the hardware itself goes, you can pay anywhere from $1,500 on the low end all the way up to $11,500 on the high end, with $5,000 as a reasonable average. Also, keep in mind the cost of the water heating itself, as your current water heater may not be able to provide enough hot water for a large walk-in tub, drainage, and your existing fixtures.
Financial Assistance for Walk-In Tubs
Medicare does not consider a walk-in tub to be a medical necessity, so you cannot get funding from this federal agency. However, you may be able to get some financial support from some Medicare Advantage Part C plans or Medicaid; it’s all dependent on what your state considers to be durable medical equipment. If you’re a veteran, see if you can qualify for a VA grant.
Other financial assistance for walk-in tubs includes:
- Assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for older adults living in rural areas on reduced incomes.
- Tax deductions.
- Financing from the manufacturer, which can have 0 percent APR if the term length is 12 months or less.
- Section 504 home repair loans and grants for low-income homeowners age 62 and over.
Hopefully, I’ve provided you with a good overview of the best walk-in tub/shower combos, and for more information about pricing and packages, check out my list of tips for buying a walk-in tub.
