Walk-In Tub vs. Walk-In Shower for Seniors
Three good options make a bathroom safer. Which is best depends on whether you want to soak, how well you can stand and sit, and your budget.
Get a local walk-in tub quote by phone
If you live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or the St. Louis and Kansas City areas of Missouri, call (702) 760-6264 to speak with a walk-in tub company that serves your ZIP code. Hours: 8 AM–7 PM Eastern, 7 days a week. Calls may be recorded.
Side-by-side
| Walk-in tub | Walk-in shower | Tub-to-shower conversion | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | New tub with a door and seat | Curbless or low-curb shower area, often a new build-out | Existing tub removed and replaced with a low-threshold shower |
| Entry | Low step through a sealed door | Lowest, sometimes curbless | Low curb |
| Soaking | Yes | No | No |
| Time in the unit | Includes fill and drain time while seated | As long as your shower | As long as your shower |
| Water use | Commonly 40–80 gallons per bath | Depends on run time and fixture | Depends on run time and fixture |
| Typical installed cost | About $4,000–$15,000 (premium higher) | Varies widely with size and finishes | One central Massachusetts source cites $4,500–$10,000 |
| Wheelchair transfers | Out-swing door models exist | Roll-in designs suit wheelchairs best | Depends on design |
| Best for | Soaking, joint comfort, a seated bath | Quick, easy, low-maintenance bathing | Getting rid of the tub wall on a budget |
Sources for the numbers: walk-in tub cost; tub-to-shower conversion range from a central Massachusetts remodeler's guide, which describes walk-in shower projects there at $5,500–$11,000 for standard to mid-range work. Your local price will vary.
Ask yourself these five questions
- Do you actually soak? If not, a shower likely serves you better and costs less.
- Can you sit for 15 minutes or more comfortably? A walk-in tub needs you to wait while it fills and drains.
- Do you use a wheelchair or walker for transfers? A roll-in shower or an out-swing-door tub is safer.
- What is the water heater and pressure like? Walk-in tubs use much more water. See installation.
- Who else uses the bathroom? If a caregiver helps, ask for a handheld shower and enough room to assist.
When a walk-in tub is the better call
Walk-in tubs tend to win when someone loves a hot soak for stiff joints, the bathroom already has a tub footprint to use, and there is time for the routine. Read the honest pros and cons before deciding.
Compare real prices in your area
Use the cost estimator for a walk-in tub range, and ask any installer to price a shower conversion on the same visit so you can compare the same scope.
Get a local walk-in tub quote by phone
If you live in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or the St. Louis and Kansas City areas of Missouri, call (702) 760-6264 to speak with a walk-in tub company that serves your ZIP code. Hours: 8 AM–7 PM Eastern, 7 days a week. Calls may be recorded.
FAQ
Is a walk-in shower safer than a walk-in tub?
Neither is automatically safer. A low or curbless shower removes the step and the wait; a walk-in tub provides a seat and soaking. Match the choice to how the person moves and bathes.
Which costs more?
Walk-in tubs commonly run $4,000 to $15,000 installed. Shower projects range widely with size and finishes.
Can Medicare help with either?
Original Medicare does not pay for either. See what might help pay.