Should I Purchase A Walk-In Tub?

Walk-In Tubs seem like a great idea, however they do have significant drawback.  Here is a list of things to consider before you purchase.

Sitting cold while it fills and drains. This is the #1 gripe. You have to be inside the tub before the water starts and can't open the door until it's fully drained. Filling takes ~6–20 min and draining ~10–15 min, so you sit there wet and chilly the whole time. Cheaper models without fast-fill/quick-drain pumps are the worst offenders.

Cost. Basic units start around $4,500 and run well over $10,000 installed once you add jets, heated seats, and labor. Insurance and Medicare rarely cover it.

Difficult, disruptive installation. Often requires widening doorways, replacing tile, and upgrading the drain/water heater. Many can't be tested before buying, and some brands (e.g., Ella's Bubbles) don't install at all — you find your own contractor.

Leaks and door-seal failures. A frequent long-term reliability complaint; a bad seal floods the bathroom.

More water and slower heat. Deeper tubs use more hot water, so a standard heater may not keep up — another reason the water can run cold.

Confusing controls and poor service. Hardware is often unlabeled and hard to operate for arthritic hands, and customer service/warranty support draws heavy criticism. On BBB, service issues are the single largest complaint category for major brands like Safe Step.

Noise. The jets and pumps can be loud.

But here's likely the biggest issue:  Most persons switch to a walk in tub because they can no longer navigate the regular height wall of their bathtub.  And a walk-in tub can solve that problem.  However, eventually that person can is no longer ambulatory (walking) and the walk-in tub is now a worthless $10,000 monster.  Consider installing a roll in threshold shower instead.  A roll-in ready shower will enable you to remain in your home much longer.