Free calculator
Walk-In Tub or Walk-In Shower? Quiz
Answer a few questions to see which is the better fit.
Estimates use typical installed prices and standard measurements. They are not a quote. An in-home consultation sets your exact price.
Side by side
| Walk-in tub | Walk-in shower | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Door with a 3–6" step | Low curb or no curb at all |
| Bathing | Seated soak; jets for therapy | Seated or standing shower |
| Wheelchair | Transfer to the seat required | Roll-in possible with curbless design |
| Caregiver access | Limited by the tub walls | Open entry, room to assist |
| Wait time | Sit while it fills and drains | None |
| Typical cost | $5,000 – $15,000 | $4,000 – $12,000 |
| Install time | 1–2 days | 1–2 days (curbless: longer) |
Choose a walk-in tub if…
- Soaking is important, for arthritis, muscle pain, circulation or relaxation
- The person can transfer safely to a seat and step over a low threshold
- It's the only tub in the house and you want to keep one for resale
Choose a walk-in shower if…
- A wheelchair or walker is used, or may be soon
- A caregiver helps with bathing and needs room to assist
- Sitting in a tub while it fills and drains would be uncomfortable or chilly
- You want the lowest long-term maintenance and the quickest daily routine
The middle ground
Many households convert one bathroom to a low-threshold shower with a seat and handheld shower head, and keep a tub (or install a walk-in tub) in another. A tub-to-shower conversion with a fold-down seat and grab bars is also one of the fastest safety upgrades, often installed in a day or two.