10 Best Alcove Bathtubs – Value, Jetted, Drop-In

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Alcove bathtubs fit snugly between three walls and usually have one finished side called “the apron.” Here are our top pics:

What Are the Best Alcove Bathtubs of the Year?

The best alcove bathtubs offer all sorts of awesome features like a slotted overflow drain for extra soaking depth, a textured bottom, a flange to protect your wall from water damage, and even whirlpool jets. Many come in multiple color shades with various metal finish options. Read on for all of our favorites:

What Is An Alcove Tub?

This classic or standard tub style fits between 3 walls in the bathroom. It’s also considered a built-in tub because it is not freestanding but rather nestled into the available space. These standard tubs type is the most popular in the United States.

While it’s possible to turn a freestanding bathtub or alcove tub into a tub/shower combo, it’s more common to do so with an alcove tub. The reason is that with a tub/shower combo, the walls surrounding the bathtub help keep the water contained.

If you want to attach a shower to a freestanding tub, either place the tub against a wall and affix the shower head, or attach a deck-mounted handheld shower to the ledge of your freestanding bathtub.

1. Best Alcove Bathtub – Overall Winner

The American Standard bathtub is a traditional style, high-quality alcove tub at a great price.

This tub is designed and created by American Standard, a bathtub company that has been manufacturing bathroom and kitchen products for over 140 years. 

American Standard designed the Cambridge bathtub with Americast, an engineered material that combines a high-quality porcelain surface with enamel-grade steel and a molded composite reinforcement backing With this material, you get the heat retention benefits of cast iron without paying the costs associated with buying an extremely heavy tub. 

The best feature about this bathtub is that it has excellent heat retention, ensuring a long and warm bath. If you’re looking for a comfortable, high-quality, and well-built bathtub, the American Standard Cambridge bathtub may be the right choice for you.

4. Best Alcove Tub For Easy Installation

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This tub is not only comfortable but looks great too. Its modern design can be a big boost when trying to renovate your bathroom. Another aspect of this alcove tub that makes it ideal for those updating their bathroom is its easy installation. 

A risk to ordering tubs online is that sometimes they can show up to your door chipped or even cracked! However, this tub’s packaging takes extra care to put layers of protection on all the corners and wrap it in a protective covering ensuring a damaged tub won’t show up at your door and making the installation process even smoother.

When buying this tub make sure to check it’s not too small for you! While most people will have no issues, it narrows down to only about 17” across on the bottom meaning larger people might find it difficult to get comfortable.

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5. Best Shower-Tub Combo

 

This is one of the deepest alcove soaking tubs you’ll find. It comes in 6 colors. It’s designed to be deep, but easy to step into. It’s built with a slight slant on the side opposite the drain in order to match the natural line of the human body while soaking

One of the key elements of this bathtub is that it comes with an integral flange to prevent water from going behind the walls of the bathtub. This soaking tub makes it the perfect choice if you are looking for a bathtub that will be used as a shower-bathtub combination.

The bottom of this bathtub is a non-slip surface to prevent falls while getting into and out of the bathtub or standing up to shower.  

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6. Best Alcove Tub for Taller People

This contemporary bathtub with an oval slotted overflow and clean lines is perfect for anyone who wants a deep soak in spacious tub that still fits within a standard alcove space.

With a soaking depth of 16.5 inches (42cm), you can feel that you are truly in a spa bathroom. This tub will work well for larger people who want to finally bathe without feeling cramped.

Consider adding a shower head and frameless glass door to turn this into the perfect shower/tub combo. Choose from matte black, brushed nickel, polished chrome or shiny white trim.

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7. Best Whirlpool Alcove Tub

This acrylic water massage tub with lights is an outstanding modern alcove tub that offers a luxurious bathing experience. With a generous capacity of 90 gallons, this tub provides ample space for relaxation. Designed in a rectangular shape, it fits seamlessly into alcove installations, making it an ideal choice for modern bathrooms. It includes 8 whirlpool water jets for a revitalizing massage.

Measuring at 59″ x 29.9″ x 23.6″, this tub offers easy access and convenience due to being extra wide. One notable feature of this acrylic tub is its impressive soaking depth of 23.6 inches, allowing for a truly immersive bathing experience. The inclusion of a waterfall feature and automatically changing LEDs are the final touch that creates a soothing ambiance.

While this tub boasts numerous advantages, it’s important to note that the acrylic material can be slippery when wet. The tub lacks a rubber surface at the bottom for grip meaning it requires extra caution when using. 

However, considering its excellent price point and the luxurious features it offers, the Acrylic Water Massage Tub with Lights is a fantastic choice for those seeking a modern and indulgent alcove tub experience.

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8. Best Drop-In Alcove Bathtub

This standard-length alcove bathtub offers an extra deep soak and an ergonomic design for extra relaxation.

It’s made to be dropped into a custom-built platform, so that no sides of the tub are exposed, and the tub faucet is installed in the deck or on the wall.

This alcove drop-in bathtub is reversible so you can position the tub with the drain on the right or the left.

This tub comes with a 25-year limited warranty and the knowledge that Signature Hardware is one of the best brands in the business that offers excellent customer service. This alcove tub can be dropped into a platform. For more drop in bathtubs, see my best of the year round-up.

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9. Best Curved Basin Alcove Tub

The Kohler Tub with Tile Flange is a rectangular alcove tub that boasts a capacity of 60 gallons. Despite its compact size, measuring 62.6″ x 40.6″ x 21″, this tub offers a surprisingly roomy bathing experience. Made of lightweight acrylic material, it’s also easy to handle during installation and cleaning.

One notable advantage of this Kohler tub is its curved basin design, which enhances comfort and relaxation. It cleverly utilizes the available space, allowing even taller individuals to enjoy a soothing soak without feeling cramped. 

However, it is worth noting that the warranty for this bathtub is only one year, which can be a deal-breaker for those seeking longer-term coverage and peace of mind.

Overall, this bathtub is best for those in search of efficient use of space and a comfortable bathing experience.

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Standard Alcove Tub Dimensions

Standard dimension for an alcove tub are 60 inches long x 30 inches wide by 16 inches deep (exterior) with a 12-inch soaking depth measuring from the bottom of the tub to the overflow drain.

Tub Shower Combo

This is the most common tub type if you’re looking to add a shower head, since you can easily install a shower head to the wall on the side undermount tubs above the overflow drain.

What Are Alcove Tubs Made Of?

Both acrylic and fiberglass are common materials for alcove tubs. Let’s take a look at each of these materials:

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is a composite material made of fine glass fibers embedded in a polymer matrix, typically epoxy or polyester resin. The combination of glass fibers and resin results in a strong and lightweight material with excellent mechanical properties. Fiberglass is often a lower-cost but popular alcove tub material.

Pros	Cons
Lightweight	Material may flex when standing on it
Inexpensive	Finish can fade over time
Simple to Install	Easy to crack
Easy to Clean	Susceptible to mold and mildew

Acrylic

Beyond its durability, acrylic offers a great deal of versatility. Its malleability allows it to be molded into various shapes and designs, making it possible to create an array of bathtub styles to match different preferences and bathroom décors. Additionally, acrylic bathtubs boast smooth surfaces that are not only pleasing to the touch but also easy to clean. Moreover, they are notably lightweight, which makes installation and handling more convenient.

Pros	Cons
Lightweight	Can scratch easily
Easy to install	Pricier than fiberglass
Retains heat well	May flex when you stand on it
Finish stays glossy over time
Mildew and mold resistant

What to Know About Alcove Tub Drains

When you’re standing in your bathroom facing the tub, is the drain on the right, left or center?

You may wonder why you should even care. But if you’re replacing an existing tub, this is critical information. Why? You don’t want to have to move the plumbing wall to accommodate a different drain placement.

Moving the plumbing to a different wall can be an expensive change. Remember, even though you can’t see them, your water and drain pipes run behind the wall to your tub, so switching them to a different wall requires considerable labor.

How to Choose the Right Bathtub for You

Are you still wondering how to choose the right bathtub? Maybe you’re confused about bathtub materials and the variety of tub types on the market.

Fear not! I have put together a step-by-step guide to selecting the right tub for you. It will walk you through every consideration so that you get the product that will best suit your needs.

So Which Alcove Bathtub is Right for You?

The right alcove bathtub for you will have:

• Drain placement matching the tub you’re replacing
• Adequate soaking depth
• Comfortable design
• And any other bells and whistles you desire.

We’re confident that you can find the alcove tub that fits your priorities on the list above. Happy soaking!

Note: If you’re about to embark on a bathroom remodel, join my mailing list by filling out the form just below. I’ll send you a free PDF called the Save Big $$$ Cheat Sheet with designer hacks that can literally save you thousands of dollars.

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