15 Best Bathtubs for 2023 | Soaking, Jetted, Alcove & More

 

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Like the gorgeous Mirage bathtub from the Hammock Bath Company (pictured above), the best bathtubs of this year blend equal parts innovation, functionality and beauty. While the world seems to get ever more unpredictable, there’s one certainty: the healing power of a great tub.

Read on to discover our top picks in each category. You’ll also find discount codes for some of these tubs that are worth hundreds of dollars.

 

What are the best bathtubs of the year?

Best Freestanding Soaking Tub – Woodbridge B-0030 Combo Soaking Bathtub

Best Alcove Soaking Tub – Aqua Eden

Best Jetted Alcove Bathtub – Hydro Systems Sydney 6332

Best Japanese Style Soaking Tub – Aquatica True Ofuro Nano Soaking Tub

Best Drop-In Bathtub – Signature Hardware Sitka

Best Tub for Couples – Mirage Hammock Bathtub

Best Freestanding Tub – Woodbridge B-0011

Best Value Bathtub – American Standard Americast Bathtub

Best Bathtub for Luxury – Aphrodite by Aquatica (10% off with coupon code SHANA10)

Best Tiny Bathtub – HEATGENE 41″ Contemporary Soaking Tub

Best Small Bathtub – FerdY Bali Acrylic Tub

Best Large Bathtub – Aquatica Lillian Freestanding Tub

Best Claw Foot Tub – Kohler Iron Works Extra Wide Clawfoot

Best Air Tub – Emanuelle 2 by Aquatica

Best Copper Bath – Antique Copper Bath with Rings

 

1. Best Freestanding Soaking Tub

 

This is our favorite soaking tub because it truly has it all for a price you won’t find anywhere else. 

You get a combination of air jets, which provide a gentle all-over body massage, and water jets, which offer targeted relief for pain.

This tub also offers LED lights to complete the spa experience.

It’s large enough for a tall person to soak comfortably, and provides a 14-inch water depth (2 inches more than a traditional bathtub).

Finally, it’s gorgeous to look at with a high-gloss finish, yet durable and easy to maintain. This tub is made by Woodbridge, one of the most respected brands in the business.

 

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2. Best Soaking Alcove Tub

This modern alcove bathtub offers great quality for the price. The non-porous, glossy finish on this bathtub makes it easy to clean and maintain. Plus, the sheen of the gloss will look extra sharp in any bathroom.

Made with lightweight acrylic, this tub is very easy to install. The tub comes with an attached apron that will prevent water from leaking under the bathtub. 

This tub does come with leveling feet. However, you may want to add mortar beneath the tub for extra stability. 

If you want an alcove bathtub that will match your modern style and won’t hurt your pocketbook, this just may be the one.

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3. Best Alcove Bathtub

 

This tub wins our overall pick for best alcove bathtub because it’s truly got it all. 

The Hydro Systems Sydney 6632 can be customized right down to the very last detail. You can order this bathtub as a tub alone or with a whirlpool, thermal air or combo system. In addition, you have the choice of 16 different trim options, such as polished chrome, satin nickel or brushed brass.

The components of this tub are all manufactured in North America, and it comes with an integral flange and skirt. Another benefit is that it’s made of acrylic, a material that retains heat well and is mildew and mold-resistant.

If you take your relaxation seriously, this may be the right alcove bathtub for you. While most alcove tubs provide 12-inch depth, you’ll be able to soak in 17-inches.

 

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4. Best Japanese Style Soaking Tub

Free standing Japanese soaking tubs are quickly rising in popularity all over the world. The international design team at Aquatica created this tub to accomplish the ultimate soak for bathers of all heights. Plus, this tub will easily fit through a standard 32-inch doorway, while offering an impressive soaking depth of 27 inches.

You can customize this modern Japanese soaking tub with hydromassage jets or chromotherapy. This tub is also available in a range of sizes and color combinations.

The solid surface material is double-layered for maximum heat retention. It contains an antimicrobial solution that means you don’t need to worry about mildew or mold. It’s also eco-friendly and hypoallergenic.

Visit the Aquatica website and get any questions answered in the chat. Use the coupon code SHANA10 at checkout for 10% off any Aquatica tub.

 

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5. Best Drop-In 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 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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6. Best Tub for Couples

The Mirage is a freestanding hammock bathtub that blends beauty with functionality. It’s designed to fit two adults or three children comfortably. The contemporary design and flat bottom bring style and class to your bathroom. 

This solid surface bathtub has excellent heat retention. It’s available in two standard sizes and four modern colors to match your decor –  Alabaster, Ebony and Flower (a hand-painted motif). This tub is available in the Slimline or the Mark II version of the model, which offers 4-5 inches (100mm – 125mm) of extra depth.

SPECIAL OFFER: Hammock Bath Company has 3 (just 3!) hammock bathtubs in stock in the US that you can get for 30% off using code BATHTUBBER30: 1. Mirage Slimline HBM2.0E Ebony (matt black) Hammock Bath 2. Mirage Mark II HBM2.0A M II Alabaster (matt white) Hammock Bath 3. Mirage Mark II HBM2.0E M II Ebony (matt black) Hammock Bath. Offer includes free shipping to mainland US. Only while they last!

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7. Best Freestanding Tub

The Woodbridge B-0011 is a quality freestanding tub that comes at a very reasonable price. Despite the price, Woodbridge is by no means a budget brand, and can easily compete with the more expensive tubs out there.

Being made of acrylic allows the B-001 to hold a respectable 55 gallons while being light at just 83 pounds and durable. The lightweight makes for easy transport and installation. Unlike some heavier soaker tubs, it’s unlikely you’ll need to add additional floor supports. This tub is also double-walled, which means it will retain heat longer.

These factors combine to create one of the most comfortable and affordable bathtubs on the market, and is the reason the B-0011 is at the top of our list.

 

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8. Best Value Bathtub

The Woodbridge B-0011 is a quality freestanding tub that comes at a very reasonable price. Despite the price, Woodbridge is by no means a budget brand, and can easily compete with the more expensive tubs out there.

Being made of acrylic allows the B-001 to hold a respectable 55 gallons while being light at just 83 pounds and durable. The lightweight makes for easy transport and installation. Unlike some heavier soaker tubs, it’s unlikely you’ll need to add additional floor supports. This tub is also double-walled, which means it will retain heat longer.

These factors combine to create one of the most comfortable and affordable bathtubs on the market, and is the reason the B-0011 is at the top of our list.

 

9. Best Bathtub for Luxury

Do I even have to mention how gorgeous the design of this tub is? The Aphrodite can work in both a contemporary and classic bathroom decor — but either way, it’s bound to be a showstopper.

Made from a proprietary solid surface material called Aquatex, it’s hypoallergenic, ecofriendly and antimicrobial. The material, in combination with the double-walled tub structure, makes it excellent for heat retention, meaning you can soak as long as your heart desires without needing to top up.

This bathtub is available in white or black, as well as many other colors. Or try it with a metallic finish. Click the button above to learn more and use the chat in the lower right to get any questions answered. Use the coupon code SHANA10 at checkout for 10% off any Aquatica tub.

 

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10. Best Tiny Bathtub

 

Just because you don’t have much space doesn’t mean you have to give up on bathtubbing! 

The HEATGENE Contemporary Soaking Bathtub takes it’s cues from the Japanese style ofuro, a tub in which bathers sit up to their chests or necks in steamy hot water.

The inside of the tub tapers, so the depth of the soak depends on whether you choose to sit in the built-in seat or on the opposite side of the tub.

This tub is insulated, has a drain overflow, and comes with drain assembly. 

With this small but mighty soaking tub, you can create a Zen ambiance in even the smallest bathroom.

 

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11. Best Small Bathtub

Bigger isn’t always better and the FerdY 47″ Bali Acrylic Tub brings home that point. Although it can only contain 39 gallons and weighs a modest 75.8 pounds, a comfortable soak comes easily in this tub with 3.5 inches of extra soaking depth over a traditional bathtub.

Another benefit of this tub is the easy installation. The tub comes with a detailed instruction manual showing step-by-step illustrations on how to implement the tub into your bathroom. Being made of 100% glossy white acrylic reinforced with fiberglass means the tub is eco-friendly and has long-lasting durability.

The FerdY 47″ Bali Acrylic Tub’s affordable price point, easy installation, and integrated slotted overflow all help to cement this as an excellent bathtub for any small bathroom.

 

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12. Best Large Bathtub

Truly unique on the market, this is the roomiest soaking tub you’ll find. It can comfortably fit two bathers, including tall people.

Made from an award-winning solid surface material called AquateX, this tub is hypoallergenic and eco-friendly. It’s double-walled for excellent heat retention. However, sandstone or concrete are available instead of solid surface, if you prefer. This tub can be customized in a variety of color options and metal finishes.

The Aquatica Lillian has an ergonomic design, a wide rim for resting your head comfortably, and a built-in headrest. Click the button above to visit this tub on the Aquatica website and ask any questions from excellent customer service in the pop-up chat. Use the coupon code SHANA10 at checkout for 10% off any Aquatica tub.

 

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13. Best Claw Foot Tub

The Kohler Iron Works Clawfoot Tub is a beautiful, durable luxury bathtub that brings a vintage look into your home. 

Make no mistake though, this is not your average cast-iron clawfoot tub. It comes with many extra features that help to make bathing a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. 

Its molded lumbar supports offer extra support, the slip-resistant floor makes getting in and out of the tub extra easy, and it even comes with a reversible drain meaning installation is a much smoother process. This tub is also extra wide meaning it provides more room than most other bathtubs on the market. (And finding an extra wide cast iron clawfoot is quite rare!)

Also, cast iron is the best bathtub material for filling quietly and retaining heat.

The one drawback to cast iron tubs is the weight. Being 545 pounds means moving it around your house is no easy task and you might ask a contractor whether you’ll need additional floor supports to handle the weight. (This is especially true when placing the tub on an upper deck or second story.)

 

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14. Best Air Tub

Aquatica has developed a state-of-the-art Air Relax System for plug-and-play air tubs. The Emanuelle 2 is one of the more popular designs for bringing a pampering spa experience home. With at least 16 air jets, you’ll experience an all-over warm air body massage. Built-in color-changing LED lights (chromotherapy) will immerse you in your at-home haven every time you bathe.

The tub is made of proprietary AquateX solid surface material. This material has incredible benefits including that it is velvety to the touch, heat retaining, eco-friendly and hypoallergenic. The double-walled insulation of the design in combination with the wide rim make this tub easy to access. You can also use the wide rim to store your bath products and accessories.

This tub is inspired by the Victorian slippered claw foot tub. The raised end in combination with the built-in head and neck rest provide optimal bathing comfort. For more information, click the button above and ask your questions using the chat feature on the website. Then use code SHANA10 for 10% off at checkout.

 

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15. Best Copper Bath

The tub is made almost entirely of 99.9% pure copper and you can include an overflow hole upon request. 

One of the benefits of having a tub made of copper is that, since copper is a great conductor of heat, your tub is guaranteed to stay warmer for longer.

Be aware that you’ll need to take extra care when cleaning this tub since hard chemicals and cleaners can damage the copper shell. Instead, use gentle dish soap or a damp cloth. There may also be some small variations in the size of your tub due to it being handmade.

 

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The Best Bathtub: How to Choose

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.

Once you’ve picked your tub, you’ll need a faucet. See my guide to the best tub faucets.

And if you want to save thousands on your bathroom remodel, just fill out the form below and I’ll send you my Save Big $$$ Cheat Sheet.

Tags: air bathtub, alcove tub, best bathtub, claw foot bathtub, copper bathtub, freestanding bathtub, luxury bathtub, soaking tub