A walk-in tub lets you step through a watertight door instead of climbing over a tub wall, then sit on a built-in seat for a deep soak. To show what that really looks like in numbers, we went through all 173 walk-in tub models we sell (105 from Meditub and 68 from Anzzi) and pulled their published sizes, step-in heights, water capacity, weights and prices. In short: most walk-in tubs are 26" to 32" wide and 46" to 60" long (a few compact models are as short as 37"), the step-in threshold is usually about 6 inches, they hold 55 to 70 gallons, and typical prices run from about $3,400 for a soaking model to about $5,600 for whirlpool and air. Not sure a walk-in tub is the right choice at all? Start with walk-in tub vs. shower. To browse every model in one place, see our walk-in tubs collection.
Prices shown are regular prices. When a product is on sale, the lower price appears on its product page.
Walk-in tubs come in three rough length groups. Every model with a listed length is 60" long or shorter, and 132 of them are 54" or shorter, so most are shorter than a standard 60" bathtub.
| Length | Models | Common widths | Typical water capacity | Median price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact: 37" to 47" | 51 | 26", 27", 32" | 50 gal | $4,350 |
| Mid-size: 48" to 55" | 81 | 26", 29", 30" | 60 gal | $4,125 |
| Full-size: 56" to 60" | 40 | 30", 32" | 70 gal | $4,500 |
The most common footprints in our catalog are 29" x 52" (25 models), 30" x 59" (24), 30" x 52" (22), 26" x 46" (20), 26" x 53" (19) and the extra-short 32" x 37" (16). Most walk-in tubs stand about 38" to 40" tall, much taller than a regular tub, because the high walls are what give you a seated soak up to your shoulders.
Replacing a 60" tub with a shorter walk-in? The leftover gap in the alcove is usually closed with an extension or filler panel. Check each product page to see whether one is included or sold separately, and measure your alcove's length, width and height before you order. If space is tight, see our walk-in and soaking tub guide for small bathrooms.
| Measurement | What we found |
|---|---|
| Step-in threshold | 3.5" to 7"; most often 6" (92 models list it) |
| Seat height | 15" to 17.5"; most often 17" (92 models list it) |
| Soaking depth | Most often 32" (91 models); up to 34.5" |
| Water capacity | 50 to 94 gallons; typically 55 to 70 |
| Empty weight | 120 to 276 lbs; median 168 lbs |
The threshold is the height you actually step over when the door is open, so it's the single most important number for anyone with limited mobility. If someone in your home has trouble lifting their feet, compare thresholds across models rather than assuming they're all the same. Seat height matters too: the seat should let the bather sit and stand without straining, so it's worth measuring a chair that feels comfortable and comparing.
| Therapy type | Models | Typical price (middle half) | Median | Lowest to highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soaking (no jets) | 47 | $3,383 to $3,900 | $3,618 | $1,900 to $4,968 |
| Air (bubble massage) | 35 | $4,125 to $4,700 | $4,392 | $2,300 to $5,916 |
| Whirlpool (water jets) | 52 | $3,882 to $4,590 | $4,350 | $2,300 to $5,475 |
| Whirlpool + air | 39 | $4,449 to $5,600 | $4,903 | $2,800 to $6,275 |
A soaking model is the least expensive and has the fewest parts to maintain. Air jets give a gentle all-over bubble massage, and whirlpool jets push water for a stronger, targeted massage. Most whirlpool models in our catalog also list a water heater that helps keep the bath warm (80 of the 91 whirlpool and whirlpool-plus-air models), while few soaking and air models do (8 of 82). If staying warm during a long soak matters to you, look for a heater in the specifications. For a side-by-side of the four types on one tub series, see our Anzzi Coupe walk-in tub comparison.
Of the models that list it, 124 have an inward-swinging door and 31 have an outward-swinging door. An inward door opens into the tub, so it doesn't need any floor space in the bathroom, but you step around the open door to get in. An outward door opens into the room, which gives you a wider, easier path into the tub but needs clear floor space in front of it. In our catalog, outward-door models had a higher median price ($4,631 vs. $4,125 for inward).
Walk-in tubs are also sold in left-drain and right-drain versions. When you're replacing an existing tub, matching the drain side to your current plumbing usually keeps installation simpler and less expensive.
This is the part many buyers don't expect: with a walk-in tub, you get in and close the door before the tub fills, and the tub has to drain completely before you can open the door to get out. That makes fill and drain speed part of the comfort of every bath.
We sell walk-in tubs, not installation, so these figures come from two independent sources. The National Council on Aging says: "Walk-in tubs cost between $3,000–$17,000+ installed, depending on the brand, material, any needed bathroom modifications, and other factors." It puts a basic retrofit installation, where the walk-in tub replaces your existing tub without changing the footprint, floor joists or utilities, at $1,000–$2,500 (NCOA, March 13, 2026). Fixr says that in most cases "the installation labor for a walk-in tub will cost between $1,000 and $3,500," and that a point-of-use water heater costs $300 to $1,000 to install (Fixr, updated January 28, 2026).
Neither source gives a figure for adding an electrical circuit for a jetted or heated model, because that depends on your home's wiring, so ask a licensed electrician to quote it. Installation prices also vary a lot by region, so get two or three local quotes before you set your budget. If the tub is part of a larger remodel, see our bathroom remodel cost breakdown.
Filled with water, a typical walk-in tub weighs about 650 lbs (tub plus water, before anyone gets in), and the largest models approach 1,060 lbs. That's usually fine on a ground floor, but for an upstairs bathroom or an older floor, have a contractor confirm the floor can carry it.
Jetted models (air, whirlpool or both) and models with heaters need electrical power, and the electrical code requires jetted tubs to be on a GFCI-protected circuit. Check the voltage and wattage on the product page and have a licensed electrician confirm what your bathroom needs. Most Meditub models are designed for an alcove installation against three walls; check the installation type on each product page. Adding grab bars near the tub is worth considering too.
If a door and seat aren't a must, a deep soaking tub may suit you better. See Japanese soaking tubs for deep, seated soaks in a small footprint, our freestanding tub size guide, the clawfoot tub buying guide, or our copper pedestal tub comparison.
Ready to compare models? Browse all walk-in tubs, or shop by brand: Meditub walk-in tubs or Anzzi walk-in tubs.
We included every walk-in tub model listed in our store on September 27, 2026: 173 distinct models (105 Meditub and 68 Anzzi). Where the same model appeared in more than one listing, we counted it once. Sizes, capacities, weights, thresholds, seat heights and features come from each manufacturer's published specifications; step-in threshold and seat height were listed for 92 of the models. Prices are our regular listed prices before any checkout discount, using the lowest-priced version of each model. Prices and specifications can change, so check each product page before you order.
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