Whether you’re remodelling your bathroom on a quiet luxury style or looking for a minimalist design, the type of bath you choose is integral to the feel of your space. Some baths are deep and angular, some have sloping sides and a roll top, some even have hot tub style jets.
Our interiors experts love bathtubs and we’ve got lots of help if for choosing the perfect style of bathtub. We'll help you navigate the size, shape, and extra features on offer, so that you don't waste money on extra faucets and features if you don't need to.
I’ve looked at thousands of bathtubs and read through thousands of reviews for each bathtub type so you don't have to. I can promise that these are the best investments you’ll make.
Best bathtubs 2024
Dimensions: 54 x 28.4 x 28.9 inches
Materials: Fiberglass and acrylic
Available finishes: Nickel, gold, chrome, matte black, bronze
Non-slip features: Yes
Type: Freestanding
+ Overflow drain
+ Range of finishes
- Very light
With nearly a thousand reviews, all five star, this has to be one of the best rated bathtubs on the market. Made with a durable acrylic-fiberglass blend, it's super lightweight, so must be secured to the floor or it might tip.
Dimensions:65 x 32 x 23 inches
Materials: Acrylic
Available finishes: Matte black, nickel, chrome, white
Non-slip features: No
Type: Freestanding
+ Extra deep and wide
+ Ultra comfortable
- No ledge
This wide and deep soaker bath is a comfortable fit for more than one person. That also makes it a good choice if you're tall or plus-sized. The sloped sides are really comfortable, but without any ledge to sit on, getting in can be difficult.
Dimensions: 62 x 36 x 21 inches
Materials: Concrete, jute fiber
Available finishes: Ash
Non-slip features: Yes
Type: Freestanding
+ Style statement
+ Stain resistant and insulating
- Imprecise dimensions
Contemporary, versatile, and, durable, concrete bathtubs are a true style statement. This reinforced freestanding tub is an excellent insulator and the sloped sides ensure super comfortable baths. As a handcrafted model, the dimensions can vary by inches.
Dimensions: 31 x 72 x 32 incges
Materials: Acrylic
Available finishes:
Non-slip features: Yes
Type: Freestanding
+ Looks beautiful
+ Good capacity
- Faucet sold separately
Chic and stylish, this acrylic tub is available in a range of finishes. The low sides and gentle slopes make it easy to get in and out of. It requires professional installation and the faucet is sold separately, but once combined, it's a wonderfully stylish tub.
Dimensions: 48 x 32 x 23.4 inches
Materials: Acrylic
Available finishes: White, dove, biscuit, sandbar, almond, ice gray, black
Non-slip features: No
Type: Back to wall
+ Excellent depth
+ Integrated pillow
- Expensive
This space-saving tub knows no compromise. Even though this has a small footprint, it's deep and easily fits one person. It's available in a range of colors so it can be perfect for any bathroom. However, it's expensive for its size and needs a separate base deck to drop in to.
Dimensions: 55.1 z 74.8 x 31.5 inches
Materials: Acrylic
Available finishes: White
Non-slip features: No
Type: Back-to-wall
+ Contemporary design
+ Excellent jets
- No non-slip
Made for blissful bubbles, this bathtub boasts 20 air jets and 18 whirlpool jets and a waterfall. It's like having a hot tub in your bathroom. If you enjoy a hydromassage, this spacious design is the one for you. There's room for two people as well.
Dimensions: 30.7 x 31.5 x 59 inches
Materials: Acrylic
Available finishes: White
Non-slip features: No
Type: Freestanding
+ Incredibly durable
+ Very deep
- Quite short
Ultra deep, this acrylic tub has generous depth. With 48 air jets, you're guaranteed the full hot tub experience. It's quite small in length, but incredibly durable, with a reinforced steel and fiberglass frame. The jets are easy to clean too.
Dimensions: 19 x 60 x 30.3 inches
Materials: Polyresin and fiberglass
Available finishes: White
Non-slip features: No
Type: Alcove
+ Excellent quality
+ Great for small spaces
- No extras
Ultra compact and crafted with vikrell (a polyresin and fiberglass blend), this is a beautiful bath which will last you a long time. It's minimalistic and the faucet sold separately, but the reasonable price makes it a best-seller at Lowe's.
Dimensions: 58 x 23 x 28 inches
Materials: Acrylic
Available finishes: High gloss
Non-slip features: No
Type: Corner
+ Contemporary style
+ Massage jets included
- Awkward shape for some
Utterly irresistible, this corner bathtub is perfect for bathrooms with pitched roofs or limited space. It makes a feature of the bathtub and offers whirlpools and a comfortable, moulded seat. The drop-in installation is easy to navigate too.
Dimensions: 59 x 29.5 x 23 inches
Materials: Acrylic
Available finishes: White, nickel, integra, matte black, oil rubbed, chrome, titanium
Non-slip features: No
Type: Freestanding
+ Premium finishes
+ Available in a range of sizes
- Expensive
This his Vanity Art Iris bath is my pick for the best freestanding bathtub. Even though it's relatively expensive, it looks great and is incredibly durable. This is available in a range of sizes too, so can fit any bathroom.
Dimensions: 39 x 29.9 x 52.4 inches
Materials: Acrylic
Available finishes: White
Non-slip features: Yes
Type: Walk-in
+ Lots of useful features
+ Plenty of massage jets
- Expensive
If you have mobility issues, this is the tub for you. It's Home Depot's best-selling model and comes highly recommended by experts. It's fitted out with lots of slip resistant, grab-friendly features and drains really quickly too,
Dimensions: 61 x 28.4 x 23.6 inches
Materials: Oak and stainless steel
Available finishes: Oak
Non-slip features: Yes
Type: Freestanding
+ Stylish design
+ Comfortable features
- No overflow drain
A style spectacle, this wooden bath is eye catching and luxurious. It's perfect for winter homes and log cabins, and fitted with comfortable head rests and a removable seat. The only con is that there's no overflow drain, so keep an eye on the tub at all times.
Bathtime essentials
Although a bathtub is a central feature for any bathroom, it's really made by the accessories. There are no end of little extras that you can treat yourself to in the bathroom, but if you want to fully enjoy your bathing experience, here are a few of my non-negotiable essentials:
Crafted from bamboo, this free-standing bath caddy is an essential. It's the perfect place to keep your books, candles, drinks and more. The slim, lightweight design is easy to store and clean too.
Every bathroom needs a plush bathmat. Excellent at soaking up residue as well as cushioning your freshly cleaned feet, this Egyptian cotton mat is my top choice. It's a timeless staple that will last years.
If relaxation has a scent, it's this candle. Crafted with all organic, natural products, it has herbal notes of rosemary and geranium is fresh, cleansing and uplifting with some woody, cedar depth.
These plush hydro-cotton towels are the best investment you'll make, My family bought these twenty years ago and when I moved into my new home, I bought a set for myself. They stay exceptionally soft over years of use.
It's not a bath without some bubbles or salts. I like these naturally sourced salts, because they blend organic ingredients with indulgent fragrances. However, Aesop's bath products were close runners up for this position.
When you're using bubbles and salts, the inside of the bath can get slippy. This affordable, simple shower mat is the perfect way to prevent any dangerous slips in the bath. It's easy to lift up and clean whenever you've finished relaxing.
FAQs
How do I choose a good bathtub?
There's a lot to consider when buying a bathtub, which is why we have a dedicated page offering you expert advice. Our experts say there are a few main categories to consider:
Type
There's a range of bathtubs on the market, from built-in to freestanding and your space and preference will largely determine which you choose.
Shape
If you can name a shape, there's probably a bathtub to match it. Curvaceous bathtubs look great in a boxy room, whilst square designs can look contemporary. The shape will also change how it feels to lie in.
Size
If you plan on having children or another person in the bat, investing in a bigger size will make all the difference. There's nothing less relaxing than a crowded bath.
Material
There are a range of bathtub materials which will weigh and cost different amounts. It's important to consider these factors alongside appearance, especially with how it looks against your bathroom floor.
Do I need jets in my bathtub?
Jets always mean an added expense to your bathtub, but they do have some brilliant benefits. Soaking in a jetted bathtub can provide a massage, making the experience even more relaxing. However, jets require extra cleaning, so you'll want to weigh up the pros and cons.
Which bathtubs don't crack?
Most bathtub materials are prone to some scratching, cheap materials might stain and crack. Porcelain enamelled iron tubs are the least likely to crack, but these can rust. The perfect in-between material for cost, durability, and weight is acrylic.
How we test
At Homes & Gardens, we pride ourselves on testing as many products as possible. We like to have personal experience before we recommend something to you. Much as I would have loved testing out bathtubs for a year, it was not possible. In place of in-person tests, I spent hours researching the best bathtubs on the market. I read through hundreds of customer reviews in search of the best on the market and found these. I found out everything there is to know about bathtubs, so you won't have any nasty surprises when you find the one of your bathing dreams. If you would like to find out more about the process, you can visit our dedicated how we test page.
Final thoughts
There are plenty of dreamy baths on the market, suited to a range of bathroom décors. You'll want to make sure that you've considered the space you have before falling in love with any specific tub type. Personally, I love the concrete baths. Industrial chic is a beautiful aesthetic and, if polished perfectly, there's a marble-like look to it as well. Whatever you choose, it's always worth investing in a good bathtub, even if it's expensive; these are home features which will last an incredibly long time.
-
What makes a paint color flattering? Experts share their go-to shades for a universally complementary schemeIs it possible for a paint color to be flattering? We asked interior designers, who explain the concept here and share their favorite flattering paint colors
-
Yes, you can use laundry detergent to remove moss from a driveway – but should you?Laundry detergent can be effective in removing moss for your drive, but it’s not the only method
