Walk-in bathtubs fall within the 1,200 to 10,000 price range, and within that range are three tiers of accessible models that offer more features and customizations as you move up that price range.
These price ranges are based on what we saw at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Menards stores. Let’s start with the lower tier models and move on to understand what you get for your money’s worth.
Cost range of $ 1,200 – $ 2,400
For the sake of clarity, it’s worth mentioning that this cost range includes low-threshold and barrier-free showers. You can find quality accessible showers with an acrylic frame if all you need is a built-in seat, or one that can accommodate a wheelchair for seniors and disabled veterans within a safe showering environment.
For $ 1,129, you can get an American Standard sit-in shower that supports side access for wheelchair users.
If you need an accessible bath enclosure that you can soak in without the additional hydrotherapy features found on mid-level models, you will easily find one to add to your bath. However, finding a unit that fits your body measurements within this price range can be tricky, but not always.
If you are particularly taller than most people, American Standard has an offering on two standard soakers with left and right door orientations while providing a 30 “water depth to fully submerge your body, both of which cost $ 2,439 and $ 2,469, respectively, and can be found at your local Home Depot.
Cost range of $ 2,400 – $ 5,000
Mid-level bathtubs typically have one or a combination of therapeutic features, including air baths, whirlpool baths, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy. Soaking in a bathtub has therapeutic benefits on its own, but not to the extent that air baths and whirlpool massage systems provide. Models at this level cost more than standard soakers because they incorporate multiple jets and injectors that are strategically placed along the sides of the tub, making the manufacturing process more delicate and time-consuming. In theory, the more features you add to the unit, the more expensive it will be.
The most affordable option:
Ariel’s hot tub and air conditioner incorporates the best of both worlds in one unit for hydrotherapy enthusiasts. It is available for right- and left-handed users at a price of $ 2,355 at Home Depot.
The most accessible option:
Universal Tub’s wheelchair accessible hot tub contains adjustable hydrotherapy jets to accelerate the healing of sore muscles, bones, joints and damaged tissue. As with some models in its price range ($ 4,883), it allows side access for seniors and wheelchair veterans.
Price range of 5,000 and more
Walk-in bathtubs that cost 5K or more generally constitute multiple therapeutic features and wheelchair accessibility.
A great example of a model that supports seat-to-seat transfer for disabled users is Universal Tubs Wheelchair Accessible Air Bath ($ 5,148). What makes this unit a great support for a disabled senior’s bathroom independence is that the outward swinging door paves the way for the entire seat, from the slightly reclined backrest to the footrest, making it easy to move one seat to another.