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Looking for more options? Our team picked a few more favorites.
If you're looking to safety proof your bathroom with a walk-in tub – or you just want the spa-like features they offer, such as massage jets for arthritis1 and achy joints – American Standard is one of the country's leading walk-in bath providers. With more than 150 years in the plumbing appliance business, American Standard gets a lot of praise for its customer service. The Better Business Bureau gives it an A+ rating, and its walk-in tubs earn the Arthritis Foundation's “Ease of Use” seal. You can find American Standard walk-in tubs at major retailers like Home Depot and Lowe's and online through sites like Wayfair. You can also shop directly through American Standard, which we recommend.
In this review, we'll take a closer look at American Standard to see how they compare to competitors like Kohler and Universal Tubs. Overall, they earn high marks for quality, all-in-one features, and an impressive warranty that includes installation and labor. On the downside, they're not the cheapest (walk-in tubs are already expensive), and nailing down a firm price is tough with nearly 100 feature combinations. Here's what you need to know before you buy.
Pro Tip: Nervous about an in-home assessment? Ask if they'll do an online consultation. Prices, specs, and the installation plan depend on your personal space. Going with a certified installer saves the potential headache of hiring (and trusting) an independent contractor to do the job correctly.
Below, we break down the various walk-in tubs American Standard offers, their features, and whom they're best suited for.
As we've mentioned, American Standard offers a wide range of features that you can customize to fit your needs. Below are some of the most standard features, along with luxury add-on options.
Standard features:
Luxury options:
Pro Tip: Buying directly from American Standard may be the easiest and safest way to go. Retailers that sell popular units usually don't include installation, so you'd have to hire a contractor. Take advantage of the free in-home evaluation and network of licensed installers.
American Standard offers four main categories of walk-in tubs: air baths, deep soaking tubs, whirlpool tubs, and combo massage tubs. Let's take a look!
American Standard air bath
American Standard deep soaking tub
American Standard whirlpool-jet walk-in tub
American Standard combo massage walk-in tub
Money-Saving Tip: Right now, American Standard is offering a $1,500 discount, along with a 12-month payment plan with no interest, if you order and install directly through the company!
Prices range dramatically by tub type, features, and installation, which is typical for the industry. You can get a basic walk-in soaking tub starting at $2,000 from Home Depot. But that only gets it to your house; you still have to get it to the bathroom and install it. Factoring installation in, American Standard walk-in tubs cost anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000. If you buy directly from American Standard, you can get 12 months of zero percent financing and no payments.
| Walk-In type | Price range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Soaking Tub | $4,000 | Budget and basic safety |
| Air Bath | $5,500-$10,500 | Mild hydrotherapy |
| Whirlpool | $5,500-$10,500 | People with arthritis |
| Combination Massage | $6,500-$12,000 | Spa lovers |
Pro Tip: Walk-in tubs don't raise your water bill. Most hold 50-60 gallons, which is the same amount in a standard bathtub. Just make sure your water heater can heat that amount of water!
Here's where American Standard outshines the competition. It's the only company that offers a lifetime warranty on the whole shebang: the bathtub, installation, fixtures, parts, and labor (if you purchase and install directly through them). While you might pay more upfront, it's a substantial long-term benefit if something goes wrong.
You can purchase American Standard walk-in bathtubs a few ways:
Installation is the hard part. You can buy an American Standard walk-in tub from a retailer and install it yourself. But unless you're installing a no-frills soaking tub, many walk-ins require additional plumbing or retrofitting. From purchase to installation, follow these five best practices to get the smoothest experience:
Pro Tip: Most insurance, including Medicare, won't cover walk-ins, because they're not considered durable medical equipment. But check Medicaid: Some states cover special home modifications (such as installations) or equipment for qualifying seniors.
Buying a walk-in tub is expensive, but with 80 percent of older-adult falls happening in the bathroom, it can be a vital safety measure. In terms of established reputation, American Standard is up there with known brands like Kohler. Their tubs can be more expensive because they have more all-in-one models. However, they offer the best warranty. If you want spa-like bells and whistles, American Standard provides good overall value.
American Standard walk-in bathtubs range from about $4,000 for a basic soaking tub (including installation) up to $12,000 for a top-of-the-line custom model with all the therapeutic fixings.
No, Medicare does not classify walk-in tubs as “durable medical equipment” and therefore does not cover them. Some Medicaid and government programs may help subsidize them if they qualify for specific home-improvement criteria.
The benefits are twofold: safety and therapeutic. Walk-in tubs have a low-threshold door that opens out so you can step through. Usually, the step is between 3 and 7 inches versus a 12-24-inch standard tub. Secondary benefits include whirlpool jets, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy, which can help with arthritis, aches, pains, and overall relaxation.
That depends on the tub you buy. American Standard offers its Quick Drain technology, which empties the tub in two minutes or less. That’s better than the usual draining time of five to 15 minutes, but it costs extra.
American Standard. (2022). Raising the Standard to Benefit You.
