Safe Step Walk-In Tubs Review and Costs

Getting to Know Safe Step

Founded in 2001, Safe Step is fairly new in the industry compared to some of its competitors, but the company has grown considerably since their founding. While Safe Step started building walk-in tub models for residential homes, it has expanded its offerings over the years to become the go-to commercial bath refinishing company for some of the world’s largest hotel chains. Safe Step recently celebrated the installation of their millionth tub!

You may have seen Pat Boone promoting Safe Step tubs in their television ads. Unlike some of the other leading walk-in tub providers such as Kohler, American Standard, or Jacuzzi, Safe Step exclusively manufactures walk-ins. Proudly American-owned and operated, Safe Step manufactures their products in Tennessee, where they perform a 14-point quality control inspection on every tub. Below, we’ll take a closer look at Safe Step’s products, including their walk-in tubs, showers, and hybrid tubs.

Safe Step Pricing and Cost Estimates

It’s important to note that Safe Step’s prices for walk-in tubs are not listed online, and we weren’t able to get quotes over the phone. You’ll need a free in-home consultation to get a final quote. Safe Step representatives told us they can’t quote a price over the phone because several installation factors affect the cost, which is pretty standard for the industry. But you’re under no obligation to purchase if you book a home consultation.

Although this extra step is more time-consuming, we can see how an in-person visit would be the best way to get an accurate price estimate. It would be frustrating to receive a quote online only to find out later that the tub will end up costing a lot more.

Some estimate that Safe Step walk-in tubs cost anywhere from $2,500 to $8,000 on average, plus the cost of installation, which is at least a few thousand dollars. Just keep in mind, these are only estimates, and it’s best to consult with Safe Step for an accurate price.

Safe Step products are designed to fit within the imprint of your existing tub or shower, and there are three standard tub sizes. But, if you need a larger or smaller install, custom sizes are available. The good news is that unlike buying an Empava or Endurance brand tub from The Home Depot or Lowe’s, you won’t be surprised by the high cost of installation, as it’s all included. The downside of that, of course, is that you can’t inspect the tubs in the store before purchase.

Although Safe Step’s pricing appears to be well in line with the industry standard, there are some companies, such as AmeriGlide, that offer cheaper options. AmeriGlide sells tubs small enough that they can be used in mobile homes and smaller bathrooms. Their least expensive options can be ordered with conversion kits for people who prefer to install them themselves or with their own contractors. Installation costs with AmeriGlide can vary, as installation services aren’t available everywhere their tubs are sold. If you would prefer a walk-in tub that includes complete installation in the price, Safe Step might be the better bet.

Remember to ask a Safe Step sales rep about any available discounts, such as price breaks or rebates for AARP members, seniors, and military veterans.[/tip]

On their website, Safe Step encourages texting, online chatting, calling, or emails to connect with their sales team. You can also request a brochure to first familiarize yourself with Safe Step’s products. Before you spend too much time researching Safe Step’s tubs, we recommend calling their sales team to ensure they have an installation team in your area.

Safe Step offers a Helping Hands rebate – currently $750 per person 2 – to help offset costs. Discuss your options with a Safe Step representative, as there are discounts available for seniors and veterans, as well as financing plans for qualified individuals.

Safe Step Walk-In Tubs

Best for:

• Seniors who enjoy relaxing in a hot bath
• Those who have reduced mobility and have difficulty bathing in a standard tub without a caregiver present
• Seniors who are looking for a bathtub equipped with an anti-slip floor and seats to avoid falls
• Older adults who have difficulty standing for long periods of time
• Those who would benefit from therapeutic aspects such as hydrojet water therapy

Safe Step – The standard tub

When evaluating walk-in tubs, it’s important to figure out which features are a priority to you. These tubs make that process a bit easier, as they come loaded with standard safety features, including anti-scald technology, anti-slip flooring, and grab bars (the majority of falls happen at home,3 these are essentials). Ten adjustable massaging jets help sore muscles, and a safe water ozone system keeps circulating clean water. For comparison, some of American Standard’s walk-in tubs feature 44 air and water jets, so if this feature is important to you, that’s something to consider.

The personal hygiene system is essentially a bidet built into the seat, while the chromotherapy lights shine in seven different colors.

The Safe Step step-in height is just 4 inches, which compares well with other companies, and falls just above Kohler’s industry-leading 3-inch step-in. These features are not universal in the industry; for example, the handheld shower wand is considered an add-on for some Homeward Bath models, so that’s something to take into account when doing price comparisons.

If you’re looking for luxury, the optional MicroSoothe Air Therapy System offers a spa-like experience. This feature helps heal dry, damaged skin with negatively charged oxygenated bubbles that gently deep clean, oxygenate, hydrate, and exfoliate, according to Safe Step’s website. If you practice aromatherapy4 and would like that feature included, you’ll need the MicroSoothe system as well.

Safe Step aromatherapy feature

Standard Features:

• Safe Water ozone cleaning system
• Personal hygiene therapy system
• 10 adjustable hydrojets
• Dual hydrotherapy massage system
• Chromotherapy lights
• Four-inch step-in
• Two grab bars
• Anti-slip flooring and seat
• A hand-held shower wand
• Waterproof remote control
• Contoured heated seat and backrest
• Anti-scald technology
• Fast filling and draining with Quantum Quick Drain feature (drains tub 38 percent faster than previous models)
• Mold-resistant sanitary gel coat

Optional Features:

• MicroSoothe Advanced Air Therapy System
• Aromatherapy

Safe Step Walk-In Showers

Best for:

• Older adults who prefer to take a quick shower over a bath
• Those who have diminished mobility
• Older adults who have a space that cannot reasonably accommodate a tub

Safe Step showers are built to fit your bathroom.

Like their tubs, Safe Step’s showers are designed to fit within the imprint of your existing shower or bath, minimizing your installation costs. The design of the shower is sleek, and the simple white-tile aesthetic integrates well with a broad range of bathroom styles. For seniors who prefer showers over baths, this is a great option that still comes loaded with safety features.

Safe Step shower

Standard Features:

• “EZ step” entry or barrier-free anti-slip base
• Round ergo valve grab bar
• L-shaped ergo grab bar
• Hand-held shower wand with three spray patterns
• Eight-inch rainfall shower head
• Pressure- and temperature-balancing valve
• Full height three-shelf corner shower caddy
• Tile composite wall
• Six body jets
• Handheld shower wand featuring three spray patterns

Optional Features:

• Medical-grade silhouette safety seat
• Sliding bypass glass door with integrated towel bars

Safe Step shower seat

Safe Step Hybrid Walk-In Tub With Shower

Best for:

• Seniors who want the option to safely shower or luxuriously bathe

Safe Step hybrid tub

Safe Step’s hybrid option comes complete with all of the standard and optional bells and whistles of their tub (including the MicroSoothe Air Therapy System and aromatherapy), with the addition of a rainfall shower head and adjustable hand-held wand.

Safe Step Warranty

Safe Step’s lifetime warranty is one of the best in the business. This warranty is offered for all models, and it covers the door seal, faucets, water pumps, heaters, blowers, and parts and labor, plus a two-year warranty on caulking.

Safe Step Walk-Ins vs. the Competition

Safe Step vs. Kohler

Safe Step offers more straightforward and cheaper walk-in tub and shower options than Kohler, for one example. Kohler might be the better choice for people looking for multiple customization options,  however, including design elements such as walls and fixtures. Another benefit of Kohler is that their baths are an inch lower than Safe Step’s for easier entry and exit. Like Safe Step, Kohler requires in-home consultations before giving price estimates. But note that both companies offer financing options, too. Another thing to note is that Safe Step offers a lifetime warranty (which we love), while Kohler’s warranty is a bit more limited.

Safe Step vs. American Standard

If super-fast tub drainage is important to you, American Standard walk-in tubs drain in just two minutes. By comparison, Safe Step’s Quantum quick drain system could take six to 15 minutes to fully drain. (This is an important consideration because bathers must wait for the tub to drain before they can step out of the tub.)

American Standard also offers several choices of accessible tubs for wheelchair users as well. And again, because American Standard tubs also feature more therapeutic air and water jets, it can be a good choice for people not just looking for a safer tub, but one that might provide some relief for aching or arthritic limbs and joints as well. Read our full American Standard review to learn more.

Safe Step vs. Other Brands

Couples interested in a tub that can seat two might want to consider Ella’s Bubbles tubs or Boca tubs, which are American-made, come in seven different sizes, and have a lower step entry (two inches) compared with Safe Step tubs. One thing to keep in mind when comparing Safe Step and Boca tubs is that Safe Step does a more complete installation job, such as removing and disposing of your old tub and finishing walls and flooring after they install their tubs. Safe Step always offers a lowest-price guarantee on installation.

Overall, Safe Step products more than hold their own among the competition in a fairly crowded landscape. The company offers a variety of designs and enough jets in their tubs to provide therapeutic value, but without needing a massive plumbing overhaul to handle 20 or more different jets. Their products include important safety features as well as luxury elements that can make baths more spalike, all for reasonable prices and with a lifetime warranty.