Safe Step Walk-In Tubs Review and Costs
Safe Step offers a variety of walk-in tubs with safety and comfort features, plus a low four-inch step-in height.
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SeniorLiving.org is supported by commissions from providers listed on our site. Read our Editorial Guidelines
Safe Step Key Takeaways
- Safe Step offers a variety of walk-in tubs and showers designed for safety and comfort.
- Safe Step does not list prices online, so you’ll need to get a free in-home consultation to receive a quote. Some sources estimate Safe Step tubs to cost anywhere from $2,500 to $8,000 on average.
- While Safe Step is a high-quality company, it’s important to consider all of your options to find the one that best fits your needs and budget. Visit our list of the best walk-in tubs in 2024 to compare Safe Step to other leading brands.
Safe Step is an American-made brand that prioritizes safety for those gracefully aging in place while including several standard walk-in tub features to make bath time manageable and safe again.
It’s hard to get a handle on Safe Step prices upfront since they treat each product and installation as a custom job. You’ll need to book a free consultation before making your final decision, but the ultimate price will include all installation fees, keeping hidden costs at bay. In this review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Safe Step in 2024, from tub features and our recommendations, to warranties and ways to save.
Pros About Safe Step
- Professional installation is included in the price
- Extensive lifetime warranty
- Lowest price guarantee for a tub of comparable quality
- Products exceed the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act
- A+ rating and accreditation from the Better Business Bureau and a commendation from the Arthritis Foundation for Ease of Use
Cons About Safe Step
- Prices are not easily determined
- No brick-and-mortar stores
Comparing Safe Step to Other Top Brands
Safe Step is an excellent option for older adults who want a reliable walk-in tub with professional installation. As a bonus, Safe Step products have lifetime warranties so that you never have to invest in another walk-in tub. That said, many customers have a hard time figuring out exactly how much their Safe Step tub will cost. So, if you want to consider a few other options before making a decision, be sure to check out our top-rated brands below.
Getting to Know Safe Step
Founded in 2001, Safe Step is fairly new in the industry compared to some of its competitors, but it has grown considerably over the last few decades. 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 its 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, 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.
Did You Know? You can use some medical alert systems in the shower or tub to keep you safe in the event of an emergency or fall. Visit our list of the best medical alert systems in 2024 to learn more.
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 won’t quote a price over the phone, as several installation factors affect the cost, but you’re under no obligation to purchase. We do appreciate this commitment to accurate pricing estimates. It would be very frustrating if you received a quote online, only to find out the tub was going to cost a lot more once you signed on the dotted line.
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 a more exact price.
>> Learn More: Safe Step vs Kohler Comparison
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 Depots or Lowe’s of the world, you won’t be surprised by the high cost of installation, as it’s all included. The flip side of that is that you can’t inspect the tubs in a store before purchase.
Safe Step’s website encourages texting, online chatting, calling, or emails to connect with their sales team. You can also request a brochure if you’re at the earliest stages of research. Before you get too far down the road, call to ensure that they have an installation team in your area.
Safe Step offers a Helping Hands Initial Visit Discount 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.
>> Compare: American Standard vs Safe Step
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
When evaluating walk-in tubs, it’s important to know what features you want to prioritize upfront. 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 (as 6 out of 10 falls happen at home1 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, touting relaxation.
The Safe Step step-in height is just four inches, which compares well with other companies, and falls just above Kohler’s industry-leading 3-inch step-in. The robust standard features are not universal in the industry; for example, the handheld shower wand is considered an add-on for some Homeward Bath models, so it’s something to take into account when doing price comparisons.
Good to Know: If you’re considering a larger tub, double-check your water heater. Walk-in tubs are designed to be deep, therapeutic soaking tubs, and it helps to have at least a 40-gallon tank to adequately fill the tub with hot water.
If you’re looking for luxury, the optional MicroSoothe Air Therapy System offers a spa-like experience. Created to help heal dry, damaged, or depleted skin, the jet system gently deep cleans, oxygenates, hydrates, and exfoliates. Talk about a spa day! If you believe in the healing effects of aromatherapy2 and would like that feature included, you’ll need the MicroSoothe system as well.
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
- A hand-held shower wand
- Waterproof remote control
- Contoured heated seat and backrest
- Anti-scald technology
- Fast filling and draining
- Mold-resistant sanitary gel coat
Optional Features:
- MicroSoothe Advanced Air Therapy System
- Aromatherapy
FYI: Walk-in tubs aren’t the only way you can ensure you or a loved one ages in place safely. Check out our list of safety products for seniors, which features everything from medical alert systems to mobility devices.
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
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.
Standard Features:
- EZ step 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
The Hybrid Safe Step Tub
Best for:
- Seniors who want the option to safely shower or luxuriously bathe
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.
Good to Know: In addition to improving your sleep quality, baths have been linked to lowering your risk of heart disease and stroke in recent studies.3
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.
Final Thoughts
Safe Step prides itself on high quality at a fair price. While you won’t have an estimate in hand before your consultation, and there aren’t any brick-and-mortar stores to visit, the array of standard features, a trained installation team, and an excellent warranty create an attractive package worth considering for your walk-in bath or shower needs.
FAQs About Safe Step
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What do I do with my old tub after installation?
Safe Steps removes your old bath and recycles, if possible, or discards it for you.
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Does Safe Step handle the electrical wiring needed for installation?
Yes, that is part of the free at-home evaluation and will be included in your quote. If adjustments are needed, they will perform those for you, but it may add a day to your installation.
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Do walk-in tubs require special maintenance/cleaning?
Aside from a simple rinse after bathing, as you would with any tub, walk-ins should get a deeper weekly cleaning with a nonabrasive cleaner and soft sponge. Monthly maintenance, using diluted bleach to flush through, disinfects the internal system of the hydrojets.
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How much control do you have over the jets?
The hydrojets can target the back, legs, and feet – or legs and feet only. You can control the speed and intensity of the flow as well so that your massage is customized.
National Council on Aging (NCOA). (2022). Get the Facts on Falls Prevention
.Mayo Clinic. (2020). What are the benefits of aromatherapy?.
CNN Health. (2020). Taking a bath isn't just relaxing. It could also be good for your heart, study says.