American Standard Walk-In Tubs Review 2025
With 150 years in the plumbing industry, American Standard is one of the most popular providers of walk-in tubs. More recently, the company’s walk-in tubs have evolved to include luxurious features like water jets that turn one’s bath into a spa-like experience. But just how luxurious are the tubs from American Standard? More importantly, how safe can they keep your loved ones?
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at American Standard’s line of walk-in tubs, and we’ll even recount our experience with touring their factory, where we were able to talk to the experts at American Standard.
Top-Rated Tubs: To learn more about walk-in tubs, be sure to check out our guide to this year’s best walk-in tubs.
Key Findings
- American Standard offers nearly 90 different walk-in tub models across four collections (Acrylic, Gelcoat, Safety, and Liberation), providing options for virtually any bathroom size and user need.
- Prices range from approximately $5,700 for basic models to nearly $15,000 for luxury options with features such as hydrotherapy jets, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy systems.
- The Liberation collection includes professional installation with a lifetime warranty on both the tub and labor. In contrast, other collections offer various warranty terms (10 to 15 years on components and shell) and require separate installation arrangements.
- All models include safety features, including low thresholds, textured floors, grab bars, and quick-drain technology, making them suitable for older adults and those with mobility challenges.
American Standard Pros and Cons
If you’re short on time, here’s a synopsis of what we took away from our experience with American Standard:
What We Liked
- Safety and style: Each of American Standard’s walk-in tubs provides a safe way to bathe with a sleek and elegant design. Plus, many of their models were ADA-compliant, meaning they met the highest standard of accessibility for people with mobility issues.
- Luxury features: American Standard walk-in tubs have luxurious features such as targeted massaging jets, aromatherapy, and even chromotherapy, a system of soothing underwater lights in the water. It turns a regular bath into a spalike experience.
- Professional installation: Although we’re the experts when it comes to older adults, home improvement projects are not our strong suit. Thankfully, the experts at American Standard handle everything, from measuring out a space in your bathroom to installing the actual tub. You’ll hardly have to lift a finger.
What We Didn’t Like
- Cost of Entry: American Standard walk-in tubs, like most of the finer things in life, come at a hefty price. Their most affordable options start at around $5,700.
- Limited Tub Volume: While we had no issues fitting into our American Standard tub, many larger folks might have trouble squeezing in. For these people, we would recommend checking out a bariatric walk-in tub, a type of tub designed to be wider.
- Limited Warranty: Much like a sink or toilet, a tub should last for a long time. That’s why we were disappointed that American Standard only included a lifetime warranty on the tub’s door seal, while its shell and components are only covered for 15 and 10 years, respectively. However, American Standard’s professionally installed Liberation tubs have a lifetime warranty on the tub plus installation and labor.
What Is American Standard?
American Standard specializes in plumbing and building products. The company was founded in 1875 as the Standard Sanitary Manufacturing Company. Back then, they pioneered many of the plumbing fixtures we now take for granted, including combination faucets, one-piece toilets, and corrosion-resistant coating for brass fittings. By 1929, they were the world’s largest bathroom fixtures manufacturers. In 1967, the name American Standard was adopted, and these days they supply bathroom fixtures and fittings to homes, businesses, and commercial buildings around the country.
One of American Standard’s offerings is walk-in tubs. They have an impressive range of tubs with various additional spalike features for an even more relaxing bathing experience. Let’s take a closer look at what they offer.
How To Purchase an American Standard Walk-In Tub
It might sound stressful to purchase an American Standard walk-in tub. Unlike other caregiving devices like medical alert systems that can fit in the palm of your hand, a walk-in bathtub is a significant bathroom renovation project. Further complicating matters is the number of choices in tubs: American Standard offers nearly 90 different models, so it might be time-consuming figuring out which one will work best for you and in your bathroom space.
Luckily, nearly all of these concerns can be addressed by logging on to American Standard’s website and requesting a free installation estimate. In a matter of days, they’ll dispatch one of their professional bathroom safety specialists to your home. They’ll assess the specifics of your bathroom and walk you through which tub models would be best suited to your needs and the constraints of your space.
Purchasing Advice: While American Standard’s full range of walk-in tubs can be purchased online, they can also be found in stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot, so you can check them out in person.
Types of American Standard Walk-In Tubs
Currently, American Standard offers four different types of walk-in tubs. However, if you want your old tub ripped out and disposed of and your new tub installed by American Standard, your only choice will be one of three tubs from the Liberation collection (see below). For the other 86 options, you’ll have to install the tub yourself or hire a third-party contractor.
- Acrylic: These types of tubs have a glossy, acrylic coating, which is durable and easy to clean. It also maintains temperature for longer than a gel coating, making it a higher-end option, according to the Specialized Refinishing Company. As of February 2025, there are 20 acrylic walk-in tubs to choose from, with a variety of grab bars, air and water jets, hand showers, and other safety and therapeutic features.
- Gelcoat: The 59 gelcoat options have the same features as the acrylic tubs with gel coating over fiberglass. This is the most common type of walk-in tub that American Standard offers, and it’s cheaper than acrylic options.
- Safety tubs: The seven safety tubs are all gel-coated, and given that all of the tubs have low thresholds and grab bars, it’s not entirely clear what differentiates safety tubs from walk-in tubs in general.
- Liberation collection: Finally, with a tub in the Liberation collection, you won’t have to worry about installation. All three Liberation tubs have the same features: water and air jets, chromotherapy, aromatherapy, a shower wand, grab bar, low threshold, and textured floors. The only differences between the tubs are their sizes, ranging from 28 to 32 inches wide and 48 to 60 inches long. You can also choose between inward-facing and outward-facing doors.
Savings Tip: If you purchase your walk-in tub directly from American Standard, the cost includes installation, whereas brick-and-mortar vendors usually charge an additional fee.
American Standard Pricing Overview
How much does buying a walk-in tub from American Standard cost? It depends on the collection and the tub within the collection.
| Type of Walk-In Tub | Number of American Standard Models | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Acrylic-coated | 20 | $9,475-$14,833 |
| Gel-coated | 59 | $5,742-$12,751 |
| Safety tubs | 7 | $6,156-$6,978 |
| Liberation collection | 3 | Prices not listed online; must get an in-home estimate |
Acrylic tubs range from $9,475 all the way up to $14,833. Gelcoat tubs, on the other hand, are a cheaper option ranging from $5,742 to $12,751, while safety tubs are somewhere in the middle, priced at $6,156 to $6,978. Keep in mind that with any of these tubs, you’ll have to pay separately to remove and dispose of your old tub and install your new one, which, according to Angie’s List, might cost from $1,000 to more than $12,000. The cost will depend on your bathroom’s layout as well as how much plumbing or electrical work is needed.
American Standard will send their technicians to install tubs in the Liberation collection, but representatives won’t provide pricing information, even if you call. To get pricing information for the tub and installation, you’ll have to schedule an in-home estimate. The larger the tub, the more you’ll pay, as size is the only factor that differentiates the Liberation tubs.
These costs might seem high, but they’re actually pretty standard when you consider that walk-in tubs from Kohler with all the bells and whistles can cost up to $33,000 or even more.
You can read more about American Standard’s competitor in our Kohler walk-in tub review, or keep reading for a direct comparison between the two manufacturers.
Warranties
The warranty of your American Standard tub will depend on whether you installed it yourself. One of the advantages of buying a professionally installed Liberation tub is that it comes with a lifetime warranty not only on the tub itself, but also on installation and labor. With the DIY, contractor-friendly tubs, the warranty will vary by model. For example, The Gel walk-in safety tub has a 10-year warranty on the tub shell and a five-year warranty on all of its other components. A similar acrylic tub has a 15-year warranty on the shell and a 10-year warranty on all other components. Be sure to check the warranty before you buy your walk-in tub to make sure you understand what it covers.
Financing Options
American Standard only offers financing on their Liberation Tubs, as their other tubs typically are purchased by contractors. If you buy a tub that costs at least $10,000, you may be able to get financing, depending on your credit score. However, if you don’t pay for your first purchase in full after the first year, you’ll be charged an interest rate of 17.99 percent for 84 months, or seven years.
Luxury Series Right Drain Walk-in Tub
At the American Standard Factory, we were given an up-close look at one of American Standard’s higher-end models, the Luxury Series Right Drain Walk-in Tub, a combo massage tub with just about all the bells and whistles available.
Here’s a rundown of its features, which we got to see in person:
- Handheld Showering Wand: This handy removable shower head makes it easy to rinse any part of your body.
- Hi-Gloss Acrylic Construction: The acrylic construction of my tub is not only easy on the eyes, but it also makes your tub a breeze to clean. With just some paper towels and a solution of vinegar and water, you can wipe away any soap stains on the sides of your tub.
- Whirlpool Massage System: These 13 jets circulate water throughout the tub and massage your body. What’s more, these jets are hooked up to an in-line heater, which helps prevent the bath water from getting cold while in use. They’re even self-cleaning!
- Air Spa System: Similar to the water jets, these 26 air jets provide a soothing sensation on the skin while also circulating the water throughout the tub.
- Chromotherapy System: While the jury is still out on whether chromotherapy lights have tangible health benefits, I can attest that the lights in this tub helped put my mind at ease.
- Patented Watertight Door: An essential component of any walk-in tub, the watertight door allows for easy and safe entry and exit. Should it ever leak, this door is covered by American Standard’s lifetime warranty.
- Quick Drain: One problem with walk-in tubs is that you have to remain inside of them until the water drains, lest you open the door and flood your bathroom. Luckily, with American Standard’s patented Quick Drain technology, the water is actively pumped out through the drain. In less than two minutes, you can open the door and safely step out of the tub.
- Push-Button Controls: On the edge of this tub beside the door were three buttons that controlled the lighting and jet systems. This panel makes it simple to operate the advanced features.
- Built-In Safety Grab Bar: Although you can purchase an additional grab bar for the area outside of your tub, there was also one built into the tub’s interior, helping me to stand with no problem.
- Textured Bath Floor: With bathrooms being the most common site of falls for people of any age, I appreciated the stable footing provided by this tub.
My Luxury Walk-In Tub
There was a lot to love about this American Standard Luxury Series Tub, even without stepping inside of it. We appreciated how elegant it looked in the showroom. Using a matching extender, the tub was able to fit snugly against the wall. Additionally, its white acrylic construction and polished chrome faucet should fit in, aesthetically, with almost any type of bathroom. With the addition of a safety grab bar on the wall bordering my tub, my total cost would come to $9,989, which is definitely on the higher end when it comes to walk-in tub prices. Still, the quality of this tub was undeniable.
The first thing we noticed when we stepped into this showroom tub was the low height of the door’s threshold. At only a few inches high, it was easy to step in and seal the door. The next thing that stood out was the textured acrylic floor. It was pleasantly rough, designed to ensure we wouldn’t slip when sitting or standing in the tub. With falls being a leading cause of fatal injuries among older adults, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control, we always appreciate features that help prevent them. Once we were seated in the tub (separately, of course!), we shut its door and leaned back on the tub’s cushioned neck rest.
We didn’t go so far as to actually fill the tub. After all, we were fully clothed and in the middle of a warehouse! Even so, we could certainly feel the durability and comfort offered by this American Standard model. As we opened the door and stepped out of the tub, we were secretly wishing we had one of these in our own bathrooms at home.
The More You Know: Although most of American Standard’s walk-in tubs include safety grab bars, additional bars can be purchased for adjacent walls and installed with your tub.
American Standard vs. Kohler
American Standard and Kohler are two of our favorite walk-in tub manufacturers; however, the two providers differ in terms of price, features, and warranties.
Pricing
American Standard walk-in tubs are slightly more affordable than Kohler walk-in tubs. Their prices both start at around $5,700, but while American Standard walk-ins might cost as much as $15,000, Kohler’s accessories and design options could push final costs up to $33,000 or more. Still, American Standard prices are comparable with one of Kohler’s more basic tubs, without any additional features such as jets, heated backrests, etc.
Features
Both American Standard and Kohler walk-in tubs offer the standard features of hydrotherapy jets, air jets, heated seats, quick filling, and nonslip features. That said, in our tests, we found that Kohler walk-in tubs had faster quick-draining features. So for those who prefer slightly more advanced tubs and showers, Kohler might be the better choice.
Warranties
While American Standard’s warranties vary by tub, Kohler offers a lifetime limited warranty with all of their walk-in tubs. That warranty covers the bath door seal, hydrotherapy systems, and the faucet and handheld shower. However, the warranty does not cover installation or labor, unlike with American Standard’s Liberation tubs.
Other Considerations
In addition to the factors mentioned above, you may also want to consider the following when choosing a walk-in tub:
- The size of your bathroom: Make sure the tub you choose will fit in your bathroom.
- The type of flooring you have: Some walk-in tubs require a specific type of flooring.
- Your personal preferences: Consider which features are important to you, such as the number of jets, a walk-in shower option, a heated backrest, a hand shower.
To learn more about how these tub manufacturers compare, read our comparison of American Standard vs. Kohler.
Recap
There are many benefits of a walk-in tub. First and foremost is the safety component. Between low step-in thresholds and anti-slip surfaces, walk-in tubs provide a greater degree of safety than traditional baths and showers. Then, of course, there are the comfort features, the hydrotherapy, chromotherapy, and ergonomically designed seats we’ve come to expect from companies like American Standard.
Although walk-in tubs are traditionally thought of as best for those with mobility issues, an American Standard tub would be great for just about anyone. Sure, the initial cost is relatively high, but in terms of the bathing experience, combined with both safety and luxury features, American Standard is hard to beat
American Standard Frequently Asked Questions
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What is an American Standard Walk-In Tub?
American Standard walk-in tubs are bathtubs to make bathing both safer and easier for those with limited mobility, which includes many older adults. Built with a seat and watertight door, these bathtubs take the hassle and risk out of bathing in a standard tub or shower. Additionally, many American Standard models feature massage capability and other luxury features.
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What is the best American Standard Walk-In Tub?
What’s best for you depends on a variety of factors including the size of your bathroom and the tub’s additional features you might want. With that said, American Standard’s highest-rated tub is the 28-by-48 inch gelcoat with a left hand door and drain that currently sells for $6,680.
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What are the advantages of an American Standard Walk-In Tub?
For any person with restricted mobility, walk-in tubs provide a safe and effective means of bathing. In addition to safety features such as handrails and textured floors, many models also have air jets, LED lighting, and aromatherapy capabilities, making them more spalike and relaxing.
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How do I clean my American Standard Walk-In Tub?
Much like any other bathtub or shower, your American Standard Walk-In Tub will get dirty over time. Luckily, you can give your tub a thorough scrubbing with a spray bottle and a solution of warm water and white vinegar.
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Will Medicare cover the cost of my American Standard Walk-In Tub?
Unfortunately, for most people, walk-in tubs are not considered to be durable medical equipment. Because of this, Medicare will neither pay for nor contribute to the cost of your walk-in tub.
