Safe Step Walk-In Tubs Review
Safe Step Walk-In Tubs: Key Findings
- Safe Step walk-in tubs combine safety and comfort, making them a great addition to any bathroom.
- In terms of cost, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500-$8,000 (plus installation) for a Safe Step walk-in tub.
- While Safe Step walk-in tubs performed well in our tests, they’re not as affordable as walk-in tubs from American Standard.
FYI: Unsure of which walk-in tub provider to choose? Read our rundown of this year’s best walk-in tubs, in which we compare the features, costs, and performance of the industry’s top brands.
Safe Step Pros and Cons
Pros
- Knowledgeable customer service: If you’re intimidated by the prospect of purchasing and installing a brand-new walk-in tub, then fear not! Safe Step has you covered. Every step of the way, from selecting a tub to installing it, you’ll be guided by Safe Step’s professionals, who turn the whole ordeal into a cakewalk.
- Advanced safety: Each Safe Step tub comes standard with the grab bars, low-entry threshold, and anti-slip surfaces we’ve come to expect from walk-in tubs. They also include some unique features, such as anti-scald technology and overflow drains.
- Luxury features: When it comes to walk-in tubs, you might naturally think they’re all about safety. And while Safe Step certainly delivers on this front, their walk-in tubs' hydrotherapy, chromotherapy, and aromatherapy features ensure that safety does not come at the cost of comfort.
- Lifetime warranties: A Safe Step warranty covers not only the tub itself but also the door seal, faucets, water pumps, heaters, blowers, and labor. All this is to say that Safe Step is there to help long after your tub has been installed.
Cons
- No showrooms: While the Safe Step experts can deftly recommend and install one of their walk-in tubs, I couldn’t help but wish that they were available through some type of physical store. This way, I would have been able to see the tub before the date of installation.
- High cost of entry: A Safe Step walk-in tub can cost you anywhere from $2,500 to $8,000. When you tack on the cost of installation, which will likely be somewhere in the ballpark of $5,000, you’ll definitely be spending a good chunk of change for a Safe Step tub. Still, I’m a firm believer that you get what you pay for, and Safe Step is well worth the money.
How To Purchase a Safe Step Walk-In Tub
Unlike some companies such as American Standard, whose walk-in tubs can be purchased from brick-and-mortar retailers, Safe Step models can only be purchased directly through them. On one hand, this is disappointing because it means you don’t get to see the tub in person before making your decision. On the other hand, this means that all of your interactions will happen directly with Safe Step, and their professionals will have no trouble guiding you through the process.
To start, I’d recommend taking a look at Safe Step’s website. Here, you can find all sorts of information on the company and their products, in addition to some testimonials from satisfied customers. This is a great way to get acquainted with Safe Step and figure out if they’re the right company for your needs. You’ll notice, however, that Safe Step does not list any particular models or their pricing. For this information, you’ll have to call up their sales hotline and schedule a free consultation.
The Safe Step Consultation
If you’ve ever purchased a used car, then you’re probably familiar with high-pressure sales situations, the type that requires bartering and a high degree of uncertainty. Luckily, we found the Safe Step consultation is a far cry from this. At no cost, one of their specialists will come directly to your home, whereupon they will take a look at your bathroom and figure out which of their models will be the best fit for your existing plumbing and electrical systems.
In addition to helping you consider physical constraints, your Safe Step consultant will ask you some key questions about safety and comfort features, ultimately helping you decide which model is right for you.
The More You Know: Safe Step will remove an existing tub or shower as part of the installation process.
Types of Safe Step Walk-In Tubs
Although every Safe Step model can be customized to suit your specific needs, they can be broken down into three overarching categories. Here’s an overview of each:
- Walk-In Tubs: The problem with traditional tubs is that stepping over a bathtub wall can be potentially dangerous, especially for those working through mobility issues. A Safe Step walk-in tub addresses this issue through the use of a low-entry threshold. This makes entering the tub as easy as stepping up a small stair, and the textured seating keeps you comfortable and safe throughout your entire bath.
- Walk-In Showers: Similar to a walk-in tub, a Safe Step walk-in shower gets rid of treacherously high tub walls, allowing for safe entry and exit from your bathing. Unlike the tubs, however, a walk-in shower does not fill a basin with water. Instead, it operates through a traditional showerhead and the optional addition of shower wands, making bathing both safe and a breeze.
- Hybrid Tubs: Combining the best of both worlds, a Safe Step hybrid tub gives you the convenience of a showerhead with the luxurious comfort of a bathtub. As with all Safe Step models, your safety is ensured with a low-entry threshold.
FYI: Safe Step’s walk-in showers can be made wheelchair accessible, through the use of a barrier-free base that eliminates the threshold entirely.
The cost of a Safe Step tub will vary by the specific model, its features, and the location. Installation costs, in particular, can vary greatly by the bathroom.
Safe Step Pricing Overview*
| Feature | Price |
|---|---|
| Walk-In Tub | $2,500 – $8,000 |
| Walk-In Shower | $4,000 – $10,000 |
| Hybrid Tub | $2,500 – $10,000 |
| Cost of Installation | $5,000+ |
| Total Estimated Cost | $7,500 – $13,000 |
*The noted price ranges represent estimates. Actual costs will vary.
Safe Step Standard Features
Together, working with a Safe Step specialist, you’ll figure out which additional features you’d like to have in your tub. However, they explained to us that there are several features that come standard with every unit. Here’s a closer look at those:
- Wide Door: Safe Step tubs have some of the widest doors available on the market, yet another way that those with mobility issues can easily enter the tub.
- Low-Entry Threshold: Entering and exiting your walk-in tub is both easy and safe with Safe Step’s low-entry threshold. At only 4in high, you can rest assured that using your tub will not result in the falls that are all too common in the bathroom.
- No-Strength Locking Handle: It’s true what they say: a walk-in tub is only as good as its seal, that is, unless you want to risk spilling the whole tub on the floor. Luckily, the Safe Step door seal is airtight, and you can control it with the no-strength locking handle. Designed to minimize strain, this handle is perfect for those with aches or arthritis, which are highly prevalent in older adults.
- Quick Drain Release: Using similar stress-relieving technology as the locking handle, the quick drain release makes it a breeze to clear the water from your tub. It also utilizes pumps to clear the water out more quickly.
- Grab Bars: Each Safe Step walk-in tub features two grab bars that help you maintain balance and prevent falls.
- Anti-Slip Surfaces: Both the floor and seat in your tub will feature a textured acrylic surface that allows you to keep your balance without sacrificing comfort. Additionally, at 17in wide, the seats in Safe Step tub are ADA compliant.
- Ozone Cleaning System: Using the jets of your tub, this ozone will constantly purify water as it circulates, preventing bacteria from entering the tub.
- Durable Aluminum Frame: Each Safe Step tub is built with a long-lasting aluminum frame, ensuring the longevity of its use.
- Sanitary Gel-Coat: Coated in a layer of mold-resistant gel, each Safe Step tub is a breeze to clean.
Safe Step Luxury Features
In addition to the solid safety features, Safe Step explained to us some of their high-end comfort features that will turn your baths into a luxurious experience. Here’s a rundown of them:
- Hydro-Jet Water Therapy: Placed throughout your tub are ten separate hydro-jets that soothe your body through the propulsion of water. It turns your tub into a hot tub of sorts. What’s more, you can even change the speed and location of the jets in order to target specific body parts such as the legs, feet, or back.
- Chromotherapy: Using a system of multicolored lights, you can relieve your mind of stress with Safe Step’s chromotherapy system. These lights can alternate between seven different colors, though my personal favorite would be blue.
- Aromatherapy: Whether or not you believe in the healing power of essential oils, I think we can all agree that smells such as peppermint or lavender are relaxing. Safe Step’s aromatherapy systems allow you to drop in your favorite oils, which it then diffuses throughout your tub.
- Personal Hygiene Therapy: Safe Step’s personal hygiene system features a bidet built into the seat, allowing you to cleanse fully and safely without sacrificing sanitation.
Safe Step vs. American Standard Walk-In Tubs
Safe Step and American Standard are two of our favorite walk-in tub manufacturers. Both providers offer a wide range of safety and luxury features from their tubs, as well as the option to get a free in-person quote for the job.
American Standard, however, offers a much wider range of models, including bariatric walk-in tubs and walk-in Whirlpool tubs. In fact, American Standard has so many different models that we’d strongly recommend reaching out for a consultation to help you navigate the best options for your situation.
Safe Step, on the other hand, offers one base model of a walk-in tub. Despite this seeming lack of diversity, each Safe Step walk-in tub is highly customizable, allowing you to build your ideal setup of safety and comfort features.
Recap
It’s hard to find much to complain about when it comes to Safe Step walk-in tubs. Their walk-in tubs marry safety with comfort in a way that users of any age can appreciate, and for that reason, they rank highly in my choices for best walk-in tubs. If you’re looking for a surefire way to make your bathroom safer and remain in your home for longer, then look no further than a Safe Step walk-in tub.
Safe Step Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the cost of a Safe Step walk-in tub?
While basic Safe Step models can cost as low as $2,500, this does not include the cost of installation. Depending on your specific bathroom, installation could add several thousand dollars to your total costs. In most cases, all-in costs will be roughly $5,000.
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What is covered under my Safe Step walk-in tub warranty?
Safe Step’s lifetime warranty covers not only the walk-in tub itself but also its door seal and faucets, water pumps, blowers, and heaters. Essentially, this means that should anything go wrong with your Safe Step tub, they will remedy the issue at no extra cost to you.
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Does Safe Step offer any type of discount on their walk-in tubs?
Safe Step offers a variety of discounts and rebates that make affording their walk-in tubs that much easier. They offer discounts for seniors and veterans, in addition to $750 rebates for people with arthritis, diabetes, sciatica, and other health issues. To find out which of these you may qualify for, you can contact their customer service line.
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Do Safe Step walk-in tubs come in more than one size?
Safe Step walk-in tubs can be tailored to suit almost any person, taking into account their size, disabilities, and mobility issues. Additionally, the different types of tubs can fit into almost any type of bathroom. This is why it’s important to speak to a Safe Step customer service representative, as they will be able to help you find the best tub for all of your needs.
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Who should purchase a Safe Step walk-in tub?
Safe Step walk-in tubs are ideal for any person who suffers from mobility issues. Their easy access and built-in safety features ensure a worry-free bathing experience.
