QB FAQs: Whirlpool, Air Tub, or Soaker?
Wash away the day. Choosing a tub can be a confusing experience - here's how to make the right decision and enjoy it every time you settle in for a soak.
When you’re in the market for a new bathtub, the sheer number of choices can make your head spin. How does one come to a decision?
Here’s a tip: consult this handy bathtub-buying guide and stop worrying! We’re here to simplify your options and make it easy for you to figure out what you want and need.
Tub type
Soaker tub
We’ll start with the soaker; it’s the simplest (yet far from basic, and available in loads of shapes… maybe not so simple after all).
A soaker tub does just what its name suggests: provides you with a place to soak. These tubs are typically deep and/or contoured for a comfortable bathing experience; while many soaking tubs do not include jets, some may also have air or whirlpool features. For all the ins and outs on soaking tubs, read our comprehensive soaking tub buying guide.
Some prefer a classic clawfoot bath:
A slipper tub is shaped to allow one to recline comfortably while bathing (without craning your neck to keep it out of the water); double slipper tubs are raised on both ends.
The newly popular Japanese soaker tubs boast a smaller footprint with deep soaking capacity.
Whirlpool
A whirlpool tub forcefully emits air and water from jets for a deep-massaging hydrotherapy experience. It is designed to invigorate the body with high-pressure massage power. Whirlpool jets require regular light maintenance to prevent bacteria build-up. Many models are equipped with a self-cleaning function.
Air tub
An air tub uses millions of heated air bubbles to turn a bath into a gently effervescent, relaxing experience rather than the intense deep-tissue massage sensation provided by whirlpool tubs. They require less cleaning and maintenance than whirlpools; it is recommended that users run the jets once the bathtub is empty (or run the drying cycle) to dry them completely.
Combo tub
Can’t decide which type of jetted bathtub you’d rather have? Go with a combo, which allows you to choose air or whirlpool action depending on your mood.
Mount
Choose a freestanding tub if you have enough room for it and like the look; you can find them in every style, color, configuration, and material imaginable.
A corner tub may allow for more bathing room in some spaces, especially unusually-shaped bathrooms.
Drop-in tubs (also known as overmounts or deck mounts) are “dropped in” to a new or existing surround, while undermounts have a deck around the lip of the tub. Take your existing bathroom, your tastes, and your plans into account when you choose; if you are likely to change the tub in the near future, a drop-in will be easier to replace.
Many tubs may be mounted over or under. Here’s the same model shown in both mounts:
Take your lifestyle and needs into account when choosing your bathtub. Some points to consider:
- If you enjoy soaking with a partner, opt for a two-person tub so there’s enough room for both of you.
- If you prefer showers to baths and are working on a limited budget, choose a tub without all the bells and whistles or forgo it altogether (if you have one in another bathroom).
- If you are a frequent bather and/or desire a spa-like experience, conversely, splurge: pick a full-featured model with the options that will most enhance your baths (aromatherapy, multimedia capabilities, lights, pillows…).
- If you will be bathing children or pets in your tub, ensure that it is not too deep for you to reach them. A freestanding or drop-in bath may be your best option; with an undermount, you’ll have to lean over the deck to reach in. Save your back!
- If your bathroom is not adequately heated, be sure that you have a tub door or curtain to keep the heat in while you soak. Who wants to be cold while bathing?
- If you are planning on aging in place or have arthritis or other conditions that make it hard to climb into a bathtub, consider a walk-in tub. They are available in soaker, whirlpool, air, and combo configurations, with just as many options as most typical tubs.
Last, but most importantly: make sure to enjoy your new tub and the satisfaction that comes with making a well-informed decision!