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Bathing has never been as pleasurable and safe as it is with the Malibu. The ozone sterilization that activates automatically when you turn on the jets prevents mold and mildew to ensure a safe bathing environment, and it makes your life easier as it disinfects hard to reach areas for you. To make it easy for you to get in it and out of it, there is a handlebar that you can grab onto. In terms of design, it boasts beautiful aesthetics that make it perfectly complement the existing bathroom décor. Additionally, the manufacturing company backs it for a lifetime when it comes to the integrity of the shell, door, and frame, and for 5 years when it comes to the other parts.
Design
It measures 29.5 inches in width, 52 inches in length, and 43 inches in height, endorsing a maximum capacity of 90 gallons due to its spacious interior. Furthermore, it allows you to soak your entire body inside it due to its generous depth. The shell is made with acrylic that is non-porous and easy to clean, allowing you to keep it spotless easily. For safety reasons, it features a slip-resistant floor that prevents you from falling and a grab bar that you can hold onto when you enter it or get out.
Massage
The 13 jets it features are strategically placed in order to provide maximum relaxation when you are bathing. The hydro massage jetting it provides resembles what you experience in a whirlpool model when it comes to effect and functionality, the jets massaging your entire body to relieve pain and to relax your tense muscles. It even features an intensity air flow regulator that provides you with complete control when it comes to the strength at which the water is released through the jets. You also get 16 air massage jets that release less intense pressure than their hydro counterparts, providing a gentle massage that is preferable if you have sensitive muscles and joints.
Mention Worthy Features and Specs
- The outward swing door features 3 latches that make it extra secure.
- Features two front panels and an end panel that are conveniently placed to allow ease of access.
- Door is made with tempered glass that is highly resistant to impact, withstanding immense water pressure.
Accommodations
The accommodations it provides are what make it our top pick. Undoubtedly, its best trait is the chromotherapy that creates soothing effects with the help of LED technology so that your senses, as well as your mind, will be cleared after you finish bathing. Another convenient accommodation it provides is that it can keep the water at a steady 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit for a long while due to the anti-scalding technology, thus allowing you to take longer baths without having to change the water.
| PROS
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CONS
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- To ensure a pleasurable experience when you bathe, it uses the anti-scald technology
- Puts at your disposal chromotherapy that helps you relieve stress when you feel overwhelmed
- Uses a total of 13 jets to deliver a soothing dual massage
- Seat has a comfortable 20.75-inch width that accommodates even those who are a bit larger in size
- Lifetime warranty provided for the shell, frame, and door
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- Seat heating requires an additional expense
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| VERDICT
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Easy on the eyes and delivering a soothing dual massage that ensures any muscle pain you feel will go away, this is our top recommendation to those who have difficulties getting into it. Not only does it make the whole process of bathing safer and easier, but it tends to relieving you of stress and pain, guaranteeing an excellent experience when you bathe.
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Manufactured by the same company as our number one pick, the HH3058 Deluxe will pleasantly surprise you through its design. One of the more spacious and generous in capacity models in its market, it features a comfy 19.75-inch wide seat that is heated. Another perk is the fact that it comes with a seated backrest, thus for those who feel back pain or have sore muscles in the back region of their body being a real heaven-sent as it will help alleviate their suffering.
When you want to relax and spend a bit more time inside it, you can do so in the most comfortable manner possible by adding the neck and back rests which you can remove anytime you want with ease. For your safety and to ensure a pleasurable experience when you are bathing, it comes with a thermostatic control faucet which prevents the water temperature from shifting to unsafe levels.
One of the main perks you get to enjoy with it is the fact that, due to the dual drain technology it uses, it ensures a quick 80-second draining of the water. It uses a total of 12 jets to provide you with hydro massage jetting, as well as air massage jetting. As the surface is scratch resistant, you are ensured that it will look perfect even after years of daily use. Additionally, the manufacturing company backs it with a lifetime warranty for the door, shell, and frame, and a 5-year warranty for the parts.
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CONS
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- Heated backrest for a relaxing, pain-relieving experience when you bathe
- Provides hydro massage jetting, as well as air massage jetting
- Comes with a heated seat which makes the experience all the more relaxing and therapeutical
- Dual drain technology ensures the water will drain faster than it does with other models
- Textured floor prevents unwanted incidents from occurring when you bathe
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- Price tag is a bit too high
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| VERDICT
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Although it costs a pretty penny, in terms of safety and comfort, it’s hard to find another model to top this one. With an impressive 80-gallon capacity, and the ability to drain all the water quicker than you could have hoped for due to the dual drain technology it uses, it comes as no surprise that this expensive model ranks so high in our top.
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Spa World Venzi Vz3060silws
3. Spa World Venzi Vz3060silws
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No longer will you have to depend on others to help you when you are taking a bath if you opt for the Venzi as the small threshold, walk-in design, and grab handle ensure that you will be able to take care of yourself completely on your own from now on. It is a soaking model that allows you to have a deep, full body experience that you will enjoy each and every day to not only stay clean, but relieve stress and sore muscles as well. It might not come with all the accessories you could have hoped for, but this is not an issue considering that it comes with the essentials you need for bathing.
The acrylic reinforced with fiberglass and supported with a stainless steel frame design makes it perfectly safe for bathing with aromatic oils and salts. The contoured design of the seat alongside its 19-inch width ensures that you will sit as comfortable as possible in it. A great feature it comes with which ensures your safety is the textured design of the floor that prevents you from slipping on this surface even when it is wet.
It features leveling legs which allow you to install it as you like, and considering the fact that it weighs only 177 pounds, it is one of the models that are easier to handle. It provides you only with hydro massage jetting, but the lack of air massage jetting should not come as a big blow when it comes to your opinion on it as it provides an excellent bathing experience nonetheless. Furthermore, the manufacturing company backs it with a lifetime warranty for the door, a 1-year warranty for the electrical components, and a 3-month warranty for labor.
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CONS
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- Water tight door seal design ensures a safe, mess-free experience when bathing
- Textured floor design prevents slipping and other unwanted incidents from occurring when you are taking a bath
- 19-inch wide seat provides you with a comfortable sitting surface
- Low threshold ensures you won’t have trouble getting in and out of it
- Compatible with the convenient alcove style installation
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- Rather small capacity – only 40 gallons
- Doesn’t provide with air massage jetting
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| VERDICT
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Not necessarily the most feature-rich product you will find, but one still worth spending your money on as it does indeed provide you with a safe and comfortable manner of keeping yourself clean, this entry ranks so high as it actually managed to impress us with the few features it brings to the table.
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Check the Price
As it uses an impressive 18 jets to deliver a soothing hydro and air massage jetting, this jetted-whirlpool therapy model is one of our top recommendations. What makes it all the more appealing is the fact that it comes at a cheap price, price which makes it accessible to a wider range of customers. As expected, it features a textured floor which ensures that you are not in peril of slipping when you enter or get out of it, even if there is water on the surface.
The contoured shape of the seat ensures a pleasant time when you sit down to take a bath, while the presence of the seat itself grants you the possibility to wash certain areas of your body more easily. However, we must mention that the seat is not heated, but considering that this is a feature only a few higher-priced models come with, it is a fair trade to give up on it without remorse. It features a useful faucet accessory deck area which ensures there will be no clutter.
The 32.3-inch soaking depth it provides ensures a full-body immersion when you are bathing, which adds to the enjoyment of the entire experience. It takes only about 2 minutes for it to fully drain of water, which is great as there won’t be a lot of time wasted on this task. Per total, it delivers a 75-gallon capacity which makes it ideal for soaking. Furthermore, the manufacturing company offers a lifetime warranty for the door, a 10-year warranty for its structural components, and a 1-year warranty for parts, providing you with a clear understanding of how much it trusts this product.
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CONS
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- Features a faucet accessory deck area which comes in handy and delivers a mess-free design
- Provides hydro massage jetting, as well as air massage jetting
- Utilizes a total of 18 jets to provide a great jetting-whirlpool therapy
- Generous 32.3-inch soaking depth ensures you will completely emerge into the water when bathing for a more thorough lensing, and a more pleasurable experience
- Comes at a much more reasonable price than most entries on this market
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- Does not come with a heated seat
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| VERDICT
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If you are on a budget, this rather feature-rich model is one of the best choices you could opt for. Sure, it might lack a heated seat, but this is a feature few products come with anyway – and those that come with it are way more expensive – and it more than makes up for this flaw with the jetted-whirlpool bath therapy and its overall design anyway.
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Check the Price
We start off this review by praising the great asking price, a price that makes it the most accessible option yet. Not only is it cheap, but it does not sacrifice quality at all, its watertight door system which prevents the water from spilling being proof of its excellent design. Speaking of design, know that it measures 30 inches by 60 inches by 22 inches, so there is surely enough room for it in the bathroom without any major changes needing to be made.
It comes with a comfy ergonomic headrest pillow which you can use to sit in a pain-relieving position when you bathe, soaking in the hot water to release yourself of all the tension you feel in your muscles. Another useful feature it comes with is the faucet accessory deck area which helps de-clutter its aspect. Of course, the acrylic construction ensures that it has a scratch resistant design, so it will look as good as new even after the years pass.
The textures profile of the floor ensures you are not in danger of slipping, even when the surface is wet. It boasts a decent 48-gallon capacity, which combined with the actual design makes it ideal for soaking sessions. The door is made with tempered glass, so there is no need to doubt its resistance. When it comes to the warranty provided for this product, know that the manufacturing company backs it for a lifetime for the door, for 10 years for the tub, and 1 year for the plumbing.
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CONS
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- Provides you with a relaxing soaking experience due to its design
- Comes with an ergonomic headrest pillow on which you can comfortably lay on when bathing
- Provides you with hydro and air massage jetting for a comforting, pain-soothing experience
- 3-inch threshold makes it easy to get in and out of it
- Scratch resistant design ensures it will look as good as new even as the years pass
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- Lacks a grab bar that you could have held onto for a safer immersion
- Does not feature a seat to sit on when bathing certain areas of your body
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| VERDICT
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Another cheap option to go for, one which might indeed lack a few features, but that is worth it overall as it does provide a great soaking experience which not only ensures a thorough cleansing, but a relaxing time when you are in it as well, this is one of our best recommendations.
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4 Types of People Who Need It
Few things in life are as pleasurable as soaking in the warm water inside the tub. When it comes to walk-in models, as opposed to the traditional-style ones, they provide a safe manner for certain groups of people to bathe. Installing one is a good idea and worth the hassle only if you actually need it, obviously. So the question inevitably arises – are you in need of a walk-in bathtub? Find out right away what are the groups of people who benefit from this fixture.
- Seniors
As you age, you have to redesign your home for it to support your current and future needs. Discernibly, this includes support for everyday activities which cannot be avoided, like walking, answering the phone, bathing, and so on. Seeing how the bathroom can be quite the dangerous place for old people as the surfaces of the main fixtures tend to be slippery, and getting in and out of the shower or tub can become quite a perilous adventure, the need for a walk-in becomes a harsh reality. Reducing the risk of falling as it presents seniors with a small threshold to pass, featuring a slip-resistant floor that prevents slipping, and designed to provide an easy manner to get in and out of the fixture when bathing due to the grab bars typically sported by them, walk-in bathtubs are a must-have when people pass a certain age.
- People with Limited Mobility
Those who have limited mobility obviously have issues with their stability and movements. The high leg lift involved with soaking in a traditional fixture becomes all the more dangerous for these people, and the only way to eliminate it is to use a tub with a small threshold. Walk-in models obviously boast this trait, the low step threshold which generally measures between 3 and 7 inches in height being a breeze to pass even for those who are incapacitated.
- Overweight and Obese People
Those who are overweight or obese have a real issue when they take showers as standing up for a long time puts a lot stress on them. Taking a bath is unfortunately out of the question as the body shape makes it impossible for them to reach all the spaces that need to be cleaned, not to say that the size issue makes it even harder for them to properly fit in traditional fixtures. The built-in seat that walk-in models feature comes to aid those who are on the large side as it provides a surface on which they can comfortably sit. Furthermore, the other components, like the grab bar and the textured floor provide further safety and stability, ensuring an actual pleasurable and comfortable experience when bathing. However, if you are overweight or obese, make sure that the model you are taking an interest in is suitable for you as not all models are designed the same. The perfect one for you should be a bit larger in width, and it is mandatory for it to feature a seat and grab bar.
- Caregivers
Regardless if you are an in-home caregiver or a visiting one, it is ideal for the home where you go to aid the incapacitated person to have one as your job is made easier by this fixture. You will have an easier time getting the person in cause in and out of the fixture, and the seat will make it easier to properly bathe the person you are taking care of. Evidently, there is the extra safety provided by the tub to take into consideration as it is less likely for the person you are helping to get injured during the bathing experience.
In order for you to get a qualitative tub, you first have to understand what you are acquiring. Obviously, this won’t be possible if you don’t fully understand the specifications and features listed on the product’s spec sheet. To aid you, we will explain some of the common terms you will encounter so that you won’t get caught off-guard and be impressed by a model that actually isn’t worth the money. But let’s not stray from the subject further, and learn the terminology of walk-in fixtures.
| Term |
Definition |
| Drain and Overflow |
These two are the components of the system that prevent the water from flowing out. |
| Grab Bar |
Sturdy bar onto which the user can grab in order to more easily and under safer circumstances get in and out of it. |
| Inward Door |
Generally, models which feature an inward door are less expensive. This style opening of the door shows that it opens into the tub. |
| Outward Door |
Usually, models that feature this type of door are more expensive. In this design, the door opens away from the fixture. |
| Threshold Height |
Distance the user has to step over in order to enter it when bathing. The smaller the better as it grants easier access inside the water body. |
| Textured Floor |
The floor surface of the fixture features a slip-resistant design which ensures slipping won’t occur, thus keeping the user safe throughout the entire experience. |
| Drainage Time |
How long it takes for the water to completely drain. For convenience-related reasons, it is better for the time it takes for the water to drain to be as little as possible. |
Regardless of the fixture type you are installing, it is no small feat. Thus, you have to consider all the aspects before you move on with the procedure as you wouldn’t want to go through the removal of your old tub and the installation of a new one and realize it wasn’t really worth it. However, when it comes to installing a walk-in model, if you plan on buying one, it is clear that this is a necessity rather than a luxury as either you or a loved one has issues which impede you from bathing in safe conditions on your own. But being aware of the good and bad sides to any product is of an utmost importance, so we will now proceed with listing all the positive and negative aspects of having a walk in model.
Pros
✓Easy access for those who have issues with their stability;
✓Great for those who cannot pull themselves out;
✓Easy transition from the chair to the tub and vice versa for those who are in a wheelchair;
✓Small threshold enables those with mobility issues to get into it under safe circumstances;
✓Better stability during baths;
✓When it has a seat, it makes it easier for the person bathing to access certain areas of the body in order to wash them;
✓In the case of those who are fully incapacitated, it will be easier for their caretakers to get them in and out of it.
Cons
✗Usually, they are not as spacious as traditional models;
✗With some models, it can take quite a while for it to get filled and drained;
✗As it is a permanent fixture, in homes where there is a single bathroom, it means that those who do not have mobility issues have to get accustomed to this smaller-sized model as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
?What is the purpose of the raised seat which is featured by most models?
This is actually one of the most important features it could have as it provides the user with the possibility of sitting in such a way that he/she has an easier reach when bathing certain areas of the body. Considering the fact that they are intended for use by the elderly and those who have mobility issues, it is important for them to have an easy reach and a great position, and not overexert themselves when bathing.
?Is it easy to install, or should I ask for the help of a professional?
This answer mostly depends on your experience and skill. If you have taken up plumbing projects and installations before, installing a walk-in model will be easy for you most likely as it doesn’t really differ all that much. However, if you do not have experience when it comes to plumbing, we strongly recommend you avoid doing so and let a professional handle everything. There are quite a few tricky steps that you will have to go through, including removing the old tub, installing the new circuit, and hooking up the water line, steps that you won’t be able to safely and properly go through without all the needed knowledge.
?Why is the height of the threshold important?
This is actually one of the first specs you should check out as it shows how much you have to lift your feet when getting in and out of it. Taking into consideration the fact that it is intended for use by people who have trouble walking on their own, it is ideal for the height of the threshold to be as small as possible, preferably ranging from 3 to 7 inches for no risk of falling to exist.
To sum this entire article up, we will briefly remind you what are the most outstanding qualities of each entry we ranked in the comparison matrix at the beginning of the article. We hope that our review helped you reach a conclusion by now and that you have made up your mind regarding the product which best suits your personal needs and preferences.
| Model |
Biggest Highlight |
| Ella OA3052-R Malibu |
90-gallon maximum water capacity |
| Ella HH3058 Deluxe |
Features a heated seat |
| Spa World Venzi Vz3060silws |
Alcove style installation capable |
| Ariel EZWT-3052 |
Faucet accessory deck |
| Meditub MTSI3060LWS |
Ergonomic headrest pillow |
