Walk-In Shower vs. Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo: Which One Is Right for You?

Whether you’re remodeling your bathroom or looking for a safer, more accessible way to bathe, a walk-in shower or walk-in tub-shower combo offers practical solutions. Each features a low step-in threshold, helpful for people who may have difficulty getting into or out of the space, such as seniors and those with limited mobility or disabilities.

In this article, we explore the differences between a walk-in shower and walk-in tub-shower combo to help you decide which is right for your home.

What Is a Walk-In Shower?

A walk-in shower features a low or no threshold, making entry and exit easier for those with mobility limitations or disabilities. They often have an open layout and a sliding glass door or pivot door, for added accessibility, especially for people in wheelchairs.

Many manufacturers also include senior-friendly safety and convenience features, such as anti-slip surfaces, built-in grab bars, easy-access storage, a handheld shower wand and a spa-like rainfall shower head.

What Is a Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo?

A walk-in tub and shower combo, also referred to as a hybrid tub, provides bathers with the two-in-one benefit of both a shower and a tub. With a low step-in threshold and the ability to rinse off while standing or sit and soak, the versatile design is a popular choice for people who prioritize bathing flexibility and accessibility, and may share their bathroom with others.

Walk-In Shower Pros & Cons

Find the walk-in shower right for your home, from a classic, simple walk-in shower to an upgraded model with body jets and an upscale, modern design. Walk-in showers offer easy access and design customization, though some may find they need more safety features or a secure seated option to fit their bathing needs.

Pros

Many homeowners love their walk-in showers for their accessibility, space-saving modern design and easy maintenance.

• Accessibility: Step in and out of your walk-in shower over an EZ step or ultra-low threshold entry. A handheld shower wand helps you rinse hard-to-reach areas, while anti-slip flooring and built-in storage shelves increase ease of use.
• Modern Aesthetic: Many walk-in showers come with sleek, durable walls made from acrylic, stone, glass or FiberGranite™, along with stylish hardware finishes, open shower designs and a rainfall shower head.
• Easy Maintenance: With no grout lines and fewer nooks and crannies, cleaning a walk-in shower takes less muscle and time than a conventional tub or shower. After your shower, rinse with the handheld shower wand, and then wipe clean.
• Space-Saving: Most walk-in showers can fit in the same or a smaller footprint than a traditional shower. This helps improve accessibility and mobility in small bathrooms where saving space is crucial.
• Increased Home Value: Walk-in showers are an attractive selling point for home buyers due to their upscale, contemporary design, safety features and ability to provide a truly spa-like shower experience.

Cons

A walk-in shower may not fit everyone’s lifestyle and bathing needs, but that doesn’t mean a safe bathing solution is out of reach.

• No Bathtub: If you’re looking for similar accessibility benefits found in a walk-in shower but with more versatile features, like the ability to sit and soak in a bath, consider the walk-in tub and shower combo.
• Water Splashing: If your shower doesn’t have a door or curtain, and depending on the shower head position, there can be concern over water splashing onto the bathroom floor. This can be easily addressed during your consultation or before installing the walk-in shower, whether by adding doors or changing the shower head position.
• More Mobility Needed: Without the ability to sit and bathe, some people may find mobility more challenging in a walk-in shower unless a fold-away seat is installed.

Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo Pros & Cons

Bring flexibility to your bathing routine with the ability to shower standing or seated or sit back into a warm bath. Many people choose walk-in tub-shower combos for their accessibility and features that make bathing more restorative, such as hydrotherapy massage jets, though some may find the style and design limitations less ideal for their space.

When exploring the pros and cons of tub-shower combo, consider that exact features may differ between brands and models.

Pros

Versatile and accessible, a tub-shower combo lets you bathe with ease and total-body relief.

• Versatility: Unwind in a luxuriating warm bath or rinse off under the rainfall shower head for a more traditional shower experience.
• Accessibility: For seniors and individuals with limited mobility or disabilities, the hybrid tub design can help improve bathing accessibility and convenience. Step in or out easily over the low threshold, while anti-slip surfaces and built-in grab bars provide stability as you move.
• Space-Saving: Many tub-shower combos fit the same or similar footprint to a traditional bathtub, streamlining the installation process and minimizing home renovations.

Cons

The walk-in tub shower combo offers bathers a range of benefits, though it has some drawbacks to keep in mind when shopping.

• Design Limitations: A walk-in tub-shower combo will feature doors that swing inward or outward, depending on the model. This may limit where you can place the tub in your bathroom or require minor remodeling.
• Water Usage: With a larger basin compared to a traditional bathtub, walk-in tub-shower combos use slightly more water on average for each soak. However, many come with efficient, rapid-fill faucets and drain systems.
• Style and Aesthetics: The more conventional style of a walk-in tub tub-shower combo may be less appealing to some individuals, especially compared to the sleeker, more contemporary style of a walk-in shower.

Which Option Is Right for You?

Are you still trying to find your perfect safe bathing solution? If you’re renovating your bathroom, consider the design, material and placement of your new walk-in tub-shower combo or walk-in shower. If other people may use it, consider their needs as well as your own, from mobility and convenience to preferred style of bathing.

For more information on bathroom renovations and considerations, read our guides to bath safety and choosing the right type of walk-in tub.

Walk-In Shower Considerations

A walk-in shower can offer accessible comfort and total-body rejuvenation. Key features to look for include a low step-in height, anti-slip surfaces, rainfall shower head, grab bars and handheld shower wand, plus therapeutic features like body jets. Add a built-in fold-away seat and sliding glass door for your best shower ever.

Multiple design options and models enhance your sense of luxury while making it easy to use for people of all ages.

• Mobility Needs: Wheelchair-accessible and easy to enter and exit, walk-in showers can increase your bathing independence and comfort. If you have trouble standing for long periods, make sure your walk-in shower includes a seat of some kind.
• Aesthetic Preferences: A stylish walk-in shower can upgrade the look of your bathroom. Choose the hardware finishes and wall materials that match your room, including color-matched shelves, and a sliding glass door for more privacy.
• Space Requirements: Walk-in showers fit in a small footprint in your bathroom, freeing up space. Keep in mind that rerouting plumbing can get expensive if you’re drastically reconfiguring your bathroom layout.

Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo Considerations

Look for a tub-shower combo that delivers on the ability to both bathe and shower comfortably. Durable quality, safety, available features, size, price and customization options are also worth considering while you shop.

• Family Needs: Is your house full of kids and grandkids, parents and grandparents? Bathe on your own terms in a walk-in tub suitable for everyone at home, from accessible, low-stress showers to comfortable, carefree bath time.
• Accessibility and Comfort: Hybrid walk-in tubs are designed with accessibility and comfort at the forefront, engineered to help mitigate fall risks and bring peace of mind no matter your range of motion.

Choose Safe Step for Your Walk-In Shower or Walk-In Tub-Shower Combo

Transform your bathing routine with a Safe Step Walk-In Shower or Hybrid Tub, both backed by our best-in-class lifetime warranty and lowest price guarantee. With over 15 years of experience nationwide, an expert installation team and rigorous quality testing, we’re dedicated to helping individuals regain their bathing safety and independence. Get started today with a free quote.