Soaking vs. Whirlpool Bathtub: Which is Better?
Choosing your perfect bathtub can be a challenging experience. You may easily get confused by a wide variety of bathtubs available on the market today. You will have to analyze the pros and cons of different bathtubs to choose the ideal tub that can provide you with a fascinating bathing experience and turn your bathroom into a beautiful and functional space.
Whether you want to improve or completely transform your bathroom, you will be able to find the tub that is right for your budget, space, and your lifestyle. Bathtubs come in different styles, shapes, and sizes. In fact, a tub is much more than just a container for holding water in which you can bathe. It is an essential element of your bathroom design as well.
People who want to improve their quality-of-life search for bathtubs that can help them relieve stress after a long day at work. Soaking and whirlpool tubs are two of the most popular bathtubs often preferred by people who need comfort and relaxation. No doubt, taking a hot bath has a lot of health benefits. Soaking in hot water lowers blood pressure, relieves muscle tension, moisturizes our skin, lowers blood sugar, helps us fall asleep faster, reduces headaches, and even relieves cold symptoms.
When deciding whether to buy a soaking or a whirlpool bathtub, there are some important things to consider. Let’s explore the main advantages and disadvantages of using the two bathtubs. Hopefully, this information will help you decide. So, let’s get started.
What is a Soaking Bathtub?
If you are looking for a relaxing experience, getting a soaking tub is exactly what you need. This tub is usually deeper than a regular bathtub. When it comes to size, soaking tubs can be big. You can find a bathtub that is 76 inches in width and 90 inches in length. No doubt, two people will be able to soak in this tub at the same time.
Soaking tubs have been designed to provide you with a long and comfortable bathing experience. The most common depth of these tubs is about 14 or 15 inches. However, you can find soaking tubs with a depth of more than 22 inches.
Soaking tubs can be freestanding or have claw feet. Plus, they come in different shapes including oval, rectangular, round, square, slipper, double slipper, and hourglass. Soaking tubs are usually made of acrylic, cast iron, stainless steel as well as copper, and stone.
What is a Japanese Soaking Tub?
Japanese soaking tubs are gaining huge popularity among people who take great care of their beauty and health. In Japanese culture, taking a bath has always been extremely important. This process helps to cleanse the body and your mind with positive energy. Japanese tubs are equipped with a bench seat to make your bathing and washing even more comfortable.
51″ Streamline N-2040-51FSWH-FM Freestanding Tub and Tray With Internal Drain
These fantastic tubs come in a wide range of sizes. You can buy a single-person Japanese soaking tub or even a tub that accommodates multiple people. The tubs are about 22 inches deep. However, some Japanese soaking tubs are 27 inches deep.
Traditional Japanese soaking tubs were made of Hinoki, cypress wood. As the popularity of these tubs is steadily growing, the manufacturers have started to use some other materials to design the tubs. Stone, cedar, steel, acrylic, and copper Japanese soaking tubs are available today.
The Advantages of Soaking Bathtubs
Using a soaking tub is a truly unique experience. It’s well-known that hot water has amazing purifying and stress-relieving properties. Soaking tubs are entirely dedicated to your utmost comfort and relaxation.
Besides being extremely beneficial to your health, soaking tubs also have a modern and stylish look. This fabulous tub will become a key element of your bathroom design adding more comfort, luxury, and elegance.
When you take a bath, you want the water to stay hot for as long as possible. Since soaking tubs have a smaller surface area of water, less heat evaporates from that surface. As a result, water remains warmer for a long period of time. So, you will have enough time to relax and enjoy your bathing before the water starts getting cold.
If soaking in a hot tub is not relaxing enough, you can buy a bathtub equipped with some additional features to provide you with even more pleasure and satisfaction. Think about getting a soaking bathtub equipped with a therapeutic heat system that increases the oxygen level in your body, helps you relax, and improves your overall health.
59″ Streamline N2060BL Freestanding Tub and Tray With Internal Drain
If you’d like to create a romantic atmosphere in your bathroom and improve your mood, you can choose a soaking tub with a chromotherapy system. Chromatherapy is an effective technique that uses light and color to boost your physical and mental health. With this tub, you will be able to take your bathing experience to the next level and get the most out of it.
If you are looking for essential oil therapy, consider an aromatherapy soaking tub. This tub has a built-in diffusion system that provides a safe and easy way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils. It’s worth mentioning that aromatherapy helps reduce stress, improve sleep, boost mood, and relieves headaches. An aromatherapy bath will help you calm down, invigorating your mind and body.
If you are planning to buy a soaking tub, you may wonder whether it’s really hard to install. In most cases, the installation of a soaking tub is a simple process. You just need to make sure that the floor in your bathroom can sustain the weight of the bathtub you are going to place.
Besides being elegant, luxurious, and comfortable, a soaking tub still has some drawbacks. Explore those drawbacks before making the final decision. Hopefully, those drawbacks will not deter you from buying the tub.
The Disadvantages of Soaking Bathtubs
One of the main problems with soaking tubs is that they are bigger than standard tubs and require more space in your bathroom. The cost of the soaking tubs varies significantly and usually ranges from $1,000 up to $5,000. Obviously, the price depends on the size of the tub and the material it is made of.
Filling a soaking tub needs more water in comparison with a regular bathtub. The additional water required for this bathtub must be heated as well. So, the increased water and energy consumption can really discourage some homeowners from buying a soaking tub. Plus, this tub is not the best option for people with physical limitations because getting in and out of the tub can be hard for them.
If you are still not sure whether you should buy a soaking tub, consider a whirlpool bathtub and the advantages it has to offer.
What is a Whirlpool Bathtub?
Initially, a whirlpool tub was designed for therapeutic purposes. It is a bathtub with jets that propels water in order to help you relax and massage your body. Water jets are usually located on the sides of a whirlpool tub. They can be easily adjusted to direct relaxing warm water the way you need.
Whirlpool tubs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The average size of this tub is about 60 inches in length, 32 to 36 inches in width, and 18 to 24 inches high. However, you still can find a much bigger luxurious whirlpool tub that is 80 inches in length and 60 inches in width. No doubt, you should measure the area in your bathroom where you are planning to put the tub to make sure that it fits well.
Whirlpool bathtubs are usually sold in oval, triangular, and rectangular shapes. However, there are many more shapes you can choose from. That means that you will be able to find the most comfortable tub.
If you don’t have a large bathroom, you should buy a freestanding, standard-sized, single-person whirlpool tub. But if you have a spacious bathroom in your house, you can choose a drop-in whirlpool tub or a 2-person corner whirlpool tub.
The most common whirlpool bathtub materials include fiberglass, acrylic, and cast iron. Fiberglass bathtubs that have a matte finish are lightweight, easy to install and repair. Since fiberglass is less durable than acrylic and cast iron, the whirlpool tubs made of this material are cheaper in comparison to the other tubs.
Cast iron whirlpool tubs are the most expensive tubs because they are resistant to chemicals, chipping, and scratching. The acrylic tubs are lightweight, easy to clean and maintain.
The cheapest whirlpool tub costs around $1,000-$1,700. But if you really want to get the best bathing experience, be ready to spend about $3,000-$5,000.
Let’s consider the main advantages of a whirlpool tub. It will help you understand whether this tub is exactly what you are looking for.
The Advantages of Whirlpool Bathtubs
No doubt, a whirlpool tub can provide you with a lot of health benefits. The healing power of warm water eases pain in your joints and helps your muscles relax. The warmth of the water in a whirlpool tub can also improve the blood flow in your body and boost circulation.
Bathing in a whirlpool tub is a fantastic way to improve the condition of your skin. Regular whirlpool baths will help your skin look glowing and rejuvenated.
There is another reason why you should consider a whirlpool bathtub. Whirlpool baths can significantly improve not just your physical health, but your mental wellbeing as well. A whirlpool bath will help you leave all your worries behind. As a result, you are going to feel much happier and ready to face your everyday tasks.
To keep the water in your whirlpool tub warm and enjoy your bathing for a long period of time, you can get a built-in heater.
A whirlpool bathtub seems to be an ideal tub for your home. But just like any other tub, it has some disadvantages. Let’s dig deeper to find out what they are.
The Disadvantages of Whirlpool Bathtubs
Probably, the main reason that stops people from buying whirlpool tubs is their price. They can be very expensive. Plus, the tubs require professional installation. You will have to spend more time and effort to maintain cleanliness in your whirlpool tub. Most manufacturers suggest that you should deep clean your whirlpool tub once or even twice a month. You should also clean jets, nozzles, and pipes to prevent the growth of mold and bacteria.
Some people refuse from buying whirlpool tubs just because they find them extremely noisy. The noise usually comes from the water turbulence and vibrations. However, you can enjoy a whirlpool bath if this sound doesn’t bother you.
Whirlpool tubs are larger than standard tubs. They require more water to provide you with an unforgettable bathing experience. So, getting a whirlpool bathtub may increase your water and energy bills.
Which Bathtub is Right for You?
No doubt, the type of bathtub you choose largely depends on your personal preferences, the size of your bathroom, and the amount of money you can afford to spend. Soaking tubs are ideal for people who would like to relax in a quiet atmosphere getting the utmost pleasure and satisfaction. Whirlpool tubs are a great choice for people who have some health issues that can be significantly improved by hydrotherapy. These tubs will also complement any bathroom design adding luxury and romance.
Choosing a bathtub will not be too hard if you know exactly what you need. A suitable tub will not just enhance your bathing experience. It will change your life for the better.
If you’re ready to purchase your bathtub, check out our article here on buying bathtubs.
Read more about soaking and whirlpool bathtubs below:
QB FAQs: Whirlpool, Air Tub, or Soaker?
What Are the Differences Between Whirlpool, Air Baths and Soaking Tubs?
