Safe Step Walk-In Tubs

4.65 Stars (296 Reviews)
Most Reviewed
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Updated: June 22, 2023

Safe Step is the premier walk-in bathtub and shower provider in the United States. What we like about Safe Step is how they include bathroom modifications, plumbing and electrical work and installation in the cost of their walk-in tub quotes.

Editorial Breakdown

Customer Service

4.9 Stars

Tub Features

4.9 Stars

Price

4.1 Stars

Ease of Purchase

4.5 Stars

Overall Rating

4.7 Stars

Bottom Line

If customization, safety and the perfect fit are your top concerns when purchasing a walk-in tub, Safe Step leads the industry with personalized shopping and installation experience.

Safe Step Walk-In Tubs come equipped with standard features other companies consider optional upgrades, such as cleaning systems and therapeutic devices. We’ve rated Safe Step the “Great for Arthritis and Joint Pain” winner in our walk-in tub buyers guide because Safe Step has the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use certification. Plus, every Safe Step tub is customized to meet the size and design needed for the project. The company’s tubs are manufactured in the United States, come with a lifetime warranty, and according to company representatives, are the no. 1 choice by sales volume for the product category.

After purchasing a Safe Step tub, the company will arrange for delivery, installation, and hauling away your old tub or shower. You will not need to hire additional plumbing or electrical laborers to complete the project. Upfront fees may be required to start construction.

Pros

  • Most full-service installation and removal take less than one day
  • More features than other tubs
  • Shower hybrid option
  • Financing and discounts available

Cons

  • May charge an upfront deposit
  • Only 10 possible hydro jets

Safe Step Walk-In Tub Features

While the size and shape of Safe Step walk-in tubs often vary, many have the same standard features. Because Safe Step can customize its product to fit customers’ needs, homeowners rarely need to change the size or layout of their bathroom. Therapeutic devices are standard on all tubs, including the Dual Hydrotherapy Massage System and Chromotherapy System.

Safe Step walk-in tub models have several key safety and comfort features to minimize risk during bathing for anyone with mobility issues. Users get into the tub using a side door, shut the sealed door, then fill their bath without worrying about falls, slips or trips. The heated seat keeps users warm while they wait for the tub to fill.

These benefits are the reason why people buy Safe Step walk-in tubs:

Walk-In TubsWalk-In Showers
Wide, safer doorsStreamlined look
Quick-release drainControls are easy to reach, quick on/off shower button
Easy-to-reach controlsExtra-long safety bar
Anti-slip floor and seatLow-entry step
Built-in grab barLow-entry step
Anti-slip floor and seatCommercial-grade anti-slip flooring
Safe Water cleaning systemBuilt-in folding chair
Mold resistant gel-coatAnit-scald faucet
Anti-scald faucetPads support up to 350 lbs
10 massaging jets 
17-inch high heated anti-slip seat 
Handheld shower wand 
Right or left door 
Low-entry step 
Safe Step Features

Safe Step also offers a Hybrid™ Walk-In Tub product, which is an upgraded bathing experience with a shower-bath combination. Here, you can choose an adjustable shower head or a large, overhanging rainfall shower head that is adjustable for your height and pivots to offer a seated shower option.

Safe Step Costs and Pricing

Safe Step walk-in tubs are an investment in the comfort and safety of the homeowner. The company was reluctant to share prices with us because, like any construction project, costs will vary depending on the size and scope of the project. However, we were told that Safe Step models start at $10,000 for the walk-in tub, including shipping and installation.

Safe Step avoids quoting general prices since nearly every project is unique. To help make the cost more manageable, the company offers a financing plan with approved credit. Before choosing a payment plan, check interest charges and compare them with other credit-based options.

The company also offers a “Helping Hands Rebate” of up to $1,500 to help offset the lack of Medicare coverage, and discounts for military veterans. Getting an exact quote for a Safe Step tub in your home is free, but you’ll need to request an estimate by completing a form on their website. For guidance on what to look for in the price of a walk-in tub, visit our walk-in tub guide.

Safe Step logo
4.7 Stars

Safe Step

  • Meets ADA compliance standards
  • Shower-tub combinations

Safe Step Warranty

Safe Step covers its products with a lifetime warranty on parts and labor for the original purchaser as long as a company representative installed the product. This warranty covers the tub (including manufacturing defects), door seal, faucets, water pumps, heaters, and blowers. Specific exclusions may apply, and coverage may not pay for all service or labor costs for every repair. There is a two-year warranty on caulking.

Safe Step Customer Service

Safe Step provides customer service via phone or chat on their website 24 hours a day. For those interested in buying a tub, a rep will return your call within an hour or two, or you can schedule a time to see one of the many showrooms in the U.S. Those who have already purchased a tub have access to the customer service line from the moment they pay their initial deposit. This same number will connect them to a representative for any ongoing troubleshooting or warranty claims that may come up.

Safe Step home page
Source: Safe Step

Safe Step Complaints

Customers report being pleased with the responsiveness of the service team in resolving issues with leaks or answering questions that arise over time. Buyers describe Safe Step walk-in tubs as a luxury home bathing experience without sacrificing safety. The perks of owning a bathtub come up frequently from customers with mobility issues, with some reporting a significant relief of pain symptoms from conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) rates this company with an A+, its highest rating. Safe Step has earned this mark by responding to customer questions and complaints quickly. Many of the reviews left by customers are specific to the experience they received at a particular Safe Step dealer and may not be a reflection of service at another location or the brand.

The most common complaint received by customers is that the tubs and showers can leak soon after installation. It’s not uncommon for a newly installed walk-in tub to need adjusting after some use. Almost all verified Safe Step reviews mention promptness and professionalism in getting service providers back to the home to make these adjustments under the original lifetime warranty.

Some complaints were related to unclear pricing guidelines. Some customers felt pressured to buy when a representative visited their home to measure the bathroom for appropriate fitting, and some said that figuring the total cost of various models and options was confusing. However, most verified reviewers that mention price seem satisfied by their overall purchase and refer to the higher-end tubs as a worthwhile investment for their health and well-being. Customers compared the step-in tubs to having a private hot tub in their bathroom.

Finally, a few reviewers warn that these walk-in tubs can use more water than a standard bathtub and often require an upgrade in the hot water system to accommodate the volume.

Safe Step FAQ

My home doesn’t have a standard-sized tub. Will my bathroom have to be remodeled to accommodate a walk-in tub?

Some remodeling may be necessary. Safe Step will determine which tub is best suited for your bathroom, including size, plumbing and electrical needs, fixture placements, and aesthetics. Their trained team members will recommend the appropriate tub or shower for your needs after inspecting your tub area.

Will my existing tub or shower need to be removed first?

Yes. The Safe Step team will handle this for you. Their professionals are trained in proper removal and clean up, which is included in the cost.

How much are the additional plumbing or electrical charges required for installation?

All additional installation tasks that may include additions to your plumbing or electrical systems come bundled in the price and are included in your custom quote. The Safe Step team has membership in the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), and professionals have received extensive training on how to ensure your systems are treated appropriately upon install.

Does Medicare or Medicaid cover the cost of a walk-in tub or shower?

No, these programs will only cover the cost of durable medical equipment, which does not include walk-in tubs.

What kind of warranty comes with my product and installation?

Safe Step guarantees its products and the quality of installation for a lifetime against manufacturer’s defects and performance of the tub, door seal, faucets, water pumps, blowers, and heaters.

What else should I know about Safe Step?

Safe Step Walk-In Tub Co. is based in Nashville and has been providing walk-in tubs and showers since 2009. They have several showrooms across the United States and Canada, and their professional sales reps are trained to work with customers to find the right walk-in tub or shower with their existing bathroom floor plan. The company only sells to homeowners and has received the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation after having its products independently tested.

Conclusion on Safe Step

While you’ll need to schedule a home visit to get the exact details on which model is right for you, this ensures you minimize bathroom renovations. Safe Step has developed a product line to fit almost all budgets. Customers who value American-made products will also love that each tub is made in Tennessee and representatives are available nationwide to assist in your purchase. Call or use the online chat feature on their website to schedule a visit or be directed to one of their many showrooms.

Safe Step logo
4.7 Stars

Safe Step

  • Meets ADA compliance standards
  • Shower-tub combinations

296 Safe Step Reviews

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1 Star

January 29 2025 6:01AM

I Absolutely HATE my Safe Step walk in tub.... Ohh for starters there Is literally no room in there and the drain of right out your feet. You're stepping on at all the time is literally. Maybe can turn around standing up. It is so hard to clean! Oh, Lord, oh man. You cannot even get in there to clean it. Wow, I wish I never would have gotten it. It's such a stupid setup. The door opens in where you can't get in it. First of all I have to step up on the Seat to close the door. It's just stupid.

Joann O.
Philadelphia, PA
4 Stars

November 17 2024 11:09AM

I had been with Kohler and they didn't make a tub small enough for the area I had. Safe Step's rep measured it and ensured me that Safe Step could make one that would fit in the available space. The installers were fine, but they were not good at fixing the drywall. I had to pay out of pocket for someone else to come and do that. As far as the product, I like the shower and the handheld shower. The only thing that's bad is because of the limited space, the shower is extremely small and it's hard to get in and out of the bathtub.

Janet S.
Fond Du Lac, WI
5 Stars

November 11 2024 2:45AM

Safe Step was a little cheaper than the other companies. The installation was fine. As far as the walk-in tub, I would like it better if the side would pull out instead of in. Other than that, I like the product overall. I'd recommend Safe Step.

Betty H.
Fillmore, IN
4 Stars

November 08 2024 5:22AM

I liked that Safe Step has a one-step process. The sales rep seemed to be informed. It's just I had a question later and he never got back to me. The installers were great. They were very friendly. It was a father-and-son team. They didn't make any mess. They got the job done right away. They hauled my other one out and put it where I wanted it. Everything went really smoothly. They were in and out in about two and a half hours. Safe Step is expensive, but we like the product. I like the air jets and the foot water jets.

Mark S.
Sherwood, WI
4 Stars

November 07 2024 8:46AM

Safe Step's service rep was great. As far as the installation, it was absolutely horrible at first but they fired that crew and got a crew in here who straightened everything out and it turned out fine. As far as the tub, the speaker's too loud. The microsystem also comes on too loud.

Mike C.
Warsaw, IN
5 Stars

November 03 2024 9:57AM

My Safe Step tub works great. It's great for my legs and my back. I've told several people about it and they've looked at it. Safe Step's sales reps were great and informative. The installers did a great job.

Rick C.
Madison, WI
5 Stars

October 29 2024 3:22AM

My Safe Step tub is very relaxing and I can tell a little difference for a short while with the neuropathy after I've been in it. Its overall quality is good. Installation was fine. The installers came in the morning and got it all taken care of that afternoon. Also, the sales rep who came to my home was very nice, very factual, and very informative.

Elizabeth Y.
Hattiesburg, MS
1 Star

October 26 2024 11:13AM

I wish I never bought the Safe Step tub. I'm not that pleased with what it is and how it works out. The salesman never explained to me that it is a canister. I can't get in it. The whole thing is bogus. My wife likes it because she can take a tub bath. If I take a bath, I can wash my upper body while it's filling up, and then draining isn't bad. It drains fast. My biggest complaint is the salesman was asked three times while he was here and a question was avoided.

They did a good job on the installation except whenever the wind blows out of the north, the panels that come off to go in and repair anything, the cold air comes out around them, and I never had a problem. I don't know how big of a hole they put in the floor under the tub that it's getting that air now. I haven't had it really cold yet, but I imagine it'll be colder than hell in my bathroom this winter when the winter wind is blowing out of the north and it's 20 degrees outside. Also, when you punch the button for the lights, only half of them come on now. I don't know if you have to hit the button three times, but the lights don't come on.

William R.
Erie, CO
3 Stars

October 19 2024 8:34AM

I hate my Safe Step walk-in tub. I've used it four times. It was once every few weeks I've tried it. I very much regret buying it. They didn't inform me that you would have to sit initially on a cold, plastic seat, and wait. I have a 90-gallon high recovery water heater in this house. I have four other bathrooms in this house, but this will be the fifth. I go to my steam shower or my Japanese soaking tub all in different bathrooms in preference to using the walk-in.

I am not fully handicapped, but I'm headed that way because of the various surgeries that I have. I chose to install the walk-in tub, which is on a lower level of my house, with the kitchen and with another bathroom. I was surprised that I was not informed that the walk-in tub takes a long time to sit there before you can get a warm bottom under you. This is Colorado in the mountains. Maybe it would feel a little different in a warmer climate. I was not informed that you have to sit there butt-naked until you at least get warm water from your own 90-gallon. I was told that my 90-gallon water system was more than adequate if nobody else was using it. Only myself and my husband live here. This system does not have any option for having a heating in it.

With all the electronics on it, which are mostly silly stuff like changing the color of the water, some people might like it. I just don't have an hour to sit there and wait for that stuff to work. I can start washing the hair, but I've recently had two craniotomies in the last year. I cannot use the shower part because it hurts. The product is not unpleasant if you have an hour to waste while the damn thing fills up. I preheat the room. It's in its own room, but I heat that room before I go in and start sitting down and waiting for it to fill, and then there's the whole issue of waiting for it to drain. From an engineering standpoint, you shouldn't have to just sit there and wait for it to drain out without hitting it. If you hit the button to do a fast drain, it says on the paperwork, "Don't do this. If you do this, you have to have our technicians come in and fix it." So, I've been scared. I've never hit that button to do a fast drain. They should be able to solve that easily.

I'm a licensed General Contractor even as a female in my community. As a GC, I'm a bit concerned when I was told, "There are several things you must never do. You must never hit this one button, then we've got to come out and fix it." I'm afraid to use it in case I hit the wrong silly button. There is one button that if it drains and locks down, you're locked and then you can't get out. Other than all the gizmos that they've built into it, it should at least be a steam shower. It is expensive relative to other companies. To put as much money into the electronics that the designers did on this, I don't understand why they don't make it also a steam shower. That would be a fairly easy modification.

As far as the installation, the guys worked very hard and they did a good job. I've never heard back anything from the salesperson, but the guys who came in to install were responsible. I had a high-end bathtub in there. I allowed them to take a chainsaw through and cut it out. They got it out and they did the whole installation within one day and they worked late into the night. I was very impressed by those folks.

Margaret H.
Boulder, CO
3 Stars

October 13 2024 2:24PM

You probably should be more upfront when selling your product that your present water heater will not be adequate for the Safe Step tub. when I tried to reach customer service all I got was a big run around. I am sorry I made the purchase as it is sitting there not being used.

Lavella F.
Streetsboro, OH
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