Ariel Walk-In Bathtub Review and Guide

Key Takeaways

• Purchasing a walk-in tub can give older adults the independence to bathe themselves as they age in place.
• The Ariel Walk-In Tub offers standard features, including low-step entry, air and water jets, and quick fill.
• While the Ariel Walk-In Tub can be purchased online at many retailers, Ariel requires that you find your own professional installer to install the walk-in tub, which can be difficult and time-consuming.
• Quick and easy shipping right to your door is convenient and fast.

About Ariel Walk-In Tubs

The Ariel brand is known for selling freestanding bathtubs, walk-in tubs, whirlpool tubs, vanities, showers, toilets, accessories, and more for your bathroom needs. The company has been in business since 1987 with the mission to create a bathroom that feels like a spa in your own home. By combining European engineering with designs from the U.S. and superior craftsmanship from partners in Asia, Ariel strives to provide quality at competitive prices at many online and large-scale retailers. 

One of the unique things about Ariel is that the company does not only sell walk-in tubs online on their own website, but they also sell their walk-in tubs online at large retailers like Lowes, Home Depot, and Walmart. Because you can find these walk-in tubs at so many retailers, pricing is transparent and easy to understand. Also, Ariel tubs are easy to get shipped to your home because of how easy they are to order online, which is ideal for anyone with mobility issues who can’t view or purchase a walk-in tub at an in-person retailer. 

As mentioned, Ariel Walk-in Tubs are sold without installation. It’s up to you to find a professional installer to install an Ariel Walk-In Tub in your home, which can pose issues along the way. Finding an installer can be difficult, but if you are confident you have found an experienced installer who can get the work done, an Ariel Walk-In Tub can be a great option. 

Pros and Cons of Ariel Walk-In Tubs

There are a few key pros and cons to the Ariel Walk-In Tub. Below, we’ve outlined some of the advantages and disadvantages.

Models of Ariel Walk-In Tubs

There are currently 24 different configurations of Ariel Walk-In Tubs available on the Ariel website today. When it comes to the different models, you’ll see different sizes, drain sides, features, and types of jets (air, dual, or soaker). 

To find out which model you need, first look at the four numbers on the model number. The first two digits will tell you the width of the tub, and the last two will give you the depth. 

The next thing you’ll find in the model number is either an L or an R. This will tell you if the drain is on the left or the right side of the model you’re viewing. If you have a home that already has plumbing on the left side or right side, keeping it in the same place will help you keep costs down. 

Last, you will notice that the models of Ariel tubs are categorized as air, dual, or soaker. This describes the type of jets that the walk-in tub offers. You can either choose air jets, dual jets—which means the model has both air and water jets—or soaker, which means the model has no jets. 

Features of Ariel Walk-In Tubs

Walk-in tubs offer all kinds of unique features like air jets, water jets, hydro massagers (which help to reduce chronic aches and pains), anti-slip floors, heated seats for additional comfort while bathing, low steps (which are great for older adults and reduce the risk of falls), fast drain systems, handheld shower hoses, and safety grab bars, which can make getting in and out of the tub much easier. 

Ariel Walk-In Tubs may offer a combination of these features, so it’s important to look into the details of the model of tub you’re interested in. Be sure to check the specifications online or talk to a representative to ensure you’re getting all the features you’re looking for. Ariel Walk-In Tubs offer air jets, water jets, a combination of both, or no jets at all, depending on the model. If you experience common pain, air or water jets are recommended to help you feel more comfortable bathing in your own home. 

Ariel Walk-In Tubs fill quickly because of their fast-filling faucets and, depending on the model, can fill up in as quick as 122 seconds. Because you can’t fill the tub without being inside, a fast-fill time provides a more comfortable bathing and showering experience. 

Fill Time by Model Number

When it comes to draining water out of the tub, Ariel Walk-In Tubs offer a fast drain system that uses double drains to ensure water drains quickly. This is especially attractive because many walk-in tubs can take as long as 15 minutes to drain. If you’re prone to getting cold when exposed, a fast-draining tub like the Ariel Walk-In Tub can be ideal. 

Some other types of walk-in tubs offer heated seats, but Ariel Walk-In Tubs do not currently offer any tubs with the heated seat feature. However, Ariel tubs do have safety features like low steps and ADA-approved grab bars, which make getting into and out of the tub especially easy for those with safety concerns or mobility issues. This also helps reduce the risk of accidents and falls. According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, falls in the bathroom are nearly twice as likely to occur as falls in the living room. 

The Ariel Walk-In Tub also features chrome handles and knobs, as well as a round hand shower head and a white exterior, so it looks great with almost any home decor. Pairing this walk-in tub with your current bathroom design is a seamless and easy fit.

Ariel Walk-In Tub Pricing

There are currently 24 different configurations of Ariel Walk-In Tubs available that range in price between $2,599 and $4,180. When purchasing on the Ariel website, you can expect to get fast, free shipping that’s delivered right to your door. Ariel Walk-In Tubs are a bit different from other common retailers like Kohler, American Standard, and Jacuzzi because they are priced without installation. The cost of installation can be between $2,000 and $8,000, depending on the difficulty of the install. Factors that affect the difficulty include removal of your existing tub, a change in plumbing, modifying the electrical wiring, and remodeling a bathroom to fit a walk-in tub. However, installing a walk-in tub can cost up to $20,000, with the national average around $5,500—so you should find a professional installer and get an estimate before purchasing an Ariel Walk-In Tub. 

Warranty

The warranty on Ariel Walk-In Tubs falls a bit short in comparison to other walk-in tubs. Under the Ariel warranty, all items free of manufacturing and mechanical defects are covered for one year from the date of purchase. The warranty covers replacement of defective parts only, not the complete product. The warranty also does not cover any damages that might incur during installation, damages due to improper cleaning, or “living finishes,” which means a finish that changes in color and appearance as it ages. However, if you receive your walk-in tub and it appears to have been damaged in transit, contact Ariel within five days to resolve the issue.

Other walk-in tub warranties have lifelong warranties or offer warranties that last for as long as you own your home, such as American Standard and Kohler. In comparison, the Ariel Walk-In Tub warranty is quite short.

How to Purchase an Ariel Walk-In Tub

Unlike many other walk-in bathtub and shower retailers, Ariel Walk-In Tubs can be found quickly and easily on the Ariel website, as well as at large-scale stores like Home Depot, Lowes, Wayfair, Walmart, and more. These types of stores may offer the walk-in tub, but like Ariel, do not offer installation. 

If purchased online on the Ariel website, your order will process between one and three business days if the item is in stock. Once it ships, you will receive a shipping confirmation and a tracking number. From there, the walk-in tub will leave the distribution center, located in Southern California, and head toward your home. The trucking company will contact you to set up an appointment for delivery on a day and time that works for your schedule.  

Other Walk-In Tub Brands We Recommend

With so many walk-in tub brands available, it can be tough to know which is the right one for you. Ella’s Bubbles Walk-In Tubs are favorites among consumer reviewers and offer inward and outward opening doors in various models. We also recommend the Kohler Walk-In Tub, which produces a variety of walk-in tubs with features like built-in safety bars, textured bath surfaces, and one walk-in tub that includes 10 jets that align to massage your back, calves, and the front of your legs—ideal for anyone looking for that spa-like bathroom tub experience. The American Standard Walk-In Tub is another tub brand we recommend. American Standard tubs can provide you with a variety of features, depending on your budget. For example, some American Standard tubs have a handheld shower wand, jet-massage features, QuickDrain, which empties the tub in two minutes or less, and even a padded neck rest. You can find options like chromatherapy, which puts on a light show in the water to help you relax, as well as an outward-opening door that is great if you have arthritis or limited mobility.  

Why You Can Trust Our Reviews

The tub reviews that we list follow an extensive examination of manufacturers, stated specifications, and reviews. Our reviewers are people who work to ensure claims made by tub and shower manufacturers are ones that are backed up by performance and results.

Our ratings consider factors we list in the review: comfort, manufacturer guarantee, installation, cost.

During our research process, we:

• Consulted with medical and tub sources
• Surveyed different models of tubs and showers
• Spent hours researching walk-in tubs and showers
• Read hundreds of verified customer reviews

Many products and services featured on AgingInPlace.org will play a crucial role in your daily life. As these products should help enhance aging at home, we work to uncover as much as possible about the products and services we review. We also consult audiologists, geriatricians, occupational therapists, professional adult caregivers, and other experts in the field to ensure we’re providing the most accurate, helpful information.

Pricing is accurate as of May 5, 2022.