3 (Relatively) Inexpensive Bathtubs That Last | 2023 – Bathtubber

When you finally get home after a long day, nothing can be better than relaxing in a hot bathtub! For some, soaking in a tub is as therapeutic as a workout in a gym, while for others, it is simply the most incredible way to escape the busyness of life. And for people like me, it’s both.

If you’re in the market for a great bathtub, three of the best inexpensive bathtubs currently available are the Americast apron-front tub, the Kingston Brass Aqua Eden Alcove Tub, and the Woodbridge Contemporary Freestanding tub. These tubs are durable and manufactured from sturdy materials, increasing the longevity of the tubs.

3 Best Cheap Bathtubs of the Year

Keep in mind, a freestanding tub is going to almost always cost more than an alcove tub. And a jetted tub will cost more than a non-jetted tub. So be sure to compare apples with apples when shopping around. That’s what we did.

Without further ado, let‘s take a closer look at 3 of the best (relatively) cheap bathtubs that are high quality and should last a long time:

1. The American Standard Americast Bathtub

American Standard manufactures this modern porcelain tub. This easy-to-clean, scratch-resistant, right-hand drain model is available in white and chrome with a glossy enamel finish.

Featuring an apron-front and a tiling flange with a built-in leveling base, this tub is a standard-sized, three-wall alcove tub, easy to install in any space.

The beauty of Americast is all in the insulation, keeping the water warmer for longer. The StanSure slip-resistant floor surface ensures a more relaxing bathing experience!

2. Kingston Brass Aqua Eden

This modern alcove bathtub offers great quality for the price. The non-porous, glossy finish on this bathtub makes it easy to clean and maintain. Plus, the sheen of the gloss will look extra sharp in any bathroom.

Made with lightweight acrylic, this tub is very easy to install. The tub comes with an attached apron that will prevent water from leaking under the bathtub. It has a left-hand drain.

This tub does come with leveling feet. However, you may want to add mortar beneath the tub for extra stability. 

If you want an alcove bathtub that will match your modern style and won’t hurt your pocketbook, this just may be the one.

3. The Woodbridge Contemporary Freestanding Soaking Tub

Woodbridge manufactures high-quality, stylish bathroom products. This contemporary and functional freestanding tub is an example of their craftsmanship. 

Made from high gloss white Lucite acrylic with a double wall for extra insulation, the non-slip bottom provides an easy-to-clean surface that won’t discolor with time.

The high gloss surface is stain and scratch-resistant. As a result, it will stay bright and clean.

A solid brass chrome drain and overflow complete the style of this tub, bringing extra elegance to your home!

How Much Does An Average Bathtub Cost?

A good tub can be pricey so before buying one, do your research. Decide what size and shape will fit in your space. Check out my post THIS is the Best Bathtub Material for ideas on the pros and cons of everything from acrylic to fiberglass to copper and wood.

Tubs are also available in a range of different sizes, shapes, and colors. Generally, the materials used to make the tub (hammered copper? fiberglass?) determine the price, along with the size of the tub, the tub type (jacuzzi? clawfoot?), and the design.

Don’t forget to include the hidden and often expensive costs of installation. And if you are changing the size and style of the space from housing an old existing tub, and replacing it with a new, different style tub, you may need to pay for renovations or floor reinforcements.

Note: Prices in this post are estimates based on current models available online.

Average Bathtub Prices

A new tub can cost between $200.00 and $30,000.00 depending on your chosen materials. Most standard 60-inch-long options range from $500.00 to $2,000.00, excluding installation costs.

The below list states the average price of materials ranging from the least expensive to the high-end and unique. These are the most commonly used bathtub materials. 

More expensive materials listed below (e.g.copper, wood, marble) are often used on bespoke and designer tubs to achieve a particular look, while less costly but easier to maintain materials (e.g. fiberglass, acrylic and steel) are used on commercially manufactured tubs. 

1. Fiberglass

   tubs retail at around $200.00 – $800.00.

2. Acrylic

   tubs are similar to fiberglass at around $500.00 – $900,00.

3. Porcelain-enameled steel

   tubs retail from – $300.00 – $2,000.00.

4. Stone resin

   tubs are a bit pricier at around $500.00 – $6,000.00.

5. Porcelain-enameled cast-iron

   tubs retail from around $500.00 – $2,000.00.

6. Copper

   tubs retail from around

   $2 000.00 – $5,000.00.

7. Wood

   tubs are pricey! They retail from around $15,000.00 – $30,000.00.

8. Marble

   tubs retail at around $1,200.00 – $2,000.00.

What Tub Types Are Cheapest?

The price is also determined by the style of tub that you are looking at buying for your bathroom space.  For a rundown of the most common bathtub types, read my post 8 Bathtub Types: Which Is Best For You?

Alcove Tubs

An alcove tub is the standard tub that we all know and love. An alcove tub fits snugly into a three-walled enclosure, with the fourth side exposed for access to the tub. Most existing bathrooms have an existing space for a standard alcove bathtub.  

Traditionally, alcove tubs are made from acrylic, fiberglass, or porcelain, making these tubs an affordable option.  Many manufacturers are experimenting with different tub materials to improve this old-fashioned but well-used tub.

This type of tub is usually an excellent investment as it is durable and will last for a very long time without needing any significant repairs!

Alcove tubs retail online from around $500.00

Freestanding Tubs

A freestanding tub is a statement in the bathroom space! It stands majestically in the room, commanding the space that it is in! The tub should be placed in a spot that makes it accessible from all sides. These are also called soaking tubs. 

As more people design their own homes and have particular requirements for their bathrooms, custom-designed freestanding tubs are becoming quite popular and are overtaking the commercially manufactured tubs.   

Freestanding tubs are a bit pricier than alcove tubs due to the required framework to house them.

If you install a new freestanding tub, you will have to renovate the existing space and add additional plumbing and floor reinforcements to cater to the tub’s extra weight when filled with water.

Even if you replace an existing freestanding tub with a new freestanding tub, you will need to alter the plumbing and possibly the space to accommodate a new tub. Always factor the costs of additional renovations into the price when budgeting for a new freestanding tub. 

By comparison, alcove tubs are usually cheaper than freestanding tubs.  If you’re in the market for a freestanding tub, educate yourself first by reading my Ultimate Buying Guide to Freestanding Tubs.

And if you’re considering a clawfoot tub, which is a type of vintage-style freestanding bathtub, then read my Ultimate Buying Guide to Clawfoot Tubs.

Freestanding tubs retail online from around $1,000.00

Drop-In Tubs

Drop-in tubs definitely add class to any bathroom! They are designed to drop into a frame or a structure. This hides the outside of the tub from sight. You can tile the rim of the structure to match your bathroom décor.

A drop-in tub can be installed against an existing wall or structure or, it can be built into a deck in the middle of the room! As with a freestanding tub, this tub can go anywhere, as long as you can create a structure to house it!

If you’re torn between an alcove and a drop-in tub, read Alcove vs Drop-In Tub: Which Is Right for You?

Drop-in tubs retail online from around $300.00 – $2,000.00

Corner Tubs

These bathtubs are commonly three or five-sided tubs, but they are available in various shapes and configurations to fit the ideal space in your bathroom. Corner tubs are designed to fit snugly into a corner space, leaving the center of the bathroom open, creating a sense of freedom and space.

If you’re on the lookout for a small bathtub, check out my post on the best tubs for small bathrooms. And definitely read Do Corner Bathtubs Save Space? Spoiler alert: They do but this post will tell you a whole lot more about how to optimize your square footage.

For the added wow factor, order a customized tub made from stone resin!

Corner tubs retail online from around $500.00

Jacuzzi Tubs

Get in a whirlpool tub and delight in the water jets as they massage and relax your muscles! Most tubs have 6 -8 jets positioned around the tub to pump out water targeted at your body.

The essential requirements for this tub are space and an electric pump.

Jacuzzi tubs retail online from around $500.00 – $2,000.00

Where Else Can You Find a Great Cheap Bathtub?

When it comes to bathtubs, the term “cheap” is relative. You can’t compare an 8-person jacuzzi combo tub with a fiberglass alcove tub. That said, you should be able to find a bathtub that will look great in your space, will help you relax, and won’t blow your budget.

When it comes to bathtubs, though, cheap is relative. It all depends on the ideal shape and style for you, as well as the bathtub material you want. The bathtub material you choose will determine how long your tub will last.

Is a brand new fiberglass alcove tub is still too pricey? How about a gently used tub instead? Check Facebook Marketplace or a local salvage yard. There are also very inexpensive bathtubs featured in the post 3 Best Bathtubs For Rental Properties, Explained, so you may want to consider those as well. 

Choosing a bathtub is very personal! Your individual tastes will influence what bathtub pulls on your heartstrings. If you need more guidance, be sure to read  How to Choose a Bathtub in 8 Easy Steps.

And finally, fill out the form below. I’ll send you a PDF with Genius Hacks that can help you save (literally!) thousands of dollars on a bathroom remodel.