Best Acrylic Bathtubs Reviewed

1. FerdY 67" Bali

In our honest opinion, FerdY is the best acrylic bathtub to buy. The main reason for this is its sleek freestanding design, which looks good in any bathroom.

With its sleek curves and durable cast resin construction, this bathtub offers both elegance and practicality.

Measuring 67 inches in length and featuring a 15-inch soaking depth, it provides ample space for a relaxing soak. The integrated slotted overflow adds a modern touch while ensuring a deep soak without spills.

Made from glossy white acrylic reinforced with fiberglass, it's easy to clean and resistant to household chemicals.

Installation is straightforward with the included illustrated guide and adjustable leveling feet. Optional drain stoppers allow for customization to match your bathroom decor.

Plus, backed by cUPC certification and U.S.-based customer service, you can trust in FerdY for quality and support. 

2. Vanity Art

Crafted from high-quality acrylic materials, this bathtub ensures durability and longevity, providing you with peace of mind during every relaxing soak.

Its ergonomic design features gentle curves that follow the natural contours of your body, offering unparalleled comfort and relaxation.

With its stain and scratch-resistant properties, cleaning and maintenance are effortless, allowing you to enjoy your bathtub for years to come.

It's easy to install and versatile in placement, this freestanding bathtub fits seamlessly into any bathroom space, enhancing both functionality and style. 

3. FerdY

We’ve already covered a few acrylic freestanding bathtub reviews, but we have yet to talk about the best freestanding model.

The Ferdy acrylic freestanding bathtub is a great choice for so many reasons, but Ferdy users seem to love its graceful shape most of all.

The stunningly sculpted curves cradle your body as you settle in for a relaxing, restorative bath - and it doesn’t hurt that the design is nice to look at, too.

The tub's small size is something that some users love, and others dislike. But there's a reason that Ferdy has manufactured a smaller-than-average 55” freestanding tub.

Many freestanding acrylics are at least 60” in length, which means that if you have less available space than 5 feet, you’re out of luck.

This isn’t the case with the Ferdy, which was specifically designed to be compact for installation in small bathrooms.

The 100% glossy white acrylic of the Ferdy is reinforced with fiberglass for long-lasting durability. The material is completely environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, non-cracking, and scratch-resistant.

On top of that, it's easy to clean and can be restored to its original shininess with a simple wipe-down. This ensures that it will always look bright and clean, looking brand new even after years of use.

4. ANZZI Jericho FT-AZ067

The Anzzi Jericho is another freestanding bathtub, but this one comes with a jetted design that is perfect for a therapeutic bathing experience.

Before getting into the details of this massage tub, you should know that it's the highest-priced out of all the models reviewed here, so if you're on a budget, you might as well continue to the next option.

If you're willing to spend some money for optimal comfort, though, the FT-AX067 is as good as it gets.

The inner surface of the tub contains over 200 aero-therapeutic bubble massage jets, and it even has a light-up control pad with four colored bath lights to add to the overall experience.

We weren't lying when we said that this is as good as it gets.

The modern luxury design is combined with old-school class and style, allowing this tub to fit well into any bathroom aesthetics.

You will want to take some precise measurements beforehand since the Jericho is 67” long, which means that you will need to have a good amount of space for installing this one.

5. Empava WT0373

A walk-in tub caters to a very select group of people, but the limited choice in the walk-in department makes the buying process so much easier.

If you're in the market for an acrylic walk-in design, you'll want to go with the Empava WT0373.

The Empava is quite literally designed for a user to "walk-in" with a door that swings open on the left-hand side of the tub.

There are, however, a few cons to this style as well, like the fact that they’re costly and can be difficult to install.

If you experience any mobility issues, no matter how old or young you are, this tub can change your life.

Just keep in mind that this tub is not about sleek style or stunning elegance; its purpose is to provide relief to those who have trouble bathing in a traditional acrylic bathtub.

It comes with built-in handrails, an integrated seat, and a neck/head pillow for increased comfort.

Acrylic Bathtub Brands Compared

Buying a Quality Acrylic Bathtub 

Bathtub Type

First thing's first, you need to decide on a bathtub type/style.

The type you choose has a lot to do with your overall design preferences, but it also has to do with things like bathing habits, available space, and installation preferences.

For example, even if you love the classic look of acrylic clawfoot bathtubs, you might not have the proper bathroom set up to accommodate this type of tub.

The main types of acrylic bathtubs available include a drop-in, freestanding, clawfoot, alcove, walk-in, corner, soaking spa tub, and left/right-hand configurations.

As you can see, you're not short on options, so do your research, take some dimensions, and figure out your overall style.

Usage Needs

How you intend to use your tub plays a significant part in how you go about choosing a bathtub. Of course, the general purpose is for bathing and getting squeaky clean, but get more specific than that.

Do you plan on enjoying long soaking sessions with bath salts and candles, or is this for the kids’ bathroom?

The answers to questions like these will help you to determine things like style, functionality, size, and so on.

For example, a deep soaking tub wouldn't be a wise choice if you plan on making the kids' bath time as easy as possible. You'd want to choose something with a relatively short height for easy access.

Aesthetics & Design

Size & Weight

Size is a biggie when it comes to bathtub buying considerations.

Purchasing a tub that is too large for the space at hand happens more often than you’d think, so taking official dimensions is step 1 (this isn’t a guessing game!).

Even if you’re replacing an old tub and using the exact position, always take measurements. You'll also want to consider tub weight in addition to physical size. 

A large soaking tub with tons of features will be a lot heavier than a basic barebones acrylic model, and this means that it will be much more challenging to handle.

Even if you've hired professional contractors for installation, heavy weighted tubs can make things much more challenging (especially for upstairs bathrooms).

*One more helpful hint on choosing your tub size is to consider your water heater performance.

Tubs vary in size from 25 to 150 gallons, so decide whether your water heater can handle filling the tub in question with about two-thirds hot water.

Installation & Configuration

Drop-in tubs are the most common, but that doesn't mean they're easy to install.

Drop-ins are some of the most difficult tubs to install since they require a frame before being sealed and connected to the water drain.

Standalone tubs are the easiest to install, followed by clawfoot and alcove. This is by no means a one-person job, and in most cases, it's best to hire a professional plumber/contractor.

No matter which type of installation method you choose, it's essential to pay close attention to the configuration of the waste pipe.

There's nothing worse than buying a tub with a right-side drain, only to find that the waste pipe is actually on the left.

This is an easy problem to avoid - just confirm the pipe configuration before buying a tub.

Floor Type

A common assumption is that all tubs come with a smooth floor surface, but this isn't the case. Some of the best acrylic tubs come with textured floors for preventing slips and falls.

This is something to consider since a tub manufactured with a textured floor is much more sanitary than using a bath mat on a smooth tub surface

Extra Features & Accessories

Aside from textured floors, tons of additional features can enhance the overall bathing experience, especially if relaxation is the name of your game.

Some acrylic bathtubs will be nothing more than a bare-bones basin, but others go all-out with things like water jets and neck/back grooves for added comfort.

But as always, the more added features, the higher the cost.

Price & Warranty

Speaking of cost, the good news for homeowners on a budget is that it’s easy to find an affordable acrylic bathtub that fits the bill.

When comparing the best bathtub materials, The Spruce says that “acrylic tubs are a very popular option due to their versatility, durability, wide range of options, and low cost.”

It doesn’t matter if you pay a few hundred or a few thousand for your tub, always check the warranty policy.

Even the most durable tubs can experience problems, but you can protect yourself (and your tub) from unforeseeable damage with a solid warranty plan.

Comparing Acrylic to Other Common Tub Materials

Even though acrylic is a popular material choice, it's not the only one out there.

Homeowners love acrylic tubs since they're lightweight and easy to install, but it's common to compare materials before settling on one.

Other common tub materials include porcelain enamel, cast iron, fiberglass, and cast polymers like marble or granite. Here's a full comparison guide:

vs Cast Iron

When comparing a cast iron vs. acrylic bathtub, Hunker says that “acrylic bathtubs are more widely used in newer homes but some consumers still opt for the strength and durability of a cast-iron bathtub.”

Acrylic costs much less on average than cast iron, but cast iron wins when it comes to durability. However, the heavy weight of cast iron makes installation tricky.

vs Resin Bathtubs

Similar to cast iron, stone resin is sturdy and heavy, adding to its durability but making it difficult to install.

In terms of cost, comparing stone resin vs. acrylic, stone resin is more suitable for high-end bathroom settings (and that means high-end budgets).

vs Porcelain Bathtub

The main difference between a porcelain bathtub vs. acrylic is heat retention.

Acrylic is much better at retaining heat from warm water than porcelain, so it’s better for long soaks in the tub. However, the advantage of choosing porcelain is that it’s highly resistant to scratching.

vs Fiberglass Bathtub

Even though acrylic is slightly more expensive than fiberglass, it’s also more durable.

Vs Bathtub Marble

Marble is a cast polymer (similar to granite and onyx) that is engineered from natural stone and solid surface materials.

Similar to acrylic, there are a lot of color and finishing options, but the main downside of a marble tub is its extreme heaviness and complicated installation.

vs Stainless Steel Bathtubs

Investing in a stainless steel tub sounds like a great idea in theory, but the reality is that acrylic tubs are just as durable as ones made from steel.

Acrylic is easier to mold, which means that there’s more design variety, and the cold nature of steel can be shocking when you first step into the bathtub.

How to Determine Bathtub Size

So you’ve decided that a lightweight acrylic bathtub is the right choice for you, the next step is to determine the perfect bathtub size.

The main determining factor for tub size is the available bathroom space. Make sure to take dimensions of the tub’s outer surface (not the inner basin).

You’ll also want to confirm that the tub can fit through the bathroom door.

Alcove tubs (ones that are confined by three walls) are a great choice for homeowners who are limited to bathroom space since your walls naturally form an alcove.

You've got tons of sizing options for an acrylic alcove bathtub; these can range anywhere from 54 to 72 inches long and 30 to 36 inches wide.

Oval tubs are great for soaking, but they’re also extremely wide (so not great for small bathroom settings).

The typical oval tub is about 60 inches long and 40+ inches wide. Whirlpool tubs with jets are similar in size, but not quite as wide. The average whirlpool tub is 60 by 32 inches.

If you’re not limited on space in a master bathroom, you might consider a large corner tub.

The Spruce bathtub sizes reference guide says that “corner bathtubs are more about luxury, fun, and treating yourself well than about getting clean.”

Corner tubs are typically 60 by 60 inches with an average height of 22 inches.

Why Choose an Acrylic Bathtub?

The question isn’t why to go acrylic, but rather why not? There are so many reasons to choose acrylic over any other tub material, and one of the main benefits is its affordability.

SFGate says that there are plenty of acrylic bathtubs pros and cons, but the pros outweigh the cons:

“Because acrylic comes in sheets that are soft and malleable, acrylic bathtubs come in a large variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.

Whether you are planning a small functional bathroom or a large spa-like setting, this wide assortment of tub styles can increase your options when designing a bathroom.”

No matter your design preferences, you'll find an acrylic bathtub that fits your style.

Another major benefit is the smooth, nonporous surface of acrylic tubs, which makes them easy to clean but also offers heat-retaining properties. 

If you're the type of person who enjoys long bubble baths after the workday, you’ll love that the water stays warm longer with your acrylic bathtub.

Installing Your Acrylic Tub

Installing an acrylic bathtub isn't a task to take lightly, so if you don't have basic plumbing knowledge, go ahead and hire a pro plumber.

The toughest part is tearing out the old tub and shower, and you should keep in mind that this is not a one-man job if the old tub is not a lightweight acrylic model.

Before tearing it out, take measurements of your existing tub.

Then, after choosing a tub that fits the dimensions and removing the told tub, throw down a canvas drop cloth to protect the bathroom floor.

Turn off the water, and check that it's off by turning the tub faucet to the on position. Remove the screws that are holding the hardware faucet in place (this is a great time to replace old shower fixtures).

Acrylic Tub Maintenance

The main thing to remember when cleaning an acrylic tub is that “using the wrong product can damage the surface, making it dull — and possibly void your acrylic bathtub’s warranty.”

When deciding on how to make a dull acrylic bathtub shine, you can’t just use any old cleaning product.

The acrylic bathtub cleaner and tools you choose depends on whether you're trying to remove rust from an acrylic bathtub or you just want to give it a deep clean.

Just remember never to use abrasive cleaners like steel wool or scrubbing pads since these can cause scratching.

Never use aerosols, solvents, acetone, or chlorine bleach - these can do some serious damage.

The best product to clean an acrylic bathtub is one that contains only green, eco-friendly ingredients. You can even make your own DIY cleaner by mixing a 50/50 vinegar-water solution.

For tough stains, Angie’s List says to “try cutting a lemon in half and rubbing it over the rough area until the hard water deposits loosen.

Rinse with water, and then wipe the area dry with a microfiber cloth.” Remember also to regularly clean your bathtub drain.

Acrylic Bathtub Common Issues & Fixes

One of the most common issues that homeowners experience with acrylic tubs is stress cracking.

Here’s what SFGate says about how to fix an acrylic bathtub crack: “If your fiberglass or acrylic bathtub is cracked, you can easily repair it with a bathtub repair kit which is available from your local hardware or home improvement store.”

Another common acrylic tub repair problem is rust. The steps on how to remove rust from an acrylic bathtub are relatively simple when you use the right cleaning products and techniques.

Don't use bleach since this can do more harm than good, but instead, use rust-fighting products like calcium/rust removers. For minor rust stains, you might even try lemon juice mixed with salt.

All you need is a high-quality tub repair kit from your local hardware store.

FAQs

How long do acrylic bathtubs last? Do acrylic tubs crack?

When treated properly, the lifespan of the best acrylic bathtub is about 15 years. Eventually, you'll start to experience cracking, staining, or discoloration.

Still, as long as you follow the manufacturer's care and maintenance steps, you should get 10 years of tub use at the very least.

Can I refinish my acrylic bathtub?

You can revert back to your tub's original shine or change the color entirely with a tub refinishing kit.

The right kit will not only restore your tub's shininess, but it can even repair chips, scratches, rust, and wear and tear from years of use.

Who makes the best acrylic bathtubs on the market? Who are the best acrylic bathtub manufacturers?

You can’t go wrong with an American Standard or Kohler tub, but these aren’t the only two manufacturers of acrylic bathtubs on the market.

Woodbridge is another popular manufacturer of high-end bathtubs and toilets, especially if you’re shopping for the best acrylic freestanding bathtubs.

What is the best thickness of an acrylic bathtub?

The thickness of an acrylic tub not only determines how heavy it is but also how well it retains heat. Standard bathtub thickness is between 5 and 6mm, but some acrylics are as thick as 8mm.

Do acrylic tubs feel cheap?

There are some concerns that acrylic tubs feel like flimsy plastic, but this isn't something you need to be worried about.

When you choose a high-quality tub like the ones on this list of acrylic bathtub reviews, the tub material won't feel cheap.

However, you have to keep in mind that heavier, more expensive materials like cast iron will feel more durable, but this comes at a price.

Do acrylic tubs turn yellow?

The only real scenario where your acrylic tub will turn yellow is if you smoke cigarettes while in the bathroom.

Acrylic is prone to yellowing when exposed to tobacco smoke, so either quit cold turkey or keep your habit out of the bathroom.

Over time, you can expect some faint discoloration, but we're talking years, and it's nothing that a tub refinishing kit can't fix.

What is an acrylic bathtub liner? Do I need one?

Angie’s List says that bathtub liners “are molded acrylic inserts that install over your old tub.

You can place them only atop cast iron or steel tubs, however, so if you have an old acrylic tub, this option won't work for you.”

The cost of acrylic bathtub liners is less than buying a whole new tub, but according to acrylic bathtub liners reviews, you’re better off buying a new tub than a protective liner.

Do acrylic bathtubs need insulation?

Some tub materials do require additional insulation to retain heat, but this isn't the case with the best acrylic tub.

Compared to other materials, this type of tub will keep the water warmer for longer bathing periods. However, some homeowners do choose to add extra insulation for even better heat retention.

What’s the best method for how to remove stains from an acrylic bathtub?

Since bleach is a no-go for acrylic, a lot of homeowners have questions about which acrylic tub cleaner to use.

The best acrylic bathtub cleaner is to turn to create a DIY solution with either a vinegar/water combo or lemon juice and salt mixture. Whichever one you choose, just avoid using abrasive scrubbing tools.

Conclusion

We've covered nine of the best-rated acrylic bathtubs on the market, each one with its own unique advantage over the others.

Our favorite is still the FerdY Bali but the one you choose ultimately depends on the size and type you’re looking for.

This list covers just about every type and style of acrylic tub, so there’s something here for everyone.