The bathtub has long been one of the most popular features in any home, and it’s not hard to see why – after a long day at work or school, what could be better than relaxing in your own personal tub? But, with so many shapes, and options to choose from, how do you find the most comfortable bathtub for your needs?
Let’s break down some of the Most Common Bathtub Shapes and determine which ones have the best pros and cons.
Most Comfortable Bathtub Shapes
A good bathtub should be comfortable and relaxing, but different shapes have different advantages and disadvantages in terms of comfort. If you are remodeling your bathroom, or want to buy a new tub, it’s worth considering the options carefully before making your choice.
Let’s take a look at this table below that covers each shape, along with its pros and cons to help you make the best decision possible.
| Bathtubs | Pros and Cons |
|---|---|
| Oval shape tubs | Pros: Can fit into smaller spaces Cons: Good for limited spaces only |
| Round Shape tubs | Pros: Best for large spaces Cons: Not great for small spaces |
| Corner Shape tubs | Pros: Great for those who lack space in their bathroom Cons: Heavier in weight |
| Drop-in Shape tubs | Pros: Drop in tubs costs way less than oval or round tubs Cons: Difficult to install |
| Slipper Shape tubs | Pros: Bathtub has soft curves that make you feel comfortable Cons: No reason to avoid this tub |
| Square Shape tubs | Pros: Gives a modern and minimalistic feel in the bathroom. Cons: Difficult to get in and out |
| Rectangular Shape tubs | Pros: Come in many styles such as (Alcove, freestanding, Jacuzzi) Cons: Bulkier and Costly |
Oval Shape Tubs
The oval one, is an egg-shaped tub that has a rectangular bottom and curved sides. It’s usually a bit smaller than the average tub and it has a rounded end. Its shape makes it easy to get in and out of the water without having to turn around or sit up straight.
Oval tubs are great for people who like to stretch out and relax. You can lie sideways or on your back, or even sit up if you’re feeling ambitious. Oval tubs are also great for having a bubble bath (if you’re into that kind of thing).
Pros
Oval tubs can fit into smaller spaces while still offering plenty of room for bathing.
If you have limited space or want to add more space to your bathroom without making it look too crowded, then consider an oval tub.
Oval tubs are great for couples who want to enjoy their bath time together.
Cons
Good for limited spaces only.
Round Shape Tubs
It’s exactly what it sounds like: a tub with circular walls that surround you on all sides. This makes it easier for you to relax while sitting in the water because you don’t have to worry about sharp corners or getting stuck in between them when you lean back against them as you do when sitting on an oval-shaped tub for example.
Round tubs are great because they offer a lot of room to spread out—you can even lay sideways across them! They’re good for kids because they have a lot of space for toys and games.
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Pros
If you have a larger space, then round tubs are the way to go.
Round tubs offer more room than oval ones and can help make your bathroom feel more spacious without making it too big and overwhelming.
Round tubs are another excellent choice for couples
Cons
Not the best for small spaces
Corner Shape Tubs
Corner Tubs are another type of tub that can be found at many different stores such as Bath Fitter; they come in many different shapes from square corners to rounded corners which makes them more comfortable than regular square-shaped bathtubs because they won’t feel sharp against your body when leaning back against them
Corner tubs are perfect for small bathrooms because they take up less space than other shapes do and still offer plenty of room for two people to share (or one person to soak).
Related: How does a jacuzzi tub work
Pros
Corner tubs are also great because they have lots of space for toys, games, and books.
They come in all sorts of types and different colors so there’s sure to be one that matches your bathroom décor.
Corner baths are great for those who lack space in their bathroom
Cons
Heavier in weight and installation could be tedious
Drop in Shape Tubs
Drop-in tubs are installed by dropping inside the hole, they have a curved design in the center which is comfortable and relaxing while the top is oval.
If you’re looking for something with a bit more character and personality than an oval or round tub has to offer, then consider a drop-in bathtub instead!
Drop-in tubs are great if you’re looking for something more affordable than other options—and they’re available in many different colors so they’ll match any décor!
Pros
Drop-in baths are perfect for those who are looking for something unique
Drop-in tubs are wonderful because they take up less space than other types of baths do while still giving you plenty of room to relax.
Drop-in tubs costs way less than oval or round tubs
Cons
Creates dead space
Difficult to install
Slipper Shape Tubs
Slipper tubs are round at the bottom and taper inwards towards the top. They’re known for being easy to get into, but also for being shallow enough that you can still sit up comfortably if you need to.
A slipper tub has a soft curve at the end of its sides. This means that your back can rest against it while you soak in the water. It’s also great for bathing because its shape prevents splashing water out of the tub when you get up to wash your hair or face. Plus, they’re also great for more than one person!
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Pros
If you’re looking for a tub that’s going to make you feel like you’re floating on water, this is your best bet.
The slipper bathtub has soft curves that make it feel like you’re being carried by an ocean current
Gives you a beautiful feel
Cons
No reason to avoid this tub if you’re looking for a comfortable tub
Square Shape Tubs
A square tub is one that has sharp corners on all four sides. Square tubs have straight sides and may come with a variety of different finishes. While they might be more difficult to get into than slipper tubs or rectangular ones, they’re perfect if you want something a little different from the norm.
They’re easy to clean because they have no curves or crevices to hide dirt in, but it can be hard to get comfortable in them if you aren’t used to using them regularly—the corners can dig into your skin uncomfortably if you aren’t careful!
Related: Best one piece bathtub shower combo
Pros
It offers plenty of room so you can stretch out in comfort while soaking away stress and tension on your muscles.
Gives a modern and minimalistic feel to the bathroom.
Smaller footprint
Cons
Difficult to get in and out
Rectangular Shape Tubs
Rectangular tubs are shaped like their name suggests—they’re long and thin, with flat sides that slope upwards towards their ends. They have straight edges on all four sides and no curves or sloping surfaces anywhere on its outermost edges (like a square tub would have).
They tend to be deeper than other types of baths so they’re great if you want an hour-long soak but don’t have any space constraints!
These tubs are very easy to clean because there’s no place for dirt or grime to hide: every inch of the surface is accessible from multiple angles at once due to its straight lines and flat surfaces.
Related: Teak Bathtub Tray
Pros
This shape is great if you don’t want any curves or soft edges—just straight lines and sharp angles!
You’ll be able to sit up straight without slouching over in the rectangular-shaped tub, which means better posture as well.
Rectangular tubs come in many styles such as (Alcove, freestanding, and Jacuzzi), Read more about Freestanding tubs pros and cons.
Cons
Not very comfortable tub
Bulkier and costly
Bottom Line
It’s no secret that a relaxing bath is one of the best ways to unwind from a long day. We’ve all seen those pictures of people lounging in the tub with a glass of wine, reading a book, and looking like they’re about to drift off into dreamland.
To get the most comfortable bathtub experience, it’s important to know about the different bathtub shapes and what you can expect from each of them. There are several different bathtub shapes, but not all of them offer the best comfort or enjoyment during your time in the tub.
