A whirlpool tub is what happens when an ordinary bathtub gets promoted to the wellness department. Instead of simply holding warm water, it circulates that water through strategically placed jets, delivering a stronger, more targeted massage than a conventional soaking tub or gentle air bath. For sore shoulders after yardwork, tired legs after a long week, or an evening when your bathroom needs to pretend it charges a resort fee, the upgrade can be surprisingly appealing.
Bob Vila’s well-known roundup of the best whirlpool tubs highlighted models from American Standard, Empava, ANZZI, and Kohler, covering everything from traditional 60-inch alcove tubs to roomy two-person and walk-in designs. The original roundup was updated in July 2023, so this guide also cross-checks those recommendations against current manufacturer catalogs and major U.S. retailers to see what still makes sense today.
Quick Look: The Best Whirlpool Tubs
- Best Overall: American Standard EverClean 60-by-32-Inch Whirlpool Tub
- Best Value: American Standard EverClean 60-by-32.8-Inch Drop-In Whirlpool Tub
- Best Corner Tub: Empava 59JT319 Corner Whirlpool Bathtub
- Best Walk-In Option: ANZZI Walk-In Whirlpool Tub
- Best for Two: Empava 71JT667B Two-Person Whirlpool Bathtub
- Also Worth Considering: Kohler Devonshire 60-by-32-Inch Whirlpool Tub
What Makes a Good Whirlpool Tub?
Do not shop by jet count alone. Twelve badly positioned jets are not automatically better than eight well-placed adjustable ones. A useful whirlpool bathtub combines comfortable dimensions, appropriate jet placement, a strong pump, easy-to-clean surfaces, sensible controls, and an installation style that actually fits your bathroom.
Water jets also differ from air jets. Whirlpool systems recirculate bathwater and shoot it through relatively concentrated jets, creating a stronger massage. Air baths push air through numerous small outlets for a gentler bubbling sensation. Some premium tubs combine both systems.
1. Best Overall: American Standard EverClean 60-by-32-Inch Whirlpool Tub
Why It Stands Out
The American Standard EverClean is the sensible choice for homeowners who want a genuine whirlpool experience without designing an entirely new bathroom around the bathtub. Bob Vila selected a 60-by-32-inch alcove version as its best overall choice, with eight adjustable jets and a conventional footprint that works with many standard bathroom layouts.
Current American Standard specifications continue to show EverClean whirlpool models using adjustable jets driven by a 1.4-horsepower pump. The company’s EverClean system incorporates antimicrobial technology into the whirlpool plumbing to inhibit unwanted buildup in areas that are far less entertaining to scrub than the visible tub shell.
The alcove configuration is another major advantage. If you are replacing a conventional 60-inch tub, staying near the existing dimensions can reduce the amount of framing, flooring, and tile surgery involved. That does not make installation a Saturday-afternoon project, but it may keep your remodel from evolving into a documentary series.
Best For
Choose this model family when you want strong hydrotherapy, a familiar alcove layout, adjustable jets, and a relatively straightforward path from standard bathtub to jetted bathtub.
2. Best Value: American Standard EverClean 60-by-32.8-Inch Drop-In Tub
Simple Features, Serious Relaxation
Bob Vila’s value pick trims some of the bells and whistles while preserving the features that matter. The reviewed version measures about 60 inches long by 32.75 inches wide and uses six multidirectional jets. It also includes molded comfort features and a slip-resistant floor.
A drop-in tub requires a surrounding platform or deck, so it is not necessarily cheaper once construction costs enter the conversation. However, the format gives homeowners more control over the finished appearance. Tile the deck, use stone, coordinate it with a vanity, or give it enough ledge space for an unreasonable collection of bath products.
American Standard continues to offer multiple EverClean drop-in whirlpool models, including 60-inch versions, which makes the family attractive for shoppers who prefer established replacement parts and a broad manufacturer catalog.
3. Best Corner Tub: Empava 59JT319 Corner Whirlpool Bathtub
A Statement Tub That Actually Wants Attention
The Empava 59JT319 goes in a completely different direction. Rather than disappearing into a standard alcove, it turns a corner of the bathroom into the main event.
Bob Vila’s reviewed configuration measured roughly 59 by 59 inches, included 10 adjustable water jets, and provided seating for two. Headrests, lumbar-area jets, underwater lighting, and a retractable shower wand added to the mini-spa atmosphere.
Current listings still identify the 59JT319 family as a two-person corner whirlpool bathtub, so the model remains relevant even though exact trim, lighting, heater, and accessory packages can vary between versions and sellers.
The catch is obvious: a 59-inch-square tub consumes meaningful floor space. Measure everythingnot merely the corner where it will live, but doors, hallways, drain placement, faucet clearance, and service access for the pump.
Best For
This is a good candidate for large primary bathrooms where relaxation and visual impact rank above conserving every square inch.
4. Best Walk-In Whirlpool Tub: ANZZI Walk-In Bathtub
Hydrotherapy Meets Accessibility
For users who find stepping over a conventional bathtub wall difficult, a walk-in whirlpool can combine bathing accessibility with water massage. Bob Vila’s selected ANZZI configuration combined whirlpool and air jets, an inline maintenance heater, a built-in seat, slip-resistant flooring, a grab bar, and a low entry threshold.
ANZZI’s current walk-in catalog remains extensive. Depending on the model, features can include dual air-and-water hydrotherapy, fast drains, quick-fill faucets, inline heaters, chromatherapy, aromatherapy, heated backrests, and low-entry doors. Current models range from relatively compact designs to elaborate spa-style systems.
The important buying lesson is that walk-in tubs have different priorities from conventional tubs. Seat comfort, door width, step height, fill time, drain time, grab-bar placement, and controls can matter more than whether the tub has 12 jets or 15.
Users with significant mobility or medical concerns should also discuss suitable bathing arrangements with an appropriate healthcare professional rather than treating a whirlpool tub as medical equipment.
5. Best Whirlpool Tub for Two: Empava 71JT667B
Because Personal Space Is Occasionally Overrated
The Empava 71JT667B is substantially larger than a conventional tub, measuring about 71 inches long by 47 inches wide in the Bob Vila roundup. The reviewed version was designed for two people and featured 16 water jets, two headrests, and a deep bathing area.
Empava continues to list the 71JT667B as a two-person acrylic whirlpool model. Current manufacturer information identifies the bathtub at approximately 71 by 47 by 27 inches, while major U.S. retailers continue to carry or reference the model.
The obvious advantage is room. The less obvious issue is infrastructure. A large two-person bathtub means more water, more total loaded weight, more hot-water demand, and a much larger footprint. Before ordering one because it looked magnificent in a lifestyle photo, calculate whether your bathroom and water heater share your enthusiasm.
6. Also Consider: Kohler Devonshire Whirlpool Bath
Traditional Styling With Adjustable Jets
Kohler’s Devonshire is a strong alternative for shoppers who prefer established bathroom styling to futuristic spa aesthetics. Bob Vila highlighted the 60-by-32-inch version with eight adjustable jets, molded lumbar support, armrests, and a textured floor.
Kohler still sells Devonshire whirlpool baths, including heated 60-by-32-inch alcove configurations. Manufacturer specifications describe adjustable hydromassage jets whose flow and direction can be controlled individually.
The Devonshire usually sits toward the premium end of this comparison. What you are paying for is not merely a higher jet countit does not have onebut fit, finish, traditional design, adjustable massage, and Kohler’s broader plumbing ecosystem.
How to Choose the Best Whirlpool Bathtub for Your Bathroom
Measure the Bathroom Before Browsing
A 60-inch alcove bathtub is dramatically easier to accommodate than a 71-inch two-person model or a 59-inch corner tub. Measure the available space, doorway widths, drain location, plumbing location, and intended access panel area.
Bathtub-buying guidance from Better Homes & Gardens and This Old House similarly emphasizes dimensions, installation type, drain position, and how the tub will actually be used.
Think About Your Water Heater
Deep whirlpool tubs can require far more hot water than standard tubs. Bigger is wonderful right up until the last third of your luxury bath arrives lukewarm.
Water weighs approximately 8.34 pounds per gallon, so capacity also affects structural loading. Large tubs filled with waterand perhaps two adultscan become surprisingly heavy. Floor structure should therefore be evaluated when installing oversized or especially heavy models.
Do Not Forget the Pump and Electricity
Whirlpool tubs need power for their pumps, and combination tubs may have additional blowers, heaters, lights, or controls. Manufacturer instructions must be followed for electrical protection, circuit requirements, grounding, ventilation, and service access.
Jacuzzi recommends professional installation of its whirlpool baths, and general bathtub guidance also stresses planning for the pump and electrical components before finishing the surrounding walls or deck.
Heaters Are More Useful Than Flashy Extras
If you enjoy long baths, an inline maintenance heater deserves serious consideration. Its purpose is generally to maintain the temperature of circulating bathwater rather than magically heat a tub of cold water from scratch.
Lighting is fun. Chromatherapy is atmospheric. A heater, however, may be the feature you appreciate every single time you take a 30-minute soak.
Whirlpool Tub Maintenance: The Part the Brochure Whispers About
Water circulates through internal plumbing that you cannot easily wipe with a sponge. That makes routine jet-system cleaning important.
Cleaning recommendations vary by manufacturer, so the tub’s own manual should take priority. Bob Vila’s cleaning guidance recommends periodically circulating a cleaning solution through the jets and then flushing the system with clean water. Jacuzzi likewise sells products specifically for cleaning whirlpool plumbing and recommends regular system maintenance.
Acrylic surfaces should generally be cleaned with nonabrasive products and soft cloths or brushes to avoid scratching. After all, turning your beautiful white spa tub into an abstract collection of scrub marks is technically remodeling, but not the satisfying kind.
Real-World Ownership Experience: What Living With a Whirlpool Tub Is Actually Like
The most noticeable difference between a whirlpool tub and an ordinary soaking tub is not simply that bubbles appear. Water jets produce a much more deliberate sensation. When the jets are positioned around the back, hips, legs, and feet, the bath feels active rather than passive. That is why adjustable jet direction is often more valuable than an impressive number printed on the box.
In practical everyday use, the 60-inch alcove designs are generally the easiest concept for homeowners to live with. They behave like familiar bathtubs, do not monopolize the entire bathroom, and can sometimes replace an existing tub without radically changing the room’s footprint. If the bathroom also serves children, guests, or everyday shower users, that flexibility matters.
Large corner and two-person tubs deliver a more dramatic experience. Stretching out without bumping knees against the opposite wall is wonderful, and having separate back jets or headrests makes a two-person design feel genuinely intentional rather than like two people trying to share a bathtub designed for one.
However, large tubs introduce small inconveniences that glossy product photography rarely discusses. They take longer to fill. They consume more hot water. Cleaning the far side of a big corner tub can turn into a mild upper-body workout. And if you casually place a shampoo bottle on a distant ledge before sitting down, congratulations: it now lives in another ZIP code.
A heater is another feature whose value becomes clearer after regular use. Without one, a deep bathtub’s generous volume can slowly become a disadvantage as the water cools. Adding hotter water works, but it also changes water level and wastes more water. A properly designed maintenance heater allows long soaks to remain comfortable with less fiddling.
Noise deserves attention too. A whirlpool pump is a motor, not a silent meditation monk. Better installations isolate vibration and keep access panels secure, but you should still expect more mechanical sound than from a conventional soaking bathtub. If nearly silent bathing is your highest priority, an air bath or simple deep soaking tub may be a better match.
Cleaning habits also determine whether owners continue loving their whirlpool tubs years later. The visible acrylic surface is easy enough to wipe, but the internal plumbing needs periodic flushing. People who build that process into their normal bathroom-cleaning routine are less likely to encounter unpleasant residue from neglected jet lines. Models with antimicrobial piping or automated purge features can reduce maintenance headaches, but none make cleaning completely optional.
The final lesson from comparing these tubs is simple: match the design to the way you actually bathe. A two-person tub is wasted if you normally take quick solo baths. A walk-in tub can be transformational when accessibility is the priority. A standard-size eight-jet alcove model may deliver the best balance for a typical household. The fanciest whirlpool tub is not automatically the best one; the best tub is the one you will still enjoy using when the novelty has worn off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a whirlpool tub and a jetted tub?
“Jetted tub” is a broad term. Whirlpool tubs are jetted tubs that circulate water through massage jets. Air tubs use air instead, creating smaller bubbles and a gentler sensation. Combination tubs provide both.
How many jets should a good whirlpool tub have?
Many residential models use roughly six to 10 or more water jets. Placement, adjustability, pump performance, and the size of the bathing area are more important than simply purchasing the largest number available. Bob Vila’s featured models ranged from six-jet conventional designs to larger systems combining water and air jets.
Are acrylic whirlpool tubs durable?
Acrylic is widely used because it is relatively lightweight, easy to mold into ergonomic shapes, and practical for residential installation. Many manufacturers reinforce acrylic shells with fiberglass for additional strength. Avoid harsh abrasives that can scratch the finish.
Can I install a whirlpool bathtub myself?
Experienced remodelers may be capable of portions of the job, but whirlpool installation combines plumbing, structural considerations, drainage, pump access, and electrical work. Professional installation is the safer choice for most homeowners, particularly when new circuits, large tubs, or structural modifications are required.
Final Verdict
For most homeowners, the American Standard EverClean 60-by-32-inch whirlpool tub remains the strongest all-around concept from the Bob Vila picks. Its conventional dimensions, adjustable jets, established product family, and easier-to-maintain whirlpool system give it a practical advantage over more exotic designs.
If bathroom space is generous, the Empava 59JT319 makes a far stronger visual statement, while the Empava 71JT667B is better suited to couples who genuinely want a two-person bathing area. For accessibility, ANZZI’s walk-in whirlpool lineup adds safety-oriented features that ordinary tubs cannot match. And buyers who prioritize established styling and premium fit and finish should keep the Kohler Devonshire on the shortlist.
The smartest purchase happens before anyone clicks “Add to Cart”: measure the room, check drain orientation, calculate hot-water requirements, investigate electrical needs, and make sure the pump can remain accessible after installation. Do that homework first and your future bathroom is much more likely to feel like a private spaand considerably less like an extremely expensive plumbing puzzle.
Note: Product specifications, configurations, availability, warranties, and prices can change. Confirm the current manufacturer’s installation manual and specifications for the exact model number before ordering or modifying plumbing, framing, or electrical systems.
