Kohler Walk-In Tub Review 2024: Strong Reputation and Customization Options

Key Takeaways

• All Kohler walk-in bath quotes are customized to the specific needs of the space and the product chosen. Factors affecting walk-in bath cost include tub size, therapeutic options, and added features like the shower package.
• To purchase a Kohler walk-in tub, you must book an in-home consultation through a local authorized dealer.
• Walk-in tubs are not usually covered by insurance, but you can finance through Kohler or explore state and government programs for financial assistance.

Did you know that the bathroom is one of the most common locations in the home where a fall with an injury happens, according to research?¹ If you’re planning to modify your home to support safety and independence as you age, the bathroom is a good place to start. One way to remove tripping hazards is by replacing your traditional tub with a walk-in tub.

While traditional tubs have high walls that can be difficult to step over, Kohler walk-in tubs replace the high tub wall with a door and a three-inch threshold—one of the lowest thresholds in the industry—to create a safer bathing environment for you or your loved one.

Our Reviews Team selected Kohler as one of the best walk-in tubs on the market for its custom features, like the shower package, which adds an overhead shower option to the bath. Based on its features as well as brand reputation, we decided to review Kohler to give you an in-depth look at what the company offers, so you can decide if it will fit your needs.

About Kohler

Kohler entered the plumbing industry in Kohler, Wisconsin, in 1873. The company has withstood the test of time, advancing its own technology and design as kitchen and bath appliances became more efficient and trendy, and earning multiple awards for smart technology integration. Today, you’ll find Kohler sinks, toilets, and appliances in home improvement stores all around the world.

Kohler also offers bathroom solutions like its walk-in bath and shower for those aging in place or who have difficulty with traditional bathtubs. You can choose between many styles, custom options, and accessories to create a bathing environment that matches your needs and home decor.

Table 1 Comparison of Kohler Walk-In Bath and Walk-In Bath with Shower Package

Pros and cons of Kohler walk-in baths

Kohler walk-in tubs review

Walk-in bath

• Free purchase and installation quote? Yes, via in-home consultation
• Tub type: Soaker or jetted
• Dimensions
  • Standard: 28 inches wide x 52 inches long x 39 inches high
  • Largest: 32″ W x 60″ L x 39″ H
• Threshold (step-in) height: 3”
• Door style: Inward swinging
• Water capacity: At least 66.7 gallons (gal), but varies by size
• ADA-compliant: No
• Standard features: In-line water heater, handheld shower, fast-drain technology, heated backrest, handrails, water and air jets (with jetted tub only)
• Optional features: Bath walls, shelving, wall-mounted grab bars, alternative bath color and faucet finish
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty on the tub and one-year coverage on components

The Kohler walk-in bath comes in one standard, customizable model built to fit your existing bathing area. Several features—including a 17-inch high seat, a handheld shower to aid in seated showering, and built-in handrails to help keep you steady as you climb into and out of your tub, make bathing safer and more enjoyable. And as an added safety perk, this walk-in tub’s 3-inch step-in threshold is one of the lowest in the walk-in tub industry, making it easier to enter and exit the bathtub.

Standard features

This tub’s standard features focus on convenience and comfort. When you bathe in a walk-in tub, you must be inside the tub at all times—even when it’s filling or draining—to keep the water contained. The Kohler Walk-In Bath includes a heated backrest so you can stay warm while you wait for it to drain, but you won’t have to wait for long because Kohler has outfitted its tubs with a fast-drain system that will remove water quicker than a standard tub’s 15-minute drain time. The drain time for a walk-in tub will depend on the tub size and the plumbing system’s capability. Tubs usually fill in about 10 minutes.

If you want a therapeutic bath, Kohler offers an optional whirlpool water jet system and its trademarked Bubblemassage air jet system, although these options will increase the tub’s price by a few thousand dollars. The whirlpool jets, situated to target your back and legs, provide an underwater massage that can help ease body aches and aid in muscle recovery, according to research.2 If you want a more gentle massage, you can turn on the Bubblemassage feature to release thousands of tiny bubbles into your water for a less vigorous experience. The water jets can be adjusted to point in more targeted directions, and the air jet speed can be adjusted for more or less intensity.

All of the features, including the drain, can be adjusted by using dials and buttons within reaching distance, so you don’t have to reach under the water to release the drain or look for a remote control to turn off the jets. The control panel (pictured below) allows you to turn the whirlpool jets and heated backrest on or off. The arrows adjust the jet intensity, and the white buttons on either side power the Bubblemassage jets.

Optional features

Every Kohler walk-in tub has options for personalized customizations to match your current decor. You can choose between a white or biscuit-colored tub shell, and a polished chrome or brushed nickel finish for the faucet.

You can also choose to include Kohler LuxStone bath wall designs with your bathtub installation to protect your existing bathroom walls, or add shelving for storage space. All add-on features are detailed in the accessories section of this review.

Walk-in bath with shower package

• Free purchase and installation quote? Yes, via in-home consultation
• Tub type: Soaker or jetted
• Dimensions
  • Standard: 28″ W x 52″ L x 39″ H
  • Largest: 32″ W x 60″ L x 39″ H
• Threshold height: 3”
• Door style: Inward swinging
• Water capacity: At least 66.7 gal, but varies by size
• ADA-compliant: No
• Standard features: Walk-in tub features, plus a gooseneck shower arm with showerhead
• Optional features: Bath screen, bath walls, shelving, wall-mounted grab bars, alternative bath color and faucet finish, alternative showerhead designs
• Warranty: Limited lifetime warranty on the tub and one-year coverage on components

Not ready to sacrifice your overhead shower for a walk-in tub? Kohler offers a shower package that turns your bath space into a tub and shower combination. The Kohler Walk-In Bath and Shower Package earned our pick for best walk-in tub and shower combination due to its attractive design and customization options. Still, these features come at a price—you could pay up to $15,000 before installation and accessories, depending on the tub type and size.

Standard features

The walk-in tub and shower combination includes all the standard features of the basic Kohler walk-in tub, including a handheld shower and fast-drain technology, but it adds overhead shower components.

The shower package features an overhead shower arm, a showerhead, and a bath screen. The gooseneck-style shower arm is available in a regular (18.2” long) or extended (19.” long) length to accommodate your tub and preferred spray position, and you can choose between three different showerhead styles: traditional, modern, or contemporary.

Kohler also includes a bath screen with the shower package to contain the shower’s spray to the tub. The clear bath screen is 41.25” tall and 31.56” wide, which covers about half of your tub space. To further seal moisture, the bath screen has a rubberized bottom lip that stops water from leaking onto the floor.

Optional features

Similar to the walk-in bath, you can choose between a soaker tub with no jets or a jetted tub with additional therapeutic benefits for your shower package. You also get the same options of tub shell color and faucet finishes to customize your tub to coordinate with your existing bathroom decor.

You’ll need to protect your bathroom walls from being damaged by excess moisture, mold, and mildew, and opting to include waterproof surfaces in your installation can be a smart investment. Unless you already have waterproof panels or tiles on your bathroom walls, LuxStone bath walls may be an important optional feature to consider if you choose the shower package. If you already have bath walls in place, ask your in-home Kohler consultant if you can keep them during your bath renovation. You can also look into having tiles or panels installed separately to save money on your bathroom renovations.

Read more about LuxStone walls in the accessories section of this review.

Wheelchair-accessible tubs

Kohler does not offer wheelchair-accessible tubs. If you’re looking for a tub for yourself or someone who uses a wheelchair and can transfer to a seat in a tub, browse our other walk-in tub brand picks. According to our Reviews Team’s research, Ella’s Bubbles has the best options.

Kohler accessories

Kohler differentiates itself from other competitors by providing sleek accessory options to customize your tub. These accessories cost extra, but some may be worth the investment, depending on your physical needs and personal preferences. You can play around with different options using the walk-in tub design tool on the Kohler website.

Grab bars

Just as the name suggests, grab bars give you a secure handle to hold onto as you transfer into or out of your tub. Although grab bars look similar to towel bars, they are not the same. Grab bars are secured to the wall without moving parts, while some towel bars have a rotating rod, which is not a stable or reliable way to steady yourself. Occupational therapists do not recommend suction cup grab bars and recommend any grab bars be installed by a professional to ensure they are at the correct levels and properly anchored to the walls. Towel bars should never be used as grab bars.

Kohler includes handrails with its walk-in tubs, but if you need additional support, you can buy a wall-mounted grab bar, starting around $64, and have it installed at the same time as your tub installation. You can search your local home improvement store for lower priced grab-bar options, which start around $12, but bear in mind making modifications to your Kohler walls or tub with a non-Kohler product may affect your warranty.

Shelving

Getting rid of your standard tub and shower for a walk-in tub can mean giving up a handy spot to hang your shower caddy. All those shampoo bottles and sponges need a home. Kohler offers shelving options to add to your bathing space, like niche shelves that sit in the bath walls or smaller corner shelving that wedges where the walls intersect. On the Kohler website, shelving attachments cost between $45–$558.

Before investing in shelving, here’s a pro tip: Ask your in-home consultant if your walk-in tub has extra space at either end of the tub, like behind the faucet deck. As long as you’re comfortable reaching for items in these spaces, you may not need shelving.

If you want shelving at lower prices, you can find bath caddies held in place with suction cups, tension rods, and other shelving options on the Lowe’s website starting at $11. Keep in mind any installations requiring drilling into the tub or wall material can affect the Kohler warranty, so try to keep your non-Kohler storage solutions to options that are easily removable.

LuxStone bath walls

Perhaps the most luxurious feature of Kohler Walk-In Baths, LuxStone bath walls protect your existing bathroom surfaces with waterproof, stone-like material. You can choose between eight different patterns that mimic stone for a natural, modern look.

Kohler doesn’t provide pricing on LuxStone walls, and state that pricing on these features depends on the pattern, amount of material needed, accessories chosen, and installation time. Most images of the Kohler Walk-In Bath feature LuxStone walls, but all eight options are in the image below.

Our budget-friendly advice is to preserve your existing waterproof bath walls if you have them. Otherwise, you might consider hiring a contractor to install wall tiles or panels made of acrylic or laminate, which can vary in cost depending on the wall area. Just clarify with your in-home consultant that self-installed wall coverings won’t affect your tub’s warranty.

Overhead shower hack

If you want an overhead shower without the price spike, consider using the handheld shower instead. Kohler sells handheld shower holders starting at $27.19, which can be attached anywhere on your bath wall. If you install the holder overhead, you can mount your handheld shower onto the holder to serve as an overhead shower. You just need to make sure the hose is long enough to accommodate your height. The standard length of a shower hose is about 60 inches (five feet) long. If you’re tall, you may want to consider purchasing a longer hose, like the 72-inch long options on the Kohler website, which start at $41.82.

Brittany Ferri, an occupational therapist based in Rochester, New York, suggested another way you can use handheld shower holders. Instead of attaching it overhead, you can attach it closer to your seat. “It keeps the showerhead closer for those who have trouble reaching up to detach it from a more standard position,” she said.

And don’t forget about your shower enclosure. You can find curtains and rods at local home improvement stores like Home Depot or online on Amazon starting around $10–$20.

How much is a Kohler walk-in tub?

Depending on the extent of your bathroom remodel, which can include electrical rewiring, plumbing upgrades, and resurfacing of walls and floors, you could see installation costs spike your total price up by several thousand dollars. While Kohler cannot offer a price range for their walk-in tubs, as their cost depends on your space and the products and features you choose, their website states that a walk-in tub can cost $5,500 – $33,000+, including installation.

While you cannot purchase a Kohler walk-in tub without installation, their website states, “The average price of a walk-in tub alone (before installation costs) ranges from $2,000 to $20,000. While many factors impact the total cost, the type of tub has the greatest influence.”

Does insurance cover Kohler walk-in tubs?

Insurance does not typically cover walk-in tubs, but you should always call and ask just in case your circumstances justify partial coverage. Many insurance companies follow Medicare rules, which state walk-in tubs do not qualify as durable medical equipment (DME). Medicare Part B and Medicare Advantage (Part C) may make an exception if your walk-in tub is deemed medically necessary with a prescription from your doctor.

If you have Medicaid, there may be some opportunities for coverage. Call your local Medicaid office to see if you can qualify for any funding opportunities near you. For example, the Home and Community Based Services waiver may be an option if you have physical, mental, health, or cognitive needs that qualify you for home health care assistance.

Financing

Kohler offers financing through select partners. You must apply for it during your in-home consultation with a Kohler representative. If you qualify for financing, the Kohler representative will help you set up your profile to make monthly online payments.

Offers and deals

Kohler doesn’t offer coupon codes or discounts. But it does have special promotions that change monthly, so keep an eye out for an offer that works for you.

Check out our separate article that covers how to save money on walk-in tubs to learn about other financial assistance opportunities that may be available to you, like tax deductions and local programs.

How to buy a Kohler walk-in tub

Buying a Kohler Walk-In Bath starts online. Kohler has a walk-in tub site where it advertises its one model and its features, accessories, and add-ons. This is separate from the main Kohler website. If you’re interested in learning more, you can call customer service to request a free in-home consultation. A service representative will connect you with a local installation expert after you provide your name, phone number, and ZIP code. Before you call Kohler to request a consultation, check to make sure a local expert is available in your area.

Our Reviews Team connected with one local installation company, Pacific Bath, which partners with Kohler to serve western states as an authorized dealer. The employee from Pacific Bath walked us through the initial consultation.

Your local authorized dealer will come to your home and evaluate your space. They will measure your bathroom, determine where your plumbing and electrical systems are, and discuss your options based on your budget and needs. If you need to upgrade your water heater (according to Kohler, a 40–50 gal water heater will suffice), the dealer will help arrange this, too.

Get the most out of your in-home consultation by preparing questions related to your needs. Not sure where to start? Kohler prepared some questions to ask:

• Are there cost-saving options that cut out unnecessary features?
• Which size will best accommodate my body type so I don’t feel uncomfortable?
• Based on the bathroom evaluation, are there any factors that may lengthen installation time?
• Can you clarify and document warranty coverage on the tub and all included features, including labor and installation?
• Who can I trust to make repairs if something goes wrong?
• How long does it take for installation to start after I’ve paid? 
• What do I have to do to prepare my bathroom for installation?

Once you decide a walk-in tub is the right fit for you, you’ll purchase the tub, apply for financing if necessary, and schedule your installation. Take time making your decision—most customers consider several brands before settling on one.

Kohler Price Promise

Every Kohler product comes with the Kohler Price Promise, which means any quote you receive is the exact price you will pay. That includes removal of your old tub, installation of your new tub, and all fixtures and components that come with your walk-in tub.

How to install a Kohler walk-in tub

The same dealer that performs your in-home consultation will also arrange your installation. Installation should take one to two days, but it depends on the extent of your bathroom remodel. Factors that can lengthen the installation process include installing a larger tub than the allotted space in your bathroom, rerouting plumbing or electrical systems, or finding structural damage during the construction process. You should get a general idea of installation time from the in-home consultation.

According to the Pacific Bath representative, each local installation company comes with its own installer warranty. Check with your installation company to see what your warranty covers and how long coverage lasts.

Warranty

Kohler Walk-In Baths come with a limited lifetime warranty. The warranty covers your walk-in tub so long as it’s installed in the home you own and you live in the home. The warranty does not transfer to other homeowners, so if you sell your home, the warranty is void for the next user.

The limited lifetime warranty covers manufacturing defects in the tub itself, like the tub’s shell, door seal, and hydrotherapy systems. Most of the other components in the tub, like faucets, are covered separately under a one-year warranty. If you plan to add different accessories to your tub, make sure you ask your in-home consultant which products are covered under the limited lifetime warranty and which ones aren’t. And make sure you have everything in writing.

Installation falls under a separate warranty. As explained in the section above, each local installation company has its own installation warranty. Clarify warranty terms before you arrange for installation so you know how long you’re covered, and for what.

You can avoid damage and repairs to your walk-in tub by caring for it properly. Kohler sells its own cleaning solution for tubs and fixtures for $8.63 and $7.13, respectively. It also has specific instructions on how to care for your tub on its website, like avoiding abrasive cleaners and materials to avoid wearing down surfaces.

Customer service and reviews

Customer service

You can contact Kohler customer service by phone, through online chat, or by filling out an online form on the Kohler website.

Reaching out by phone is the quickest way to speak to someone. When our Reviews Team called the product information line, an employee asked for our name, phone number, and ZIP code to forward us to local staff who could answer specific questions about features and warranty. Unfortunately, we were unable to speak with local staff after holding for 10 minutes. Instead, the employee from the product information line said they would forward our information to local staff who would call us later. They did not call us back, so we had to reach out again and wait to be transferred to a local authorized dealer.

Note there are two numbers on the Kohler Walk-In Bath website:

• For product information: 800-986-5977, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
• To book an in-home assessment: 800-707-5276, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT

You can also try reaching customer service through the online text feature, which is a chat bar available on the Kohler Walk-In Bath home page. You’ll need to enter your name and phone number to send a message. All of our questions were answered by an automated response system, and most of the responses we received were unhelpful and irrelevant to the request. When our Reviews Team used the online text feature, we received an unrelated answer as a text message to our phone number. The feature didn’t answer further questions. Instead, it asked for our ZIP code to connect us with a local authorized dealer.

Every response from Kohler customer service will also go to your phone’s text inbox. If you need more information, the system will request your ZIP code to connect you with a local representative. Be aware by entering your information into the chat, you give Kohler permission to contact you.

The Kohler Walk-In Bath customer service page has an online form as well, which you can fill out with your name, email, phone number, ZIP code, and a message. If you’d like to ask a specific question about your bathroom space, you can even upload a photo for reference.

Despite the amount of personal information we had to provide, our Reviews Team found customer service to be unhelpful in answering our questions.

Customer reviews

Kohler has a few online reviews citing positive customer support, but many more customers have had the opposite experience, calling out disorganized installation and delayed repairs or product replacements. But there are no negative reviews targeting the quality of Kohler walk-in tubs specifically.

The 100+ reviews of Kohler walk-in tub reviews on Google have a 4.7 out of 5-star average, with many customers praising the appearance and functionality of their walk-in tub, as well as their easy installation experience. Some negative reviews mention the high price of the tub with installation.

Kohler isn’t accredited on Better Business Bureau (BBB), but 17 reviewers left comments on its profile, resulting in a rating of 1.65 out of 5 stars. A majority of the reviews were one star due to failed fixtures and poor customer support when repairs were requested. One customer who left a five-star review shared the opposite experience, stating they were able to get their faucet repaired under warranty and without issue.

On Trustpilot, Kohler has 2.3 out of 5 stars out of 21 reviews. Most reviews are one-star, with customers describing difficult customer service interactions, fragile products, and prolonged installation times. Six of the 21 customers gave Kohler five-star reviews, though, referencing helpful customer support interactions, contrary to the negative reviewers’ claims.

While BBB and Trustpilot don’t have many customer reviews to bolster their scores, Kohler has 67 reviews from homeowners and contractors on Yelp, with a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars. Just like the other review websites, customers report differing experiences with Kohler products and services. Our Reviews Team found two contrasting reviews regarding Kohler traditional tubs: one reported leaky jets and a fussy repair process, while the other reported stuck faucet handles and a smooth repair process.

Inconsistent customer support after purchase is a common theme across all Kohler reviews. To avoid surprises after purchase, keep your receipts and all of your paperwork and clarify the warranty terms for your walk-in tub, parts, and installation before you buy. Get everything in writing. That way, you’ll have documentation to support any future repairs under warranty.

Is a walk-in tub right for me?

A walk-in tub may be right for you if you want to reduce the risk of falls in your bathroom, and if other less costly options, like a transfer board that helps you to slide into your standard tub, aren’t feasible.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with options, get guidance. Talk to your doctor about whether they can give you a referral for an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or certified aging-in-place specialist to evaluate you and your home. These professionals can make recommendations based on your needs, environment, and budget.

Both occupational and physical therapists can share tips and tricks on ways to prevent falls in your home environment. According to a 2018 study, physical therapists can significantly increase your fall risk awareness by providing you with strategies to prevent future falls.³

Not sure if you’re at risk? Take the NCOA Falls Free CheckUp to find out.

Our Reviews Team interviewed Edgar Biazon, a home care physical therapist with the MJHS Health System in New York City, to understand what a physical therapy evaluation in the home entails. Evaluating the home is an essential part of Biazon’s overall evaluation as he meets with his patients to address their physical needs.

Biazon’s evaluation starts before he even steps inside his patient’s house. “The first thing I do is assess the outside of the home,” said Biazon. “Do they live in an apartment building? Do they live in a private house where they have a driveway and a few steps, or a flight of steps?” Biazon said he even evaluates the street outside the home—what stores are nearby, where the local bus stop is located—to understand his patient’s environment and what resources are nearby (and which are not). Then, he evaluates the patient and the interior home environment to determine which interventions are best, which can include both home and lifestyle modifications.

Although major home modifications are less common, small changes in one’s home environment and daily habits can reduce fall risk significantly. Biazon recommends simple measures like adding bed rails to help get up from bed, or removing tripping hazards, like clutter on the floor. You can start taking some of these steps yourself, or with the help of a loved one or caregiver, by using the Check for Safety Home Fall Prevention Checklist by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to find and fix potential hazards in your home. NCOA also has resources to fall proof your home as well as prevent falls with home safety modifications. 

Biazon also provides his patients with tailored exercise programs that help them achieve their physical goals and instill confidence in themselves. Physical goals can include getting out of bed without assistance or climbing stairs with less difficulty, but they’re often different for each person.

Before you invest in a major home modification, consider meeting with a professional like Biazon. Ask your doctor if an in-home evaluation by a physical or occupational therapist is right for you, so you can determine what you truly need to age in place safely.

Bottom line

The Kohler Walk-In Bath is one of the most decorative and attractive designs on the market, but it’s also one of the most expensive. Price depends on the type of tub you choose, its size, and add-on features like the shower package. Some Kohler accessories, like the LuxStone bath walls, can add thousands to your overall price, and extensive modifications like electrical rewiring, plumbing upgrades, and resurfacing of walls and floors can significantly increase the overall cost.

But there are alternative options to help you save, like hiring your own contractor to install bath walls for your walk-in tub, or installing a handheld shower mount to convert your handheld shower into an overhead shower. You can also consider dividing the payments up by financing your purchase, or by taking advantage of offers on the Kohler website. And don’t forget to apply for government and local assistance programs—you can browse programs near you using NCOA BenefitsCheckUp to see what you qualify for.

Note you’ll need to talk to an in-home Kohler consultant to learn more about products. Kohler customer support provides only limited information, so if you’re curious about Kohler Walk-In Baths, you’ll need to book an appointment. And if you purchase a tub, keep your receipt and clearly document all warranty terms to avoid a difficult repair process if anything malfunctions.

Above all, if you’re unsure of whether significant home modifications are right for you, consult a clinical professional about your immediate and long-term health needs. They can point you in the right direction.

Have questions about this review? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org

Sources

1. Bergen, Haddad, et al. A Descriptive Analysis of Location of Older Adult Falls That Resulted in Emergency Department Visits in the United States. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. August 2020.  Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8669898/
2. Arankalle, Dhananjay, et al. Critical Review on Trends in Hydrotherapy Research. International Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. March 2013. Found on the internet at http://intjnm.com/critical-review-on-trends-in-hydrotherapy-research/
3. Ott, Lynda Dee. The Impact of Implementing a Fall Prevention Educational Session for Community-Dwelling Physical Therapy Patients. Nursing Open. June 2018. Found on the internet at https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/nop2.165