Top 10 Bath Tub
Last update: 12-07-2026
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Bath Tub: 3 things to consider before buying
Decide which kind of tub you actually want
This page mixes three fairly different products: portable soaking tubs for adults, cold plunge and ice baths, and baby baths. Sort out which one you need before you look at anything else. A great ice bath makes a poor baby bath, and the reverse is just as true.
Check the internal length against your own height
Two tubs with the same outside size can feel completely different inside. Read the internal length, not just the footprint. Below roughly 1500mm gets cramped once you are a full-grown adult, so if you are tall, hold out for a longer tub you can stretch out in.
Work out how you will fill and empty it
Portable and inflatable tubs rarely come with plumbed drainage. You fill and empty by hand, or with a cheap shower pump. If hauling water in and out sounds like too much faff, that alone might make your decision for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a standard bath size in the UK?
How much water does a portable or standalone tub hold?
How do you fill and empty a portable bathtub?
Are portable bathtubs warm enough for a proper soak?
What size tub do I need for an ice bath at home?
What kind of baby bath should I get for a newborn?
Do portable bathtubs fold flat for storage?
Is a foldable bathtub suitable for a full-grown adult?
Your complete guide to Bath Tub
First, work out which type of tub you're buying
"Bath tub" covers a handful of genuinely different products, and getting the type right matters more than any single spec. A portable soaking tub is a freestanding, often foldable tub for a warm bath where you have no fitted one. People buy them for rented flats, small bathrooms, caravans and camping trips. A cold plunge or ice bath is built for cold water therapy after training, so it prioritises depth and insulation over comfort. A baby bath is a small, contoured tub for washing a newborn or toddler safely. These barely overlap in use, so settle your category before you start comparing prices.
Size and depth: match the tub to the body using it
For adults, internal length is the number that decides comfort. A standard fitted UK bath runs about 1700mm by 700mm, and anything under roughly 1500mm starts to feel cramped for a grown adult, so use that as your yardstick even for a portable tub. Depth counts for just as much, since you want enough water to cover you for a proper soak. Ice baths ask for something firmer. Look for roughly 24 to 30 inches of usable depth, around 60 to 75cm, so you can immerse to the shoulders once you sit down. Baby baths are a different question again, where size is really about age suitability. Some supports only last to around six months, while others carry on to toddler age, so buy for the months you will actually use it.
Heat retention and material
If you are soaking to relax, insulation is what keeps the water pleasant without constant top-ups of hot water. Better portable tubs use several insulating layers plus a fitted lid or cover to trap heat, which keeps them noticeably warmer than a thin inflatable. Inflatable PVC tubs are the cheapest and pack down smallest, but they hold heat poorly and can be more fiddly to keep upright. An ice bath wants the same quality handled the other way round. A snug insulated lid helps hold the cold in and keeps debris out.
Filling, draining and where it lives
This is the practical detail most people forget. Portable and inflatable tubs usually have no plumbed waste, so you fill from a tap or hose and empty by tipping the tub or running an inexpensive shower or transfer pump. If your only water source is across the room, factor that in now rather than later. Storage matters too. Some tubs fold completely flat and others do not, so if you are buying one precisely because you are short on space, confirm the folded size before you commit. A rigid tub still has to get through your front door and up your stairs.
Safety and build quality
For a baby bath, safety comes first. Look for a non-slip surface, a secure newborn support or backrest, and sturdy construction that won't flex or tip when a baby wriggles. A contoured or padded shape makes bath time easier for both of you, and a plug or drain saves you lifting a full tub. Adult and plunge tubs are simpler: check the stated material, and make sure the frame or walls hold their shape when the tub is full. One that bows or sags is uncomfortable to sit in and liable to spill.
