Walk-In Bath vs. Bath Lift: Which is Safer & Better Value? (2026)

The “Quick Fix” vs. The “Permanent Solution”: Which Do You Need?

If you are struggling to get in and out of the bath, you are likely looking for the easiest, most affordable solution.

You have probably seen adverts for Bath Lifts (electric chairs that sit in your tub) for under £500. It seems like the perfect answer compared to the £4,000+ cost of a Walk-In Bath.

But is a bath lift a genuine alternative? Or is it a temporary plaster on a bigger problem?

At EA Mobility, we have replaced hundreds of bath lifts for customers who bought one, hated it, and eventually upgraded to a proper walk-in bath. To save you that wasted expense, here is the honest comparison of the two technologies.

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1. The Bath Lift (The “Add-On”)

What is it? A battery-powered plastic seat that sits inside your existing bathtub. It attaches to the bottom with suction cups.
How it works: You sit on the seat at the rim height, swing your legs over, and press a button to lower yourself into the water.

The Pros

• Cost: It is cheap (£300 – £600).

• No Installation: You can buy it online and put it in yourself.

• Portable: If you move house, you can take it with you.

The Cons (The Honest Truth)

• The “Cold Knees” Problem: This is the #1 complaint. A bath lift mechanism takes up space under the seat. It cannot go all the way to the floor. You sit 7cm–10cm higher than the bottom of the bath. This leaves your knees and torso exposed to the cold air. You never get a “full soak.”

• Legroom: The backrest is thick. It pushes you forward, reducing your legroom. If you are tall, your knees might stick out of the water.

• Stability Risks: It relies on suction cups. If your bath surface is textured or not perfectly clean, the chair can slip or tilt.

• Clutter: You have to remove it to clean the bath (it’s heavy and awkward) and recharge the battery handset regularly.

 

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2. The Walk-In Bath (The “Integration”)

What is it? A complete replacement bathtub with a watertight door for low-level entry. Unlike a temporary lift, a Walk-In Bath restores the ability to have a full, deep soak safely.
How it works: You step in over a tiny threshold, sit on the integrated seat (or lie down), and fill the bath around you.

The Pros

• Total Immersion: You sit right at the bottom (or on a moulded seat designed for depth). You get a proper, deep, warm soak.

• Safety: It is structurally secured to the floor and wall. It cannot slip.

• Legroom: It is designed to maximise internal space.

• Hygiene: Easy to clean with no complex mechanisms to trap dirt.

• Integrated Power Options: If you struggle to stand up from a seated position, we can install a specific Walk-In Bath with a Powered Lift. This lowers you to the bottom and lifts you back up, offering far more stability than a removable plastic seat.

The Cons

• Cost: It is a renovation project, costing £3,500+. (See Price Guide).

• Installation: Takes 2-3 days to fit.

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Comparison Table: The Reality Check

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The Hidden Danger: The “Leg Swing”

Many people buy a bath lift thinking it solves the problem of getting in.
It doesn’t.
Even with a bath lift, you still have to lift your legs over the 500mm high bath rim while balancing on the seat.

• The Risk: If you have stiff hips or poor core balance, swinging your legs over the rim while seated on a plastic chair is difficult and can feel unstable.

• The Walk-In Solution: A walk-in bath removes the barrier entirely. You just walk in.

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Who is a Bath Lift actually for?

We aren’t saying they are useless. A bath lift is a good choice IF:

1. You are renting and cannot change the bathroom.
2. You have a very tight budget and need an immediate, temporary fix.
3. You have good core stability and can lift your legs, but just struggle to stand up from the bottom of the bath.

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Who Needs a Walk-In Bath?

You should invest in a walk-in bath IF:

1. You want Hydrotherapy: If you want heat to relieve Arthritis, you need to be submerged. A bath lift leaves too much of you out of the water.
2. Safety is Priority: You want to eliminate the trip hazard of the rim entirely.
3. Independence: You want a permanent solution that requires no setup, charging, or heavy lifting of equipment.

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Verdict: Don’t Buy Twice.

The most expensive bathroom adaptation is the one you have to pay for twice.
If you buy a bath lift, struggle with it for 6 months, and then buy a walk-in bath, you have wasted £500.

Try before you buy (mentally): Sit on a stack of books 10cm high in your current empty bath. That is how high you will be sitting on a lift. Is that deep enough for you?

Book a Free Home Assessment
Our surveyors can measure your bathroom and give you a fixed price for a permanent solution that actually keeps you warm.