Typically, taking a bath should not be the source of dread and fear. However, for many aged people and those with disabilities, it can be just that. Studies have shown that numerous home accidents occur in the bathroom due to slippery floors, uneven floors, and poor lighting. Bathrooms can be hazardous, especially if they have the wrong flooring. Additionally, obstacles around the bathroom walls or on floors can make it hard to get in.
For the reasons mentioned above, walk-in tubs were developed to make bath time easier. Products such as the ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool have numerous safety features that minimize the risk of bath time accidents. With low step-in thresholds and handrails, these walk-in tubs bring the joy back to bath time for seniors and those with disabilities.
As you can imagine, choosing the perfect walk-in tub is no easy task. Our ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool review will help you decide whether it’s the ultimate tub for you or your loved one.
Overview
An excellent walk-in tub should have several primary attributes. These include safety features, comfort, quality materials, workmanship, and durability. The ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool is a well-known brand in the bath accessories market. Is the product as good as the manufacturer promotes? Here is a brief look at the tub’s main pros and cons.
Pros
- Aroma-infused massage bubbles
- Adjustable massage jets
- Low entry threshold
- Comfort-focused design
- ADA-compliant
Cons
- Extremely heavy
- LEDs don’t last long
- Fills up slowly
ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool Made of?
The ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool is made from marine-grade white acrylic encased with a free-standing steel frame and fiberglass reinforcement. Besides the high-quality materials, the tub is also manufactured according to a set of superior standards and craftsmanship.
To further guarantee the quality, the tub’s manufacturer offers a lifetime limited warranty. They will replace any defective parts at no extra charge.
Our ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool Review
I am a 58-year-old gardener whose body hurts all over. This is partially attributable to the type of work I have done for more than 25 years. About two years ago, I realized that I was having an overly hard time using the regular bathtub or shower. The floors felt a bit too slippery for me, and the height of my standard tub was proving too much to climb into. Therefore, I decided to buy myself the ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool to ease my bat time.
I have used the tub for just about two years now and have amassed extensive first-hand experience with the product. This ANZZI Walk-In Opening Swing Door Whirlpool review will focus on its build quality, features, safety, and overall value for money. Keep in mind that depending on your expectations and usage, your experience may vary significantly from mine.
Features (9.0/10)
I am not exactly what one would define as a tech-savvy person. Still, I wanted a tub with several features that could make bath time even more fun. I was quite impressed with the specifications of the ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool and, in particular, its features. My favorite has to be the Acu-Stream air jets and the in-line water heater that maintains my preferred water temperature as I bathe.
Additionally, this walk-in tub comes with chromatherapy and aromatherapy features. While I rarely use these features, it still feels nice knowing that my walk-in tub has them. I am also particularly fond of the wide opening door, which makes entry into the tub a breeze. There are numerous water jets around the tub and multi-colored lights to further improve the bathing experience. Unfortunately, two of my lights (blue and green) failed in the first week of use, leaving only one functional light.
Safety (9.0/10)
During my search for a walk-in tub, I had my eyes set on an ADA-compliant model. The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) sets out the minimum requirements for bathrooms and tubs that are usable by people with disabilities. While I do not have any disability, I knew that an ADA-compliant tub would not only be easier to use, it would also be safer than a non-compliant one.
The ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool is fully ADA-compliant and comes with numerous safety-oriented features. These include a textured non-slip floor, an easy-to-reach grab bar, ADA-compliant seats, and a low step-in threshold. The wide-opening door also minimizes the chances of bumping into it.
Quality (8.9/10)
The shell of the ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool is made from glossy marine-grade acrylic. It is further reinforced using fiberglass and then supported by a high-quality stainless-steel frame. These materials feel incredibly premium. My only qualm with the overall quality is that the tub’s fiberglass component does not age quite well compared to the steel and acrylic parts. I have had to get it refinished once.
Regarding the sustained reliability of the tub, I am absolutely impressed. It is no wonder the manufacturer gives customers a lifetime limited warranty on parts. The only seemingly low-quality parts are the colored bulbs, two of which already failed on my tub. I never bothered to have them replaced since I barely need them.
Additionally, the ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool meets the guidelines and standards set by RHINO ALLOY. This means that the metal alloy materials used in the tub meet or exceed the bare minimum stipulated by RHINO ALLOY. However, I would not give the overall quality a perfect score for several reasons; The first one concerns the tub’s drain.
It is made from thin low-quality plastic, similar to that of a washer drain. The touch controls are also a tad too sensitive for my liking, and the drain open-close valve is labeled backward, which irks my OCD.
Value for Money (8.4/10)
If you have looked around for a walk-in tub, you know they do not come cheap. With the cheapest ones costing upwards of $2,000, it is important to get your purchase right. While I do not regret purchasing the ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool at all, I feel like I paid a bit too much for it. After factoring in the additional installation costs (labor and electrical components), I am hard-pressed to give this product a better value for money score.
Don’t be mistaken; the tub does everything it’s supposed to, but I feel like the manufacturer should make it easier to install and improve some components’ overall quality, such as the drain. Two years down the line, the ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool has served me well and has held its value quite well.
Final Verdict 8.8
For me, the ANZZI Walk-In Wide Opening Swinging Door Whirlpool is a great, well-balanced product. I have not had any significant misgivings about it that would make me not recommend it. The feature pack will be more than enough for all, but the most demanding user and the safety levels are impressive. The quality is not as top-notch as other alternative tubs I have used but is still acceptable.
Having used the tub for two years, I would give it an overall score of 8.8/10 and would gladly recommend it to anyone looking for a walk-in tub.
[FAQ’s] Consumer Questions & Answers
Does the manufacturer provide an installation video for this tub?
No, they do not. However, the tub comes with a printed installation guide. Feel free to reach out to the manufacturer if you have any questions regarding the installation.
Does the tub have heated seats, and how long does it take to drain?
No, the walk-in tub does not come with heated seats. It takes between 40-60 seconds to drain.
Can I install this tub on my porch?
It is not recommended to install the ANZZI Walk-In Whirlpool outdoors. It is specifically designed for indoor use.
How do I get additional aromatherapy cartridges for my tub?
You can purchase additional cartridges from the manufacturer. Each aromatherapy canister costs $10 and lasts about a month on daily use.