The best cast iron bathtubs 2020 according to customer reviews: which bathtubs are best to buy, how to choose the right one, price comparison

The rating of cast iron bathtubs and their manufacturers presented below was compiled based on the following data:

expert assessment of the enterprise on product quality;
assortment list of cast iron plumbing fixtures;
consumer reviews;
the ratio of quality, resource, price, maintainability of the coating, shape and design.

This will allow you to make the right choice without involving specialists, overpayments at the time of purchase and during the further use of large sanitary ware for the bathroom.

Criterias of choice

Let us highlight several important characteristics with which you can compare plumbing fixtures.

Life time. This indicator affects the durability of the selected bath. If you purchase a cheap product, then in the long run the savings will turn into additional expenses. The longer the bathtub lasts, the less you will have to spend subsequently: on repairs, dismantling, purchasing and installing a new bathtub.
Care and cleaning. The bathtub has to be washed daily, so caring for it turns into a grueling task if the material is too fancy. Ease of care depends on the composition and thickness of the enamel covering the surface of the product.
Variety of shapes and sizes. Bathrooms of different sizes require different bath models: you need to take into account the width, length, height and shape of the product. Sometimes a small or asymmetrical bowl is the only way to comfortably accommodate all the necessary items in a cramped bathroom. There are not only standard rectangular fonts on sale, but also angular, multifaceted, round and shaped products.
Practicality. The bathtub should not deform from exposure to hot water and sag under a person during use. This also includes the ability to withstand mechanical stress.
Convenience. This criterion is responsible for comfort during water procedures: how long does the tank keep warm? Does the bowl make more noise when filling the bathtub? Is it possible to install additional options such as hydromassage and water level sensor?
Installation. Some products are easy to install and connect yourself, but in other cases you will have to spend money on a specialist. Also, some bowls require additional metal legs or a frame.
Weight. Most often, this indicator is paid attention to when purchasing a cast iron bathtub. A heavy product makes transportation and installation difficult. Before purchasing, you should consider the details of delivery: will you need a special car and loaders? Will the tank fit in the elevator? If the weight of the bathroom is high, then transportation becomes an additional expense.
Price. For many buyers, the cost of the product is the main factor when choosing a bathtub. The problem lies in the fact that with this approach the design may not meet even minimal expectations and will soon lose its appearance.

Price

Let's start again with cast iron appliances. Domestic models without any special bells and whistles will cost $50-70. European baths will cost more: $200 and up. The price for premium collections from PORCHER and Jacob Delafon can reach up to $450-700.

Bathtubs made of steel cost twice (or even three times) less than cast iron ones. If we talk about European products, their price will start from 100 dollars. Products from Russian manufacturers will cost from $50.

Acrylic devices have a very wide price range. Moreover, they are often equipped with a hydromassage system, which should also be taken into account when comparing the cost of different types of baths. The most budget option will cost from $60 (made in China). Russian products will cost from $100, European ones – $130-200.

Steel bath

Acrylic bath

Cast iron bath

Results. The first place in terms of cheapness rightfully belongs to steel bathtubs. In second place are acrylic products. Cast iron completes the ranking.

Cast iron bath

This material has remained in demand for several decades. Bathtubs made of cast iron are reliable, as they are made of durable, high-quality alloy. The top of the product is covered with a double or triple layer of enamel. Cast iron bowls are not distinguished by a variety of sizes: Russian companies make tanks with a maximum length of 150 cm, and foreign companies increase them to 180 cm. The standard width of a cast iron bath is 70 cm, but there are also 90 cm.

Peculiarities

The main difference between cast iron bathtubs and steel and acrylic ones is the wall thickness, which reaches 10 mm and makes the product heavier. The finished bowl weighs about one hundred kilograms. On the one hand, this provides the tank with strength and stability, but on the other, it significantly complicates its transportation and installation. Install a heavy bath only on concrete and reinforced concrete floors. If the house has wooden floors, it is better to refuse a cast iron bowl. When choosing, you should pay attention to the walls of the tank - the coating should be smooth to the touch, uniform, without bumps or chips.

If the enamel layer is sufficiently thick, then using a special polishing agent it is not difficult to restore a cast iron bathtub: you can get rid of scratches and small cracks. For more complex cases, specialists are invited.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let us highlight the main advantages and disadvantages in accordance with the selected criteria:

pros	Minuses
A cast iron bathtub cannot be called eternal, but it lasts a long time - from 30 years with proper handling. Some manufacturers claim that the product can last more than 50 years. To prevent cracks from forming on the enamel, you should protect it from impacts with heavy objects (a chip can appear from a falling shower head or metal bucket).	Cast iron bathtubs come in a variety of designs. Production features do not allow us to produce bowls longer than 1.9 m.
High-quality enamel on the surface of the walls allows the use of even aggressive cleaning agents and mechanical action, but such methods are required only for difficult to remove stains. For daily care, soft sponges and compounds without abrasives and acids are used.	The weight of the product makes it stable, but requires help when transporting and installing the bowl. It must be placed on a flat floor (preferably lined with ceramic tiles). The product comes with special legs or “lion paws”, which give the cast iron bath an elegant look.
The material is not sensitive to temperature changes and does not deform under the weight of a person. You can also wash pets in a cast iron bowl - there will be no scratches on the enamel.	Not everyone can afford a cast-iron bathtub - the price of high-quality bathtubs starts from 20 thousand.
The walls of the cast iron bathtub have good sound absorption. Also, the material does not allow the water to cool quickly, which is quite important for those who like to soak in hot water longer. If desired, you can find a model with additional options.

Installation types

There can be three options: installation along one of the walls (the most common), corner placement and installation in the middle of the room. The latter option is used for large bathrooms when using large oval or round bathtubs. Which are often equipped with hydromassage and other pleasant extras.

Corner models are produced both symmetrically and with different sizes of sides adjacent to the walls. As a rule, the side opposite the corner is rounded. It is not only practical, but also looks beautiful.

Cast iron bathtubs, as a rule, are placed along the wall, less often they are placed in the center of the room. Due to the design features, they cannot be installed in a corner. As for steel and acrylic products, they can be mounted in any of three options. Finding the right model is not a problem.

Acrylic bath

Steel bath

Cast iron bath

Results. Once again we have two leaders - steel and acrylic products have more options regarding the type of installation. The cast iron baths remained in the shadows.

Acrylic bath

Bowls made of acrylic (methyl acrylate) appeared relatively recently, but quickly gained popularity. Bowls are produced in two ways: from a solid acrylic sheet, which is given the desired shape, or by injection using a fiberglass base. The second technology allows for a more durable product, which is why most people look for cast acrylic bowls. Minor damage to them can be eliminated with your own hands by using grinding and a special paste.

Peculiarities

The main difference between acrylic bathtubs is the lightness and pliability of the material. Modern buyers are attracted by the opportunity to choose almost any shape and size of bowl, and, if desired, order an individual product for specific needs. This is most relevant if there are elderly people or children living in the house, who find it convenient to use the built-in seat and handles. But it should be taken into account that an overly complex configuration reduces the reliability of an acrylic bathtub, and if additional functions such as hydromassage are built into it, then the costs of water, electricity and maintenance increase.

When choosing a finished bowl, you should check the thickness of the walls, which should be more than 4 mm: the fact that the manufacturer has saved on material is indicated by the ringing sound when tapped and the light passing through the sides.

Acrylic is a non-porous material, so dirt does not stick to the glossy walls. Also, plastic is not susceptible to rust and fungus, but the surface still needs to be looked after regularly. To do this, the acrylic bathtub is wiped with a soft sponge with soap or a special solution (no need to rub hard), rinsed with warm water and wiped dry. If you have not used the detergent before, it is recommended that you test it on an inconspicuous area first.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let's take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of acrylic bathtubs:

pros	Minuses
The service life of a quality product is about 15 years. Cheap models usually don't last long.	Hard brushes, abrasives and acids are contraindicated when cleaning an acrylic bathtub, otherwise the glossy layer can be erased. Special “acrylic-friendly” compositions are used.
The plasticity of the material allows you to make any bowl shape. Dyes are added to some products, so acrylic bathtubs may vary in color.
The bathtub is silent when filling. It has low thermal conductivity - water retains heat for a long time. For a more comfortable bathing experience, you can choose a product with hydromassage, but it will cost much more.
You can handle the installation of an acrylic bathtub yourself, despite the fact that the tank is mounted on a metal frame.	The bottom may sag during use. The bathtub should not be filled with water at too high a temperature.
The weight of the acrylic bathtub is no more than 25 kg, which makes it easier to transport. But a bowl that is too weightless should alert you - probably the manufacturer skimped on material, which will have a bad effect on its service life.
The cost of inexpensive bathtubs is about 7 thousand, high-quality products will cost many times more.

Life time

It’s not for nothing that cast iron products are still popular - after all, they are destined to please their owners for at least 50 years, and this is a very decent period. Steel bathtubs can safely last 20-30 years. Products made from cast acrylic last for at least 15 years. But provided that their walls have a thickness of at least 4 - 5 millimeters.

Cast iron bath

Steel bath

Acrylic bath

Results. Cast iron has firmly established itself in our leading position - its durability is beyond doubt (but technology must be followed in the manufacture of this material). Steel bathtubs are again in the middle of the ranking, and acrylic products are in last position.

Steel bath

Until acrylic bowls entered the market, steel bathtubs competed with cast iron bathtubs for a long time. They are more environmentally friendly and quite durable, although they are made from sheets only 0.35 cm thick. Modern enamel coating increases their reliability. You can also find products with thin sides (1.5 mm), but it is better to give preference to a more solid design with a thickness of at least 2.4 mm.

Peculiarities

A characteristic feature of a steel bath is its low price, which is achieved through complete mechanization of production and the minimum cost of raw materials. Another important difference from cast iron and acrylic bathtubs is rapid cooling. Also, the surface heats up instantly, which allows you to shower immediately without waiting for a temperature that is pleasant for your feet. But we attribute high thermal conductivity to the disadvantages of steel products, because the main purpose of the bowl is relaxation and comfort during long periods of lying in water. Ultimately, of course, it is up to the owners to decide.

To check the weight of the product in the store, you can lightly press on it: if the steel bathtub moves easily, the manufacturer made it too thin. It is also worth carefully inspecting the coating: it should be solid, uniform, without flaws or unnecessary inclusions.

Advantages and disadvantages

What are the advantages and disadvantages of steel bathtubs? Let’s consider further:

pros	Minuses
The service life of a steel bath can be up to 30 years. To restore the product, special damage repair kits are sold.	Quite thin enamel can be damaged by careless cleaning. It will be expensive to restore the resulting defects. But if the steel bowl is coated with a special composition “Enamel-plus”, then caring for the surface is simplified several times. Unfortunately, products with such a coating can hardly be called budget.
Like acrylic bathtubs, steel ones come in a wide range of different shapes.	The bathtub can become deformed under a heavy person and crack.
Installation of the product is not difficult; one person can do it. Installation of steel bathtubs is technically considered the simplest.	Steel sides increase noise when drawing water. This can be combated with special stickers for the outer surface of the bathtub. Some owners simply fill it with polyurethane foam: in addition to reducing noise, this method helps the product retain heat longer. Also, thin walls do not allow the font to be equipped with additional options.
The maximum weight of a steel bowl is 30 kg; it is two or even three times lighter than a cast iron bowl.
Low cost: prices for budget hot tubs start at 4 thousand.

Ease of use

Here we will consider what degree of comfort products made from various materials give us. Let's start with the temperature of the water - for a pleasant swim it is important that it does not cool down longer. Good old cast iron is very good in this sense - it keeps water warm for a long time. However, modern acrylic can also boast of good heat conservation. But steel - alas - quickly cools water. In addition, it has another drawback - it rattles loudly when the bath is filled. Cast iron and acrylic are very quiet.

Bathroom walls made of cast iron will never sag. Now let’s look at the following two products based on this parameter, determining which bathtub is better—an acrylic or a steel bathtub. Steel can easily hold its position without sagging under the weight of the body, which cannot be said about acrylic. Deflection of the walls is its main drawback; the metal frame on which the bathtub is mounted is designed to cope with it. This is most relevant for overweight people.

Cast iron bath

Acrylic bath

Steel bath

Results. According to the parameters under consideration, the most convenient are cast iron products. Acrylics are not without drawbacks in this regard, so they can share second place. Steel bathtubs are somewhat inferior to acrylic bathtubs in this regard, but in some cases they can perform on an equal footing. Also, bathtubs made of steel and acrylic are often equipped with all sorts of comfortable seats, handles, and armrests.

comparison table

After analyzing the above facts, it is easy to create a visual table reflecting all the properties of the products being compared. Buy a hot tub with those features that you attach the most importance to in everyday life.

Options	Cast iron	Acrylic	Steel
Durability	+	+/-	+
Easy care	+	—	+/-
Variety of shapes and sizes	—	+	+
Practicality	+	+	—
Convenience	+	+	—
Easy installation	—	+	+
Light weight	—	+	+
Low price	—	+/-	+

Silver “Prada” 1700×750 with handles

Price: 15,440 rubles.

, Russia.

Silver "Prada" has good characteristics. It is intended for families with elderly people and small children. This is a separate unit in the room, installed against the wall.

The Silver “Prada” shape is standard, straight. The front side is powder coated, the inside is enamel with the addition of silver. Consumers note high wear resistance.

An additional set includes legs that regulate the height of the bathtub and its slope. There are also handles and a headrest.

Pros:

The size of the font.
Can be mounted near a wall or left free-standing.
Warranty - 25 years.
Price.
Additional details.

Minuses:

Heavy weight - 106 kg.
Not suitable for small rooms.
The bathtub does not fit through the door frame. First, part of the box is dismantled, then the font is brought in.

Which bath is better: conclusions

Here are a few reasons why you can easily decide on the choice of material for your bathroom:

If the main requirement for a tank is its size or unusual shape, then acrylic and steel are suitable. In a small bathroom, it is more rational to install a corner or asymmetrical bowl, thereby saving valuable centimeters. Cast iron hot tubs are mostly presented in a standard design.
If there are pets in the house, or rather large dogs that need to be washed after every walk, then the obvious choice is cast iron or steel. Unlike acrylic products, the enameled coatings of cast iron and steel bowls are not afraid of claws and street dirt.
If the bathroom has a large area and the owner dreams of a spacious plunge pool, it is worth choosing an acrylic design. The shape can be any, and light and durable plastic will withstand the maximum volume of water.
If the budget is limited, then between a cheap acrylic and a steel bathtub, preference should be given to the latter, since steel has a long service life, does not turn yellow and can withstand mechanical stress.
If “indestructibility” and reliability are important, then it is recommended to choose a cast iron bowl. A product of excellent quality is installed “for centuries”: once spent, the owner will not think about replacing the tank for a long time.
If comfort comes first, then the best option is an acrylic bathtub. Ultra-modern models with lighting and turbo massage not only look impressive, but also allow you to create a personal spa in your bathroom.

When choosing a bathtub, it is important to weigh all the pros and cons of different materials and purchase a durable, high-quality product from a reputable manufacturer. If the production technology is followed in the manufacture of the font, then the bowl - steel, acrylic or cast iron - will last a long time, without causing unnecessary trouble and giving pleasant emotions during use.

What is better to choose

Already from the comparative analysis it is clear that it is advisable to select something made of steel for the bathroom. To give advice on behalf of the editors, we decided to clarify what is in the bathroom of each team member. It turned out that steel bathtubs won again. Only for advanced owners it turned out to be soundproofed from below, which eliminated the ringing when drawing water and stands on 8 legs to prevent deformation when bathing two people of average size.

However, not everything is so simple here: almost all team members want to install cast iron bathtubs from European manufacturers when carrying out repairs, since some already have a chip, while others have a deformed bottom, despite 8 legs.

ROCA AKIRA 1700×850

Price: 41,611 rubles.

Manufacturer: Roca, Spain.

ROCA AKIRA has a large volume with standard dimensions. The drain is made in the center, so installation can be difficult. It is reliable, comfortable, durable, and stable according to consumer reviews.

The location of the tap in the middle brings comfort - you do not need to get up to open the faucet. It is possible to take a bath together, without the discomfort of draining.

The model is covered with durable enamel that can withstand strong impacts. Cast from high quality cast iron. Simple care is needed - just wipe the inside with a soft sponge and a gentle detergent.

There are wide sides on which you can place bath accessories.

Pros:

Value for money.
There is a drain in the middle.
Large sides.
Possibility of taking water procedures together.

Minuses:

The surface has “waves” in places.
The sides are slightly curved, so there are inconveniences during installation.

JACOB DELAFON PARALLEL E2947

Price: 45,000 rubles.

Manufacturer: country France.

JACOB DELAFON PARALLEL E2947 is perfection in design, elegance, and subtlety of work. High technical specifications of the product, including a warranty period of 25 years.