If you’re like most people, nothing gets you excited quite like learning about bathtub manufacturers. No? Well, even if it’s not on the top of your ‘to do’ list, learning a bit more about the best bathtub brands can help save you time, money and aggravation in the long run.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional bathtub, or something a bit more modern and inspired, the companies below produce some of the longest lasting designer fixtures on the market.

Best Bathtub Brands

These five brands represent the cream of the crop when it comes to bathtubs. Of course, there are also many more manufacturers who make quality bathroom fixtures as well that didn’t make our top five.

But, if you’re looking for a top quality bathtub that you’ll be able to enjoy for decades to come, these brands are worth taking a closer look at.

1. Traditional Looks & Affordability – American Standard

When it comes to kitchen and bath fixtures, American Standard has a long-standing reputation for offering high quality and value. The brand is best known for producing affordable, utilitarian bathroom fixtures.

American Standard was founded in 1875, and they’ve been producing quality kitchen and bathroom products for nearly 150 years. Their tradition for excellent quality and affordable prices has made them a fixture in American households; three out of five homes in the U.S. use American Standard products, cementing their legacy as one of the best bathtub brands.

In recent years, American Standard has overgone a bit of a facelift. The company was sold to the Japanese corporation Lixil Group, and since then they’ve modernized their product offering considerably.

While you’ll still be able to find plenty of affordable bathtubs with traditional styling from American Standard, they now offer more choice and manufacture beautiful stand-alone, whirlpool, and drop-in tubs, too.

2. The Bold Look of Kohler

Perhaps the best-known brand when it comes to kitchens and bathrooms is Kohler. They’ve been the industry standard when it comes to plumbing products for well over 100 years.

The story of Kohler is heavily steeped in the American dream. In 1873, Austrian immigrant John Michael Kohler scraped together what money he had and purchased a foundry in Wisconsin. Initially, they were in the cast iron and steel business.

A few short years later, Kohler had created a product designed for farm use – a horse trough. His trough looked oddly similar to a stand-alone bathtub, and although it saw use on many a farm, people began buying Kohler’s trough to bathe in.

By 1900, Kohler had become a leading brand in the plumbing industry. Their reputation for high quality and thoughtful design allowed Kohler to continue to innovate within the plumbing industry, and many of the most eye-catching bathtub designs of today were initially manufactured by Kohler.

In fact, that eye for innovation has even taken Kohler to the moon. The Kohler company manufactured several components that were on the famous Apollo 11 spaceship that landed on the moon.

Regardless of the style, you’re hoping to capture in your new bathroom, Kohler has you covered. The company manufactures virtually every different style of bathtub on the market. They also make excellent hardware, so you’ll have no problem finding the perfect piece to accent your tub with.

While their products tend to be a bit more expensive than average, most homeowners will tell you that the investment they made in their Kohler bathtub was well worth the cost.

3. A Subsidiary of Kohler – Sterling

Sterling is another one of the best bathtub brands, and their products are backed by the reputation of Kohler.

Originally founded in 1907 as the Sterling Faucet Company, the brand built a strong reputation for quality faucets and brass fixtures.

In 1984, Sterling was acquired by Kohler, who owns the company to this day. Instead of absorbing the Sterling brand into the company, Kohler continued to produce these products under the Sterling name.

Today, the company offers the best of both worlds. Their products offer the stylish look and quality reputation of Kohler at a more affordable price point that’s friendlier to those building a bathroom on a budget.

You won’t find many frills with a Sterling bathtub. If you’re looking for a designer tub, you may be better served by another brand.

But, if you’re looking for high quality and affordability, you’ll want to take a closer look at the tubs Sterling has to offer.

4. Beautiful Custom Designs and American Made Quality – Laurel Mountain

Laurel Mountain is a relative newcomer to the plumbing industry, as it was only founded about 25 years ago.

The company’s founder, Dave Baker, an entrepreneur with a passion for manufacturing high-quality bathroom fixtures.

Today, Laurel Mountain has grown considerably, with factories in three states and a strong and growing partnership with Lowe’s Stores.

Unlike most of the best bathtub brands, Laurel Mountain welcomes custom work, which makes them a strong choice if you’re looking to build your dream master bathroom.

Laurel Mountain focuses primarily on whirlpool tubs and manufactures a full line of zero threshold fixtures that are designed for easy entry and exit. If you’re getting older, a zero-threshold bathtub from Laurel Mountain may be a great choice for you, as it makes it far easier and safer to get into and out of your tub.

While their custom work can get rather pricey, Laurel Mountain’s bathtubs are relatively affordable considering the high-end features that are included.

5. The Fashionable Newcomer – Ove Decors

Of all the best bathtub brands we’ve profiled thus far, none are as young as Ove Decors. In fact, if the company were a person, they wouldn’t even be old enough to drink yet.

This family-owned company began producing bathroom fixtures in 2004 and manufactured their first showers and bathtubs in 2006. Ove Decors has quickly established themselves as a high-quality alternative with a keen eye for bold design.

Ove Decors is based in Montreal, but they have several distribution centers in the U.S., and many major retail partners as well.

Keep in mind, Ove Decors currently only manufactures stand-alone fixtures, but it’s worth noting that the models they produce are some of the most attractive designs on the market. Ove Decors has also quickly established a reputation for producing some of the most timeless clawfoot bathtubs available if you’re looking to add a bit of mid-century charm to your home.

If you’re looking to establish a classic look in your bathroom, you’ll want to take a closer look at what Ove Decors has to offer.

Conclusion

Shopping for bathroom fixtures can feel like a bit of a chore, especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. It also doesn’t help that there is a seemingly endless amount of companies producing bathtubs at a wide variety of price points.

Fortunately, there’s still plenty of brands to choose from with established reputations for high quality and museum-worthy design.

Whether you’re searching for a no-frills option, a traditional stand-alone tub, a whirlpool, or any of the countless other designs available for your bathroom, choosing a tub from one of the best bathtub brands is a surefire way to ensure that you and your family wind up with a quality fixture.