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Best freestanding bathtub 2026: an honest comparison and buying guide

We compare our whole range of freestanding, semi-freestanding and whirlpool bathtubs on honest criteria: sizes, what the installation really involves, and who each model is (and is not) for.

Looking for the best freestanding bathtub for your bathroom? We compare our full range — freestanding, semi-freestanding and whirlpool — on honest criteria: sizes, the installation each one really needs, who it suits, and the cases where we would not recommend it.

Quick comparison 2026

Model Type Size Best for Not ideal if…
HUDSON Freestanding 170x80 (also 150x75) Best overall buy: standard format, sharpest price, 5/5 on Leroy Merlin You want something uniquely sculptural
AZUL Freestanding 170x80 Soft oval design, the centrepiece of the room Your bathroom is under 200 cm long
PALOMA Semi-freestanding 170x80 Renovations: the freestanding look with no plumbing work You want the bath standing as an island
SERENO Semi-freestanding 170x80 Straight architectural lines against the wall You prefer soft curves
AQUA Semi-freestanding, corner 170x75 Compact bathrooms: it uses the corner The bath will sit centred on the wall
VENEZIA Freestanding whirlpool 170x80 A spa at home: Air Spa air system Minimum maintenance is your priority

The 5 criteria that actually matter

1. The right size before the design

The most beautiful bathtub is no use if it does not fit comfortably. Rule of thumb: leave at least 60 cm of clear walkway. 170x80 cm is the comfort-to-space balance and the best-selling size in Spain — which is why our range concentrates on it. See the full 170x80 selection.

2. True freestanding versus semi-freestanding

The question almost nobody asks you before selling you a bathtub: is your plumbing in the wall? If you are renovating, a semi-freestanding bath saves you the floor-mounted taps, the new outlets and the impossible-to-clean gap behind. True freestanding is the right call in large new-build bathrooms.

3. Material: sanitary acrylic

Warm to the touch (water cools more slowly than it does in steel), light — around 40–50 kg against over 100 kg for engineered stone, with no floor reinforcement needed — and repairable: a surface scratch polishes out. Our whole range is reinforced acrylic with CE certification.

4. The installation nobody mentions

Always budget the whole package: bathtub plus taps plus installation. A true freestanding bath with a floor-mounted column can double the installation cost against a semi-freestanding one with wall taps. Loaded weight is 250–320 kg, which any modern floor structure carries without trouble.

5. Warranty, and who answers the phone

Buy from sellers with a real presence in Spain: the 3-year legal guarantee of conformity, specialist transport for bulky goods, and after-sales support in Spanish. METROPOLE ships from a warehouse in Spain, with free delivery to the door in 3–5 working days on the mainland and 5–8 working days to France, Italy and Portugal.

Our honest recommendation

For most people: HUDSON 170x80. It is the standard format, at the sharpest price in the range, and our best seller on Leroy Merlin with a 5/5 rating. Renovating without building work: PALOMA or SERENO (semi-freestanding). Compact bathroom: the AQUA corner model. Budget for a spa: VENEZIA.

Frequently asked questions

Which freestanding bathtub is the best value for money?

In our comparison, the HUDSON 170x80 is the best overall buy: the most in-demand format, reinforced acrylic and the sharpest price in the range. It is also our best-selling bathtub on Leroy Merlin, rated 5/5 there.

What size of freestanding bathtub should I choose?

170x80 cm is the recommended standard: comfortable for anyone up to 1.90 m and compatible with most bathrooms. Choose 150x75 only if the space forces it.

Freestanding or semi-freestanding?

If you are renovating an existing bathroom, the semi-freestanding (back-to-wall) bath is usually the better decision: the same look, installation on the plumbing you already have, and easier cleaning. True freestanding shines in large new-build bathrooms.

Is acrylic a good material for a freestanding bathtub?

Yes. Sanitary acrylic is warm to the touch, light enough to need no floor reinforcement, keeps its gloss, and surface scratches polish out. That is why it dominates the European freestanding bathtub market over steel and engineered stone.