Empava Bathtub Buying Guide: Whirlpool vs Air Massage vs Soaking Tubs

Choosing an Empava bathtub comes down to four decisions: what kind of massage system you want (if any), how the tub installs in your bathroom, which end the drain needs to be on, and how much floor space you can give it. Get those four right and the rest of the spec sheet falls into place. As an authorized Empava dealer, we at Urban Supply hear the same questions every week: whirlpool or air massage, alcove or freestanding, 59 or 67 inches, and does it come with a faucet. This guide answers each one using the actual features of the Empava tubs we carry, so you can compare models with confidence before you buy.

Water Jets vs Air Jets vs Combination: How Empava Bathtub Massage Systems Differ

Whirlpool tubs use water jets. A pump pulls water from the tub and pushes it back through directional jets set into the walls. Empava's alcove whirlpool line is built around 11 water jets, driven on most models by a 1.0 hp water pump, and most of the freestanding whirlpool models use 7 or 8 water jets with adjustable settings so you can aim the flow at your lower back, hips or feet. The result is a firm, targeted massage. Many users find a warm jetted soak helps them unwind and ease everyday muscle tension, though how it feels is a personal preference rather than a guaranteed outcome.

Air massage tubs use air jets. Instead of moving water, an air pump pushes warm air through dozens of small pinholes in the tub. Empava's Japanese-style air massage tubs use 48 air pinhole jets and a 0.5 hp air pump to produce thousands of warm bubbles for a low-pressure, all-over effect. It is gentler than a whirlpool and better suited to people who want a soft, effervescent soak rather than a deep-tissue push. The 48-inch model also sits deeper than a standard tub and includes an integrated seat, so you soak upright, Japanese-style.

Combination tubs give you both. Empava's 67-inch alcove combination tub pairs 9 water jets with 8 air jets, so you can run gentle bubbles, a stronger hydro-massage, or both at once. The 54-inch walk-in whirlpool goes further with 13 water jets and 12 air jets. If you cannot decide between the two systems, a combination tub is the safe answer, and it is the one we point most couples toward when one partner wants intensity and the other wants a soft soak.

Soaking tubs have no jets at all. A soaking tub is about depth, shape and heat retention. Empava's freestanding soaking tubs are built from glossy white acrylic reinforced with fiberglass, with a double-walled design that helps hold water temperature longer. One of the 67-inch models offers a 14.5-inch soaking depth, which is deep enough for most adults to settle in to the shoulders. No pump means no motor noise, no electrical hookup on the non-LED models, and the lowest maintenance of any tub type.

Inline Heater, Thermostatic Control and LED Chromatherapy

The most common complaint about jetted tubs is that the water cools while you are using it. Two Empava features address that directly. A thermostatic system holds the water at a set temperature: the 67-inch combination tub ships with a pre-installed thermostat that keeps the bath between 96.8°F and 107.6°F for the length of your soak, and the 59-inch corner whirlpool is built around the same thermostatic approach. An inline heater does the same job on the walk-in side: the 54-inch whirlpool walk-in tub has a constant heating function that maintains the water between 77°F and 104°F, which matters more in a walk-in because you sit in the tub while it fills and while it drains.

If you are choosing between two otherwise similar tubs and one has thermostatic or inline heating, take it. In our experience it is the feature people are least likely to think about before purchase and most likely to appreciate afterward.

LED chromatherapy is a submerged, color-changing light. Empava offers it on several alcove whirlpool models, on the corner and combination tubs, and on a 67-inch freestanding soaking tub with 7 color-changing LED lights. On that soaking tub it runs on a standard 120V plug, and Empava recommends connecting it to a GFCI outlet. Chromatherapy is primarily an ambiance feature, but it adds little to the price and it makes an evening soak feel like a spa visit. If you are set on a plain soaking tub and still want a touch of luxury, the LED soaking model is the one to look at.

Alcove vs Freestanding Tub vs Corner vs Walk-In: Which Empava Bathtub Fits Your Bathroom

The alcove vs freestanding tub decision is really about your existing plumbing and how much of the bathroom you are willing to rebuild.

Alcove tubs sit inside a three-wall enclosure, the same footprint as the tub-and-shower combo in most American homes. If you are replacing an existing tub in place, an alcove model is the least disruptive option. Empava's alcove whirlpools can also be installed as drop-ins, meaning you build a deck around the tub instead of walls, which gives you a built-in look without freestanding plumbing. They have a scratch-resistant, extra-smooth surface that resists dirt and wipes clean easily. Browse the Empava alcove tub collection to compare sizes and drain sides.

Freestanding tubs stand on their own and can be placed anywhere the floor drain and water supply can reach. They make the biggest visual statement and are the natural choice for a primary bathroom remodel. Empava's freestanding whirlpools can also be set back-to-wall, which keeps the freestanding look while tucking the plumbing behind the tub. Their wide edge rim is designed to accommodate a handheld shower, and the control knobs sit on the rim within easy reach. See the full Empava freestanding tub collection.

Corner tubs are a space-saving compromise. Empava's 59-inch corner whirlpool is a thermostatic, LED-equipped, 11-jet tub rated for two people, and it uses a left drain. It suits a bathroom where a 67- or 72-inch tub will not fit along a wall but a corner is free.

Walk-in tubs are built for people who need a low step-in threshold and a seat. Empava offers a 53-inch freestanding walk-in whirlpool and two 54-inch alcove walk-in models, one soaking and one whirlpool with an inline heater. They are a different enough purchase that we wrote a separate walk-in tub buying guide covering door style, seat height and fill time. If you are shopping for an Empava walk-in tub, start there, then come back to this guide for the jet and drain questions.

Sizing an Empava Bathtub: 48 to 72 Inches, 2-Person Options and Drain Location

The Empava bathtubs we carry run from 48 inches to 72 inches long. The size you choose is usually dictated by the room, but here is how the range breaks down in practice.

48 inches: the Japanese-style air massage soaking tub. It trades length for depth and includes an integrated seat, so a 48-inch tub can be more comfortable for a single adult than a shallow 60-inch one. 53 to 54 inches: the walk-in models. 59 inches: the widest choice of styles, including freestanding whirlpools, freestanding soakers, an alcove whirlpool, a round freestanding whirlpool and the corner thermostatic tub. 67 inches: the sweet spot for a primary bathroom, with an alcove whirlpool, the combination tub, several freestanding whirlpools and multiple soaking tubs. 69 to 72 inches: the largest soakers and the dedicated 2-person alcove whirlpools.

If you want an Empava 2 person tub, look at the 72-inch alcove whirlpool with left drain and LED lights, the 71-inch alcove whirlpool with right drain, or the 59-inch corner whirlpool. The 72-inch model uses 11 water jets and the 1.0 hp pump, so jet pressure holds up with two people in the water. Both long alcove models can be installed as drop-ins, which is how most people set up a two-person tub as a centerpiece.

Drain location is the detail that stops installations. Stand facing the tub from where you would step in: the drain is at the left end, the right end, or centered. Your existing plumbing rough-in decides which one you need, and moving a drain line in a slab or a finished floor is expensive. Empava's lineup covers all three. Left-drain examples include the 72-inch 2-person alcove whirlpool, the 67-inch combination tub, the 59-inch corner tub and a 67-inch freestanding soaker. Right-drain examples include the 71-inch 2-person alcove whirlpool and several 59- and 67-inch freestanding whirlpools. Center drains are the norm on the freestanding soaking tubs and on the 59- and 67-inch alcove whirlpools with LED lights. The two Japanese-style air tubs use a reversible drain, which gives you flexibility if the plumbing is not finalized yet.

What's in the Box: Faucet Included or Not, Plus Installation Basics

This is where buyers get caught out, so we will be specific. Empava's freestanding whirlpool tubs ship with a faucet. They are sold as faucet-included models, the rim is designed for a handheld shower, and the 59-inch round freestanding whirlpool includes a shower head with three spray settings on a retractable hose. Empava also sells matching faucet fixtures for its freestanding whirlpool series in glossy black, brushed gold, brushed nickel and bronze if you want to change the finish.

Empava's freestanding soaking tubs do not include a tub filler. The product details are explicit: the drain and overflow are included (brushed nickel on the LED model, integrated chrome on one of the 59-inch soakers), but you will need to buy a floor-mounted or wall-mounted tub filler separately. Budget for it, and pick it before your plumber roughs in the supply lines, because a floor-mounted filler needs the supply stubbed up through the floor at a precise spot.

Alcove whirlpool models are listed as faucet-included in our catalog, and the 67-inch alcove whirlpool with LED lights is described that way in its own listing. Where a listing does not say either way, ask us before you order and we will confirm with Empava.

Every jetted or LED tub needs power. Empava's alcove whirlpools run on 110 to 120 volts, the freestanding whirlpools use a UL-certified motor and come pre-wired for 120V, and the LED soaking tub uses a standard 120V plug with a GFCI outlet recommended. Plan a dedicated, GFCI-protected outlet within reach of the cord, ideally behind the tub apron or under the deck where it stays dry and accessible. Alcove and drop-in tubs also need an access panel so the pump can be serviced.

Freestanding tubs need the drain rough-in positioned to match the tub's drain location, plus a level floor; the 59-inch soaker with the integrated chrome drain includes adjustable legs for fine leveling. Measure the delivery path too: a jetted tub can weigh well over 100 pounds before water, and it has to get through the front door, up the stairs and around the hallway corner in one piece. We recommend a licensed plumber and electrician for every jetted installation.

Empava Bathtub Comparison Table

Our Recommendation

Replacing a standard tub in an existing alcove: choose the 59- or 67-inch alcove whirlpool with LED lights, matched to your existing drain side. You get 11 jets, chromatherapy and a faucet-included package with the least demolition.

Primary bathroom remodel with room to spare: a 67- or 71-inch freestanding whirlpool. The faucet is included, the rim takes a handheld shower, and the double-walled acrylic holds heat. If you would rather have silence and simplicity, the 67-inch LED soaking tub is the freestanding pick, with the tub filler budgeted separately.

Two people, regularly: the 72-inch alcove whirlpool with left drain or the 71-inch with right drain, installed as a drop-in.

Small bathroom, deep soak: the 48-inch Japanese-style air massage tub with its integrated seat and reversible drain.

Cannot choose between water and air: the 67-inch alcove combination tub, which also brings thermostatic heat control.

Accessibility needs: the 54-inch walk-in whirlpool with inline heater, and read our walk-in guide first.

Browse the Empava Bathtub Collection at Urban Supply

We carry the full Empava tub lineup, and as an authorized dealer every order ships with the full manufacturer warranty. Start with the complete Empava bathtub collection to filter by size and drain location, or go straight to the category you have settled on: Empava whirlpool tubs for water-jet models, Empava freestanding tubs for soakers and freestanding whirlpools, Empava alcove tubs for three-wall and drop-in installs, and Empava walk-in tubs for accessible bathing.

If your relaxation plans extend outdoors, Empava also makes 5- and 6-person outdoor spas; see the Empava hot tub collection and our hot tub buying guide. If the bathroom is one part of a larger Empava refresh, our Empava induction cooktop guide covers the kitchen side. Everything Empava we sell lives under Empava appliances.

Not sure which drain side you need, or whether a specific listing includes the faucet? Use our contact page and we will check the model against your rough-in before you order.

Related reading: Walk-In Tub Buying Guide · Hot Tub Buying Guide · Empava Induction Cooktop Guide