When designing a comfortable and functional bathroom, choosing the right bathtub is more than just picking a style you like—it’s a long-term investment that affects your daily comfort, renovation budget, cleaning routine, and even your home’s resale value. Among the many bathtub materials available, acrylic and ceramic are often directly compared—not just because they're both popular choices, but because they share several surface similarities, such as a smooth, glossy finish and a timeless visual appeal.
Yet beyond these shared characteristics, the two differ significantly in material composition, performance, durability, and maintenance requirements. So how do you choose between them? In this guide, we’ll explore their key differences across multiple dimensions to help you make a confident, informed decision.
Material Composition
Acrylic Bathtub
Acrylic bathtubs are crafted from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a lightweight and flexible thermoplastic also known as acrylic. The material is vacuum-formed into shape and typically reinforced with fiberglass or resin backing for added strength and stability.
Thanks to its excellent moldability, acrylic allows for a wide range of designs—from sleek, freestanding tubs to space-saving corner installations. The surface is smooth, non-porous, and naturally warm to the touch, making it a favorite in modern bathroom design.
Ceramic Bathtub
Ceramic bathtubs are made by shaping and firing natural clay at high temperatures, then coating the surface with a glazed finish. The result is a dense, solid structure with a glass-like, reflective surface that’s resistant to stains and relatively easy to clean.
Ceramic is a traditional material known for its strength and timeless aesthetic. However, due to the nature of its manufacturing process, ceramic bathtubs are generally available in more conventional shapes and are significantly heavier than other types.
⚠️ Note: Many people mistakenly use the terms “ceramic” and “porcelain” interchangeably when talking about bathtubs. In reality, porcelain-enameled tubs are a completely different category. These tubs are usually made from cast iron or pressed steel and coated with a layer of porcelain enamel—a type of durable glass-like coating baked onto the surface.
For a detailed side-by-side comparison between acrylic and porcelain-enameled tubs, check out our dedicated article: Acrylic vs. Porcelain Tub
Durability & Longevity
Acrylic Bathtub
Acrylic bathtubs are known for their surprising resilience, largely due to their flexible, non-rigid composition. The acrylic shell—often reinforced with fiberglass—has a bit of "give," which allows it to absorb minor impacts without cracking. This makes it ideal for homes with children or where occasional bumps might occur.
However, acrylic is a softer material compared to ceramic or metal-based tubs. This softness means it’s more vulnerable to surface scratches, especially if abrasive cleaners, steel wool, or hard brushes are used. Over time, the glossy finish may become dull or discolored with improper care. Fortunately, most cosmetic damage is superficial and can be restored with polishing kits designed specifically for acrylic.
Ceramic Bathtub
Ceramic tubs are revered for their hard, dense composition and glass-like glazed surface, both of which contribute to their outstanding scratch resistance and gloss retention. When properly maintained, a ceramic bathtub can retain its elegant finish for decades with minimal visible wear.
However, ceramic’s strength is also its weakness. The material is inherently brittle, meaning that while it resists superficial scratches, it can be vulnerable to chipping or cracking under high-impact stress. Dropping a heavy object—like a metal shower caddy—can cause localized damage that’s difficult and costly to repair, often requiring professional intervention or full replacement.
Heat Retention & Bathing Comfort
Acrylic Bathtub
Acrylic bathtubs have a clear advantage in heat retention, and that’s largely due to the material’s low thermal conductivity. In simple terms, acrylic doesn’t steal warmth from your bathwater the way metal or denser ceramics might. When you fill the tub, the walls stay neutral or even slightly warm—never icy—enhancing your comfort from the moment you step in.
In addition to its inherent insulating properties, most acrylic tubs are built with a hollow-body construction, creating a layer of trapped air between the inner and outer shells. This air pocket works like natural insulation, slowing down heat loss and keeping water warm for longer—a valuable feature if you enjoy extended soaks or use your tub in colder climates.
📊 Tests show that in a standard acrylic tub, water temperature drops only about 15°C over 50 minutes, meaning your bath stays comfortably warm for nearly an hour without the need for refilling or reheating.
Ceramic Bathtub
Ceramic tubs, while dense and substantial, lack the insulation advantage of acrylic. The ceramic body is excellent at holding structural heat over time, but it absorbs warmth from the bathwater quickly at the beginning, especially when the room is cold. That means your tub might feel chilly when you first sit down, and unless your bathroom is already warm, heat can dissipate faster through the walls of the tub.
While the sheer mass of ceramic can eventually stabilize the water temperature during a soak, it takes longer to warm up, and doesn’t actively preserve heat the way an acrylic tub does.
Installation & Weight Considerations
Acrylic Bathtub
Acrylic is considered a lightweight material, and thanks to its hollow shell design, acrylic bathtubs usually weigh between 60 and 100 pounds. This not only makes them easier to handle and maneuver through tight staircases or narrow doorways, but also reduces the strain placed on your flooring system.
Because they are so light, a single contractor can often carry and install them without extra manpower or equipment. More importantly, they rarely require structural reinforcement of your bathroom floor, even in second-story installations—saving both time and thousands in renovation costs.
Ceramic Bathtub
Due to the material and craftsmanship, ceramic bathtubs are solid structures and have a higher density, so they are very heavy. A standard ceramic bathtub can weigh anywhere between 200 to 300 pounds, and that’s before adding water.
Such mass doesn’t just make the tub difficult to maneuver—it can easily exceed the safe load capacity of older or upstairs floors, requiring expensive structural reinforcement before installation. Even just moving the tub from curbside into your home can be a logistical headache.
📌 While most retailers offer "free shipping," this usually means curbside delivery only—your tub gets dropped off at your driveway or doorstep. Getting it into your bathroom, especially if stairs are involved, can require a specialized moving crew. These services often charge $400 to $600 or more, depending on staircase layout, floor level, and labor requirements.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Acrylic Bathtub
Acrylic bathtubs may look sleek and glossy, but their beauty comes with sensitivity. The acrylic surface is essentially a thermoformed plastic, which makes it prone to scratching, chemical erosion, and dulling over time.
This means you’ll need to use gentle, non-abrasive cleaners—think mild dish soap and a soft cloth. Harsh chemicals like bleach, ammonia, or abrasive pads can leave permanent marks or cloud the finish. Even essential oils from bath bombs can sometimes stain or react with the plastic if left unwashed.
Ceramic Bathtub
Ceramic bathtubs, on the other hand, come with a glass-like enamel coating that’s fired onto the clay at high temperatures, forming a hard, glossy, and chemically resistant surface. This non-porous glaze not only resists mildew and bacteria but also makes most grime, soap scum, and body oils easy to rinse away—often with just warm water and a sponge.
Even in hard water areas where mineral buildup is common, ceramic tubs can be cleaned effectively with vinegar or mild descaling products without worrying about scratching or dulling the surface.
Ending
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to choosing between an acrylic and ceramic bathtub. Each material offers distinct advantages that cater to different needs, styles, and budgets. Acrylic is light, affordable, and versatile—ideal for modern lifestyles and creative bathroom designs. Ceramic offers strength, elegance, and enduring quality—perfect for homeowners seeking a more permanent and classical solution.
Before making your final decision, take into account not just appearance, but also:
- Your daily bathing habits
- Household members’ needs (children, elderly, etc.)
- Long-term maintenance willingness
- Bathroom layout and floor strength
- Budget constraints vs. investment mindset
After all, the right bathtub isn't just a fixture—it’s a personal retreat. Make it count.
Further Reading: What is the Best Bathtub Material and How to Choose
