The Bain Ultra tubs (and I would think most airbubble tubs) are very low maintenance unlike many whirlpool tubs that need monthly cleansing cycles. Resale-wise I think alot of people are looking for a master bath with a tub that does something therapeutic, so I don't think it matters if it's air or whirlpool. If you're not worried about resale, I would say do what you feel is right for your lifestyle. Having the air gives you the choice of using the tub as a soaker or as a therapeutic option if your back is hurting, you've pulled a muscle, etc. With the soaker, soaking is the only option you have. I personally, like to leave my options open. Just my $0.02.

I have a Bain Ultra air tub. It's 7 years old. No problems so far. I have the motor installed in a closet in front of the tub. I can't hear the motor over the noise from the bubbles. Yes, the water does cool faster than a heated water jetted tub. MY air tub doesn't have an in-line heater but some do. The ambient air temp also affects how quickly the water will cool down. Having lived with one for 7 years and using it 95% of the time, I would definitely buy it again. IF I'm still using the jets when I start to feel a drop in water temp and want to use the jets longer, I will either add hot water or drain some water and then add some more hot. But that's rare. Bain Ultra says one way to increase the longevity of hot water is to run the jets for a few/several minutes before filling with water. I've never done this. I chose air over water jetted because of the filth in water jetted pipes, maintenance, possibility of leakage. Also I have Fibro Mylagia and the force of water jets have hurt me in the past. The air jets in my BU are plenty for my all over body aches and lower back. It's a life saver! I can get in the tub feeling like an 80 year old cripple and get out feeling like a spring chicken :) ps...I'm not positive on these numbers but it's close. The BU motor has a 5 or 7 year warranty. The tub it's self was 15 or 20 years.

Yes, quite loud, especially in the tub. But lovely.

We are finally remodeling our early 80's master bathroom and replacing the giant garden tub with a nice, big shower. I love to take baths so am trying very hard to find a great tub to fit where the shower was, which is a space of 60" x 38". I'm only 5' tall so a 60" tub should work fine. Hubby is 6' 4" but he's a shower person and doesn't really care about the tub. I would love to have a bubbly, massaging tub and I love massages and gadgetry so I'm oohing and ahhing over chromatherapy, aromatherapy, and any other kind of therapy they offer. We are having to do a mold and mildew remediation of current bath due to an old shower leak so the last thing I want to deal with in the future is anything moldy, etc. (I've got allergies too) I've read that whirlpools can trap water in the lines/jets and that air tubs don't. I've read air tubs push cold water through the jets and the heaters don't work well so your bath gets cold fast. I've also read mixed reviews about air jets being on the sides vs. bottom of the tub and what that feels like. I want to be able to use bath salts and I've read you can do that with an air tub but not a whirlpool. The access panel must be located behind the backrest because of the configuration of our space. The demo is already done on our bathroom and I need to make a decision quickly. I haven't found any Houston, TX area showrooms that had any of the tubs I've seen online, but I've only gone to a couple. I just want a nice, hot, massaging bath using bath salts and soaking up to my neck and my head is spinning from all of my online research. Does anyone have any experiences or recommendations to share??