Check out the airjet tubs (Bain Ultra and Aquatic). They blow air to circulate the water and then blow plain air after the sensor detects that the tub is empty to make sure no water is left standing in the system. Another thing to consider w/a whirlpool type tub is that the water may get very cold while you sit. The Aquatic tubs have a line (HotSoak) that has a heater included that helps the water stay warmer. We're actually buying an Aquatic soaking tub with a heater (not for whirlpool) Here is a link that might be useful: Aquatic HotSoak Features

Our jetted tub was here when we moved in and seems to have been here a while, so I estimate it is at least 15 years old. The jets work fine and cleaning is easy. The previous owner told me to use a half a cup of dishwasher detergent and run the tub for 20 minutes with hot water to clean the jets and that has been all I need to do for them. I clean the inside of the tub by wiping as you would expect. We are looking to renovate our bathroom and want to fix the down sides to our tub with our next purchase. 1. The jets are loud. It bothers me but not my husband. I want soothing in a bath and they are jarring to me. They are great for mixing the water if it has been sitting a while and the top is hot and bottom cold. 2. The tub is acrylic and it slopes down from the inner edge heading to the wall tiles and seems to pull away from the caulk, making gaps due to the weight when the tub is full. I have tried caulking it with a full tub of water and letting it set that way, but that did not work either. I end up recaulking more than once a year and that is a royal pain. The area in the corner on the end by the faucet collects water after every shower and even as the water drips from the wall. It should be sloped the other way but isn't. 3. It does cool down but I do not see any insulation when I open the side panel so perhaps that was an installation issue. I think a heater may be a good feature to have to conserve on water. We have solar electric so would not feel too guilty using more power in that way. 4. The acrylic has not held up too well the past few years. There are some nicks in it and I do not know how they got there. We do not have the space for a longer tub but could do wider. I don't want super tall sides since I often rest my tablet on the side while in the tub and that stresses my shoulder. I also sometimes work on a laptop on a small table and have the same shoulder issue. As you can tell, I take long baths, lol. I'd love to hear about the sounds in the newer jetted tubs and the new air tubs. I'd also consider a plain tub with a heater if my issues with our current tub are inevitable. It would help if anyone went from a jetted to an air tub and can tell me the pros and cons. I think my hubby will want another jetted one but I am not sold on that idea. These are the early days of planning and I know I will be researching everything to death and reading old posts. Thanks for any advice you can share.

don't laugh but I had this same problem with a garage. I converted my one car garage to a game room/4th bedroom. It was to be my game/exercise room but my son moved back in... anyway..................... Then I thought to move. I asked the realator if I made an error and she told me what I'll tell you. It's a toss up. Half the people will like it and half won't. When you list the house for sale, those insisting on a tub will see in the listing that it doesn't have one. Same with my garage. Those people won't even come to see your house, so in that sense, only interested parties will. And like I am doing now, I had the same question to my contractor when adding my addition. He said "tubs, especially jetted ones and ones with big decks are phasing out". He said the trend is now big walk in showers. With that said, he said that if it was the only bathroom to have a tub, I might want to have a tub. Families with kids who might buy the house would want one. So if you have ONE tub at least somewhere in the house, I'd not worry too much. If not, then I'd suggest a smaller tub and nicer shower to make your life more comfortable and make you worry less

I'm 6-0 and find it comfortable. There is enough of an incline from top to bottom that allows you to lie back nicely. However, comfortable depends on how you like to sit in a tub. The inside dimension at the top of mine is about 5-7, and less of course at the bottom. You obviously can't lie completely flat on your back, but since you said you are looking for a tub that is 6' or smaller, I doubt you could find one where that would be possible unless it was close to straight sided, and that might not be comfortable to lean back against. When you have a tub with a certain maximum length at the top, increasing the lean decreases the effective length at the bottom where you sit. So you want some lean for comfort, but not too much. Do you live somewhere that has showrooms where you could at least eyeball different style/shape tubs, if not sit in them?