If you’re looking to source bathtubs for your business, your search inevitably leads to one global powerhouse: China. The question isn’t if you should consider China, but how to navigate its vast manufacturing landscape to find the perfect partner. As a specialist faucet manufacturer that supplies many of China’s top bathtub brands, we have a unique, ground-level view of this ecosystem.
China’s dominance isn’t just about cost anymore; it’s about unparalleled scale, rapid innovation, and a completely integrated supply chain. From high-tech acrylic forming to handcrafted wooden soaking tubs, the diversity and quality available are unmatched. This guide is your insider’s playbook, designed to help you understand the market, vet suppliers, and make strategic sourcing decisions that will elevate your business.
Last Updated: Feb 2026 | Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes
In This B2B Sourcing Guide, You’ll Discover:
- The strategic advantages that make China the world’s bathtub factory.
- A detailed breakdown of every major bathtub material, with pros and cons for your business.
- An exclusive list of the Top 10 Chinese bathtub suppliers and their specialties.
- A step-by-step playbook for finding and vetting your ideal manufacturing partner.
- How to source the perfect faucets that complement your chosen bathtubs.
Why China is the Global Hub for Bathtub Sourcing
For international buyers, sourcing from China offers a strategic advantage that goes far beyond simple price comparisons. It’s a mature, dynamic ecosystem built on three core pillars.
| Strategic Advantage | What This Means for Your Business |
|---|---|
| 1. Manufacturing Clusters & Scale | China has specific industrial zones (e.g., Foshan in Guangdong, Taizhou in Zhejiang) dedicated to sanitary ware. This creates intense competition, drives innovation, and lowers costs through shared resources and expertise. You get access to massive production capacity. |
| 2. Complete & Integrated Supply Chain | The bathtub factory is just one piece. The entire ecosystem—from raw material suppliers (acrylic sheets, resins) to component manufacturers (drains, jets, and faucets like ours at SpringFaucet) is co-located. This speeds up production and simplifies logistics for you. |
| 3. Unmatched Customization (OEM/ODM) | The vast majority of Chinese manufacturers have robust OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) and ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) capabilities. You can provide your own design or work with their R&D teams to create exclusive products for your market. |
A Deep Dive into Bathtub Materials: A Buyer’s Guide
Choosing the right material is the most critical decision you’ll make. It impacts cost, durability, aesthetics, and shipping weight. Here’s a breakdown from a manufacturer’s perspective.
1. Acrylic
- What It Is: Acrylic bathtubs are formed from a single sheet of vacuum-formed acrylic, reinforced with fiberglass and resin on the underside. This is the most popular material on the market today.
- Key Features: Lightweight, warm to the touch, non-porous, excellent heat retention. Available in a vast array of shapes and sizes.
- Pros for Your Business: High perceived value, excellent design flexibility (OEM/ODM friendly), cost-effective to manufacture and ship.
- Cons for Your Business: Can be scratched if abrasive cleaners are used (though easily repaired). Quality varies significantly based on the acrylic sheet’s thickness and purity.
- Typical Use: The workhorse of the industry. Perfect for residential projects, hotels, and retail showrooms.
2. Wooden Bathtubs (Teak, Cedar)
- What It Is: Artisanal tubs crafted from naturally water-resistant woods like Teak or Cedar. Often associated with Japanese soaking styles (Ofuro).
- Key Features: Stunning natural beauty, unique spa-like experience, excellent heat insulation.
- Pros for Your Business: High-margin, premium niche product. Appeals to luxury, wellness, and eco-conscious markets.
- Cons for Your Business: Higher material and labor cost, requires regular maintenance by the end-user, longer production lead times.
- Typical Use: Luxury homes, boutique hotels, spas, and wellness centers.
Expert Tip: When sourcing wooden tubs, inquire about the wood’s origin and drying process. Properly kiln-dried wood is essential to prevent cracking and warping.
3. Metal Bathtubs (Stainless Steel, Copper/Brass)
- What It Is: High-end, statement pieces made from metals. Stainless steel offers a modern, industrial look, while copper and brass provide a classic, luxurious aesthetic.
- Key Features: Exceptionally durable, visually stunning, can be a room’s centerpiece.
- Pros for Your Business: Extremely high-end, bespoke product category with very high profit margins.
- Cons for Your Business: Very expensive to produce, extremely heavy (high shipping costs), requires specialized manufacturing expertise.
- Typical Use: Ultra-luxury residences, high-end hospitality projects, and designer showrooms.
4. ABS Plastic
- What It Is: A lower-cost alternative to acrylic. It’s another thermoplastic sheet that is vacuum-formed to create the tub shell.
- Key Features: Very lightweight and inexpensive.
- Pros for Your Business: Lowest price point, ideal for budget-sensitive projects or entry-level product lines.
- Cons for Your Business: Lower durability and perceived quality than acrylic. More prone to discoloration and flexing.
- Typical Use: Mobile homes, budget motels, and temporary housing projects.
Material Comparison at a Glance
| Material | Cost | Durability | Weight | Design Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic | Med | High | Low | Very High |
| Wood | High | Med | Med | Med |
| Stainless Steel | Very High | Very High | High | Low |
| Copper/Brass | Very High | Very High | High | Med |
| ABS Plastic | Low | Low | Very Low | High |
China’s Top 10 Bathtub Suppliers (An Insider’s List)
This list includes a mix of massive international brands with Chinese manufacturing bases and powerful domestic brands that are major global players. We know these companies well, as we often partner with them to supply the perfect faucets for their tubs.
| Brand Name | Main Products | Recommended For | Website | Key Factory Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. KOHLER | Full suite of sanitary ware, including high-end acrylic & cast iron tubs. | Buyers seeking a globally recognized brand with premium positioning. | kohler.com | Foshan, Guangdong |
| 2. T&W | Specialist in freestanding acrylic bathtubs and solid surface tubs. | Buyers focused on modern, design-forward freestanding tubs. Excellent ODM partner. | twbathtub.com | Foshan, Guangdong |
| 3. ARROW | Broad range of sanitary ware, including smart toilets and acrylic tubs. | Buyers looking for mid-range products with smart-home features. | arrowkitchens.com | Foshan, Guangdong |
| 4. TOTO | Premier Japanese brand with significant manufacturing in China. | Buyers targeting the high-end market with a focus on Japanese quality and design. | toto.com.cn | Beijing, Shanghai |
| 5. APPOLLO | Specializes in hydromassage tubs, steam rooms, and smart tubs. | Buyers focused on the wellness and hydrotherapy market segment. | appollobath.com | Guangzhou, Guangdong |
| 6. FAENZA | Stylish, design-oriented sanitary ware, strong in freestanding acrylic tubs. | Buyers seeking Italian-inspired designs and a strong brand presence in Asia. | faenza.com.cn | Foshan, Guangdong |
| 7. ORANS | Focus on steam cabins, massage bathtubs, and intelligent toilets. | Similar to Appollo, a strong choice for the wellness and spa product category. | orans.com | Taizhou, Zhejiang |
| 8. SSWW | One of China’s largest sanitary ware manufacturers with a huge product range. | Buyers looking for a one-stop-shop for large-scale, mixed-product projects. | ssww.com | Foshan, Guangdong |
| 9. HUIDA | Major producer of ceramics and acrylic bathtubs for all market levels. | Buyers needing a high-volume supplier for large residential developments. | huidagroup.com | Tangshan, Hebei |
| 10. JOMOO | Leading Chinese brand with a strong focus on kitchen & bath hardware and tubs. | Buyers looking for a complete kitchen and bath solution from a single brand. | jomoogroup.com | Xiamen, Fujian |
Don’t Forget the Faucets!
When you order hundreds of stunning freestanding bathtubs, you need the perfect faucets to match. That’s our specialty. As an OEM/ODM faucet manufacturer, SpringFaucet works with brands like these to create faucets that perfectly complement their tubs in style, finish, and quality. Our Freestanding Bathtub Faucets, popular in markets worldwide, are engineered to pair seamlessly with the best tubs coming out of China.
How to Find and Vet Your Ideal Bathtub Manufacturer: A 5-Step Playbook
Finding a name is easy. Finding a reliable partner requires due diligence. Here is our recommended process for professional buyers.
Step 1: Online B2B Platforms Start your search on platforms like Alibaba, Made-in-China.com, and Global Sources. Use specific keywords like “freestanding acrylic bathtub OEM” or “solid surface bathtub manufacturer.” This will give you a broad list of potential suppliers.
Step 2: Trade Fairs & Exhibitions This is the single most effective way to meet suppliers. Attend major industry events like the Canton Fair (Guangzhou) and the Kitchen & Bath China (KBC) fair (Shanghai). You can inspect products, meet the sales teams, and gauge their professionalism in person.
Step 3: Deep-Dive on the Internet Once you have a shortlist, go deeper. Scrutinize their company website. Is it professional? Do they show their factory? Look for certifications like ISO 9001 (Quality Management). Search for reviews or mentions in industry forums.
Step 4: Recommendations & Referrals Leverage your network. Ask freight forwarders, sourcing agents, or complementary suppliers (like a faucet manufacturer!) for recommendations. An insider’s referral is incredibly valuable.
Step 5: The Crucial Factory Visit For any significant order, a factory visit is non-negotiable. It allows you to:
- Assess their real production capacity and quality control processes.
- Meet the engineers and management team.
- Build a personal relationship, which is vital for long-term business in China.
Pro Tip: During a factory visit, don’t just look at the showroom. Ask to see the raw material warehouse and the production line. The quality of their raw acrylic sheets or the organization of their assembly line tells you everything about their commitment to quality.
Conclusion: Building a Profitable Partnership
Sourcing bathtubs from China is a strategic business decision that can unlock tremendous growth, innovation, and profitability. By understanding the core strengths of the Chinese manufacturing industry, selecting the right materials for your target market, and following a rigorous vetting process, you can build a reliable and lucrative supply chain.
Remember that a bathtub is incomplete without its faucet. As you build relationships with top-tier tub suppliers, consider partnering with a specialist faucet manufacturer like SpringFaucet. We provide the OEM/ODM flexibility and product quality to ensure every bathtub you sell is perfectly complemented by a beautiful, reliable faucet. This integrated approach is the key to delivering a complete, high-quality solution to your customers and winning in a competitive market.
Recommended Links
Internal Links:
- The Ultimate Guide to SUS304 Stainless Steel Faucets
- Freestanding Tub Faucets: A Complete Buyer’s Guide
- How to Choose a Bathtub?
External Links (Authoritative Sources):
- Canton Fair Official Website – The largest trade fair in China, essential for sourcing.
- Kitchen & Bath China (KBC) Official Website – Asia’s leading trade fair for the kitchen and bath industry.
- ISO 9001 Quality Management – Information on the quality certification you should look for in a supplier.