Tub vs. Basin — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
Tub is typically a large, deep container used for bathing, whereas a basin is a shallow bowl used primarily for washing.
Difference Between Tub and Basin
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A tub, often found in bathrooms, is designed to hold water for bathing, with features like drains and sometimes jets. Basins, on the other hand, are usually smaller and shallower than tubs, primarily used for washing hands or small objects.
Tubs are usually equipped to accommodate one or more persons lying down, making them ideal for soaking and relaxing. Basins, whereas, are generally not designed for full-body immersion and serve more utilitarian purposes in personal and public washrooms.
The material construction of tubs often includes acrylic, porcelain, or fiberglass, which supports their durability and heavy water capacity. Basins are typically made from materials like ceramic or metal, focusing on ease of cleaning and resistance to frequent use.
From a design perspective, tubs can be standalone fixtures like claw-foot tubs or integrated into a bathroom setup as part of a shower combination. Basins, on the other hand, are commonly installed as part of a vanity or countertop, often accompanied by mirrors and storage.
In terms of plumbing, tubs require a more complex setup with both hot and cold water supply lines and a sturdy drainage system due to the larger volume of water. Basins utilize simpler plumbing systems, usually with a single drain and sometimes fewer water supply lines.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Bathing and soaking
Washing hands, face, or small objects
Size
Large and deep
Smaller and shallower
Installation
Standalone or part of shower systems
Part of a vanity or countertop
Material
Acrylic, porcelain, fiberglass
Ceramic, metal, sometimes stone
Water Capacity
High (hundreds of liters)
Low (liters to tens of liters)
Compare with Definitions
Tub
A large container filled with water for bathing.
She relaxed in the tub after a long day.
Basin
A bowl for holding water, often found in bathrooms.
She washed her hands in the basin.
Tub
A fixed bath fixture often designed for relaxation.
The modern bathroom features a spacious tub with jets.
Basin
Part of bathroom furniture integrated with a water supply.
Their new bathroom basin is made of polished stone.
Tub
A vessel primarily used for personal hygiene.
He installed a new tub in his bathroom renovation.
Basin
A fixture commonly used for face and hand hygiene.
The children splashed water around the basin while brushing their teeth.
Tub
A receptacle for water immersion, possibly therapeutic.
The spa's tub is equipped with hydrotherapy features.
Basin
A shallow vessel with a water drainage system.
The basin in the park's restroom is designed for quick rinses.
Tub
A basin in which one bathes, usually filling with tap water.
The old claw-foot tub adds a vintage touch to their decor.
Basin
A receptacle used for washing smaller items.
He cleaned his glasses in the basin.
Tub
A wide, open, deep, typically round container with a flat bottom used for holding liquids, growing plants, etc.
A rainwater tub
Basin
A bowl for washing, typically attached to a wall and having taps connected to a water supply; a washbasin.
Tub
A short, broad boat that handles awkwardly
The old tub's in need of a refit
Basin
A wide open container used for preparing food or for holding liquid
She poured water from the jug into the basin
Tub
Plant in a tub
Tubbed fruit trees
Basin
A circular or oval valley or natural depression on the earth's surface, especially one containing water
The loch is cupped in a shallow basin among low hills
Tub
Wash or bathe in or as in a tub or bath
Even your formal evening gown can be tubbed
Basin
An open, shallow, usually round container used especially for holding liquids.
Tub
An open, flat-bottomed vessel, usually round and typically wider than it is deep, used for washing, packing, or storing.
Basin
The amount that such a vessel can hold.
Tub
The amount that such a vessel can hold.
Basin
A washbowl; a sink.
Tub
The contents of such a vessel.
Basin
A body of water that is connected to the sea and is partially or almost completely enclosed by land.
Tub
A bathtub.
Basin
A small body of water that is artificially enclosed.
Tub
(Informal) A bath taken in a bathtub.
Basin
See watershed.
Tub
(Informal) A wide, clumsy, slow-moving boat.
Basin
A broad tract of land in which the rock strata are tilted toward a common center.
Tub
A bucket used for conveying ore or coal up a mine shaft.
Basin
A large, bowl-shaped depression in the surface of the land or ocean floor.
Tub
A coal car used in a mine.
Basin
A wide bowl for washing, sometimes affixed to a wall.
Tub
To pack or store in a tub.
Basin
(obsolete) A shallow bowl used for a single serving of a drink or liquidy food.
Tub
To wash or bathe in a tub.
Basin
A depression, natural or artificial, containing water.
Tub
To take a bath.
Basin
(geography) An area of land from which water drains into a common outlet; drainage basin.
Tub
A flat-bottomed vessel, of width similar to or greater than its height, used for storing or packing things, or for washing things in.
He bought a tub of lard to roast the potatoes in.
Basin
(geography) A shallow depression in a rock formation, such as an area of down-folded rock that has accumulated a thick layer of sediments, or an area scooped out by water erosion.
Tub
The contents or capacity of such a vessel.
She added a tub of margarine to the stew.
Basin
To create a concavity or depression in.
Tub
A bathtub.
Basin
To serve as or become a basin.
Tub
A slow-moving craft.
Basin
To shelter or enclose in a basin.
Tub
Any structure shaped like a tub, such as a certain old form of pulpit, a short broad boat, etc.
Basin
A hollow vessel or dish, to hold water for washing, and for various other uses.
Tub
A small cask.
A tub of gin
Basin
The quantity contained in a basin.
Tub
Any of various historically designated quantities of goods to be sold by the tub (butter, oysters, etc).
Basin
A hollow vessel, of various forms and materials, used in the arts or manufactures, as that used by glass grinders for forming concave glasses, by hatters for molding a hat into shape, etc.
Tub
(mining) A box or bucket in which coal or ore is sent up a shaft.
Basin
A hollow place containing water, as a pond, a dock for ships, a little bay.
Tub
(obsolete) A sweating in a tub; a tub fast.
Basin
A circular or oval valley, or depression of the surface of the ground, the lowest part of which is generally occupied by a lake, or traversed by a river.
Tub
(slang) A corpulent or obese person.
Basin
An isolated or circumscribed formation, particularly where the strata dip inward, on all sides, toward a center; - especially applied to the coal formations, called coal basins or coal fields.
Tub
(transitive) To plant, set, or store in a tub.
To tub a plant
Basin
A bowl-shaped vessel; usually used for holding food or liquids;
She mixed the dough in a large basin
Tub
(ambitransitive) To bathe in a tub.
Basin
The quantity that a basin will hold;
A basinful of water
Tub
An open wooden vessel formed with staves, bottom, and hoops; a kind of short cask, half barrel, or firkin, usually with but one head, - used for various purposes.
Basin
A natural depression in the surface of the land often with a lake at the bottom of it;
The basin of the Great Salt Lake
Tub
The amount which a tub contains, as a measure of quantity; as, a tub of butter; a tub of camphor, which is about 1 cwt., etc.
Basin
The entire geographical area drained by a river and its tributaries;
Flood control in the Missouri basin
Tub
Any structure shaped like a tub: as, a certain old form of pulpit; a short, broad boat, etc., - often used jocosely or opprobriously.
All being took up and busied, some in pulpits and some in tubs, in the grand work of preaching and holding forth.
Basin
A bathroom or lavatory sink that is permanently installed and connected to a water supply and drainpipe; where you wash your hands and face;
He ran some water in the basin and splashed it on his face
Tub
A sweating in a tub; a tub fast.
Tub
A small cask; as, a tub of gin.
Tub
A box or bucket in which coal or ore is sent up a shaft; - so called by miners.
Tub
To plant or set in a tub; as, to tub a plant.
Tub
To make use of a bathing tub; to lie or be in a bath; to bathe.
Don't we all tub in England ?
Tub
A relatively large open container that you fill with water and use to wash the body
Tub
A large open vessel for holding or storing liquids
Tub
The amount that a tub will hold;
A tub of water
Common Curiosities
What is a basin used for?
A basin is used for washing hands, face, or small items, typically within a bathroom setting.
Can a basin be used for bathing?
Basins are generally not suitable for bathing due to their size and shape.
Do basins come with storage options?
Many basins are part of vanities that include storage options under or around the fixture.
Are tubs more expensive than basins?
Generally, tubs are more expensive than basins due to their larger size and the materials used.
What is a tub used for?
A tub is primarily used for bathing and relaxing in a large amount of water.
What are common materials for basins?
Basins are commonly made from ceramics, metals, or sometimes stone.
What types of materials are tubs made from?
Tubs can be made from materials such as acrylic, porcelain, and fiberglass.
How do I clean a tub?
Tubs should be cleaned with non-abrasive cleaners and soft cloths to avoid scratching the surface.
How much water does a basin hold?
Basins generally hold much less water, usually around 5 to 30 liters.
Are there different styles of tubs and basins?
Both tubs and basins come in various styles, including modern, traditional, and transitional designs.
How do I maintain a basin?
Regular cleaning with gentle detergents and soft sponges is recommended for basins.
What is the average capacity of a tub?
The average tub can hold from 150 to 250 liters of water.
Is it difficult to install a basin?
Basin installation can be straightforward but typically requires some plumbing knowledge or a professional.
Which is better for small bathrooms, a tub or a basin?
For small bathrooms, a basin is more practical due to its smaller footprint.
Can tubs be part of a shower?
Yes, many bathrooms feature tubs that are integrated with shower systems.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
