Home Improvement Bathroom Remodel & Repair

The 7 Common Types of Bathtub Drain Stoppers

By
Aaron Stickley
Aaron Stickley

Aaron Stickley is a licensed plumber with 15 years of experience in commercial, new residential plumbing, and residential service and repair. He started his own residential service and repair plumbing business. Aaron's articles about plumbing on The Spruce span four years.

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Updated on 08/24/23
Reviewed by
Richard Epstein
Richard Epstein
Reviewed by Richard Epstein
Richard Epstein is a licensed master plumber with over 40 years experience in residential and commercial plumbing. He specializes in estimating as well as design and engineering for plumbing systems, and he works for one of New York's largest union plumbing construction companies.
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Fact checked by Alexandra Kay
types of drain stoppers

The Spruce / Kelly Miller

Although they all serve the same purpose—to keep water in the bathtub when desired and allow the tub to be emptied again—there are several different styles of bathtub drain stoppers. The most common bathtub drain stoppers are lift-and-turn, push-and-pull, pop-up, toe-touch, flip-it, and trip lever.

Knowing the similarities and differences among the types is necessary when it comes time to fix your drain stopper or choose a new one. Some kinds of drain stoppers can make it rather tricky to unclog the drain due to hair and debris. Below, we'll break down the ins and outs of common styles of bathtub drain stoppers, including some basics on installing a drain stopper, and how to help you identify yours.

You can also choose a removable bathtub drain stopper like a StopShroom, which can be placed in the drain only when you need to fill the tub.

Types Pros Cons
Lift-and-Turn Durable and inexpensive Can be tricky to remove
Push-and-Pull Durable and inexpensive Can be tricky to remove
Toe-Touch Easy to use without bending over Spring will eventually wear out
Flip-It Inexpensive and easy to install O-rings will eventually wear out
Trip-Lever Don't have to reach down to the drain to adjust the stopper Installation and upkeep can be tricky
Pop-Up Don't have to reach down to the drain to adjust the stopper Installation and upkeep can be tricky
Removable Drain Stopper Easy to install and remove May not fit all drains
The 11 Best Bathtubs of 2024
3:41

Watch Now: How to Remove and Clean Different Types of Tub Drain Stoppers

  • 01 of 07

    Lift-and-Turn

    lift and turn tub stopper

    The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

    • Best for: Most bathtubs

    A lift-and-turn drain stopper has a small knob on the cap, which is used to twist the stopper open and closed. It's closed by turning the knob until it goes down and opens by lifting and turning the knob in the opposite direction.

    This type of stopper is installed by screwing a center setscrew into the threaded center of the drain crossbar. The setscrew is found beneath the top cap of the stopper. Removing a lift-and-turn stopper can be tricky if it was overtightened when first installed or hasn't been removed in some time. But overall, this is a durable, inexpensive, and simple design that rarely needs attention other than occasionally pulling the plug to rid the drain of hair and debris.

  • 02 of 07

    Push-and-Pull

    push and pull stopper

    The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

    • Best for: Most bathtubs

    A push-and-pull stopper is similar to a lift-and-turn stopper in design and look, but it is pushed down to close and pulled up to open rather than twisted. Installation is also similar, with the stopper body attached to the drain with a setscrew found under the cap of the stopper.

    Like the lift-and-turn stopper, this also is an inexpensive and simple mechanical design that rarely requires much repair. Over time, it will wear out based on use.

  • 03 of 07

    Toe-Touch

    toe touch stopper

    The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto 

    • Best for: Most bathtubs

    A toe-touch stopper (also called a toe-tap or foot-actuated) is closely related to the lift-and-turn and push-and-pull stoppers in look and function. This type uses a spring-loaded design, and the stopper body is held in place to the crossbar on the drain fitting via a screw underneath its cap. To close or open the stopper, you push it down with your toe—a perk as you don't have to bend over to handle it.

    Like the preceding stopper types, this one is inexpensive and relatively trouble-free. However, the spring mechanism eventually will wear out based on use.

  • 04 of 07

    Flip-It

    flip it tub stopper

    The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto 

    • Best for: Bathtubs without drain strainers

    A flip-it tub stopper features a toggle lever attached to its top that's moved side to side to close and open the drain. The lever moves O-rings underneath to create or release a watertight seal on the drain.

    This stopper is inexpensive and easily installed with no tools. To install it, you push it into the drain. The drain can't have a built-in strainer in the way. The stopper is relatively low-maintenance, though eventually, the O-rings will wear out and need replacing.

    Continue to 5 of 7 below
  • 05 of 07

    Trip-Lever

    trip lever stopper

    The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

    • Best for: Most bathtubs

    The trip-lever stopper is one of two types featuring a lever on the overflow plate at the front of the tub. There is no visible pop-up stopper in the drain opening for this type—just a strainer. It is relatively inexpensive, though installation and maintenance can be complicated.

    This stopper uses a plunger in the tub overflow pipe, which moves up and down to close and open the drain pipe. The plunger is connected to the trip lever via a rod inside the overflow tube. When the trip lever is down, the plunger is lifted, and the drain is open; when the trip lever is up, the plunger is forced down, and the drain is closed. A variation does not use a lever but rather a twist cover on the overflow plate that rotates to raise and lower the plunger.

    Tip

    This stopper type is somewhat tricky to remove for cleaning. It must be extracted by pulling it up through the overflow tube and out of the overflow plate.

  • 06 of 07

    Pop-Up

    pop-up drain stopper

    The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto 

    • Best for: Most bathtubs

    The drain part of a pop-up stopper looks very much like a bathroom sink pop-up. It is operated by the same lever on the overflow plate as the trip-lever stopper. When the lever moves, the connecting rod linkage in the overflow drainpipe pivots a rocker arm that connects to the pop-up stopper. At the bottom end of the connecting rod is a spring that presses down against the rocker arm to operate the stopper.

    Like the trip-lever stopper, this type is relatively inexpensive, though installation and maintenance can be complicated. To clean, the stopper and rocker arm must be extracted through the drain opening, and the connecting rod linkage must be extracted up through the overflow pipe and out through the overflow plate. Moreover, the complexity of the mechanism makes this stopper type susceptible to collecting hair and debris.

  • 07 of 07

    Removable Bathtub Drain Stoppers

    Flip-it drain stopper twisted out of drain hole

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

    • Best for: Easy installation

    There are many types of removable drain plugs. A New York-based company makes two types of StopShroom and StopShroom Plugs that are easy to install and remove without requiring any tools or hiring a plumber. StopShroom plugs come in various sizes, but their disadvantage is they may not fit all non-standard-sized drains.

    The StopShroom plug fits virtually any 2-inch or smaller tub or sink drain. The StopShroom model accommodates larger drains, covering drains up to 4 inches wide. These simple drain stoppers are affordable but may not aesthetically appeal to everyone since they only come in a few limited colors: white, black, blue, and green in silicone.

Choosing a Bathtub Drain Stopper

Some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a bathtub drain stopper include cost, ease of installation, and ease of maintenance. For instance, if you're looking for a durable stopper that you can install with basic plumbing skills, you might want to use a lift-and-turn or push-and-pull model.

It's possible to substitute one drain stopper type for another if you're replacing an existing stopper, which can broaden your choices. For example, lift-and-turn and push-and-pull stoppers are simple to swap for one another, as their installation is similar. It's relatively easy to exchange a lever design for one sans lever. However, adding a lever drain stopper requires more substantial plumbing work due to the connection with the overflow pipe.

You'll also want to consider ease of use when choosing a drain stopper. For example, some people prefer a toe-touch stopper because they can open and close it without bending over. Finally, you'll have to consider what your drain can accommodate. A flip-it stopper, for instance, cannot be plugged into drains with built-in strainers.

How to Measure for a New Bathtub Drain Stopper

Each bathtub drain stopper comes in multiple sizes, and it's essential to purchase the correct size once you've determined the stopper you want or need. Most bathtub drains are 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, although some may vary and may not be a conventional size.

To measure the drain, use a measuring tape or ruler to measure the length of the plunger on the drain stopper. You can also remove the drain cover or stopper by unscrewing it and measuring the size of the hole in the tub. Another method is to look up the brand of the bathtub online to find its common drain sizes or call the manufacturer directly for those specifications.