The 7 Common Types of Bathtub Drain Stoppers

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.

Read on to learn the common styles of bathtub drain stoppers, including some basics on installing a drain stopper, and how to help you identify yours.

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

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

01 of 07

Lift-and-Turn

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 screw into the threaded center of the drain crossbar. Removing a lift-and-turn stopper can be difficult if it is over-tightened. Overall, though, this is an inexpensive and simple design that rarely needs attention other than ridding the drain of hair and debris.
02 of 07

Push-and-Pull

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Best for: Most bathtubs

A push-and-pull stopper is pushed down to close it and pulled up to open it. The stopper body is attached to the drain with a screw found under the cap of the stopper.

A push-and-pull stopper is an inexpensive and simple mechanical design that rarely requires much repair.
03 of 07

Toe-Touch

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Best for: Most bathtubs and for users who have difficulty reaching down

A toe-touch stopper is closed and opened by pushing it down with your toe.

A toe-touch stopper uses a spring-loaded design, and the stopper body is held in place to the crossbar on the drain fitting with a screw underneath its cap.

This stopper is inexpensive and relatively trouble-free. However, the spring mechanism eventually wears out with use.
04 of 07

Flip-It

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Best for: Bathtubs without drain strainers

A flip-it tub stopper's lever moves side to side to close and open the drain. Rubber or silicone O-rings underneath move to create or release a watertight seal.

This stopper is inexpensive and easily installed with no tools. To install it, simply push it into the drain. Though relatively low-maintenance, the O-rings will wear out and need replacing.

Continue to 5 of 7 below
05 of 07

Trip-Lever

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Best for: Most bathtubs

The trip-lever stopper opens and closes by flipping a lever on the overflow drain. It's one of few bathtub stoppers that remain flat on the tub's floor. There is no visible pop-up stopper in the drain opening—just a strainer.

This drain stopper is relatively inexpensive, though installation and maintenance can be complicated. It 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

The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto

Best for: Most bathtubs

Much like a bathroom sink pop-up stopper, a bathtub pop-up stopper is operated by a lever on the overflow drain. When the lever is moved, an internal rod moves the pop-up stopper up or down.

A tub pop-up stopper is inexpensive, though installation and maintenance can be complicated. To clean the stopper, the stopper and rocker arm must be removed through the drain opening, and the connecting rod linkage must be extracted. The complexity of the mechanism makes it difficult to fix. Also, this stopper type tends to collect hair and debris.
07 of 07

Removable Bathtub Drain Stoppers

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Best for: Easy installation

StopShrooms are removable drain stoppers that fit sink, tub, or shower drains. The name comes from their vaguely mushroom-like shape. They wedge tightly into drains, catching hair and other debris. When needed, the user can easily pull out the StopShroom, remove the hair, and then replace it.

Flat vinyl tub stoppers, available for $2 to $4, work great but only for drains that don't have pop-ups or obstructions. Dome-shaped TubShrooms bridge obstructions.

These simple drain stoppers are affordable and get the job done quickly. StopShrooms and other silicone stoppers from this brand come in white, black, blue, and green.

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.

If you're replacing an existing stopper, you can substitute one drain stopper type for another, 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 without a lever. However, adding a lever drain stopper requires more substantial plumbing work due to the connection with the overflow pipe.

When choosing a drain stopper, consider ease of use. 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 bathtub's brand online to find its common drain sizes or call the manufacturer directly for those specifications.

FAQ

How do you identify your drain stopper?

You can identify your drain stopper by the way it opens and closes. For example, a trip-lever stopper has a lever on the overflow drain that flips up and down to open or close the drain.
Can you repair a pop-up bathtub drain stopper?

To repair a pop-up stopper with a lever on the overflow drain, the stopper and rocker arm must be removed through the drain opening, along with the connecting rod linkage.
Do bathtub drain threads differ by the type of tub?

Bathtub drain threads differ by tub type. Bathtub drain flanges have either fine or coarse threads. A universal drain flange that fits either fine or coarse threads can be purchased.