A handful of bath salts or a fizzing bath bomb is the simplest way to turn a bath into a spa night. Salts are the quiet, practical choice: inexpensive, unscented or gently scented, and easy to use every week. Bath bombs are the treat: colour, fizz, a bolder scent and often a little skin-softening butter.
We looked for well-reviewed, widely available options in both camps: everyday Epsom soaks, a magnesium-flake alternative, mineral salts from the Dead Sea, and bath bomb sets for gifting, for him and for kids’ parties.
Best bath saltsDr Teal's Epsom Salt Soak with Lavender (3 lb)Check price
Check price
Best bath bomb setLifeAround2Angels Bath Bombs Gift Set (12)Check price
Best value setINTEYE Bath Bomb Set (24)Check price
Dr Teal's Epsom Salt Soak with Lavender (3 lb)
For: a lightly scented weekly soak
- TypeEpsom salt
- ScentLavender
- Size3 lb bag
The best-known scented Epsom soak in US drugstores: a 3 lb bag of Epsom salt with lavender, among the most-reviewed and highest-rated bath soaks on Amazon.
What we like
- Very widely reviewed
- Gentle, familiar lavender scent
- Inexpensive per bath
Watch out for
- Scented; choose plain Epsom for sensitive skin
- Bag, not a jar
Amazon Essentials Lavender Epsom Salt Soaking Aid (3 lb)
For: the lowest cost per bath
- TypeEpsom salt
- ScentLavender
- Size3 lb
A plain-label lavender Epsom soak with tens of thousands of reviews and a high average rating, at one of the lowest prices per bath we found.
What we like
- Very low cost per soak
- Strong owner ratings
- Also sold in multipacks
Watch out for
- No-frills packaging; not a gift
- Scented
LifeAround2Angels Bath Bombs Gift Set (12)
For: a dozen different scents, individually wrapped
- Count12 bath bombs
- ButtersShea and cocoa
- WrappedIndividually
Twelve handmade bath bombs in twelve different scents, each individually wrapped, made in California per the maker. It is among the most-reviewed bath bomb sets on Amazon with a very high average rating, and owners often mention that it does not stain the tub.
What we like
- A month of baths in one box
- Variety of scents to try
- Very strong owner ratings
Watch out for
- Needs a bathtub
- Butters can leave the tub slippery; rinse after
INTEYE Bath Bomb Set (24)
For: a big box to share or keep
- Count24 bath bombs
- Per the listingEssential oils
- UseGift or stock-up
Twenty-four bath bombs in one box, widely reviewed and well rated. A good-value way to keep a bath bomb on hand for every spa night.
What we like
- Lots of bath bombs for the price
- Widely reviewed
- Easy to split as gifts
Watch out for
- Smaller bombs than the XXL sets
- Many scents; some won't be favourites
Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes (1.65 lb)
For: people who prefer magnesium chloride flakes
- TypeMagnesium chloride flakes
- ScentUnscented
- Size1.65 lb
Sold as an alternative to Epsom salt, these are magnesium chloride flakes rather than magnesium sulfate. Unscented, so they suit sensitive noses, and very well rated by owners.
What we like
- Unscented
- Very high owner ratings
- A different feel from Epsom salt
Watch out for
- Costs more per bath
- Ignore marketing claims about absorption; enjoy it as a soak
Ultra Bubble XXL Bath Bombs with Dead Sea Salt (6 x 4.1 oz)
For: big, bubbly bath bombs
- Count6 XXL bombs
- Size4.1 oz each
- Per the listingDead Sea salt, cocoa and shea
Six large bath bombs that, per the listing, combine Dead Sea salt with cocoa and shea butters and essential oils. Each one is big enough for a full, foamy bath.
What we like
- Large, bubbly bombs
- Butters in the mix
- Gift box
Watch out for
- Only six
- Rinse the tub after: butters are slippery
One With Nature Dead Sea Salt (5 lb)
For: a traditional Dead Sea soak
- TypeDead Sea salt
- Size5 lb
- ScentUnscented
A 5 lb bag of mineral salt from the Dead Sea, sold for baths and soaking. A nice change from Epsom salt and unscented, so you can add your own oil.
What we like
- Large bag
- Unscented
- Good owner ratings
Watch out for
- Coarser grains dissolve more slowly
- Fewer reviews than the Epsom picks
Luxury Bath Bombs for Men (24)
For: a gift set in men's scents
- Count24
- ForMen
- UseGift set
A 24-piece bath bomb gift set made for men. Fewer reviews than the big women's and unisex sets, but a solid rating and a much less floral line-up.
What we like
- Men's scents
- Generous count
- Gift-ready
Watch out for
- Smaller review base
- Costs more than unisex sets
Aofmee Bubble Bath Bombs for Girls (6)
For: a kids' spa party or a child's bath treat
- Count6
- Per the listingBubble bath bombs, handmade
- ForGirls and kids
Six bubbly bath bombs sold for girls and kids, very well rated by owners. A nice favour for a kids' spa party; keep baths short and rinse after, as with any scented product on young skin.
What we like
- High owner ratings
- Bubbly and fun
- Sold for kids
Watch out for
- Scented; not for very sensitive skin
- Only six
Bath salts or bath bombs?
Bath salts dissolve quietly, cost little per bath and come unscented or lightly scented, so they suit a weekly routine and sensitive noses. Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is the classic soak; Dead Sea and Himalayan salts are mostly about the experience and the look.
Bath bombs fizz, colour the water and release scent all at once, and many add shea or cocoa butter for skin that feels soft afterwards. They are the more fun, more giftable choice, and a little more work to rinse off the tub.
Plenty of people keep both: salts for an ordinary Tuesday, a bath bomb for a spa night.
How to use them
Salts: dissolve one to two cups of Epsom salt (or the amount on the pack) under the running tap, soak for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse off and moisturise.
Bath bombs: fill the bath first, then drop the bomb in and let it fizz. Most leave some butter or colour behind, so rinse the tub straight after.
Adding essential oil: don’t drip it straight into the water. Mix a few drops into a tablespoon of carrier oil or full-fat milk first, so it disperses instead of floating on top.
What to look for
- Scent strength. Lavender and unscented are the safe picks; strong florals and candy scents divide people.
- Colourants and glitter. Fine for most tubs; skip glitter if you have a septic system or simply hate cleaning it out.
- Individually wrapped bath bombs keep their fizz and make easy gifts and party favours.
- Price per bath. Big bags of Epsom salt cost very little per soak; bath bombs cost more per bath, so save them for treats.
For the rest of the bath, see our guides to bath pillows and bathtub trays, or the complete at-home spa night kit.
How we rate
We score every pick out of 10 on four things, weighted for how people actually use spa gear at home: how well it does its job (40%), whether that is a steamer's steady mist, a pillow's grip on a slick tub or a robe's softness after the tenth wash; build and materials (25%), including what owners report after months of use; ease of use and care (20%), meaning setup, cleaning and storage; and value (15%).
We have not tested these products ourselves. We read the manufacturer's specifications and care instructions and look for the patterns in verified owners' reviews, both the praise and the recurring complaints. No brand pays for placement, and a commission cannot buy a higher rating. When a pick changes, we will say so on this page.
Frequently asked questions
How much Epsom salt do I put in a bath?
Most packs suggest one to two cups in a standard bath. Follow the instructions on yours.
Can I use bath salts and a bath bomb together?
Yes, though it can be a lot of scent at once. Try unscented Epsom salt with a scented bath bomb.
Do bath bombs stain the tub?
Some colourful ones can leave a ring, especially on older or porous tubs. Rinse the tub right after your bath.
Are bath bombs safe for kids?
Many are sold for kids, but children’s skin is sensitive: choose gentle, lightly scented ones, keep baths short, and rinse afterwards.
Can I use kitchen Himalayan salt in the bath?
It dissolves the same way, but cooking salt is sold for food, not baths. A bath product is labelled and packed for the purpose.
