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A tub stopper can make routine drain cleaning harder
A built-in tub stopper is handy when filling the tub, but its linkage may get in the way when you want to reach the drain opening or remove caught hair. A removable strainer seems simpler to clean, though it won’t hold water in the tub by itself.
How much does the stopper style affect access for ordinary cleaning? Can a strainer usually sit securely with a built-in stopper, or does the stopper’s shape or movement get in the way? I’d also be interested in what routine maintenance each setup tends to need, without assuming that changing the stopper would solve a slow drain.
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A removable strainer can sometimes sit alongside a built-in stopper, but I wouldn’t assume it will fit every design. The stopper’s shape and movement matter: the strainer needs to sit steadily without blocking the stopper or making it awkward to lift out for cleaning. If it rocks or catches during ordinary use, that combination is probably more nuisance than help. Clearing hair at the opening may help, but by itself it doesn’t establish what’s causing a slow drain.
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