Support Center / Walk-In Tub Models / Are Ella Walk-In Tubs Portable or Movable?
Back to Walk-In Tub Models

Are Ella Walk-In Tubs Portable or Movable?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. What Permanent Installation Means
  2. Where the Tub Can Go
  3. Moving House or Relocating the Tub
  4. If You Cannot Install Permanently
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions
  8. Still Need Help?

No. Ella walk-in tubs are not portable and are not designed to be moved around. Every model is built for permanent installation: it is plumbed to the home's water supply and drain by a licensed plumber, and jetted models are wired by a licensed electrician. Once installed, the tub stays where it is, and the warranty is tied to that original installation address.

What Permanent Installation Means

A walk-in tub is a fixed plumbing fixture, like a conventional bathtub. The faucet is connected to hot and cold supply lines, and the floor drain and overflow are connected to the house drain, as described in Drainage and Fill Time. Hydro, air and microbubble systems, in-line heaters and heated seats all need an electrical connection. The tub is leveled, sealed to the walls in an alcove with its tile flange, and finished with panels. None of that can be undone and redone in another room.

The general design of the tubs is covered in Ella's Bubbles Walk-In Tubs: A General Overview. What can and cannot be changed on an order is covered in What Can and Cannot Be Customized on an Ella Tub. A movable or rolling version is not among the options.

Where the Tub Can Go

Permanent does not mean the tub must sit in a three-wall alcove. Any Ella tub, including the largest models such as the Ella Big4One, fits an alcove or stands against one or two walls. In every layout the tub is still plumbed, wired and secured in place. See What Is an Alcove Installation for a Walk-In Tub? and What Is a Tile Flange on a Walk-In Tub? for how the tub meets the walls.

Moving House or Relocating the Tub

The lifetime limited warranty covers the first purchaser only and is tied to the original installation address. It is void if ownership changes or the tub is relocated. A plumber can physically disconnect a tub, but moving it to another home or another room ends the warranty, so plan the installation location as a permanent one.

If You Cannot Install Permanently

Ella does not offer a portable, freestanding-on-wheels or temporary tub. If your situation does not allow plumbing work, a walk-in tub is not the right fit, and Ella cannot supply an alternative. If plumbing is possible but electrical work is not, a soaking-only tub needs no electrical connection at all, though it is still plumbed and installed permanently.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Important Installation Disclaimer This video is for educational purposes only and requires licensed contractors to follow local building codes.
  2. 0:16 Ella's Dual Drain Technology Ella's walk-in tubs feature dual 2-inch drains for fast, efficient drainage and overflow protection.
  3. 1:47 Fast Fill Faucet Sets Ella offers five-piece or two-piece fast-fill faucet sets, each with an extendable hand shower and five-foot supply lines.
  4. 2:18 Electrical Components And Leveling Electrical components are clearly marked and accessible, and the tub must be perfectly level before testing.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Preparing for Your Walk-In Tub The video shows the removal of an old tub and the preparation of the space for a new Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub.
  2. 0:31 Unboxing and Leveling the Tub The installer removes the tub's panels to prevent damage and then levels the tub using its adjustable leveling legs.
  3. 1:00 Ella's Dual Drain Technology The video explains Ella's dual drain system and shows different drain configurations for efficient water removal.
  4. 2:03 Water Supply and Electrical Connections The video highlights the importance of shutoff valves, proper supply lines, and dedicated GFCI circuits for the tub.
  5. 2:31 Designing for Easy Access The video recommends incorporating access panels into the bathroom remodel for convenient future servicing of the tub.

Common Questions

Can I install a walk-in tub without permanent plumbing?
No. The faucet must connect to the home's hot and cold supply, and the drain and overflow must connect to the house drain. Jetted models also need an electrical connection. A licensed plumber and electrician do this work.
Can I take my Ella tub with me when I move?
Moving it is not recommended. The warranty is tied to the original installation address and is void if the tub is relocated or ownership changes. A plumber can disconnect it, but you would be reinstalling an out-of-warranty tub.
Does a soaking-only tub still need permanent installation?
Yes. A soaking-only tub has no jets, pumps or electrical, but it is still plumbed to the supply and drain and installed in place. It is a permanent fixture like any other bathtub.
Can the tub stand free in the room instead of an alcove?
Yes. Any Ella tub can be installed in a three-wall alcove or against one or two walls. In every case it is plumbed, wired if jetted, and secured in place. It is not a movable unit.

Still Need Help?

Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and have your model and serial number ready.

Related guides

Did this solve your question?

If not, open a ticket and our team will pick it up from here.

Open a Support Ticket