Support Center / Walk-In Tub Models / How Do I Choose the Right Walk-In Tub for Mobility Issues?
Back to Walk-In Tub Models

How Do I Choose the Right Walk-In Tub for Mobility Issues?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. Begin with the Bather
  2. Match the Door Swing to the Bathroom
  3. Match the Door Side to the Drain
  4. Confirm Fit with Your Contractor
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions

Start with who will be bathing and how they move, then let the bathroom settle the rest. Describe any mobility concerns to your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850, because an outward-swing door eases entry while a smaller bathroom may favor an inward-swing door, and a licensed contractor's fit check confirms the size and door side before anything is ordered. The full sequence is laid out in How Ordering a Walk-In Tub Works When Your Contractor Is Involved: Spec Sheet, Fit Check, Door Side and Delivery.

Begin with the Bather

The video below sums up the order of decisions: consider your specific needs for mobility, comfort and safety, measure the bathroom so the tub fits comfortably, select the features that improve the bath, and plan on professional installation. When you talk with your Ella dealer or the team, describe who will be bathing and any mobility concerns, because the door style is chosen by choosing the tub. Doors are not interchangeable.

  • Inward-swing doors need no floor space in front of the tub, so they suit small bathrooms and a nearby toilet. The bather steps in, stands, and closes the door past the knees, so some room inside the tub is needed.
  • Outward-swing doors open away from the bather, which is why an outward-swing door eases entry. The Transfer family's outward L-shape door is built for wheelchair transfer, and its opening clears a toilet up to about 21 inches tall.
  • Two-seat tubs and LayDown tubs are separate families for a larger bathing space or a longer soak, and each family has its own brochure listed in Brochures and Catalogs: The Six Digital Brochures, What Each One Covers, Known Misprints, and How to Get a Copy.

Match the Door Swing to the Bathroom

Once you know which swing helps the bather, check the floor space in front of the door side. Outward U-shape doors on the Capri, Monaco, Front Entry, Mobile, Lounger, ShaK, Big4One, Tub4Two and Big4Two swing 165 degrees and need about 21 inches of clearance in front. The outward L-shape door on the Transfer family swings 172 degrees and needs about 36.5 inches of clearance. If the clear floor in front of the door side is under 21 inches, an inward-swing model is the safer fit. The Royal, Elite, Petite, Deluxe, Ultimate, Ultra, Companion, Escape and LayDown are inward only, and the Standard, Zen and Flow are inward only with the acrylic S-shape door. The Monaco is the Royal's outward counterpart at the same size, and the Tub4Two is the outward two-seater.

Match the Door Side to the Drain

Every Ella walk-in tub has its door and seat on one side and its drains on the other, so a right-side door puts the drains on the left and a left-side door puts the drains on the right, with sides taken as you face the tub. Stand where you will approach the tub, note where the house drain sits, and the door goes on the opposite side. The hand is set at the factory and cannot be reversed after delivery, so confirm it with your installer before the order is placed. Should My Walk-In Tub Door Be on the Left or Right Side? walks through the choice, and the same page notes that an outward door must also clear the toilet and vanity on that side.

Confirm Fit with Your Contractor

Ella's Bubbles is the manufacturer and does not install tubs, so a licensed local contractor, plumber or electrician does the measuring and the installation. Get the spec sheet for the model you have in mind, because it lists the exterior dimensions, door swing and the technical requirements your plumber and electrician need. Have your contractor measure the bathroom space and every doorway and hallway on the path in, and locate the house drain. When the model, therapies, door side and installer are settled, your order is confirmed and the tub is assembled and tested to order. You may use your own licensed plumber and electrician, or ask the team to check its installer network with your full installation address.

Watch: How to Choose the Perfect Walk-In Tub | Ellau2019s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Considering Your Personal Needs The video discusses important factors to consider when choosing an Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub, including personal needs and mobility.
  2. 0:40 Measuring for Proper Tub Fit The video explains how to take shoulder, hip, and overall body measurements to ensure the walk-in tub fits properly.
  3. 2:26 Home Accommodation and Placement The video advises checking door widths and hallways to ensure the chosen tub will fit into the home and bathroom.
  4. 4:17 Ensuring Proper Water Supply The video recommends having a maximum capacity water heater and three-quarter inch supply lines for the walk-in tub.
  5. 4:47 Designing Your Walk-In Tub The video details how to choose jetting packages, including air, hydro, and MicroBubble therapy, and other innovative features.
  6. 6:15 Adding Optional Accessories The video showcases various accessories like heated seats, digital controls, headrests, and a four-fold glass screen.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Choosing Your Perfect Walk-In Tub This chapter guides you through considering personal needs and body measurements to select the ideal Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub size.
  2. 2:45 Home Accommodation and Tub Placement This chapter explains how to measure your home's doorways and hallways to ensure your chosen Ella's Bubbles tub will fit and where it can be placed.
  3. 4:45 Ensuring Proper Water Supply This chapter details the recommended hot water heater capacity and supply line specifications for optimal Ella's Bubbles tub performance.
  4. 5:16 Designing Your Tub's Features This chapter covers customizing your Ella's Bubbles walk-in tub with various jetting packages, therapeutic options, and cleanliness features.
  5. 6:43 Adding Accessories and Luxury This chapter showcases additional accessories like heated seats, headrests, glass screens, and aromatherapy to enhance your Ella's Bubbles tub.

Common Questions

Which door swing is easier for someone with limited mobility?
An outward-swing door eases entry because it opens away from the bather. An inward-swing door needs no floor space in front of the tub, but the bather steps in, stands, and closes the door past the knees. Describe the bather's mobility concerns to your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 so the swing matches the person.
Which Ella walk-in tubs are made for wheelchair users?
The wheelchair transfer family is the Transfer26, Transfer30, Transfer32, Transfer60 and TransferXXL. These tubs use an outward L-shape door that swings 172 degrees and needs about 36.5 inches of clearance in front. Its opening clears a toilet up to about 21 inches tall.
How much floor space does an outward-swing door need?
The outward U-shape doors on the Capri, Monaco, Front Entry, Mobile, Lounger, ShaK, Big4One, Tub4Two and Big4Two swing 165 degrees and need about 21 inches of clearance in front. If the clear floor in front of the door side is under 21 inches, an inward-swing model is the safer fit.
Do I choose the door side before I order?
Yes. The door and the drains sit on opposite sides, so the door side is matched to where your house drain is, and the tub is built with the door on the side you order. The hand cannot be reversed after delivery, so confirm it with your installer first.
Does Ella's Bubbles install the walk-in tub for me?
No. Ella's Bubbles is the manufacturer, and a licensed local contractor, plumber or electrician does the measuring and the installation work. You may use your own installer or ask the team at (800) 480-6850 to check its installer network for a professional near you.
Where do I find the exact dimensions of a tub?
The spec sheet for each model lists the exterior dimensions, door swing and the technical requirements for your plumber and electrician. Share it with your contractor before anything is ordered. Brochures give nominal sizes, and the spec sheet wins whenever the two differ.

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