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How do I choose a wheelchair accessible walk-in tub?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. Start with the Width and the Seat
  2. The L-Shaped Door and the Transfer
  3. Pick the Therapy Package
  4. If a Roll-In Shower Fits Better
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions

Choosing a wheelchair accessible walk-in tub comes down to three decisions: the width that fits both your bathroom and your body, the door you will slide across from the chair, and the therapy package you want. Ella's Bubbles builds its wheelchair accessible models as the Transfer family, from the compact Transfer26 to the bariatric TransferXXL, and every one uses an oversized L-shaped outward swing door with no sidewall beside the seat. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can match a model to your measurements.

Start with the Width and the Seat

Measure the space first, then think about hip room on the seat.

  • Transfer26: 26 inches wide by 52 inches long by 40 inches tall with a 19 inch wide seat. It is the narrowest wheelchair accessible tub in the lineup, designed for petite to average bathers and for bathrooms where a wider tub will not fit. It holds 75 gallons unoccupied and 35 to 55 gallons occupied, so it is lighter on the water heater.
  • Transfer30: the mid-width model, with a 22 inch seat.
  • Transfer32: 32 by 52 by 40 inches with a 24 inch wide molded seat, positioned for larger body types who want more hip room while staying inside a 52 inch footprint. It holds 107 gallons unoccupied and 45 to 65 gallons occupied. See the Transfer32 profile.
  • TransferXXL: the bariatric option at 36 by 55 inches, built for bathers who need extra width, described in the model highlights.

The 52 inch models include an 8 inch extension panel so they finish neatly inside a standard 60 inch alcove. Plan the path into the home around the shipping crate rather than the tub: the Transfer26 ships at 300 pounds in a 29 by 60 by 50 inch crate, and the Transfer32 at 373 pounds in a 35 by 55 by 50 inch crate.

The L-Shaped Door and the Transfer

The first video shows the door styles across the Ella lineup and why the L-shaped door suits a wheelchair user: the opening leaves no sidewall beside the seat, so you slide straight across from the chair, and it allows toilet clearance of up to 21 inches in height along with space for the wheelchair. The L-shaped door is made of durable yet lightweight aluminum and uses two latches on Ella's gear and shaft mechanism for a tight, leak-proof seal. On the Transfer32 the door opens to 172 degrees with a 20 inch swing clearance callout on the drawing. Because the door swings outward, confirm the clearance in front of the tub with your installer.

Pick the Therapy Package

Every Transfer model can be ordered as a soaking tub or with therapy. The Transfer32 package menu, for example, runs from Soaking and Hydro Massage through Air + Hydro, Hydro Massage + Microbubble, Hydro + Hydro Independent Foot Massage, and a three-system Air + Hydro Massage + Microbubble package. The jet count follows the package on your order rather than the model alone, so compare packages, not jet totals. The second video shows the Transfer tub with independent foot massage, which runs on its own pump with its own intensity dial so you can enjoy a foot massage without filling the whole tub, along with dual drain technology, chromatherapy, the optional heated seat and backrest, a four-fold glass screen and the shower column with hand shower and rain shower head.

Every package requires dedicated GFCI-protected 115/120 V lines, and a package with several pumps will need more than one 20 amp circuit, so share the package you are considering with your electrician before you order.

If a Roll-In Shower Fits Better

If a bath is not the goal, Ella's curb-less roll-in shower bases come in 30 x 60, 32 x 60 and 36 x 60 inch sizes, with the drain position specified when you order; see wheelchair accessible shower base sizes.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Ella's Walk-In Tub Door Styles Ella's Bubbles offers three distinct walk-in tub door styles: stainless steel, acrylic outward swing, and aluminum L-shaped outward swing.
  2. 0:22 Stainless Steel Door Features The detachable stainless steel door makes cleaning hard-to-reach places in your walk-in tub much easier.
  3. 0:50 L-Shaped Door Accessibility The L-shaped door opening provides convenient space for wheelchair access and toilet clearance up to 21 inches in height.

Watch: Wheelchair Accessible Walk-In Tub Door Options for Elderly & Disabled | Ellau2019s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 L-Shaped Outward Swing Door Tub Ella's Bubbles presents an L-shaped outward swing door wheelchair-accessible acrylic walk-in tub.
  2. 0:46 Extra-Wide L-Shaped Door The tub features an extra-wide L-shaped door that fits over the toilet and provides easy access.
  3. 1:07 Dual Drain Technology And Chromatherapy This tub features Ella's dual drain technology for fast draining and includes light chromatherapy for a relaxing visual element.
  4. 1:23 Optional Heated Seat And Shower An optional heated seat and backrest add comfort, and the tub is available with a four-fold glass screen or a walk-in tub shower column.

Watch: Wheelchair-Accessible Transfer Acrylic Walk-In Tub with L-Shaped Door | Ellau2019s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Transfer Tub Series Overview Ella's Bubbles introduces the transfer tub series, designed for effortless entry and exit for wheelchair users.
  2. 0:52 Innovative Jet Design Features The bathtubs offer three-speed air massage with automatic purge and whirlpool with an in-line water heater and intensity control.
  3. 1:33 Dual Drain Technology Ella's Bubbles features large 2-inch dual drains for fast and efficient drainage, providing the fastest gravity drainage in the industry.
  4. 2:20 Optional Accessories Available Optional accessories include MicroBubble infusion therapy, a heated seat and backrest, light chromotherapy, and various support pillows.

Common Questions

Which wheelchair accessible walk-in tub is the narrowest?
The Transfer26 is the narrowest, at 26 inches wide by 52 inches long by 40 inches tall with a 19 inch seat. It is designed for petite to average bathers and for smaller bathrooms, and an included 8 inch extension panel finishes it in a 60 inch alcove.
Which Transfer tub suits a larger bather best?
The Transfer32 offers a 24 inch wide seat inside a 52 inch footprint and is positioned for larger body types who want more hip room than the 22 inch seat of the Transfer30. For bathers who need extra width, the TransferXXL is the bariatric model at 36 by 55 inches.
Does the L-shaped door fit over a toilet?
Yes. The L-shaped door opening allows toilet clearance of up to 21 inches in height and leaves convenient space for a wheelchair. Confirm the outward swing clearance in your bathroom with your installer.
Do I have to fill the tub for the foot massage?
Not with the independent foot massage option. It comes with a separate pump and its own intensity control dial, so you can enjoy a hydro foot massage without filling the whole tub.
How many jets does a wheelchair accessible tub have?
There is no single per-model jet count in the Transfer family. The count is determined by the therapy package you order, so compare the packages offered for your model with your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850.
Will a 52 inch Transfer tub fit a 60 inch alcove?
Yes. The Transfer26 and Transfer32 each include an 8 inch extension panel so the tub finishes neatly inside a standard 60 inch alcove.

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