Which Ella wheelchair transfer walk-in tubs are available and how do they differ?

Ella's Transfer family is five wheelchair transfer walk-in tubs, the Transfer26, Transfer30, Transfer32, Transfer60 and TransferXXL, built around one idea: an oversized L-shaped outward-swing door that leaves no sidewall beside the seat, so a bather can slide straight across from a wheelchair. They differ in footprint, from 26 by 52 inches up to 36 by 55 inches, and in seat width, and the family is offered both as a soaking tub with no jets and with therapy packages. What is an accessible bathtub, and who are walk-in tubs designed for? puts the family in context, and this page lays the models out side by side.

The Five Transfer Models Side by Side

The figures below come from the current spec sheets, the model guides and the two product videos. Where a figure has not been published in those sources the cell says not listed, and the spec sheet for that model is the place to confirm it.

What the differences mean is mostly about room. The three 52 inch models share the same interior length and seat length, so the choice among them is purely seat width, which climbs from 19 inches to 24 inches as the tub widens from 26 to 32 inches. The Transfer60 trades a longer footprint for a longer seat and more leg room. The TransferXXL is the wide option, built for bathers who need extra width rather than extra length. The 52, 55 and 60 inch lengths are the nominal sizes used on product pages and brochures, so always refer to the spec sheet for the actual measurements before framing an alcove or ordering an extension panel. Exterior sizes for the rest of the line are in Comparing Ella's Bubbles Walk-In Tub Models.

The L-Shaped Door Is What Makes a Transfer Tub

The door is the reason the Transfer family exists. Its lower door line lets a bather transfer onto the seat from a wheelchair or walker while seated, rather than stepping through a taller opening, and because there is no sidewall next to the seat, the bather can slide straight across. The door is an aluminum L-shaped outward-swing door secured with a two-latch gear and shaft lock, which the video below describes as a tight, leak-proof seal. The extra-wide door fits over the toilet and allows toilet clearance of up to 21 inches in height, which is why a Transfer tub often works in a bathroom where the toilet sits beside the tub.

Like every Ella tub, the Transfer models have a low threshold and a textured floor, and the second video shows the deck and wall-mounted grab bars and the soft grip door handle on the 30 by 52 and 32 by 52 sizes. An outward-swing door needs clear floor space in front of the tub, so check the door swing against the toilet and vanity before you settle on a model. Door side is chosen at order time on every Transfer model, and it is set by where your drain sits: a right-side door tub has its drains on the left and a left-side door tub has its drains on the right, as you face the tub.

Jets, Heated Seat and the Other Options

There is no single per-model jet count on a Transfer tub. The jet count is set by the therapy package you purchase, so two spec-sheet figures for the same model are both correct for their respective packages. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm the package on your order. The videos show what the packages include: a three-speed air massage with auto purge, which clears the moisture from the air lines after bathing to keep the tub mildew free, and a hydro massage with an intensity control dial and an in-line water heater for a consistent temperature, plus strategically placed foot jets.

• Heated seat and backrest: an optional comfort feature on the Transfer tubs.
• Independent foot massage: available on the transfer tub in the first video, with its own separate pump and intensity control dial, so there is no need to fill the whole tub to enjoy a foot and calf massage.
• Chromatherapy lighting: included in the package shown in the video.
• Dual drain technology for fast, efficient draining.
• A four-fold glass screen as an alternative to a shower curtain, a shower column with an extendable multi-function hand shower, and an adjustable rain shower head.

Bathers who want no therapy at all can order a Transfer tub as a soaker. The Transfer60 is available as a soaking tub with no jets, the TransferXXL can be set up as a soaker, no-jets tub or with therapy features added, and most Ella models are available in the same soaker configuration. Walk-in Tub Model Highlights covers the TransferXXL and the therapy features available across the lineup.

The Shortest and the Narrowest Transfer Models

The shortest Transfer tubs are the three 52 inch models. Among them the Transfer26 is the narrowest wheelchair transfer tub Ella makes, at 26 inches wide with a 19 inch seat, designed for petite to average bathers and smaller bathrooms. The longest is the Transfer60 at 60 inches, and the widest is the TransferXXL at 36 inches. If you are deciding between a 60 inch transfer tub and a 60 inch seated tub with a conventional door, Lounger Versus Transfer60 compares the two from the spec sheets. For a bather who cannot bear weight or slide across on their own, the HoistAssist pairs a transfer tub with its own battery hoist, as described in What is a walk-in tub and who is it designed for?.

Availability and What to Confirm Before Ordering

Every Ella tub is assembled and tested to order before it ships, and timing depends on the model, the options and current stock, so no page can promise what is ready to ship today. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm current stock and timing for the specific model, size, door side and therapy package you want. Before you call, measure the alcove at the finished walls, note which side the drain is on, and decide whether you want a soaker or a therapy package, since those three choices settle which Transfer model and configuration to order.

Related Guides

• Wheelchair Transfer Tubs Compared: Transfer26, Transfer30, Transfer32, Transfer60, and TransferXXL
• How Do You Transfer From a Wheelchair Into an Ella Walk-In Tub?

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