Support Center / Showers, Panels & Accessories / Ella Fast-Fill Faucets: 2-Piece vs 5-Piece, Finishes, and the Waterfall Option
Back to Showers, Panels & Accessories

Ella Fast-Fill Faucets: 2-Piece vs 5-Piece, Finishes, and the Waterfall Option

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary10
  1. Operating the 2-Piece
  2. Operating the 5-Piece
  3. Which Tubs Ship with Which
  4. Finishes
  5. No Faucet, Your Own Faucet, Waterfall Option
  6. Installation Videos
  7. More Faucet Videos
  8. Models Where the 2-Piece Set Is No Longer Offered
  9. Related Guides
  10. Common Questions

Ella fast-fill faucets come in two deck-mount sets, and every tub is drilled at order time for one of them: the 2-piece single-lever set rated up to 16 GPM at 60 PSI, or the 5-piece set with separate hot and cold levers rated up to 18 GPM. Both include a 5-setting pull-out hand shower (1.9 GPM) on a 5 ft braided hose and two 3/4 in by 5 ft supply lines; shut-off valves are not included. Real fill speed depends on your home's water pressure and pipe size, which is why the two sets fill at similar rates in most homes.

Operating the 2-Piece

Ella 2-piece single lever fast-fill faucet filling a walk-in tub, with a hand testing the water
The 2-piece set: one lever for flow and temperature, with the diverter button under the spout.
  • Lift the lever for on; left is hot, right is cold; push down for off.
  • Press the diverter button under the spout to switch between spout and hand shower.
  • Solid brass chrome spout, 40 mm high-flow cartridge, certified to CSA B125.1, ASME A112.18.1, ICC 117.1, ANSI/NSF 61/9, and IAPMO UPC, with an ADA lever.

Operating the 5-Piece

Woman relaxing in an Ella walk-in tub using the pull-out hand shower from the 5-piece fast-fill faucet
Both sets include the 5-setting pull-out hand shower.
  • Red handle hot, blue cold; the middle lever is the diverter.
  • Turn the diverter toward OFF and push the faucet lever down for the hand shower; dial through its five patterns.
  • The 5-piece is not thermostatic. Tubs ordered with the thermostatic package have a thermostatic control valve on the deck plate instead; see the thermostatic control valve explained.

Which Tubs Ship with Which

The 5-piece is the published standard on the Elite, Royal, Deluxe, Ultimate, Ultra, Capri, Monaco, ShaK, Big4One, Standard, Standard60, and Transfer30 through TransferXXL. The 2-piece is standard on the Zen, Flow, Front Entry, Mobile, Lounger, Transfer26, and the two-seat tubs (two spouts). Many models offer either set at order time. The LayDown72 is faucet-ready and can take either deck set as an option; the LayDown60 has no deck faucet.

Finishes

Chrome is standard. The 2-piece set is offered in brushed nickel, and a partner-brand Huntington Brass faucet set has been offered in satin nickel or antique bronze on request. The thermostatic faucet set is chrome only. Everything else on the tub stays chrome: grab bars, door handle, drain openers, jet trim, and controls. Finishes beyond these come and go, so ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before ordering if you need something specific. The full finish picture is in tub colors and hardware finishes.

No Faucet, Your Own Faucet, Waterfall Option

  • Holes are pre-drilled to Ella's pattern; you may fit your own faucet if it matches, and a tub with no deck holes can be requested at order time as a special order. A customer-supplied faucet is covered by its own manufacturer rather than the Ella warranty.
  • 2-piece cut-outs: 2-1/2 in faucet hole, 1/3 in mounting-rod holes, 7/8 in diagonal hand-shower hole.
  • The LayDown 30x60 has no deck faucet; use a wall-mounted faucet such as the Ella waterfall faucet with 24 in slider and 4-setting hand shower, in chrome, brushed nickel, or matte black (finish availability varies). See the waterfall wall-mount faucet.
The Luxurious Walk-In Tub Upgrade You Need: Waterfall Faucet
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Introducing The Waterfall Faucet The video introduces the Ella waterfall fast-fill faucet, which delivers water in a soothing cascade.
  2. 0:12 Extendable Multi-Function Hand Shower The waterfall faucet includes a new extendable multi-function hand shower with four settings.
  3. 0:37 Available Faucet Finishes The Ella waterfall faucet is available in chrome, brushed nickel, and a matte black finish.

The video shows the wall-mount waterfall faucet filling a tub in under five minutes, the 4-setting hand shower on an adjustable column, and the three finishes. Watch: The Luxurious Walk-In Tub Upgrade You Need - Waterfall Faucet with chapters and a full transcript.

Luxury Faucet Options for Your Walk-In Tub
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Choosing Your Walk-In Tub Faucet We discuss the importance of selecting the right faucet for your Ella's Bubbles walk-in bathtub.
  2. 0:21 Customizing Your Bathtub Order We explain how each Ella's Bubbles bathtub is custom-drilled and installed with your selected faucet and features.
  3. 0:39 Competitor Faucet Limitations We highlight that other brands typically offer limited or no faucet options for their bathtubs.

A dealer explains that each tub is drilled at order time for the selected faucet, whether 2-piece, thermostatic, or 5-piece. Watch: Luxury Faucet Options for Your Walk-In Tub u2013 Voted Best/Safest 2020 with chapters and a full transcript.

Installation Videos

Ellas Bubbles: Five Piece Fast Fill Faucet Install Video
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Install Hot Water Faucet The technician installs the hot water faucet, ensuring the set screws are flush and the washers are in place before tightening.
  2. 0:52 Install Cold Water Faucet The technician installs the cold water faucet, making sure the set screws are flush and the washers are correctly positioned.
  3. 1:21 Install Diverter Valve The technician installs the diverter valve, ensuring the set screws are flush and the gaskets are placed correctly before tightening.
  4. 2:01 Connect Faucet Lines The technician connects the hot and cold faucet lines to the diverter, checking for silicone washers and tightening connections.
  5. 2:49 Connect Supply Lines and Spout The technician connects the hot and cold supply lines and the main spout, applying silicone under the spout base to prevent leaks.
  6. 4:01 Install Hand Shower Receptacle The technician installs the hand shower receptacle and connects the hand shower line to the diverter valve.
  7. 4:53 Attach Handles and Caps The technician attaches the diverter, hot, and cold handles, setting them appropriately, and then adds the color and silver caps.

Installation video for the 5-piece set.

Ellas Bubbles: Two Piece Fast-Fill Faucet Set Installation Video
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Install Two-Piece Faucet Unit The technician inserts the two-piece faucet unit into the pre-drilled hole, ensuring the gasket is seated correctly.
  2. 0:18 Secure Faucet with Locking Plate The technician installs the metal locking plate and foam gasket, then hand screws and tightens the attachment bolts and locking nuts.
  3. 0:43 Connect Hot and Cold Supply Lines The technician attaches the hot and cold supply lines, ensuring the gaskets are seated correctly and tightening them with a wrench.
  4. 1:10 Install Hand Shower Receptacle The technician places the hand shower receptacle into its pre-drilled hole, ensuring the gasket is seated correctly, and tightens the locking nut.
  5. 1:32 Attach Shower Hose Line The technician threads the shower hose line through the receptacle, attaches the adapter nut to the brass connector, and tightens it with a wrench.

Installation video for the 2-piece set. The written steps for both, including the hand shower receptacle, are in installing the 2-piece and 5-piece fast-fill faucets. Watch: Ellas Bubbles: Two Piece Fast-Fill Faucet Set Installation video with chapters and a full transcript.

More Faucet Videos

Upgrade Your Walk-In Tub with this Fast Fill Faucet
The video above shows the fast-fill faucet as an upgrade for a walk-in tub. Watch: Upgrade Your Walk-In Tub with this Fast Fill Faucet on its own page.
Ella Walk-In Tubs Five Piece Fast-Fill Faucet

The video above shows the Ella five-piece fast-fill faucet on a walk-in tub.

Models Where the 2-Piece Set Is No Longer Offered

The 2-piece fast-fill set is no longer offered on the Elite, Ultimate, Capri or Monaco. These models ship only with the 5-piece Ella Fast-Fill set, including the pull-out hand shower on its hose. If an older brochure or a third-party listing mentions a 2-piece option for one of these tubs, the product page and spec sheet for your model show the current faucet configuration.

An order submitted for the Ultimate or Elite with a 2-piece set is written up with the 5-piece set instead. The same applies to the Capri and Monaco. The Ella Standard also ships as a hydro-massage tub with the 5-piece set and pull-out hand shower. As a rule of thumb, tubs 32 inches wide and larger come with the 5-piece set, and several narrower models now use it as well.

To confirm your faucet before your order is final, open the product page for your model and review the faucet listed with the included components, then check the proposal or invoice from where you purchased. The faucet set is itemized, and the hose and hand shower are part of the 5-piece set rather than a separate accessory. If the proposal shows a set you did not expect, ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before the order is finalized so the tub is built the way you want.

If you already own a tub with a 2-piece set and need a replacement, see the faucet replacement guide. For older tubs, the legacy parts article explains which options remain available.

Common Questions

What is the difference between the 2-piece and 5-piece fast-fill faucet?
The 2-piece is a single-lever mixer with a spout and pull-out hand shower and a diverter button under the spout, designed for up to 16 GPM. The 5-piece has separate red hot and blue cold handles, a spout, a diverter lever and the hand shower, designed for up to 18 GPM. In most homes the water pressure and pipe size, not the faucet, set the fill rate.
Which faucet comes with my tub?
Most standard and larger tubs ship with the 5-piece; compact models such as the Mobile, Front Entry, Lounger, Transfer26, Zen, Flow and the two-seat tubs use the 2-piece. Many models offer either at order time, so check your order.
Which finishes are offered on Ella fast-fill faucets?
Ella fast-fill faucets are offered in chrome and brushed nickel, with matte black and gold available on some sets. Chrome is the standard finish for both the 2-piece and 5-piece fast-fill faucet sets. However, grab bars, the door handle, drain openers, jet trim, and controls on the tub will always remain chrome, even if you select a different faucet finish.
Can I use my own faucet?
Yes, you can use your own faucet if it fits the factory-drilled deck holes on your Ella walk-in tub. These deck holes are a standard size and cannot be changed after the tub is manufactured. You can also request a tub with no deck holes as a special order at the time of your purchase, or order a tub without the Ella faucet installed for placement by your contractor. A customer-supplied faucet is covered by its own manufacturer's warranty, not the Ella warranty.
Drips or a stiff lever?
If your Ella 2-piece fast-fill faucet is dripping or has a stiff lever, the 40 mm high-flow cartridge is replaceable. For the 5-piece fast-fill faucet, the hot and cold cartridges can be swapped from the top. You can find detailed instructions on how to replace your faucet cartridge in the guide "Faucets drips or the handle feels stiff: replacing your faucet cartridge step by step" to resolve these issues.
The diverter button on my 2-piece faucet is stuck.
If the diverter button on your 2-piece Ella fast-fill faucet is stuck, this is typically caused by an air lock or mineral buildup. To relieve an air lock, unscrew the hose from the hand shower handset, remove the plastic restrictor, and then reattach the hose. For more detailed troubleshooting steps for hand shower problems and the diverter, refer to the guide "Hand Shower Hose and Sprayer Head Replacement, and Water Behind the Tub Near the Hand Shower".
Are the hand shower hoses interchangeable between the two sets?
No, the hand shower hoses are not interchangeable between the 2-piece and 5-piece Ella fast-fill faucet sets. The hoses for each set are different. When you need a replacement hand shower hose, it is important to inform the Ella's Bubbles support team which specific faucet set you have to ensure you receive the correct part.
Does either set include shut-off valves?
No, neither the 2-piece nor the 5-piece Ella fast-fill faucet set includes shut-off valves. However, both sets do come with two 3/4 inch by 5 ft supply lines. Reachable shut-off valves should be added by your installer during the installation process to ensure proper water control.
Does the 5-piece faucet control temperature automatically?
No, the 5-piece Ella fast-fill faucet does not control temperature automatically; you manually blend hot and cold water using its two separate handles. Automatic temperature control is provided by a thermostatic control valve, which is part of the thermostatic faucet package. This package must be configured at the time of your tub order.
Does the tub come with the faucet even if I choose a soaking package?
Yes, the tub comes with a faucet even if you choose a soaking package. The faucet holes are pre-drilled on all Ella walk-in tubs, and the fast-fill faucet with a pull-out hand shower is included on a soaking tub. The only difference with a soaking package is that the jets are omitted, but the faucet remains a standard feature.
Can I take the 2 piece faucet instead of the 5 piece?
On models that offer it, the 2 piece single lever faucet can be chosen in place of the 5 piece, and the pull out hand shower is still included. The 5 piece has separate hot and cold handles, a diverter handle in the middle and a spout; opening everything at once fills fastest.
Can the grab bars come in black to match a black faucet?
No. Only the faucet set, handles, spout and hand shower, can be ordered in matte black, brushed nickel or gold. The door handle, drain openers, drain plugs and grab bars come in chrome only, so a tub with a black faucet ends up with two finishes.

For anything model-specific, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850.

Is the 2-piece faucet still offered on the Monaco or Capri?
No. The Monaco and Capri are offered only with the 5-piece Ella Fast-Fill set. If an older listing mentioned a 2-piece option, the product page shows the current configuration, and your order will be built with the 5-piece set.
I asked for a 2-piece set on an Elite or Ultimate, which faucet will my tub ship with?
The 5-piece set. The 2-piece set is no longer offered on the Elite or Ultimate, so an order submitted for those models with a 2-piece set is written up with the 5-piece set instead. Check your proposal or invoice, where the faucet set is itemized, and ask your dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 before the order is finalized if it shows something you did not expect.
Why does a slide bar appear as its own line on my proposal if the hand shower is included?
The 5-piece set includes the pull-out hand shower and its hose. A separate 24-inch slide bar with a longer hose is an optional accessory, which is why it can appear as its own line on a proposal.
Does the Ella Standard come with a faucet included?
Yes. The Standard ships as a hydro-massage tub with the 5-piece Ella Fast-Fill faucet, including the pull-out hand shower, plus a single 2-inch gravity floor drain with overflow. It also includes the push control with intensity dial for the hydro jets.

About this guide. Answers in the Ella’s Bubbles Support Center are compiled from real conversations with tub owners, our technicians’ notes and the product documentation, then reviewed by our team. Tub models and options have evolved over the years, so a detail here may differ slightly from your exact tub. If something looks different on yours, send us your serial number and a specialist will confirm it for your model.

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