How do two people fit in one bathtub at the same time?

Two people fit in one bathtub when the tub is built with two separate seats and two separate bathing spaces, not when a single-seat tub is simply made bigger. Ella's Bubbles builds four two-seat walk-in tubs, the Companion, the Tub4Two, the Escape and the Big4Two, and Can two people fit in a walk-in bathtub, and how big is it? introduces that family. This page looks at fit from both directions: how two bathers share the water comfortably, and how a tub of that size fits into the bathroom you already have.

Why Two Seats Matter More Than Extra Room

Ella's two-seat video tour, shown on this page, draws the line that matters when you shop. A true two-seat walk-in tub has two independent bathing spaces, one for each person. In Ella's two-seaters each seat has its own jets and its own independent systems, so nobody shares a massage and both bathers get the same back massage from their own seat. The presenter warns against confusing an extra-large bathtub with a two-seat bathtub, because a larger shell with one molded seat still gives only one person a proper place to sit.

That design also shapes how the two of you sit. In the Escape the bathers face each other, each on a seat built for one. Comparing Ella's Bubbles Walk-In Tub Models notes that every two-seater model comes equipped with jets, so there is no plain soaker version of these tubs to weigh against the jetted one. The video describes the family as ideal for a couple who want to spend quality time together, get in the bath, relax and socialize. It was filmed when Ella offered three two-seat models; the Escape joined the line later, which is why there are now four, offered with either door swing.

• Two molded seats, each sized for one bather, so neither person perches on a rim or a step.
• Jets and therapy systems that run independently for each seat.
• An inward-swing door on the Companion and Escape and an outward-swing door on the Tub4Two and Big4Two, so the family suits different rooms.

How the Two-Seat Tubs Measure Up

The table lists the figures published for each two-seat tub, with the two extra-large single-seat tubs added for comparison, because many shoppers start by asking about those. Where a figure is not printed in the material behind this page, the cell says not listed.

What the spread means for you: seat width decides whether each person sits comfortably, so compare the two seat figures with the seated hip measurement of each bather, not with the overall width of the tub. The Escape offers the widest pair of seats and the Big4Two the longest shell, while the Companion is the one two-seater that keeps to a 60 inch length. The two single-seat giants show the trade the video warns about. The ShaK is as wide and as long as the Escape, yet it has one 28 inch seat rather than two, so it gives one bather exceptional room without giving a second bather a seat.

Fitting a Two-Person Tub into the Bathroom

The second half of the fit question is the room. What Is an Alcove Installation for a Walk-In Tub? explains that most bathrooms were framed around a standard 60 inch bathtub in a three-wall opening, and that tubs 60 inches or longer fill that space on their own. The Companion, at 60 inches long, is the two-seat tub that drops into that classic alcove. The Escape at 72 inches and the Big4Two at 80 inches each need a longer run of wall, so check the opening before you fall in love with a model.

1. Measure the opening wall to wall at the back and at the front, and compare it with the actual size on the spec sheet rather than the nominal name of the tub.
2. Check the height. The two-seat tubs with a published height stand 40 inches tall, compared with 35 inches for the compact 52 inch models, and How big are walk-in tubs, and how tall do they stand? points out that height is the figure people forget to check against a window sill above the tub.
3. Decide on door swing. An outward door needs clear floor space in front of the tub, which is why the Big4Two is listed for bathrooms that have it, while the inward-swing Companion and Escape suit rooms where floor space in front of the tub is tight.
4. Plan service access. Alcove placement puts the plumbing end against a wall, so ask your installer for a wall access panel behind that end, and never let the space around the tub be packed with insulation.

Ella tubs are not limited to alcoves. The same models can stand against one or two walls with an end panel closing the exposed side, which gives a large two-seat tub more placement options in a bigger bathroom. A licensed local plumber and electrician handle the installation, and the team supports them with the drawings for your model.

When One Broad Bather Is the Real Question

Some people searching for a two-person bathtub really want room for one. If that is you, the two-seat tubs still deserve a look. The video presenter sits on one seat and kicks both feet up on the other, and compares it to sitting in a big recliner with your feet on a sofa. You do not have to fill both seats every time you use the tub, and the Escape is listed as a fit for one broad bather stretching out.

If the wall is too short for a 72 inch tub, the Big4One gives an extra-large single bather a 24 inch seat in a 66 inch shell. The ShaK is 6 inches longer than the Big4One and holds 18 gallons more unoccupied, which is why the Big4One is the pick when the wall is shorter than 72 inches and the ShaK is the pick when the room can take the full length.

What to Have Ready Before You Call

Bring the width of the opening measured wall to wall at the back and at the front, the model name you are considering, and the actual size from its spec sheet. Note whether the door needs to swing in or out for your floor plan, and the seated hip width of each person who will bathe. With those figures your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can confirm which two-seat tub fits both the bathers and the bathroom, and you can send a photo of the space through ellasbubbles.com/support.

Watch: Two Seat Walk-In Tub with Door: Best for Couples - Voted Best/Safest 2020 | Ella's Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

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• Choosing a Two-Seat Walk-In Tub: Companion, Escape, Tub4Two, and Big4Two Compared

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