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How Do I Choose a Walk-In Tub for Aging in Place?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary8
  1. Start with Needs, Not Features
  2. Measure Doorways and Hallways First
  3. Pick the Door Side and Swing
  4. Seat Height and Comfort
  5. Installation and Support
  6. Related Guides
  7. Related Videos
  8. Common Questions

Choose a walk-in tub for aging in place by starting with the bather's mobility, comfort and safety needs, then confirming the tub will fit through your doorways and into the space, then settling the door side and swing, and only then picking therapy and comfort features. If you want neutral help with the first step, your state Assistive Technology program or Area Agency on Aging can compare bathing equipment and arrange a home assessment. Your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can then match a model to what you learn.

Start with Needs, Not Features

The first video on this page sums up the order of decisions: consider mobility, comfort and safety, measure the bathroom, select features, and make sure of professional installation and reliable support. Two publicly funded agencies can help with the needs step. State Assistive Technology Act programs let you compare devices with a knowledgeable professional, and their staff see the full range of bathing equipment from tub benches to walk-in tubs and roll-in showers. Area Agencies on Aging coordinate services for older adults, including information about home modification and safety. Neither one sells tubs or is connected to Ella's Bubbles.

Be honest about whether a tub is the right product at all. If the bather will use a wheelchair in the bathroom and prefers to shower, Ella also makes shower bases with a zero threshold that sit flush with the floor, described in shower bases and wall panels.

Measure Doorways and Hallways First

The second video explains why: a tub that will not pass through the house cannot be installed. Take correct measurements of every doorway and hallway on the route, then compare them with the actual dimensions on the spec sheet rather than the nominal size. The Petite, for example, is listed as 28 inches wide while its actual exterior width is 27 1/2 inches. The video quotes an older width for the Elite; the current spec sheet gives its actual width as 30 inches, so work from the spec sheet for that model.

Pick the Door Side and Swing

The door and the drains sit on opposite sides of an Ella tub, so the house drain decides the door side. Facing the tub, a right-side door puts the drains on the left and a left-side door puts them on the right. Then check floor space against the door style that comes with the model, because doors are not interchangeable:

  • Inward-swing doors on the Royal, Elite, Petite, Deluxe, Ultimate, Ultra, Companion and Escape, and the acrylic S-shape door on the Standard, Zen and Flow, need no floor space in front of the tub.
  • 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.
  • The Transfer family's outward L-shape door swings 172 degrees, needs about 36.5 inches, and clears a toilet up to about 21 inches tall, which suits wheelchair transfers.

Confirm the side with your installer before ordering. Should my door be on the left or right side? covers the swing envelopes in detail.

Seat Height and Comfort

The molded seat on Ella tubs is about 17 inches high and is not adjustable. If the bather needs to sit higher, a seat pillow riser adds about 3 1/2 inches with suction cups and no changes to the tub, and a cutout version keeps the bidet air jets clear. Features such as hydrotherapy and a heated seat and backrest are the ones the choosing video singles out as worth considering once fit is settled.

Installation and Support

Ella does not install tubs. A licensed local contractor does the work, and Ella's technical support guides that contractor for free with manuals and live video help. State Assistive Technology programs can also point you to financing help for assistive technology, and your Area Agency on Aging can map the programs in your area, which is a better first call than assuming a tub is out of reach.

Watch: How to Choose the Perfect Walk-In Tub | Ellau2019s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Measure Your Home First It is important to measure all doorways and hallways to ensure the walk-in tub will fit into your home.
  2. 0:12 Find Tub Dimensions Online Customers can find specific dimensions for each tub model by visiting the Ella's Bubbles website and clicking the download tab.
  3. 0:48 Ensure Easier Installation Proper measurements of all doorways and hallways will help ensure an easier installation process for your walk-in tub.

Watch: How to Choose Your Walk-In Tub | Ella's 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 Five Unique Door Styles Ella's Bubbles offers five distinct low-threshold door styles for easy entry into their walk-in tubs.
  2. 0:27 Outward Swing Door Features Outward swing doors provide easier entry and exit, featuring a decorative glass panel and a chrome locking handle.
  3. 0:39 Inward Swing Door Details Inward swing U-shaped doors are made of brushed stainless steel with frosted glass and are removable for cleaning.
  4. 1:02 L-Shaped Door Accessibility The L-shaped door offers an extra-wide opening for easy access, accommodating wheelchair users and fitting over a toilet.
  5. 1:17 Leak-Proof Locking Mechanism Outward swing L-shaped and U-shaped doors feature a proprietary gear and shaft locking mechanism for a tight, leak-proof seal.

Common Questions

What is the first thing to decide when choosing a walk-in tub?
The bather's mobility, comfort and safety needs. A state Assistive Technology program or Area Agency on Aging can compare bathing equipment with you and arrange a home assessment before you commit to a model.
How do I know the tub will fit through my doors?
Measure every doorway and hallway on the route and compare them with the actual dimensions on the spec sheet, not the nominal size. The Petite is listed as 28 inches wide but its actual exterior width is 27 1/2 inches.
Should the door swing inward or outward for an older bather?
Inward doors need no floor space in front of the tub and suit small bathrooms. Outward U-shape doors need about 21 inches of clearance, and the Transfer L-shape door needs about 36.5 inches but is built for wheelchair transfers.
Can the seat height be adjusted for a tall person?
The molded seat is about 17 inches high and cannot be adjusted. A seat pillow riser adds about 3 1/2 inches using suction cups, and a cutout version keeps the bidet jets working.
Who installs the tub once I have chosen one?
A licensed local contractor. Ella manufactures the tub and provides free technical support to your installer by phone and live video, but does not perform installation or send technicians.

Related guides

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