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How Do You Transfer From a Wheelchair Into an Ella Walk-In Tub?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. Why the Transfer Door Makes a Sideways Transfer Possible
  2. Three Ways to Get Onto the Seat
  3. What the Videos Show
  4. Choosing a Size and Planning the Space
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions

You transfer sideways from the chair onto the seat. On an Ella Transfer tub the L-shape outward door takes the whole side of the tub with it, so there is no sidewall beside the seat and a wheelchair can pull up alongside. The bather rolls up next to the tub, drops the wheelchair arm, slides across onto the molded seat, brings the legs in and closes the door. The videos on this page walk through that path on the L-shape door, and Transfer Techniques by Walk-In Tub Door Type: What Each Door Allows a Caregiver to Do compares what every Ella door lets a caregiver do.

Why the Transfer Door Makes a Sideways Transfer Possible

The Transfer26, Transfer30, Transfer32, Transfer60 and TransferXXL all carry the L-shape outward door. When it opens it removes the sidewall next to the seat, and the family drawing prints a 172 degree opening angle, so the door swings well out of the way. Its winged shape fits over a standard toilet in a typical vanity, toilet, tub layout while still leaving a wide opening to the seat. A two-latch gear and shaft lock pulls the door evenly onto its seal for a watertight closure, a soft-grip handle closes it, and every Transfer tub has a low threshold, a textured floor and deck and wall mounted grab bars for support during the move. Which Door Does My Ella Tub Have? shows the L-shape door beside the other four Ella door styles.

Three Ways to Get Onto the Seat

  • Lateral wheelchair transfer. Roll the chair up beside the open side of the tub, drop the chair arm, and slide across onto the seat. Then swing the legs over the low threshold into the footwell and close the door behind you.
  • Sit and swing. A more mobile bather can come up to the tub, sit down on the seat, then swing the feet into the tub.
  • Step in. With the whole side open there is plenty of room to step in and sit down, just as on any other Ella walk-in tub.

The door decides what is physically possible. How a particular person should be lifted, steadied or positioned belongs to that person's physical or occupational therapist.

What the Videos Show

The first video is a showroom walkthrough of the Transfer models. The presenter opens the L-shape door, points out that there is no sidewall next to the seat, explains the wheelchair approach, the sit-and-swing approach and the step-in approach, and then shows the door's mortised hinges, integrated seal and ergonomic handle. The second video is the Transfer series overview and shows the extra wide L-shaped door fitting over the toilet, the low threshold, the textured floor and the grab bars. Neither clip is a filmed transfer by a wheelchair user, so if you would like other videos, ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850.

Choosing a Size and Planning the Space

The Transfer30 is the standard size and, according to its product page, the most popular. Its actual size is 30 inches wide by 52 inches long by 40 inches tall with a 22 inch wide molded seat, and the full spec is in the Ella Transfer30 30x52 profile. Transfer seats run from 19 inches on the Transfer26 to 29 inches on the TransferXXL, the largest Transfer tub, which offers more leg and hip room for bariatric bathers. Because the door swings outward, leave clear floor in front of the tub for the door and the chair. How Wide Is the Door Opening? Published Door Widths, Swing Arcs and Clearance by Door Family lists the clearance callouts printed on the Transfer drawings.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Transfer Walk-In Tub Overview The video introduces Ella's Bubbles transfer walk-in tubs, ideal for unobstructed access and available in five sizes.
  2. 0:38 Easy Access and Transfer Options The presenter demonstrates how bathers can easily transfer into the tub from a wheelchair or by stepping in.
  3. 1:17 Quality Door and Tub Features The video highlights the robust, integrated door, ergonomic handle, and strategically placed grab bars for safety.
  4. 2:17 High-Flow Faucet and Customization The presenter explains the high-flow faucet, dual drains, and various customization options like hydro and air jets.
  5. 3:24 Space-Saving Design and Plumbing The video shows how the tub's door design allows installation in tight bathrooms, swinging over a toilet.
  6. 4:10 Unrestricted Water Flow System The presenter details the three-quarter inch braided supply lines and valve system for unrestricted, high-volume water flow.
  7. 4:51 Wide Range of Transfer Tub Sizes The video showcases the Transfer Triple XL model and emphasizes the wide selection of transfer tubs available to fit any space.

Watch: Wheelchair Transfer Walk-In Tubs Designed for Easy Access | Voted Safest/Best 2020 | 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.

Watch: Transfer Walk-In Tubs for Wheelchair Users: Ideal for Seniors &Handicapped | 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.

Common Questions

Which Ella walk-in tubs are made for a wheelchair transfer?
The five Transfer models: Transfer26, Transfer30, Transfer32, Transfer60 and TransferXXL. All of them carry the L-shape outward door that removes the sidewall beside the seat. The other Ella door styles ask the bather to step in and sit down.
Do I have to stand up to get into a Transfer tub?
No. With the L-shape door open, the chair pulls up beside the seat, the arm drops, and the bather slides across onto the seat without standing. Bathers with more mobility can also sit and swing their feet in, or simply step in.
Does the L-shape Transfer door fit over a toilet?
Yes. The door's winged shape lets it swing over a standard toilet in the common vanity, toilet, tub layout while still giving a wide opening to the seat. Check the floor in front of the tub, because the door opens outward through 172 degrees.
Is there a video of a wheelchair user actually transferring into the tub?
The videos on this page explain the transfer path and show the L-shape door, the seat and the grab bars, but neither is a filmed transfer by a wheelchair user. For other videos, ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850.
How wide is the seat on a Transfer walk-in tub?
Seat widths run from 19 inches on the Transfer26 to 29 inches on the TransferXXL. The Transfer30 has a 22 inch seat, the Transfer32 a 24 inch seat, and the Transfer60 a 22 inch seat, per the current spec sheets.
Can a caregiver help with the transfer through the Transfer door?
Yes. The open side of the tub gives a caregiver room to steady the bather during a lateral transfer or a sit-and-swing entry. The specific lifting or positioning technique for a particular person should come from that person's physical or occupational therapist.

Related guides

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