Hydro massage vs air massage: Ella walk-in tubs offer two different massage systems, and they work in very different ways. The hydro massage system uses a water pump to recirculate your bath water through strategically placed water jets, giving you a deep, targeted massage for the back, hips, legs, and feet. The air massage system uses a separate three speed air blower to push air through many small jets in the seat and floor, surrounding you with a gentle, effervescent, full body bubble massage. Many tubs are configured with both systems, and you are welcome to run them together for a full spa experience.

Hydro Massage: Powerful, Targeted Water Jets

When you press the hydro button, the water pump draws water from the tub and pushes it back through the hydro jets. Three things happen automatically along the way:

• The in-line water heater turns on with the pump and helps maintain your bath temperature while the hydro massage runs. It maintains warmth only; it does not heat cold water.
• The ozone sterilization system runs with the hydro pump to keep the water system fresh and sanitary. When the ozone generator is running by itself it makes a light humming noise, which is completely normal.
• The intensity control dial lets you fine tune the jet strength. The dial is an air control connected by a hose, not an electrical switch. Turning it up allows more air into the jet stream for a stronger feel, and turning it down reduces the air for a softer stream.

Important: only turn on the hydro massage after the water level is 2 inches above the highest jets. Running a water pump without enough water can permanently damage it. Our water level article gives the fill level for every system.

This short clip shows the intensity dial in use. Every hydro massage tub has one; turning it up adds air to the jet stream for a stronger flow and turning it down gives a gentler flow, all the way to barely perceptible. If the dial ever feels stiff or an individual jet needs aiming, see adjusting jet pressure and a stiff intensity dial.

Many models can also be ordered with Ella's exclusive independent foot massage, a separate pump with its own control button and its own intensity dial that drives dedicated foot and calf jets. Because it is independent, there is no need to fill the whole tub. Simply fill the foot well to just below the seat and just above the calf jets, touch the foot massage button, and enjoy a hydro foot massage any day, even without a full bath.

Air Massage: Three Speed, Full Body Bubbles

The air massage system blows air through its own set of jets, placed where no one else puts them, including hip jets, foot jets, and even bidet jets. The video below shows how the buttons work, and the steps are written out underneath.

As shown in the walkthrough of the Ella Ultimate above, operating the push controls is simple and gentle:

1. Push the air massage button gently once for high speed.
2. A second gentle push gives you medium speed.
3. A third touch gives you low speed.
4. A fourth touch shuts the system off. Some control box configurations also include a wave setting that cycles the intensity up and down before the next press turns the system off.

There is no need to push the buttons hard or deep. Pushing too hard may damage the internal mechanism. For bathers with arthritis or limited mobility, a gentle push with the palm of the hand works just as well. After you finish using the air massage, the system runs a short automatic Auto-Purge cycle about 20 minutes later to dry out the air lines. This is normal and is covered in its own article.

How the Two Systems Compare

Exact jet counts depend on the model and jetting package. A few examples from the published spec sheets:

Your own tub's spec sheet, available on its product page under the Downloads tab, lists the exact configuration you ordered, and our jet counts by model and package article collects every model. This overview of the jetting options shows both systems in action:

In this dealer walkthrough, water massage is described as targeting muscle and joint pain while air massage moves the water for a gentler, cleansing effect. It also covers the options that ride along with each package: the heated seat, microbubble therapy on its own separate pump, and the chromatherapy light, plus the ozone generator and in-line heater that come standard with hydro. If you are still choosing, our guide to which therapy combinations fit which tub shows what each model can carry.

Common Questions

Still need help? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850 and our team will be glad to walk through it with you.