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Which Ella Walk-In Tubs Offer the Lowest Step-In for Seniors?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary6
  1. Models with the Lowest Step-In
  2. Lowering the Threshold at Installation
  3. Choosing the Door Style
  4. Related Guides
  5. Related Videos
  6. Common Questions

Every Ella walk-in tub has a low step-in threshold, running roughly 3.5 to 7 inches depending on the model and how the drain is set up, compared with the 18 to 22 inch wall you would swing a leg over on a standard bathtub. The lowest published figures belong to outward-swing door models such as the Monaco and the Mobile, and most Ella tubs can be set lower at installation by recessing the drain. Our article What Is the Step-In Threshold on a Walk-In Tub? explains how the figure is measured.

Models with the Lowest Step-In

The threshold is the lip at the bottom of the door opening, measured from the finished floor. Here are the published drawing values and team figures for the current lineup, lowest first.

  • Monaco: 3 5/8 inches on the drawing, paired with a 23-inch seat and an outward-swinging U-shape door of PVC composite and tempered glass.
  • Mobile: about 3 3/4 inches.
  • Transfer32: about 4 to 4.5 inches. Wheelchair users usually transfer across the seat of a Transfer model rather than stepping over the lip, so the L-shape door opening matters as much as the threshold.
  • Big4One and ShaK: about 5 inches.
  • Ultra: about 6 inches. Elite: about 6.5 inches. Ultimate: about 6 to 6.5 inches.

The Front Entry is a compact tub for a smaller bathroom that still provides an oversized 24-inch seat, an easy entry low threshold, a textured floor and an outward-swinging U-shaped door secured by a three latch gear and shaft mechanism. The video on this page shows that low step entry and the door in use. If you want to lie down rather than sit, the LayDown 30x60 and LayDown 32x72 let you recline at full length while stepping in through a low glass side door. The legacy S-Class came in 6 inch standard and 3 inch low-threshold versions.

Lowering the Threshold at Installation

The threshold height is really the height of the tub floor above the finished bathroom floor. The tub sits on adjustable leveling legs, and the spec sheet drawing shows the factory frame height at the standard leg setting. A recessed drain lets the tub sit lower, and a different leg setting raises or lowers the frame, so the drawing figure is the starting point and your installation decides the final height. Thresholds can be reduced to about 3 to 3.5 inches by setting the tub lower with the drain below the subfloor. Cutting the apron or end panel to make that work voids coverage on those altered panels only. Ella does not offer a lift-up or drop-down door; the low threshold itself is the accessibility feature. After installation, keep every leveling leg touching the floor, because a leg that loses contact can warp the frame and throw the door out of alignment.

Choosing the Door Style

A doorless tub is not offered, because the door is what lowers the step-in from a tub wall to a low threshold, as explained in Can I Order an Ella Walk-In Tub Without a Door?. Outward-swing doors need more clear floor space in front of the tub but make entry easier. Inward-swing doors suit smaller bathrooms and can be removed for cleaning. Door side is driven by your house drain: a right-side door tub has its drains on the left, and a left-side door tub has its drains on the right, as you face the tub. If length is tight and a low step matters most, the Monaco is a strong candidate, while the longer Ultimate suits a bathroom with room for it, as compared in Ella Ultimate vs Ella Monaco 32x52: Key Differences. Confirm clearance and door side with your installer before ordering, and have your model name, serial number and a tape measurement from the finished floor to the top of the lip ready if you contact the team at (800) 480-6850.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Front Entry Walk-In Tub Overview Ella's Bubbles introduces the compact Front Entry walk-in tub, highlighting its comfortable oversized seat and removable side panels.
  2. 0:28 Safety Features And Acrylic Surface The tub features a low threshold, textured floor for safety, and a durable, easy-to-clean acrylic surface.
  3. 0:42 Innovative Jetting And Hydrotherapy This tub includes three-speed air massage with auto purge, powerful hydrotherapy with an inline heater, and ozone sterilization.
  4. 1:10 Fast Drain And Faucet Options The tub has an oversized two-inch drain with an emergency pull chain and offers a two-piece fast-fill faucet set with a hand shower.
  5. 1:31 Secure Door And Comfort Options The U-shaped door features a unique three-latch mechanism for a leak-proof seal, with optional heated seats and cushions for added comfort.

Watch: Front Entry Walk-In Tub, Acrylic, Outward Swing Door & Low Step Entry | Ella's Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Compact Tub Dimensions The video introduces the Mobile walk-in tub, highlighting its compact size for smaller bathrooms.
  2. 0:18 Outward Swing Door Features The tub's outward swing door, low threshold, and textured floor are shown for easy and safe entry.
  3. 0:34 Jetting and Sterilization The tub's acrylic surface, air massage with auto purge, hydro massage, and ozone sterilization are presented.
  4. 1:09 Drain and Faucet Options The oversized drain, fast drain system, and available Fast Fill faucet sets are demonstrated.
  5. 1:35 Additional Comfort Options Chromotherapy, a digital touch pad, and a heated seat and backrest are shown as additional options.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Ella Mobile Walk-In Tub Overview The Ella Mobile walk-in tub is introduced as a compact bathing solution for smaller bathrooms, highlighting its dimensions and generous seat width.
  2. 0:19 Door, Safety, and Surface Features The video showcases the easy-open outward swing U-shaped door, low threshold, textured floor, and durable acrylic surface of the tub.
  3. 0:43 Innovative Jetting and Massage Options Ella's innovative jetting design is featured, including the three-speed air massage with auto purge and the powerful hydro massage with intensity control.
  4. 1:20 Dual Massage, Faucet, and Heater The dual massage package with LED light chromotherapy is shown, along with the fast-fill faucet set, hand shower, and inline water heater.
  5. 1:47 Ozone, Drain, and Emergency Chain Eco-friendly ozone sterilization, the large easy-turn drain opener, oversized two-inch drain, and emergency pull chain are presented.

Common Questions

Which Ella walk-in tub has the lowest step-in threshold?
The lowest published drawing value is the Monaco at 3 5/8 inches, with the Mobile at about 3 3/4 inches. The final height depends on your installation, since a recessed drain and the leveling leg setting both change where the tub floor sits.
Can the step-in threshold be lowered during installation?
Yes. Setting the tub lower with the drain below the subfloor can reduce the threshold to about 3 to 3.5 inches. Talk with your installer before the tub goes in, and note that cutting the apron or end panel voids coverage on those altered panels only.
Does Ella offer a tub with a lift-up or drop-down door?
No. Ella does not offer a lift-up or drop-down door. The low threshold itself is the accessibility feature, and the door swings open like any other door, either inward or outward depending on the model.
Can I order a walk-in tub without a door for easier entry?
No. Every Ella tub is built with a door, including the LayDown models, because the door, its gasket and the multi-latch locking mechanism are engineered together with the shell. The door is what lowers the step-in to a low threshold instead of a tub wall.
Do wheelchair users need the lowest possible threshold?
Not necessarily. Wheelchair users usually transfer across the seat of a Transfer model rather than stepping over the lip, so the L-shape door opening matters as much as the threshold. The Transfer32 threshold is about 4 to 4.5 inches.
Is the Monaco step-in lower than the Ultimate step-in?
Yes. The Monaco's threshold is 3 5/8 inches on its drawing, compared with about 6 to 6.5 inches on the Ultimate, so the Monaco is easier to step over. The Monaco also offers a 23-inch seat, while the Ultimate is the longer tub.

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