What is the lowest height bathtub for easy entry?
Updated September 2026
The lowest height Ella bathtub overall is the LayDown60, which stands 21 inches high, but the figure that decides how easy a tub is to enter is the step-in threshold, not the outside height. On Ella walk-in tubs that threshold runs roughly 3.5 to 7 inches, the lowest published figure belongs to the Monaco at 3 5/8 inches, and most models can be set lower still at installation, as Which Ella Walk-In Tubs Offer the Lowest Step-In for Seniors? explains. This page separates the two heights, ranks the models by step-in, and shows how far the threshold can be lowered.
Overall Height and Step-In Height Are Different Numbers
A regular bathtub is an open basin you climb into over a wall of roughly 18 to 22 inches. A walk-in tub is entered through a sealed door, so its wall can be taller without being harder to get over, and inside is a molded seat at chair height with a textured floor and, on nearly every Ella model, a built-in grab bar. That seat is why seated walk-in tubs stand well above a regular tub: the Elite, for example, is 35 inches high, and the HomeCare assisted-bathing tub is 41 3/8 inches high. What you actually step over is the low lip in the door opening, measured from the finished floor, which What Is the Step-In Threshold on a Walk-In Tub? defines.
If the number you have in mind is 15 inches, that is a soaking depth rather than a tub height. The two LayDown tubs, built for lying down rather than sitting, have a 15 inch soaking depth compared with about 11 inches in a standard bathtub. The LayDown60 measures 30 inches wide by 60 inches long by 21 inches high overall, the LayDown72 is 32 inches wide by 72 inches long, and both have a tempered glass side-entry door in a brushed aluminum frame with a low threshold. Do they make a bathtub that is only 15 inches high? explains where that figure comes from.
Ella Models Ranked by Step-In Height
The table lists the published drawing values and the figures Ella's team gives, lowest first, with the overall height where it is published.
| Model | Overall height | Step-in threshold | Door | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LayDown60 | 21 inches | not listed (low threshold) | Tempered glass side-entry door in a brushed aluminum frame | Bathing lying down at full length in the lowest-profile tub |
| Monaco | not listed | 3 5/8 inches on the drawing | Outward-swing U-shape door of PVC composite and tempered glass; 23 inch seat | The lowest published step-in paired with a wide seat |
| Mobile | not listed | about 3 3/4 inches | Outward-swing door | A very low step where there is clear space in front for the door |
| Transfer32 | not listed | about 4 to 4.5 inches | L-shape door opening for transfers across the seat | Wheelchair users who slide across the seat instead of stepping over |
| Big4One and ShaK | not listed | about 5 inches | Outward-swing U-shape door | Outward-swing entry in a larger tub |
| Ultra | not listed | about 6 inches | Inward frameless brushed aluminum door with frosted glass; ADA compliant 17 inch seat height | Smaller bathrooms where an inward door saves floor space |
| Elite | 35 inches | about 6.5 inches | Inward-swing door | An inward door in a 30 by 52 inch footprint |
What the differences mean: the lowest published thresholds belong to the outward-swing door models, and those doors need clear floor in front of the tub but make entry easier. The inward-swing models, the Ultra, the Elite and the Ultimate at about 6 to 6.5 inches, suit smaller bathrooms, and their doors can be removed for cleaning. The team's general guidance is that most in-swing tubs land around 4 to 5 inches and some outward-swing tubs around 6, with the Transfer family and the Capri among the lowest at roughly 3.5 to 4 inches. For a wheelchair user the L-shape opening on a Transfer matters as much as the lip, because they transfer across the seat. The legacy S-Class came in 6 inch standard and 3 inch low-threshold versions. The full list is in Step-In Threshold Heights by Model and How Low It Can Go.
How the Threshold Can Go Lower at Installation
The threshold 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 frame at the standard leg setting, so the drawing figure is a starting point and your installation decides the final height. Two things move it:
- A recessed drain. Setting the tub lower with the drain body below the subfloor reduces the threshold to about 3 to 3.5 inches. The drain then needs a subfloor opening, which is how the S-Class 3 inch version was built.
- The leg setting. A different leveling leg setting raises or lowers the frame, and when the tub sits lower the bottom of the apron or end panel is trimmed to clear the floor.
Cutting the apron or end panel voids warranty coverage on those altered panels only, so plan it with your installer before the tub goes in. 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. The video on this page shows that low threshold, easy entry in use, including from a wheelchair.
Keeping Entry Easy After Installation
After installation, keep every leveling leg touching the floor. A leg that loses contact can warp the frame and throw the door out of alignment. Beyond the threshold, the features that make entry and bathing easier for seniors are a seat at a comfortable sit-down height, a door that swings the right way for the room, and a textured floor, ranked in What Are the Most Important Walk-In Tub Features for Seniors?. If the threshold is critical for the bather, ask your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 for your exact model's figure in writing before ordering. If you contact the team about an installed tub, have your model name, your serial number and a tape measurement from the finished floor to the top of the lip ready.
Watch: Ella's Bubbles Walk-In Tub's Low Threshold, Easy Entry Makes Bathing Safer with chapters and a full transcript.
Related Videos
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Introducing Ella's Lay-Down Bathtubs Ella's Bubbles introduces their standard lay-down bathtubs, designed for families with young children and seniors with limited mobility.
- 1:02 High-Flow Faucets And Drain The video highlights the high-flow chrome finish faucets, handheld shower, and oversized 2-inch drain for fast water removal.
- 1:58 Spacious Interior And Safety Features The bathtub features a huge oversized bathing space with a textured anti-slip finish for safety and comfort.
- 2:23 Tempered Glass Door And Seal The tempered glass door has a large handle, a secure locking mechanism, and an integrated stainless steel jam and gasket for quality.
- 3:08 Adjustable Water Jet Controls The video shows the intensity control for the water jets and the plunger control to turn the air and water system on and off.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Introducing the 3272 Lay Down Tub This chapter introduces the 3272 walk-in lay down tub, highlighting its sleek, modern design and spa-like bathing experience.
- 0:31 Safety Features and Depth This section discusses the straight sidewalls that minimize tripping accidents and the tub's deeper design for a more satisfying soak.
- 0:52 Slip-Resistant Floor and Door The tub's slip-resistant textured floor, low threshold, and beautiful tempered glass door with a stainless steel frame are showcased.
- 1:08 Hydro Massage and Water Heater The invigorating hydro massage system with intensity control, adjustable jets, and an inline water heater for consistent comfort is demonstrated.
- 1:30 Fast Drain and Faucet Options The large, easy-to-turn drain opener and oversized two-inch drain for quick water removal are shown, along with available fast-fill faucet options.
- 1:54 Center Door and Deck Space The uniquely positioned center door provides extra deck space, allowing for easy add-ons like the Ella's folding tempered glass screen.
Chapters in this video
- 0:00 Lay Down Tub Features The video introduces the 32x72 and 30x60 lay down walk-in tubs, highlighting their safety and comfort features.
- 0:43 Door and Drain Design The tubs feature a tempered glass door, a low threshold for easy access, and oversized drains for fast, efficient draining.
- 1:04 Faucet and Air Massage Options Customers can choose between a five-piece or two-piece fast-fill faucet set, and the air massage tub includes a three-speed air massage with auto purge.
- 1:42 Hydro Massage and MicroBubble Therapy The hydro massage option offers an intensity control dial and an inline water heater, with MicroBubble therapy available for a skin-softening experience.
- 2:10 Safety and Optional Accessories The tubs are designed with straight sidewalls to minimize slipping, and a tempered glass folding screen is available as an optional accessory.
Common Questions
What is the lowest overall height walk-in tub Ella makes?
Which Ella walk-in tub has the lowest step-in threshold?
How low can the step-in threshold be set at installation?
Does a lower overall tub height make it easier to get in?
Is there a walk-in tub with a lift-up or drop-down door?
Does lowering the tub for a lower threshold affect the warranty?
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