Ella Transfer26 26x52: The Narrowest Wheelchair Transfer Tub, on Video

The Ella Transfer26 is the narrowest wheelchair-accessible walk-in tub in the Ella's Bubbles lineup. Its actual size is 26 inches wide by 52 inches long by 40 inches tall, it carries a 19 inch wide seat, and it uses the same oversized L-shaped outward-swing door as the rest of the Transfer family. It was designed for petite to average bathers and for bathrooms where a wider tub simply will not fit, and an included 8 inch extension panel lets it finish neatly inside a standard 60 inch alcove.

Who the Transfer26 Is for

Ella's Bubbles describes the Transfer26 as its narrowest low-threshold walk-in bathtub, ideal for petite to average body types and for smaller bathrooms. Because it is compact, it is also a space and water saver: the current spec sheet lists an unoccupied capacity of 75 gallons and an occupied range of 35 to 55 gallons, which is lighter on the water heater than the larger Transfer models. The tub weighs 205 pounds net and ships at 300 pounds in a crate measuring 29 by 60 by 50 inches, so plan the path into the home around the crate rather than the tub; our doorway measurement guide explains what to measure. The rest of the family is compared in the Transfer tub family guide.

The Transfer26 on Video

Watch: The Transfer 26: Wheelchair Accessible Walk-In Tub with Outward Swing Door with chapters and a full transcript.

The video walks through the tub in a simple order. First it introduces the sizing: a 19 inch seat width, a 14 1/2 inch seat length and what the narrator calls a 34 inch interior, all pitched at the smaller bather. Second, it explains the three factors that set soaking depth, which are the interior length, the seat length and the distance from the top of the seat to the center of the overflow drains, with the reminder that each bather's own size decides the final result. Third, it points out the 8 inch extension panel that gives a snug fit in a 60 inch alcove. Fourth, it shows the oversized frameless L-shaped door with its low step-in height, the warm soft-touch acrylic, the textured slip-resistant floor, and the two-shaft gear and lock mechanism that pulls the door into a tight seal. Fifth, it presents the two-piece fast-fill faucet, which the video offers in chrome or brushed nickel, with the extendable multi-function hand shower. Sixth, it covers the jetting: hydro massage jets with an intensity control dial, foot massage jets, ozone sterilization, a three-speed air massage with 17 air jets and auto purge, and the dual 2 inch drains.

One note on the numbers in the video. The current Transfer26 spec sheet and the comparison chart on ellasbubbles.com list the interior length at 43 5/8 inches and the seat length at 16 3/4 inches, and those are the figures to plan around. Where a video and the published spec sheet differ, the spec sheet governs.

The earlier Transfer 26 video covers the same ground from a different angle: the 52 by 26 inch footprint, the 19 inch seat, the 8 inch extension panel, the frameless L-door with its two-shaft lock, the 2-piece faucet in chrome or brushed nickel, 13 hydro jets with the dial, foot jets, ozone, 17 air jets with auto purge, the hand shower, and the dual 2 inch drains. Watch: Transfer 26: Outward Swing Door Walk-In Tub for Wheelchair Users with chapters and a full transcript.

Door, Panels and Drains

• Plastic composite and tempered glass outward-swing L-door with the gear and shaft latch mechanism; the Transfer family uses a two-latch lock. Operation is shown in operating the L-shape transfer door.
• Removable front apron with two access panels, one reversible end panel and the extension panel for 60 inch alcoves.
• Stainless steel frame with adjustable leveling legs, plus a chrome-finish deck-mounted and wall-mounted grab bar.
• Two 2 inch four-port PVC drains with two end caps, two overflows and two cable-operated openers with extended chrome handles.

Jets and Therapy Packages

The Transfer26 is offered as a soaker or with Hydro Massage, Air + Hydro, Hydro + Hydro Independent Foot Massage, or Hydro Massage + Microbubble. LED chromatherapy is included with the dual packages. Older descriptions count the hydro jets differently, so go by the current spec sheet, which lists jets by package: for the Air + Hydro package it prints 17 air jets (11 seat jets and 6 foot jets) and 11 hydro jets (5 back jets and 6 foot jets), with a three-speed air pump and auto purge. The jet count you will have depends on the package on your order. Because of its compact frame the Transfer26 carries at most two systems; see therapy combinations by model. A heated seat and backrest and a digital controller are optional. Every package requires dedicated GFCI-protected 115/120 V, 60 Hz lines, and the wiring schematic for your package is the document to hand your electrician.

Faucet

The Transfer26 is listed with the two-piece fast-fill faucet, rated up to 16 gallons per minute at 60 PSI under ideal in-home plumbing, with two 5 foot 3/4 inch supply lines and a pull-out chrome hand shower on a 5 foot retractable braided hose. The differences between faucet sets are explained in 2-piece vs 5-piece fast-fill faucets.

Related Guides

• Which Ella Wheelchair Transfer walk-in tub sizes are available: 26x52, 30x52 or 32x52?
• What is an accessible bathtub, and who are walk-in tubs designed for?
• How do I choose a wheelchair accessible walk-in tub?

Common Questions

For anything specific to your Transfer26 or your order, open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support or call (800) 480-6850.