Choosing a Two-Seat Walk-In Tub: Companion, Escape, Tub4Two, and Big4Two Compared

Bathing together is one of the most requested features in the walk-in tub world, and Ella's Bubbles offers four two-seat models to make it possible: the Companion, the Escape, the Tub4Two, and the Big4Two. All four share the same core safety and therapy design, with a bright acrylic shell, a low entry threshold, a textured floor, and dual molded seats. The differences come down to overall size, seat widths, and which of two door styles the model uses. This guide compares all four so you can find the right fit for your bathers and your bathroom.

Watch: Two-Seat Walk-In Tubs: Perfect for Couples - Spacious Dual Bathing with chapters and a full transcript.

The overview video above introduces the family. Key points if you prefer to read: every two-seat model has an easy-entry low threshold and textured floor, Ella's gravity-driven Dual Drain Technology with dual 2-inch drains for fast draining, three-speed air massage with Auto Purge, hydro massage with an in-line water heater and intensity control dial, and eco-friendly ozone sterilization. The Big4Two and Tub4Two use a frameless U-shape outward-swing door with Ella's 3-latch gear and shaft locking mechanism, while the Companion (and the Escape) use a custom-crafted brushed stainless steel inward-swing door that is removable for easy cleaning. Each tub comes with your choice of a 5-piece or 2-piece fast-fill faucet set with an extendable multi-function hand shower, and options include Infusion microbubble therapy, chromatherapy lighting, aromatherapy using your own essential oils, heated seats, a four-fold glass screen, and head, neck, and seat pillows.

The Four Models at a Glance

Sizes, seat widths, and capacities come from the current model spec sheets. Occupied capacity varies with bather size, which is why it is shown as a range.

Two Door Styles in One Family

This is the most important distinction between the four models. The Companion and the Escape use Ella's inward-swing door, a custom-crafted brushed stainless steel door with frosted tempered glass that swings into the tub, seals with water pressure, and lifts out for easy cleaning. Because it swings inward, it needs no clear floor space in front of the tub, which suits smaller bathrooms.

The Tub4Two and the Big4Two use Ella's outward-swing U-shape door, built from a white composite frame with a tempered glass panel and secured by a 3-latch gear and shaft locking mechanism for a tight, leak-proof seal. The outward door gives a wide, walk-through opening, and you should plan clear floor space in front of the tub for its swing.

One note for Tub4Two owners reading their paperwork: a recent printing of the Tub4Two spec sheet includes a leftover line describing an inward-swing stainless steel door. That line is a known misprint carried over from the Companion and Escape sheets. The Tub4Two's door swings outward, exactly as shown on its product page and in the video below.

Companion: Two Seats in a Standard 60-Inch Alcove

Watch: Companion Walk-In Tub For Two: Bathtub Experience for You and Your Partner with chapters and a full transcript.

The Companion is designed for average to petite-size bathers and fits into a standard 60-inch tub alcove while still offering comfortable seat widths, knee room, and soaking depth. From the video: the removable stainless steel door has a chrome locking handle; the digital touchpad engages a 14-jet three-speed air massage with Auto Purge; the hydro massage system, with 20 jets across the seats and footwell, includes an in-line water heater and an intensity control dial; ozone sterilization helps keep the tub sanitary; and the Companion includes Ella's independent foot massage, so you can enjoy a foot massage without filling the whole tub. It also comes with a patented 360-degree swivel tray, a stainless steel towel bar, and a two-piece fast-fill faucet set with an extendable hand shower. A dual two-piece set can be ordered so both bathers have a hand shower.

Escape: The Large Inward-Door Two-Seater at 36" X 72"

Watch: The Escape Walk-In Tub With Two Seats: Perfect for Couples & Seniors with chapters and a full transcript.

The Escape measures 36" x 72" and offers the widest seats in the family, 27 inches on one side and 29 inches on the other, with about 60 inches of overall soaking length. From the video: it includes independent foot massage with strategically placed foot and calf jets, a twin two-piece fast-fill faucet set with dual extendable hand showers, digital touch controls for the three-speed air massage with Auto Purge, hydro massage with an in-line water heater and intensity dial, ozone sterilization, and Dual Drain Technology with dual 2-inch 4-port drains. The brushed stainless steel door is removable for easy cleaning, the 360-degree swivel tray and towel rack come standard, and options include heated seats, LED chromatherapy, a folding glass screen, a dual rain head shower column, and Infusion microbubble therapy.

Tub4Two: The Outward-Door Two-Seater for a 60-Inch Opening

Watch: Tub4Two: Two-Person Walk-In Tub with Two Seats - Perfect for Couples with chapters and a full transcript.

The Tub4Two fits within a standard 60-inch bathtub opening and pairs a 20-inch seat with a 22-inch seat, with about 56 inches of interior length for a generous soak. From the video: easy-touch buttons activate the three-speed air massage with Auto Purge; hydro massage includes an in-line water heater and an intensity control dial; ozone sterilization works alongside the hydro system; and a dedicated separate pump powers the independent foot massage, so there is no need to fill the entire tub for a hydro foot massage. The dual oversized T-type drains empty the tub quickly, and the unique 3-latch gear and shaft locking mechanism ensures a tight, leak-proof door seal. Optional upgrades include Infusion microbubble therapy and heated seats, and LED chromatherapy is included with the dual massage package.

Big4Two: The Largest Two-Seat Walk-In Tub

Watch: Big4Two: Two Person Walk In Tub - Ideal for Couples with chapters and a full transcript.

At 36" x 80", the Big4Two is the largest two-seat walk-in tub in the industry, with the most interior soaking space in the family and generous seat lengths for a deep, comfortable soak. From the video: it comes with a twin two-piece fast-fill faucet set with dual extendable multi-function shower heads, digital touch controls for the three-speed air massage with Auto Purge, hydro massage with an in-line heater and intensity dial, ozone sterilization, and Ella's independent foot massage. Heated seats are optional and warm up quickly at the push of a button. This is a big tub (its spec sheet lists a 145-gallon unoccupied capacity), and the video notes it drains in roughly 3 minutes 30 seconds under ideal conditions through its dual 2-inch 4-port drains. The optional four-fold glass screen can be set up on either side, and the 3-latch gear and shaft door mechanism ensures a tight, leak-proof closure.

Shared Therapy Features Across the Family

• Dual hydro massage: separate pumps for the upper seat jets and for the independent foot and calf massage, with an in-line water heater, intensity control dial, and ozone sterilization.
• Three-speed air massage with Auto Purge: about 20 minutes after you turn the air massage pump off, Auto Purge starts automatically and runs for 120 seconds to blow leftover water out of the air lines, preventing mold and mildew. It stops on its own and is completely normal, even if it starts while you are still in the tub.
• LED chromatherapy light controlled from the digital control pad.
• Optional upgrades: Infusion microbubble therapy, and a heated seat and backrest.
• Dual Drain Technology: two independent 2-inch drains for fast, gravity-driven draining.
• Faucets: your choice of Ella 2-piece or 5-piece fast-fill faucet sets with a pull-out multi-function hand shower, including twin sets so each bather has a hand shower.

How to Choose

1. If your bathroom has a standard 60-inch alcove, look at the Companion (inward door, wider seats) or the Tub4Two (outward door, independent foot massage in a 60-inch footprint).
2. If you have more room and want maximum seat width, the Escape at 36" x 72" offers 27-inch and 29-inch seats.
3. If you want the most interior space available anywhere, the Big4Two at 36" x 80" is the largest two-seat walk-in tub on the market.
4. Prefer no door-swing clearance in front of the tub? Choose an inward-door model (Companion or Escape). Prefer the widest walk-through opening? Choose an outward-door model (Tub4Two or Big4Two).

Not sure whether a two-seat tub is right for you at all? Our guide to choosing between the Ella tub families compares all of the walk-in tub styles side by side.

More Two-Seat Videos

Three more two-seat videos: a couples-focused tour of the two-seat tub with door, a two-seat tub and shower combination, and the two-seat tubs with independent foot massage.

Related Guides

• What is the Ella Companion two-seat walk-in tub for couples?
• What is the Ella Big4Two two-seat walk-in tub?
• What is the Ella Escape 36x72 two-seat walk-in tub like?
• What is the biggest walk-in bathtub size you can buy?
• What is the Ella Big4Two 36 by 80 two-seat walk-in tub like?
• What is the Ella Big4Two 36x80 two-seat walk-in bathtub?

Common Questions

Still deciding, or have a question about your specific bathroom or order? Open a ticket at ellasbubbles.com/support and the team will be glad to help, or call (800) 480-6850.