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What is an accessible bathtub, and who are walk-in tubs designed for?

Updated September 2026

▶Glossary7
  1. What Makes a Bathtub Accessible
  2. Who Walk-In Tubs Are Designed for
  3. The Three Door Styles on Video
  4. Where It Goes and What It Needs
  5. Related Guides
  6. Related Videos
  7. Common Questions

An accessible bathtub, in the Ella's Bubbles lineup, is a walk-in tub: a complete bathtub built around a sealed, low-threshold door, a built-in seat at a comfortable height and grab bars, so the bather steps through the door and sits rather than climbing over a tub wall and lowering down to the floor of the tub. Walk-in tubs are designed for bathers who want that easier entry, for wheelchair users, and for people who need extra width or length. Walk-in Tub Model Highlights: Longer, Deluxe, Monaco, and Transfer XXL shows how the models divide by the way you like to bathe.

What Makes a Bathtub Accessible

  • A low step-in threshold. The Capri, for example, has a 3.5-inch threshold, far lower than the wall of a standard tub.
  • A built-in seat at a comfortable height, so the bather sits rather than lowering down to the floor of the tub.
  • Grab bars and a watertight door. The door closes on an integrated gasket with a multi-latch gear and shaft mechanism.
  • Optional therapies. Hydro massage, air massage, a heated seat and chromatherapy are available, and most models also come as a soaker with no jets.

The acrylic shell sits on a rustproof stainless steel frame, and every tub is assembled and tested to order before it ships. Ella does not cut an opening into an existing tub. Can Ella Cut a Walk-Through Opening or Add a Door to My Existing Bathtub? explains why a purpose-built walk-in tub is the answer instead.

Who Walk-In Tubs Are Designed for

  • Wheelchair users. The Transfer family uses an oversized L-shaped outward-swing door that leaves no sidewall beside the seat, so a wheelchair user can slide straight across. The Ella Transfer26 26x52: The Narrowest Wheelchair Transfer Tub, on Video is 26 inches wide by 52 inches long with a 19 inch seat, designed for petite to average bathers and smaller bathrooms.
  • Bathers who need extra width. The TransferXXL is a wheelchair accessible, bariatric walk-in tub measuring 36 by 55 inches.
  • Bathers who want to stretch out or sink deeper. The Longer, at 27 by 60 inches, has an extended seat area for stretching the legs out. The Deluxe, at 30 by 55 inches, is a deeper soaking tub where the bather sits more upright.

The Three Door Styles on Video

The video below shows the brushed stainless steel door with frosted tempered glass, which detaches so hard-to-reach places are easier to clean; the acrylic outward-swing U-shaped door made of high-impact composite with three latches on a gear and shaft mechanism; and the lightweight aluminum L-shaped outward-swing door with two latches, which allows toilet clearance of up to 21 inches in height and leaves convenient space for a wheelchair.

Where It Goes and What It Needs

Most Ella walk-in tubs go into the same three-wall alcove a standard 60 inch bathtub occupied, so the room's layout and plumbing locations stay put, and shorter tubs fill the gap at one end with an extension panel. What Is an Alcove Installation for a Walk-In Tub? explains how that works. A jetted walk-in tub is a hydromassage bathtub under the National Electrical Code, which calls for an individual branch circuit protected by a readily accessible GFCI, installed by a licensed electrician. A local licensed plumber or contractor handles the installation, and your Ella dealer or the team at (800) 480-6850 can help match a model to your bathroom.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Ella's Walk-In Tub Door Styles Ella's Bubbles offers three distinct walk-in tub door styles: stainless steel, acrylic outward swing, and aluminum L-shaped outward swing.
  2. 0:22 Stainless Steel Door Features The detachable stainless steel door makes cleaning hard-to-reach places in your walk-in tub much easier.
  3. 0:50 L-Shaped Door Accessibility The L-shaped door opening provides convenient space for wheelchair access and toilet clearance up to 21 inches in height.

Watch: Wheelchair Accessible Walk-In Tub Door Options for Elderly & Disabled | Ellau2019s Bubbles with chapters and a full transcript.

Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Transfer Tub Series Overview Ella's Bubbles introduces the transfer tub series, designed for effortless entry and exit for wheelchair users.
  2. 0:52 Innovative Jet Design Features The bathtubs offer three-speed air massage with automatic purge and whirlpool with an in-line water heater and intensity control.
  3. 1:33 Dual Drain Technology Ella's Bubbles features large 2-inch dual drains for fast and efficient drainage, providing the fastest gravity drainage in the industry.
  4. 2:20 Optional Accessories Available Optional accessories include MicroBubble infusion therapy, a heated seat and backrest, light chromotherapy, and various support pillows.
Chapters in this video
  1. 0:00 Five Unique Door Styles Ella's Bubbles offers five distinct low-threshold door styles for easy entry into their walk-in tubs.
  2. 0:27 Outward Swing Door Features Outward swing doors provide easier entry and exit, featuring a decorative glass panel and a chrome locking handle.
  3. 0:39 Inward Swing Door Details Inward swing U-shaped doors are made of brushed stainless steel with frosted glass and are removable for cleaning.
  4. 1:02 L-Shaped Door Accessibility The L-shaped door offers an extra-wide opening for easy access, accommodating wheelchair users and fitting over a toilet.
  5. 1:17 Leak-Proof Locking Mechanism Outward swing L-shaped and U-shaped doors feature a proprietary gear and shaft locking mechanism for a tight, leak-proof seal.

Common Questions

Can a wheelchair user get into an Ella walk-in tub?
Yes. The Transfer family has an L-shaped outward-swing door with no sidewall beside the seat, so a wheelchair user slides straight across. The Transfer26 is the narrowest at 26 inches wide, and the TransferXXL is the bariatric option.
Do I need therapy jets to get an accessible walk-in tub?
No. Most Ella models are available as a soaker, no-jets option for bathers who simply want a safe, comfortable soak. Hydro jets, air jets, microbubbles, hydrofoot therapy and a heated seat and back can be added where the model allows.
Can Ella add a door to my existing bathtub instead?
No. Ella's Bubbles manufactures complete walk-in tubs and does not cut a walk-through opening, add a door or make any other alteration to an existing tub. There is no Ella cut-in kit or conversion product.
Does an accessible walk-in tub need special electrical work?
A jetted tub needs a dedicated 20A/120V GFCI-protected line installed and tested by a licensed electrician. A soaking-only tub with no pumps does not match the hydromassage definition, and if a heated seat is its only electrical item Ella specifies a 15A/120V line.

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