Comfort looks different for everyone. Choose from 25+ walk-in tubs, each with soothing jets and doors that can be customized to your specific bathroom configuration. Choose the topic below and click the link to learn the details.
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Important
How to Measure Yourself for the Perfect Walk-In Tub Fit
Walk-in tubs are designed for seated comfort, so choosing the right size matters. To ensure your tub fits perfectly and is comfortable to use, pay attention to the key measurements below. You can also view detailed drawings for each model on their product pages at ellasBubbles.com.
Key Measurements:
1.
Hip & Shoulder: Seat Size
Help ensure the tub seats you comfortably.
2.
Soaking Depth
Determine how deep you can soak and relax.
3.
Footwell Space
Step-in floor area, affects ease of entry and legroom.
Hips & Shoulder: Seat Size
Measure your shoulders
Keep the tape level and measure across your chest. Measure your shoulders to help ensure a relaxing fit, make sure the bathtub seat is slightly larger than both measurements.
Measure your hips
Comfortably and hold the tape straight across your pelvis.
2.) Soaking Depth
To figure out the right seat length, sit comfortably in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Measure from the back of the chair to the tips of your feet, this shows how much space you’ll need in the tub to sit and soak comfortably.
If you prefer to lie down while bathing, consider a lay-down walk-in tub without a seat. These tubs still include all the safety and convenience features of a walk-in tub, but allow you to stretch out fully.
Footwell Space
While you don’t need to take exact measurements, footwell size is still important for comfort and safety. The footwell serves multiple purposes: it acts as a step-in platform for entering and exiting the tub, provides space for your legs while seated, and allows for standing showering.
Consider your bathroom layout and personal preferences to choose the footwell size that works best for you.
3. Door Style Options & Selections
Always Consider the bather’s physical dimensions or impairments and bathroom layout when choosing a door type.
Our Exclusive Design
Picking the correct door type is an important detail that you don’t want to overlook. There are ‘U’ shaped doors that sport a modern design, and they’re perfect for the common bather. ‘L’ shaped doors are great for those with mobility issues as they allow for easy transfer from wheelchair to the walk-in bathtub and back.
Outward Swing Doors allow for more room inside the tub, but may require more space in the bathroom to accommodate the door.
4. Understanding Drain Positioning
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Left Side Drain
Right Side Drain
5. Bathroom Space & Access
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Every home is different, so it’s important to make sure your new tub fits easily. Take a moment to measure doorways, hallways, and any turns from your front door to the bathroom. Check that the tub door won’t block fixtures or get in the way. If you’re unsure about anything, you can always look at the specifications online or give us a call — we’re happy to help.
6. Understanding Functionality of Access, Extension, and End Panels
Extension Panel Removal and Replacement Guidelines
Before moving your walk-in tub into your home or bathroom, be sure to remove all removable panels, including the front apron with access panels, the end panel, and any extension panels. These panels are not meant to support the tub’s weight during transport and could break if left on. Replacement or extra acrylic panels are available, though the white color may vary slightly.
Access Panel
Extension Panel
Reversible End Panel
7. Understanding Therapeutic Add-Ons
Select a link to learn more:
Soaking Only
For a simple, economic way to relax and soak away stress, this option is perfect. A warm bath can help calm your nerves, clear sinuses, and ease muscle and joint discomfort.
Air Massage Therapy
Enjoy our air massage system with three speeds, controlled by a simple button. It includes bidet jets specifically to help bathers (including those with mobility issues) clean hard-to-reach places. The system also features 'auto purge,' which automatically clears moisture from the air lines after your bath to prevent mold and mildew (it runs for two minutes about 20 minutes later).
Infusion™ Microbubble Therapy
Our microbubble jetting feature creates billions of tiny bubbles that turn the water cloudy. These bubbles deeply cleanse and hydrate your skin, offering a unique exfoliating and invigorating experience. It's great for skin conditions; some customers with psoriasis and eczema report healthier, cleaner-feeling skin after using it.
Hydrotherapy Massage
Hydrotherapy jets are great for circulation issues. Adjust the intensity with a simple dial. An inline heater maintains water temperature for a comfortable, longer bath. And automatic ozone sterilization keeps the system clean and fresh.
Hydrotherapy + Independent Foot Massage
Enjoy one of our most popular and unique features! Get a soothing hydro foot massage in minutes without filling the entire tub – just fill the foot well! It has its own control for adjustable intensity, perfect for a quick, relaxing foot and calf massage whenever you like. Our larger tubs – the TransferXXL, Transfer60, ShaK, Ultimate, Elite, and all 2-seat models – can fit comprehensive therapy packages. You can choose combinations like:
- Hydro jets, Air jets, and the Hydro Foot Massage
- Hydro jets, Air jets, Microbubble therapy, and the Hydro Foot Massage
Larger tubs like TransferXXL, Transfer60, ShaK, Big4One, and the 2 Seat models can fit all of the below therapy options:
Air + Hydro + Hydro/Independent Foot Massage
Air + Hydro + Hydro/Independent Foot Massage + Microbubble Therapy
Three of the most popular combinations are:
Hydro + Air
Hydro + Hydro/Independent Foot Massage
Hydro + Microbubble Therapy
Did you know?
Bathers may benefit from air and hydrotherapy jetted walk-in tubs if they suffer from these health concerns.
Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Always consult with your doctor before buying/using a walk-in tub.
8. Choosing Accessories
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Enhance Your Bathing Experience
Make your Ella walk-in tub even more enjoyable with optional accessories designed for comfort and convenience. From extra features to helpful add-ons, you can customize your tub to fit your lifestyle, and everything ships right along with your tub for a seamless experience.
9. Electrical Requirements
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Electrical work for your walk-in tub requires a dedicated line with a GFCI-protected breaker, installed by a licensed electrician following local codes. They will size the breaker based on your tub’s power needs. Always consult your local licensed electrician.
10. Water Supply Requirements
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For quicker fill times and steady water pressure, we recommend 3/4″ water supply lines instead of 1/2″ for your walk-in tub. Be sure they include easily accessible shut-off valves for added convenience. Our fast-fill faucets come with supply lines, and choosing 3/4″ lines makes a noticeable difference in how fast your tub fills, so you can enjoy your bath sooner.
11. Water Heater Selection
When choosing an instant water heater for your walk-in tub, getting hot water quickly is crucial, and this primarily depends on the flow rate (GPM – gallons per minute).
1. Flow Rate
Gas water heaters typically have a higher flow rate compared to electric heaters. They can heat water more quickly, making them suitable for larger households or simultaneous hot water demands. Electric water heaters may struggle to maintain the desired temperature at high flow rates, particularly in colder climates.
2. Energy Efficiency
Although electric heaters are more energy-efficient, the higher flow rate advantage of gas heaters is a crucial factor when considering performance.
3. Operating Cost
Gas heaters usually have lower operating costs due to the lower cost of natural gas, despite their lower energy efficiency.
4. Installation Cost
Electric water heaters are easier and cheaper to install but may require an electrical service upgrade to handle the high flow rates.
5. Recovery Rate
The faster flow rate of gas water heaters translates to a quicker recovery rate, providing more hot water per hour.
6. Space Requirements
Gas water heaters require more space for venting and gas line installations, while electric heaters are more compact.
7. Availability of Energy Source
The availability of natural gas in your area will determine whether a gas heater is a viable option for you.
We strongly suggest choosing a water heater with a capacity of 75 gallons or higher for tank-style heaters, or a minimum flow rate of 11 GPM for instant heaters, to ensure sufficient hot water supply for your household needs.
In summary, gas water heaters typically offer a faster flow rate (GPM) than electric water heaters, making them more suitable for households with high hot water demands. However, factors such as energy costs, available space, and environmental concerns should also be considered when choosing between the two types of heaters.
Before making a decision on the best water heater for your home, it’s essential to consult with a licensed and experienced contractor. They can assess your specific needs, recommend the most suitable option, and ensure proper installation and compliance with local regulations.
12. Who Can Install A Walk-in Tub?
For installation, please use a licensed and experienced local contractor. They’re familiar with local codes and can install the tub correctly using our guides. Ella’s tech support is also available for them, offering live video assistance if needed.
13. Cleaning & Maintenance
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Ella’s tubs with hydro or air massage come with built-in features that keep them fresh and easy to maintain. Hydrotherapy models use Ozone Sterilization, an eco-friendly way to disinfect the water. Air massage models include an Auto-Purge cycle, which automatically clears moisture and bacteria from the air lines after each bath. This helps prevent mold, keeps the system clean, and gives you confidence your tub is always ready to enjoy.
14. Questions Before Purchasing?
Shopping for a walk-in tub can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here, we’ve gathered the most common questions we hear from customers and answered them in plain, easy-to-understand language. Our goal is to give you the knowledge and confidence you need to make the choice that’s right for you—without pressure, confusion, or sales tricks.
15. Financing Options
Finance your walk-in tub with convenient, flexible options starting at 0% APR. Get your personalized monthly payment in minutes — no credit impact, no prepayment penalties, and no home equity needed.
16. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Buying a walk-in tub can feel overwhelming, so we’ve collected the questions we hear most often and answered them in plain, easy-to-understand terms. From water temperature and fast-filling faucets to safety, cleaning, and installation, this guide is designed to help you feel confident and informed before you make a decision.
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