Ella’s Bubbles Review
In our Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tub review, we researched the top models to help you decide which one is right for you.
- We consider Ella’s Bubbles one of the top brands in the market.
- Starting costs (not including installation) are between $2,957–$9,495.
- Ella’s Bubbles friendly and knowledgeable staff offer virtual tours of their models if you don’t live near a showroom.
NCOA supports everyone’s right to age well. So we take the time to research, test, and recommend products that can help you live a healthier life. We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing walk-in tubs to give you the most accurate product reviews. To find the best walk-in tubs, we:
- Consulted with mobility specialists including gerontologists, physical therapists, and primary care doctors for guidance on choosing the best walk-in tub
- Mystery-shopped five brands by scheduling five free, in-home consultations
- Surveyed more than 500 older adults on their experience using a mobility product like a walk-in tub
- Held a focus group with five older adults who use mobility products like walk-in tubs
- Interviewed experts on the importance of mobility, independence, and aging in place for older adults
- Read thousands of verified customer reviews
Read more about our mobility products review methodology.
If you have balance or mobility issues, a walk-in tub is a good way to modify your bathroom and reduce your risk of falling while getting in and out of the shower. After researching the top walk-in tub brands on the market, we named Ella’s Bubbles Best Overall Walk-In Tub in our best walk-in tubs roundup because it has six tub categories (compared to the other brands’ one to two) and offers unique, one-on-one virtual tours of their tubs for people who don’t live near a showroom.
In our Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs review, we highlight the most popular models and what sets them apart. We also explain what to look for in a walk-in tub so you can find the best one for your needs.
“My walk-in tub has been amazing in terms of improving my overall well-being & mobility.”
—Respondent to NCOA’s 2025 Mobility Survey1
Why we recommend Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs
We recommend Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs because, during our testing, they earned a near-perfect 9.9/10 for their tubs’ variety, comfort features, and accessibility. They have the widest variety of distinct tub models (six, compared to the other brands we tested, which had one to two). When we say “model,” we mean Ella’s Bubbles offers six completely distinct types of tubs. Other companies we tested had many slight variations of the same one or two models (such as a door on the left or right side). But Ella’s six models were all completely different from each other.
Ella’s makes unique two-seater tubs, lie-down tubs, as well as wheelchair-accessible tubs and bariatric tubs for higher-weight or taller people. And each of these types of tubs come in a variety of sizes to suit different weights and heights.
We also like that Ella’s Bubbles offers virtual tours of their tubs if you don’t live close to a showroom. They will find a staff member of a similar body build to demonstrate the tub on a video call. The showroom even features filled, working tubs so you can see the models in action. This is especially helpful for getting a better idea of what the tub would be like for you. No other company we tested offers virtual tours, and most companies don’t offer working models in their showrooms.
Ella’s Bubbles is an affordable option (it has the second-lowest starting cost of any walk-in tub we tested, after Safe Step). And while Ella’s Bubbles doesn’t offer installation services (competitors like American Standard or Kohler do), this does mean you can find the most competitive pricing among your local contractors.
Ella’s Bubbles
- Free virtual showroom tours
- Highest water capacity of any tub we tested
- Six completely different models to choose from
Comparing Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs
| Comparison Features | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tub type | Soaking, whirlpool, bariatric |
Soaking, whirlpool, bariatric |
Soaking, whirlpool, bariatric |
Soaking, whirlpool, bariatric, wheelchair accessible |
Soaking, whirlpool, bariatric |
Soaking, whirlpool, bariatric |
| Lowest threshold height (inches) | 4 |
5 |
6 |
4.5 |
3 |
3 |
Understanding Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tub models
Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tub models each have special features or accessories that help set them apart from each other. We’ve outlined each model in more detail below
Stainless Steel Inward Door: Great for small spaces
The Stainless Steel Inward Door tub is Ella’s Bubbles entry-level walk-in tub (only the lie-down tub has a lower starting cost). The Stainless Steel Inward Door tub has brushed-stainless steel accents and a frosted glass panel that elevate the tub’s design and appearance. The inward-swinging door makes this tub a great choice for smaller bathrooms. And it’s available in five different sizes.
Stainless Steel Inward Door
- Tub types: Soaking, whirlpool, bariatric
- Sizes available: Five
- Standout feature: Stainless steel and frosted glass inward-swinging door
- Lowest threshold height: 4”
- Weight capacity: No set weight limit
- Bariatric model available: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible model available: No
Our thoughts on the Stainless Steel Inward Door
Because this model’s door swings inward, it’s a great choice for smaller bathrooms or ones where a toilet or cabinet would block an outward-swinging door. The Stainless Steel Inward Door walk-in tub blends function and style with brushed stainless steel accents and a frosted door glass panel. Some walk-in tubs have a hospital-like appearance—typically stark-white acrylic that doesn’t blend in well with a traditional bathroom’s style. The Stainless Steel Inward Door looks more like a regular tub and can elevate the design of your home. This is important, since 68% of walk-in tub owners in our July 2025 Mobility Survey said that the style/design of their tubs was “very” or “somewhat” important.1
We think that this tub model would be great if you have a smaller bathroom (or possibly a mobile home, which tends to have smaller rooms or more narrow doors). We also like this tub for people who want to preserve the design of their bathroom without feeling like they’re using medical equipment.
Outward Swing Door: The mid-range model
The U-Shape Outswing Door walk-in tub is the mid-range model from Ella’s Bubbles. It has a unique three-latch door that ensures a stronger seal against leaks than the Inward Door. It also has the most size options (seven) than any other Ella’s Bubbles model—including a bariatric tub for higher-weight people and a larger tub for taller people (designed to fit people more than 7 feet tall).
Outward Swing Door
- Tub types: Soaking, whirlpool, bariatric
- Sizes available: Seven
- Standout feature: Most size options (available in extra big or tall sizes)
- Threshold height: 5”
- Weight capacity: No set weight limit
- Bariatric model available: Yes, two
- Wheelchair-accessible model available: No
Our thoughts on the Outward Swing Door
Like the Stainless Steel Inward Door model, the Outward Swing Door walk-in tub has a glass door panel. But the Outward Swing Door has frosted glass (so it’s not see-through), and white acrylic trim on the door instead of stainless steel. It comes with a three-latch gear that helps keep the door sealed against any potential leaks. Most Ella’s Bubbles models use a single or double-latch—only the Outward Swing Door and Two-Seat Tub models have the triple-latch.
What really sets the Outward Swing Door apart is its range of sizes—the largest of any Ella’s Bubbles model. It’s available in a space-saving Mobile option that’s great for small spaces. One participant in our August 2025 focus group of five older adults with mobility issues said she downsized from the tri-level home she lived in with her adult daughter to a smaller trailer so she could be in a single-floor home with no stairs. We like that Ella’s Bubbles offers mobile-home-sized tubs for these situations to help older adults continue to age in place.
The Outward Swing Door also comes in two of the largest sizes on the market: the Big4One walk-in tub for people up to 6’7” tall, and the ShaK is for people over 7’ tall.
If your bathroom is big enough to fit an outward-swinging door, we think that this model is a great option—especially if you are higher-weight or taller or need a tub for a smaller space.
Two-Seat Walk-In Tub: For couples and caregivers
The Two-seat Walk-in Tub has a unique two-seat design that’s great for couples or assisted bathing. We love that this can make it easier for caregivers. Only one other company we’ve seen offers two-seater walk-in tubs, and they only offered one size. Ella’s Bubbles offers four. This tub comes with both an inward and outward swinging door and is the only other Ella’s Bubbles tub (besides the Outward Swing Door) with the three-latch door.
Two-Seat Walk-In Tub
- Tub types: Soaking, whirlpool, bariatric
- Sizes available: Four
- Standout feature: Fits two bathers
- Threshold height: 6”
- Weight capacity: No set weight limit
- Bariatric model available: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible model available: No
Our thoughts on the Two-Seat Walk-In Tub
The Two-seat Walk-In Tub is designed for two people to comfortably sit while facing each other. It comes with two molded bench seats and a single inward or outward swinging door. Two of the models, the Escape and the Companion, have stainless steel accents. The Tub4Two and the Big4Two are two of the largest two-seater tubs on the market and come with seamless white acrylic.
The Two-Seat Walk-In Tub is a great choice for couples who want the opportunity to bathe at the same time. This model also works well for people who have someone who assists with bathing. Instead of the caregiver leaning over the tub, they have the option to sit inside. We like that the Two-Seat Walk-In Tub gives more options to care partners, which may help prevent caregiver burnout.
Wheelchair-Accessible Tub: The easy-transfer model
Ella’s Bubbles wheelchair-accessible tubs have a unique extra-wide L-shaped door that swings outward, allowing for safe transfer from a wheelchair. The door is big enough to swing over a standard toilet and has an extra-large grab bar on the inside to use when transferring from chair to tub. This wheelchair-accessible tub is not roll-in, meaning you must transfer yourself from the wheelchair seat to the tub seat.
Wheelchair-Accessible Tub
- Tub types: Wheelchair-accessible, soaking, whirlpool, bariatric
- Sizes available: Five
- Standout feature: L-shaped extra wide door
- Threshold height: 4.5”
- Weight capacity: No set weight limit
- Bariatric model available: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible model available: Yes
Our thoughts on the Wheelchair-Accessible Tub
The Wheelchair-Accessible Tub is designed for safe transfer from a wheelchair into the tub. The extra-wide L-shaped door makes it easier for you to move from your chair into the tub with minimal effort. The door is much larger than Ella’s Bubbles’ other models, and comes with an acrylic rather than a glass door panel. This tub’s doors have a two-latch system to prevent leaks, but two of Ella’s models (Outward Swing Door and Two-Seat Tub) have three latches.
It’s important to note that this tub is not roll-in, meaning you can’t roll your wheelchair directly into the tub. Instead, the grab bar on the inside of the door and the extra-wide seat are designed to make it easier to transfer yourself (or with the help of a care partner) from your wheelchair to the tub seat. Because it’s not roll-in, the Wheelchair-Accessible tub has a slightly higher threshold at 4.5”. But the tub seat has what Ella’s Bubbles calls a “soft-slide” acrylic seat that’s designed to reduce friction and make it easier to slide yourself onto the seat.
This type of tub gives more people the option to bathe independently. “I can now clean myself better and more often,” said a survey participant who now uses a walk-in tub. “The walk-in tub made it possible for me to shower without any additional help from someone else,” said another participant.
If you are someone who uses a wheelchair, we think Ella’s Bubbles accessible options are a great choice. They come in a variety of sizes, from petite to XXXL, to comfortably fit a variety of sizes and weights. And the L-shaped door and slip-resistant flooring help keep you safe while entering, exiting, and using the tub.
Ultra S-Shape Door Walk-in Tub: The advanced inward-swinging model
The Ultra S-Shape Door Walk-In Tub is one of Ella’s Bubbles most advanced inward-swinging door models. The extra-wide top of the S-shaped door gives more space than other Ella’s models, which makes entering and exiting the tub easier. It also comes with increased interior space and a larger seat for a more spa-like soaking experience.
Ultra S-Shape Door Walk-in Tub
- Tub types: Whirlpool
- Sizes available: One
- Standout feature: Extra-wide door gives more room to enter/exit
- Threshold height: 3 inches
- Weight capacity: No set weight limit
- Bariatric model available: No
- Wheelchair-accessible model available: No
Our thoughts on the Ultra S-Shape Walk-In Tub
The Ultra S-shape Walk-In Tub includes all of the features we love from the other Ella’s Bubbles models, including fast drain, quick fill, hydrotherapy jets, and slip-resistant floors, but upgrades them with an increased interior size and a unique, larger S-shaped door that gives you more space to enter and exit. The door’s brushed aluminum accents and frosted glass give this model the same designer touch as the Stainless Steel Outward Swing Door model.
If you want a cutting-edge model with more room and an extra-accessible door, the Ultra S-Shape Walk-In Tub is a solid choice. And because the door is inward-swinging, it can potentially fit well in a smaller bathroom. Inward-swinging door walk-in tubs tend to be more basic models since they’re better for small spaces. We like that the Ultra S-Shape has an inward-swinging door but doesn’t skimp on comfort features.
Lay-Down Walk-In Tub: The unique lie-flat model
The Lay-Down Walk-In Tub looks like a more traditional tub—with the ability to lie down or stand and shower—but still has a door in the side like a normal walk-in tub. You can use the Lay-Down model as a tub or shower (although there’s no seat). It has safety features like a non-slip floor and a low threshold (3”) to help reduce the risk of slipping and falling. We’ve only seen one other company that offers a lie-down walk-in tub model. And because this is a lie-flat model, it requires less time and water to fill up. We like how versatile and unique it is.
Lay-Down Walk-In Tub
- Tub type: Soaking, whirlpool
- Sizes available: Two
- Standout feature: Walk-in tub that lets you lie flat
- Threshold height: 3”
- Weight capacity: No set weight limit
- Bariatric model available: Yes
- Wheelchair-accessible model available: No
Our thoughts on the Lay-Down Walk-In Tub
The Lay-Down Walk-in Tub looks like a traditional bathtub—except it has a door in the side— giving you the options to lie down or stand and shower. Walk-in tubs typically only let you sit and bathe. This tub model includes an inward swinging door, vertical sides, and an extra-wide slip-resistant floor. The door is made from brushed aluminum and tempered glass. You can also choose to add a bi-fold glass panel if you want to shower.
This tub is shorter than the rest of the tubs on this list because it doesn’t have a built-in seat. That means it requires less water and can reach capacity faster. The Lay-Down has an operating capacity (meaning the amount of water it can hold without a person inside) of 70 gallons, compared to 75 gallons in the smallest size of the Stainless Steel Inward Door model. Because this tub doesn’t have a seat, we don’t recommend it for people who are unable to easily go from standing to lying on their back.
If you want a walk-in tub that looks and functions similarly to a traditional tub, the Lay-Down model is a great option. You’ll get the benefits of a typical tub but with the added safety features of a walk-in tub, like the inward-swinging door, low threshold, grippy floors, and vertical sides.
Ella’s Bubbles pros and cons
Ella’s Bubbles earned a near-perfect 9.9/10 score during testing and is the Best Overall in our guide to walk-in tubs for a reason. They have the widest range of tub models that include thoughtful safety and comfort features. We also love that they offer virtual tours of their tubs for people who don’t live near a showroom. “Overall, I had a great sales experience,” one tester said. “The sales rep was not pushy and answered all my questions in great detail. He seemed very knowledgeable and confident in the product, which put me at ease.”
The biggest drawback we found with Ella’s Bubbles is that they don’t offer installation. While you can potentially save money by working with a local contractor, some people might not like the extra job of calling different companies for quotes. Most walk-in tub companies offer installation through their own network or work with a third party. Buying installation through your walk-in tub manufacturer does tend to be more expensive (installation costs vary widely but tend to start between $3,000–$5,000).
And because the tubs come fully assembled, you’ll want to make sure they can fit through your home’s doors before purchasing.
Pros
- Wide variety of tub models
- High water capacity
- Friendly and informative staff
- Helpful, one-on-one virtual demonstrations
Cons
- Tubs come fully assembled, which might be an issue for homes with narrow doors
- Ella’s Bubbles doesn’t offer installation
- Limited lifetime warranty on tub only
Who should consider Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs:
- Anyone looking for a unique variation on a tub model (lie-down, bariatric, two-seater)
- People who prefer to work with a local contractor
- People who want to work with a knowledgeable and low-pressure salesperson
You may consider other options if you:
- Prefer a company that installs the walk-in tubs themselves
- Want tubs with more design and color options
- Want a tub that comes with a lifetime warranty on both the tub and installation
The Ella’s Bubbles customer experience
- Warranty and trial period: Limited lifetime on tub only. 30-day return period, but no trial period.
- Financing: Yes
- Phone: 800-480-6850, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT
- Email: info@ellasbubbles.com
- Contact form: Available on the website
- Chat: Available on the website
Warranties
Ella’s Bubbles offers a limited lifetime warranty on its walk-in tubs. This policy covers defects in workmanship and materials under normal use. If a part fails due to a covered reason, they will pay to send you a new one. The warranty does not cover installation. That may be a deal-breaker for some, since you’ll be on the hook for any issues from installation.
Ella’s Bubbles costs and purchasing options
Ella’s Bubbles tubs have average starting costs between $3,000–$10,000 (excluding installation). But the total cost of an Ella’s Bubbles tub depends on a variety of factors, including the size and style of tub and what additional features you add on. Call the company to get an accurate quote.
Cost comparison of Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs
| Comparison Features | Inward Door |
Outward Swing Door |
Two Seat |
Wheelchair Accessible |
Ultra S-Shape Door |
Lie-Down Walk-in Tubs  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting cost (w/o installation) | $4,002 |
$4,357 |
$9,495 |
$4,691 |
$4,686 |
$2,957 |
| Standout feature | Stainless steel door |
Outward-swinging door |
Two seats |
Wheelchair-accessible |
S-shaped door |
Vertical walls and extra-wide floor |
Where to buy Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs
To buy Ella’s Bubbles Walk-in Tubs, purchase through the company directly or through designated retailers. Ella’s Bubbles tubs are built in Chicago. The company ships directly to all 50 states and internationally. If you call Ella’s Bubbles, they will walk you through how to purchase a tub and have it shipped to you.
If you don’t live near the Ella’s Bubble showroom in Chicago, you can request a free, one-on-one virtual tour. The company will find someone with a similar build and have them give you a video tour so you can learn more about each type of tub. We love this option, since Ella’s Bubbles will also demonstrate a working model for you. Usually, when you go to walk-in tub showrooms, they have a handful of models on display, and none of them are working. Ella’s Bubbles really goes above and beyond with its virtual showroom.
Ella’s Bubbles financing
Ella’s Bubbles offers in-house financing through Mobility Trust Group. You apply on their website to find out what financing terms you qualify for. This can be a good option if you don’t want to have to pay for the tub all at once. Financing lets you pay in smaller increments over time, though you do have to keep interest rates in mind. Mobility Trust is a Community Development Financial Institution, meaning it provides financial services to people with low income and those who lack access to financing. Because it’s a charitable organization, it doesn’t publish its interest rates.
Keep in mind that Ella’s Bubbles doesn’t offer installation, so you’ll have to secure additional financing to pay for that as well.
All of the brands in our best walk-in tubs round-up offer financing, but some include installation in the price as well, like American Standard or Safe Step. This means you’d only have to secure financing once. The best option is the one that fits your budget.
Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs features
Ella’s Bubbles offers a wide range of features that make their tubs safe and comfortable. In fact, the only brand we’ve seen that offers more features is Safe Step, because they also have Bluetooth speakers. Ella’s Bubbles also has the highest water capacity available out of any tubs we tested (100 gallons, compared to Kohler’s next closest capacity of 86 gallons). This capacity is great for larger people and reinforces that Ella’s Bubbles has the most size options in the industry.
Safety features
Ella’s Bubbles safety features help minimize the risk of slipping and falling while entering, exiting, and using the tub. This is especially important because bathrooms have the highest number of fall-related risks of all the rooms in your home.2 Some of Ella’s Bubble’s safety features include:
- Slip-resistant grippy floors
- Extra-wide doors
- Low threshold
- Molded seat to prevent slipping
- Anti-scald technology
When we surveyed 600 people with mobility issues, 92% said safety features were either very important or somewhat important factors in their decision to purchase a mobility product.1
For more information on adding safety features to your home, see our article on the steps to fall-proof your home.
Comfort features
Ella’s Bubbles also offers comfort features to make taking a bath a spa-like experience. The company offers both air and water jets that massage different areas of the body, like the feet, legs, or back, easing pain and relieving pressure points. Massaging jets and other forms of hydrotherapy can improve a person’s physical health and reduce their risk of falling.3 Ella’s Bubbles offers a standard number of 34 jets, beaten only by American Standard’s 44 jets. Typically, the more jets a tub has, the more targeted relief it can offer.
Ella’s Bubbles offers a number of comfort features, including:
- Chromotherapy, which is light therapy that can help improve cognitive function in older adults)4
- Aromatherapy, which can help elevate mood and improve mental health5
- Quick drain feature, which uses a unique two-drain system to drain the tub quickly (in 80–200 seconds, much faster than the 5–15 minute average we saw in our research)
- Fast fill, which minimizes the time you spend waiting for the tub to fill
“The safety improvement [of a walk-in tub] is more than falling prevention alone. Older adults that are confident with bathroom safety practices can continue with their personal hygiene routines longer without assistance. We see clients who switched to walk-in tubs still continue to bathe independently for an average of 18 more months before needing support from a caregiver.”
—Stephen Huber, President of Home Care Providers in La Brea, California
Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tub installation
Ella’s Bubbles does not offer walk-in tub installation. They can suggest installers in your area, but they do not schedule or assist with the installation process. While this might be a benefit for someone who wants to potentially save money on installation, it could be a drawback for people who don’t want to deal with coordinating installation. If that is the case for you, we recommend other brands like American Standard or Safe Step.
“I would recommend Ella’s Bubbles to someone who wants more control of the contractor process,” one tester said. “I think by handling that portion, you could save a significant amount of money. Some of my other quotes with installation were in the 25K+ range, so with the pricing of these tubs coming in around $8K, that leaves a significant budget for install.”
Ella’s Bubbles accessories
Ella’s Bubbles offers a wide range of design and functional accessories, including:
- Wall tiles in various designs
- Tub wall surround kits
- Retractable 4-fold screens
- Rain shower head
- Separate pet spa
Are Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs right for you?
Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs might be right for you if you have balance or mobility issues that make stepping in and out of a traditional tub unsafe. In our 2025 focus group of older adults with mobility concerns, we found that having safety features in the bathroom was a major priority for some of our participants. “I've got quite a few issues that are affecting my mobility, so if I take any steps in or out of the tub, I've got to hold on to something,” one participant said.6 We like that Ella’s Bubbles has several safety features like slip-resistant floors and extra-low thresholds to support safe entry and exit.
Ella’s Bubbles might also be right for you if you want to age in place in your current home. Adding home safety modifications like a walk-in tub or stair lifts can help make your home safer as you age (you can read more in our guide to the best stair lifts). But in that same focus group, some of the participants explained that it was actually more cost-effective for them to move into a different home (single-story or trailer from a multi-story home) than pay for home safety modifications.6 It’s important to remember that the right choice for you is unique to your needs and goals.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs cost?
Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs cost anywhere from $2,957–$12,000, not counting installation. It depends on the size, style, and features you choose.
Where can I buy Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs?
You can buy Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs directly from the company or by purchasing from a local home improvement retailer.
Are Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs legit?
Yes, Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs are legit. The company has a solid reputation and great reviews.
Questions? Email us at reviewsteam@ncoa.org.