Ellas Bubbles Review

About Ella’s Bubbles

Ella’s Bubbles offers attractive and safe walk-in tubs designed to last a lifetime. All tubs are assembled and tested in Chicago. Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs are available in many sizes with inward- or outward-swinging leak-proof doors. Models include double-seated and wheelchair transfer tubs, as well as therapeutic water jets and air jets.

Retirement Living’s editorial team visited a showroom to evaluate the walk-in tubs offered by Ella’s Bubbles. The brand stands out for its long list of luxury and safety features, as well as the customization options available — 20 different models offer more design combinations than competitor brands.

For example, walk-in tubs from Ella’s Bubbles feature a fast-fill faucet, fast dual-drain technology, grab bars, a low threshold for safety, therapeutic air and hydro jets, and ozone sanitation. You can choose between faucets and accessories like a convenient 360-degree swivel tray to hold a beverage, book, or other items.

Pros

• Solid construction
• Hydro and air massage jets and Infusion Microbubble Therapy
• Assembled and jetted in the U.S.
• Service-oriented dealer and installer network
• Financing available through four providers
• Extensive list of size, feature, and accessory customizations

Cons

• Stiff door lever in our test
• Warranty doesn’t cover labor

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Our Experience Testing Ella’s Bubbles Walk-In Tubs

Retirement Living’s editor visited a local showroom to evaluate the Monaco walk-in tub from Ella’s Bubbles and found it more spacious than expected. The Monaco measures 32 inches wide and 52 inches long, and is roughly the same size as a standard alcove bathtub.

Its 23-inch seat is also larger and deeper than some seats offered by other brands. While this standard-size tub had more than enough room for our editor, who is 5 feet 3 inches tall, we think it could easily accommodate larger bathers.

More importantly, this tub has an outward-swinging door with a lever handle and a low four-inch threshold, which is key for creating a safer, easier entry and exit of the tub. Lever handles are easier to use than doorknobs; however, we found the lever tough to operate. Still, we think this design is intentional and helps ensure the door creates a tight, leak-proof seal.

Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs offer some of the most robust sets of size and feature customizations, which the dealer told us helps ensure the tub can fit into almost any existing bathroom setup.

As for maintenance and repairs? The dealer we spoke to told us that they only sell tubs from Ella’s Bubbles because most of the parts are made in the U.S., which, in their experience, helps provide the customer with a better, longer-lasting product and cuts down the warranty and maintenance costs for the dealer.

Lastly, our editor liked the overall quality and design of the piece. Walk-in tubs are perhaps incorrectly thought of as oversized eyesores. Our editor was pleasantly surprised by the Monaco’s design. Its stainless steel fixtures looked modern, and the showroom display showed how a walk-in tub can fit into a bathroom with elegant design.

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Ella’s Bubbles Walk-In Tub Types

Ella’s Bubbles manufactures walk-in tubs with several features that those with mobility concerns would appreciate. For example, seated walk-in tubs with outward-swinging doors give the bather more room to ease getting into or out of the tub. The company also offers transfer tubs, more commonly known as wheelchair accessible tubs.

Ella’s Bubbles offers the following walk-in tub types:

• Standard tubs
• Lay-down tubs
• Two-seater tubs
• Wheelchair accessible tubs
• Extra-long tubs for tall bathers
• Bariatric tubs with a 29-inch-wide seat

Inward-Swing Door Models

Ella’s Bubbles offers five walk-in tub models with inward-swinging doors. Each has a U-shaped stainless steel door with tempered glass and a low entry threshold.

• The Elite is the most popular model. It features a wide seat, textured, slip-resistant floor, and rubber backrest. The Elite measures 30 inches by 52 inches.
• The Royal model is Ella’s larger model, at 32 inches by 52 inches and features a 24-inch-wide seat.
• The space-saving Petite measures 28 inches by 52 inches.
• The substantially sized Ultimate is 30 inches wide and 60 inches long.
• The Deluxe model measures 30 inches wide by 55 inches long and offers a newly redesigned and updated version of their pioneer model.
• Ella’s Bubbles Lay Down walk-in tubs offer extra room so you can stand closer to the wall of the tub for stability. This model has a broad, flat floor space and an optional glass shower screen. Tub sizes are 30 inches by 60 inches and 32 inches by 72 inches.
• Ella’s Bubbles also offers four two-seat walk-in tub models, with sizes ranging from 32 inches by 60 inches to 36 inches by 80 inches.

Ella’s Bubbles Walk-In Tubs With Outward-Swing Doors

Ella’s Bubbles outward-swing door models have U-shaped or L-shaped entrances. Seven tubs feature U-shaped doors. Ella’s Bubbles has five versions of the L-shaped model called the Transfer, available in multiple sizes.

Ella’s Bubbles’ U-shaped outward-swinging doors use a three-latch locking system. This system provides a more reliable watertight door seal compared with a standard single-latch door.

• At 32 inches by 40 inches, the Front Entry is ideal for small or narrow bathrooms where a conventional tub or shower will not fit.
• Tall bathers benefit from the Lounger, measuring 27 inches by 60 inches, or the 36-inch-by-72-inch ShaK, which is the largest single-seat, outward swing-walk-in tub on the market.
• The Mobile is designed for narrow spaces, with a 26-inch width and 45-inch length, and is best for average-sized bathers.
• Ella’s Bubbles Capri walk-in tub is designed for the average-sized bather at 30 inches by 52 inches.
• The Monaco measures 32 inches by 52 inches with an extra-wide seat and a roomier tub interior. Retirement Living’s editor evaluated this tub in a showroom. More on her experience below.
• The Big4One walk-in tub offers an extended seat at 24 inches and measures 33 inches wide by 66 inches long.

The five L-shaped models are Transfer26 (26 by 52 inches), Transfer30 (30 by 52 inches), Transfer32 (32 by 52 inches), Transfer60 (30 by 60 inches), and TransferXXL (36 by 55 inches). Measurements are width by length. The TransferXXL has a 29-inch-wide seat.

Wheelchair-Accessible Walk-In Tubs

Ella’s Bubbles transfer models feature an L-shaped door designed for easy sliding into and out of the tub. The Transfer’s larger opening allows for ease of movement and is a wheelchair-accessible model. The lightweight aluminum doors use a two-latch locking mechanism to create a leak-proof seal. The Transfer is available in five sizes, listed above.

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Ella’s Bubbles Walk-In Tubs are Built to Last

Feature	Ella’s Bubbles	Competition
Frame	Stainless steel	Steel tubing
Door	Leakproof seal	Torsion bar adjustment
Leveling feet	Four corners plus center points	Four corners
Drain	Two 2-inch independent drains	One drain, sometimes with a pump
Shipping container	Reinforced cardboard or plywood box wrapped securely to a custom skid	Standard corrugated cardboard box

Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs are made for a lifetime of use. Rustproof stainless steel frames include a center support not found in all competing brands. All four frame corners and the center support have leveling feet for optimum stability. These details ensure the weight of the filled tub is properly distributed.

You can’t get out of a walk-in tub until it fully drains, so the faster the water level recedes, the better. Ella’s Bubbles gravity-driven dual drains empty the tub in as little as 80 seconds. Both drain openers have ADA-compliant extension handles for people with arthritis or weak hands. Ella’s drains use gravity rather than a pump, so they don’t need electricity to empty the tub.

Many walk-in tubs come with a torsion bar to adjust when the door starts leaking. Ella’s Bubbles does not rely on a torsion system. The doors are leak-proof and require no adjusting.

(See the image below that reflects an Ella’s Bubbles door seal, which Retirement Living’s editor took while visiting a local showroom.)

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Comfort and Therapeutic Features

Like most walk-in tub brands, Ella’s Bubbles offers hydrotherapy and aromatherapy through four types of jets to help relax sore muscles, relieve arthritis pain, and improve skin tone. Colored LED lights (chromotherapy) add to the spa-like feel, while an optional heated seat helps keep you comfortable as the tub fills.

Ella’s Bubbles also offers these comfort and installation options:

• Independent foot massage that doesn’t fill the entire tub
• CozyHeat heated seat and backrest for warmth while the tub fills
• Bluetooth speakers
• Side panels that conceal plumbing in freestanding or corner installations

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Safety Features

A walk-in tub’s lower entry threshold can make getting in and out easier than stepping over the side of a standard bathtub. Ella’s Bubbles offers low thresholds and grab bars, though their placement varies by model. Other safety features include:

• Ozone sterilization system cleans the tub’s surface and jetting lines so they’re free of contaminants, mold, and odor.
• Auto purge and backflow valves prevent water from stagnating in the air jet hosing. Auto purge blows out any water and bacteria from the hoses after your bath.
• Thermostatic control valves (TCV) prevent scalding and keep water at a consistent temperature while the tub fills. The TCV comes standard on Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs with a five-piece faucet set.

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Cost of an Ella’s Bubbles Walk-In Tub

For a starting budget, Ella’s Bubbles estimates that standard walk-in tubs cost $2,500 to $7,000. Tubs with features such as hydrotherapy jets, heated seats, and microbubble therapy cost $7,000 to $10,000. Your price depends on the tub and options you choose.

Installation and shipping aren’t included in the pricing above. At the time of publishing, local installers typically charge $2,000 to $5,000, depending on the tub you select and the work your bathroom needs. When you request a free quote, make sure it includes removal of the old tub, plumbing, electrical work, finishing, and shipping so you can compare the full project cost.

At the time of publishing, Ella’s Bubbles lists financing through Mobility Trust, Synchrony, Klarna, and PayPal Pay in 4. Mobility Trust offers fixed-rate installment loans, while PayPal Pay in 4 splits eligible purchases into four interest-free payments. Rates, terms, and eligibility depend on the provider, so check the total repayment cost before choosing a plan.

Ella’s Bubbles Warranty

Ella’s Bubbles provides a limited lifetime warranty on its walk-in tub shells, frames, doors, and parts, but not on labor or installation. The thermostatic control valve faucet is only covered for one year, given that the part is heavily affected by water quality variations, like calcium levels.

One important distinction is that the warranty only covers the original purchaser. If you plan to sell your home soon and use the tub as a sales feature, you may need to look into additional ways to transfer the warranty.

Where to Buy Ella’s Bubbles Walk-In Tubs

You can request a quote from Ella’s Bubbles or order through a local dealer. Before placing the order, confirm the model, door position, therapy features, and accessories you want. Ella’s Bubbles assembles and tests the tub in Chicago, then ships it to the delivery address arranged for your order.

Installation is separate unless your dealer includes it in a package. You can hire your own licensed contractor or ask Ella’s Bubbles for a local installer referral. Get the installation cost and scope of work in writing before you buy.

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Ella’s Bubbles Walk-In Tub Complaints

Ella’s Bubbles lives up to its promise of outstanding customer service. The company has exceptional manufacturing standards and high expectations for its dealer and installation partners.

ConsumerAffairs readers give Ella’s Bubbles 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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Ella’s Bubbles FAQs

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Conclusion

Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs are engineered and manufactured to be sturdy enough to last for many years. They’re attractive, with features that help relieve pain and promote relaxation and independence. The warranty is exceptional; the tubs are constructed and tested in the U.S., and customer reviews show that the tubs function as they’re supposed to.