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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Walk-In Bathtub: Costs, Sizes, Thresholds, & Safety Feature Differences You Should Know
- Chris Gleeson
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Walk-in bathtubs have become one of the fastest-growing upgrades for aging-in-place, mobility support, and long-term home safety. Yet choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Between hydrotherapy jets, microbubble systems, threshold heights, and dozens of models from companies like Safe Step, Kohler, and Ella’s Bubbles, it’s hard to know where to begin.
This guide breaks everything down into a simple, informative resource to help you compare tubs, understand what features matter most, and ultimately make a confident, safe investment in your home.
Why Walk-In Bathtubs Matter
A walk-in bathtub does more than modernize your bathroom — it restores independence, reduces slip-and-fall risk, and creates a therapeutic space for pain relief, recovery, or mobility limitations. They’re especially helpful for:
Seniors aging in place
Individuals with arthritis, neuropathy, or chronic pain
Anyone wanting safer bathing mobility
Homeowners wanting long-term, accessible upgrades
The right tub can enhance daily living — the wrong one can become an expensive fixture no one uses. The differences matter.
1. Threshold Height: The First Safety Checkpoint
One of the most essential (and overlooked) considerations is threshold height, meaning the step-in height required to enter the tub.
Ultra-Low Thresholds (3–4 inches)
Found in Kohler and some Ella's Bubbles models
Best for seniors, wheelchairs, limited mobility
Safest and most ergonomic
Low–Standard Thresholds (4–7 inches)
Common in Safe Step models
Still significantly safer than a traditional tub
If mobility is your primary concern, choose 4 inches or lower whenever possible.
Wheelchair-Transfer Tubs
Ideal for people who use a wheelchair or have very limited mobility.
Features wide outward-swing door and molded seat make transfers easier.
Important note : “Wheelchair-accessible” does not necessarily mean “roll-in” (i.e. you still transfer from chair to seat, rather than rolling directly in). Ella’s Bubbles website feature specs manuals to help clarify transfer from chair to tub seat. You can find them here.
2. Size & Soaking Depth: Comfort Meets Practicality
Walk-in tubs come in a surprising range of sizes. Knowing your bathroom’s measurements will save you time — and installation headaches.
Compact Tubs (~30″ × 52″)
Fit most standard bathtub alcoves
Example: Ella’s Standard 30×52, Safe Step 28x51
Ideal for smaller bathrooms
Mid-Size Tubs (~60″ × 32–40″)
Models like Kohler’s walk-in tub
More soaking room
Increased comfort and depth
Oversized & Two-Person Tubs (60–80″ length)
Examples: Ella’s Tub4Two, Big4Two
Roomy, luxurious, great for couples or therapeutic use
Require more space, plumbing capacity, and often a larger water heater
If you’re tall, want extra soaking space, or plan to use therapy features, consider stepping up in size.
3. Door Types: Safety, Comfort & Space
Inward-Swing Doors
Space-saving
Create a secure seal when filled
Common in compact models (Ella’s, Safe Step)
Outward-Swing Doors
Easier for wheelchair transfers
More room for entry
Found in premium models like Ella’s Big4Two
Center Doors (Wide Entry)
Excellent accessibility
Usually on larger tubs
4. Feature Comparison: Jets, Therapy Systems & Modern Upgrades
Walk-in tubs differ dramatically in the comfort and therapy systems they offer. Here’s what to look for:
Hydrotherapy Jets (Water Jets)
Ideal for:
Arthritis
Muscle tension
Circulation improvement
Found in:
Safe Step
Ella’s Bubbles Hydro Models
Kohler Hybrid models
These jets target sore muscles, offering a spa-like experience.
Air Jets (Gentle Air Massage)
Ideal for:
Sensitive skin
Fibromyalgia
Light relaxation
They provide a mild, bubbly sensation and easy cleaning.
Microbubble / MicroSoothe Systems
Offered by brands like Ella’s Bubbles and Safe Step, MicroSoothe features oxygen-rich microbubbles that:
Deep-clean pores
Improve hydration
Provide gentle therapeutic warmth
It’s one of the most innovative, skin-soothing features on the market.
Dual Drain / Fast Drain Systems
Examples:
Ella’s Dual-Drain Technology
** Why it matters: A standard tub can take 5–15 minutes to drain; dual drains cut that dramatically, reducing discomfort from waiting in cooling water.
Heated Backrests & Seat Warmers
A must-have for anyone with stiffness, chronic pain, or circulatory issues. Keeps the body warm while filling and draining.
5. Pricing: What to Expect
A walk-in bathtub can range widely in cost depending on features and complexity:
Tub Type | Price Range |
Compact Basic Tub | $2,500–$5,500 |
Mid-Size Tub w/ Jets | $7,000–$12,000 |
Premium Therapeutic Tub | $12,000–$18,000 |
Two-Person or Luxury Hydro/Microbubble | $15,000–$25,000+ |
Installation ranges between $4,500–$12,000 depending on electrical, plumbing, demolition, and framing needs. This is why getting a local installer consultation is essential — each home’s configuration is different.
6. Why Work With a Professional Installer Like Gleeson’s Modern Concepts
Buying a tub is not like buying a faucet — it’s a safety decision, a lifestyle investment, and major bathroom modification. When you work with a specialist:
We assess your space, plumbing, electrical, and structural needs.
We help you choose the right threshold height, size, and model for your mobility level.
We handle installation safely, cleanly, and quickly.
You get access to professional-grade models not always sold direct to consumers.
Choosing the right team ensures your tub fits your home — and your life — perfectly.
COMPARISON CHART: Walk-In Tub Key Features & What to Look For
Category | What It Means | Best For | Example Models |
Threshold Height | Step-in height for entry | Safety, mobility support | Kohler (3″) & Ella’s Bubbles |
Size | Overall footprint & soaking dimensions | Fit + comfort | Ella’s Standard (30×52), Kohler (60×32), Tub4Two |
Door Type | Inward, outward, or center entry | Transfer needs & space | Ella’s Outward Swing, Safe Step |
Hydrotherapy Jets | Strong water jets for pain relief | Arthritis, stiffness | Safe Step Hydro, Ella’s Hydro |
Air Jets | Gentle bubbling massage | Sensitive skin | Ella’s Air Models |
Microbubble | Oxygen microbubble therapy | Skin health, relaxation | Ella’s & Safe Step |
Heated Surfaces | Warm seat/backrest | Comfort while filling/draining | Kohler, Ella’s, Safe Step |
Fast Drain Technology | Quicker water drainage | Reduces wait time | Ella’s Dual Drain |
Cost Range | Install + tub | Budget planning | $8,600 - $19,900 |
The Truth About Pricing: Why Choosing Local Installers Can Save You Thousands
Working with a trusted local installer instead of a national walk-in tub corporation can easily save homeowners $5,000–$12,000—and often with better results. Large walk-in tub brands spend millions on nationwide advertising, high-pressure sales teams, and corporate overhead, and those costs are quietly baked into every quote. Local installers don’t carry that burden. Instead, you get direct pricing, transparent labor costs, and the freedom to choose from multiple tub manufacturers rather than being locked into one premium-priced brand.
Even more importantly, local professionals typically have long-standing relationships with suppliers and can source the exact same tubs—often from the very manufacturers the big companies use—at a fraction of the markup. Because they’re based in your community, they can provide faster appointments, more personalized care, and ongoing support long after the installation is complete.
The result? Top-tier products, custom installation, and thousands in savings—without the high-pressure sales tactics. When you choose a reputable local installer, you're not just buying a tub. You’re investing in honest pricing, expert craftsmanship, and service built around you instead of corporate quotas.
If you are interested in purchasing a walk-in bathtub, contact Gleeson's Modern Concepts for a free in-home assessment and reap all the benefits of working with a local, family-owned installation company.
Stay Safe,
Chris Gleeson
Owner of Gleeson's Modern Concepts
McKinney, TX
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