Get your transfer tub quote
Three quick steps. We measure, install and walk you through it.
Wheelchair accessible walk-in tubs in Florida
Slide over. Swing your legs in. Soak again. Our transfer tubs are built for wheelchair users, and we install them for you.
Wide 36-inch transfer doorA bath you can get into from your wheelchair
A regular tub asks you to stand, step and lower yourself down. For a wheelchair user, that can be hard or unsafe.
A transfer tub changes the order. You never have to stand in the tub. You sit first. Then you move your legs.
The door is wide and shaped like an L. It swings out into the room. The seat sits right by the opening. You pull your wheelchair up close. You slide across onto the seat. Then you swing your legs over the low edge and inside.
Close the door. Fill the tub. Enjoy a warm soak. When you are done, the water drains. You open the door and slide back to your chair.
Many people who do not use a wheelchair like transfer tubs too. Sliding onto a seat can be easier than stepping over a threshold, even a low one.
How a transfer into the tub works
Every body is different. An occupational therapist can teach the safest method for you. Here is the general idea.
Line up and lock
Open the door fully. Roll your wheelchair beside the seat. Lock the brakes. Move the armrest and footrests out of the way if yours allow it.
Slide and sit
Use the grab bar and the tub edge for support. Slide across onto the seat. A transfer board can help if your therapist suggests one.
Legs in, door closed
Lift or swing your legs inside. Close and latch the door. Now fill the tub and relax.
Safety first: practice transfers with a therapist or caregiver before you bathe alone. Ask about grab bar placement outside the tub too. We can place bars where your hands need them.
Ella wheelchair transfer walk-in tubs
Ella makes five transfer tubs. All share a 36-inch L-shaped door that swings out. Ella uses a gear and shaft-driven 2-latch lock hidden under an acrylic cover for a tight seal. The big difference between models is size and seat width.
Ella Transfer26
26" W x 52" L | 24" seatThe narrowest Ella transfer tub. It saves space and water. A good pick for smaller bathrooms and petite to average bathers.
Ella Transfer30
30" W x 52" L | 22" seatElla's most popular standard-size transfer tub. It fits many common tub spaces.
Ella Transfer32
32" W x 52" L | 24" seatTwo inches wider than the Transfer30. More room for larger body types.
Ella Transfer60
30" W x 60" L | 22" seatA longer interior for taller bathers. Fits a standard 60-inch space.
Ella TransferXXL
36" W x 55" L | 29" seatElla's largest transfer tub. A bariatric size with an oversized seat for bathers who need the most room.
| Model | Size | Seat width | Door |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ella Transfer26 | 26" W x 52" L | 24" seat | 36" L-shaped, outward swing |
| Ella Transfer30 | 30" W x 52" L | 22" seat | 36" L-shaped, outward swing |
| Ella Transfer32 | 32" W x 52" L | 24" seat | 36" L-shaped, outward swing |
| Ella Transfer60 | 30" W x 60" L | 22" seat | 36" L-shaped, outward swing |
| Ella TransferXXL | 36" W x 55" L | 29" seat | 36" L-shaped, outward swing |
Sizes and seat widths come from Ella's published specifications. Ask us for the spec sheet on any model.
Wheelchair accessible tubs from RANE, Meditub and Hydro Dimensions
Ella is only one choice. We also sell and install other trusted brands. Here are more options for wheelchair users and bigger bathers.
RANE Mediterranean RB14
33.5" W x 60" L | 28" seatRANE by Bestbath designed the Mediterranean for bariatric bathers who may enter from a wheelchair or a lift. It is RANE's largest residential tub.
Meditub 3060WCA
30" W x 60" L | 21" seatA wide outward swing door opens up full access to the seat, so you sit down before you ever reach the threshold.
Meditub 2953WCA
L-shaped doorA traditional L-shaped transfer door, with a choice of left or right drain and matching door swing.
Hydro Dimensions
Lifetime warrantyHandcrafted in the USA with a lifetime warranty covering the shell, frame, motors, controls and door seals. Ask us which models suit a transfer.
Our labor warranty: white-glove installation includes a 1-year labor warranty. Hydro Dimensions supply-only DIY purchases also include a 1-year labor warranty.
How to choose a transfer tub
Seat width
Start here. The seat must feel secure. Seats run from 22 inches on the Transfer30 and Transfer60 to 29 inches on the TransferXXL. If you use a wide wheelchair, a wider seat often feels better.
Tub length
Taller bathers want more legroom. The Transfer60 is 60 inches long. The TransferXXL is 55 inches. The others are 52 inches.
Tub width
Wider tubs give more room inside but take more floor space. The Transfer26 is just 26 inches wide for tight rooms.
Space for the chair
Your wheelchair needs room to pull up beside the seat. The outward door needs room to swing open. We measure both.
The path into your home
The tub must fit through your doors and halls. Wide models need a clear path. We check it before you order.
Hot water and jets
Bigger tubs hold more water. We check your water heater. If you want jets, we plan the power they need.
Walk-in tubs for big and tall bathers
Many walk-in tubs feel cramped for larger or taller people. That makes bath time less safe, not more. Ella makes several roomy models.
The TransferXXL is the bariatric transfer option. For bathers who can step over a low threshold, these models add more room:
Ella Royal
32" W x 52" L | 24" seatInward swing stainless steel door with a wide seat.
Ella Monaco
32" W x 52" LOutward swing door, two inches wider than the Capri.
Ella Big4One
33" W x 66" LBuilt for big and tall bathers up to 7 feet, with an extended seat.
Ella ShaK
36" W x 72" LElla calls it the world's biggest single-seat acrylic walk-in tub.
Ella Lay Down 72
32" W x 72" LMade for the tallest bathers. Bathe lying down or shower.
Ella suggests checking the model drawings carefully for the largest tubs, to be sure the size is right. We help you do that.
Easier bathing for the people who help
Helping someone bathe in a regular tub is hard work. You bend, lift and reach over a tall wall. That can hurt your back and put your loved one at risk.
A transfer tub helps both of you.
- The wide open side lets you stand close.
- Your loved one sits the whole time.
- A handheld shower lets you rinse hair and skin easily.
- Grab bars give your loved one something solid to hold.
- The door stays closed and sealed while the tub is full.
Many of our calls come from adult children and spouses. If that is you, we are glad to talk through options with you and your loved one together.
Transfer tub or roll-in shower?
Both help wheelchair users. Here is a simple way to choose.
| Need | Better fit |
|---|---|
| Can slide onto a seat and wants to soak | Transfer tub |
| Cannot transfer from the wheelchair | Roll-in shower |
| Caregiver must stand beside the bather | Roll-in shower |
| Warm water helps sore muscles or joints | Transfer tub |
| Prefers showers over baths | Roll-in shower |
Our Bestbath roll-in showers are made in Idaho and Tennessee. They have a very low threshold, a padded fold-up seat and a 30-year warranty on the entire shower. Ask about roll-in showers.
Transfer tubs in Florida homes and condos
Florida bathrooms come in every shape. Beach condos. Ranch homes on slabs. Villas in 55+ communities. Each one needs a little planning.
Condos and HOAs
Many associations want approval before a bathroom remodel. Some limit work hours or elevator use. Ask early so install day goes smoothly.
Slab foundations
Many Florida homes sit on concrete. Moving a drain means cutting the slab. So we match the tub's drain side to your current drain when we can. Transfer tubs come in left and right drain versions.
Upstairs bathrooms
A full tub with a bather is heavy. For upper floors, we look at the floor and the filled weight of the tub first.
Humidity
Florida air is damp. A warm bath adds more moisture. A good exhaust fan helps protect your walls and fight mildew.
Hurricane season
Storms from June through November can delay deliveries and work. We plan around the weather and keep you updated.
Your measuring checklist
- Length and width of your current tub space
- Which side your drain is on
- Clear floor space beside the tub for the chair
- Room for the outward door to swing open
- Width of every door and hall on the way in
- Age and size of your water heater
Do not worry if you cannot measure it all. We do it for you during your quote.
Safety features that matter for wheelchair users
Not every feature is a gimmick. These are the ones that make a real difference when you transfer from a chair.
A wide door opening
More room means an easier slide. Ella transfer doors are 36 inches wide.
A seat near the door
The shorter the slide, the safer the transfer. Transfer seats sit right by the opening.
A secure latch
The door must stay sealed while the tub is full. Ella transfer doors use a 2-latch gear and shaft lock.
Grab bars in reach
You need something solid to hold as you shift your weight. We can add bars outside the tub too.
A handheld shower
Rinse from the seat without reaching or twisting. It helps caregivers as well.
Easy controls
Large, simple controls near the seat help hands with arthritis or weak grip.
Temperature protection
Some wheelchair users have reduced feeling in their legs. Ask about an anti-scald valve that limits water temperature.
A fast drain
You stay seated while the tub empties. Ella's gravity-driven dual drain helps shorten the wait.
Transfer tub installation, done right
A transfer tub has to sit level, seal tight and leave room for the wheelchair. The details matter. That is why we recommend full installation.
We measure everything
The tub space, the chair approach, the door swing, your hallways, the drain side, the water heater and the power for jets.
We remove the old tub
We take out your old tub or shower and haul it away. We protect your floors along the way.
We place support where you need it
Tell us how you move. We can add grab bars outside the tub where your hands reach for them.
We show you how it works
We fill and drain the tub with you. We walk through the door, the controls and the jets before we leave.
Ways to pay for a wheelchair accessible tub
We do not post one price for everyone. Your cost depends on the model, options and what your bathroom needs. Call 1-888-779-2284 for a fast, accurate quote.
Veterans: the VA HISA grant can help with medically necessary home changes. It is a lifetime benefit of up to $6,800 for a service-connected disability, or up to $2,000 for other eligible veterans. See the VA HISA page.
Florida counties: many counties use SHIP funds for home repairs, and accessibility work can qualify. Rules differ by county.
Local help: the Florida Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337 connects you with your Area Agency on Aging. Learn more.
Medicare note: Original Medicare generally does not pay for walk-in tubs. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer bathroom safety benefits, so call your plan and ask.
Wheelchair accessible walk-in tub FAQ
What is a wheelchair accessible walk-in tub?
It is a walk-in tub made so a wheelchair user can get in without stepping. Most are transfer tubs. They have a wide door that swings out and a seat near the opening. You slide from your wheelchair onto the seat, then swing your legs in.
How wide is the door on an Ella transfer tub?
Ella transfer tubs use a 36-inch wide L-shaped door that swings outward.
Which Ella transfer tub has the widest seat?
The Ella TransferXXL has the widest seat at 29 inches. It is 36 inches wide and 55 inches long.
Can I roll my wheelchair into a walk-in tub?
No. A walk-in tub holds water, so it has walls and a door. You transfer from the wheelchair onto the seat. If you need to stay in your wheelchair, a roll-in shower is the better choice.
Is a transfer tub or a roll-in shower better for a wheelchair user?
A transfer tub is great if you can slide onto a seat and want to soak. A roll-in shower is better if you cannot transfer or a caregiver needs to stand beside you. We install both and help you choose.
Can a caregiver help with a transfer tub?
Yes. The wide outward door gives a caregiver room to stand close and help with the transfer. Talk with an occupational therapist about safe transfer techniques.
Do transfer tubs need extra floor space?
Yes. The outward swing door needs clear space to open fully, and a wheelchair needs room to pull up beside the tub. We measure your bathroom to make sure it works.
Will a transfer tub fit my current tub space?
Often. The Transfer60 fits a standard 60-inch space. The Transfer26, Transfer30 and Transfer32 are 52 inches long. We measure your space, doorways and drain side first.
Are there walk-in tubs for bariatric or very tall bathers?
Yes. The TransferXXL is a bariatric transfer tub with a 29-inch seat. The Big4One is built for bathers up to 7 feet tall, and the ShaK is 36 by 72 inches.
Which brands make wheelchair accessible walk-in tubs?
We install wheelchair accessible tubs from Ella, RANE by Bestbath and Meditub, and we sell Hydro Dimensions tubs too. Options include the Ella Transfer series, the RANE Mediterranean RB14 and the Meditub 3060WCA and 2953WCA.
Who makes your roll-in showers?
Bestbath is our top choice for roll-in showers. Bestbath makes its products in Caldwell, Idaho and Sparta, Tennessee, and our handicap showers include a 30-year warranty on the entire shower.
Does Medicare pay for a wheelchair accessible tub?
Original Medicare generally does not pay for walk-in tubs. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer bathroom safety benefits. Veterans may qualify for the VA HISA grant. Florida counties may offer SHIP repair help for accessibility work.
Do you install transfer tubs across Florida?
Yes. We install wheelchair accessible walk-in tubs across Florida. Call 1-888-779-2284 for a free quote.
Want the full picture? Go back to Florida walk in tubs or read our walk-in tub blog.