Bathtub With a Door: The Straight Answer on Sizes, Doors and Price
Compact, standard, deep, wide, wheelchair-transfer and two-seat tubs with a door from Hydro Dimensions, Ella, Meditub and Bestbath, installed nationwide in one day or shipped free to the lower 48 supply-only.
What is a bathtub with a door?
A bathtub with a door, also called a walk in tub, step in tub or tub with door, is a bathtub with a watertight door built into the side so you step over a 3 to 7 inch threshold instead of climbing a 20 inch tub wall. You sit on a built-in seat, close the door, fill, bathe, drain, then open the door and step out.
That one change removes the single most dangerous move in a senior's day. Bathroom injuries send more than 230,000 Americans to the emergency room every year according to the CDC, and a large share of them happen climbing in or out of a standard tub. A door turns the climb into a step.
Three kinds of doors, and who each is for
- Inward swing door (most walk in tubs): the water pressure seals the door tighter as the tub fills. Takes no floor space in front of the tub. Best for anyone who can step and turn.
- Outward swing door (Ella Transfer series, Monaco, Shak): swings open toward the room so a wheelchair or walker can pull right up to the seat. Best for wheelchair users, hoist transfers and caregivers.
- Lift-up or removable door (rare, some tub-shower conversions): mostly for existing tub retrofits; a walk in tub is usually cheaper and drier.
Fast facts
- Threshold: 3" to 7" (vs. 20" on a standard tub)
- Seat height: 17" (chair height)
- Standard footprint: 60" x 30" alcove, same as your current tub
- Compact: 45" to 52" long for small bathrooms
- Bariatric: 32" to 40" wide, seats to 29"
- Drain time: 80 seconds to 3 minutes with dual drains
- Installed in one day by factory-certified crews
- Supply-only ships free to the lower 48 on many models
Bathtubs with a door, by size
Measure your alcove length, width, and the narrowest door on the path in. Then pick the row.
| Bathroom | Size class | Examples | Who it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small bath, 45" to 53" alcove | Compact | HD 2645, Ella Mobile 26x45, Meditub 2646, Ella Petite | Petite to average bathers, condos, RV-style baths |
| Standard 60" alcove | Standard | HD 3060, Meditub 3060, Ella Ultimate, HD 3052 with extension panels | Most homes; average bathers to about 300 lbs |
| Deep soak | Deep | HD 3155D, HD 3260D | Anyone who wants chest-deep water; taller bathers |
| Wider door and seat | Wide | HD 3252W, HD 3052W, Ella Royal | Larger bathers, limited hip flexibility |
| Wheelchair transfer | Outward door | Ella Transfer30, Transfer60, TransferXXL | Wheelchair users, caregivers, hoist transfers |
| Bariatric | 32" to 40" wide | HD 3555 Plus, Ella TransferXXL, Meditub 3660 | Bathers to 600 lbs, seats to 29" wide |
| Two bathers | Two-seat | Ella Tub4Two, Companion | Couples, caregiver-in-tub bathing |
Browse every bathtub with a door → or compare two side by side
What a bathtub with a door costs
Supply-only, a quality acrylic or gelcoat walk in tub runs from the low thousands for a compact soaker to the high single-digit thousands for a bariatric hydrotherapy model. Fully installed by factory-certified crews, most projects land well under $20,000, and national TV brands quote $25,000 to $30,000 for the same job. The difference is advertising and the in-home sales visit, not the tub. Full cost breakdown →
Ways people pay: monthly financing, the VA HISA grant for veterans, state Medicaid waivers, and senior and veteran discounts on every order. Medicare rarely pays, and we say so up front.
Five questions that pick the right tub
- Can the bather step over 6 inches and turn? If not, choose an outward-swing transfer tub.
- How wide is the bather at the hips? Seat widths run 17" to 29". Add 2 inches of room.
- What is the water heater? 40 gallons fills a compact soaker; hydrotherapy and deep tubs want 50 or more, or a fast-fill faucet.
- Does the door on the path in clear 27 inches? Tubs go through on edge, but we check every doorway first.
- Soak, jets, or both? Air jets for gentle massage, water jets for deep tissue, microbubble for skin therapy.
Bathtub With a Door FAQ
Is a bathtub with a door the same as a walk in tub?
Yes. Bathtub with a door, walk in tub, step in tub and tub with door all describe the same product: a bathtub with a watertight door in the side, a built-in seat and a 3 to 7 inch step-over.
Does a bathtub with a door leak?
A properly installed walk in tub does not leak. Inward-swing doors seal tighter as the water pushes against them, and we fill-test every installation with the door closed for 20 minutes. Our installation carries a written leak-protection guarantee.
How long does it take to fill and drain?
Fill time is about 6 to 12 minutes with a standard faucet and 3 to 5 with a fast-fill faucet, depending on water pressure. Dual drains empty most tubs in 80 seconds to 3 minutes, and a heated seat keeps you warm while you wait.
Will a bathtub with a door fit where my old tub is?
Almost always. Standard walk in tubs are built for the 60 inch alcove and extension panels close any gap. Compact models fit 45 to 53 inch spaces. Send a photo and the alcove measurements and we confirm fit before you order.
Does Medicare pay for a bathtub with a door?
Original Medicare does not. Some Medicare Advantage plans include a home-safety allowance, the VA HISA grant pays up to $6,800 for eligible veterans, and many state Medicaid waivers fund bathroom modifications.
Can I get a bathtub with a door and a shower?
Yes. Most walk in tubs include a handheld shower wand, and a walk in tub shower combo adds a full-height wall surround and overhead shower so you can soak or rinse standing up.
Let's make your bathroom the safest room in the house.
Talk to a real person about walk in tubs, roll in showers, installation in your area and pricing. Veteran & senior discounts included.