Ella’s Bubbles vs. Independent Home
What is the difference between Ella's Bubbles and Independent Home?
When it comes to home improvement, Ella’s Bubbles and Independent Home have carved out a niche for themselves with their walk-in tubs. With attractive design options and lots of features to choose from, Ella’s Bubbles stands out as a luxurious walk-in tub manufacturer, but Independent Home is an ideal choice for those in need of lots of accessibility options. Walk-in tubs through Independent Home can also be customized with a variety of features, making it a versatile option for users with limited mobility.
- Ella’s Bubbles is best for customers interested in aesthetically appealing design and a luxurious bathing experience. Customers enjoy the look of its walk-in tubs as well as the added therapeutic touches. Features on these tubs range from simple dual massage jets to heated backrests and neck support.
- Independent Home is best for accessibility. In comparison to Ella’s Bubbles, Independent Home offers more options for individuals with extremely limited mobility — like its wheelchair-accessible and power-lift models. The company also provides a number of feature options, such as extendable showerheads and chromotherapy, making it a well-rounded choice for people with mobility issues.
Reputation on ConsumerAffairs
 |  | |
| Overall star rating | 4.0 | 4.6 |
| Verified customer reviews | Read reviews | Read reviews |
| 4.0 | Read reviews |
| 4.6 | Read reviews |
Cost
| | |
| Basic tub starting price | $4,000 | Only available with quote |
| Installation included | Not included | Included |
| Financing offered | ||
| Discounts offered | ||
| In-home quotes required | — | |
| Warranty - Labor | Varies by installer | Lifetime |
| Warranty - Parts | Five years | Lifetime |
| Warranty - Tub | Limited lifetime | Lifetime |
| $4,000 | Not included | — | Varies by installer | Five years | Limited lifetime | ||
 | Only available with quote | Included | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
Available walk-in tub types
| | |
| Soaker tub | ||
| Wheelchair-accessible tub | ||
| Bariatric tub | ||
| Tub/shower combo | ||
| Two-seat tubs | — |
| |||||
| — |
Tub features
| | |
| Step-in height | 3.75 inches | 4.5 inches |
| Fast drain | ||
| Quick filling | ||
| Grab bars included | ||
| Number of hydro jets | 14 to 26 | Customizable |
| Number of air jets | 16 to 18 | Customizable |
| Chromotherapy offered | ||
| Heated seats option | ||
| Heated backrest option | ||
| Remote control option | — | — |
| Showerhead options |
| 3.75 inches | 14 to 26 | 16 to 18 | — | |||||||
| 4.5 inches | Customizable | Customizable | — |
Services included with installation
| | |
| Door sizing | — | |
| Old tub removal | — | |
| Wall repair and repaint | — | |
| Electrical wiring | — | |
| Flooring touch-up | — |
| — | — | — | — | — |
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All information accurate as of publishing date.
Ella's Bubbles
Ella’s Bubbles is known for its luxurious walk-in tubs, showers and bathroom accessories. Many of its tubs feature a 360-degree swivel tray, dual drains for faster draining and ozone sterilization to clean and disinfect the water, air hoses and tubes. Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs are made from acrylic and are impenetrable to mold or mildew. They’re manufactured in Chicago.
The main focus for Ella’s Bubbles is its therapeutic benefits, which include a hydro foot massage option and microbubble therapy. Larger tubs, like the XXXL, for example, allow for dual massage and microbubble therapy. With eight product lines and a total of 30 different models, Ella’s Bubbles offers a variety of options and customizations. With the included reversible end panels, the tubs can be installed in either the left or right corners of your bathroom and can be outfitted with a stainless steel shower screen for extra privacy. Many tubs also feature a two- or three-latch door to guard against leaks.
Some info about a few of Ella’s Bubbles models:
- Elite: Ella’s Bubbles’ most popular model. It’s constructed with a removable stainless steel door, frosted tempered glass, two grab bars and an inward-swinging door. A removable swivel tray is included, and many customization options are available, including a hydro and independent foot massage option, dual air and hydro jets and chromotherapy.
- Elle Transfer30: A wheelchair-accessible walk-in tub with a 23-inch molded seat and L-Shaped outward-swing door. This tub has an adjustable step-in height and comes with both air and hydro jets and a two-latch door system to prevent leaks. It can be customized with your choice of seven different jet and massage packages, including LED chromotherapy.
- Companion: This two-seat bathtub is reinforced with fiberglass and is Ella Bubble’s smaller two-seater in comparison to the Tub4Two and Big4Two walk-in tubs. A number of customization options are available, including microbubble therapy, LED chromotherapy, heated seats, ozone sterilization and a shower kit to transform your walk-in tub into an overhead or hand-held shower.
What Ella's Bubbles customers say
In reviews, customers of Ella's Bubbles give praise for the customer service and easy DIY installation, as well as the tub’s wide seat, strong jets and pain-relieving properties. Dissatisfied customers reported issues with the drain, exiting around the tub's door and delivery or installation.
They invited us to the showroom and walked us through all the different tubs and features. So, they were very accommodating. They were very knowledgeable and they explained very well. I bought a handicap shower tub and the installation team did an awesome job. They were on time too. The tub, so far, is good.”
– Marise of Chicago, IL
Independent Home
Independent Home offers acrylic and fiberglass walk-in tubs with a lifetime warranty. The home improvement company focuses on accessible solutions for seniors and people with disabilities. Independent Home works with walk-in tub dealers across the United States as well as installation technicians to help customers get their tubs up and running.
There are a total of nine walk-in tub models available from Independent Home. Its walk-in tubs offer dual massage, double door seals and silent motors to keep noise low while bathing. Independent Home also offers a wheelchair-accessible and power-lift model for individuals with limited mobility. As of publishing, a discount on installation is available through the company’s website.
Some specifics on a few of Independent Home’s walk-in tub models:
- Life Walk-In Tub: The Life Walk-In Tub is the company’s most popular model. It comes with a 17”-inch seat and slip-resistant coating for safety. Jetting and therapeutic options are also available. The tub has options for reflexology jets for foot massages, an aromatherapy spa set and a dual air/hydrotherapy cleaning system.
- Access Walk-In Tub: The Access Walk-In Tub is Independent Home’s wheelchair-accessible model made from marine-grade fiberglass. It features an outward-swing door, which can be placed on the right or left side, and a 21-inch seat. The interior safety grab bars provide an added layer of safety for users. A hand-held showerhead is also included, and jetting options include hydrotherapy, an air jet whirlpool and dual massage.
- Cube Walk-In Tub: Customers looking to convert a shower stall into a walk-in tub will prefer the Cube. It provides a 15 ½-inch high seat and a hand-held showerhead for versatility. This tub comes with hydrotherapy, but there’s also an option to add 12 air jets.
What Independent Home customers say
Overall, Independent Home walk-in tubs have positive ratings on ConsumerAffairs. Customers are very pleased with the quality of work and the installation process. Additionally, reviewers are happy with the speed of installation, which often takes only one day. There were a few unhappy customers who felt like installation wasn’t smooth and that the tubs take too long to fill.
Independent Home's pricing was better than anybody's and their service was as good as you can get. The installers did a great job on the installation. They did it in one day and everything was done to perfection. Also, they were very easy to work with and very responsive to any questions we have.”
– Karen of Olympia, WA
Bottom line: Ella's Bubbles or Independent Home?
Both Ella’s Bubbles and Independent Home offer quality-design walk-in tubs and maximum customer satisfaction. There are slightly more aesthetic, luxury and customization options available for Ella’s Bubbles walk-in tubs, but Independent Home is also a good option in terms of versatility — its wheelchair-accessible models are ideal for those with limited mobility, and the Cube is ideal for those looking to upgrade their current shower space.
