Ella's Bubbles
Ella's Bubbles is a Chicago-based manufacturer of acrylic walk-in bathtubs, gelcoat walk-in tubs, and accessible shower stalls, selling 28+ proprietary models through DTC e-commerce, a North American dealer network, and online marketplaces to seniors, individuals with mobility challenges, couples, and pet owners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ella's Bubbles does
Ella's Bubbles is a Chicago-based OEM manufacturer founded in 2005 that designs, assembles, and distributes walk-in bathtubs, gelcoat walk-in tubs, and accessible shower stalls and kits. The company produces over 28 proprietary models in categories including stainless steel door tubs, U-shape and L-shape outswing door (wheelchair transfer) tubs, lay-down tubs, two-seat tubs, inward swing door tubs, assisted bathing equipment, and pet spa products. Notable proprietary technologies include the patented Dual Drain Technology (a gravity-driven 2-inch system with four ports that drains in approximately 80-120 seconds without power), a patented 360° Swivel Tray, gear-and-shaft driven multi-latch door systems (three-latch for outward swing, two-latch for wheelchair transfer models), independent foot and calf massage jets, hydrogen therapy, and infusion microbubble therapy. Manufacturing and assembly occur at a Chicago production facility, with corporate headquarters also located in Chicago.
The company sells through a multi-channel architecture: direct-to-consumer e-commerce on ellasbubbles.com (with free quote requests, live video product demonstrations, virtual showroom tours, live chat, and a chatbot), an authorized dealer and reseller network covering the USA, Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska, online big-box marketplace listings, and an installer/contractor network. Private label and white label opportunities are offered to qualifying partners. Customer end-segments are primarily consumer — seniors and elderly users, individuals with mobility challenges, couples (two-seat models), and pet owners (pet spa line) — with healthcare customers such as senior living facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and care settings referenced as use cases. Pricing is predominantly quote-based, with walk-in tubs ranging from approximately $1,900 (clearance) to $8,098 (premium), and custom shower bases starting at $10. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales of tubs, showers, and accessories, plus clearance/warehouse discounted units (20-75% off original prices) that retain warranty coverage.
Ella's Bubbles is a privately held company with no disclosed parent entity, external funding, or institutional investment. The company is BBB A+ accredited, claims market leadership as "America's #1 Preferred Walk In Tub Since 2005," and has received media features in Forbes, USA Today, Reader's Digest, The Week, and TechBullion. The firm is staffed at the 11-50 employee SMB range and operates with a horizontal segmentation approach across multiple persona and use-case segments.
Ella's Bubbles firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ella's Bubbles
- Legal name
- Ella's Bubbles
- Website
- https://ellasbubbles.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ella's Bubbles is a Chicago-based manufacturer of acrylic walk-in bathtubs, gelcoat walk-in tubs, and accessible shower stalls, selling 28+ proprietary models through DTC e-commerce, a North American dealer network, and online marketplaces to seniors, individuals with mobility challenges, couples, and pet owners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ella's Bubbles industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Walk-In Bathtubs and Accessible Bathing Products
- SIC
- Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures (3430)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Bath Fixtures & Wellness (Showers, Tubs, Steam, Saunas) Showrooms (CRAIAFAD)
Keywords
Where Ella's Bubbles is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Ella's Bubbles business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Walk-in Bathtub Sales: Primary revenue stream from direct sales of acrylic walk-in bathtubs across 28+ proprietary models. Products include stainless steel door tubs, outward swing door tubs, wheelchair accessible tubs, two-seat tubs, lay-down tubs, and pet spa products. Sales occur through dealer network, direct-to-consumer e-commerce, and online marketplaces.
- Shower Products: Custom shower bases, shower wall panels, shower doors, and shower accessories. Custom sizes range from 30x30 to 80x44 inches with various threshold options.
- Walk-in Tub Accessories: Aftermarket accessories including fast-fill faucets, grab bars, head pillows, seat risers, shower columns, wall surrounds, and tile flanges.
- Dealer/Reseller Partnerships: Revenue generated through dealer and distributor network with private label opportunities for qualifying partners.
- Warehouse Clearance/Discounted Products: Liquidates returned products with minor surface flaws at significant discounts while maintaining original warranty coverage.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard60 Walk-In Tub - 30x60 inch model |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Size Shower Base |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Clearance/Open Box Walk-in Tubs |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Ella's Bubbles product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ella's Bubbles designs, manufactures, and sells acrylic walk-in bathtubs, gelcoat walk-in tubs, and accessible shower stalls, kits, and bases from its Chicago, IL facilities. The company offers 28+ proprietary models with multiple door configurations (stainless steel, outward swing U-shape, L-shape wheelchair transfer, inward swing, lay-down, two-seat), therapeutic features (hydrotherapy, air jets, hydrogen therapy, microbubble therapy), and shower components (custom bases, wall panels, doors), sold directly to consumers, healthcare facilities, and through a North American dealer and installer network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Stainless Steel Door Walk In Tubs Walk-in bathtubs with stainless steel door construction, designed for safe, accessible bathing for seniors and individuals with mobility challenges. Available in 5 proprietary models.
- U-Shape Outswing Door Walk In Tubs Walk-in bathtubs with U-shape outward swinging doors providing watertight seal via multi-latch gear and shaft system. Available in 7 proprietary models for safe accessible bathing.
- L-Shape Outswing Door Transfer Walk In Tubs Wheelchair-accessible walk-in tubs with L-shape outward swinging doors for barrier-free transfer, designed for individuals with significant mobility impairments. Available in 5 proprietary models with 2-latch wheelchair transfer door systems.
- Lay Down Walk In Tubs Full-length walk-in bathtubs designed for reclined/lay-down bathing, available in 2 proprietary models for users who prefer full-body soaking.
- Two Seat Walk In Tubs Two-seat walk-in bathtubs with dual hydrotherapy systems designed for couples to bathe together with shared therapeutic features. Available in 4 proprietary models, recognized by Forbes Health as Best Walk-In Tub for Couples.
- Inward Swing Door Walk-in Tubs Walk-in bathtubs with pioneering inward-swing stainless steel door design (introduced by Ella's Bubbles in 2008), featuring brushed stainless steel finish and frosted tempered glass window panel. Available in 6 proprietary models for compact bathroom installations.
- Assisted Bathtubs and Equipment Assisted bathing equipment designed for senior living facilities, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and care settings requiring caregiver-assisted bathing solutions. Available in 3 dedicated products.
- Hydrogen Therapy Walk-In Bathtubs Walk-in bathtubs equipped with hydrogen molecule therapy technology marketed for therapeutic benefits, available as a feature on Standard60 and other models, including a combined Hydro + Hydrogen therapy package.
- Pet Spa Bathtub with Microbubble Therapy Walk-in bathtub designed for pet grooming, featuring Infusion MicroBubble Therapy that breaks water into billions of tiny oxygen-rich bubbles for deep cleaning, with easy entry and removable platform for dogs of all sizes.
- Walk-In Tub Accessories and Add-Ons Aftermarket accessories for Ella walk-in tubs including fast-fill faucets, grab bars, head pillows, seat risers, shower columns, wall surrounds, tile flanges, and upgrade packages (e.g., Heated Seat & Back at $598).
- Shower Bases (Barrier-Free, Low-Threshold) Barrier-free, low-threshold shower bases/panels designed for accessible shower installations, complementing the walk-in tub product line.
- Custom Size Shower Bases Custom-sized shower bases/panels configurable in 0.25-inch increments across dimensions from 30x30 to 80x44 inches, with choice of threshold (low or 4-inch) and drain position. Pricing starts at $10.00 (base configuration) and varies with dimensions and options.
- Shower Wall Panels & Tile Shower wall panels and tile components sold as part of accessible shower stall kits and configurations.
- Shower Doors Shower doors sold as part of accessible shower stall installations, complementing the shower bases and wall panels.
- Shower Accessories and Fixtures Accessories and fixtures sold alongside shower bases, wall panels, and doors to complete accessible shower installations.
- Ella Big4One Walk-In Tub A large-format single-seat walk-in tub measuring 33" x 66", marketed as one of the largest single-seat walk-in tubs in the world, with worldwide shipping availability.
Quantifiable outcome
- Drainage time reduced to approximately 80-120 seconds with Dual Drain Technology vs industry standard
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Ella's Bubbles
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ella's Bubbles technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Ella's Bubbles partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Reseller/Dealer NetworkcoreElla's Bubbles operates a network of authorized resellers and dealers across USA, Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska. Dealers receive new design products, multi-channel lead generation, friendly dealer support, marketing materials, and expert technical support. Private label opportunities available for qualifying partners.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ella's Bubbles competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Kohler: Kohler is a global kitchen and bath manufacturer with walk-in tub and accessible bathing offerings alongside its full fixture portfolio. Competes on accessibility but leverages a far broader distribution network and brand presence.
- Mansfield Plumbing: Mansfield is an established U.S. plumbing manufacturer producing bathtubs, walk-in tubs, and other bath fixtures sold through plumbing wholesalers and home centers. Overlaps with Ella's Bubbles on walk-in tub products within a broader portfolio.
- American Standard (LIXIL): American Standard, owned by LIXIL, is a major plumbing fixture manufacturer offering walk-in tubs, accessible showers, and a full bath portfolio through national retail and trade channels. Competes in the same end-customer applications but at much larger scale.
- Moen (Fortune Brands): Moen is a leading U.S. faucet and bath fixtures brand now offering accessibility-focused bathing solutions, including walk-in tubs and grab-bar systems. Competes broadly in the same end-use applications with much larger scale and trade relationships.
Direct peers
- Safe Step Walk-In Tubs: Safe Step is a direct walk-in tub competitor offering acrylic walk-in bathtubs with similar accessibility features, therapeutic options, and a dealer-based distribution model targeting seniors in North America.
- Boca Walk-In Tubs: Boca Walk-In Tubs specializes in acrylic walk-in bathtubs with therapeutic features, directly competing in the same senior and mobility-challenged customer segment via dealer and direct channels.
- Meditub: Meditub is a walk-in bathtub manufacturer offering therapeutic, air-jetted, and accessible walk-in tubs through dealer and online channels. Directly comparable in product category and customer base.
- Bath Fitter: Bath Fitter manufactures and installs acrylic bath and shower liners and accessibility-focused walk-in tub conversions through a national direct-sales and installer network, closely overlapping Ella's Bubbles' accessibility-bath niche.
- Aquatic Industries: Aquatic manufactures a broad line of walk-in tubs, shower bases, and accessible bath products for residential and commercial applications, including senior living. Overlaps on product category, materials, and channel mix.
Regional players
- Home Care Appliances (Drive Medical): Drive Medical and adjacent home-care brands supply accessibility and bathing safety products (including walk-in tubs) through medical-supply and senior-care channels. Comparable in target end-user but distributed more through healthcare/insurance pathways.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ella's Bubbles social profiles
Digital presenceElla's Bubbles financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ella's Bubbles leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ella's Bubbles funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ella's Bubbles M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ella's Bubbles
What does Ella's Bubbles do?
Ella's Bubbles designs, manufactures, and sells acrylic walk-in bathtubs, gelcoat walk-in tubs, and accessible shower stalls, kits, and bases from its Chicago, IL facilities. The company offers 28+ proprietary models with multiple door configurations (stainless steel, outward swing U-shape, L-shape wheelchair transfer, inward swing, lay-down, two-seat), therapeutic features (hydrotherapy, air jets, hydrogen therapy, microbubble therapy), and shower components (custom bases, wall panels, doors), sold directly to consumers, healthcare facilities, and through a North American dealer and installer network.
Is Ella's Bubbles a public or private company?
Ella's Bubbles is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ella's Bubbles founded?
Ella's Bubbles was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ella's Bubbles based?
Ella's Bubbles is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ella's Bubbles make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Walk-in Bathtub Sales are the primary driver. The others are shower Products, walk-in Tub Accessories, dealer/Reseller Partnerships and warehouse Clearance/Discounted Products.
Who are Ella's Bubbles's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Kohler, Mansfield Plumbing, American Standard (LIXIL) and Moen (Fortune Brands). Direct peers are Safe Step Walk-In Tubs, Boca Walk-In Tubs, Meditub, Bath Fitter and Aquatic Industries. Home Care Appliances (Drive Medical) is listed as a regional player.
Does Ella's Bubbles have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ella's Bubbles.
What industry is Ella's Bubbles in?
Ella's Bubbles's product category is Walk-In Bathtubs and Accessible Bathing Products. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAFAD, Bath Fixtures & Wellness (Showers, Tubs, Steam, Saunas) Showrooms. Its SIC code is 3430.