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Wouldn’t it be a dream to have your own hot tub in your garden, ready for use for you and your family whenever you want? Of course, such things are only available to the very rich, right? Wrong! There is an alternative to the permanent, expensive hot tub – an inflatable hot tub jacuzzi! Stay with us, because this is real – you can afford a hot tub, and as it is not permanent, it won’t take up valuable space you might want to use in other ways. These are great additions to any home, and make for fun and frolics whenever you want.
For over your hot tub: You should check out these Gazebos
Best Inflatable Hot Tubs Comparison Table
PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
---|---|---|
1. Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Paris |
| Check Price |
2. Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Miami |
| Check Price |
3. Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Vegas |
| Check Price |
4. CosySpa Inflatable Hot Tub Spa |
| Check Price |
5. Abreo MSPA D-TE06 Tekapo |
| Check Price |
6. SHATCHI Aurora Delight 6 Bathers Bubble Spa |
| Check Price |
7. Intex Simple Spa 28482 |
| Check Price |
8. MSpa C-TE041 Tekapo |
| Check Price |
9. Intex Greywood Deluxe PureSpa |
| Check Price |
10. Tubble Inflatable Bathtub |
| Check Price |
Of course, you need to know what you are getting when you buy an inflatable hot tub, so we have put together a buyer’s guide of the top 10 best inflatable hot tubs available right now. Before we tell you about them, we’d like to have a closer look at what these fantastic devices are all about, as we want to make sure you know as much as you can before you decide that one of these is for you. We’ve covered a variety of models from the best makers, at a range of prices that should include one for you. So let’s take a look at 10 of the best inflatable hot tubs on the market today.
Best Hot Tubs
1. Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Paris
Another one from the popular Bestway brand, this one – the Paris – is a luxury model with many excellent attributes and features, and easily fits six people. Where it stands out, though, is in its fun features. Start with the 87 water jets that are designed to create thousands of soothing bubbles, controlled by an individual unit to your desire. This gives you the full spa inflatable jacuzzi experience, whenever you want it! It’s fun for all the family, and also great for parties.
Also, this one comes with an independently controlled LED lighting system for added fun in the evenings; the remote is waterproof, so you can use it in the tub, and the multi-coloured lights add another dimension. You can set the heating via a timer, and the rapid heating system gets you to as much as 40C very quickly and with little energy used. This one is ready to fill after just ten minutes set up, so you’re ready to go very quickly indeed. We can’t recommend this one highly enough – or indeed the rest of the range – and it can be yours for around 500 quid.
PROS
- Top brand
- Massage feature
- LED lights for added fun
CONS
- None that we can see
2. Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Miami
The first on our list claims to be the best-selling inflatable hot tub in the UK, and having seen the specifications and price, we can quite believe it. The Lay-Z-Spa follows a format that will become familiar to you as you read on: it’s portable so when not in use will not take up a great amount of room, and it inflates quickly thanks to the pump and heater that is part of the package. It is big enough for up to four people, and can be used anywhere there is a flat surface – even indoors! You get a full filter system and chemical package, and a DVD that instructs you fully on set-up.
This inflatable hot tub comes highly recommended by many satisfied users and is a quality, well-made item that will serve the purpose very well indeed. It comes with all the fittings and features a massage system that will blast jets of water into the tub for a wonderfully relaxing water massage, making this a full spa set-up. The rapid heating system can heat up to 40C so you will be comfortable in all weather, and it is easy to take down and store away. 800litres of water is enough to accommodate four adults, too. The price – around £400 new – not bad at all for a hot tub in your home!
PROS
- Full set up
- All accessories
- Sensible price
CONS
- None that we can see
3. Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Vegas
The Vegas model also comes with an inflatable lid; this will help keep the temperature at a sensible level between uses, so heating it up for the next one uses less energy. There is a filter system so you have clean water, and you also get the chemical floater package. If you are going to leave this inflated for long periods, you also get a good-looking leather-look cover that will protect it from debris when not in use. This is a popular and impressive inflatable hot tub, and at less than £500 is very good value given its capacity.
PROS
- Spa feature
- Fits six people
- Covers and accessories
CONS
- Is there a downside to a hot tub? We think not
4. CosySpa Inflatable Hot Tub Spa
If you are a hot tub fan, you will love all of the accessories and gadgets that CosySpa sells separately. Accessories are often hard to find for most hot tub models, and if the manufacturer doesn’t sell accessories, other brands won’t be appropriate for your tub. Fortunately, this is not a problem here!
The external pump is responsible for inflating your hot tub. It does so in just a few minutes with little fuss and great ease. You get two headrests and drinks holders with this hot tub that instantly makes the tub more comfortable and convenient for lounging around in for a long period of time.
PROS
- Inflatable lid for improved cleanliness
- Easy to control
- Easy to inflate
- Comfortable
CONS
- Not very durable
5. Abreo MSPA D-TE06 Tekapo
Built out of six layers of heavy PVC and equipped with a sturdy ground mat to insulate it from any sharp points or edges, this hot tub is great indoors or out. A cover made of the same sturdy material ensures that you won’t need to take it indoors in inclement weather – just throw the lid over the top and secure it with the array of adjustable buckles around the pool’s rim. Integrated controls mean you can set temperature and jets without even getting out, and all of the plumbing includes the modular hose connectors rapidly becoming standard in the home maintenance field so that you can just snap the hose into place.
This pool includes two vital safety features for anyone looking to set up an outdoor pool on an ongoing basis. Automated anti-icing gives you the option of keeping the pool up through the winter months, saving the time and water that would be wasted collapsing it for the cold season and preventing it from rupturing as it freezes. Also of incalculable importance is the child safety lock on the cover; there are endless tales of how this feature may just have saved someone’s life.
PROS
- Integrated safety catch
- All weather
- Highly resilient material
CONS
- Heavy to move around
- No rigid support frame
6. SHATCHI Aurora Delight 6 Bathers Bubble Spa
This portable inflatable hot tub is suitable for six bathers, so if you like relaxing in the hot tub with friends, this is a great tub for socializing. Another wonderful feature that adds to its social features is that it is super quiet and won’t disrupt your conversations with friends.
The hot tub is rounded and features a Rhino-Tech 6 Layer Reinforced PVC Material. The spa is self-inflatable and has very easy-to-control features that can be changed and managed with just a few remote control clicks.
PROS
- Quick heating
- Remote controlled
- Well made
CONS
- It does not come with LED lights
7. Intex Simple Spa 28482
Your choice of hot tubs is simple with the Simple Spa – more than one hundred jets, a full-body bubble massage, and automated inflation and deflation are just a few of the reasons why you’ll love this inflatable jacuzzi. It has a powerful, standalone pump that drives both water and air, making sure that the pool stay full of both and retains the cushioning consistency that will make your time a blast. Three layers of woven fiber padding ensure that the tub can be used directly on the ground with no fear of puncture or serration and will expand and contract without tearing the sides. A thick pad of carpeting reinforces the floor of the tub, giving increased comfort to the user and providing another buffer between the pool and any sharp objects on the ground.
This tub includes a safety mechanism that lets you sleep easy knowing your children won’t be slipping in, and you’ll get season after season of enjoyment with a novel anti-scaling system that prevents damaging lime or calcium silt from building up in the filter and jamming the plumbing. The unit can self-heat to a maximum of forty degrees, and comes with an included floatable chlorine dispenser to ensure that there are no unwanted bacterial growths despite the added heat and moist environment. If you decide you don’t want to leave it exposed all the time, no sweat – just set it to deflate and use the convenient carry handles to move it around.
PROS
- Child safety system
- Large number of jets
- Carpeted bottom
CONS
- Limited number of functions
- Chlorine-based cleaner can harm bathers
8. MSpa C-TE041 Tekapo
This is the attest 2021 model. It is super hygienic and has a UVC Sanitizer & Antibacterial System built-in that has been proven to kill up to 60 disease-causing bacteria.
There are 108 air jets scattered around the hot tub that make thousands of massaging bubbles that are soft and gentle on the skin. The hot tub comes with a remote control that has a self-inflate button, as well as making the temperature of the hot tub and the number of bubbles easy to control.
The cover is made out of reinforced PVC and has a safety buckle feature that keeps the cover in place during unpredictable weather. Overall, this hot tub is very safe features.
PROS
- Suitable for six people
- Great safety features
- Easy to control
- Self-inflating
9. Intex Greywood Deluxe PureSpa
The construction is made out of Fiber-Tech that is long-lasting and durable, and the hot tub is fitted with 140 bubble jets with PureSa Bubble Therapy.
What we really liked about this hot tub is that it has a built-in hard water treatment system. This system softens the water and keeps it gentle on skin and clothing so that you can spend hours in your hot tub without developing uncomfortable rashes or ruining your clothing.
PROS
- Made using high-quality material
- It fits four to six people
- Funky LED lights
CONS
- Uncomfortable for more than three people at a time
- The filter is hard to clean
10. Tubble Inflatable Bathtub
This one is a bit of a novelty; it’s a bathtub, not a hot tub! We included it because it’s interesting; it says it’s ‘ideal for everyone without a bath’, but we reckon that’s a very small customer base! Nevertheless, it’s fun and comes with some fun features. It’s fully portable, inflates in minutes, and we reckon would be great to take to the caravan, on a boat, or anywhere you want a bath but won’t find a tub. A zip cover keeps the water warmer for longer, too, so if you need to get out in the middle of your bath, simply zip it up and it will be warm when you come back.
There’s no doubt this is a handy item – it deflates to a very small size and is easy to carry around – and even has a built-in cup holder. It can also take bath oils, salt water, and can withstand heat up to 45C. Would we buy one? Well, it’s not an obvious purchase if you have a bathtub already, but for holiday use, it could be very convenient.
PROS
- Compact
- Great if you want a bath but only have a shower
CONS
- Just a bath
Important Features to Look Out For
There you go, ten inflatable hot tubs – well, eight, plus a bathtub and a handy bar accessory – reviewed for your pleasure, and we hope there’s one for you among the choices. Buying a hot tub is not a decision to take lightly as this is quite an investment, so there are some features that are important when looking for a hot tub. Let’s recap on the important factors you need to think about when buying one of these.
Some more fancy garden accessories? Then look at swing hammocks
Size – choose one that fits as many people as will likely use it as you will find that it is very popular with visitors. Also, make sure that you choose a hot tub that will actually fit in your available space – it is so easy to measure the area wrong and find you have an expensive item that will not fit!
Weight – this is a factor that is very often overlooked. A hot tub, when filled to capacity, will be a very heavy item. Have a look at where you are intending to put your hot tub; is it in a summer house or other outdoor building, or on decking? If so, these will be raised from the ground itself and you need to be certain that the floor will take the weight. If you are in doubt, get someone in to check it for you, a builder perhaps, who has experience and knowledge of this kind of project.
Spa – you want one with a good spa system; the more water jets, the better, and make sure you have full control of the system. You also want to look at the difference between hydro jets – where the water provides the effect – and air jets, which are perhaps not as effective. For the record, hydro jet tubs are generally more expensive than air-jet models, so choose wisely.
Heat – all of these can heat to 40C, so that’s more than adequate for a comfortable bath, but check how much energy they use to heat, as some can be considerably more expensive than others and you need to remember the budget you are working to.
Portable – if you don’t want a hot tub as a permanent fixture, you need one that will deflate to a small size. Check the dimensions before you choose.
Illumination – you want to be able to use your hot tub on warm summer nights – or if you are very daring in the winter – and what better way to enhance the effect than by having it lit? There are two ways you can do this: you can mount outdoor lights around the hot tub, flooding it with light for ease of use, or you can buy lights that actually drop in the water. These are safe and designed for such use, and come in a range of types, sizes, and colours, and are great fun!
Maintenance – one of the great things about inflatable hot tubs is that they are low maintenance. This doesn’t mean, however, that you can just leave it standing all year and do nothing! You will need to have available water treatment solutions. These keep the water clean, and sometimes a first batch is supplied with the hot tub. If not, you need to check with the supplier which products they recommend. Rest assured these chemicals are safe, and if you don’t put them in the water, it will start to be rather unpleasant very quickly. Also, check the regular filter cleaning routine, as this can be required often if the hot tub is used regularly. It’s not a difficult job, and is usually a simple rinse out with a hose, but it does need to be done regularly.
Those are the main points you need to consider when you’re looking for an inflatable hot tub, so take your time and make sure you find one that will fit in your chosen area. So, is there one here for you?
How It Works
The concept behind an inflatable hot tub is simple: think of it as a grown-up version of the child’s paddling pool, but bigger and with heated water. With most models, you get the pool plus a pump and heater, and all you need to do is connect the pump which inflates the tub, and then fill it with water and wait for it to heat up. There are many different sizes of inflatable hot tubs so you will be able to find one big enough for all the family, or small enough to fit in even the most restricted spaces.
So, are you ready to be convinced? Before you read on, beware: you will be convinced, as these fantastic items will enchant you and offer you a wealth of fun at your fingertips that you will find difficult to resist! Here are, then, the top 10 best inflatable hot tubs on the market in the UK right now – so get your credit card out, you’re going to need it!
How to Care for Your Hot Tub
A hot tub is likely to be a major investment, even those that can be bought on a budget, and you want it to be in use for the longest possible time. While these are low-maintenance items, that does not mean any maintenance! There are some routines you need to get into if you are to get the best out of your hot tub. Here’s our guide to caring for your hot tub, as easily as you can.
Choose Location Carefully
There are a few factors you need to consider before buying your hot tub the main one being where you are going to put it. If you have a space in mind, then you need to consider the following points before you make it certain:
- Will it fit? All too often people buy these items – which can be quite large – having measured the space incorrectly, so double check your dimensions. Also, remember to leave space around the sides for getting in and out!
- Is it on a raised floor? If so, will the floor take the weight? The hot tub will weigh a great deal when filled to capacity, so you need to know how much weight the intended floor can carry.
- Is the floor level? You need any surface you are putting your hot tub on to be perfectly level, or the sheer weight and inflatable construction may render it unstable.
- Could it be punctured? Be certain not to put it close to hedges or shrubs that grow quickly in the summer, especially those with thorns or sharp branches. It is inflatable, and anything that punctures it may ruin your hot tub.
- Clean the floor thoroughly before erecting your hot tub, as any small items may cause damage when the weight of the full tub presses down on them.
These are all essential points to consider when choosing and preparing your location, so let’s talk about regular maintenance tips.
Regular Routines
There are some regular cleaning and maintenance tips that you must follow if you are to keep your hot tub clean and in usable condition, so here goes:
- Clean the filters regularly; this can often be done by attaching a hose to flush them out, and may need to be done every few days if you use the tub all the time.
- Use the right chemicals; to keep the water clean and fresh you need to add the required chemicals – your supplier or manufacturer will advise you on this point – or you will find you get a build-up of grime which can affect the water or air jets and also the pumps.
- Check out water chlorination systems if you feel they may be useful, as they produce natural chlorine to keep the water clean and usable.
These are the main, simple routines you need to adhere to if you want to keep your hot tub in working order, but before we go, a final section on two important additional things that will help keep your hot tub in use as long as is possible.
Use the Cover
Your hot tub should come with a cover, and if not you can buy them. This cover will be in one of many forms, but our simple advice is this: use it! It will save you the task of fishing out leaves, twigs, dirt, and even birds feathers and other debris if you put the cover on when not in use.
Finally, many people choose to leave their hot tubs out all year, and if you plan on using yours in winter, that’s great. If it won’t get used in the colder months, we strongly recommend you empty and dismantle it and pack it away. The cold and frosty air can, in some cases, make the material very brittle, which will in turn make it susceptible to puncture.
Let’s Wrap It Up!
You now want a hot tub, and you want us to recommend one from the list above, yes? Of course you do, and who wouldn’t? They are great fun and make an excellent party piece, as well as being great fun for all the family. They are not expensive, and you will get plenty of use out of them, whatever the time of year!
Which would we recommend? There are so many excellent models in this review, and we can’t overlook the fact that the Bestway Lay-Z-Spa range is the best selling range of hot tubs in the UK. For the price, and for its fun LED lighting system, we would choose the Paris model, or for its added size, the Monaco luxury model. Having said that, the two models from MSPA are also impressive, and if you’re happy with a more permanent structure, the Intex Bubble Spa is a top-quality hot tub with a great range of features.
When it comes down to it, the choice you make will be influenced by the space available, and the budget you have. We advise that you by one that is as big as you can accommodate, as you will find the smaller models to be restrictive, and make sure it has a quick set up and efficient heating system for energy savings.
We guarantee you won’t regret investing in a hot tub – and remember, some of these are suitable for indoor use, too – so have another read of our guide, and pick the one that fits your available space and usage requirements. Happy hot tubbing from us!
FAQ
Q: Can you run a hot tub without chemicals?
A: No. Chemicals are needed to keep the hot tub clean and germ-free, so running a hot tub without chemicals could spread infections, which is certainly not what you want to happen.
Q: How often should I clean or replace my filter?
A: The answer depends on the make and model of your hot tub and how often you use it. Have a look at the under manual to see what your hot tub manufacturer recommends.
Q: Can I leave my hot tub on all the time?
A: Hot tubs can be left on all the time, in fact, they are designed to be on constantly!
Q: Do hot tubs use a lot of electricity?
A: Yes, they do. Hot tubs are notorious for not being very energy efficient so bear this in mind before you purchase one.
Q: How long should you sit in a hot tub?
A: No longer than 30 minutes. After about 30 minutes in your tub, you should get out and take a bit of a break. But don’t worry, you can re-enter your tub once your body has cooled down.
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Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/hot-tub-user-information.html
https://secure.img1-ag.wfcdn.com/docresources/45267/115/1150730.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_tub