A hot tub in the garden to soak in at the end of a long day is the height of luxury, but these days it is not just the preserve of the super rich as more and more affordable hot tubs come onto the market.
We’ve updated this post for the best tubs in 2021, as models have been updated, new types released and older models are now out of stock.
COVID-19 update: The pandemic appears to have caused a bit of a rush on people keen to add some luxury to their garden (and why not?). This means that many hot tubs are switching in and out of stock rapidly.
We regularly check on all the products we recommend to try and ensure they’re available. If you spot one that isn’t, do let us know in the comments.
You should also check out
 6 ways to make your garden cosy |
 Brighten your garden on a budget |
 Garden fun for kids from £20 |
Read on for our:
Top tips on buying a hot tub and the best options for every budget
Skip to:
- Best acrylic hot tubs (from £3,400)
- Best inflatable hot tubs (from £289)
- Best hot tub accessories
- Best hot tub chemicals cleaner
What to consider when buying a hot tub
You’re going to need to consider:
- Your budget
- Available space
- Type of hot tub
- How much of the year you want to use it.
How much for the cheapest hot tub?
Budget is, obviously a big factor.
Last year the cheapest inflatable hot tubs were priced around £289.99. At present, as suppliers sort out 2020-21 stock levels and deliveries, the cheapest we can find is this one, at just over £350, from B&Q.
Assuming you want to keep the costs down (so no accessories – no steps, cushions etc.) you’re going to need the chemicals to keep the water sanitary and stop your hot tub going mouldy.
A starter kit is around £20-30 – so an entry-point hot tub is going to be £320 or so – not including any running costs (electricity and water).
How much space do you need for a hot tub?
Next, think about how much space you have in your garden for a hot tub.
Tubs can start at a cosy two-person tub and go all the way up to a hot tub big enough for a crowd of 15 people so you need to consider how many people might want to use it on a regular basis and weigh that against how much space you want to devote to it.
If you’re buying a fully-assembled tub you’ll also need to think about how you will get it into your garden, as a tiny garden gate might not be wide enough to fit a large hot tub through. Yes, you can get them craned/lifted into your garden but this may add to your delivery costs.
Do you want to use your hot tub year round?
You should also think about if you want to use the hot tub year round.
Permanent structures are generally the most insulated so can be used year round, whereas inflatable hot tubs that are filled with air can be harder to keep warm in cold temperatures.
Inflatable tubs are easier to take down and store away in the winter (or if you want to use your patio space for something else).
For more permanent structures, most come with a cover – though you should drain and clean them before ‘closing them down for the season’ as it were – otherwise, when you re-open it, you may find all sorts of fun (and fungus!) growing in there!
Where is the best space to put a hot tub?
Hot tubs when filled with water are very heavy so you need to make sure they are properly supported. They can be placed on a level patio or concrete base of at least 15cm thickness or on secure decking.
Depending on the size you choose – when full you’re looking at around 400kg for a small spa. And that’s without people in.
Ramp that up to a larger model (around 2,000kg – which is ~5,000lbs) plus another ~300kg of people… you’re going to want to be pretty sure your deck can support the weight.
Additionally they will need a power supply from a 32A cable which needs to be signed off by an electrician before the tub can be used.
For added privacy most people like to locate their hot tub in a sheltered spot where neighbours or passers-by cannot see you. This has the added benefit of shading the tub, so that on a hot and sunny day the tub can provide a shaded place to cool off and relax.
Types of hot tub
Acrylic
These are permanent hot tubs made from Lucite acrylic, which is a strong and durable material. They also usually have Microban coating which means bacteria is less likely to grow on the surfaces.
They also usually contain a fixed number of adjustable water jets so you can create a bubbling massage effect with varying intensity.
Pros: Acrylic tubs are robust, long-lasting and can be used year round.
Cons: Their price reflects this – ranging from about £3,400 for a compact hot tub up to £15,000 for a larger one with lighting and sound system included.
Inflatable
These are perfect for those on a tighter budget – working out significantly cheaper than permanent models.
Pros: They are great if space is at a premium as they can be packed away when not in use, making them a flexible addition to your garden.
The cheapest inflatable tubs can cost as little as £300. Larger more models are around £500-£600, with the top of the range inflatables topping £1,000.
These budget conscious hot tubs can be a perfect solution for those wary of committing to a permanent hot tub, as you can install one and see if you use it as often as you think to see if investing in a permanent hot tub is worth it.
Cons: They’re usually smaller, have fewer features (don’t expect lights or built-in speakers etc.) and can be more expensive to run as they are less well insulated.
Foam-walled hot tubs
Foam-walled hot tubs are similar to inflatable tubs but instead of being filled with air they are filled foam – obviously.
This provides greater insulation for the tub making them more efficient and allowing them to be used all year round.
Pros: All the pros of an inflatable tub with more insulation so lower associated running costs.
Cons: You have to pay a little more for the added insulation plus they’re more bulky, slightly heavier and will take up more space than an inflatable model when packed away.
View best foam-walled hot tubs
Swim spas
The biggest spas on the market – these combine a swimming pool and a hot tub and can be up to 20 feet long.
They features an extra strong water jet so one person can swim against the current, which can be adjusted up or down to extend the work out.
Additionally the largest tubs can accommodate up to 15 people!
Pros: These are family or even ‘party’ size. If you have friends over or a large family, swim spas are great.
Even when you’re on your own, the ‘swim jet’ feature makes this a great way to turn your spa into a gym and do resistance training swimming to improve your cardiovascular fitness – without having to have a full-sized swimming pool.
Cons: They can – as you’d expect – be real bank busters. Expect to pay well into the thousands of pounds for even a mid-range model.
The 5 Best acrylic hot tubs
If you are looking for a compact tub for 2 or 3 people then Robert Dyas have some good options in the £3,000 price bracket. Including this RotoSpa DuoSpa S080 Compact Hot Tub (currently £3,474.99 at Robert Dyas) and the Canadian Spa Okanagan 10-Jet 4-Person Hot Tub:
It comes with two reclined seats and adjustable massage jets. The jets can also be programmed to deliver targeted massage to neck, shoulders, legs or feet so you can pummel away any muscle niggles.
For 4 people this Canadian Halifax Plug & Play Hot Tub has 22 water jets, comes fully assembled and ready to plug in – and is priced around £5,100.
If you want to be able to fit in the whole family then this traditional round hot tub is a really nice option.
If you’re looking for something big enough for the whole family with a few added extras, Robert Dyas again have a decent range. The RotoSpa QuatroSpa Hot Tub (pictured) is around £4,500 at Robert Dyas and can fit 4 to 6 people.
The Canadian ‘Spa Kelowna’ tub has 21 massaging jets and LED waterfalls(!) for that ‘living your best life’ feeling – and still comes in south of £5,000.
Further still up the price range are tubs like the Duraspa S380 from Rotospa. This 5 person hot tub has extra levels of comfort with padded headrests and contoured arm supports, plus a special therapy seat for extra massage.
The Canadian Spa brand option in this bracket is the ‘Cambridge’. For the extra spend you get 33 jets; colour-changing LED lights and can comfortably fit 5-6 people. Your neighbours will be sick with envy.
Prices start around £4,949 – but again, do check for the latest price as you can sometimes pick up a clearance bargain:
At the top end of the range is this 6 person Canadian Spa Toronto Hot Tub.
It is specially designed for even the tallest customers so they can be fully submerged and enjoy the spa experience. It comes with an amazing 44 water jets to ensure the most luxurious spa experience.
Given the extra space, expect an extra price – this one is around £7,500 at time of writing – but do check the latest price:
Acrylic Hot Tubs on Amazon
Please note the delivery charges on some of these items are over £400.
5 Best inflatable hot tubs
Anyone looking for a bargain online knows about Amazon.
We’ve found that lots of different sellers use Amazon to sell their items, so stock levels can fluctuate a lot and quite often – so it’s worth checking on these to ensure they’re still available:
Cheapest hot Tub
At time of writing one of the cheapest inflatable hot tubs we’ve found (from a reputable brand) is the Lay-Z Spa Miami:
It can be heated up to a toasty 40°C, has 120 powerful air jets to massage away the day and is big enough to fit an average family of 4 (or just the grown-ups, once the kids are in bed!).
At around £500 it is currently one of the most affordable hot tubs on the market. But it’s a great investment for those summer nights… and all those summers to come!
- UK'S BESTSELLING, AWARD WINNING INFLATABLE HOT TUB BRAND: Trusted by over 500,000 customers
- MASSAGE SYSTEM: The soothing 120 AirJet system gives you an all-surrounding massage experience for pure relaxation
- FREEZE SHIELD TECHNOLOGY: ensures that the water doesn’t freeze on cold winter nights so you can enjoy your hot tub all year round
- ULTRA-STRONG DURAPLUS & BEAM CONSTRUCTION: provides superb structural stability, cushioned comfort, protection from UV rays and durability for long lasting use
- SET UP IN MINUTES (TOOL FREE): Lay-Z-Spas require no professional installation or tools, inflate with the included pump in less than 5 minutes ready for filling with water
Four person inflatable hot Tubs
If you have a larger family (in number or size!) you may want to spend a little more to get a larger tub.
Sticking with the famous Lay-Z Spa range, we like the Lay-Z Spa Paris model. One of these in your garden can make you feel just like you’re in a luxury spa hotel in the city of romance!
This inflatable hot tub can comfortably fit four people in and up to six if you’re OK with getting cosy with one another.
It’s the big brother/sister to the Miami and is just as easily and quickly set-up. It too can heat the water to a balmy 40 degrees (told you it’d feel like a spa hotel!) and has 140 powerful, massaging air jets and LED lights for that extra twinkle of lux and indulgence!
It is great value at £339.99 at time of writing – though there are often offers and discounts, so do check the latest price.
- UK'S BESTSELLING, AWARD WINNING INFLATABLE HOT TUB BRAND: Trusted by over 500,000 customers
- MASSAGE SYSTEM: The soothing 140 AirJet system gives you an all-surrounding massage experience for pure relaxation
- FREEZE SHIELD TECHNOLOGY: ensures that the water doesn’t freeze on cold winter nights so you can enjoy your hot tub all year round
- ULTRA-STRONG DURAPLUS & BEAM CONSTRUCTION: provides superb structural stability, cushioned comfort, protection from UV rays and durability for long lasting use
- SET UP IN MINUTES (TOOL FREE): Lay-Z-Spas require no professional installation or tools, inflate with the included pump in less than 5 minutes ready for filling with water
If you’re looking for something that looks a little more classy, towards the top of the Lay-Z Spa range is this wood-effect model, the Lay-Z Spa Helsinki.
A big perk here is you can stymie that doubter in your family who says: “A hut tub?! But it’ll be ugly!”
Again, super-easy set-up and this tub can fit 5-7 people in and has the benefit of 180 air jets – and starts at around £1750:
- UK'S BESTSELLING, AWARD WINNING INFLATABLE HOT TUB BRAND: Trusted by over 500,000 customers
- FREEZE SHIELD TECHNOLOGY: ensures that the water doesn’t freeze on cold winter nights so you can enjoy your hot tub all year round
- MASSAGE SYSTEM: The soothing 180 AirJet system gives you an all-surrounding massage experience for pure relaxation
- ULTRA-RIGID DROP STITCH MATERIAL: for unrivalled strength and durability. Hard-sided design is inspired by traditional Nordic hot tubs
- SET UP IN MINUTES (TOOL FREE): Lay-Z-Spas require no professional installation or tools, inflate with the included pump in less than 5 minutes ready for filling with water
Top of the range inflatable hot tub
Pushing into the £2,000 range we’re back with the Canadian Spa Company and their rigid foam hot tub. It essentially combines all of the best bits of all the tubs above:
- Accommodates 4-6 people
- A tough, rigid outer shell
- Heats to up 40°C
- A 3-speed massage function.
Plus it has a foam body layer which makes it up to 50% more energy efficient than other tubs – so this one is far cheaper to run.
It can be installed and set-up easily in just 20 minutes too:
- Superb Plug & Play - Just plug it into a standard 13amp household outlet, relax and enjoy your new portable spa
- 29" extra deep for full body and shoulder massage. Warm water and air massage bubbles help create the ideal atmosphere to promote self-healing and relaxation
- The amazing Swift Current brings you all the benefits of a rigid spa with its superb strength combined with the insulation properties from the 5" deep high density PE Foam.
- The Swift Current is a fantastic portable spa that’s easy to set up and take anywhere
- During the cold winters or hot summers, a hydro-rest spa is the perfect choice for your leisure time
Hot Tubs on Amazon
You can of course (of course!) get hot tubs on Amazon too.
Here’s our pick of the best tubs available from one of the world’s biggest online retailers:
What accessories do I need for my hot tub?
There are numerous accessories on the market to add some extra luxury to your hot tub but the only ones you shouldn’t do without are a cover to keep leaves and debris out and a water filter and purification system to ensure the water stays nice and clean.
Most good quality tubs will come with both of these features as standard.
Some extras to buy for your hot tub might include:
A spa surround
You can pick up a great inflatable spa surround where you can rest and dry yourself when you get out of the spa, alternatively you can store your towels there while you soak in the tub. Cost is around £60:
Sound system
This brilliant add on has two cup holders plus a blue-tooth connecting speaker so you can answer calls hands-free while in the tub or play your favourite tunes.
It’s rechargeable too so no pesky trailing cables and current price is around £99:
Aromatherapy
Create a truly home spa environment by indulging yourself with this aromatherapy set for your spa. It comes with 6 different aromas and does not come into contact with the spa water so will not interfere with the chemical mix:
Steps
You got your fancy spa but how do you climb into it with some grace? Steps of course!
These sturdy steps are slip resistant and look pretty fancy too – as the £275 price-tag affirms:
Head rests
While relaxing in the spa you’re going to need a head rest to truly stretch out and get zen.
These organic foam pillows come in a two pack and clip neatly onto the side of the tub – and at just £39 you can’t go far wrong:
- Make your spa experience even more comfortable and relaxing
- Lean back and rest your head on the comfortable hot tub pillow
- Comes in a set of two so you and your companion can both benefit from head and neck support
- 100 percent waterproof and easy to clean - simply wipe down with cloth
- Suitable for use with all Lay-Z-Spa models excluding the Monaco and Helsinki
What chemicals do I need for my hot tub?
Most hot tubs come with a starter pack of filters and chemicals. But in order to make sure your hot tub has a long life you need to regularly check the chemical levels in the water are correct.
There are two chemicals that you will definitely need to keep your hot tub in working order, a sanitiser and a pH controller.
Water is usually sanitised using either chlorine (like at your local swimming pool) or bromine.
Chlorine is the cheaper option and is especially effective at killing off bacteria.
This 5kg container of ClearWater granules is just £29.99 from Robert Dyas – cheaper even than Amazon in this instance:
Bromine is more effective at high temperatures and doesn’t give off any gases.
The pH level of the water should be checked regularly to ensure it is between 7.2 and 7.8 which is the optimum pH level for hot tubs.
To keep an eye on the chemical levels and pH it is recommended you use test strips such as these every few days.
The test strips will then let you know if you need to add more chemicals.
If you buy a kit such as this it includes all chemicals and test strips to keep your hot tub in optimum condition.
Table could not be displayed.It is also probably worth investing in a hot tub cleaning kit so you can fish out any floating leaves.
This one from Robert Dyas is less than £20:
This useful blog lists the costs for all the chemicals and estimates that a 1kg pack of chlorine should last approximately six months.
Additionally filters need cleaning and changing every 3 to 6 months. Clean the filter once a week by running it under cold water and then spritz it with cleaner every month to keep it working well.
How do I fill my hot tub & how long does it take?
Simply get a hose pipe and leave it hanging into the tub until the water is at the required height, add the correct chemical combination (refer to packaging) and wait for the tub to heat up to the ideal 37 to 40 degrees centigrade.
Most hot tubs take about 2 hours to fill up.
How long does it take to warm up?
This depends on a number of factors. Firstly, what is the temperature like outside? If it is a warm day the tub will heat up much more quickly than if it is the depths of winter and the air temperature is low.
On average it will take about four hours for your hot tub to heat up to bathing temperature.
Top tip: leave the cover on while it heats up to help insulation and speed up the process.
How long can I keep the same water in my hot tub?
Hot tubs stay warm and ready for use so you can pop in and out as often as you like, however the warm water does mean they can be a breeding ground for bacteria so make sure every three months you fully drain the hot tub and refill it with fresh water and chemicals.
Should I leave my hot tub on year round?
If you are likely to use your hot tub regularly, then yes! You want it to be ready for you to hop into any time you like.
Also, check out these: 7 energy-saving tips.
Additionally it can be a good idea to keep it at a maintenance temperature through the winter to stop it from freezing over and causing damage.
If you only use your hot tub sporadically then you might want to consider turning it off in between sessions to save energy.
If you are not going to use it for a sustained period of time then it is best to drain the tub and keep it switched off until you want to use it again.
You should also check out
| 6 ways to make your garden cosy |
Brighten your garden on a budget |
Garden fun for kids from £20 |
Last update on 2021-06-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Thanks for your tip about installing a powerful fan to get the humidity out of the room fast if you install a hot tub
Nice idea about the fan, never thought about putting it myself, really valuable information.
Great article !