The Best Inflatable Hot Tubs, According to Landscape Designers, Pool Pros, and Physical Therapists
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It’s hard to beat a hot tub for relaxation, recovery, and everyday chilling, so to speak. But a permanent, hard-walled hot tub can be prohibitively expensive, and there’s really nothing chill about that. The best inflatable hot tubs set up fast, offer many of the benefits of soaking in a standard spa, and can be deflated and moved around or put away any time you want, all for a fraction of the cost.
“You get about 90 percent of the wellness payoff of a custom spa for a fraction of the price,” says Gerardo Loayza, founder and CEO of the landscape-design firmBacqyard. “No structural engineering. No utility trenching. No permits dragging on for months. No property-tax bump. Set up in a single afternoon and packed up and gone whenever you want.”
And that wellness payoff can sweeten the deal. “Heat increases blood flow to muscles, which can help the muscles to relax and the soft tissues to feel more extensible,” saysLara Heimann, a physical therapist and the CEO and founder ofLYT Yoga. “For people with osteoarthritis, chronic lower-back pain, or generalized muscle soreness, the heat and buoyancy can provide temporary pain relief. With the hydrostatic pressure, both joints and muscles can relax more easily due to reduced muscle guarding. Additionally, warm water activates the parasympathetic nervous system, putting us into our ‘rest and relax’ state, lowering perceived stress that can be present from pain or general anxiety.”
I had a standard hot tub perched on a back patio for many years, and while it stayed with the house after I moved on, the memories stayed with me. I’ve since set up an inflatable hot tub at my new home. Having used both plenty of times now, I can say that while indeed the aesthetics are a bit lacking with an inflatable unit, the soaking experience really is on par. So if you’re wondering whether an inflatable hot tub is a good investment, you can take it from me: It is. Or you can take it from the multiple experts I spoke with as I prepared this article.
Our top picks
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A good-looking square tub that's big enough for entertaining and has all the features you need.
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A smaller, space-saving hot tub great for couples or solo soaks.
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A great everyday hot tub with efficient heating and everything you need, from bubble jets to cover.
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Size and capacity
The primary thing to consider when choosing a hot tub is how many people can use it comfortably. Of course, that almost always means rounding things down by a body or two: If an inflatable hot tub is advertised as seating six people, know that it will be cramped at full complement but capacious with four adults soaking. Next, consider the dimensions; a brand may share both internal and external dimensions with the latter being the actionable measurements for hot-tub placement. As for how many gallons of water the hot tub can hold, that doesn’t matter as much unless you are concerned about a structure supporting the filled spa’s weight. (More on that below.)
Consider placement
“With any inflatable hot tub, it’s important to place it on a flat, level surface and to have access to a properly grounded outdoor electrical outlet,” says Lia Miljour, product-development director for SaluSpa at tub manufacturerBestway.”
Assuming the terrain is truly level, an inflatable hot tub can be set up on a patio or driveway or in the yard. But there’s one spot that may seem quite inviting but that may actually be quite unsafe for hot-tub use: your deck. “This part isn’t design, it’s physics, and it’s where people either get hurt or wreck a deck,” says Loayza. “The weight math: A 250-gallon tub, filled and with people in it, runs roughly 2,800 to 3,200 pounds. That does not go on a standard wood deck — not without a structural engineer signing off on the load rating.” If you’re set on having a hot tub on your deck, you’ll want to look into a permanent installation instead.
Keep safety in mind
As with any pool, make sure that kids using your spa are closely monitored and that adults taking a dip aren’t impaired. Drowning is always a risk even in a shallow tub. Also make sure to properly set up your hot tub (including correct placement, as noted above) and to conduct any needed routine checks and maintenance. And be certain to use care connecting to the electricity needed to power the unit. “The electrical rule: Plug straight into a dedicated outdoor GFCI outlet; never use an extension cord,” says Loayza. “Extension cords drop the voltage, cook the heater pump, and start fires. There’s no clever work-around here.”
Plan for maintenance
Caring for inflatable hot tubs is simple: They need to be drained, deflated, dried, and packed before being put away when not in use or for the winter. You don’t want to leave your hot tub out all year or in freezing weather. Look for models with covers included (we’ve selected a few below) that will make long-term care less of a chore. “Be sure to cover your inflatable hot tub when it’s not in use to prevent debris from getting in as well as to save energy,” says Matthew Larsen, marketing director for inflatables manufacturerIntex. “Run and inspect your filtration and sanitation systems regularly to maintain good hygiene and replace your filters at regular intervals. Last but not least, follow the manual of your spa model for specific instructions.” Beyond that, if you don’t overfill your tub (with water or people) and you wipe the exterior down now and then, inflatable-hot-tub maintenance is simple stuff.
Take control
Since you want that hot soak to be at the perfect temperature, we looked for inflatable hot tubs with digital control panels and and other features that make it easier to get the results you want — and make every use more enjoyable. “I’d remind shoppers there are some variables worth paying a little more for,” says Mike Dolder, founder and CEO ofSupply Chain Sources, who has two decades of experience selling inflatable hot tubs. “Things like a quality heating system, decent insulation value, a good cover, and user-friendly controls.”
A full-featured everyday inflatable hot tub
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Seating capacity:Four| Dimensions:69-inch diameter, 28-inch height| Water capacity:210 gallons| Jet count:120| Materials:PVC| Max. heat:104 degrees F
This inflatable hot tub from Intex can fit up to four adults (though it will be more comfortable for two) with plenty of space for stretching out, plus, at 28 inches tall, it’s deeper than most similarly priced inflatables. That means, says Troy Labelle, Founder and Managing Director atCanadian Spa Company U.K., “an average-height adult’s shoulders sit under the waterline. Many inflatables sit shallower, leaving your upper body exposed to cold air, which is worse for the neck/shoulder/lower-back soak people actually want and worse for heat retention.”
The heat comes courtesy of an integrated unit that can reach up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, while 120 bubble jets provide a spa-style massage. A wireless control panel lets you manage temperature and bubble flow, or you can direct everything from the Intex app (most phones are water resistant these days).
The internal walls are reinforced with stiff beams that help the tub hold its shape, while an included cover (with keyed locking buckles) protects the tub and sides (and younger, curious children) when it isn’t in use. A hard-water treatment system reduces wear and tear, and a saltwater conversion kit is available.
A great inflatable hot tub with space to entertain
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Seating capacity:Six| Dimensions:94 by 94 by 28 inches| Water capacity:290 gallons| Jet count:170| Materials:PVC| Max. heat:104 degrees F
Want to accomodate more guests? This large square inflatable hot tub from Intex offers the same PureSpa features as the smaller version and can accommodate six people, though again the experience will be better with four or fewer users. “Square tubs are well suited for users to sit beside each other or who like a corner seat,” says Larsen. The inner dimensions of 77 by 77 inches offer plenty of space, though you’ll want to make sure you have room: At 94 inches long on a side, along with a heater unit that sits next to the tub, this is a big inflatable spa that requires plenty of room for setup.
Wherever you put this tub, it will look about as sharp as an inflatable spa can look. The exterior features afaux-stacked-stone finish, mimicking the look of a custom built-in hot tub. If you want to leave an inflatable hot tub set up in a high-visibility area, the PureSpa Greystone Deluxe is a good choice. And while it is pricier than many other options covered here, it’s still a great price compared with solid-wall hot tubs.
A less expensive inflatable hot tub that’s big enough for guests
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Seating capacity:Five to seven| Dimensions:85-inch diameter, 28-inch height| Water capacity:314 gallons| Jet count:180| Materials:PVC| Max. heat:104 degrees F
If you want a large spa but want to spend a little less, this hot tub from Bestway has an 85-inch overall diameter with a 65-inch internal diameter and a 28-inch depth, so it’s plenty large enough for five adults to share — though with seven people it will be cramped.
“Be cautious of designs with the control unit built into the inflatable wall,” says Labelle. “It looks clean, but it can make modular repair essentially impossible — a faulty control unit then means replacing the whole spa.” The SaluSpa’s control unit sits apart from the tub itself, where it’s out of harm’s way, plus, as with the Intex units, you can control the Bali’s settings with a mobile app that lets you manage heat and bubble-jet settings with a few simple taps on the screen.
A smaller inflatable hot tub for solo relaxation
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Seating capacity:Two| Dimensions:75 by 47 by 26.5 inches| Water capacity:145 gallons| Jet count:100| Materials:PVC| Max. heat:104 degrees F
Looking to keep things personal? This compact inflatable spa is ideal for two people — or for one user who wants to stretch and spread out. The oval shape maximizes depth for a given amount of water (think of it like a big bathtub), and it’s faster to set up than larger tubs, too. “A two-person tub will inflate in around five to ten minutes,” says Labelle.
A built-in LED lighting unit can help set the mood after dark, while an included tray with cupholders can keep cocktails, water, snacks, and more close at hand. A cover helps with heat retention when you’re not using the spa, and it can be secured in place to help keep kids safely out.
A rugged inflatable hot tub for year-round use
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Seating capacity:Two to four| Dimensions:71-inch diameter, 26-inch height| Water capacity:177 gallons| Jet count:120| Materials:Tritech (PVC)| Max. heat:104 degrees F
It’s hard to beat the experience of settling down into a piping-hot spa in freezing-cold weather, but unfortunately, many inflatable hot tubs can’t be left set up when temperatures drop below the freezing point. This one can, though, so you can enjoy a warm dip all year round. “The Freeze Shield automatic heating stops the internals from freezing, which makes it the one inflatable I’d actually trust year-round,” says Loayza.
While this hot tub is advertised as suitable for up to four people, it’s really best suited to just two adult-size users. It will be ready for use just when you want it thanks to an energy-saving system that lets you program your desired water temperature at a given time for up to 40 days in advance. The Hot Springs tub’s thick walls help hold in the heat, while internally inflated beams help the hot tub hold its shape even with regular use over an extended period.
Ourexperts
•Mike Dolder, Founder and CEO ofSupply Chain Sources
•Lara Heimann, physical therapist and CEO and founder ofLYT Yoga
•Troy Labelle, founder and managing director atCanadian Spa Company U.K.
•Matthew Larsen, marketing director withIntex
•Gerardo Loayza, founder and CEO atBacqyard
•Lia Miljour, product-development director for SaluSpa atBestway
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