How to Choose the Best Hot Tub: The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Personal Paradise

Buying a hot tub is one of the most rewarding investments you can make for your home – creating a personal escape from the world that can benefit your health and add to your home's value.

Understanding how to choose the best hot tub for your home may seem overwhelming at first, but once you consider your lifestyle, budget, and needs, finding the right model with the most fitting features becomes much simpler.

Enlisting the help of our trusted hot tub and outdoor living experts, here is our ultimate guide on choosing the best hot tub, to create your very own paradise in your backyard.

How to Choose the Best Hot Tub

1. Choose the Right Size

Size is important when it comes to making the right buying decision – and that’s for more reasons than you might suppose.

The first is the available space. ‘Measure the area where you plan to install the hot tub and be sure there is enough space not only for the tub itself but also for access, maintenance, and any additional features you may want to add (such as a gazebo or deck),’ says certified pool and spa inspector Hubert Miles from Patriot Home Inspections.

‘You'll need a solid surface for the hot tub to sit on, with approximately a minimum of a 5-foot area to enter and exit the hot tub safely,’ he continues.

How many people it’s for is, of course, crucial. ‘Consider how many people will typically use the hot tub at once,’ says Hubert. ‘Hot tubs come in various sizes, accommodating anywhere from two to 10 or more people.’

What the hot tub is used for should also be factored into size decisions. ‘A larger model with more seating options may be ideal if you use the hot tub primarily for relaxation or socializing,’ explains Hubert. ‘If you want a hot tub mainly for hydrotherapy, opt for a smaller size to maximize jet effectiveness.’

2. Consider Hydrotherapy Features

If hydrotherapy is on your mind, there are features you should focus on when you’re buying.

‘Look for adjustable jets targeting specific body areas, such as the neck, shoulders, back, and legs,’ says Hubert Miles. ‘Different jet types provide varying massage experiences, so choosing a hot tub with a diverse range of jets is essential.'

Look at the seating, too. ‘Ergonomic seating with built-in therapy zones can enhance the therapeutic benefits,’ he continues. ‘Some hot tubs offer lounge seats or therapy seats that contour to your body for maximum comfort and effectiveness.’

Achieving the optimum hot tub temperature is key to maximizing your enjoyment of your outdoor spa, so pay attention to water temperature and filtration. ‘A hot tub with a high-quality filtration system and efficient heater will ensure consistent water temperature and cleanliness, which are important factors for hydrotherapy,’ says Hubert.

However, you should also bear in mind that hot tubs take a long time to heat up. Homes & Gardens' content director Lucy Searle bought a Lay-Z Spa hot tub during the pandemic, and she said that she was surprised at how long they take to reach the right temperature.

'Depending on how often you use your hot tub, you may not always have it heated, which means you need to plan to get it to the temperature you find comfortable in advance. With our hot tub, we found that this could take a full day – if we turned the heater on in the morning, it would be just warm enough by evening.'

3. Consider Additional Luxury Features

As well as hydrotherapy jets, you might like a model with internal or external lighting – or a combination of the two. You might also want to opt for an audio system, or even a TV to entertain the users, along with sanitizers, water fountains, and more.

Naturally, these features come at a cost, but it’s worth thinking about what you might enjoy that also suits your budget. Aim to pack in as many bonus features as you can for the money.

4. Think About Budget and Ongoing Costs

For an inflatable hot tub, expect to spend between $400-$1000. Any less than that and it will be a poor-quality model; any more and you're probably overpaying.

Plug-and-play hot tubs vary by size. For a two-person hot tub, expect to pay around $2,000. For a four-person hot tub, set aside $2,500-$4,000. For more than 6 people, expect to pay between $3,500 to $6,000.

In-ground hot tubs are much more expensive than both of these types of tubs. The cost for an in-ground depends on where you are in the country, labor costs, your soil, the size of your hot tub, and much more. Prices for installing inground hot tubs are usually around $15,000; Jacuzzi's most expensive model is nearly $30,000.

But it's important not to ignore the ongoing costs.

‘A more expensive hot tub may have better insulation, more efficient pumps, and advanced heating systems, leading to lower running costs in the long run,’ explains Hubert Miles. ‘Higher-priced hot tubs may be made from more durable materials, resulting in a longer lifespan and potentially lower maintenance costs.’

Think warranty, as well. ‘A comprehensive warranty can offset future repair costs, so comparing warranty coverage is essential when evaluating hot tubs,’ he says.

‘You should also consider how often you intend to use your hot tub,’ Hubert recommends. ‘For example, a cheaper option may be better if you use it once or twice a month. However, opt for a more expensive model with higher efficiency and a longer warranty for more frequent use.’

Whether you opt for a luxury buy or a more budget-friendly option, cleaning your hot tub regularly is essential to ensure it remains in good working order for as long as possible.

5. Plan for Drainage

Every so often, you need to drain all that water for maintenance or shut down the hot tub over winter if you won't be using it, so you need to make sure you have a way of dealing with a large volume of water.

Lucy Searle says that 'Our Lay-Z Spa has a removable plug that we can either simply drain off into the yard, or we can attach a hose to it and feed that to a drain.'

However, it's not as simple as just opening a valve. Some hot tubs - particularly inflatable hot tubs - don't have a plug in the base, so gravity won't do the work for you. You may need to invest in a pump like this from Amazon to get it all out of the tub.

You also need to make sure that your drain can handle the volume of water. A French drain can take a lot of water, but if you're draining it into a typical drain, you may need to use a hose attachment to limit the flow of water and release the water safely.

Hot Tub Types, Explained

A hot tub – even a modestly sized design – is a huge addition to your backyard. For this reason, it’s a good idea to think first about whether you want to place it above ground, on a deck, or in the ground.

Here's a deeper dive into how each hot tub type compares:

In-Ground vs. Above Ground Hot Tubs

‘In-ground hot tubs can seamlessly integrate into your backyard or pool landscaping, often providing a more visually appealing appearance,’ explains Hubert Miles.

In-ground hot tubs can also prove more accessible. ‘They are typically easier to enter and exit due to their lower profile,’ Hubert explains.

But bear in mind the possible downsides. ‘In-ground hot tubs generally have higher installation costs due to excavation and site preparation requirements,’ he continues. ‘They may be more challenging to access for maintenance and repair, as some components may be buried or hidden.’

Going for an above-ground design? Choose between entry-level plastic or more high-end acrylic designs, which are practical and can be feature-packed, or a wooden hot tub, which has a natural look that will blend in with the yard. Inflatable hot tubs are another option.

In-Ground vs. Plug-and-Play Hot Tubs

An in-ground hot tub is built into the ground and is often tailor-made to your space, typically requiring professional installation and electrical wiring.

A plug-and-play hot tub is so-called because it plugs into an outdoor outlet. You may also see them referred to as hardshell hot tubs. Unlike in-ground hot tubs, they don't need to be installed. You can buy one from a store, fill it with water, and it's ready to use.

Benefits of plug-and-play hot tubs:
Plug-and-play hot tubs are typically the more affordable option. Pool expert Rafi Friedman from Coastal Luxury Outdoors explains, 'Plug-and-play hot tubs are generally more affordable than in-ground hot tubs. There is, of course, still plenty of work that goes into setting them up, including making sure they have a firm, level base to sit on and correctly hooking up the heater, filter, and electricity, but you'll spend much less overall on a plug-and-play hot tub.'

Also, maintenance is easier and often less expensive with plug-and-play hot tubs, and you can move them around, so if you redo your garden, you can find a new spot for your hot tub. This has the added bonus that your hot tub can move with you. If you're in a starter home and want a hot tub, a plug-and-play is your best bet, because you aren't shelling out thousands of dollars to build a hot tub you'll have to leave behind when you upsize.

Benefits of in-ground hot tubs:
In-ground hot tubs often look much better than plug-and-play options. Plug-and-play hot tubs are utilitarian plastic shells that can look a little incongruous if you take your garden design seriously. A simple inground hot tub looks less plasticky by virtue of being sunk into the ground, hiding all the pipework, plastic, and electrics.

Top-line, premium hot tubs can be built into the side of a pool, which looks even better, and you can find fiberglass rock-effect spas which fit seamlessly into your planting.

An in-ground hot tub can be made to your specifications. Inground hot tubs can be shaped to fit awkward corners that rigid, square plug-and-play tubs can't fit. They can also add tremendous value to your home.

Inground hot tubs tend to have more powerful massage jets. This also means that they get hotter a lot faster than plug-and-play hot tubs. On top of that, they're surrounded by the ground, so they're better insulated than plug-and-plays, lose less heat, and can be cheaper to run.

These tubs also have a huge range of features, and you can tailor-make them to your space. If, for example, you need a tub with interior lights, but not exterior lights, you can speak to the company and save some money on this feature.

Are Inflatable Hot Tubs Worth It?

Inflatable hot tubs are usually thousands of dollars cheaper than plug-and-play hot tubs, so they're a much better option if you're on a budget. They're easier to set up, they take up much less room, and they can also be packed up for storage if you want a break from using them.

Because of this, they tend to be a much better option for smaller yards. They're also a great option if you're renting a house, because while plug-and-plays aren't permanent structures, they're pretty bulky, and an inflatable hot tub is less likely to cause issues with a landlord.

The drawback of an inflatable hot tub is that it lacks all the specialist features of a plug-and-play hot tub. You won't get any lighting or speakers, and in most cases, you won't even have seats. The jets bubble up the water, but they won't massage you. They also have smaller filters, so they turn green and murky much faster than plug-and-play models.

Inflatable hot tubs are often listed as seating around four people, but in practice, most can really only fit two, so they're a lot more uncomfortable than plug-and-play hot tubs.

They also don't insulate very well, so it takes a surprising amount of energy to maintain the temperature of an inflatable hot tub. While the initial purchase is cheaper than a plug-and-play, these tubs tend to cost more to run, as they require more energy to maintain a constant heat.

Where to Buy a Hot Tub

If buying direct, Jacuzzi, Sundance Spas, Hot Spring, and Dimension One Spas are some of the best reviewed hot tub brands.

Out of the major retailers, I'd argue that Home Depot is the best. They stock hundreds of tubs from different brands at a range of price points. The vast majority of their tubs are supported by a healthy number of reliable reviews.

Wayfair is a close second. You'll find an even wider range of tubs, though they're often more expensive outside of sales periods, and the reviews are less reliable.

Walmart has a huge range of different hot tubs, but this is the biggest issue - there's no easy way to compare the thousands of products on offer. When you browse the website they're often mixed in with hot tub chemicals and other related products, so it's not the easiest website to use. Many products only have a single review, so while there's a lot on offer, it's hard to judge the quality of the different tubs.

Costco has some good options but there are only about 20 to choose from. You also need to be a Costco member or you'll have to pay a 5% surcharge. However, the prices are lower than other retailers.

Sam's Club is similar to Costco. It has a limited range of hot tubs, and you need to be a member, but the prices are often lower than big retailers.

Lowe's has a lot of inflatable hot tubs on offer, but a smaller selection of plug-and-play tubs, so it's a great option if you're on a budget, but less useful if you want to make a larger investment.

Amazon has plenty of hot tubs, but like Lowe's, they tend to be inflatable hot tubs, and the reviews are less reliable. This is also true of Target, which only sells inflatable hot tubs.

Best Hot Tubs

We have spent thousands of hours testing products at Homes & Gardens, including everything from the best non-toxic air fryers to the best robot vacuums.

Unsurprisingly, we couldn't convince my editor-in-chief to let me soak up the sun and enjoy all those hot tub benefits as 'research' for this article.

Instead, I dove into hundreds of hot tub reviews, only selecting those with 4.5 or 5-star ratings, good design, and plenty of bonus features. I read countless customer reviews to see how these hot tubs held up over months or even years of use.

I aimed to include hot tubs with as many bonus features as possible. A big problem when buying a hot tub - particularly from a dealer - is that you have to pay extra for features which should be standard. Apart from budget options, the hot tubs listed here will come with features like covers and LED lighting included as standard to help you save money.

Finally, I limited my research to hot tubs reviewed after years or even a decade. This way, I could make sure that the hot tubs we feature are durable, long-lasting, and don't give their owners any problems.

FAQs

Do I Need an Assembly Service for My Hot Tub?

Whether or not you need an assembly service for your hot tub depends on the type of hot tub you're using. Every inflatable hot tub can be assembled at home by two people. Most inflatable hot tubs weigh under 100 lbs when they're delivered, so it's fairly easy to move them into a backyard.

This is also true of lots of two-person and four-person plug-and-play hot tubs. These are usually around 250-300lbs before they're filled, so more often than not two people can manhandle it into a backyard. It's even easier if you have a hand truck or a dolly.

It gets more difficult with larger hot tubs. These often need to be winched off the truck, so it's best to hire a company to move them into your backyard. Many hot tub companies offer this service, sometimes free of charge.

Can I Get Accessibility Features for My Hot Tub?

While you can't buy hot tubs for specific disabilities, there are lots of ways you can make a hot tub more accessible.

If you can, buy as short of a hot tub as you can. This will make it easier to step into. You can then add steps, handrails, and non-slip surfaces to make it easier to climb in and out of the tub. If you cannot walk, you can buy a spa lift to help you get in and out of the hot tub.

What's the Difference Between a Jacuzzi and a Hot Tub?

There isn't one. 'Jacuzzi' is a trade name of a company specialising in hot tubs and baths. In the same way that 'coke' has become a shorthand for all colas, 'jacuzzi' is a shorthand for all hot tubs, but it's not technically correct. Some Jacuzzis are hot tubs, and not all hot tubs are Jacuzzis.

Can You Use an Inflatable Hot Tub in the Winter?

You can use an inflatable hot tub in winter but there's some things to bear in mind. You need to set your hot tub up before the temperature drops below freezing, as frozen water can damage the pipes or the bubbling holes in the hot tub. You may also have to run the hot tub heater for most of the winter in order to maintain the temperature, which is costly and bad for the environment as it wastes a lot of electricity.

Do You Have to Check a Hot Tub Everyday?

It is advisable to check the water of a hot tub daily to ensure the water chemistry is balanced. It’s not good for the hot tub or its users if it’s not. Be mindful that this is a job you should continue to do even if the hot tub isn’t being used.

Test strips like these at Amazon make the job easy, so it’s not an onerous task, and you can follow the manufacturer’s advice to decide if you need to add chemicals to correct levels.