Please take the time to review the following information, and make use of the link provided, to assist in keeping you and your family safe from injury. You have to dedicate an entire section of your deck, patio or yard area to it and make sure it’s always ready for an invigorating soak. We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more.
This mid-sized hot tub has a cushioned floor for comfort when you’re sitting, and there are 140 air jets around the bottom for a little massage action. However, the jets do cause the motor to operate quite loudly, which isn’t ideal when you’re trying to socialize. The good news is that it heats up more quickly than other models (around 3-4 intex frame pool hours), allowing you to start using it sooner, and the inflatable cover is extremely easy to take off and put onto the spa. Inflatable hot tubs don’t have traditional water jets like classic hard-sided hot tubs, but they do often have air jets, which push air bubbles through a tube around the bottom of the spa to create a similar effect.
For the products we did test firsthand, we timed how long it took to set up each model, fill it with water, and get the water up to a desired temperature. We used the products for a total of 30 hours and evaluated them on their features, comfort, and maintenance requirements. Just like classic hot tubs, inflatable hot tubs come in a variety of sizes (and shapes), so you’ll want to think about how many people will be using it. Small one- or two-person models have several benefits — they use less water and electricity, heat up faster, and take up less space. However, if you plan to host parties in your hot tub, you can find inflatable models that can fit up to seven people at a time.
Real hot tubs are expensive and time-consuming to maintain, and if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option for your backyard, an inflatable hot tub is definitely the way to go. But consider that a six-seater will take longer to fill, so unless you’ll be entertaining intex purespa often or you have a large family, the four-seater may be easier to deal with on a regular basis. With an inflatable hot tub, you get a luxurious experience whenever you need it without having to commit to the maintenance and space that a traditional hot tub requires.
The easy-to-use control panel activates the high-performing bubble Jets surrounding the interior of the spa for a refreshing massage. The heating system adjusts to fit your personal temperate preference, allowing a stress-free spa experience. The portable Intex® PureSpa Plus™ Bubble Massage Spa provides simple maintenance with easy-to-replace filter cartridges for lasting enjoyment for up to 4 people. The Milan SaluSpa comes with a filter cartridge, spa pump, chemical dispenser, and a repair patch, and it can also be connected to your smartphone.
The Bubble Massage Inflatable Hot Tub is a particularly good choice if you want a relaxing massage sensation — it has 120 high-powered bubble jets that will elevate your soaking experience. The Bestway SaluSpa Miami Inflatable Hot Tub is comfortable, easy to operate, and reasonably priced, making it our top choice. This inflatable hot tub was the perfect size to set up on a small deck or patio, though we did have to look up the assembly instructions online, as they weren’t included in the box. We were able to set it up in around 30 minutes and filled it with cold water from the hose, and it was able to heat up to a toasty 100 degrees after around 12 hours. In addition to a heat-saving cover and pump, this hot tub comes with a thermal ground cloth, storage bag, four filter cartridges, and two headrests.
Just keep in mind that they’re generally more challenging (and expensive) to maintain. If you’re planning to use your hot tub solo or with a partner, the Bestway St. Lucia is one of the smaller options out there, taking up minimal room on your patio or deck. This inflatable hot tub can fit up to three people, but we found in our testing that it’s most comfortable for just two adults. It comes with a pump, insulated cover, and chlorine dispenser, which uses tablets to dispense the proper amount of chemicals to keep the water clean. One common complaint about inflatable hot tubs is that they don’t actually have seats — instead, you generally have to sit directly on the floor of the spa. If you prefer to have an elevated seat inside the hot tub, this model from Bestway comes with a removable spa chair that can be adjusted to suit your needs.