Best Inflatable Hot Tub Reviews and Buying Guide

Let’s be honest. There are some great blow-up hot tubs, but also a few not so good ones (and some that are just plain bad, yes, talking about you Radiant Saunas spa). So which inflatable spa is the right for you? Well, check out our inflatable hot tub buying guide and reviews below.

For impatient:  Click here to see our #1 top inflatable hot tub right NOW on Amazon. It’s affordable and has enough space for four people.

We spent a lot of time researching inflatable hot tubs (and we update this guide all the time to keep it fresh), so before going into details, let us show you our top pick which won’t let you down:

Best Inflatable Hot Tubs 2024

 

Best Performed Inflatable Hot Tub In The Market Granted, they’re still a bit expensive. But at least buying one is like buying a new piece of furniture, instead of buying a second car.

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It wasn’t until a friend bought an inflatable hot tub that I realized how such delights are possible for ordinary people like me. Many inflatable hot tub reviews show that inflatable hot tubs are less durable but now the material of inflatable hot tub changed a lot. Now they are more durable than ever.

 

Top 3 Best Inflatable Hot Tub Companies 

There are quite a few options to choose from if you’re determined to get the best inflatable hot tub. But here are 3 brands that should merit more than a cursory glance:

1. Intex Inflatable Hot Tub

For the last 40 years or so, the Intex family of companies has made spas, pools, airbeds, and other types of furniture and accessories. Their first inflatable item was a beach ball, and they made their first above-ground swimming pool in 1997. Intex spa tub products can be found in more than 100 countries all over the world. The Intex spa reviews are generally positive.

2. Bestway Inflatable Spa

This brand has more than 2 decades of experience in the inflatable leisure industry, and their reps in 80 countries have sold their goods in more than 120 countries. It’s been estimated that fully 25% of the global inflatable leisure product industry is represented by Bestway.

3. Coleman Portable Hot Tub

Who doesn’t know the Coleman brand? They’ve been an America icon brand since they came out with their first gas lamps in 1905. It’s a brand that’s now synonymous with outdoor fun and convenience.

 Best 3 Intex Inflatable Hot Tub Reviews

1. Intex PureSpa Jet & Bubble Deluxe Portable Hot Tub, Round

Person:      

Water Holds: 210

• This is a round Intex spa hot tub that measures 77 inches in its outer diameter while inside the diameter is 57 inches. The height of the sides is 28 inches.
• The material for the Intex PureSpa construction is puncture-resistant 3-ply laminated material.
• The Intex Pure Spa portable hot tub can fit 4 people.
• The Intex Pure Spa holds 210 gallons of water, with the temperature ranging from 68 to 104 degrees.
• Your Intex portable spa purchase includes an insulated cover with a lock, a floating pool chlorine dispenser, a thermal ground cloth for its base, an inflation hose, and its own carry bag.
• It comes with 2 grab handles on the side so that you and a friend can carry it from one location to another. It weighs less than 150 pounds.
• It features 4 high-powered adjustable massage jets with 120 heated bubble jets surrounding the inside of the tub for the Intex Pure Spa bubble therapy.
• It comes with a built-in saltwater system so you don’t have to add chlorine.
• There’s also a hard water system built in.
• It also uses 2 Intex spa filters cartridges that you can replace easily.

It costs less than $400, but you do get a lot of value for your money according to many Intex spa hot tub reviews. The setup and the heating won’t take too much time, with the inflating procedure taking only about 5 minutes or so. The bubbles are terrific if you want to sit back and relax. It’s well made and the tub walls are tough enough to support the weight of the users. It can handle about 600 pounds of people, which today means a regular couple and two little kids. If you do have any warranty issues, the customer support is outstanding.

However, some people do have a few issues with the rather finicky control panel. And make sure you understand that it’ll need to be heated overnight when you first use it, since the heating rate is about 2 degrees per hour.

2. Intex 77in PureSpa Portable Bubble Massage Spa Set

Person:      

Water Holds: 210

Instead of aoctagonal tub, now you have an round design with your Intex Pure Spa hot tub. Mostly everything else is the same with the PureSpa Jet & Bubble Deluxe, with a few key differences.

• This Intex Pure Spa hot tub doesn’t have the saltwater system, so it comes with a floating pool chlorine dispenser. You also have test strips too, but you have to get the chemicals on your own. You still have the built-in hard water system with the Intex Pure Spa filters.
• Say goodbye to the 4 massage jets, but you still get that relaxing set of 120 bubble jets. Many Intex Pure Spa reviews say that even that’s enough for relaxation.
• The price for this Intex portable hot tub goes down to about $379 instead.

This is best for the people who aren’t really all that impressed with the massage jets. That’s not all that strange because many Intex portable spa reviews consider the hot water in itself as the main therapeutic and relaxing feature of the tub. If you don’t care about the massage features, then that’s fine. After all, you can always think of that feature as another thing that can go wrong in the Intex inflatable hot tub.

The straight sides of the octagon are more appealing for some folks, especially for those who wish to sit side by side without their legs getting tangled up. The “Sahara tan” color is great for the outdoors, and bits of dirt aren’t as obvious along the sides.

3. Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage 6-Person Portable Hot Tub, Round

Person:          

Water Holds: 290

Now this is the Intex inflatable spa you get if you want something bigger while you still keep the price low.

• The water capacity of this Intex bubble spa is 290 gallons, and it measures 85 inches on the outside. Inside, the round tub measures 65 inches. Again, the height of the sides is 28 inches.
• Despite its size, it’s actually easy to move around. It comes with handlebars and it weighs less than 100 pounds. It also comes with its own carrying bag.
• The size of this Intex inflatable hot tub makes it a challenge to reach and maintain higher temperatures. It may take an entire hour to heat it up a single degree.
• It also uses a floating chlorine dispenser.
• Now you also have 140 bubble jets, but you don’t get the 4 massage jets.

Intex doesn’t really offer the massage jet and the saltwater system for this model. This one’s main selling point is its size, as supposedly it can fit 6 people. As noted in several Intex inflatable hot tub reviews, that means it can fit 4 adults comfortably. However, you may want to back up the heater with a tankless water heater especially when you use it outdoors.

It’s quite easy to set up despite its size, and the quality of the build is superb. One advantage of the size is that when the water grows cool enough, little kids can use it as a swimming pool the next day. A lot of grandparents have noted this in their Intex hot tub reviews. If you want to use it as a hot tub again, just turn the heater on for about 10 hours.

How To Set Up A Intex Hot Tub

Top 2 Blow Up Spa of Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Reviews

1. Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Miami Inflatable Hot Tub

Person:      

Heat Capability: 40°C (104°F)

The Miami is the most economic blow-up spa model from Bestway, and you can get for less than $400. Many Lay Z Spa reviews are positive, as the typical Lay Z Spa review often mentions the relaxing effect of the bubble jets.

• Your purchase comes with a tub cover, a DVD demonstrating the setup and maintenance, a twin pack of filter cartridges, and a chemical floater for your chlorine. You also get a garden hose adapter to drain the water.
• On the outside of the round Lay Z Spa hot tub, it measures 71 inches in diameter, with a height of 26 inches for the sides.
• It theoretically fits 4 people, but it’s really a 2 person inflatable hot tub. Maybe a couple of little kids can join them, but that’s it.
• It uses a digital controls system that lets your each 104 degrees. You can adjust the controls from inside the tub without having to get off the tub.
• The bubbles do a fine job of offering a light massage.
• The Bestway Lay Z Spa comes with a 1-year limited warranty.

It’s probably called “Miami” because the heater may not be able to cope with colder temperatures during the winter months. But using this as an indoor inflatable hot tub can offer a nice experience for the whole year round. Use this solo or with a friend and it’s a great way to relax after work.

The price is a marvel, and it’s very democratic. What it really means is that the inflatable hot tub experience is really no long exclusive for the well-off. How long will it take you to save $400 for a tub? Probably not all that long, right. And it doesn’t add much to your electricity bill, with some people saying it will add about $80 to you monthly electricity expenses. That’s for keeping it ready every day!

2. Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Hawaii Hydro Jet Pro Inflatable Jacuzzi

Person:       +   

Heat Capability: 40°C (104°F)

Now if you want a bit of pizzazz to your hot tub, then you may want to try the Hawaii model instead. This is one of Bestway’s top of the line inflatable Jacuzzi models, which include the Lay Z Spa Vegas and the Lay Z Spa Monaco.

• The setup is simple, as you just need a few minutes to inflate it and an hour to fill it up with water. Setting up the equipment won’t require tools or professionals either.
• It comes with 8 adjustable Hydro Jets. This feature is really soothing, and you get it at the touch of a button. It also comes with bubble jets too, just like every other Lay Z Spa inflatable hot tub.
• Heating up the water is a very quick process, relatively speaking. Unlike other models that take an hour or more to raise the temperature a single degree, with this heating system you raise the temperature up by 2 to 3 degrees every hour. The maximum temp is 104 degrees.
• It comes with a saltwater system along with a built-in hard water treatment system. You can just put in 2 kilos of granulated salt, and the set even helps you feel lighter in the water.
• It still measures 71 inches in diameter, and 28 inches at the sides.
• Your purchase comes with a leather-like cover with a double lock and a built-in air chamber for better insulation. You also get a DVD for the setup and maintenance, 2 filter cartridges, a pressure gauge, and a chemical floater.
• The limited warranty is again for a year.

This model has received a lot of rave inflatable hot tub reviews for good reason. It’s very well-made, it offers a soothing dip, and its cost is less than $800. While the price is greater than the earlier models on this list, its features compare well with others that cost 5 times as much.

Still, the product literature says that it’s good for 4 to 6 people, and that’s not exactly very accurate for a 210-gallon tub. For a couple looking to relax and cuddle, it’s absolutely perfect. And it’s great for a family with small kids too. But 6 people fitting inside? Not a chance!

How To Set Up A Bestway Lay-Z-Spa 

Best of Best: Portable Hot Tub Review of Best Coleman Products

1. Coleman Lay-Z Spa Inflatable Hot Tub

Person:       +   

Water Holds: 254

Heat Capability: 40°C (104°F)

You can always trust Coleman to offer a simple product for your portable outdoor needs, so it shouldn’t be surprising to find that they also offer an inflatable hot tub. This one is also very affordable at about $375. Quite a lot of Lazy Spa reviews mention that the Lazy Spa inflatable hot tub from Coleman isn’t all that different from the Lazy Spa hot tub from Bestway.

• Supposedly this Lazy Spa fits 4 adults inside its diameter of 77 inches. The Coleman ads even show 4 very slim adults sitting side by side in one. But I’m not quite sure how comfy they are with their legs all folded up. The side wall measures 28 inches in height. That’s good enough for 254 gallons of water.
• It comes with an automated heating system with timer controls. The power cord is about 8 feet long.
• It’s very durable, with 2 layers of PVC encasing a polyester mesh core. The walls are tough enough for you to sit on them without buckling.
• It provides a Lay-Z massage system of bubbles, and the chemical maintenance is aided by an integrated water filtration system.
• It heats the water at a rate of 2 degrees per hour. You may want to figure out how to put in water from your indoor faucet to speed up the process.
• The warranty is a bit vague on details, but you won’t get a refund. If it’s approved, you get the same tub or something similar. However, the people who have dealt with the customer service do report having no trouble getting replacements.
• Your purchase includes an insulated cover, a DVD for setup and maintenance, a ground cloth, and inflation hose, and a chemical floater. You also get heavy duty repair patch for leaks.

Maybe it’s most annoying feature is that it seems to shut off automatically after 72 hours. So you have to reset it every few days. But other than that, it’s fine. It offers the very basic service of an inflatable hot tub, and you get the soothing bubbles as a bonus. The comparatively fast heating system is also a treat, especially with a tub this cheap. It’s one of the best inflatable hot tub models you can get at this price range.

Features You May Want in Your  Inflatable/Portable Hot Tub

• Rapid Heating System
  An inflatable hot tub normally uses an electric heater, which makes these tubs take a longer time to heat. So you should look for any sort of raid heating system that uses an efficient way of transferring most of the heat into the water.
• Insulation
  Some portable spa tubs have full-foam insulation, which slows down heat loss, provides additional support for the tub, and even adds some soundproofing.
• Massage System
  This is a great feature if you’re using your tub mostly for therapeutic purposes.
• Integrated Water Filter 
  A water filter can really reduce the time and the money you spend on chemicals for tub maintenance.
• Air Jet
  It’s great if you have several options to adjust the direction and strength of the air just. Some have more jets than others, but you may not always feel the difference.
• Exercise Options 
  Some tubs offer built-in equipment for exercise, although this is not very common for inflatable tubs.
• Ozone Generator 
  This may not be recommended if you’re using your tub indoors, but for outdoor use, it should be okay. The ozone in the water may reduce the need for chemical treatment.

Important Decorative Accessories for Portable or Inflatable Spa Tubs

• Floor Protector
  This protects the base of your inflatable hot tub from the ground surface, so you won’t have to worry about a rough surface causing a leak. Also, the protectors offer extra heat insulation, so the water won’t cool off as quickly.
• Tub cover
  Cover of inflatable spa tub is very important. This protects the water from outside pollutants and the weather, while it also protects the sensitive internal casing from any damage. It also keeps your little kids from getting in when you’re not around. And also, the water inside the cover retains its heat longer.
• Setup DVD 
  It can be a terribly frustrating experience to set up an inflatable hot tub, especially when it seems like the manual is simply a computer translation of the original setup instructions. Instead of hoping you can find a demonstration of the setup on YouTube, it is better if it already comes with a setup DVD.
• Spa Steps
  These are nice to have when the tub is a bit too high along the sides, as it can make it awkward to get in without the steps. Also, they help children access the tub more easily.
• Hot Tub Gazebo
  A gazebo is great when the spa tub is in your backyard. It helps protect the portable inflatable hot tub from the elements, and you’re protected too when you’re using the tub. It’s also great for additional privacy, while it also spruces up the place.
• Lights
  Your best bet here is blue. Green lights may make the water seem dirty, while yellow lights can turn the water to resemble urine.
• Side Handles
  The best portable hot tub models must have this feature.

Things to Consider Before Buying an Inflatable or Portable Hot Tub

• Ideal Size for Your Needs: Is it for just solo or 2-person dips? Or are you planning on having the whole family enjoy the tub? Its size should suit your plans on how you’re going to use it. What you may realize is that a supposed 6 person portable hot tub is actually a comfy 4 person portable spa. A 4 person hot tub is really a 2 person portable spa, with perhaps 2 small kids. And you don’t want to get a 2 person portable hot tub unless you plan on using it solo.
• Power source: Some are electric models, while others can be powered by other means that may allow for use in camping sites. Usually, you should be able to use your 110V or 220V electric socket for the tub.
• Suitable for Indoor or Outdoor: Some tubs are more geared towards outdoor use, while others are best indoors. For outdoor use, you need one of the best outdoor hot tubs that can hold its heat well. This is crucial, especially in a cool climate. For indoor spa tubs, you need to make sure the location has great ventilation.In a word, you need the best solution for home and garden.
• If you Have Enough Space: Before you buy a portable inflatable hot tub, make sure your planned location for it will suit your needs. Do you have just enough space for the best small hot tub? Does the area have a socket where you can plug in the cord? Is there a drain system in place? Does it have sharp rocks that may puncture the tub? Is it even level?
• Availability of Spare Parts: You may also want to check that the spare parts you need for the tub are all easily available. If they’re not, then you’re going to be forced to buy a new tub every time something goes wrong.
• Warranty:This helps you deal with any manufacturer’s issues with the tub. Also, a long warranty period shows the manufacturer’s confidence in the durability of their tub.

Average Monthly Maintenance Cost of Best Inflatable Hot Tubs

An inflatable spa tub doesn’t really cost all that much and you’ll find that it’s not expensive to maintain either. Of course, it depends on many factors. It depends on how often you use it, how quickly it heats the water, and the power rates in your area. Still, the costs for average users aren’t exactly prohibitive.

• For the electricity, you can figure on adding about $100 a month to your bills during the cold season. In the summer, its use will only require $50 or so. Its effect on out power bill is like adding a new air conditioner in your home
• Your water bills won’t really increase all that much either. After all, it’s not a swimming pool.
• Since you don’t have to treat huge volumes of water compared to a swimming pool, your chemical expenses aren’t too high. You can figure on spending about $300 on chemicals for the whole year.
• You will need to replace the 3 water filters in the tub every 4 to 6 months, and each filter goes for about $50 each.

One problem that may shock you is the cost of repairs, which may reach hundreds of dollars. It’s this reason why it’s best to buy from a reputable brand. You don’t have to spend too much money on repairs, and you won’t have to suffer the inconveniences of getting it repaired before you can use it.

Inflatable/Portable Hot Tub Usage Tips and Maintenance

So how should you use and maintain your hot tub so that you don’t spend a lot of money on repairs? Here’s the most important tip of all: read the manual!

Here are some other tips you should consider:

1. Always keep it covered when you’re not using it. This reduces evaporation, conserves heat, keeps debris from getting in and prevents little kids from getting in too.
2. Keep a skimmer handy to scoop out random bits of debris.
3. Brush the sides and the bottom of the tub every week to minimize the growth of algae and to get rid of unsightly dirt.
4. Every 3 months or so, you need to drain the water. At this point, you ought to clean the entire surface as well. You just need soap and water.
5. Keep the water at the proper pH level between 7.4 and 7.6. You also need to check the calcium level of the water. A test strip can give you quick results in just a few seconds.
6. Clean the filter at least once a week.
7. Don’t even think about bringing in sharp and pointy toys in the tub. It doesn’t matter if you want wine with your dip—use that corkscrew somewhere else!

Inflatable Hot tub vs. Built-In Hot Tub

So let’s look at the factors that make the inflatable version of the hot tub a more suitable option for regular folks who want an extraordinary experience of hot tub dipping:

1. The Cost
   This is probably the most conspicuous advantage of inflatable hot tubs. A lot of inflatable hot tub reviews mention these when the features match what you see in built-in models. Have a customized built-in hot tub installed and you’re likely to spend up to $20,000 for the initial costs. But an above-ground version can be available for less than half the cost, with some ranging from a high as $8,000 to as low as $3,000.And if $3,000 is still too much, don’t worry. That’s because the inflatable version is the most affordable of them all. We actually found some portable hot tubs with prices in the mere hundreds of dollars!

2. Time and Effort to Install
   Let’s say you order one right now. You wait a few days, and the portable hot tub is delivered to your doorstep. You won’t have to wait all that long to enjoy it—you can get it up and running in just a short while. It really is that easy to set up. That’s not exactly what happens when you put in an in-ground spa. You’re going to have to get it professionally installed, and then you will have to wait a few days to install a hot tub in-ground.

3. Indoors and Outdoors
   Once you put in a built-in hot tub in its place, it stays there. That’s literally what “built in” means. So if you put it outdoors, you’re not really going to be able to enjoy it during the cold winter season when snow keeps falling. And if you out it indoors, it’s not as enjoyable during the warm summer months when it’s nice to take a dip at night while enjoying a nice summer breeze. With an inflatable hot tub, you can put it indoors during the winter and outdoors in the summer. Or you can just put it in storage when you’re not going to use it for a while.

4. Uses
   You’re not even limited to using it in your home or backyard. Bring the best portable spa with you when you go on vacation and enjoy it at a friend’s house. If you’re reading portable hot tub reviews, check the weight and the presence of handles on the sides.

5 Benefits of Using an Inflatable Spa Tub

So let’s take a look at why you’ll want to use best inflatable hot tub:

• It offers a perfect way to wind down after a long day at work. You can chill out and relax while you play some mellow music and sip on your favorite drink.
• It’s a great way to fool around with a romantic partner.
• It offers a nice bonding moment for families and close friends.
• It helps amuse kids when they’re bored, and you can even use it to help little kids get used to the water.
• It offers several types of health benefits.

5 Health Benefits of Inflatable Hot Tubs

We’ve already mentioned its ability to improve your health, but what does that mean, exactly?

Stress Relief

Stress is a major contributing factor for a whole boatload of medical issues. Stress weakens your immune system and damages your heart muscle. It can make you obese and look prematurely old. It can also hurt your social relationships. But a hot tub offers a great way to help you deal with stress properly.

Improved Sleep

The statistics on sleep (or lack of it) can be quite alarming. At some point in their lives, 1 out of 3 people will experience insomnia. Every year, about 1 to 2 out of 5 adults get insomnia. More than 70 million in the US have some form of wakefulness or sleep disorder, and 3 out of 5 of them have a chronic problem.

But when you have a hot tub dip as part of your nightly routine, ad you may find it much easier to sleep at night. It’s just so soothing.

Pain Relief

Suffering from some minor aches and pains? Try an inflatable spa tub. The warm water can be very comforting for your tired muscles and joints. You may find that such dips in the water can really help you manage the pain.

Sports Injury Recovery

Once the pain and swelling have subsided considerably, a portable inflatable spa can be used for recovery from injuries. It reduces muscle spasms and pain, and the heat can improve blood circulation. The buoyancy of the water can loosen the muscles, and you can slowly improve your range of motion in the forgiving underwater setting.

Diabetes Therapy

Diabetics whose condition may keep them from working out can exercise in a hot tub instead. It helps with weight and blood sugar issues as well as the heat improve the blood flow to your skeletal muscles.

Final Thought

It is true that inflatable hot tubs are less durable compared to a built-in hot tub. But it’s very difficult to effort built in hot tub as they are very very costly. Many inflatable hot tub reviews highlighted this product is cost efficient, Affordable, Easy to portable and durable. Inflatable spa tubs last more if you follow the maintenance guide and precautions while using  it.

Have fun with your portable hot tub—and good luck with your choice! It’s really trusting worthy.