The best inflatable hot tubs you can buy

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The best inflatable hot tubs you can buy

  • Enjoy a relaxing, soothing spa-like soak with an inflatable hot tub.
  • Versatile, practical, and portable, they’re more economical than permanent versions.
  • The Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage Spa is comfortable and durable with gentle bubbles, good heat retention, and tough walls.

Soaking in a hot tub is a healthy and natural way to unwind, relieve stress, reduce pain through vascular dilation, and improve sleep. Since ancient times, hot baths have been instrumental for self-care and socializing with others. Create a similar "spa spot" at home with a relatively inexpensive inflatable hot tub. 

More than a mere kiddie pool, an inflatable hot tub is deep, holds clean water, heats up water sanitarily (again, not a baby pool!), and blows massaging bubbles. Its pump inflates and deflates it, providing flexibility to blow it up whenever you need it, put it wherever you like (with an outlet and enough space — indoors on a floor able to support its weight with water and bathers, outdoors in temperatures above 40-degrees Fahrenheit/4-degrees Celsius), and flatten it for storage. 

Based on our findings, we narrowed down our list to five great options, including our overall favorite, the Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage Spa. In addition, we provide information and tips on what to look for when shopping for an inflatable spa, how to use one, and how to stay eco-friendly.

Here are our top picks for the best inflatable hot tub:

The best inflatable hot tub overall

Amazon

Strong, supportive, puncture-resistant, and portable, both models (77-inch and 85-inch diameters) of the Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage Spa provide bubbly relaxation.

Both sizes of the Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage Spa won accolades from review sites and customers. Home Hot Tubs Guide stated that the "ring of bubble jets around the base gives a powerful massage effect." Portable Hot Tub Finder qualified the praise with, "You can expect a light massage sensation. However, don’t expect a deep tissue massage." Amazon buyers loved the bubbles emitted by the high-powered air jets (120 in the 77-inch model, and 140 in the 85-inch model) and were pleasantly surprised at the jets’ strength, perfect for soothing sore backs. 

Made with puncture-resistant, three-ply laminated material and fiberglass-composite construction, the Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage Spa is strong, durable, and comfortable. One owner said, "I did not have to put any air in it the entire time I had it up. The sides are super sturdy for sitting on … the bottom is surprisingly soft [even when] sitting on concrete." Buyers also liked the rigid walls, which provide support for climbing in and out of the tub safely.

The Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage Spa takes at least 24 to 48 hours to warm up its 210-gallon capacity of the smaller model (290 gallons for the larger. When the water reaches the desired temperature, the heater stays on to maintain it; the heater will shut off automatically after about 72 hours. After running continuously for 30 minutes, the bubbles turn off but can be turned on again manually. In both cases, the automatic shut-off helps save energy. Many people commented that the pump is quiet (although a small minority found it noisy). As with most inflatable hot tubs, the heater and air jets can’t run simultaneously. 

The Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage Spa‘s smaller model (with a 58-inch inner diameter when inflated) is advertised as a four-person hot tub; the large model (with a 77-inch diameter when inflated) is marketed as a 6-person tub. Despite being named "Best 6-Person Hot Tub" by Home Hot Tubs Guide and Laze Up, the larger model was noted by users as being a bit crowded for a party of six; four would be more comfortable. People also felt that the smaller model was better for two to three people.

Easy to set up, take down, and move around, the Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage Spa is simple to maintain. Complete Home Spa commended its built-in hard water treatment system that "softens the water" to give "a softer-feeling soak and reduc[e] the damage to the inside of the tub." This model was "Editor’s Choice" at Outside Pursuits and the top pick of Inflatable Hot Tub Center, EWash, The Pool Cleaner Expert, and Poolonomics. Sixty-one percent of more than 2,200 Amazon reviewers awarded it four or five out of five stars.

Pros: Powerful jets for bubbles, hard water treatment system, easy assembly

Cons: Water cools down when jets are on, no hydro jets

The best budget inflatable hot tub

Amazon

Durable, strong, and comfortable, the Bestway SaluSpa Miami AirJet is an excellent deal for a reasonable price.

Deemed a "best buy" by Home Hot Tubs Guide, the Bestway SaluSpa Miami AirJet "offers hot tubbing on a budget. This tub is not going to break the bank, but still offers a pleasant and relaxing bubble jet experience." Portable Hot Tub Finder described it as an inexpensive "option for someone looking for an entry-level inflatable hot tub. Although it lacks a few bells and whistles, it still rates as a solid performer." 

And solid it is. Made of Tri-Tech, three-ply reinforced material featuring a polyester mesh core encased in two layers of PVC, the tub is extremely tough. The Pool Cleaner Expert "tested it with the most lively of kids; it stood its ground and passed with flying colors." One Amazon customer’s German Shepard jumped into the Bestway SaluSpa Miami AirJet several times without damaging or collapsing it! Because of its I-beam construction, bathers can feel secure in leaning against, sitting on, or grabbing the tub’s walls to climb in and out without bending or buckling it. 

The Pool Advisors noted that the tub "has a heating system that warms the water quickly and efficiently but also a water-filtration system that ensures that the water in the tub is as clean as it can be." Many users reported heating water up to 104°F (40°C) rapidly — in as few as two to six hours on a hot day and as much as 24 to 48 hours in colder conditions. An automatic start/stop timer-controlled heating system helps save energy. 

Although the 60 air jets can’t run when the heater is on, they are effective in emanating bubbles from the tub’s perimeter. One Amazon user described them less as air jets and more as "air bubblers" that push out along the walls "a LOT of rolling bubbles and when you lean back … [you feel] not the ‘flesh pounding’ you’d get with the professional grade [Jacuzzi] but … a light massage on your back and neck."

Although the manufacturer advertises that the Bestway SaluSpa Miami AirJet holds up to four adults, it is actually more comfortable for two adults. Complete Home Spa described the tub — with a 71-inch diameter, 26-inch height, and 177-gallon capacity — as "ideal for couples or individuals looking for a bit of luxury." 

The Bestway SaluSpa Miami AirJet was ranked among the top five hot tubs on Complete Home Spa, The Pool Advisors, The Pool Cleaner Expert, Portable Hot Tub Finder, Poolonomics, and PoolJudge. Sixty-eight percent of more than 630 Amazon reviewers gave it four or five out of five stars. 

Pros: Economical, sturdy, heats up quickly, easy to set up and use indoors or outdoors, has padded floor

Cons: Can’t run bubbles and heater at the same time, potential leaks (of tub, heat/pump container, hose connection), crowded for four adults

The best small inflatable hot tub

Amazon

The Coleman SaluSpa (71 inches by 26 inches) Four-Person Hot Tub is small but mighty; it sports a sturdy frame, heats up quickly, and produces effective bubbles.

As Complete Home Spa noted, the Coleman SaluSpa (71 inches by 26 inches) Four-Person Hot Tub‘s "product information says it can fit four people but it’s best for one to two people." Amazon customers had varying opinions — some felt four people fit in comfortably while many others thought the tub best suited for two people. One owner wrote, "Two people: perfect; three people: okay; four people: only if you know everyone well!" In any case, this cozy model with a capacity of 170 gallons reportedly fit in small spaces (e.g., on a houseboat, on a porch). 

Constructed with Tri-Tech technology, the tub has strong walls made of three-ply reinforced material with a sturdy I-beam design. You can sit on the comfortably cushioned floor and lean up against the stable walls or even sit on top of them and still feel secure.  

This Coleman SaluSpa model heats up at an advertised two to three degrees F per hour. It reportedly takes about 24 hours to heat up all the water to 104°F and less time if the water is already warm or on a hot day. The heating time is shorter than expected (and pleasantly surprising) for some owners but still too long for others, who like the tubs but only wish it warmed up faster. 

What many owners can agree on is soothing bubble action. One person described "very powerful bubbles stream[ing] from a ring of perforations in an air chamber that circles the bottom of the spa. As the air bubbles rise and expand, they generate a powerful massaging activity and a turbulence throughout the tub. The bubbles are great for lower back to neck massages." Unfortunately, when the bubbles are on, the heat turns off and the water temperature drops. 

The Coleman SaluSpa (71 inches by 26 inches) Four-Person Hot Tub was named among the top three models for two-to-four-person tubs by Home Hot Tubs Guide. The Pool Advisors chose it as the best model, Poolonomics placed it second, and Complete Home Spa third. Among more than 1,800 Amazon reviewers, 71% rated it positively (four or five out of five stars).

Pros: Heats up quickly for many, bubbles effective in massaging, cozy, sturdy

Cons: A bit too cozy for four people, water warms up too slowly for some, heat turns off when bubbles are on 

Buy the Coleman SaluSpa (71 inches by 26 inches) Four-Person Hot Tub on Amazon for $369.99

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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Source: Business Insider – feedback@businessinsider.com (Helen Mao)

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