Beat the Winter Chills With the Best Inflatable Hot Tubs

From stress relief to muscle relaxation, hot tubs have countless mental and physical health benefits. But even if you don’t care much about the science behind it all, the whole experience feels great. It even makes for a great excuse to socialize and spend some quality time with your friends and family. 

For all the value you get for the affordable price of an inflatable hot tub, it’s a no-brainer for most people to grab one. But, finding the right model isn’t nearly as simple! There are many factors and features to keep in mind, all while making sure you don’t get ripped off with a bad deal. We’ve got you covered, though. Here’s a list of everything you need to consider to spend your hard-earned cash in the right place. 

Size Matters (A Lot)

Let’s start with size. It’s the most crucial consideration to bear in mind when you’re in the market for an inflatable hot tub. If it’s too big, you’d not only have to pay a lot more for the tub itself but also higher water and electricity bills down the line. A tub that’s too tight, on the other hand, won’t offer you the relaxation and comfort you deserve! 

With that said, you’ve also got to worry about whether or not it fits in the limited space you have for it in your bathroom, patio, backyard, or wherever you plan on placing the tub.

If you plan on using the tub with your four other siblings or friends, you can’t buy one with a capacity of just three or four. Many people make that mistake thinking they’ll still find a way to fit in somehow, but that completely ruins the overall experience. Some extra space is always worth the additional few bucks if you plan on sharing it! 

Just make sure to carefully measure the spot where you plan on putting the tub. If it’s large enough to accommodate six people but doesn’t fit anywhere in your small apartment, it’d be useless. 

Jets

What makes hot tubs so special is that they don’t just offer you immersion in hot water (like a bathtub), they elevate the experience with lots of bubble jets all around. These are electrically powered to pump air, creating a disturbance in the water that massages your muscles and makes the whole thing come alive. Luckily, this feature isn’t just limited to premium jacuzzis, it’s also available in most modern inflatable hot tubs. 

If jets mean a lot to you, we’d recommend carefully looking at the advertised number between different models to find out which would offer a “bubblier” experience. It can vary between 80 to 140 jets on average, but some inflatables can have less or more depending on their price point.

The number and type of jets can also influence the energy efficiency of your inflatable hot tub, but we’ll discuss that a bit later. 

Warranty 

Though inflatable hot tubs are an affordable version of jacuzzis, they’re still a hefty investment to make. That’s why aside from the product itself, you should also look for excellent after-sale services while finalizing your purchase decision. Only buy from sellers who have a proven track record of being helpful to their customers throughout the product’s lifetime. Carefully look into the warranty details and see what they cover and for how long. The better the coverage, the less likely it is that you’ll need it because it’s a testament to the product’s overall quality and reliability. 

On average, manufacturers offer a one-year warranty with inflatable hot tubs — but they can last for much longer than that. It’s more about how carefully and frequently you use it.  

Sanitization

If you’re in the market for an inflatable hot tub, try not to be fazed by surface-level details or flashy color options. After all, a tub that’s easier to store, fill up, clean, and carry is way better than a unit that just looks better. Rather, look for essential features that make the product way more practical. One such feature is an in-built filtration system to keep the water purified. It’s a must-have in our books because, without sanitization, you’ll be at risk of health diseases. 

A filtration system captures water from all directions and keeps all sorts of contamination out, making it safer even when shared with other people. Aside from safety, it also does wonders for your ease of use since you won’t have so much cleaning trouble to deal with. But with that said, you’ll still have to replace the filters occasionally to maintain their optimal functioning. 

You might also have to use chemicals like chlorine for proper water sanitization, especially if you have a bigger six-person tub. These disinfectants kill pathogens like viruses and bacteria that can cause and spread diseases, and often thrive in clean stationary water. Make sure your inflatable hot tub is rated to be safe to use with these disinfectants, as some can get worn out through chemical reactions. High-quality hot tubs even have features to distribute such chemicals evenly for effective cleaning, but make sure not to overdo it with the quantity!

Power Intensity for Hydrotherapy

We’ve already spoken about the number of jets, but you’ll have to go deeper than that if you plan on using the tub for hydrotherapy. For the longest time, spas and jacuzzis have been used for health purposes. The bubbles generated can create a whirlpool effect that helps open up arteries, relieves pressure on joints, and boosts circulation. 

To reap these benefits in full effect, you’ll need a hot tub that features different power settings in a multi-jet system that’s built-in. You can easily adjust the level of intensity as per your preferences, and even get the option to turn off a few jets that aren’t in use. But, since these features often come in higher-priced models, it all depends on the budget you’re working with.

Hot Tub Construction

The construction of your inflatable hot tub determines factors like durability, portability, and ease of maintenance. Most models feature walls made out of reinforced PVC material, which is often marketed as big marketing buzzwords like TriTech or Fiber Tech, but in simpler words, it’s just a sturdier type of plastic. 

Well-built models also have a vertical beam that’s internally structured to offer support, helping maintain the shape of the hot tub despite all the movement and disturbances inside it. The sturdiest tubs are highly resistant to perforations and tears and stay in good shape for years. So, try not to cut too many corners when it comes to the build quality because that’s essentially what will protect your investment throughout the tub’s lifetime.

Accessories

At first, you’d think a hot tub wouldn’t have any additional accessories. But, you need stuff like test strips to keep a check on the water’s acidity level, as well as dispensers for chemicals like bromine and chlorine to maintain regular and measured doses — especially if you plan on leaving the inflatable hot tub filled for days.

There’s also stuff that can elevate your user experiences, such as footrests and seat cushions for extra comfort. Some people also like to place a smooth ground mat under the tub to prevent any punctures or damage from twigs or anything sharp that may be on the ground in your patio or yard. 

The more accessories you get in the package, the more attractive the deal is, so always be on the lookout for such add-ons.

Energy Efficiency (And What Determines It)

Aside from the initial cost of buying an inflatable hot tub, you’ve also got to consider the cost of ownership. The biggest one is its energy consumption, which also takes a toll on the planet’s health, so we’d suggest minimizing it as much as possible.

Here are some factors that directly influence it. 

Tub size

Aside from a larger footprint in your patio, backyard, or bathroom, a higher-capacity hot tub needs more power to heat up, which ultimately reflects on your utility bills! Bear that in mind and try not to buy a model that’s way bigger than your requirements. 

Insulation 

A tub with highly effective insulation will help save tons of energy since the water loses less heat to the environment. That way, the system takes up less energy to maintain your desired water temperature.

Pump capacity 

As you can guess, hot tubs with smaller pumps built into them take up less power than those using large pumps. Be sure to check the product description and packaging of any model you consider to find the power rating of their motor. 

Heater usage

The longer the heater runs in your inflatable hot tub, the more energy it consumes. It all depends on the difference between the ambient temperature of your tap water and how hot you want it to be. 

You can bridge this gap by using water from a geyser or a tankless water heater to make it easier for the tub to reach your desired temperature (and hence save energy). Any experienced plumber or contractor can hook your tub up with a source of hot water. It’ll be a one-time expense but will save you way more money in bills over the years.

You can also move the inflatable hot tub indoors to take advantage of the warmer room temperature. That way, the water loses less of its heat to the environment and the tub’s heater doesn’t have to work as hard.

Maintenance

A hot tub is meant to help you unwind and relax after a long day of tiring work. But unfortunately, some hot tubs are a nightmare when it comes to maintenance, which kills the whole purpose and only adds a bunch of chores to your already filled to-do list. That’s why it’s important to look for an inflatable hot tub that’s easy to maintain, clean, and store away when not in use.

Quirks and Features

Lastly, we’ve got to talk about some additional features that can make your hot tub experience a whole lot better. From its energy efficiency to the convenience and overall vibe, everything can change with a few extra bells and whistles. Some models, for instance, are equipped with LED lights to make the ambiance come alive at night time. You can also find ones with a ground cloth or insulated cover for minimal energy loss — these add-ons can especially come in handy for those of you living in cold climates! 

More modern units also feature digital control panels and even smartphone connectivity, which allows you to operate jets or adjust the temperature through a few taps on your mobile device. If these quirks mean much to you, it might be well worth spending a few extra bucks!