12 Best Hot Tubs in 2020
- Hold six people
- 170 bubble jets
- Quick inflation
- Digital controls
- Tool-free setup
- Quick inflation
Hot tubs come in many different styles, capacities, and price ranges. With all of the options that are out there, it can sometimes be difficult to tell what’s good and what’s not. We’ve compiled a list of the ten best tubs available, and we’ve included hot tubs in all price ranges and styles.
There are some inflatable, high-end, and traditional options on this list of hot tub reviews, and at the end, we have included a guide that talks about the most important factors to consider when buying a hot tub. Naturally, hot tubs aren’t cheap. So, you’ll want to pick the right one the first time.
1. Intex Pure Spa 6-Person Inflatable Hot Tub
The Intex Pure Spa is a convenient option for parties. It takes about twenty minutes to air up, and it can comfortably seat six people. It has 170 bubble jets to ensure that everyone gets a decent massage, and it heats itself. It's also a fairly low-maintenance option. After use, you can simply empty it, deflate it, and pack it away. After a reasonable amount of uses, you can easily replace the filter with a new PureSpa cartridge. The cartridges remove a lot of the hassle that comes with owning a portable spa.
Key Features
- Hold six people
- 170 bubble jets
- Quick inflation
- Easy to store
- User-friendly filtration
2. Essential Hot Tubs Syracuse 67
The Syracuse 67 is a more permanent option for jacuzzi tub enthusiasts. However, that means that it requires a heftier investment to enjoy. It has the same 6-person seating as the Pure Spa that we reviewed, but its seats can be converted for lounging. It doesn't have as many jets, and it requires more maintenance, though. That being said, it comes with bluetooth speakers, and it's a great option for those who want to invest in a more durable hot tub.
Key Features
- A total of 67 jets
- Rigid
- 6-person seating
- Bluetooth speakers
- Lounging capabilities
3. Bestway SaluSpa 4-Person Inflatable jacuzzi
The SaluSpa is a user-friendly option that is great for small families. It can seat four people, and a digital control panel allows its 120 jets to be adjusted easily. It also doesn't require any tools to set up. Simply plugging it in gives it everything that it needs to quickly inflate, and then it can be filled with 177 gallons of water. The jets can move 350 gallons of water every hour, and the water temperature can be easily controlled via the digital panel.
Key Features
- Digital controls
- Tool-free setup
- Quick inflation
- User-friendly
- Affordable family unit
4. Essential Hot Tubs Newport
The Newport is a simple, yet effective hot tub. This 4-person hot tub is made from durable materials, and it has a stainless steel heater that allows it to be used during all seasons. The only disappointing feature on the Newport is its jet system. It only has 16 jets, and while they're powerful, that doesn't provide a lot of coverage to ensure that everyone receives the relaxing massage they desire.
Key Features
- Durable
- Hydrotherapy jets
- 4-person seating
- Simple design
- Year-round use
5. Coleman Portable Hot Tub
Coleman has made a name for themselves by creating affordable alternatives to more expensive products. This hot tub is no exception to that business model. It costs less than $400, and that makes it one of the cheapest options on this list. That doesn't make it poor-quality, though. It features a soft-touch control panel, an easy drain valve, and it has the same PureSpa filtration system as the first inflatable spa we reviewed.
So, it's extremely easy to use and maintain. It also has handles that make carrying it to your storage area more convenient. It can seat 4 people, and it has 60 jets to provide plenty of coverage around the spa.
Key Features
- Cheap
- 60 jets
- Soft-touch control
- User-friendly filtration
- Low-maintenance
6. Essential Hot Tubs Arbor
The Arbor is a little lackluster in comparison to our other options, but it's still a great hot tub. It can seat five people, and it's a rigid design. It can also play your favorite songs via its Plug-N-Play audio system. However, it's quite expensive for a hot tub that only has 20 jets, and it doesn't have any features that make it easier to use.
It does feature a comfort-oriented design, though. So, it's a great option for people who want to truly relax without carrying about how many jets their tub has.
Key Features
- 20 jets
- Rigid
- Comfortable
- Plug-N-Play audio
- 5-person seating
7. Coleman SaluSpa Hot Tub
The Coleman SaluSpa is very similar to the last Coleman blow up hot tub we reviewed. However, it has a few features that make it worth its higher price tag. The unit is still cheaper than most other options that we've reviewed. It costs less than $500, and that's closer to the budget end of the spectrum when it comes to hot tubs.
It has enough room for 4 people to comfortable relax in it, and it has 114 jets to provide everyone with a comfortable massage. It's also about the same size as the other Coleman, and it has the same control pad. However, it also has a more durable pad that prevents it from being punctured, and it comes with a repair kit to fix minor damage that might occur.
Key Features
- 4-person seating
- 114 jets
- Portable
- User-friendly filtration
- Includes repair kit
8. Home and Garden Spas Hudson Bay
The Hudson Bay is a spacious hot tub, and it's one of the more visually-appealing options on this list. It has a while shell that helps it maintain heat and conserve energy. This makes it an eco-friendly option, but it doesn't sacrifice the power necessary to properly accommodate 6 people. Five of the seats in the Hudson Bay are standard seats.
However, the sixth seat is a lounging chair that features jets on the backrest and leg rests. It only has 19 jets, but the jets are arranged in a way that maximizes their effect.
Key Features
- Visually pleasing
- Spacious
- Lounging capabilities
- Durable
- Eco-friendly design
9. Essential Hot Tubs Adelaide
The Adelaide is a 5-person hot tub that's great for parties. It has four normal seats, and it has a lounger. What sets it apart from the other 5-person tubs we've reviewed is that it employs 30 well-placed jets instead of the typical 19. The extra jets make it more enjoyable for everyone, and they're all made from stainless steel for added corrosion resistance. It's a bit more expensive than other hot tubs that we've reviewed, but it's well worth its price.
Key Features
- Durable design
- 30 jets
- Lounge chair
- 5-person seating
- Internal audio system
10. Intex PureSpa Hot Tub
This 210-gallon hot tub is great for people that don't want to worry about constantly checking chemical levels and filter systems. It seats 4 people, and it has 120 jets. It really shines when it comes to its user-friendly features, though. It uses the PureSpa filtration system that other hot tubs we've reviewed have, and it automatically treats the water in it to make it less harsh on gentle skin.
It has test strips constantly monitor its chemical levels, and it's made from construction-quality materials to prevent it from being punctured. This isn't the most advanced hot tub on this list, but it's great for a family of 4 that doesn't have the time to maintain a more demanding hot tub.
Key Features
- Automatic water treatment
- Water monitoring
- PureSpa cartridges for filtration
- Construction-quality materials
- 120 jets
11. Lifesmart Plug and Play Hot Tub
The LifeSmart hot tub is fancier than other models we've listed, and it's cheaper than comparable models. It features a sandstone shell that is incredibly durable, and it's large enough to seat four people. It only has 13 jets, but they're placed properly, and that negates the need for a larger amount. It has built-in lighting, and it has a built-in audio system to set the mood for small parties.
Key Features
- Sandstone shell
- 13 jets
- 4-person seater
- Built-in lighting
- Music capabilities
12. Essential Hot Tubs Rainier
The Rainier is visually appealing with a cobblestone finish, and it has room for 6 people to comfortably relax in it. It lacks the fancier features of other spas in its price range, but it's a rugged unit with plenty of room. The heater is designed to be used year-round, and that increases its usefulness as a daily reprieve from stress and muscular pains.
This is a great option for people that want a high-quality hot tub without having to deal with high-tech features.
Key Features
- Simple design
- Beautiful finish
- Year-round use
- 20 jets
- Built to last
Hot Tubs Buyer’s Guide
In this section, we’re going to go over all of the main factors that determine whether a hot tub is for you. Once you go over this list, you can go back over our hot tub reviews and figure out which one suits you best.
How Many People Are Using It?
If it’s just going to be you and your spouse using your hot tub, you don’t need to buy a massive tub that’s made for six people. The smallest tubs you’re going to find are going to be made for four people. That gives you plenty of room for you and your spouse to relax, and you always have room for a guest or two.
If you’re planning on hosting parties or have a big family, you’ll want to go with a larger hot tub. Typically, this means that you’ll want a tub built for five or six people. Larger tubs tend to cost more. So, we suggest only buying one if you actually plan on using the extra space.
Can You Handle The Electricity?
We’re willing to bet that your electricity bill is already an expensive that you hate having to take care of. A hot tub can increase that bill quite a bit if you buy the wrong unit. It’s important to pay attention to the amounts of watts that a hot tub requires to run. Eco-friendly options exist, and inflatables tend to be easier on your electricity bill than more permanent hot tubs. That’s mostly because you’re supposed to break them down periodically, and more robust tubs pretty much run at all times.
Relax In Your Way
Do you want to lay down while you’re enjoying your hot tub? Then you’ll want to invest in a tub that has a lounging seat. Lounging seats are typically twice as large as regular seats, and they usually have more jets positioned around them for more thorough massages. That can be great if your tub is just for you and your family, but it can be a major drawback if you plan to throw parties. If you plan on having a lot of people in your hot tub, you should probably opt for a tub that only has standard seating. That’ll allow more people to occupy the tub at once.
Tech Features
If you’re just looking for a hot tub to take a quick dip in after work, you probably won’t care about having audio connections for your favorite music devices. However, A lot of tubs come with built-in audio systems, and they make throwing small parties a blast. However, those audio systems increase the price of a hot tub drastically.
Lights are another type of high-tech feature included in some hot tubs. The lights can set the mood for romantic dates, and they can make it easier to navigate inside of the tub. They do tend to raise the price a bit, though. So, it’s important to decide whether or not they’re something you want to pay extra for.
Build Quality
Inflatable hot tubs are typically made from vinyl, and they’re not as durable as traditional hot tubs. They’re still a decent option for some situations, and we’ll talk about that more in the next section.
Traditional hot tubs can be made from acrylic, wood, resin, and different polymers. Which one you choose actually affects the overall cost of your hot tub quite a bit. Acrylic, resin, and polymer, tubs tend to be cheaper, and they can come in quite a few color patterns. Wooden hot tubs are durable, stylish, and high-end, but they also require a lot of maintenance. For the most part, wooden tubs are outdated, and we don’t suggest buying one in 2020.
Inflatable vs Traditional
Inflatable hot tubs aren’t too new. They’ve been around for a while. However, they’re becoming more popular due to their low price. That low price comes with a few drawbacks, though.
Inflatable tubs are typically light on features. They tend to have more jets, but each jet is a lot weaker than the high-quality jets on traditional hot tubs. They’re also only good for a couple of years of use, and they aren’t good for year-round use. They can be great for a family that really wants to try a hot tub out before spending a lot of money, but they’re not good for people who already know they’ll use their hot tub daily.
Traditional hot tubs are typically much more advanced. They can include audio systems, self-cleaning systems, and even lighting effects. They also last a very long time if they’re taken care of properly. However, all of that comes at a price. A traditional hot tub will almost always cost more than $2000, and that’s a rather large investment in today’s economy. We only suggest that you buy a traditional hot tub if you’re genuinely committed to using it.
How Many Jets Do You Need?
The number of jets that a hot tub has is important, but don’t be dissuaded from buying a model you really like because it doesn’t have a lot of jets. Some models have more than 100 jets, and some only have 16. What is most important is the positioning of the jets.
It’s true that having more jets means that it’s easier for everyone to get an equal massage while occupying your hot tub, but 16 to 20 jets can achieve the same result if they’re placed properly. Look at a tub before you buy it to make sure that each seat has an adequate amount of jets for your needs.
Filtration
Unless you’re really dedicated to your tub, you probably don’t want to sit there spraying out a filter nonstop. Some hot tub models come with user-friendly filtration systems that prevent that. PureSpa cartridges are reliable, easy to install, and quick to use. However, they have to consistently be replaced. That means that they will increase the maintenance cost of your hot tub drastically.
If you want to save money, you can opt for a less convenient filtration system. However, that means that you’ll have to take the time to clean your filters on your own, and that can be just as much of a burden as using cartridges. It can also be quite messy.
Which type of filtration system you get is entirely up to you. You have to weigh the pros and cons of each option and decide what you’re willing to put up with to get clean water.
How Good Of A Massage Do You Want?
The amount of pumps in your tub directly affects how well your jets work. However, each one also increases the affect that your tub has on your electricity bill. You don’t need a ridiculous amount of pumps to get a good massage, and too many can easily make your tub uncomfortable and expensive. Three or four pumps are all you need to get a good massage, and any more will raise your electricity bill more than necessary.
Price vs Cost
The price that you pay to buy your hot tub isn’t exactly how much your hot tub will cost you in the long run. You have to consider that when you pick one out. As we’ve mentioned a few times, your hot tub can easily increase your electricity bill. You also have to factor in the cost of filter cartridges, water softeners, chlorine, and other expenses. Hot tub accessories can also drive up the cost of your hot tub quite a bit.
To prevent spending more than you can afford, it’s important to look at the wattage that a tub requires, and you should check to see how much treatment chemicals and filter cartridges for the unit you’re looking at cost. Add up the price of all of those things, and get a good understanding of how often you’ll have to buy those things. That’ll tell you the true cost of your hot tub.