Bliss Out in Your Backyard With One of These Affordable Inflatable Hot Tubs

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There’s nothing like a warm, bubbly soak under the stars, but not everyone has the space—or budget—to install a permanent hot tub in their backyard. That’s where inflatable hot tubs come into play.

They cost less than their hard-sided counterparts—some four-person models are under $500, if you can believe it—and are easy to store in the off-season. Another plus: inflatable hot tubs come with everything you need to get them up and running, so all you have to do is fill it with water and crank up the temperature.

Whether you’re searching for a small option for two or want a larger model to soak with friends and family, read on for our best inflatable hot tub recommendations, along with essentials to consider before you shop.

Looking for more ways to upgrade your backyard? Check out our stories on the best outdoor sectionals, cantilever umbrellas, and smokeless fire pits.

Best Inflatable Hot Tubs

What to Consider

Size and Shape

Budget aside, if you’re in the market for a hot tub, the first thing to nail down is how many people you’ll generally need to accommodate. The majority of options comfortably fit four to six people, like our best overall pick from Intex.

There are also larger models for eight or more adults, as well as extra-small hot tubs ideal for two. Square inflatable hot tubs generally offer more room to stretch out, but they’re typically harder to find than round models.

Material

Most inflatable hot tubs are made of PVC and vinyl, and the nicest models have three-layer outer walls (often labeled as TriTech) to prevent punctures.

Jet Count

It may surprise you to learn that more isn’t always better when it comes to jets. It’s more important to consider where jets are placed, if they’re adjustable, and whether they vary in size and function.

Features

All inflatable hot tubs typically include a pump, heater, filtration system, and cover, and many also come with ground cloths, extra filter cartridges, chlorine regulators, and carrying bags. Nice-to-have extras include cup holders, multicolor LED lights, and removable headrests.

How We Selected

We combed through user reviews during our research and chose options in a range of sizes, styles, and price points, from value-packed to high-end. We’ve spent a lot of time weighing different hot tub models—both permanent and inflatable—so we used our expertise to ensure we only recommend durable, comfortable options. As mentioned above, there are a ton of features to consider when shopping for an inflatable hot tub, and we highlighted the most notable for every one we cover.

Greywood 6-Person Inflatable Hot Tub

If you want a spacious hot tub with all the bells and whistles that doesn’t break the bank, this option from Intex is your best bet.

The 290-gallon hot tub has 170 bubble jets, a multifunction heater, a filter, and a blower, along with a built-in hard water treatment system and a floating chlorine dispenser. There’s also a multicolor LED light system and a wireless touch-button control panel.

Other highlights include the two seats and headrests, a top cover and a ground cloth for beneath, and a carry bag for storing it in the off season. If you like this tub but want something smaller, it also comes in a four-person model.

SaluSpa Miami 4-Person Inflatable Hot Tub

Made of laminate PVC and polyester mesh, this 210-gallon hot tub seats four people—perfect for a backyard gathering. The hot tub has 120 high-powered jets, an all-in-one heater and filtration system, and a pump that sits high off the ground so the digital panel is easy to reach.

There’s also a floating chlorine dispenser to regulate the amount of the chemicals in the water, plus two filter cartridges and a carrying bag. The insulated cover and thermal ground cloth help keep your hot tub warm when you aren’t using it, so you can spend less money heating it every time.

SaluSpa Helsinki 7-Person Inflatable Hot Tub

For that true soaking-in-the-wilderness feel with all the convenience of an inflatable hot tub, look no further than this rustic option.

Said to comfortably accommodate seven adults, the 297-gallon hot tub features an aluminum foil coating to retain heat, plus adjustable seats that can raise you up nearly six inches, and a digitally controlled pump and heater.

The inflatable hot tub also comes with a pool liner and cover, as well as two filter cartridges, a device that controls chlorine in the water, and a repair kit.

SaluSpa Hawaii 4-Person Inflatable Hot Tub

If you want a square inflatable hot tub for up to four people, this option from Coleman is an excellent choice. The shape gives soakers a little more personal space and the corners make comfortable headrests.

It features 114 jets and a 177-gallon capacity, and its dimensions are roughly six feet from rim to rim and just over two feet high. There’s a cushioned floor and a reinforced cover that has safety-lock clips for extra security, plus a built-in air chamber for insulation.

The one drawback to this model is that the multipurpose pump and heater sit lower to the ground, so it may be harder to access the control panel on top without getting out of the water.

Sicily SaluSpa 7-Person Inflatable Hot Tub

Let’s face it: Most inflatable hot tubs—as amazing as they are—look a bit like kiddie pools. But this one, covered in lovely dove gray all-weather wicker, is as stylish as they come.

This Coleman model is about six feet wide, rim-to-rim, and about two feet high, featuring a 192-gallon capacity, 120 jets, and a heater-filter combo, plus a digital control panel set atop the pump and an automatic timer.

The outer walls are made of durable three-ply PVC and there’s aluminum foil insulation built into the cover to keep the water at an ideal temperature between soaks.

St. Lucia SaluSpa 2-Person Inflatable Hot Tub

This inflatable, 160-gallon hot tub is the perfect size for two people. It’s roughly 5.5 feet wide rim to rim and about two feet high, with 110 jets and a digital control panel set atop the multifunction filler, heater, and pump.

There’s also a downloadable app for controlling everything from the temperature to the timer, which can be programmed up to 40 days in advance so you can set it for the optimal temperature during certain seasons, or set it to low while you’re on vacation.

Other highlights include a reinforced cover with a safety lock and an attachment to regulate the amount of chlorine in the water.

PureSpa Plus 6-Person Inflatable Hot Tub

If you have the cash to spend on a large inflatable hot tub, this premium six-person tub from Intex is an excellent choice. It has 170 high-powered bubble jets and a 290-gallon capacity, plus the highest side walls of all the options we cover. It also has a multicolored LED light system and two removable headrests.

The hot tub has a built-in heat pump, and its control panel is set high above the outer ring for easy access. There’s also an extra-long 25-foot cord to minimize difficulty when setting this up.

Other highlights include a built-in hard water treatment system, a filtration system with two spare cartridges, and a floating chlorine dispenser, plus a ground cloth, a cover, and a very handy inflation hose.

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