Here’s a list of our favorite hot tub accessories, covering everything from maintenance and protection to comfort and relaxation.

Best Hot Tub Accessories for Safety and Ease of Use

With these accessories, you can be sure everyone who uses your hot tub will be safe.

Hot Tub Steps

Confer Handi-Step Hot Tub Steps for Round and Straight-Sided Spas

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Also known as spa steps, these stairs sit outside of the tub and make it easier for people to get in and out of it. They have slip-resistant grip support and the steps are wide and sturdy. And the universal fit ensures they can fit spas of any size or shape.

Hot Tub Handrail

Removable Hot Tub and Spa Handrail

This detachable spa handrail adds balance and stability any time you get in and out of your hot tub. It's easy to install and features a comfortable, foam grip.

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Adding a spa handrail ensures you have something to hold onto as you get in and out of your hot tub water. It adds more balance and stability to reduce the likelihood of slips and falls.

And it’s easy to install on the side of your tub. Plus, when you’re in the water, you can use the rail to hold towels.

Water Thermometer

Swimline 9250 HydroTools Solar Powered Digital Pool and Spa Thermometer

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If you’re ever worried about the accuracy of your hot tub temperature, having a floating thermometer will help. Monitoring your hot tub’s temperature helps to prevent overheating and helps you keep an eye on the water temperature in real-time.

LED Lights

Solar-Powered Floating Lotus Flower LED Pool Light

$16.99

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For those nighttime soaks, adding floating lights helps keep your hot tub well-lit. And solar-powered LEDs will charge in the sunlight, giving you hours of lighting without having to re-charge them or replace batteries.

Best Hot Tub Accessories for Maintenance and Protection

Hot tubs need balanced water chemistry to keep everything clean and in good working order. So while all hot tub owners must invest in the right chemicals, there are a few other things that can make your hot tub cleaning a bit easier.

Hot Tub Cleaning Kit

Hot Tub and Pool Cleaning Kit

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Having the right hot tub cleaning tools makes maintenance so much easier. And a hot tub accessory cleaning kit comes with everything you need, including:

• Skimmer net
• Scrubbing brush
• Sponge brush
• Oil-absorbing sponges
• A pair of lightweight latex gloves

The skimmer net makes it easy to scoop out leaves, dirt, and other debris, while the brushes are great for cleaning the corners and around the waterline.

Hot Tub Filter Cleaner

Our Top Pick

Hot Tub Filter Cleaner

Spray Filter Cleanse on your hot tub filters, rinse with water, and your filters will look brand new in less than 20 minutes! Hot Tub Filter Cleanse is a powerful, fast-acting spray cleaner that removes body oils, lotions, and other organic materials from your hot tub filter cartridges.

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Keeping your filters clean is absolutely necessary for hot tub water care. Whether you have a saltwater, bromine, or chlorine hot tub, a good hot tub filter cleaner will help keep your water chemistry balanced.

Simply soak your filter in the solution for an hour and then place it back into your hot tub. It’s a hassle-free way to clean your filters since many solutions require an overnight soak.

Hot Tub Oil Absorbing Sponges

Swimables Floating Sponges for Pools and Spas - 2 pack

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These oil-absorbing sponges help to filter your spa water to prevent a scum line from building up on the walls. With the ability to absorb body oils and lotion up to 40x their weight, these are crucial to keeping your spa water clean.

When you notice the sponge is dirty, squeeze it out, clean it, and reuse it. It’s common for a single sponge to last an entire season when cleaned regularly.

Hot Tub Cover or Thermal Blanket

Horizon Ventures Hot Tub Cover Cap 8 ft. x 8 ft.

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A hot tub cover is essential for keeping dirt and debris out while holding as much heat in as possible. Available in multiple sizes, it’s crucial can get the one that snuggly fits your spa.

To make cover removal easier, you may also wish to invest in a spa cover lift or cover roller. A cover lifter will save you the headache of having to heave your hot tub cover when you’re in your swimming suit.

Alternatively, if you’re not going to close your hot tub every day, you may wish to consider a spa thermal blanket. It’s a great way to keep your water warm by reducing evaporation and heat loss. And it can be cut to fit irregularly shaped hot tubs.

Hot Tub Accessories for Comfort and Relaxation

Chances are you bought a hot tub because you wanted a nice space to decompress. To kick the comfort up a notch, try these options.

Hot Tub Seats

Hot Tub Booster Seat, Non-Slip Weighted Spa Pillow

This hot tub booster seat will sink and stay in place even if the spa jets are on full blast. With a skid-proof surface, this seat provides both comfort and height.

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A spa booster seat helps children and shorter people enjoy your hot tub, especially if you have an inflatable spa. Look for a spa seat with good grip and “sinking” functionality so it stays underwater.

Hot Tub Headrests

Intex PureSpa Hot Tub Headrest

Designed to sit on top of your spa wall, this convenient headrest allows you to comfortably rest your head while using your hot tub. It can be partially filled with air to fit your personal preference for firmness.

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For the tall people out there, a spa headrest provides adequate head and neck support for a better soak. With an inflatable option, you can adjust the firmness by adjusting the amount of air. Attach it to the spa wall and fill it with water to hold it in place.

Hot Tub Pillows

Gorilla Grip Spa Pillow

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To really amp up your spa relaxation, you need a hot tub pillow. Look for a spa pillow that works with curved or straight back tubs and uses suction cups to attach. Available in different sizes, you can choose a pillow that works best for your needs.

Hot Tub or Spa Aromatherapy

inSPAration Spa and Bath Aromatherapy Sample Gift Bag

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For the ultimate relaxation experience, consider adding spa aromatherapy to your routine. Many products are available designed specifically for use with hot tubs, so they won’t interfere with the chemical balance of your spa water. And that means they won’t affect pH balance, cause foaming or bubbling, or damage your jets, pumps, or filters.

Hot Tub Umbrella

KINGYES Offset Cantilever Patio Umbrella - 10 ft.

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Depending on where your hot tub is installed, you may need to invest in a spa umbrella or a canopy. Spas in open areas require some kind of sun and wind protection. And an adjustable tilt umbrella makes it easy to provide shade no matter what time of day it is.

Hot Tub Accessories for Entertainment

Want to really have fun with your hot tub experience? Check out these entertaining spa accessories.

Waterproof Games

Floating Game Board and Waterproof Playing Cards

This floating game board provides hours of fun for the whole family. It comes with waterproof playing cards, checkers, chess, and backgammon.

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Card game lovers will rejoice knowing they can play their favorite games without ruining them. Waterproof playing cards and a floating gameboard are a great way to have fun in the spa.

Floating Bluetooth Speaker

Portable Floating Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

$49.99

Waterproof Bluetooth speakers for 100% protection against water and dust, rubberized rugged exterior for ultimate impact resistance. Enhanced bass and loud volume: 10W subwoofer for loud sound and three passive radiators for rich bass

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01/28/2023 04:19 am GMT

Want to enjoy some music and get some lights while you’re at it? Get a floating Bluetooth speaker. With a built-in mic and a 50 ft wireless range, you keep your phone away from the water while still using it to play DJ. It’s also rechargeable, so you never have to worry about batteries. After a full charge, you’ve got about 8 hours of playtime before needing to charge it again.

Hot Tub Cupholders and Trays

Intex PureSpa Cup Holder

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If you want a convenient way to keep your drink nearby, invest in a few cupholders. Anti-spill drink holders make it convenient to hold cups, bottles, or cans and come with space to hold snacks, too.

Side Table Cooler

Hot Tub Side Table with 7.5 Gallon Cooler

This portable bar table allows your guests to grab chilled beverages while never being far from any of the action. The lid elevates upwards 10 inches above the rim for use as a patio bar table. And top reveals a hidden cooler with 7.5-gallon capacity.

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To save space while keeping your outdoor area looking stylish, consider a patio side table that doubles as a cooler. Raising the tabletop reveals a hollow center you can fill with ice to store drinks. Just lift the table, grab your drink, and keep it on the table next to you during your soak.

Inflatable Spa Bar

Life Floating Spa Bar Inflatable Hot Tub Side Tray for Drinks and Snacks

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For the times you want to keep your drinks and snacks closer to you while you’re in the water, there’s always the inflatable spa bar. These can hold your snacks and drinks and float around from person to person for easy access. It’s not a bad idea to add a second one to your collection if you have parties regularly.

Need more help with your hot tub? Be sure to check out our hot tub video course!

Tired of trying to keep your hot tub clean all the time and dealing with chemicals?

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The post The 18 Best Hot Tub Accessories for Under $100 appeared first on Swim University®.

It takes a little time and experimentation, but tweaking your hot tub temperature to the perfect setting is worth the bother. Brush up on the science of hot tub heating, and the potential effect of your spa on your family’s health and budget, and you’ll be on your way to finding the sweet spot that’ll keep you soaking in comfort.

Hot Tub Temperature Basics

Like the roiling waters and the chance to kick back with friends and family, the heat in your hot tub is one of its main attractions. You turn on your hot tub heater just by flipping a switch or adjusting a dial. Some models even let you warm up your hot tub with an app on your phone, tablet, or PC.

New hot tubs usually have a limiter to prevent the hot tub temperature from exceeding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended 104° F (40° C). Some older tubs might allow you to go past this limit, but take a lesson from the scientists of Jurassic Park: just because you can definitely doesn’t mean you should.

Tip: Even though your hot tub likely has a built-in temperature limiter, keep a separate thermometer handy. You’ll be able to quickly and easily confirm your spa’s temperature. You’ll also be able to spot any potential hardware problems, such as overheating or heating failure, before you get in the water.

Ambient Weather Wireless 8-Channel Floating Pool and Spa Thermometer

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Why Hot Tub Temperature Matters

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to water temperature. But the CDC’s recommendation exists to help you avoid potentially dangerous health issues.

Heat-Related Health Risks

When your body temperature reaches or exceeds 103°F (39°C), you’re in danger of developing several conditions related to hyperthermia (excessively high body temperature), including:

• Heat rash
• Heat cramps
• Heat stroke
• Heat exhaustion

The risk is even higher for older folks, very young children, pregnant women, and those with chronic illness.

Even if you’re in overall good health, spending long periods of time in hot water can be dangerous. Consult your health care provider before you use a hot tub, especially if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, diabetes, or other serious illness, or are (or may be) pregnant.

Talk with your doctor about what’s safest for you, and limit your hot tub temperature and soaking time accordingly.

Can Kids Use a Hot Tub Safely?

Children don’t have the same heat tolerance as adults. Their smaller bodies and thinner skin make them more susceptible to heat. The CDC strongly recommends that kids under the age of five stay out of hot tubs.

Older children should be limited to soak time of five minutes or less, and avoid full immersion. Use a timer to make sure they don’t stay in the water longer than they should.

The best approach is to talk with your children’s pediatrician before you let them take a dip in the tub. A safe soak is the best kind!

Wrenwane Digital Kitchen Timer

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Finding the Right Hot Tub Temperature

Your perfect soak will probably vary depending on when you’re soaking and where. For example, you might want things a bit cooler on a warm summer’s evening in Florida than you do during a winter soak on a snowy afternoon in Colorado.

We recommend starting off at the average normal body temperature, 98.6°F (37°C). If it’s too chilly, slowly increase the temperature until you’re comfortable.

Can You Keep the Hot Tub Temperature Low?

Unless you’re lucky enough to have a mad scientist living next door and are powering your hot tub with their unlicensed nuclear reactor, you’re probably concerned about how much energy your hot tub consumes. You might even think about lowering your hot tub’s heat setting when you’re not using it to cut your energy costs.

Energy efficiency is certainly important, but lowering the temperature might not be saving as much money as you think. If you use your hot tub regularly and lower the temperature setting between each use, you might actually be increasing your energy costs.

Reheating the tub each time not only burns extra energy, but puts a strain on your spa’s heating element, which has to work harder to raise the water temperature than it does to maintain it. This can wear it out more quickly than normal use, requiring you to replace it more often than you really need to.

Of course, that doesn’t mean saving money by lowering your hot tub temperature is impossible. If you’re headed out for an extended vacation or don’t plan to use your hot tub for a long period of time, dropping the temperature can help you avoid a high energy bill when you return.

Benefits of a Low Hot Tub Temperature

Aside from saving energy, keeping your spa heat setting low can have a couple of other benefits as well:

1. It’s safer for children, elderly people, and pregnant women.
2. You can use your hot tub to cool off on hot days.

Drawbacks of a Low Hot Tub Temperature

Just about everything in this world has one drawback or another, including lower spa temperatures:

1. The water may freeze in colder climates.
2. The stress-reducing effects of the hot tub are lessened by cooler temperatures.
3. The hot tub won’t be usable on cooler nights (or at least would be quite uncomfortable).

How Low Can You Go?

If you live in a warm climate and are using your spa during the summer, you can definitely save some money (and boost your comfort) with a lower hot tub temperature. Slipping into 104°F (40°C) water when it’s 103°F (39°C) in the shade doesn’t sound nearly as appealing as a spa turned down to around 85°F (29°C).

Depending on the weather and ambient temperature, you can also turn the hot tub heater off and allow the water to cool completely. Then you’ll essentially have a small pool that you can relax in on those hot summer days.

Hayward Electric Spa Heater - 11 kw.

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Watch Out For Freezing

It might seem obvious, but we do not recommend setting your spa’s temperature at 85°F (29°C) or turning the heater off during the winter if you live in a cold climate. Any energy savings will be offset by the potential cost of replacing burst pipes and damaged hardware.

Plus, unless you’re an ice-hardy member of the Polar Bear Club, a quick dip will probably be more miserable than merry.

In that cold climate, you will want to take precautions like wrapping the pipes with insulation to help protect them from freezing temperatures and protect you from repair bills.

Polyethylene Pipe Insulation - 2 in. x 6 ft.

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Go on In, the Water’s Fine

Balancing comfort, safety, and energy expenses is part of living your best hot tub life. And when you understand how hot tub temperature affects all three, you, your friends, and your family can enjoy a worry-free soak.

Don’t settle for lukewarm results. Whether you want to be cool as a cucumber or toasty as a turnover, the right hot tub temperature for you is one that’s healthy, cozy, and safe.

Happy Soaking!

The post What Should Your Hot Tub Temperature Be? appeared first on Swim University®.

Hot tub landscaping can reduce the amount of chemicals you need to use, and can conserve water, both of which will save you money. You’ll also get several other benefits, not the least of which is a prettier hot tub area. It’s not too late. You can get that beautiful oasis. It’ll just take a little work.

Hot Tub Landscaping Benefits

It’s essential to create a plan before you start shopping, especially if you have a limited budget. But remember, spending some money up front can help you save more money in the long run. Regardless of what you plan to spend, the first thing to do is think about what you want the new hot tub landscaping to do for you.

Better Aesthetics

Your back yard and hot tub area looking nice is just part of your entire home looking nice, right? If your hot tub is surrounded by just a few feet of dirt or rocks, it can definitely look uninviting and unkempt.

Just a small amount of hot tub landscaping can turn turn that barren spot into a haven. If, instead of open ground, you have a hot tub deck, colorful planters and containers can work wonders.

But there are even more valuable benefits to be had.

Less Evaporation

Any spa loses water to evaporation, whether it’s outdoors or not. This means you’ll have to replace lost chemicals and water on a regular basis. You can’t keep it from happening, but you can lessen it.

An outdoor hot tub is subject to wind, which increases evaporation. Strategically placed shrubs, plants, and other types of barriers can protect your spa from wind, which will decrease water loss through evaporation. You won’t have to replace as much water, which means you won’t have to replace as much chemicals, which means you’ll save money.

More Privacy

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to soak in your hot tub without worrying about the neighbors peeking through the fence? It’s not like you’re going to soak in the nude—or maybe you are. No judgment.

Either way, privacy is nice, and it’s at a premium in some neighborhoods where the homes are quite close together. Tall hedges or flowering plants, or even small trees, shrubs or vines can give you the privacy your privacy fence can’t.

Less Yard Maintenance

Maybe you’ve been thinking you don’t want to do any hot tub landscaping because it will just mean a lot more yard work than you’re already doing. That is possible, sure, if you choose the wrong plants.

Get all the benefits with less work by selecting plants that:

• Are ideal for your USDA hardiness zone: Plants geared toward warmer temperatures won’t thrive, or possibly even survive too far north.
• Are native to your area: Because they’re at home in the local soil, native plants can better survive local weather, help prevent erosion, improve water quality with strong root systems, and will require less fertilizer, if any at all.

Less Debris in the Hot Tub

Some plants release a lot of pollen, are deciduous, or drop their dead flowers. A lot of that debris is going to end up in your hot tub if you plant them too close.

Do some research and choose plants that have less pollen, are evergreen, and either don’t flower, or flower less than others. Putting some of these plants around your hot tub may also protect it from other plants in your yard that do give off more debris.

Higher Home Resale Value

Maybe you’re living in what you know is only your first home, and you plan to sell it eventually. Putting in some nice hot tub landscaping may add a little to the sale price. But if it doesn’t, it will still be more appealing to potential buyers than a wet, muddy area around the spa.

Design First

To get the most benefit from the plants you install, you need to make sure you put them in the right places. You don’t want to end up with a mishmash of wild growth you’ll have a hard time taming. Create a design before you break ground.

You can use an online garden planner, or just get a few sheets of graph paper and draw it yourself.

To build a solid plan, you’ll need to do a couple of other things as well.

Five Star Filler Graph Paper - 100 Sheets per Pack - 11 in. x 8-1/2 in. - 3 Pack

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Measure the Space

Make sure you have enough space for the plants you choose. You don’t want to plant things too close together. If you give the plants enough room to grow, they won’t obstruct each other, or compete with each other for sunlight and water.

Important: When you measure, leave some space between the hot tub and the actual area where you’re installing the hot tub landscaping. You don’t want soil, plants or mulch touching the tub or cabinet. Place the plants around the hot tub pad (or whatever solid surface your tub in resting on). If you want to add plants closer to the spa, use plant boxes or containers.

Measuring Tape Reel - 200 ft. / 60 m.

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01/27/2023 04:28 pm GMT

Choose the Right Plants

Some plants grow upward, others grow outward, and some do both. Yes, you do want a few taller plants to reduce the amount of wind that skims over the water, but if you put them in front, you won’t be able to see the other beautiful plants you put in, and then what’s the point of having them?

Important: Avoid plants labeled invasive. This means the plant will grow aggressively and possibly kill other plants around it. It also means you’ll have to work hard to keep the invasive plant from taking over. Be aware that even some native plants can be invasive.

Hot Tub Landscaping Supplies

Depending on the choices you make, and whether you have a hot tub deck or not, you may not need all of these supplies.

• graph paper
• colored pencils
• steel rake
• square garden spade (for edging)
• digging shovel
• garden hose
• garden tools (trowel, transplanter, and cultivator)
• garden gloves
• spray nozzle
• landscape fabric (optional)
• mulch
• landscape edging
• pea gravel or other stones(optional)
• plant seeds
• live plants
• landscape lighting
• gardening gloves
• sunscreen
• closed-toe shoes

Fiskars Ergo Garden Tool Set - 3 Piece

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How to Landscape Around Your Hot Tub

Whether you’re working with an entire yard or just a tiny strip of land next to your hot tub, you can add beauty and benefit with some hot tub landscaping.

Prep the Space

Clean up the area around your spa. Remove dead grass and plants, rocks, and anything else that’s in the way. You want to start with a clean slate.

Get rid of all the weeds too. If you do this after it rains, they’ll come up a lot more easily. If it hasn’t rained in a while, soak the ground the night before. This step is important because you need to pull out the entire root. Otherwise, the weed will just grow back.

Our Top Pick

Heavy Duty Lightweight Garden Hose

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Prepare the Plants

If you’re using seeds, you can skip this step. But if you’re using live plants, you can’t just pull them from their plastic pots and stick them in the ground.

First, gently pull them from their pots. Massage the roots to loosen them up, taking care not to break or damage them. Finally, pull any dead flowers or leaves off.

Tired of trying to keep your hot tub clean all the time and dealing with chemicals?

You'll save $100 right away with this easy-to-follow digital ebook and video course. This is the ultimate maintenance guide that hot tub manufacturer doesn’t provide you.

Click Here to Learn More

Hedges

If you choose the right kind of hedge, you can create a truly private space around your hot tub. Some hedges are so dense, you can’t see through them once they grow in. And some will grow tall enough that you can’t see over them when standing.

You can place them in a perimeter around the spa, or plant them along your fence line. If possible, choose an evergreen variety so they provide that privacy all year long. Just remember you may need to keep them pruned and shaped, depending on the type.

Plants

This is where it gets interesting and fun. You’ll be able to choose from literally hundreds of varieties: flowering, non-flowering, tall, short, narrow, wide, in all colors, shapes, and sizes.

If you’re unsure which plants will work best for you, go to a nursery instead of a big box store. Their botanical experts will be able to help you choose the right plants.

Note: Remember that many flowers attract bees and wasps, so choose carefully.

Vines

Even if your spa is out in the open, vines can provide aesthetics and privacy. You can put up a couple of trellises, or even a few to surround your hot tub, then plant vines at the base and train them to climb.

You may even get privacy more quickly from vines than any other plant because most varieties grow rather quickly.

This may not be feasible around the entire spa, but you could put trellises up on one or two sides, and train some type of vine to climb them. If you don’t have privacy fencing, you can also allow vines to climb your fence as well.

Or, if you want all the benefit with none of the work, you can use artificial ivy. A lot of what’s available now is pretty realistic looking.

Important: Some vine species are invasive, so choose wisely.

DearHouse Artificial Ivy - 12 Strands - 84 ft.

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Gravel or Landscape Rocks

If you don’t want to go to all the trouble of planting anything around the base of your hot tub, you can lay gravel or landscape rocks instead. You’ll get a nice, clean perimeter with less maintenance and no watering required.

Gravel won’t keep weeds from cropping up, so you may want to lay some landscape fabric underneath. And while most home improvement stores will have some types of rock available, you can probably get better prices from a landscape supplier.

Landscape Fabric - 5 ft. x 100 ft.

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01/27/2023 09:59 pm GMT

Mulch

Once you’ve put your plants in, you want to help protect them. That’s a job for mulch. It helps keep the soil in place around the plants, and also helps keep more moisture in the ground to keep the roots hydrated. Mulch also helps prevent weeds from growing and competing with your plants.

You may also want to consider rubber mulch. It looks similar to organic mulch, and it also helps keep weeds at bay. If may even offer a little cushion should anyone happen to slip on their way into or out of the hot tub.

Note: Rubber mulch is best used only around your hot tub. We don’t recommend using it in your flower beds or gardens because it doesn’t break down the way organic mulch does, which means no nutrients are added to the soil.

Important: Some rubber mulch is made from old, shredded tires. There are concerns that it may not be the healthiest material to use. Do some research before you buy it so you can make an educated decision.

Rubber Mulch - 0.8 cu. ft.

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01/28/2023 04:34 am GMT

Ground Cover

The ground surrounding your spa can become saturated and muddy, especially if you let the kids use the hot tub. You know they splash around in there.

One solution instead of grass is ground cover. Some types are even better than grass at tolerating traffic and splashout.

Lighting

Ah, there’s nothing like a nighttime soak. But now that you’ve installed all this hot tub landscaping, it’s even harder to see out there! That’s an easy fix with landscape lights.

In keeping with the money-saving theme, choose solar lights that will charge all day, and then provide warm, ambient light in the evening.

Sunnest Stainless Steel Solar Garden Lights - 12 pack

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Hot Tub Deck “Landscaping”

If your hot tub is surrounding by decking, not to worry. You can still some some hot tub “landscaping” with containers and flower boxes.

They’ll be even lower maintenance than anything planted in the ground. And they’re portable, so depending on what you grow, you can move it around to provide privacy.

Planter Pot - 15 in.

$101.99

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01/27/2023 06:08 pm GMT

Who Says Beauty Can’t Be Functional?

After a season or two, when everything has had a chance to establish and start growing, you’ll be amazed at the difference a little hot tub landscaping can make. The change will be immediate, and will only get better with time.

Get ready to start enjoying that oasis, and a fuller wallet!

Happy Hot Tub Landscaping!

The post Hot Tub Landscaping for Beauty and Function appeared first on Swim University®.

And after a ton of research, we found the Intex PureSpa to be the best bang for your buck. It seats 6 adults, includes 170 bubble jets, and it’s easy to install with everything built right in. It also includes a wireless controller.

Our Top Pick

Intex PureSpa 6-Person Inflatable Hot Tub with 170 Jets

$826.49

Pampering up to 6 people is easier than ever with 170 soothing high-powered jets that give you the ultimate spa experience in relaxing water up to 104 F (40 C). Includes a wireless touch button control panel with up to 48 hours of wireless operation. Plus a built-in hard water treatment system makes water gentler on your skin, clothes, and the entire spa system.

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01/27/2023 09:46 pm GMT

For our runner-up option, we chose the Coleman SaluSpa (and also the Bestway version). It seats 4 adults and includes 60 airjets.

Runner-Up

Coleman SaluSpa 4-Person Inflatable Hot Tub with 60 Jets

$489.99

Relax at the touch of a button with 60 soothing jets, a rapid heating system (up to 104°F/40°C), and integrated water filtration. Made with TriTech 3-ply inflated walls for durability and comfort. And includes a cover with safety lock clips and built-in air chamber for insulation.

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01/27/2023 10:54 pm GMT

Disclosure: We take pride in finding the best inflatable hot tubs on the market. We source reviews from popular retailers (like Amazon) and we try out these products ourselves when we can. While we do our due diligence, please note that this site is for informational purposes only. Our posts may also contain affiliate links, meaning we get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through our links (at no extra cost to you). It helps us keep the lights on

Are Inflatable Hot Tubs Any Good?

Actually, yes! If you’re a renter or just want a hot tub without breaking the bank, inflatable hot tubs are a great option. They provide essentially the same experience as a standard spa, without requiring permanent changes to your home or property.

You should be able to find one for less than $1,000. They’re even easy enough to set up that you’ll probably be able to do it on your own, as long as you can carry the hot tub when it’s deflated.

Inflatable Hot Tub Vs. Portable Spa Vs. Jacuzzi

For the sake of this article, we’ll use the terms “inflatable hot tub” or “inflatable spa” to mean the same thing. While inflatable hot tubs are portable, they can be confused with bigger hot tubs which are also called “Portable Spas” or “Portable Hot Tubs” even though they’re far from “portable.”

Jacuzzi is actually the name of a manufacturer of bigger “portable” hot tubs. But they do not make inflatable hot tubs at the moment.

What We Looked For When Picking The Best Inflatable Hot Tub

You won’t find the same bells and whistles on inflatable hot tubs that you will with premium spas. But a few things are worth comparing before you buy. And these are the features we thought were the most important.

Capacity: The Number of People That Can Fit

Inflatable hot tubs are available in two-, four-, or six-person capacities. However, they’re typically a tight fit. If you want more wiggle room (and have room in your budget), consider sizing up.

Control Panel: The Ease of Use

Most inflatable hot tubs have a simple digital control panel to adjust the water temperature and jets. When shopping around, check whether the control panel is accessible from within your hot tub. Nobody wants to get out and walk over the pump just to turn the heat back on, but some inflatable spas require you to do just that.

Built-In Hard Water Treatment System

This is an additional feature of the filtration system only found in some inflatable spas. It can help prevent calcium deposits and buildup in your hot tub. This is nice to have but it’s not a replacement for maintaining proper water chemistry.

Heating System: How Fast Can You Heat The Water?

How hot should a hot tube be? The maximum safe temperature is 104°F (40°C). This is based on a recommendation from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about accidental drownings and heat stroke in too-hot spa water. Most bathers prefer to keep the temperature between 100°F and 102°F (37°C – 39°C).

And you can also expect your inflatable hot tub to take between 12 and 24 hours (at a rate of one to three degrees per hour) to heat water fully before your first use.

Pump: How Long Will It Last?

The pump is what circulates the water, and it has a built-in air blower to inflate your hot tub and power the jets. The pump and heater are typically housed in one container, which is enclosed to avoid exposing electrical components to water. And most inflatable hot tubs place the control panel on top of the pump enclosure.

Typically, they have a 120-volt cord with a built-in ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) to prevent electric shocks. This allows you to plug into any indoor or outdoor outlet. Because of the power draw, you’ll probably want to be sure it’s the only thing on the assigned breaker so the breaker doesn’t flip while you’re enjoying your spa.

Shape: Will It Fit Anywhere?

Nearly all inflatable hot tubs are round. But you’ll also find a few square models on the market. While it may not be a deal-breaking feature, you may find that square models and the two-person rowboat style hot tubs have a little more legroom for bathers. Of course, the space also depends on how many bathers you have in the spa at one time.

Cover: Safety and Less Energy Consumption

When you buy an inflatable hot tub, it will come with its own cover. Some even come with two or three types of covers. Depending on the spa model you choose, the cover may be leather, inflatable and insulated, a thermal blanket, or a combination cover that has an inflatable interior so you have just one cover to retain heat and close your hot tub.

Jets: What’s the Perfect Amount?

If water jets are an absolute must-have for you, pay careful attention to this feature. One brand of inflatable hot tub boasts four water jets. This is far fewer than a standard hot tub because of the difference in power, but they do provide a different experience than air-only jets.

A Few Inflatable Hot Tub Drawbacks

Consider a few downsides to buying, setting up, and maintaining your inflatable hot tub. You’ll be happy to know, though, there really aren’t that many.

They Can Be Noisy During Setup and Operation

The loudest sound you’ll hear is the air when setting up your inflatable hot tub. The air blower built into the pump and heater enclosure is used with a special, accompanying hose to inflate the whole spa. Once you’re up and running, you’ll notice pretty quickly that turning on the bubbles is pretty noisy as well.

Lack of Seating

If this is your first time buying an inflatable hot tub, you might be surprised to learn that there are no seats. In fact, they’re designed with a padded floor, so bathers will sit on the bottom.

For a child or short adult, the water level may be too high to sit comfortably. Some inflatable hot tubs feature I-beams to reinforce the structure, allowing you and your guests to sit on the sides of the tub without causing damage or leaks.

A Limited Warranty Length

Very few models offer a full year warranty. Some inflatable hot tubs only have 30-day, partial warranties. Such a short warranty could mean you haven’t even used your spa once before time runs out to contact the manufacturer about any issues.

Because the shorter warranties are so common, be sure to read the fine print on your spa. Get it set up and test it out before your warranty expires.

Short Filter Cartridge Life

All you need to do to keep the filter cartridges in good shape is to remove and rinse them thoroughly with your hose every few days. However, unlike standard spa filters, which can last a couple of years, the filters for inflatable spas must be replaced every two weeks or so depending on how much you’re using your hot tub.

Another drawback to certain models of inflatable hot tubs is the location of the filter or filters. While many models place the filter right inside the heater/pump unit for quick access, some models place the filters along the bottom inner portion of the spa, so changing them becomes a much more involved process than just opening the pump unit and popping in a new filter.

A Lack of Headrests

Depending on how tall you are, you may not notice the lack of headrests on your inflatable hot tub. However, if you need a little extra neck support, you can buy vinyl headrests. You fill them with a mix of air and water, and the weight helps hold them in place on the top edge of your hot tub. You can easily lift them and rearrange them as needed.

A Lack of Drink holders

Despite a lack of built-in cup holders in your inflatable hot tub, you can still add a convenient place for some drinks or a snack. You’ll find a few types of cup holders and trays that attach to the top of your hot tub, keeping your cold ones at arms reach.

No LED Lights Included

Instead, you can buy battery-operated, fully submersible LED lights to add some light and color to your inflatable spa. Lights come in variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Some are even remote operated, allowing you to choose color, intensity, and mode.

Can Inflatable Hot Tubs Be Used in Winter?

One more consideration in choosing where your inflatable hot tub should be set up is whether you intend to use it during winter and how cold that season is where you live. Most inflatable spas are rated to work properly above 40°F (4°C), but water temperatures below that can cause problems for your pump and water heater.

If you want to use your spa during winter, consider sheltering it from the weather. You could set it up in your garage, add an enclosure around it, or add some extra insulation around it. You can even add a layer of insulation on the ground, under the protective blanket before you set up the spa.

Where to Install an Inflatable Hot Tub

First step, choose where to place your spa. You must be sure that wherever you intend to put your inflatable hot tub, indoors or outside, is strong enough to support its weight. This means you probably shouldn’t set it up on your wooden deck, but a flat spot in your yard or a concrete patio would work well.

The carry weights of empty inflatable spas are typically between 65 and 100 pounds. Some have handles to make carrying easier. The heavy models are usually styles intended for longer-term use and more bathers.

The filled weight can be as high as 2,000 to 3,500 pounds when you account for water and bathers. If it’s not somewhere you would park your car, you probably shouldn’t set up your inflatable hot tub there.

How to Set Up an Inflatable Hot Tub

The steps for setting up your inflatable hot tub may vary a little depending on the model you choose to buy, whether you’re setting it up indoors or outside, and whether you’re starting with a level surface. But the same basic steps will apply.

1. Be sure your location is close enough to an outlet to plug in the spa without being so close that it could get splashed. Also ensure there is room around the spa for splashout and drainage. Ensure any closed area has ventilation so humidity can escape without causing damage.
2. Clean the area where you’re setting up your hot tub. Be sure there are no sharp objects or debris that could get stuck under it and make for an uncomfortable soak.
3. Open the container, remove all the contents, locate the protective ground blanket, and spread it out on the location you’ve chosen.
4. Assemble the pump and heater unit.
5. Spread out the hot tub on top of the ground cloth, then use the included hose and pump to inflate your spa.
6. Install the control panel, if it’s separate from the pump unit.
7. Put all the air filters in place, then ensure your drain is closed.
8. Fill the hot tub with water.
9. Add sanitizer and balance the water chemistry.
10. Put the cover on your spa, then turn on the heater. Your water should be up to ideal temperature in 12 to 24 hours.

Set-Up Tip: If you’re in a big hurry to use your hot tub, you can purchase an attachment to hook your fill hose up to the hot water in your house. Keep in mind that most household water heaters are set to 120°F (49°C) or more, which is 16 degrees hotter than the maximum water temperature your spa water should be.

Start filling your spa with your hose outdoors, then finish off about the final third with hot water from your house. This will shorten the amount of time your heater will require to get the spa up to temp without putting yourself or your spa materials in danger from too-hot water.

Inflatable Hot Tub Safety

Look into your state’s safety laws and guidelines that may apply to using an inflatable hot tub. Your local code enforcement office can tell you where to find laws that apply to your situation.

Even if you don’t have any local safety laws to abide by, consider following the CPSC’s recommendations for keeping everyone safe around your inflatable hot tub. Their suggestions, such as notifying your neighbors that you bought an inflatable spa, could save a life.

Inflatable Hot Tub Sanitizing

Properly maintaining your inflatable spa also means making sure your hot tub chemistry is always balanced. Fortunately, you can use the same test strips and chemicals in your inflatable spa that you use in a permanent hot tub.

It is vital to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding sanitizers. Some inflatable hot tub manuals warn against using chlorine tablets, while some spas actually include a floating chlorinator for use with tablets. Still, other inflatable spas offer saltwater sanitizing systems.

It may be tempting to forgo chemicals, especially if you only intend to use your portable spa for a few days, such as during a camping trip, but we highly recommend against this. Even if you’ll only be using your spa for a short time, be sure to add the appropriate amount of sanitizer to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Inflatable Hot Tub Maintenance and Cleaning

Maintaining your inflatable hot tub is actually pretty simple, as long as you don’t let it go a long while without care.

Filtration System: Cleaning Your Filter Cartridges

You’ll want to skim the water frequently because the filtration system on a portable spa isn’t as robust as the one on a permanent hot tub, so, especially if you haven’t been using a hot tub cover.

Remember to remove your filters and rinse with clean water every two or three days. Even then, they’ll only last a few weeks with regular use.

When they become hardened or discolored, and cannot be cleaned well with fresh water, they must be replaced. Don’t be tempted to use cleaning products or detergents to clean your filter. This can cause foam in your spa, as well as gunk up the filter media making your pump work harder.

Draining and Refilling

Every one to three months, you’ll need to drain and clean your hot tub. The more bathers and use it has, the more frequently you’ll need to change the water.

Not sure when it’s time to change the water? Out-of-control water chemistry, cloudiness that doesn’t resolve when chemicals are balanced and the filter is clean, and foaming are all signs that you need to drain and refill your inflatable hot tub.

Here’s more information on draining and cleaning a hot tub.

NOTE: If you’ve sprung a leak, pat dry the damaged area. Get out the patch kit that came with your inflatable spa. If you lost it, you can get vinyl pool and hot tub patches online or from your pool supply store. Apply the patch per the accompanying instructions.

Storage

If you’re draining and cleaning your spa to pack it up for storage, be sure to dry it completely before folding it up. When it’s completely dry, store it in its original box or another sealed container.

Be sure to store it somewhere dry, out of direct sunlight, and away from pests. Some portable spas come with a carry bag or case. These are great for helping you get your hot tub from Point A to Point B, but they’re not the best protection for long-term storage. If you intend to put your spa away for a while, it’s best to place it in a sealed container to maintain the integrity of the vinyl while it’s in storage.

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01/27/2023 02:55 pm GMT

When you buy something like a hot tub, you sometimes find out that setup or maintenance is way more than you bargained for. Now you can rest assured that setting up and maintaining an inflatable hot tub really isn’t all that complicated.

But if you’re still looking for a way to time travel, we have some good news—just soak in your inflatable hot tub for a while, and when you get out, you’ll be in the future.

Happy Soaking!

The post The Best Inflatable Hot Tub appeared first on Swim University®.

What’s that? You already have a deck? Well you could just use that—maybe. Or maybe that would be asking for all kinds of trouble. Before you go to all the trouble of moving your hot tub or putting a spa deck around it, you need to make sure you do it right the first time. Otherwise, you’re just wasting money, and possibly creating a dangerous situation.

Hot Tub Deck Types

You have two options when installing decking for your spa.

Support Deck

This looks like a regular deck you might have connected to the back of your home, and the hot tub sits on top of it. It might be just a few inches off the ground, or elevated by several feet, with crawlspace below it.

That space is important because it will give you access to your spa’s cabinet and the equipment inside. You can’t properly maintain a hot tub if you can’t get into the cabinet. It’ll also make it easier to access the drain plug when it comes time to change the spa water.

Surround Deck

You’ve seen hot tubs that look like they’re sunken into a deck, with just the top few inches exposed, with winding paths of decking around it. This kind of spa deck can be a simple square around your spa, or get into some pretty elaborate designs with steps, benches, planters, and all kinds of features.

But a surround deck may not completely surround the spa. It may only connect with one, two, or three sides of it, or just part of a round hot tub. The top of the deck may also be a little lower than the top of the spa, or possibly even a couple of inches higher.

It all depends on the space your hot tub occupies, and what kind of look and functionality you want. The possibilities are endless if you have a good design and the time and money to implement it.

Do I Need a Special Hot Tub Deck?

Perhaps you’re thinking, “But what about the deck I already have in your back yard? The one where I do all your grilling and hanging out on weekends? Can’t i just put a hot tub on top of that deck and call it a day?”

It depends. Do you want to be able to use your hot tub, or do you want it to completely destroy your deck and cost you thousands of dollars in repairs? Easy answer, right?

Here’s the thing. When you build a backyard deck, it’s made to withstand the weight of some patio furniture, maybe a grill, and people walking and sitting on it. Now think about:

• Empty Hot Tub Weight: A spa can weigh about 600 pounds (272 kilograms) or more, depending on the size.
• Filled Hot Tub Weight: Some hot tub models hold about 400 gallons of water. One gallon of water weighs 8.34 pounds (3.8 kilograms).
• Bather Weight: Let’s say one person weighs an average of 150 pounds (68 kilograms).

Let’s do a little math.

empty hot tub weight + water weight + four bathers

600 lbs. + 3,336 lbs. + 600 lbs. = 4,536 lbs.

272 kg. + 1,520 kg. + 272 kg. = 2,064 kg.

So the deck originally meant to withstand a few hundred pounds now suddenly has to hold up a few thousand more. You see the problem.

Now, this isn’t to say you absolutely can’t use that deck. You can—if you take certain precautions.

Using Your Existing Deck

You can put a hot tub on your backyard deck. It just needs to be reinforced.

The first thing to do is consult with an engineer. This isn’t like other DIY projects. We’re talking about making sure your deck can withstand thousands of pounds of spa, water, and people.

Reinforcement must be done absolutely correctly, or you run the risk of damaging your hot tub and your deck. Worse, if an accident occurred, you, your family, or your friends could be injured.

An engineer will be able to make all the necessary measurements and calculations, and provide a plan to properly reinforce the deck. They’ll also tell you what materials to buy, such as lumber for new joists, ledger board fasteners, wood screws, and anything else you’ll need.

If you’re handy with tools, you can follow the engineer’s plan and reinforce the deck yourself. Or, if you’re not comfortable with the job, you can always hire a pro.

Important: We can’t stress strongly enough how imperative it is to consult with a professional engineer before undertaking this project yourself. For this reason, we’re not going to list a step-by-step process for hot tub deck reinforcement. We’re not engineers, and we want you to take the necessary steps to keep yourself and anyone who uses your deck or hot tub safe.

Note: If your deck is just a few inches off the ground, you may be able to put a hot tub on it without any reinforcement. Emphasis on the may. Your best bet is to still consult with an engineer to make sure. Spas are expensive. You don’t want to damage yours when it can be so easily avoided.

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Installing a Custom Surround Deck

If you have the know-how, the time, and the inclination, you can build a custom surround deck yourself. The benefits to this are you don’t need to worry about it holding the weight of a full hot tub, and you’ll be able to create a deck system that offers everything you want and need.

Space for a deck box to hold towels and other hot tub accessories? Sure! Built-in planters for nice flowers and plants to add to the ambience? Absolutely! A diving platform? Whoa, too far. Leave the diving for the pool, OK?

A quick online search will lead you to deck design tools and free deck plans that you can either use out of the box, or as a starting point for your own custom design.

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Spa Deck Materials

Before you either build a spa deck or have one built for you, you’ll need to decide what material you want to use.

Wood

Well, of course. Most decks are made from some kind of wood. They’re sturdy and can last a long time—if they’re properly maintained.

A wood hot tub deck will need to be painted, stained, or sealed to prevent water damage. Moisture will discolor the wood, but more importantly, will cause it to warp and weaken over time, or possibly even rot.

And it won’t be enough to pain or seal it once. You’ll need to repaint and reseal from time to time. But before you can do that, you’ll have to remove the old paint or sealant, usually by sanding it off. It’s a lot of work, but can be worth it for the look real wood offers.

Eventually, though, no matter how vigilant you are about maintenance, you’ll likely have to replace some or all of the wood. It can only take so much exposure to water and weather before it starts to give out.

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Composite

The beauty of wood without the upkeep, that’s composite. A mixture of approximately equal parts recycled wood fibers and recycled plastic, composite decking is impervious to rot, and will last much longer than a real wood deck.

You’ll never have to paint, stain, sand, or seal composite, either, and you won’t need to worry about warping or discoloration. Just hose it off regularly, and if it gets really dirty, scrub it with a mild soap and a soft-bristled brush.

Composite costs more up front than wood, but it more than makes up for it in lifespan and low need for maintenance.

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01/27/2023 10:41 pm GMT

Concrete

You can completely do away with the concern about whether your deck can hold a full spa by placing it on a concrete pad. This includes your patio. As long as it’s not cracked or otherwise damaged, your back patio may be able to accommodate your hot tub.

There’s that may again.

Concrete weakens over time. If your home is relatively new, the patio is likely strong enough to withstand the weight of a full hot tub. But if you live in an older home, and the earth has shifted under the patio, putting a spa on it could damage both the patio and the hot tub.

So you know what we’re going to recommend? That’s right—talk to an engineer. Make sure your patio is stable enough to hold it before you put your spa on it. And if it’s not, you can either replace it, or have a new concrete pad installed just for the hot tub.

Also, if you’re going to place your hot tub on a concrete pad, you may want to seal the pad first.

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Should You Go Pro?

If you’re not the handiest person with a hammer and nails, or you simply don’t have the time to get out in the back yard and build your own spa deck, you can hire a professional to do it for you.

Make sure you get a pro who specializes in hot tub decks so all the weight considerations aren’t neglected, and safety is the primary concern.

Will you spend more than if you’d bought the materials and built it yourself? Probably. It’s a tradeoff to spend your time on other pursuits, or have it done professionally and not worry the deck is going to collapse every time you step into your hot tub. That peace of mind alone is worth the added expense.

Deck the Hot Tubs!

Just not with boughs of holly. You keep all that green stuff out of your spa. Instead, add a nice hot tub deck to your backyard setup, and relax in style.

Happy Soaking!

The post Hot Tub Decks: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Swim University®.

Though it’s not exactly rocket science, choosing the best enclosure for your yard involves a few considerations you might not have thought of yet. From keeping you cool to protecting you from your neighbors’ prying eyes, choosing the best spa enclosure will increase your enjoyment of your spa tenfold, or maybe even twelvefold, but who’s counting?

Hot Tub Gazebos and Other Enclosures

Whether you’re new to spa ownership or you’ve had one sitting on your deck for years, you may be surprised by the wide variety of enclosures available.

Gazebos

A popular way to add a roof over your spa and create a bit of privacy is with a gazebo. They can comprise a wooden roof on stilts, metal panels with screens, or even stone pillars. That’s just a few of many possibilities.

Build one right in your yard or get a prefabricated version. Some gazebos are even designed to be (somewhat) portable. You won’t want to try to fit one in your back pocket, but it won’t need to be cemented into place, either.

Hot tub gazebos can be small enough to cover little more than a spa or large enough to create an outdoor room with other furniture, lighting, and decor. You may incorporate yours into an existing pool and spa deck or patio area, but your yard doesn’t need to look like a water park for a gazebo to work for you. Prices run the gamut, so you’re likely to find one in your budget.

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Pergolas

The main difference between a hot tub gazebo and a pergola is the roof. The latter typically just has slats of wood, rather than a solid roof. Your pergola could have screens, glass panels, metal shingles, vines and flowering plants, fabric drapes, or any combination of those to add more privacy and style to the standard pergola design.

Pergolas add shade while allowing air flow. They tend to be more open than gazebos, but that can sometimes just be a matter of design. You can add what’s called a pergola canopy, which is a flat fabric panel that can be secured across the sides and roof of your pergola.

If you’re looking for something with solid walls or a lot of privacy, a pergola probably isn’t for you.

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Privacy Screens

Cut down wind and street noise, and create a bit more intimacy in your spa without hiring a contractor or spending a fortune by using privacy screens. You could build permanent privacy screen–style walls around your spa, but if you’re on a budget, regular ol’ outdoor privacy screens will do the trick.

Wicker, treated lumber, and resin privacy screens designed to hold up to outdoor weather are perfect for hot tub privacy. They’re portable and collapsible, so you can adjust them when the sun moves or remove them entirely whenever you wish. You won’t spend nearly as much on privacy screens as you would on building a pergola or having a solarium installed.

If you’ve got a portable hot tub and you’re looking for equally temporary shade and privacy, a few of these screens will do nicely.

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01/27/2023 07:04 pm GMT

Solariums

Commonly called sun rooms, solariums are rooms designed with lots of windows to maximize sunlight. Build your own with a kit or from scratch, hire a contractor, or split the difference and have a pro install a prefabricated solarium. You could even use a greenhouse kit as a Do-It-Yourself hot tub enclosure, as long as you live in a region that doesn’t get too hot.

Solariums designed specifically as hot tub enclosures boast features such as retractable sections and built-in sun shades that make them a little extra convenient and comfortable.

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01/27/2023 05:20 pm GMT

Combination Gazebos and Automatic Covers

Ah, technology. The source of delightfully simple microwave popcorn, but also painfully complicated “smart” devices. In the world of hot tub enclosures, you can thank technology for gazebos that fold down into spa covers at the turn of a key. One moment, a roof overhead; the next, a safety cover for your hot tub.

Like standard gazebos, the combo version can have pull-down shades for extra sun protection. Like your standard spa safety cover, it can close down tightly to protect your hot tub and keep loved ones safe through the winter season.

Indoor Rooms

If you’re a talented builder and hardcore DIYer, or you prefer to hire a contractor, this is the most permanent solution to making your hot tub usable year-round.

You must take some special considerations into account if you choose this route, such as floor drainage in case of overflow, and proper ventilation. It’s obviously not a space where you’d want to hang wallpaper, that is, unless you enjoy that peeling-walls look.

For similar reasons, you won’t want to install a hot tub in your garage without some serious planning and precautions.

Hot Tub Enclosure Benefits

Though a spa enclosure isn’t necessary to owning or enjoying your spa, it can have several perks. Some may even save you money in the long run.

Privacy

Whichever style you choose, having an enclosure around your spa will keep nosy neighbors and street sounds at bay. If one of the main concerns you’d like to address with a hot tub enclosure is privacy, consider whether you want permanent, solid panels between your spa and a specific spot, such as your next-door neighbor’s kitchen window. Shades or drapes may work best when you want situational privacy.

Adding walls around your hot tub may also amplify the normal sounds your spa makes. Under most circumstances this won’t be a big deal. But if you put a loud motor in a small space, it just might drive you bonkers.

While you’re planning the best placement for privacy, remember you might need to consider noises inside your spa enclosure, too.

Spa Protection

Putting a roof over your spa protects it from sun and weather, sure. But it also helps protect the cabinet around it, the water inside, and even your hot tub cover.

Protecting your spa and cabinet from the damaging effects of direct sunlight, snow, and wind can prolong its lifespan. When your hot tub is uncovered, the water evaporates more quickly, which means you’ll have to continually add water and chemicals.

An open spa’s water chemistry is also subjected to sunshine, which can deplete the sanitizer. Not to mention, leaves, dirt, and sometimes animal-introduced contaminants that also deplete sanitizer, cause pH imbalances, and may even allow algae or infection-causing biofilm to flourish.

Reducing your spa’s exposure to the elements with a hot tub gazebo or enclosure may reduce your need for chemicals, vinyl repairs, spa cover replacements, extra water, and other spa-related expenses. Protecting your spa with the enclosure of your choice can save you time and money.

People Protection

You can expect some shade from your hot tub gazebo, but depending on your needs, the right enclosure also protects you from rain and snow so you can use your hot tub year-round.

Some enclosures can also help your hot tub retain heat so you can hop in whenever you want to without waiting forever for the water to heat up.

Installation Considerations

You’ve chosen the hot tub gazebo or enclosure that best suits your needs and taste. Now consider a few more important details before you throw down your credit card.

Winter Weather

Are you using your spa during very cold weather? A hot tub gazebo will do a better job of sheltering you and your spa from wind, rain, and snow than a pergola will, making for much more enjoyable winter hot tubbing.

A solarium or interior room will be even better, though there’s something to be said for soaking in a steamy hot tub while delicate, fluffy snowflakes fall all around you.

Proper Ventilation

Hot water produces steam, so any enclosure you choose needs a place for heat and humidity to escape. If the steam is trapped, you could wind up with mold, mildew, rust, or other moisture damage.

Keeping indoor relative humidity below 60 percent helps prevent moisture problems, such as mold. Depending on your enclosure, ventilation might be as simple as pulling back a curtain or as complicated as installing windows or a ventilator fan.

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Drainage

This is mostly a concern if you place your hot tub indoors. In the event of overfills or splashout, you need somewhere for the water to go. Sealed concrete floors with drains will be preferable to carpet or wood, and if you don’t already have them, are you willing to build them, or pay to have them built?

Building Permits

Adding a structure to your property usually requires a permit from your city. The exact department or entity you’ll need to submit your application to varies by location, but going to your city’s website and searching for “building permit” is a good way to find the information you’ll need.

If that isn’t an option for you, visit or call your town hall or city hall. The clerks in your city office should be able to point you in the right direction for correct permitting information.

Building Codes

Just because you got a permit that said you were allowed to build a structure for your hot tub doesn’t mean you can build it any old way you want to, with the cheapest materials, and by cutting corners to save a few bucks.

Playing it fast and loose that way will end up costing you a lot more in the long run when a city inspector comes by and fines you for your structure not being up to code.

Elbow Room

When deciding how much room you need inside a spa enclosure, don’t forget you’ll want space beyond the sides of your spa. Properly cleaning your hot tub, using a cover lifter, and even just a towel shelf all require space larger than your hot tub dimensions.

Plus, you and your guests need room to get in and out of the spa comfortably and safely. Remember to account for the necessary extra space when deciding on what kind of enclosure to get, and where to put it.

Hot Tub Enclosure Aesthetic

The overall look of your backyard, and the look and feel from inside your spa are both important considerations in choosing a design that works well in your space. If you’re not going to hire a designer to make the choice for you, a few tips can help you make the best design choices.

Architectural Elements

Does your home have a modern design? It might look funny, then, to build a hot tub pergola with massive roman columns. Choose a design that complements the structures you already have in your backyard to avoid a distracting eyesore, not to mention a tangle with the homeowners association.

Space

Will you be adding furniture, plants, or other items to your hot tub enclosure? Might you choose to do so a year from now? It’s best to start with a big enough area than to try to add space later.

Function

To achieve a welcoming look and feel to your spa enclosure, function is still an important consideration. You can build a beautiful pergola, but if you live in a rainy region, and that pergola doesn’t shield you and your spa from precipitation, is it really the best choice?

Don’t Let the Walls Come Tumbling Down

Adding an enclosure around your hot tub has virtually no downsides, as long as you remember to account for things like ventilation, drainage, and space. Hot tub gazebos and other enclosures offer privacy and protection you just can’t get from plopping a hot tub on your open deck.

Choose materials made to withstand the elements so your hot tub enclosure will last, but be sure to build and install it correctly—or hire a professional who can. Even the sturdiest materials won’t make a difference if your enclosure can’t stand up to a slight breeze. The last thing you want is a structure that collapses on your head while you’re trying to relax. No one wants to be that relaxed.

Happy Soaking!

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