Best hot tubs 2024: inflatable, hard-shell and plug-and-play buys

As well as being great for your mental health, sitting under the stars with jets of hot water can be a great way to relax and ease those aching joints. So much more than glorified paddling pools, Mumsnet users also reckon hot tubs - also known as home spas or jacuzzis  - are a great form of physiotherapy for them and their children.

But what is it that makes the best hot tubs so good? Just like choosing the best trampoline for your garden, or the best hammock to take on holiday, every family is different. We've drawn on authentic reviews and recommendations from the Mumsnet Talk forums to bring you our pick of 2024's best hot tubs - with options to suit every garden, budget and lifestyle.

So long as you top up the chemicals regularly, hot tubs can be safe, hygienic and clean. With accessories like cup holders, mood lights and cushions, it can feel like you’re on holiday even when you’re simply sitting in your back garden.

There are loads of different hot tubs on the market - from budget-friendly inflatables to hard-shell spas and traditional wood-fired models - so it’s fair to say that cost isn't the only thing you need to consider. We scoured our Mumsnet forums for advice from our users to see what they think are the best models around and the must-have features to look out for. We then cross-checked their recommendations with expert advice and consumer reviews to help us whittle down our research to the list of best hot tubs for 2024.

Related: Plug-and-play vs inflatable hot tubs: which is best for your garden?

What are the different types of hot tub? 

There are three main types of hot tubs and the right one will depend upon your budget and how often you intend to use it.

• Inflatable - on the budget end of the scale, inflatable hot tubs are by far the most affordable option, although they can vary in price quite considerably - from around £200 - £800 depending on the size and capacity. While they tend to be less durable than wooden and hard-shell hot tubs, they are easy to inflate and set up as and when required. Mumsnet users love the ease of maintenance, but not all inflatable hot tubs are suitable for use all year round. They also tend to offer fewer bells and whistles than hard-shell hot tubs. 

• Hardshell hot tubs - The most expensive hot tub choice, hardshell hot tubs are by far the biggest investment, designed to be a more permanent long-term fixture in your garden. More durable and hardwearing than inflatable options, hard shell hot tubs are well insulated, enabling them to stay outside all year round without risking damage. As the name implies, hard shell hot tubs have a hard exterior and base with moulded seats inside. Many of these luxury hot tubs also include additional extras such as lighting or sound systems.

• Wood-fired hot tubs - Perhaps the least common of the three, and more commonly seen at luxury holiday accommodations, are wood-fired hot tubs. Unlike inflatable and hard shell hot tubs that use electricity to warm up, wood-fired hot tubs use a wood-burning stove, making them cheaper to run and more energy efficient. With fewer models to choose from, wood-fired hot tubs don't come cheap and you’ll find it somewhat harder to maintain the temperature. You may also feel less comfortable about safety when using this kind of hot tub in a home with young children. 

Do hot tubs use a lot of electricity?

The cost of running a hot tub will ultimately depend upon the size of your hot tub and the volume of water inside. According to leading hot tub manufacturer Lay-Z-Spa however, you can expect your hot tub to cost between £1.50 - £2 a day based on current energy prices. 

If it doesn’t include one, you can also reduce the energy consumption of your hot tub by investing in an insulated cover. This helps maintain the temperature and prevent heat loss, so you won’t waste energy unnecessarily to heat it back up.  

Who can’t use a hot tub? 

Hot tubs are great for relaxation and can be a godsend for those with inflammatory conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and arthritis. However, there are some people who shouldn't use hot tubs for health reasons - these include (but aren’t limited to):

• Pregnant women - as appealing as a hot tub may be to help you relax during pregnancy, it's not recommended due to the risk of overheating and dehydration.  

• People with heart conditions - hot tubs are not recommended if you have a heart condition. The high temperature of the water can make your blood pressure drop, putting additional pressure on your heart. At its worst, this could result in a heart attack or stroke.

• Young children - Young children can’t regulate their temperature the same way adults can and therefore hot tubs are not recommended for children under five years of age. If you let your older children in the hot tub, it’s crucial they are accompanied and supervised at all times.

What’s the best temperature for a hot tub?

You’re not going to be able to properly relax in a hot tub that is too cold and equally you’re not going to enjoy sitting in one that is too hot. Generally, the best temperature for a hot tub is around 36 - 38 degrees C.

However, this will vary depending on certain factors, such as body temperature, how warm or cold the weather is and also if you have a health condition. For example, if it’s a hot summer's day, you may want to reduce the temperature to stay cool - most hot tubs can be set as low as 26 degrees C.

Some people - such as the elderly, pregnant women and those with health issues, such as heart conditions - may need to seek medical advice before using a hot tub. For children, a lower temperature of say 35 degrees C will be better as they cannot stay in hot temperatures for long periods of time.

How do you keep a hot tub clean?

Inflatable, hard-shell and wooden hot tubs all need to be cleaned in slightly different ways so check the instructions that come with your tub.

1. When you first use your hot tub, you’ll need to ‘shock’ the water with chemicals before checking your hot tub's chemical and pH levels. There are two ways you can do this. You can either use chlorine, which is available in tablet or concentrate form, or bromine, which is available in tablets or powder forms.

2. If you use chlorine, you need to check the pH is between 7.2 and 7.6. If you use bromine, then it should be between 7.0 and 7.4. You can buy 50 strips for under £10 from Amazon. You should test your pool or hot tub water at home at least two to three times a week. You should change the water every two to three months as a minimum.

3. When you change the water, you should empty the hot tub and clean out the pumps too (if it has them).

4. Hot tub filters need to be changed at least once a year.

What are the best hot tub brands?

There are a few standout hot tub brands that have excellent reputations within the industry, and Lay-Z-Spa is up there with the best, particularly if you are opting for an inflatable model.

They aren’t the only choice, however. Other hot tub brands such as The Canadian Spa Company and Intex are rapidly increasing in popularity, so we recommend you consider the features and suitability of each individual hot tub rather than focusing on brand name alone.

What is the best type of hot tub to buy?

Unless you want to spend a fortune, inflatable hot tubs are a great option for beginners and come with a relatively affordable price tag. Whilst hard-shell hot tubs tend to be more robust and hard-wearing, they do require a significant investment. They are generally more energy efficient however, offer hard moulded seats for comfort and are generally suitable for all year use - whatever the UK weather brings.

Wood-fired options are aesthetically pleasing and energy efficient, but tend to be less feature-rich in terms of lights and bubble jets. Which hot tub to buy will ultimately depend on your budget and the features you require.

What should I look for when buying a hot tub?

Whilst your budget will ultimately dictate which hot tubs you can afford, here are some other things to take into account when deciding which hot tub is right for you and your family:

• Style: Inflatable hot tubs are cheaper to buy than hard-shell models but are often not as well-insulated so their running costs can be higher. Inflatable tubs also won’t last as long. They are, however, more portable and less of a commitment than hard-shell tubs as you don’t need ground works to have them installed. If you don’t live in a smokeless fuel area, then wood-fired hot tubs are very atmospheric and can heat up very quickly.

• Safety: Look out for hot tubs with lockable lids, especially if you have young children to make sure they are safe at all times.

• How it’s heated: Most hot tubs plug into the mains and you’ll ideally need an outdoor plug. These can be fitted for around £80. Hard body acrylic jacuzzi tubs sometimes need to be installed by an electrician. Others are wood-fired, but these typically don’t have jets.

• Shape: Round hot tubs are more traditional and great if the pump is external as it gives you somewhere to store the pump out of the way. But square hot tubs are growing in popularity as they fit neatly on patios and make use of all available space.

• Dimensions: As well as external dimensions, look at internal ones too. Smaller hot tubs can have thinner walls, especially if they’re not inflatable, which will give you more space even if the tub has a small footprint.

• Capacity: If you want to fit four people with a good amount of extra room, then look for a six-person hot tub. The average sizes are two to four people, four to six people and more than seven people. If you’re looking for a hot tub that will fit 10 or more people, then it will need to be at least three metres wide.

• Insulation: A well-insulated hot tub will keep the water hotter and will keep your heating costs down. Ground sheets and external covers can be bought separately and so can ‘bladders’ that go in the hot tub to reduce heating costs.

• Running cost: Hot tubs aren’t just a one-off cost. You need to factor in the cost of chemicals to keep the water clean and clear. You’ll also need to replace the filters too. The biggest cost for mains-powered hot tubs is electricity, something you’’ want to factor in with the current energy crisis. The bigger the hot tub, the bigger the expense. It can cost from around £1 to £7 a day to heat your hot tub depending on how well your tub is insulated. With inflatable tubs, the more insulation the better, so look at investing in a hot tub cover and ground sheet as this will make a big difference when it comes to cost.

• Accessories: Some hot tubs, particularly hard-shell jacuzzi models, come with lights and seats. You can also buy drink holders. Some Mumsent users even buy gazebos or lean-tos to decrease heat loss and to maximise privacy.

• Cleaning: The first time you use your hot tub, you will need to ‘shock’ the water with chemicals. Amazon sells a starter pack that has everything you need to get started. You will then need to regularly check the water’s PH and chlorine levels and add chemicals to keep the water clear and germ-free.

What is the best hot tub to buy?

The best hot tub to buy is Lay-Z-Spa’s Miami Hot Tub. It’s affordable but durable and can seat up to four people.

If you’re looking for a hard-shelled jacuzzi, then Canadian Spa Company Toronto UV SE 6 Person Hot Tub is quick to set up, easy to use and will have a long life span.

How we chose our recommendations

Recommendations from real Mumsnet users

We first headed straight to the Mumsnet community to get honest, unbiased opinions from our users. We looked out for the products they’ve put through their paces, evaluating which hot tubs were the most durable, comfortable, easy to use and great value for money.

Expert opinions

When it comes to buying a big ticket product like a hot tub, you want to know you’re spending your hard-earned cash on something high-quality. With this in mind, we spent an extensive amount of time analysing suggestions from home and garden expert websites to ensure we covered all the brands and models to look out for.

Authentic consumer reviews

We then combed through independent reviews from various retailer sites to make sure the features of each hot tub were up to task and met expectations. Then we weighed up the pros and cons of each model and fully investigated the best options to suit every home environment.

Celebrated best products

Finally, during our research, we made a note of any products that have received industry awards. Whether you’re looking for a jacuzzi on a budget, a larger sized tub for the whole family to enjoy or a smaller spa for relaxing evenings with your partner, here are the best hot tubs you can buy in 2024.

About the author

Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on child’s play, outdoor play and toddler play content.

Laura started writing Swears By articles for Mumsnet in 2021, writing buyers guides and product reviews to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies.

Laura is also a freelance journalist and has written articles for publications including the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful magazine

Why you should trust us

We work hard to provide unbiased, independent advice you can trust. We do sometimes earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. This helps us fund more helpful articles like this one.