The 7 Best Hot Tubs The Spruce Has Tested

Best Overall

Aquarest Spas Select 150 Plug-and-Play Hot Tub

$3,499 $2,850 at Walmart $2,356 at Wayfair $2,831 at Home Depot

We found very little to dislike about the Aquarest 150 Select during two months of testing. This model is one of the few hot tubs that can be appropriately called a Jacuzzi since a 1.5-hp Jacuzzi-brand pump powers it. It is our least expensive standard hot tub at under $3,000, but don't let that fool you—it's packed with great features that more than make up for the price. Some of these include 12 stainless steel hydrotherapy jets, a backlit waterfall with nine color settings, four cup holders (our favorite!), a locking safety cover, and a patented water filtration system.

The bench seats in this hot tub were surprisingly nice and not overly slippery compared to others we had used. While the online listing says it can accommodate up to four adults, we found that two adults and two children fit comfortably, so four adults might be crowded. At most, we think two adults could comfortably stretch out and feel comfortable.

You can purchase a storage step that hooks onto the hot tub body, but we did not think this was necessary, as it's very easy to climb in and out of this model. We found that children could easily navigate it as well. As far as maintenance goes, we recommend purchasing the suggested care kit as well as some water testing strips to ensure your water levels are clean.

The chlorination process and maintenance involved weren't too overwhelming for us. We checked the water weekly and added any necessary chemicals. We also rinsed the filter every week or more often, depending on how often we used it.

The entire process, from delivery to filling, was a complete breeze when it came to setting up. We especially appreciated the thorough communication leading up to and during the delivery. There wasn't much to set up in this hot tub. We simply removed all of the packaging and plugged it into a standard 120-volt outdoor plug—a super convenient feature compared to others that require high-voltage plugs. After filling it up with our garden hose, it took approximately 24 hours to reach a temperature of 104 degrees. Although we read that it should rise by 1 degree each hour, we discovered that it warmed up a little quicker. 

Although we have not drained the water yet, which you’ll need to do every three to four months so it doesn’t get too saturated with minerals (see below), we suggest using a water pump to expedite the process. Overall, we believe this is an excellent beginner hot tub and are excited to use it during the chilly winter evenings.

_{Dimensions: 60 x 70 x 31 in. | Shape: Rectangular | Water Capacity: 156 gal. | Jets: 12}

Best Inflatable

Intex PureSpa Plus Inflatable Round Hot Tub

$1,300 at Amazon $715 at Wayfair $700 at Target

The Intex PureSpa Plus is a generously sized inflatable hot tub with 170 bubble jets and a built-in hard water treatment system. While it's half the price of our best overall, it offers 14 times more jets for a more relaxing experience. We used the hot tub several times over two months, and even with the jets turned on, we did not notice any significant increase in our energy bill (which is usually a big concern with hot tubs).

We really appreciated that the hot tub accessories in this kit—an insulated cover, LED light, two filter cartridges, two inflatable headrests, a thermal ground cloth, an inflation hose, a carry bag, and a floating chlorine dispenser—were included without any additional expenses. Two non-slip seats are also shipped with this hot tub, but we found the hot tub surprisingly comfortable even without the seats.

It's also pretty sturdy when filled completely, so you can gently rest on the sides if you need a moment to cool off from the hot water. We didn't have an opportunity to test the LED lights at night due to some neighborhood regulations, but we think they'd be a fun feature, especially if you have kids who want to enjoy it.

It's worth noting that we evaluated the six-person model but found that you'd be more comfortable seating at most four people. We noticed that the jet distribution was not entirely even, so some seats had better jets than others. One side seems to have weaker and less forceful jets. However, this was a minor concern, and it does not detract from the overall enjoyment of using the hot tub.

While this hot tub technically took us almost an hour to set up before filling it with water, that was mostly due to the confusing instructions. We realized that the instructions were likely written to apply to multiple models from Intex, so not everything we read was meant for the PureSpa Plus. However, the hot tub itself inflated in just 5 minutes. It took an hour and 45 minutes to be filled to the maximum water line. Consider this model practice in delayed gratification because it takes 32 hours to heat up—making us realize that there's only so much spontaneity involved with this model if you hope to store it and pull it out when desired.

Like most inflatable models, the Intex PureSpa Plus is slightly more fragile than its cabinet-based counterparts, and it's also not recommended for use in freezing climates. Luckily, unlike hard-shell hot tubs, you can deflate this model and store it away when it's too cold. If you empty this model two to three times a month (if using it regularly) and maintain proper chlorine levels, we think it's a great alternative to a permanent fixture. We appreciate that it is an inflatable option that can be conveniently folded and stored away when not used, making it perfect for any relatively small backyard. 

_{Dimensions: 85 x 85 x 25 in. | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: 290 gal. | Jets: 170}

Best Budget

SereneLife Outdoor Portable 6 Person Inflatable Round Hot Spa Tub Spa

$758 $473 at Walmart $1,180 at Wayfair

We’ve tested many inflatable hot tubs, and our main takeaway has been that they provide a very similar experience to more expensive hard shell tubs without as much of an investment. That’s why this inflatable hot tub from SereneLife is our recommendation for the best budget option. With 130 soothing jets, enough room for two to four adults to relax, and colorful underwater lights, there’s much to like besides the price.

We set this hot tub up during late fall in Illinois as the temperatures began to plummet, and we appreciated the simple process. Since we already had an open area on a concrete pad with enough room, we just laid down an outdoor rug, set the hot tub in place, and inflated it. It took several days to heat up due to the cold weather, and it didn’t get as hot as we would have liked, but sitting in the warm, bubbly water on chilly days was very relaxing.

This hot tub is just a large open space inside without any seating or other permanent features. We found that having the outdoor rug in place made sitting in it very comfortable—we could feel the rug through the bottom of the tub, so it might not feel great if it’s just inflated on concrete.

We used this hot tub alone and with one other person and felt it was the perfect size for two people to cozy up and stretch out in. SereneLife says it seats six, but don’t buy it if you need that much seating. It’s big enough for four adults to squeeze in, but that would be a tight fit. With built-in seating for seven, our best extra-large pick is a better option for entertaining guests.

This hot tub doesn’t have all of the features of our best inflatable pick (it lacks headrests, built-in seating, and it’s a little smaller), but the list price is about $500 less and it does have a lot of nice touches. We love that it comes with color-changing lights (just don’t lose the remote, because you’ll need it to turn the lights on and off). We also enjoyed the massage-like jets a lot. And while the heater felt a little weak, we love that it comes with a secure cover that buckles in place to help retain heat and keep out debris.

_{Dimensions:  82 x 82 x 25 in. | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: 264 gal. | Jets: 130}

Best Two Person

Aquarest Pumps Plug And Play Hot Tub

$3,699 $2,980 at Walmart $2,945 at Wayfair $3,352 at Home Depot

Are you in the market for a couple's hot tub? Aquarest Spas has you covered, with its compact yet comfortable hot tub. It is equipped with 20 stainless steel massage jets strategically placed for optimal relaxation, and the digital control panel allows you to customize your experience. During testing, we found that the bucket-style seats and lumbar-support chairs were quite comfy. We also appreciated the jets on the back of each chair and the ability to adjust the intensity using the puck-like dials on the top rim of the tub. 

The waterfall also adds a touch of relaxation to the hot tub. It is illuminated by a series of LED lights that can be adjusted to nine different colors to suit your mood. Since the seats are about 90 degrees from each other, you can hold a normal conversation without feeling like you must scream over the waterfall.

Compared to our best overall pick, the Aquarest Spas Select 150 Plug-and-Play Hot Tub, which could be easily entered and exited without steps, we found this one to be quite challenging without them. We strongly recommend purchasing steps to avoid accidents and a smoother entry and departure experience. Just remember that this will drive up the already steep price of the tub.

Considering that it can only accommodate two users, this tub is quite costly, at more than $3,000. For this reason, we don't recommend it if you're looking for a hot tub for a crowd. But if you're short on room or simply want something that you or someone else can enjoy, this is still a fantastic choice. 

Not having to bother about inflating anything made setup a breeze. Because of its heavy weight (200 pounds), finding the perfect spot to put the hot tub was probably the most challenging part. Trust us—you probably don't want to move it again, since it requires at least two people. It took 45 minutes to fill up to capacity and another 12 hours to reach the default temperature of 100 degrees. We then added some chlorine and used test strips to ensure that the hot tub was ready for us.

After three months of continuous use, we remain pleased with this hot tub's performance and enjoy the high-quality jets. However, we did observe some light signs of wear and tear; specifically, the control panel appears to be showing signs of discoloration that could be the result of chlorine splashes from repeated use. Also, the small acrylic panel that sits atop the tub and serves as the waterfall has started to turn yellowish. Removing and cleaning it with bleach may be possible to fix the problem.

To keep the hot tub in good working order, we add a capful of chlorine after every use and check the levels weekly. We have found that this helps ensure that it remains clean and at the appropriate levels. If we used the hot tub several times a day, we doubled the amount of chlorine we would add. Overall, we found the maintenance process to be pretty straightforward and well worth the effort, given how much we have enjoyed using the hot tub.

_{Dimensions: 80 x 68 x 31 in. | Shape: Triangle/oblong | Water Capacity: 160 gal. | Jets: 20}

Best Features

Intex 4-Person Inflatable Square Hot Tub

$888 $681 at Amazon $884 at Wayfair $690 at Home Depot

If you’re looking for a feature-rich hot tub that’s comfortable to lounge in and easy to get in and out of, we recommend the Intex PureSpa Plus Inflatable Square Hot Tub. We enjoyed using this inflatable hot tub for both entertainment and stress relief after a long day, with features like light effects and timer-controlled spa bubbles supporting both uses.

This hot tub comes with a wireless remote control panel that provides easy access to features like LED lighting and relaxing bubble jets. The LED light is fun to use at night, as you can attach it where you want and choose from seven different colors (or cycle through them).

You can also control everything (including the water temperature) through a phone app, but we were unable to connect the hot tub to our 5Ghz Wi-Fi network (you need a 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi network or a router that provides both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz and lets you choose between the two for this feature to work).

Whether entertaining or just relaxing, we love that this hot tub has adjustable headrest cushions that you can move wherever you want. Combined with the spa bubble feature, we found this hot tub to be incredibly relaxing after a long day.

This is a four-person hot tub, but we think it’s a bit small to seat four adults comfortably. We felt it would fit two to three adults more comfortably, and that’s how we used it most of the time. For a roomier four-person seating arrangement, we prefer the Intex PureSpa Plus Inflatable Round Hot Tub (our best inflatable pick).

We love how easy this hot tub is to set up, and it’s just as easy to deflate for storage if you don’t want to use it all year long. It took us about an hour to get everything set up, including spreading some sand to flatten the area. We were impressed when the temperature reached a comfy 75 degrees in only two hours, but it took another four hours to heat up fully.

We think this hot tub is ideal for a couple or occasional entertaining. It has comfortable seating, adjustable headrests, and colorful LED lighting. The water is deep enough to submerge you fully, and plenty of bubble jets provide a very relaxing experience.

_{Dimensions: 83 x 83 x 28 in. | Shape: Square | Water Capacity: 210 gal. | Jets: 140}

Best Design

Canadian Spa Company Okanagan Plug-and-Play Hot Tub

$5,096 at Wayfair View on Canadianspa.com

If you're in the market for a high-end hot tub, the Okanagan is definitely worth considering, even though it comes with a higher price tag. This hot tub features our favorite design, with a circular layout that can comfortably accommodate up to four adults and 10 stainless steel hydrotherapy jets that provide an incredibly indulgent spa-like massage.

You can customize the jets to your preferred positions and directions, providing a personalized massage experience. Although it has far fewer total jets than many of our recommendations, it is very powerful and effective.

At 63 inches in diameter, this well-designed hot tub won't take up too much space on your deck or patio. It's also deeper than many other hot tubs, with a depth of 29 inches that allows for complete shoulder submersion.

The Okanagan uses an ozone generator and Microban filtration to keep your water crystal-clear and free of bacteria with minimal chemicals. It also has a color-changing LED light, allowing you to customize the ambiance. You also get a hard-top cover. Thanks to the plug-and-play design, you don't have to hire a professional for installation.

_{Dimensions: 63 x 63 x 29 in. | Shape: Round | Water Capacity: 185 gal. | Jets: 10}

Best Extra-Large

Lifesmart Coronado 7-Person Spa

$4,300 at Walmart $3,999 at Wayfair $3,999 at Home Depot

For something larger, consider the Lifesmart Coronado. While it's almost double the price of our best overall, we think it's still a reasonable value for a high-quality hot tub of this size. This seven-person tub has 65 jets, including 14 with turbo-blaster nozzles and four-foot massagers. The energy-efficient design features full-foam insulation and a thermal locking cover that keeps the heat in.

The Coronado hot tub boasts a stunning waterfall, a vibrant multicolored underwater LED, an in-built filter, and an ozonator that uses minimal chlorine to keep the water clean. It's the perfect choice if you're looking for a spacious hot tub with all the fancy features.

_{Dimensions: 81 x 81 x 34 in. | Shape: Square | Water Capacity: 285 gal. | Jets: 65}