Home and garden hot tub reviews

Home and garden shows can be a fun place to visit and get ideas for your dream backyard. Often you’ll see hot tubs displayed at these shows. You might also hear that you’ll get the best pricing on hot tubs when you purchase during the event.

Whether it’s a home and garden show or the fair, there are plenty of reasons why you should take some precautions before buying a hot tub at one of these venues. We will explain why.

What are hot tub expos or road shows?

Hot tub and swim spa expos are typically advertised as “national events” that are in town for the weekend and insinuate that all major manufactures are present. However, this is far from the truth. In reality, these expo events are set up quickly and run by high-pressure sales staff who leave town and disappear as soon as the event is over never to be seen again. You will also hear many claims on pricing.

Don't get left high and dry with a bad hot tub

A hot tub can be a major purchase for your home that will last you years. It’s important to purchase a hot tub that you know meets and exceeds your expectations and will complement your lifestyle, backyard and relaxation and entertainment needs.

You’ll also want to take your time when making a decision to ensure that you are getting the highest quality hot tub, the best features that you’ll actually enjoy and ensure that the hot tub is the right fit for your home. Getting pressured into making a quick decision because the road show leaving town is no way to make an informed purchasing decision. Take it from us. We’ve been in the business for a long time and know how many considerations need to be made to customize a hot tub that is the right fit for you.

We also recommend taking a test soak in a hot tub before you purchase or getting an in-home consultation with an expert to help you with site preparation, delivery needs, design ideas and any additional considerations to ensure that you have a smooth experience. Once you have it dialed in just right, you’ll have a spa that is perfect for you.

Buy local and save

You’ll want to buy from a reputable local dealer that will be there for you after the sale to guide you through the experience, provide assistance with any questions and service your hot tub should you need it. Also, you can always pop into the local store to pick up any chemicals or accessories without much fuss and ask any questions. Your local dealer is your warranty repair center as well, making it a painless experience if you need it.

Sometimes you’ll see local dealers at home and garden shows but sometimes not. It’s important to ask the dealer questions about their physical location, support and who handles customer service, repairs and accessories if you need them later. Travelling road shows usually don’t feature local dealers and the sellers may have not been in business for long or plan to be in business for long either.

When it comes to pricing, often what is claimed to be the sale price is actually the real price. These road shows are expensive and sellers look at trying to reclaim these costs. What ends up becoming more expensive is getting left with a hot tub that you can’t enjoy, service or maintain.

When you buy from us, we offer competitive pricing on quality hot tubs that will last. You’ll also get the support you need to enjoy your hot tub year after year.

There's nothing like a good hot tub for unwinding in the evening. They can massage and relieve stress, and because they're heated, you can keep a pool party going long after the sun sets and the temperature drops.

But just like the best outdoor furniture, these tubs can fetch some pretty high prices. You don't want to spend a couple thousand bucks on a hot tub only to be disappointed with your purchase.

That's why I've combed through the hot tubs on offer from the biggest retailers to find the best on the market today. I've found inexpensive inflatable models and large, premium tubs for big gatherings and the ultimate in relaxation.

You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

In the past, you'd need to splash thousands of dollars on a hot tub. Whilst that's still possible, and there are some incredible, expensive models, there are also more entry-level, inflatable models entering the market. It's not fair to put these low-cost options against expensive models, so I've broken my picks down into two categories.

If you know what you're after, here's a quick menu to take you to your preferred category:

(I haven't included suggestions here, you'll see why in the section)

Best plug-and-play hot tubs

(Image credit: sarahneal / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images)

The typical hot tub is a plug-and-play. Also known as above-ground hot tubs, these are permanent, freestanding hot tubs made from hard plastic. They're called plug and play because you can run them from an electric outlet rather than having to get professionals to wire them in, as with inbuilt hot tubs. All you need to do is plug them into a socket and fill them with water.

They're sturdier and feel more luxurious than inflatable hot tubs, and unlike inbuilt hot tubs, you don't have to landscape to fit them in, saving you thousands in labor costs. They also have plenty of bonus features like dedicated massage pumps, LED lights, and in some cases, even Bluetooth speakers.

However, this means they're far from cheap, with prices starting from $2,000.

Best overall

Aquarest Spas JacuzziHot Tub

+ Durable materials + Excellent value - No retainer clips for lid

Dimensions: 10 x 60 x 32 inches Person Capacity: 4 people Water Capacity: 156 gal Jets: 12

This 20-jet hot tub is made of durable, crack-resistant plastic that's also recyclable. Made in the USA, it seats four in dedicated 'captain's seats', so will work well for a small family.

Best large

Lifesmart LS600DX 7 Person Hot Tub

+ Powerful back massager + Popular with consumers - 7 people is a squeeze

Dimensions: 81 x 81 x 34 inches Person Capacity: 7 people Water Capacity: 300 gal Jets: 65

This is a great option for big gatherings, a huge hot tub with 65 jets and a seven person capacity. It has hundreds of five-star reviews from other users, built-in LEDs, and a dedicated turbo-blaster back massager.

Best for couples

Luxury Spas Cashmere 2 Person Hot Tub

+ Durable materials + Very comfortable - Only fits 2

Dimensions: 30 x 46 x 69 inches Person Capacity: 2 people Water Capacity: 195 gal Jets: 15

Couples will love this two-person hot tub. It has 15 jets, comfortable neck pillows, and color changing LEDs. It also includes a UV rated spa cover and steps.

Best triangle

Aquarest Spas 2 Person 20 Jet Hot Tub

+ Great shape for corners + Waterfall feature - Need to buy locks for the cover

Dimensions: 31 x 68 x 80 inches Person Capacity: 2 people Water Capacity: 158 gal Jets: 20

I'm a big fan of the triangular shape of this hot tub. It means it can be nestled into a corner of your space rather than totally dominating it. It has a backlit LED waterfall and 300 five-star reviews.

Best for parties

DayDream 3500L 6-Person 35-Jet

+ Generous capacity + Ozonic cleaning - Set-up is technical

Dimensions: 81 x 81 x 34 inches Person Capacity: 7 people Water Capacity: 300 gal Jets: 96

This behemoth hot tub has a waterfall, back massager , and hot jets. Lifesmart pride themselves on energy efficiency and include a unique ozonator to keep water clean with less chemicals.

Best lounge seat

DayDream 3500L 6-Person 35-Jet Hot Tub

+ Freeze-resistant + Generous capacity - Doesn't come with steps

Dimensions: 34 x 82 x 82 inches Person Capacity: 6 people Water Capacity: 318 gal Jets: 35

We're big fans of the lounge seat in this hot tub, which is perfect for stretching out in at the end of a long day at work. It also works for parties, with a maximum capacity of 6.

Best inflatable hot tubs

(Image credit: Intex )

Inflatable hot tubs are a budget-friendly alternative to plug and play hot tubs, made with cheaper materials and smaller pumps. They can also deflate for storage, so you can keep them out of sight when the weather turns in winter.

However, the jets aren't as powerful as plug and play hot tubs and they often aren't as warm. They also lack bonus features like lighting, headrests, and dedicated massage pumps. Because they're inflatable, you're also at risk of punctures.

Best inflatable

Bestway SaluSpa Miami Inflatable Hot Tub

+ Excellent value + Maintains temperature - Small for 6 people

Dimensions: 71 x 71 x 26 inches Person Capacity: 6 people Water Capacity: 177 gal Jets: 120

If you need a budget friendly hot tub, it's hard to go wrong with this. Thousands of dollars cheaper than any plug-and-play, this a four-seater has thousands of five-star reviews on Amazon.

Most comfortable inflatable

Intex PureSpa Plus 6 Person Hot Tub

+ Comfortable headrests + Quick set-up - Doesn't get really hot

Dimensions: 28 x 85 x 85 inches Person Capacity: 6 people Water Capacity: 290 gal Jets: 170

The Intex PureSpa Plus has a clever improvement on most inflatable hot tubs: two inflatable headrests for extra comfort. This is on top of LED lighting and a 6-person capacity.

Best big inflatable

SaluSpa 7 Person 10 Jet Inflatable Hot Tub

+ Large headrests + Massage system - Long heat-up time

Dimensions: 85 x 32 inches Person Capacity: 7 people Water Capacity: 314 gal Jets: 10

If you're planning a big party, this is the largest-capacity inflatable hot tub in this list, seating 7 people. It has LED lighting and handy headrests to clip into the sides, though you should be aware that there are only 5 of these.

In-ground hot tubs

(Image credit: Getty )

I haven't included in-ground hot tubs here for two reasons. The first is that installing these tends to be a local service. I couldn't go across the whole country finding the best hot tub installers in every county. The other is that they're such a jump in cost from plug-and-play. Prices for an in-ground, professionally-installed hot tub start at $15k. It's a significant expense that you should discuss in person with a landscaping team rather than online.

Where to buy a hot tub

There are several options for buying a hot tub, but I'd argue that Home Depot is best. They have a good range of different hot tubs from different brands and price points and they're mostly backed up with a healthy number of reliable reviews.

Wayfair are a close second - they actually have more products available than Home Depot but they're more expensive out of sales periods and the reviews are less reliable.

Costco have some good options but they start from more than $2500, and there's only a handful of them. It also helps to be a Costco member, else you have to pay a 5% surcharge.

I'd also consider checking out Walmart. They mostly offer inflatable hot tubs, but there's a big range of these.

How I chose hot tubs

(Image credit: Getty )

We usually test everything we feature. I've got plenty of burn marks and nicks from years of trialling the best grills and other outdoor products but - unsurprisingly - I couldn't convince the editor-in-chief to let me relax in a load of different hot tubs as 'research' for this article.

Instead, I dove into hundreds of hot tub reviews, only selecting those with good 4.5 or 5 star ratings, good design, and plenty of bonus features. I combed through the reviews to see how these hot tubs held up over months or even years of use. I also went for the cheapest hot tubs where possible - when prices start to climb above $7000 you'll start to see diminishing returns for these freestanding hot tubs.

Hot tub FAQs

What's the difference between a Jacuzzi and a hot tub?

There isn't one. 'Jacuzzi' is a trade name of a company specialising in hot tubs and baths. In the same way that 'coke' has become a shorthand for all colas, 'jacuzzi' is a shorthand for all hot tubs, but it's not technically correct. Some Jacuzzis are hot tubs, and not all hot tubs are Jacuzzis.

What temperature should my hot tub be?

Your hot tub should be no hotter than 100°F, which is roughly body temperature. Any hotter and you risk overheating. If you feel ill or short of breath in your hot tub, then turn down the heat.

How often should I clean my hot tub?

You should totally empty and refill you hot tub three or four times a year to stop the water from becoming stagnant, even if you circulate it every day. You should clean your filters once a month, and you should wipe down the seats at least once a week to stop scum from forming.

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Final thoughts

A hot tub can be the perfect finishing touch a space like a deck but it shouldn't be considered the be-all-and-end all. While I think they're good-value, a cheap inflatable hot tub might look tacky amongst a well-curated patio, so it might pay off to wait until you can afford a large plug-and-play or even to duck a hot tub completely.

What is the best company to buy a hot tub?

Jacuzzi. Jacuzzi is a household name brand with a well-deserved stellar reputation. Jacuzzi leads the industry in terms of innovative features – from its PowerPro® jet system which offers a full-body massage experience to the state-of-the-art water purification and filtration systems.

What is the life expectancy of a hot tub?

A hot tub can last anywhere from 5-20 years or more. Cheaper hot tubs made with lower quality materials won't last long. If those hot tubs are not well maintained, they may not last more than 5 years.

What is the difference between cheap and expensive hot tub?

A cheaper hot tub does not have the beauty, functionality, energy-efficiency and comfort that are built into a high quality hot tub. Important hot tub design features, like a well-placed armrest or a cabinet shell that minimizes heat loss, add to the value of a hot tub.

Why do hot tubs not add value to home?

Maintenance is vital Rather than add value, a damaged or worn-out hot tub will deduct from your home's sales price. Buyers will view the hot tub as an eyesore that needs to be removed or refurbished, both of which will cost money.