Best Portable Hot Tubs
5 Budget-Priced Backyard Inflatable Hot Tubs That Perform Well
Thinking about adding an outdoor hot tub to your backyard patio or deck? Well, instead of spending $5000 or more on a fancy-pants Jacuzzi with all the bells and whistles, you could spend a small fraction of that amount (actually, less than $500) and get a portable hot tub that does almost everything a standard full-size spa does.
But not all soft hot tubs a created equal. The trick is to get up to speed quickly on just what is out there, and then shop intelligently.
This article is the ideal starting point because it’s going to save you time and money. It could spare you endless frustration, too. We spent a combined 27 hours checking out every available portable hot tub we could find. And we narrowed our list down to the top five on the market today.
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Why a Soft Sided Hot Tub?
If you think you'd fancy the idea of relaxing in your own backyard spot, but you don't want something as permanent or as costly as a full-size standard hot tub, an inflatable portable could be the best option for you. These portable spas we’ve selected provide basically the same type of experience without the huge investment or the permanent changes to your personal property and space.
You can set any of these spas up fairly quickly. As long as you're capable of moving the package around on your lot (this is typically a two-person job so you don't hurt yourself) you can place it anywhere. All you need is a level area that can support the extra weight.
Not As Large As You Might Think
Portable hot tubs come in different sizes and manufacturers claim a capacity of two, four or six people. But this claim really depends on your style of relaxation. Most inflatable hot tubs simply aren't large enough for six adults -- unless everyone sits up straight and keeps their legs to themselves. But that's not much fun and probably not what you're buying a hot tub for.
Chances are, you’ll want to be able to sprawl out and relax. They're terrific for therapy. Strong jets provide a water massage that can soothe sore aching muscles. But in our experience, most four-person tubs are best when occupied by just two people. Those that say they hold six adults are better suited for parties up to four, unless you don’t mind cramped quarters.
Bestway 54155E Hawaii Air Jet Inflatable Outdoor Spa (A Great Choice)
This is our overall top pick in the portable hot tub category. The Bestway 54155E Air Jet Inflatable measures 71" x 71" x 28" high. The overall shape (square with large rounded corners) is practical and it’s spacious enough to accommodate up to four adults comfortably (manufacturer claims 4-6).
It features 114 surrounding air jets that deliver a soothing and invigorating water massage. You’ll look forward to getting inside and you’ll emerge feeling calmer, more comfortable and completely rejuvenated. And that’s exactly how it should be.
The Bestway 54155E is easy to set up, and the strong material used in the design ensures the tub remains stable. It boasts a built-in power saving system with an automatic start/stop timer. There’s also an attractive faux leather cover that features built-in safety locks and an air chamber that provides additional insulation to keep the water temperature warm when it’s not in use.
With its comfortably-padded bottom, there's no need to purchase additional seats. Every position inside this tub is comfortable and you can feel the soothing relief the strong air jets provide wherever you're seated. After a hard day of work, it’s a wonderful escape.
It’s clear that this is a well-made unit. It’s sturdy, comfortable, practical, and affordable. And it seems to run smoothly -- without a hitch.
>>Click here to see the Bestway 54155E Inflatable Spa at Amazon.
This black, four-person spa features 120 soothing bubble jets in a 254 gallon capacity tub. It comes complete with Coleman’s rapid heating system, built-in pump, water filtration system, handy drain valve (something a lot of spas don’t have), cushioned floor, and carrying handles for moving the tub in and out of storage - or relocating in your yard. Also supplied as standard equipment is an inflation hose, chemical distribution floater, heavy-duty repair patch kit (a nice forward-thinking bonus) and three filter cartridges.
It plugs into a standard wall 110V outlet, and the 12-foot power cord makes it easy to get your hot tub in the exact position you want on your deck or patio.
The Coleman hot tub is quick to set up and has an attractive mosaic print on the spa liner, so it not only feels nice to get into but it looks pretty cool, too. It’s also quite comfortable sitting inside. This is one soft hot tub that actually maintains heat well -- even in colder temperatures when the mercury dips below 40°F.
Structurally, the Coleman hot tub is solid. It’s sides are built from three-ply PVC plastic I-beams. The result is a structure that’s rigid enough for you to be able to sit on the sides, without bending the frame.
Intelligent design is evident in the cover, too. Here you’ll find an aluminum foil coating on the inside to help keep the water extra warm. Since aluminum foil is reflective, it tends to retain heat more efficiently than with other covers.
A lot of people seem concerned about the durability of inflatable hot tubs in general. But this one is well constructed with thick material and quality design. Of course, you'll have to take care of it. But you should easily be able to get a few years use out of this hot tub - without any problem.
The only downside involves the instruction booklet, which should have been written with greater clarity (but, hey, isn’t that true of many instruction manuals these days?).
All in all, with Coleman, you can enjoy an excellent hot tub experience alone, in the company of a partner or spouse, or with a couple of friends. It's easy to set up this sturdy tub and the jets work particularly well with its powerful air system. Overall, the Coleman soft tub is a great product at a low price. It’s a sweet deal when compared to the thousands of dollars it would take to set up a traditional spa.
>>Click here to see the Coleman 71" x 26" Portable 4-person Hot Tub at Amazon.
Although it's rated for four people, you actually have about a 600 pound capacity. So ideally it fits two large adults (or four slim people). That gives you freedom of movement where you can stretch out and enjoy the hot tub experience. If you try to cram four people in, it's not the same experience.
With 210 gallons of water inside, so you get a whole lot of hot tub occupying a relatively small area. Intex builds its hot tubs to be structurally strong and stable. But they manage to do so with lightweight fiber material that's as comfortable as it is durable.
With the 77-inch Pure Spa model, you get everything you need to be up and running in very little time. Sure it takes time to fill the tub and even longer to get it to the temperature you want for a hot tub -- as it does for any brand of spa. But this one goes together lightning-quick. And the end result is a completely inflatable hot tub that does most everything a traditional spa offers.
It comes with everything you need except for the chemicals required to maintain a clean pool. Included are two filter cartridges, a floating chlorine dispenser, heating system, pump, hose to inflate the tub, built in grab handles for carrying, thermal ground cloth, and carrying bag.
It also features a control panel, which makes it easy to operate. It also comes complete with sleek, multi-colored LED lights and a hard water treatment system that helps protect your skin. It also can increase the longevity of your inflatable hot tub. That’s because when hard water builds up, it can severely limit water flow, which in turn can ruin any spa.
Overall, this model measures 77 inches in diameter on the outside and about 28 inches in height.
Multiple buyers have commented on the cover. It’s well-made with built-in straps that connect to the base, preventing it from blowing away and providing an extra measure of safety when the hot tub is not in use. It also helps to keep the water warm because it's well- insulated.
We found that this tub works best with carpet as an underlay, on top of the patio or deck. You can then place the thermal blanket on top of the carpet. Combining carpet with the thermal blanket provides an excellent base for the Intex soft tub.
There are a couple of things that stood out for us with the Coleman 4-person SaluSpa. First, it was the cushioned floor that seemed more comfortable than other spas. It seemed to make unwinding even easier - and faster. Secondly was the rapid heating system that warmed up the water to a soothing 104°F with relative efficiency.
Once again, Coleman deploys its sturdy I-beam construction to provide more than enough structural stability and the built-in handles make it easy to move the tub around to get in into the perfect position.
Included is everything you need to operate your outdoor spa including a twin pack of filter cartridges and inflatable cover. What’s different about Coleman is they also include two drink holders and a tray that's perfect for snacks. The tray easily rests on the side wall, so you can locate it anywhere on the tub and the drink holders can be separated from the tray, making them that much more convenient to use.
>>Click here to see the Coleman 4-person SaluSpa Inflatable Air Jet Hot Tub at Amazon.
In less than half an hour, you can have your Intex Pure Spa set up -- ready to fill with water and enjoy. With 140 bubble jets located around the entire interior of this portable hot tub, you can enjoy a realistic bubble jet massage experience at a fraction of the cost of a standard, hard-plastic hot tub.
Filter cartridges provided are easy to replace, so it’s a breeze to keep your spa fresh and clean.
What sets Intex apart from most competitors are two things:
#1 Stylish LED lights provided can be illuminated in multiple or single colors -- your choice. These lights create a unique ambience that's hard to beat.
#2 Intex also supplies a built-in hard water treatment system. Not only is it gentle on your skin, it also helps protect your soft tub and extend its useful life.
Although made for outdoors, any of these tubs could be used inside as long as the room is well ventilated. Buyers report using them on covered porches, garages, and carports, as well as on open decks and patios. If you’re going to be using it inside, it’s a good idea to have the windows open at all times and a strong dehumidifier. This will help prevent any mold from accumulating on ceilings or walls.
Product review by Lori and Douglas Freeman, updated March 2019.