10 Best Hot Tubs 2024: Inflatable, Portable, Energy-Efficient and More

By Mary Henn

Updated on Oct. 14, 2024

Whether you need a large option or a portable pick, the best hot tub offers serious relaxation.

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They don’t make the best hot tubs like they used to, which is actually a good thing if you’re in the market for one! Hot tubs today come in a variety of styles and sizes, and you don’t have to spend a small fortune to own one, either. Sure, an in-ground hot tub costs a significant amount of time, labor and money. But according to Alicia Toedter, a Leslie’s pool and spa care expert, there are above-ground and inflatable hot tubs that are more affordable and can be used right away.

“Portable inflatable hot tubs are now more durable than ever, and are the perfect way for people to test out the hot tub lifestyle without breaking the bank,” she says. For those who prefer a more traditional tub, plenty of options don’t require expert installation or tons of know-how. These are commonly known as “plug-and-play” hot tubs and are often significantly less expensive than traditional tubs.

Don’t know where to begin when looking for the best backyard hot tub? Pair one of our expertly vetted picks with an outdoor TV or outdoor projector and let the good times roll. What more could you ask of a backyard oasis?

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Meet the AquaRest Spas Select AR400, the best hot tub on the market. It has upgraded features, like hydrotherapy jets, multi-colored LED lights and a waterfall—all features we’d expect from a pricier model. Better yet, it won’t break the bank and it’s one of the easiest four-person hot tubs to set up on your own.

While many plug-and-plays aren’t known for their construction, this model features an energy-efficient pump to help you save on energy costs, full foam insulation and a durable polyethylene shell. It also comes in three versatile colors, and the easy-to-clean frame cuts down on the need for hot tub cleaning supplies (which we love).

Pros

Cons

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The AquaRest Spas Select AR300 is a budget-friendly option if you’re looking for a cozy hot tub for two. Reviewers rave about its 20 stainless steel jets set into a therapeutic lumbar support design, convenient cup holders and the light-emitting diode (LED)-backlit waterfall that lights up in nine colors.

It’s easy to set up—just plug it into any electrical outlet and fill it with water. The smaller size also makes it one of the best cheap hot tubs for those working with tight budgets. Ideal for patio corners, this option won’t take up much room in your backyard area.

Pros

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This Intex inflatable hot tub proves that buying a hot tub for your backyard doesn’t have to be a costly purchase. The inflatable spa pool filtrates and circulates warm water just like a regular fiberglass hot tub for a relaxing soak. Plus, it comes in multiple color, shape and size options to suit your needs.

This inflatable hot tub runs on standard 120-volt power and reaches a maximum temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s made with heavy-duty triple vinyl, so you don’t have to worry about snags or tears. It also comes with an adjustable thermostat on the heat pump, which has a digital screen to control the system.

Pros

Cons

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If you want to create a backyard entertaining space, consider the Ohana Spas Soothe, as it’s big enough for seven people. Programmable underwater LED lights give it a festive feel that can also become a relaxing spot when it’s a smaller, quieter crowd using it. There’s even a built-in ice bucket to hold your beverages! Plus, this large-format piece’s surprisingly modest price point makes it an excellent deal.

The 70 hydro jets, with 30 fully adjustable stainless steel jets, melt away everyone’s tension. And while it holds up to seven adults, it’s still small enough to fit under your pergola. The insulation and thermal-locking cover helps keep your utility bill down when it’s not in use.

Pros

Cons

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If you’re looking for an all-around winning hot tub with ample seating, amenities and excellent construction, the Lifesmart Spas Curacao DLX is one to check out. This five-seater has a popular lounger seat and 65 therapeutic jets designed to hit your pressure points.

Thanks to a robust mechanical system and easy maintenance, it’s one of the best hot tubs. It also features four cup holders, LED lights, a waterfall, digital controls and an energy-efficient design. All it needs is a few hot tub accessories and you’re set!

Pros

Cons

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This round hot tub from Ohana Spas holds more people than it looks like it would—up to seven adults, to be exact. The plug-and-play hot tub has massaging jets, underwater lighting and an easy-to-use control panel. It comes with a filter and a CleanLife filtration system, making maintaining this Ohana hot tub a breeze.

The insulated locking cover keeps water free of debris while increasing safety and efficiency. And if you’re looking to keep operational costs low, this hot tub meets all of the California Energy Standards.

Pros

Cons

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A blow-up hot tub is an affordable, easy-to-set-up option, and the Coleman SaluSpa is one of the best inflatable hot tubs on the market (along with the Intex inflatable hot tub). It seats up to six and helps you relax via a bubbly massage system.

Thanks to the fortified exterior material, this hot tub resists punctures and ultraviolet (UV) rays. It’s ideal for those who can’t afford the time or money necessary for a traditional above-ground hot tub.

Pros

Cons

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For a smaller group, the Lifesmart Spas plug-and-play hot tub is the perfect fit. At 6 feet long and shaped like a wedge, it offers ample room for two while still taking up little space in a corner. Smaller doesn’t necessarily mean fewer features, either—a digital control panel offers easy control over the 17 jets.

In addition, a waterfall feature, four cup holders and built-in LED lights offer a relaxing spa experience for two. This intimate, modern addition to the backyard is an easy way to turn up the heat during the chillier months. Plus, there’s no need for hot tub cleaners—an ozone water care system delivers a clean spa experience right at home.

Pros

Cons

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While building a rustic wood-fired hot tub yourself is certainly possible, “wood-fired” doesn’t have to mean “dated.” This modern acrylic, wood-fired hot tub from Alfi comes in four bright shades, including blue, olive green, orange and red.

Each half-bowl tub fits up to four folks, meaning nobody is left out in the cold. Using the attached wood-burning fire pit and convection heating, the tub hits a cozy temperature without the use of electricity. It’s ideal for use off the grid or for families looking to save on their energy bill.

Pros

Cons

According to Toedter, people new to the hot tub lifestyle may wish to consider an inflatable hot tub, as they are less expensive—costing $300 to $1,200, compared to $3,000 to $15,000 for a hard-sided version. “Inflatable hot tubs can be moved from one area of your yard to another much easier than a traditional rotomolded or acrylic hot tub. This allows you to test out various locations around your backyard before committing to a more permanent hard-sided hot tub option,” she notes.

A hot tub is a significant investment, so you’ll want to ensure you get it right. Here are factors to consider, according to Toedter:

Where you place the unit in your yard is important, as this often dictates the size and shape of your chosen unit. It should be easy to get to, with ready access to the hot tub’s components for routine maintenance and repairs. Access to water and electricity should be somewhere nearby, and privacy might be desirable if you have close neighbors. Remember to consider local zoning laws when choosing where to install the hot tub, and ensure that the chosen location can support the weight of a hot tub full of water and people.

Consider how many people will be enjoying the hot tub. They come in various sizes to accommodate one or two people or up to seating six or more. Remember that more spacious hot tubs occupy more room on your lawn or patio. It is also important to check with a professional before your installation. Unless you are a professional yourself, they may have insight as to whether the spot you’ve chosen is a sound one. You wouldn’t want your hot tub installed on unsteady ground (where it may sink or slide), as that could cost you considerably.

Depending on your style, inflatable hot tubs start as low as a few hundred dollars, but more luxurious hard-sided hot tubs cost thousands. Let your budget be your guide for what you’re willing to invest. Remember, too, that you should factor regular maintenance into your budget. Expect ongoing maintenance to cost you around $150-$200 annually. Furthermore, you’ll likely have to pay for hot tub delivery, electrical hookups and potentially having a platform built (usually out of concrete) for your hot tub to sit on. There are a lot of hidden costs, so consider that when picking out your hot tub.

Look for a well-insulated hot tub with a quality cover, but a more efficient cover can be purchased separately. When assessing a hot tub’s insulation capabilities, look for high-quality foam within the spa cabinet. Inflatable hot tubs won’t have this type of insulation, but their thick walls are filled with air, which helps insulate the heat. You should expect your hot tub to cost anywhere from $250 to $1,500 in energy, with more efficient models on the lower end of that scale.

Chemicals: “All hot tubs need sanitizer and water balancing chemicals, but there are some extras that can come in handy for various purposes,” notes Toedter. Here’s a list of her recommended essentials:

Other Maintenance: Hot tubs have filters (usually between one and five) that require regular cleaning (around once a month). It is also recommended that you do a deep cleaning every few months. Finally, you should have a professional jacuzzi maintenance person service your hot tub yearly to keep it in working order. Furthermore, if you live where it snows and your hot tub stays outside, you should empty it before the cold season. If you don’t, you likely won’t need to empty and refill your hot tub more than once a year (or less). Just keep an eye on the water quality — even with proper, regular maintenance, water can eventually get a bit grimy and require draining, refilling and new chemical treatments.

Do you want a hot tub with powerful hydrotherapy massage jets, or are you looking for a more relaxing, bubbly soak? Certain hot tubs also offer extra features, like comfortable seating, lights and speakers, to help you relax in style.

When comparing hot tubs, pay close attention to the warranty. This helps you understand what is and isn’t covered and how long each component is under warranty—particularly the main working components, like the pump and filter.

I, Mary Henn, am a shopping editor at Family Handyman with expertise in interior design, home decor, gardening and outdoor trends. I’ve researched and personally tested hundreds of products, from outdoor gear and DIY gadgets to mattresses and vacuums, including the best hot tubs.

To ensure that I was considering the right models, my team also consulted Alicia Toedter, an expert and Senior Manager of Content Strategy at Leslie’s, the world’s largest retailer of swimming pool supplies, to get insight on what to look for when making this purchasing decision. Along with Toedter, we consulted with Irina Todorov, MD, an integrative medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic.

Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Family Handyman, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.

When researching the best hot tubs, we looked at ease of setup, price point, overall comfort and user ratings to determine the top options on the market. We also looked at hot tub design features and considered the overall value of each hot tub, so that you can get the most bang for your buck as a buyer. Models vary greatly, but the cost of a hot tub doesn’t have to break the bank, especially with more affordable hot tubs coming to the market. Finally, we looked at the mechanical components of each hot tub, highlighting energy-efficient models so that you can potentially save dollars on your utility bills.

Smaller hot tubs that don’t require significant electricity are often sold as plug-and-play, which can be plugged into any standard electrical outlet.

According to Toedter, larger hot tubs with many special features require a little more power, so these usually require a dedicated circuit wired directly to a breaker box. Plug-and-play models are usually pretty easy to set up and install, while other hot tubs may require hiring an electrician or hot tub technician to get everything running.

“For most hot tubs, cleaning it once a week is sufficient,” says Toedter. “If you leave it uncovered, or if people enter the hot tub with dirty feet, it may need to be cleaned more often. It’s also a good idea to rinse off the filter cartridge as part of your weekly maintenance routine.”

She says it’s important to remember to wipe down and condition the hot tub cover every few months and use an enzyme product to purge any biofilm hiding in the plumbing before draining and refreshing the water.

“Just remember that having a clean hot tub means much more than how clean the hot tub is — the water chemistry and sanitizer levels are equally important,” says Toedter. “To ensure that your hot tub water stays clean, safe and healthy, we recommend testing the water at least two to three times weekly. Proper water balance is also crucial for extending the life of your hot tub and preventing costly damages caused by poor water chemistry.”

Testing your hot tub is easy. You can purchase testing strips on Amazon or use Leslie’s in-store AccuBlue tests for free.

Out of the picks above, the Future Spas eight-person square hot tub has the best warranty at 25 years. It covers defects with the shell structure. However, that doesn’t cover customer misuse. Other covered areas include 15 years for the shell surface, two years for plumbing and electric components and one year for the ozonator.

“This is mostly based on personal preference, but many hot tubs are between 100 and 104 degrees,” says Toedter. Many therapeutic hot tub users, especially in warm climates, prefer to set their hot tub temperatures from 96 to 99 degrees.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a maximum hot tub temperature of 104 degrees for healthy adults, but 100 degrees is a comfortable, healthier temperature worth considering. Those with medical conditions may consider going even lower to avoid potential problems.

The best hot tubs should last at least five years, with some extra-durable and well-cared-for models lasting decades. It’s important to remember that its material and your commitment to regular maintenance and cleaning can impact longevity.

“Several factors play into the longevity of your hot tub, including quality of construction, your local outdoor climate, frequency of use, as well as maintenance practices,” notes Toedter.

“A well-maintained, high-quality hot tub can easily last 10–20 years or longer. To maximize lifespan, we recommend following the manufacturer’s recommendations for care and maintenance, regularly test the hot tub water with professional testing, and address any chemistry or mechanical issues immediately once you spot them.”

It depends on who you ask, but many people swear by the health benefits of hot tubs, thanks to the therapeutic effects of warmth and soaking. Hot tub users report muscle relaxation, stress reduction, pain relief and meditative effects.

According to Irina Todorov, MD, an integrative medicine physician at the Cleveland Clinic, “Using a hot tub or taking a hot bath helps calm your nervous system and improve your mood.” It’s also a good remedy for mild to moderate muscle pain and can lower blood pressure in some individuals.

If you have concerns, contact a medical provider. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises against pregnant women using hot tubs, and most health providers recommend for children under five years old not to use them, either.