The best hot tubs to make your garden feel like a slice of paradise

If you love spa days, ski holidays and UK staycations in the countryside, you're probably the kind of person who loves being in a hot tub, too.

It's like a little taste of luxury, perfect for relaxing after a long day and for soaking your muscles when you need it. But if we told you that having that feeling all year round in your very own garden was actually affordable, would you believe it?

Read next: The best Lay-Z-Spa hot tubs to buy

There are plenty of hot tubs on the market to suit your needs, starting from just a few hundred pounds up to the big boys, which will cost you more initially but are an investment. We'll walk through the pros and cons of each below, so make sure to read up before you buy.

Whether it's an inflatable hot tub you're looking for or a built-in jacuzzi, here are the best hot tubs to suit every budget:

The best hot tubs

Lay-Z-Spa Miami Hot Tub

This best-selling hot tub from Lay-Z-Spa has a soothing 120 AirJet system for total relaxation, it inflates in less than five minutes and reaches 40°C. It has a cushioned floor, is made of durable Duraplus material, and comes with an insulated inflatable cover and ground fault detection system. You can also schedule your next hot tub session so it's ready for you when you get home. It seats two people comfortably, possibly a third too.

A reviewer noted, "For the money, this is an amazing product. Whilst it takes some getting used to the water chemistry (you do need to buy the recommended starter kit), it is so comfortable, warm, and powerful. With the bubbles on it's a tad noisy but so relaxing (and the noise doesn't travel too badly). The maximum temperature is more than enough, yes it will drop 2-3 degrees in half an hour or so with the bubbles on but that's just basic physics, and it's still plenty warm enough."

Canadian Spa Company Okanagan UV Patio 4 Person Spa

This great little hot tub from Canadian Spa Company is a fab pick for most gardens with its compact size. Made to fit up to four adults, it features 10 adjustable stainless steel hydrotherapy jets and the latest electronic controls with colour change underwater lights. Energy-efficient and easy to install (just plug in and go!), the Okanagan uses 50sq ft of filtration along with a built-in ozone generator and UV Light system to keep your water crystal clear without hassle.

One reviewer said, "We have had our Okanagan for just over a week and we absolutely love it! Delivery was great and it only takes around half an hour to fill, I would certainly recommend paying the extra for this one rather than an inflatable hot tub! The cover really keeps the heat in and we only lose 1 or 2 degrees overnight when the heater is turned off. Only thing I would mention is that 4 people would definitely be a bit of a squeeze but for just two people it’s perfect!"

Lay-Z-Spa Hawaii Hot Tub

The Lay-Z-Spa Hawaii fits four to six people, heats up to 40°C, has a dual operation heating and massage system and is easy to set up and transport. All Lay-Z-Spas include a water filtration system to help keep your water clear and this one comes with a leatheroid cover with inflatable lid, featuring double lock safety clips and an air pad floor mat.

One reviewer wrote, "This is great. Easy to assemble. Warms up over a few hours. Bubbles are vigorous. We use ours most days. Even the kids love it."

CosySpa Inflatable Hot Tub Spa

This affordable hot tub is great for anyone who wants to keep the price to under £500. Choose from a four or six-person hot tub, as well as a number of accessory packs too. It's easily set up in five minutes, comes with 130 air jets, reaches 42°C, and comes with a ground cover and lockable top cover.

One reviewer said, "I have been using it since September it's been awesome. Had an issue with the pump recently and I can honestly say Net World's could not have been more helpful and speedy with their responses. Just first class service all round. If I ever look to get a even larger hot tub (thinking about it!) I would only ever get it from them."

Skargards Panel Hot Tub

If it's the real Swedish hot tub experience you're after, look no further than Skargards. The Panel 190 wooden hot tub not only looks incredible but is made of eco-certified Thermowood, which has weather and mould resistant properties. The log-fired stove is submerged in the water to heat it effectively and is made from high-grade stainless steel. It's fitted with multi-layered fibreglass, making it smooth and comfortable. It seats four-five people and is delivered ready to use.

One reviewer said, "We have been thoroughly impressed with the service provided by Martin and the team at Skargards. Our pre-purchase questions were answered in a timely manner, with no hard sell. Upon receiving the hot tub we were immediately impressed with the quality."

Intex Inflatable 4 Person Hot Tub

Seating four adults, this spa is comfortable and durable. It has 135 jets and comes with a three-year warranty. Not only that, but it also comes complete with two headrests, a thermal ground cloth, user-friendly control panel, carry bag and insulated and lockable cover, everything you need for comfort and cleanliness. It's easy to clean, simple to assemble and the water can be adjusted.

One reviewer wrote, "Excellent bit of kit for the money. We have been looking for a hot tub for quite a while - this is the best value for money we have found. Its a tub that gets the water hot and then bubbles... Its fairly easy to set up and use. Good fun."

Canadian Spa Company Toronto UV SE 6 Person Hot Tub

The Canadian Spa Toronto Hot tub has 44 spa jets for a wonderful, massaging experience. It has various seating styles for six including a relaxing lounger, a three-seater bench, and a deep captain's chair so you can truly relax and unwind. With a built-in Bluetooth music system, speakers and LED mood lighting - it's a real party tub. Other fab features include the Glacier Antimicrobial filtration system, blackout insulation, and an aromatherapy system and cascading waterfall. This is the hot tub of our dreams.

Lay-Z-Spa Bali 4 Person LED Hot Tub

The Lay-Z-Spa Bali hot tub is suitable for 2-4 people and heats the water to 40°C, while the 81 AirJet massage system delivers a relaxing hot tub experience. It's made from premium 3-ply reinforced TriTech material and is puncture resistant and durable. It comes with a cover and there's a built-in seven-colour-changing LED lighting system, which is pretty cool.

Emily from Crawley said, "Absolutely love this!!!!! Having thought about buying one for a while I decided to just go for it. Really easy to put up and the lights are great. Overall a fantastic product and I was worried about the ongoing maintenance but it’s really simple and we just check it each day and adjust levels as needed! Would highly recommend if you are thinking about buying one!"

Helsinki 7 Person Lay-Z-Spa AirJet Hot Tub

One of the larger hot tubs on the list, this wood effect hot tub seats seven people. Inspired by the hot tubs of ski resorts, it's equipped with Freeze Shield™ for year-round, all-weather use. The integrated 87 AirJet system provides a lovely massage experience, it heats the water to 40°C and is setup in five minutes.

One reviewer wrote, "Easy to set up, well made, heats up the water quickly, powerful bubbles, easy to keep clean. Despite being a ‘portable’ hot tub, this feels very good quality and is better than a rigid hot tub in many ways (eg flat floor is well padded and surprisingly comfortable, and allows the children to use it more as a pool than a luxury rigid type would allow)."

MSpa Mono Quick-Heating UV-Sanitised Round Inflatable Hot Tub

Feel soothed, stress-free, and relaxed in your garden with the whisper-quiet MSPA Mono round hot tub. With enough space for up to six people, this choice is great for keeping your hot tub clean with O3 ozone sanitisation and a smart filtration system that can be controlled via the built-in control box.

As well as have three levels of bubble massage, it comes with a round sheet, cover and inflatable bladder for heat insulation, buckle lock for safety and security, and a chemical kit, 2 filter cartridges, inflation hose, drainage hose adaptor, and owner's manual.

One reviewer said, "I highly recommend this hot tub! From ordering; delivery; to installation, everything was so easy and straightforward. The hot tub when inflated is really solid. We filled it at 6pm, and left it overnight to heat. We spent most of the next day in it. It is really comfortable. The jets worked wonders on my back."

Hot tub accessories

Inflatable hot tubs vs regular hot tubs

Inflatable hot tubs

Pros:

• Inflatable hot tubs are a lower initial investment, so if you don't have too much cash to splash, they're a great option.

• They're easy to move around, so if you're currently renting your property, you don't have to worry about transport when you move out.

• They're easy to maintain and are the ideal choice for first-time buyers.

Cons:

• Although they are purse-friendly to begin with, inflatable hot tubs do not have as much insulation, so will generally use more electricity to heat it up. This could end up costing you more in the long run.

• There are also no seats in an inflatable hot tub, so may be uncomfortable for some people.

Regular hot tubs

Pros:

• Regular hot tubs are built to last, so even though they cost you more initially, they won't puncture and are more hard-wearing.

• They have lower running costs as they're more energy-efficient. Better insulation means they will keep the heat in, so they cost less to run.

• They're more comfortable to sit in, as they have seats!

Cons:

• They cost a substantial amount more than an inflatable hot tub, although as we discussed, depending on your usage they can be more economical.

• They aren't as easily moved as inflatable hot tubs. It can be done, but it requires planning and perhaps the help of a professional.

Hot tub maintenance

Caring for your hot tub, whether you choose inflatable or built-in, is pretty straightforward.

Once your new hot tub has arrived, make sure to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully to get clued up on the maintenance your hot tub needs. This will, no doubt, include regular cleaning.

pH and alkalinity

If your hot tub doesn't come with a test kit, you'll need to invest in one to test the pH and alkalinity of the hot tub water at least once a week.

The best pH for your hot tub is between 7.2 and 7.8 pH - too acidic or alkaline and you could irritate your skin.

Hot tub cleaning

To clean the water, add a sanitiser like chlorine, which will come in tablet form or granules. Depending on your usage, you should look to add sanitiser to your hot tub every day, or at least every couple of days. Check the instructions to find out which sanitiser your hot tub needs and ensure to follow the recommended amounts so you can always use your hot tub.

Remove the filter at least once a week to clean it (some hot tubs require this to be done daily) and ensure it isn't clogged with leaves, grass, and other debris. Inflatable hot tub filters can become clogged a little more quickly than permanent hot tubs.

Every few weeks, you should drain your hot tub in order to clean it with liquid soap and water - again, your instructions will tell you the best formula to use.

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Jade Moscrop is a Deputy Commercial Content Editor for WhatsTheBest, specialising in lifestyle topics. She also writes for Closer, Heat, and Mother&Baby.

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