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The Bestway app allows you to change the hot tub’s temperature, timer, and air jet settings without ever going outside — ideal for those cold winter days when you want to crank up the heat. It took us around an hour to set up this model (the directions weren’t the easiest to follow), and after we filled it with water from the hose, the hot tub needed 32 hours to bring its temperature above 100 degrees. It was worth the wait, though — the hot tub was comfortable to sit in, and the jets were surprisingly powerful!
The built-in Hard Water Treatment System makes water gentler on skin, clothes and the entire spa system. It also helps prevent hard water build-ups which can limit water flow and reduce the life of your spa. As for the seat, it’s made from a durable laminate and has a contoured shape that’s comfortable to sit on.
Inflatable hot tubs have come a long way in recent years, with some giving you the same powerful jets that you’d expect from a standard one. Not all hot tubs are designed to be used in the winter, so if you live in a cold climate or want to use your spa year-round, it’s important to find one that can be used when the ambient temperature is below freezing, such as the Bestway Milan SaluSpa. These models typically have intex baby float something called “Freeze Shield” technology, which uses its own power to keep the motor and inner workings warm enough for operation. However, even these winter-friendly models can’t be used at extremely cold temperatures, so take this into account as you shop. This hot tub has a basic design without any seats or headrests, but it’s still comfortable to sit in thanks to cushioned floors, and easy to climb into.
This PureSpa also features 1 color-changing LED light, headrests, and a hard water treatment system. The interior of the tray is lined with a white LED light strip, allowing you to clearly see the tray during an evening soak. There are 2 cupholders for your drinks, and the tray can also be used to serve some snacks. If you’ve always wanted a hot tub without permanently taking up space on your patio, this PureSpa Plus hot tub with mobile phone tray accessory is a relaxation game-changer. Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product tester who specializes in home products. While writing this article, she pulled insights from firsthand testing notes from the People Tested team, and she also spent several hours researching top-rated inflatable hot tubs to provide additional product recommendations.
It also has the brand’s Freeze Shield automatic heating function, which allows it to be used outdoors, even when the temperatures are below freezing. However, it does take 20 hours or more to fully heat up, so keep in mind that you’ll need to get it preheating for quite some time before you and your buddy hop in, as is the case with most all tubs on this list. While it’s marketed for six people, we think that around four adults would fit in this hot tub comfortably. It also comes with a variety of useful accessories, including a filter that treats hot water, a color-changing LED light, and a floating chlorine dispenser for maintenance. The portable Intex® PureSpa Plus™ Bubble Massage Spa provides relaxation at touch of a button.
Real hot tubs are expensive and time-consuming to maintain, and if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option for your backyard, an inflatable hot tub is definitely the way to go. But consider that a six-seater will take longer to fill, so unless you’ll be entertaining often or you have a large family, the four-seater may be easier to deal with on a regular basis. With an inflatable hot tub, you get a luxurious experience whenever you need it without having to commit to the maintenance and space that a traditional hot tub requires.
Just keep in mind that they’re generally more challenging (and expensive) to maintain. If you’re planning to use your hot tub solo or with a partner, the Bestway St. Lucia is one of the smaller options out there, taking up minimal room on your patio or deck. This inflatable hot tub can fit up to three people, but we found in our testing that it’s most comfortable for just two adults. It comes with a pump, insulated cover, intex baby float and chlorine dispenser, which uses tablets to dispense the proper amount of chemicals to keep the water clean. One common complaint about inflatable hot tubs is that they don’t actually have seats — instead, you generally have to sit directly on the floor of the spa. If you prefer to have an elevated seat inside the hot tub, this model from Bestway comes with a removable spa chair that can be adjusted to suit your needs.