Best Overall
Aquarest Spas Select 150 Plug-and-Play Hot Tub
- Setup5/5
- Design4/5
- Maintenance5/5
- Features4.5/5
- Value5/5
- It has a waterfall feature, multicolor LED underwater lights, built-in seating, four cup holders, and a reasonable price.
It has a waterfall feature, multicolor LED underwater lights, built-in seating, four cup holders, and a reasonable price.
- The hot tub has a capacity of four people, but it might feel a bit crowded at full capacity.
The hot tub has a capacity of four people, but it might feel a bit crowded at full capacity.
Our top hot tub pick, the Aquarest Spas 4-Person Hot Tub was quite easy to install and performed admirably during testing. This rectangular plug-and-play hot tub features 12 jets, and took just 15 minutes to put together.
When it came to assembly, we we mainly just had to unbox it. No tools were needed either and all we had to do was give it a little rinse and add water.
It took about 24 hours for the hot tub to reach 104°F. Once we had put the necessary chemicals in the water and tested it, we were able to use it within a day or so.
Although it can fit four people, we found that using it with just two people is way more comfortable. It comes with basic seating and we didn’t feel like we were slipping around in the tub. The water goes up to the perfect height—just above the shoulders when seated.
Overall, it’s a pretty simple hot tub without any bells and whistles, apart from a fountain feature, four small yet handy cup holders, and fun multicolored LED lights. It also has jets that can be turned up or down, though they can’t be adjusted to hit an exact spot.
As the hot tub is pretty low to the ground, we had no problem getting in and out of the tub, but there is a set of stairs with storage that you can purchase for it if you prefer. We also appreciated that it can simply be plugged in without needing professional hard-wiring is another great perk.
How It Performed After 2 Months
With weekly use, cleaning, and maintenance, the hot tub held up well after two months of testing. Even though there was a bit of a learning curve, we think it’s a great starter hot tub as it’s a good, manageable size and continues to work just like the first time we used it.
Product Details: Dimensions: 49 x 70 x 27.5 inches | Water Capacity: 156 gallons | Occupancy: Four people | Included Accessories/Features: Waterfall, built-in seating, LED lights, four cup holders
- The Aquarest Spas hot tub has jets that can be turned up and down, although they cannot be adjusted to hit an exact spot. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JODI ESPINOSA
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / JODI ESPINOSA
Best Splurge
ThermoSpas Manhattan II 6-Person Hot Tub
THERMOSPAS
- It’s a fully customizable, high-end hot tub that can be designed exactly to your liking.
It’s a fully customizable, high-end hot tub that can be designed exactly to your liking.
- Since it’s custom, the delivery time may be longer than some other styles.
Since it’s custom, the delivery time may be longer than some other styles.
If you’re willing to splash out a little (or a lot) more on the ultimate hot tub for your home, the ThermoSpas Manhattan II is an excellent choice. This fully customizable hot tub has a plethora of add-on features for retreat-like spa sessions in the comfort of your own home. You can also choose the appearance and color of the inside and outside of the tub.
This hot tub includes innovative pillow jets, wave massage therapy, jet configurations, a wrap-around corner seat, and seating for up to eight people (though it’s a six-seater, you may be able to squeeze in eight).
The hot tub features a touchscreen panel to operate the machine, smart features to monitor and control it via your smartphone or tablet, up to 125 jets to soothe and relax, and a handrail to help you enter and exit the water.
These made-to-order hot tubs are an investment but are sure to make for a wonderful spa experience. You’ll need a professional to install it, however, and since it’s custom-made, there might be a bit of a wait to receive it.
Product Details: Dimensions: 93 x 93 x 38.75 inches | Water Capacity: 430 gallons | Occupancy: Six people | Included Accessories/Features: Pillow jets, reversible panels, cover, wave massage
Best for Two People
Aquarest Pumps Plug And Play Hot Tub
WAYFAIR
- Setup5/5
- Design4/5
- Maintenance5/5
- Features5/5
- Value4/5
- The triangular shape makes this hot tub suitable for corners in even the smallest outdoor spaces.
The triangular shape makes this hot tub suitable for corners in even the smallest outdoor spaces.
- It doesn’t include foot jets or footrests.
It doesn’t include foot jets or footrests.
Our favorite hot tub for two people was the Aquarest Spas Pumps Plug and Play Hot Tub. The hot tub is offered in three colors and during testing, we liked that it had very powerful jets.
It took us one hour to install the hot tub, and we found the process fairly easy. Once set up, we liked that the compact model required significantly less maintenance. Plus, it had more features and better jets than many other hot tubs we tested.
The hot tub has an ozonator to keep the water fresh and kill bacteria and pollutants, which means you won’t need to invest much in chemicals. It also has a patented water filtration system that helps cut down on maintenance time.
We thought the LED backlit waterfall was a great addition to the tub as it provided additional calming sounds. Plus, you can turn on one of many colors depending on your preferences. Also included are two cup holders, and helpful air controls that allow you to control the airflow on each side individually.
Although we liked this hot tub, we would have preferred if it included steps, as well as foot jets and footrests, for extra relaxation.
How It Performed After Three Months
We used this pick about 2-3 times a month during the testing period. This pick did show signs of wear and tear and there was some yellow discoloration, which stood out against the gray color of the hot tub. However, we thought it could be resolved by cleaning it with bleach.
That being said, we didn't notice any issues in terms of performance. The cover was in great shape after three months and both the shell of the tub and the jets worked great as well. We also liked that the small footprint of the tub made it easy to maintain. We added a bit of hot tub chlorine in and tested the levels weekly but we found that it typically remained consistent.
Product Details: Dimensions: 80 x 68 x 31 inches | Water Capacity: 158 gallons | Occupancy: Two people | Included Accessories/Features: LED backlit waterfall, freeze resistant, cover, cupholder
- The Aquarest Pumps Plug and Play hot tub took about an hour to install, and we found it an easy process during testing. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHAEL WEISBAUM
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / MICHAEL WEISBAUM
Best Large
Ohana Spas Balance 7-Person Hot Tub
WAYFAIR
- It has a stylish design, powerful jets, and a five-year warranty.
It has a stylish design, powerful jets, and a five-year warranty.
- It doesn’t have an ozonator, which helps sanitize the water.
It doesn’t have an ozonator, which helps sanitize the water.
If you entertain often or have a big family, you’ll appreciate the Ohana Spas Balance 7-Person Hot Tub. The hot tub can fit up to seven people and it features 25 powerful jets for prime relaxation while you lounge.
Despite its high-end and complex look, the unit can simply be plugged in to operate, so you won’t have to call out and pay for an electrician. Its stainless steel heating element and smart technology have been designed to keep the water consistent at the ideal temperature, and there are even three energy-saving settings.
For added ambiance, this unit comes with multi-colored underwater LED light, and everything can be controlled with the in-built controls.
The hot tub comes with a pump, a filtration system for easy maintenance, and an insulated locking cover to keep debris out and warmth in. The hot tub’s construction is lightweight yet durable, and resistant to impact, weather, corrosion, and mold/mildew. It’s also slip-resistant, UV-, and freeze-resistant, and is backed by the company’s five-year warranty.
This pick is offered in either gray or brown, so you can choose which suits your outdoor space. It’s worth noting that of all the features, this option doesn’t have an ozonator, which helps sanitize the water.
Product Details: Dimensions: 80.5 x 80.5 x 34.5 inches | Water Capacity: 270 gallons | Occupancy: Seven people | Included Accessories/Features: Underwater LED light, filter, control panel, insulated locking cover
Best Inflatable
Intex PureSpa Plus Inflatable Round Hot Tub
AMAZON
- Setup4.3/5
- Design4.3/5
- Maintenance5/5
- Features4.8/5
- Value4/5
- This easy-to-inflate hot tub has 170 jets, a built-in hard water treatment, a thermal ground cloth, and comfy headrests.
This easy-to-inflate hot tub has 170 jets, a built-in hard water treatment, a thermal ground cloth, and comfy headrests.
- Orders shipped to California must also be accompanied by a 28523E energy-efficient cover (the order may be canceled otherwise).
Orders shipped to California must also be accompanied by a 28523E energy-efficient cover (the order may be canceled otherwise).
For anyone who doesn’t have the space or budget for a permanent or built-in hot tub, an inflatable option is the next best thing. Thanks to the Intex 28431E PureSpa’s quick and easy set-up, you can be soaking in a relaxing bath with 170 powerful bubble jets within a couple of hours of bringing it home.
It takes less than 30 minutes to fully inflate the hot tub and headrests, and an easy-to-navigate tilting control panel allows you to activate the jets and set the temperature as high as 104°F.
There’s also an insulated ground cloth to maintain the warmth in the hot tub. Color-changing LED lights create a relaxing atmosphere, especially at night, and the hot tub comes with an insulated cover that doesn’t let any heat escape.
The set-up was straightforward during testing, although the instructions weren’t as specific as they could have been. It took less than five minutes for the hot tub to fully inflate. We inflated the head pillows easily by mouth, and no additional tools were needed. It took under 45 minutes to fill with the garden hose, but reaching the maximum temperature took 32 hours.
We were pleasantly surprised with how comfortable sitting on the floor of the hot tub was, but for anyone who would rather be higher up, it comes with an additional seat that can be modified into two different seat heights. The two inflatable head pillows also fit on the edge of the hot tub. Although the jets are not adjustable, we appreciated how strong they were.
The hot tub comes equipped with two filters that are easily removed for weekly cleaning, as well as a ball-shaped container that floats in the water for cleaning chemicals (these need to be purchased separately).
If you live in California, keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase a 28523E energy-efficient cover with the hot tub (like this PureSpa Deluxe Cover). Otherwise, according to retailers, your order could be canceled.
How It Performed After 2 Months
During testing, this hot tub became one of our favorite ways to unwind in the evenings. After using it for two months, we still recommend it as a great option for anyone in the market for a hot tub that’s easy to use and less expensive than other options.
It continued to perform well, although we did notice an uneven jet distribution as one side was stronger than the other. Other than that, there are no visible signs of wear and tear aside from one scuff mark.
This model was easy to drain, clean, and deflate when not in use, and we liked that it could be folded up compactly for easy storage. It did require a decent amount of planning for setup, but it was nothing we couldn’t figure out.
Product Details: Dimensions: 85 x 85 x 25 inches | Water Capacity: 290 gallons | Occupancy: Six people | Included Accessories/Features: Insulated cover, color-changing LED light, thermal ground cloth, carry bag, test strip, filter cartridges (x2), headrests (x2), inflation hose, floating chlorine dispenser
- The Intex PureSpa Plus inflatable has an insulated ground cloth cover that maintains the warmth in the hot tub. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KIMBERLY SOUZA
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / KIMBERLY SOUZA
Best with Smart Settings
Jacuzzi Large Comfort Open Seating Hot Tub
JACUZZI
- This highly advanced hot tub has a plethora of features and can be operated remotely via your smartphone.
This highly advanced hot tub has a plethora of features and can be operated remotely via your smartphone.
- Prices may vary based on your location.
Prices may vary based on your location.
The beautiful and highly advanced Jacuzzi Large Comfort Open Seating Hot Tub offers the same hydrotherapy benefits as its predecessors, with even more extra perks.
The Jacuzzi J-365 is one of the tubs in the brand’s SmartTub line which can be operated and monitored from an app on your phone or tablet. The app also allows you to adjust the temperature, lighting, jets, and filtration remotely, making it perfect for vacation rentals.
This model sports 44 powerful massage jets, comfortable open seating for up to seven people, a Clearray water management system, and a waterfall feature.
It has two massage selectors, no-splash jetted massage pillows, interior and exterior lights, and an advanced filtration system that you can upgrade. You can even opt to add a spa stereo system. Customize your hot tub from a selection of five funky shell colors and three exterior shades, including modern hardwood and brushed gray, to elevate your outdoor space.
Product Details: Dimensions: 91 x 84 x 38 inches | Water Capacity: 395 gallons | Occupancy: Seven people | Included Accessories/Features: SmartTub System compatible
Best Saltwater
CalderaSpas Martinique 5-Person Hot Tub
CALDERASPAS
- The hot tub comes saltwater-ready to turn your backyard into an island oasis.
The hot tub comes saltwater-ready to turn your backyard into an island oasis.
- The total cost may be as high as $19,000 depending on extras added, warranty, ongoing service, and customer location.
The total cost may be as high as $19,000 depending on extras added, warranty, ongoing service, and customer location.
Not all hot tubs are saltwater ready, and it can be quite the task to find one, but we’ve done the hard work for you. Enter the CalderaSpas Martinique Hot Tub. It’s a fully customizable model that allows you to choose the size, design, material, and performance ability of your hot tub.
This spacious hot tub holds up to five people and has a beautiful high-end design, plenty of jets, and a cover with an important added safety feature: a child lock.
It has a FreshWater Salt System that keeps the water fresh and clean for up to a year without you having to lift a finger, and there’s an intuitive control display that gives you all the necessary details, including helpful instructions.
The foot ridge system provides superior foot and calf massage, and there’s loads of room to stretch your legs, too. There are plenty of add-ons you can opt for to further enhance the experience; they’ll cost you extra, but you’ll have the best hot tub on the block.
Product Details: Dimensions: 89 x 76 x 34 inches | Water Capacity: 285 gallons | Occupancy: Five people | Included Accessories/Features: Variety of massage zones Hard locking cover, LED color lighting system, 13 jets, including 2 Vortex jets, full foam insulation, built-in cup holder, and digital command center
Easiest Maintenance
Lifesmart Spas Oval Plug And Play Hot Tub
WAYFAIR
- Setup4.5/5
- Design4/5
- Maintenance5/5
- Features4.5/5
- Value4/5
- It offers easy installation, easy maintenance with minimal chlorine treatment, and has a quick draining/filling capability.
It offers easy installation, easy maintenance with minimal chlorine treatment, and has a quick draining/filling capability.
- The basic model has no adjustable jets or headrests, and the side panel access for the pump and drain requires removing multiple screws.
The basic model has no adjustable jets or headrests, and the side panel access for the pump and drain requires removing multiple screws.
The Lifesmart Spas 4-Person 13-Jet Oval Plug And Play Hot Tub is a great option if you’re looking for an option with little maintenance. During testing, we found that it was durable, stain- resistant, and easy to clean.
We were impressed with how easy it was to set up this model. All you have to do is plug it in and fill the tub. With a standard garden hose, it took us around two hours before it was ready for use. Although it's advertised for four people, we thought it was better suited for two for a more comfortable experience.
The hot tub is offered in two colors and comes with the filter, as well as a cover that we thought felt high-quality. Plus, it was also very easy to take on and off.
Plus, it features built-in LED lighting with multiple color options, three cup holders, and a wine bucket that is built into the molded plastic on one end of the tub. The wine bucket can be filled with ice and it has a drain plug in the bottom that can be removed to drain any water or melted ice.
The control panel is basic and easy to operate. There is an on/off button that turns the pump and jets on, an on/off light switch, and two buttons to adjust the water temperature up and down. There are no adjustable jets but you can change their speed. However, we thought that the difference between the low and high settings was hardly noticeable.
Maintenance was not very time consuming as only weekly chlorine treatments and draining were needed. Accessing the side panel for pump maintenance was a little challenging, however, due to the need to remove multiple screws.
The hot tub doesn’t feature headrests or steps, which we would have preferred. However, you can purchase the Deluxe Storage Steps separately.
How It Performed After Three Months
Overall, the quality of the tub remained consistent throughout testing and the cover was in good shape. The hot tub was easy to maintain and only required a quick rinse and light brushing to keep it clean. We also thought it was comfortable to sit in and liked that it could maintain high temperatures even in cold weather.
The only issue we ran into was with the LCD screen, which showed the temperature of the tub. After a few months, the numbers gradually stopped displaying, which made using the hot tub difficult. We weren't sure what caused the issue and will check back in once we've contacted customer service.
Product Details: Dimensions: 77 x 66 x 29 inches | Water Capacity: 220 gallons | Occupancy: Four people | Included Accessories/Features: Hard locking cover, LED color lighting system, 13 jets, full foam insulation, built-in cup holder, and digital command center
- While it was fairly easy to assemble the Lifesmart Spas hot tub, you need a Philips head screwdriver to mount the cover attachments and open the access door on the side of the hot tub. BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HILDARA ARAYA-GONZALEZ
BETTER HOMES and GARDENS / HILDARA ARAYA-GONZALEZ