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Relax and unwind in the comfort of your own home with these top hot tubs.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Some hot tubs have lots of jets and bubbles and offer a ‘sit down’ experience.
Do you want powerful jets or massage jets?
Would you like them at the center of your back or more towards the lower or upper sections?
The Aquarest Spas hot tub has jets that can be turned up and down, although they cannot be adjusted to hit an exact spot.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Jodi Espinosa
To find the best hot tubs, we tested several models at home.
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.
The Aquarest Spas hot tub has jets that can be turned up and down, although they cannot be adjusted to hit an exact spot.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Jodi Espinosa
It took about 24 hours for the hot tub to reach 104F.
It comes with basic seating and we didnt feel like we were slipping around in the tub.
The water goes up to the perfect heightjust above the shoulders when seated.
We also appreciated that it can simply be plugged in without needing professional hard-wiring is another great perk.
Theres even a timer that can control the hot tubs temperature up to 40 days in advance.
It took about 12 hours to reach 100F.
It was, however, still comfortable to sit in.
They cant be adjusted, which we would have preferred.
Theres a one-year warranty on the pump and a 90-day warranty on the liner.
It continued to work efficiently though we still didnt love the placement of the jets as time went on.
However, we liked the cover that comes with the hot tub.
Since it inflates, it stays above the water and does a great job at insulation.
It doesnt include foot jets or footrests.
Our favorite hot tub for two people was theAquarest Spas Pumps Plug and Play Hot Tub.
It took us one hour to plant 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.
It also has a patented water filtration system that helps cut down on maintenance time.
Credit: Amazon
We thought the LED backlit waterfall was a great addition to the tub as it provided additional calming sounds.
Plus, you’re able to turn on one of many colors depending on your preferences.
However, we thought it could be resolved by cleaning it with bleach.
The Bestway SaluSpa inflatable hot tub took about 12 hours to reach 100°F after we filled it up.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Andrea Tenborg
That being said, we didn’t notice any issues in terms of performance.
We also liked that the small footprint of the tub made it easy to maintain.
Theres also an insulated ground cloth to maintain the warmth in the hot tub.
The set-up was straightforward during testing, although the instructions werent 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.
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.
Otherwise, according to retailers, your order could be canceled.
During testing, this hot tub became one of our favorite ways to unwind in the evenings.
Other than that, there are no visible signs of wear and tear aside from one scuff mark.
It did requirea decent amount of planning for setup, but it was nothing we couldnt figure out.
Credit: Wayfair
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.
The Aquarest Pumps Plug and Play hot tub took about an hour to install, and we found it an easy process during testing.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Michael Weisbaum
With a standard garden hose, it took us around two hours before it was ready for use.
Plus, it was also very easy to take on and off.
The control panel is basic and easy to operate.
There are no adjustable jets but you’ve got the option to change their speed.
However, we thought that the difference between the low and high prefs was hardly noticeable.
Maintenance was not very time consuming as only weekly chlorine treatments and draining were needed.
The hot tub doesnt feature headrests or steps, which we would have preferred.
However, you might purchase theDeluxe Storage Stepsseparately.
Overall, the quality of the tub remained consistent throughout testing and the cover was in good shape.
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.
We needed an extra step to get out of the hot tub.
Whether you have a large family or entertain guests often, we recommendthis hot tub from Lifesmart.
During testing, we used this hot tub with three people at most.
The hot tub arrived wrapped up in a pallet with the cover in a box.
We appreciated that no assembly was required, especially since the unit weighs over 400 pounds without water.
We also hired an electrician to help wire the hot tub to a dedicated breaker.
Credit: Amazon
During testing, we thought the seats were comfortable and there were enough jets to go around.
Overall, we found this hot tub easy to maintain.
If we could change one thing about this hot tub it would be the interior material.
The Intex PureSpa Plus inflatable has an insulated ground cloth cover that maintains the warmth in the hot tub.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Kimberly Souza
Overall, we think this hot tub is a good value.
Everything still works as expected and the unit still holds the set temperature regardless of the outside temperature.
We continued to use the hot tub weekly and checked the chemical levels about once a week as well.
Overall, we would highly recommend this hot tub as we think its high-quality and works well.
We paid attention to everything from delivery and assembly to usage and maintenance.
Most hot tubs are typically around 28 to 40 inches in height.
An average hot tub can hold anywhere from 150 to 450 gallons of water, depending on size.
Occupancy
The larger the hot tub, the more people it can fit.
For the best hot tub experience, its best to stick to specific tubs the stated occupancy.
Popular hot tubaccessories include cup holders, lighting,pool thermometers, and side tables.
You could add rails in and out of the tub if the people using it may need mobility assistance.
Lighting is another huge factor, especially since you will use the tub quite often at nighttime.
If you prefer an option with additional bells and whistles, we highly recommend theLifesmart Spas 4-Person Hot Tub.
We set the desired temperature to 104F but it took overnight heating to get that warm.
Your Questions, Answered
How much should I spend on a hot tub?
If youre looking for a less expensive option, considerinflatable hot tubs, like theIntex 28431E PureSpa.
What is the best time of year to buy a hot tub?
Whats the difference between a plunge pool and a hot tub?
Credit: Wayfair
Aplunge pool is smallerthana regular pool, but larger than a hot tub.
Because of their larger size, plunge poolsrequire a larger footprintand are more costly than hot tubs.
Plunge pools can provide a two-in-one pool/hot tub experience with hydromassage properties when they include added jets.
You need a Philips screwdriver to mount the attachments and open the panel on the side of the tub.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
Kat is also an editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing.
She has updated this article twice with additional testing insights.
What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: The Home Depot
The Lifesmart Standard Spa features a massage chair that we found relaxing.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Abigail Wetzler
When the hot tub required assembly we put it together, filled it up with water, noted how long it took to reach optimal temperature, how well the jets worked, and more.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
The size is key when buying a hot tub, and it’s best to only have the stated occupancy so they can safely and comfortably sit.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Other hot tubs were tested that didn’t make our list due to tricky assembly, confusing instructions, and little accessories.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
