28 July 2021
A hot tub can be a great addition to any home. They’re perfect for relaxing after a long week, spending quality time with family, and hosting parties with your friends. But if you’ve never owned one before, getting to grips with everything can leave you a tad confused. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate hot tub buying guide.
We’ll go through all the ins and outs here, so you can concentrate on finding the perfect hot tub for you. Here are the key points and questions we’ll go over:
- What are the Different Types of Hot Tub
- Capacity
- Location
- Features
- Maintenance
- Popular hot tubs
- The little things to keep in mind
- How Much Does it Cost to Run a Hot Tub
- Finance
For answers regarding all of the above and more, have a look at the ultimate hot tub buying guide from Hot Tubs Direct.
Research is Key
One of the most important things when is to do your research prior. You don’t want to be spending thousands of pounds on a hot tub that ultimately doesn’t suit your needs. Taking the time to investigate the different types of tub available will allow you to select the best option for you.
We highly recommend that when you begin the process of looking for a hot tub, you should prioritise dealing with reputable retailers rather than risky auction sites or websites.
Choosing the Right Hot Tub
When considering purchasing a hot tub, there are a number of factors you should take into account, this includes:
- The size of the hot tub.
- The number of seats.
- The depth of water.
- The filtration system.
- Any add-ons such as lighting or audio systems.
There are many different types of hot tubs on the market, a lot of these will come with a variety of different features and designs, to suit a wide range of bespoke requirements.
What are the Different Types of Hot Tubs?
For those not in the know, understanding what are the different types of hot tubs can be complicated. From hardshell and inflatable, to wood-fired and in-ground; brands such as , , and , as well as a variety of differentiating features including massage jets, LED lights, and in-built speakers.
Ultimately, in much the same way that you can have all sorts of variety in swimming pools, from built-in pools, paddling pools, and even a swimming pool fashioned from a shipping container, there are a variety of different hot tubs to choose from as well. The most popular types are:
Hardshell Hot Tubs
A hardshell is the most traditional hot tub — and the type we specialise in. They’re often preferred by the public due to their fancy designs, innovative features, durability, and spaciousness.
Hardshell hot tubs are designed with a hard base, internal heating system and an abundance of jets. When compared to the other different types of hot tub, you’ll find that there’s much greater variety when it comes to hardshell hot tubs that you can choose from.
This is primarily down to the much larger amount of features available with this type of tub, including greater variation of seating, with up to , Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth connectivity, and plenty of massage jets.
The typical price range you can expect when looking at a hardshell hot tub is between £3,000-£15,000. These tubs generally will seat between 2-8 people, but this number can vary.
- Greater Comfort: Moulded seats in hard-shell tubs allow for greater comfort
- Increased Insulation: Hard shell tubs have excellent insulation due to being made from thicker material
- Durable and Long-Lasting: Hard shell hot tubs are durable and lost-lasting
- Great Features: Due to their technologically advanced design, they are able to be customised with far more impressive features than most hot tubs
Expensive: Hard shell hot tubs are more expensive to purchase but can be more cost-effective for long-term use
Portable: Hard shell hot tubs are not portable. Any transportation will require some foresight
High Maintenance: Hard shell hot tubs require a lot of maintenance
While hardshell hot tubs can be more expensive than some other alternatives, when it comes to quality and sturdiness, hardshells are simply superior.
Wood-Fired Hot Tubs
A wood-fired hot tub is exactly what it sounds like; a hot tub that you heat up by burning wood. The benefits of this hot tub type is that they’re likely the most energy efficient, release less emissions, and the sound of crackling wood can really add to the ambience.
However, they require a lot of effort as you have to keep the fire maintained if you want to continue to enjoy the warmth and relaxation of your tub, meaning that the water temperature is much more likely to fluctuate. They also lack many of the key features you’d expect from a modern hot tub.
These tubs have an earthy aesthetic that works particularly well in gardens, making them a popular choice for those looking for some aromatherapy in natural surroundings. If you’re in the market for a wood-fired hot tub, you can likely expect to be looking at prices ranging from £1,500-£8,000 for seating between 2-8 people
- Energy Saving: The only resource needed to heat up the water is wood
- Chemical Free: No chemicals necessary
- Low Maintenance: Wood-fired hot tub maintenance is simple and easy
- Speedy Heating: Wood-fired hot tubs will often heat water up faster than alternative types of hot tub.
More effort: A wood-fired hot tub requires significantly more effort to heat up a hot tub than an electric heater.
Unstable temperature: As heating the water relies on wood burning, this can mean the temperature might fluctuate unlike an electric hot tub.
Less comfortable: Many wooden based hot tubs come fitted with a hard bench and walls which means that it’s not as comfortable as a traditional padded hot tub.
Wood-fired tubs require nothing other than burning wood to provide heat to the tub. For some people, the sound and smell of the wood burning and crackling whilst enjoying a warm soak couldn’t be any more relaxing outdoors.
Inflatable Hot Tubs
Chances are, you will probably have seen an inflatable hot tub for a great deal in the middle aisle of your local supermarket and been tempted. We can’t deny the appeal; it’s a hot tub that costs hundreds instead of thousands that you can store away when you’re not using it after all.
Due to their lower price tag and portability, inflatable hot tubs are becoming increasingly popular. Unlike a traditional hot tub which is fixed in one spot all year round, inflatable hot tubs can be blown up and used in different locations at times that suit you.
However, inflatable hot tubs are not built strictly with the experience in mind. It will likely lack proper seats, so you’ll more or less be sitting in a hot paddling pool. Inflatable hot tubs also have poor insulation and higher running costs, meaning the original price appeal will likely quickly become a distant memory.
Cost-Effective: An inflatable hot tub gives you the benefits of a hot tub at a fraction of the price (typically between £500-£4000)
Space Saving: Due to them being less bulky and more space-effective than traditional hot tubs, inflatable hot tubs are ideal for smaller gardens.
Convenient: Inflatable tubs can be inflated, deflated, and stored away at will; making them a highly convenient option.
Easy to Set up: With no extra parts to purchase, installation will likely only take up to ten minutes.
Less comfort: Your inflatable hot tub is unlikely to come with seats, making it more of a paddling pool than anything.
Higher Running Costs: Due to the time it takes to heat your tub up, inflatable hot tub running costs are generally higher.
Poor Insulation: Inflatable hot tubs do not maintain heat as well as traditional hot tubs.
Lower Capacity: The typical seating capacity for an inflatable hot tub is only around 2-4 — making it ineffective for larger groups and parties.
In-Ground Hot Tubs
An in-ground hot tub is more likely to be a custom-build made to your exact design and size requirements. That said, it will often cost more to install as the ground will need to be dug up to fit it in. You’ll also find in-ground hot tubs have less massage jets — usually around 10.
Due to the custom and often complex nature of an in-ground hot tub, you can likely expect to pay upwards of £6,000 for a high-quality one.
Custom design: With a customised hot tub, you can decide what features you want to have, as well as the colours and overall design. In-ground hot tubs can be tailored to the exact aesthetic you wish.
Save on Installation Costs: If paired with an in-ground pool, custom hot tubs can save on both labour and installation costs.
Low-profile: A custom in-ground hot tub has a relatively low profile in comparison to traditional hot tubs — these tubs can blend into the property surroundings.
Expensive: Although it can be cost-effective to install an in-ground hot tub in addition to a pool, it is still more expensive than purchasing a traditional hot tub.
Higher running costs: An in-ground hot tub will generally use more energy to function, thus increasing the overall running costs.
Fewer jets: In-ground hot tubs do not typically have as many jets installed as above-ground spas; with many featuring less than ten jets.
How Many People Can Fit in a Hot Tub?
The most common large sized hot tub is for up to eight people. However, if you’re worried about how many people can fit in a hot tub, you shouldn’t. It is instead more prudent to consider how many are likely to use your hot tub regularly, as finding the ideal hot tub is often tied to the required seating capacity.
For example, if you have a family and want to use your hot tub on the weekends with your nearest and dearest, there are and available that can provide you all with plenty of space.
On the other hand, an eight or might be a better fit for your lifestyle if you plan to host regular parties, or you have a large group of friends you see regularly.
All hot tubs are ‘X’ person-sized hot tubs based on their built-in seating capacity. Naturally, some hot tubs have bigger dimensions than others, even if they do have the same amount of seats available. However, that’s simply down to the model or manufacturer — it doesn’t necessarily mean you lose leg room if you go for the one that’s technically smaller.
In fact, smaller dimensions could even work in your favour.
Where is the Best Place to Put a Hot Tub?
When working out the best place to put a hot tub, there are a variety of important questions to consider, including:
- Do you have a readily available flat and level surface?
- Is your preferred area close to a water and electricity supply?
- How close are you to neighbours?
- Is there space to remove or secure a hot tub lift cover?
Deciding where is the best place to put a hot tub can be a tough decision. This is why the very first thing we tell people is to always check the dimensions. The first step to enjoying your dream hot tub is to make sure that it actually fits on your property.
Remember, if you’re ever unsure, you can always contact an expert for help and guidance.
It’s all well and good to say you want a hot tub installed in a certain spot, but the logistics usually have the final say. However, as long as your tub can fit in the allotted space, and you’re confident that the points listed above won’t be a problem, you can technically .
Must Have Hot Tub Features
As this is the ultimate hot tub buying guide, it’d be remiss of us not to mention all the must have hot tub features you could be benefiting from.
From massage jets, bluetooth connectivity, LED lighting, and hygiene and cleaning systems, there are all sorts of excellent features to keep an eye out for.
Ultimately, each make and model will be designed to cater to different needs. This means that you’ll often find that some tubs will have certain features that others may not. The key is to find a model that has the elements you actually want.
The most common and popular must have hot tub features are:
Massage Jets
Jets are basically a given when it comes to hot tubs. What can change, however, is the amount of massage jets that different models have.
As a general rule, bigger tubs will have more jets to accommodate for the amount of people in the tub. It’s not a steadfast rule though, as a 5-seater comes with a staggering 86 jets — perfect for targeting every muscle and joint.
But keep in mind, more jets does not necessarily mean a better hot tub. But having a good number of jets can certainly enhance the massage factor. Consider the number and power of pumps your tub will have, the hot tub’s size and placement of the jets; they are all important to a good hot tub experience.
We recommend a hot tub with a ratio of approximately 25-30 jets per pump. The more jets you have, the more pumps you will need to generate the right amount of water pressure.
A good hot tub design is indicated by jet placement. Having a good placement of jets will target common pressure points in order to enhance relaxation and reduce muscle tension, no matter how many people are using your tub.
Bluetooth Connectivity
The last thing you want when relaxing with friends is for your speaker to get covered in water and ruin the atmosphere. Bluetooth connectivity in your tub will allow you to sync your phone directly to in-built speakers within the hot tub itself.
This is particularly useful if you’re planning on hosting garden parties and get-togethers, as it means that everybody can enjoy their rest and relaxation time without fear of ruining the party and bringing the playlist to a premature end every time they get out of the tub. Some of our most popular models, including the come with bluetooth connectivity as standard, meaning you can enjoy your favourite songs while you lie back.
LED Lighting
LED lighting is a stand-out feature across almost every hot tub. There is a psychological effect that can come with certain colours. For example, it is believed that if you want to relax you should consider surrounding yourself with greens, blues, and purples; whereas red and orange are representative of warmth.
Or imagine a romantic evening with your partner and having the capability to change the lights to a warm and passionate red. With LED lighting, you’ll always be able to set the right ambience. Models such as the , , and hot tubs are designed with a variety of LED lighting options.
Hygiene & Cleaning Systems
It’s no secret that yes, hot tubs do require some maintenance from time to time. However, these days there are plenty of tubs with built-in features designed to make your life much easier.
For example, an ozone disinfection system keeps your water free from contaminants such as bacteria and viruses. Having one installed means you don’t have to change the water as often.
There’s also the double filtration system to look into. Filters prolong the life of your hot tub by removing elements such as hair, grease, and dirt.
Do Hot Tubs Require a Lot of Maintenance?
One of the most common questions owners will get from people is ‘do hot tubs require a lot of maintenance?’. And the answer is that yes, while you will need to maintain your hot tub, it’s not as often as many think. After all, the point of a hot tub is to provide rest and relaxation, not work and effort.
Here’s a breakdown of how long maintenance usually takes:
- Water treatment: Around five minutes
- Filter cleaning: 15 minutes
- Draining, cleaning and refilling: four to five hours (Only required three to four times per year)
While you only need to get your hot tub serviced, we recommend considering getting it more regularly serviced. We have two comprehensive and affordable maintenance packages available, where one of our representatives will service your hot tub jets, pipework, and pump heaters, while also emptying, cleaning, and refilling your tub.
You can even get a discount of up to 35% across our chemical and filter range when you sign up for the Platinum Package. Make sure to take a look, and see which Hot Tubs Direct Maintenance Package is right for you.
Can You Finance a Hot Tub
If you want to finance a hot tub, you have to meet a series of criteria in order to qualify. This includes:
- Being over the age of 18
- Be in paid/regular employment
- Permanent UK resident
- Have a good credit history.
At Hot Tubs Direct, we’re pretty flexible with our as we want to make our catalogue available to as many people as possible, to make the luxury and relaxation of our hot tubs as accessible as we can. We make it possible to spread the cost over 6–48 months, with a deposit of up to 50%.
Popular Hot Tub Models
What’s the ultimate hot tub buying guide without a few suggestions? We’ve listed a small sample of our most popular models below so you can find out more and perhaps fall in love with the hot tub of your dreams.
Trident Hot Tub
You won’t be short on features either. This model comes with 40 massage jets — including soothing neck massage jets — a soothing waterfall, LED lights, and a simple-to-use control system.
Palma Hot Tub
Palma is a beautiful and calming holiday destination. The Palma hot tub model aims to bring the relaxation and luxury of this Spanish resort city to your garden. The is available for £5,999 (£108.87 p/m), but that price comes with several advanced features.
A six-seater hot tub, the Palma hot tub is designed to work wonders on the aches and pains of anybody relaxing in the vicinity of any of its staggering 87 jets.
Maximus Hot Tub
Coming in at £9,499 — or £172. 39 per month on finance — the is a luxurious top of the range hot tub for a top of the range budget.
With room for eight people, the Maximus is ideal for large gatherings. And its 84 incredibly powerful massage jets mean that everyone is able to experience bliss on a whole new level. Coupled with LED lights and bluetooth connectivity, this model is the ultimate party piece.
We have a whole host of different tubs to choose from. Take a look at our entire hot tub range, and see which one is right for you.
How Much Does it Cost to Run a Hot Tub?
We understand that the price, paired with how much it costs to run a hot tub can be a concern. However, something not a lot of people realise is how surprisingly energy efficient they can be. Most instruction manuals cover how to keep your tub running as efficiently as possible. Additionally, regular maintenance can help you spot any potential issues.
You’ll find the answers to the most commonly asked questions we receive on hot tub running costs below:
How Much Energy Do Hot Tubs Use?
The overall hot tub energy costs of your hot tub will likely depend on a variety of factors, including the make and model of your hot tub (more pumps and jets mean more energy usage), how frequently is it used, the cost of energy in your area, the quality of your hot tubs insulation.
Does Turning Off My Hot Tub Between Uses Save Money?
This might be a surprise, but the actual answer is no. It is in fact more energy efficient to keep your hot tub at a constant temperature, rather than turning it off and on with every use.
For more information on hot tub running costs, make sure to check out our blog on the subject.
Extra Points to Consider
Choosing your hot tub is obviously the biggest and most important part of the journey, but before making a purchase, it’s important to also consider the next steps.
Free Hot Tub Delivery
Hot tubs aren’t known for being diminutive, light, or easy to manoeuvre.
You don’t really want to handle your own shipping or fork out extra cash so someone can do it for you. This is why every Hot Tubs Direct hot tub comes with — no matter where in the UK you’re based.
However, we do have a couple of requests to ensure a smooth, stress-free delivery:
- Keep the access area as clear as possible
- Have someone at home to accept the delivery
- Let us know if the delivery date or time needs to be arranged
Hot Tub Installation
Installing a hot tub may incur extra costs. Depending on your property, you may even have to hire a crane or a lift to get your hot tub over a wall, fence, or even the roof of your home.
It’s also worth remembering that a qualified electrician is needed by law to connect a hot tub to an electricity supply. Pinning down an exact cost is difficult without knowing the specs, but this is how costs are usually broken down:
- Delivery: Free
- Hi-Ab lift hire: £150-£300
- Crane hire: £400-£700
- 13 AMP Installation: £75
- 32 AMP Installation: £300-£350
Hot Tub Accessories
The fun stuff is designed to enhance and lighten up the party atmosphere in your hot tub. Some of our top picks include:
- An inflatable bar
- Toys
- Crystals and fragrances
Other accessories have more to do with maintenance. These include:
- Hot tub covers (to retain heat and keep debris out)
- Filters to keep your water clear (we recommend replacing every year or two depending on use)
- Cleaning chemicals
- Spare parts
Ready to Take the Plunge?
If you’ve read our ultimate hot tub buying guide and are considering making the big commitment to being able to enjoy the height of luxury every single day, we have a great selection of hot tubs available for you to browse. Whether you’re searching for the ultimate party piece or that little slice of Heaven to lie back and relax in.
Additionally, if you are looking at ways to minimise the costs of your dream luxury hot tub, at Hot Tubs Direct we offer 0% financing options, allowing you to spread the costs for up to four years.
