There are many reasons why a person would enjoy having a hot tub available for use at home. The convenience of such a product can work for both physical therapy, relaxation, and social purposes, and often fits well into predetermined spaces with very little prep or effort.

If you have considered installing a hot tub of any kind, then you know that there are many different options from which you can choose from to fit just about any size space. Don’t waste time perusing hundreds of outdoor spas and hot tub reviews, instead take a look at the top rated hot tubs we’ve highlighted below. They encompass many types of options and take into account size, budget, and material use so you can find exactly what you want from some of the best hot tub brands available.

Best Hot Tubs Comparison

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Aquarest 6-Person Spa

  • Material: Unicast
  • Size: 6-Person
  • Filtration: Ozone
  • Features: Lighting, waterfall, 19 self-controlled jets

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Aqua Rock Monterra Portable Spa

  • Material: Unicast
  • Size: 2-3 people
  • Filtration: Ozone (not included)
  • Features: Lounge seating, 14 jets, lighting, waterfall with lighting

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Essential Hot Tubs 50 Jets Polara

  • Material: Acrylic
  • Size: 5-6 people
  • Filtration: Ozone
  • Features: Lounging seat, lighting

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Intex Pure Spa 6-Person Inflatable Portable Hot Tub

  • Material: Vinyl
  • Size: 6 person
  • Filtration: Ozone
  • Features: Headrests, lighting, self-inflation

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Lifesmart Rock Solid Simplicity Plug and Play 4 Person Hot Tub

  • Material: unicast
  • Size: 4 person
  • Filtration: Ozone
  • Features: Waterfall, lighting, jet pressure control

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Hot Tub Uses

Consumers buy hot tubs for all sorts of reasons. Your specific wants and needs will help determine many of the details you are looking for to narrow down your choices. Take into account whether recreation, fitness, mental therapy, or medical purposes are driving your purchase of such a product. Many people also realize the benefits of using a hot tub after a workout for health and muscle stimulation.

Hot tubs can include all sorts of features, such as exercise equipment, therapeutic jets, advanced temperature controls, lounging areas, etc… all which will influence your decisions. If you want a tub for more than one use, then you also need to avoid features that may inhibit certain uses.

Hot Tub Materials

Essential Hot Tubs 50 Jets Polara materials

Quality hot tubs come in all sorts of materials, making it easy to create a DIY hot tub design that is perfect for your needs. You can also have them built into the ground as an extension of a pool area- and have it sealed and tiled, but most home spas are above ground. These choices are quite varied and are more specific to your use of the tub as well as how much money you want to spend on such a purchase. These also can be placed inground, but also are wonderful for in home, patio, deck, and stand alone installation. These materials include:

Unicast or Roto-Molded

This is a durable, strong material that is molded into custom seating and lighting as one single hot tub piece. Popular due to how attractive it is and the wide variety of colors it comes in, it also usually does not have as many high end jets as other types of choices.

Acrylic

By far the most popular, acrylic is another material that is often molded into custom seating and is highly durable for outdoor use. However, it usually needs an electrician for installation, and if you move and want to take it with you will require professional moving.

Vinyl

These portable, soft tubs come in a variety of sizes and are incredibly easy to move. Surprisingly durable, they are great choices for patios, sunrooms, garages, and other areas that are highly accessible. They may not offer many features, such as varied seating or lighting, but they are a great budget option as an inflatable hot tub.

Hot Tub Features to Consider

What makes hot tubs so pricey in some venues is the amount of features many offer. You most definitely can choose from luxury products from high end companies that will ensure your experience is a good one and include everything you want and needs in your spa. Even if you are on a tight budget, you can still find many features available to you, and it is worth looking over your options so you can become familiar with terminology and details when shopping. The following explains some things to consider before making a final decision.

Seating

Therapeutic seating with massage points, cool down seats, and lounging seats are all readily available in a hot tub. Some even have controls to serve more than one function and are at various levels to allow you deep soaking areas, as well as leg only submersion areas.

Filtration System

The type of filtration system you decide upon can be very influential on the cost of the tub, especially when you add in maintenance cost and hot tub chemicals. They are necessary in all types to help remove any debris and help filter the water you have been sitting in back into the tub. Salt systems do not require any additional chlorine or bromine addition to the water, and creates a soft water feel.

Ozone systems use chlorine, bromine, or a combination of both to kill bacteria and germs. It also helps break down any product residue that you may bring into the pool with you, such as shampoos or lotions.

A UV-C system uses ultraviolet light. On a small scale studies show this to be very effective, but it may not completely wipe out all bacteria on the first filter. These are new to the market but have great potential.

Jet Style

Essential Hot Tubs 50 Jets Polara Sterling Silver

Whereas some companies will customize your jet experience for individual needs, almost all tubs allow a combination of jets types that you can rotate for your needs. The types of jets most common include highly versatile rotary jets that provide a massage effect, relaxation jets for soft flow and bubbles, and pressure points jets for direct water flow that is intense for pressure point relief.

Lighting

Lighting options can range from soft and relaxing to bright and colorful. You also will most likely have choices for lighting both in and out of the tub. Some can even be programmed to strobe to music.

Sound

Speakers can be placed in the lip of the tub to provide a surround-sound experience that is connected through bluetooth to your favorite music stations or even television channels.

Remote Monitoring

Some spas can even be connected to a home monitoring system so you can control it remotely to warm up when you need it- such as one your way home from a long day at work.

What to Take into Account

Be sure to take into account the following list of details before committing to a final purchase. Hot tubs are large and not easy to return. You don’t want to end up with the wrong model simply due to poor planning. Also check for what is included with your tub purchase, such as if it comes with a cover, or if you need to search for the best hot tub cover for your particular model.

Hot Tub Placement and Size

Where is your tub going? Is it going outdoors where it will be exposed to the elements, or indoors in a more protected place? What about the space you have available? Will it fit and still give you room for regular maintenance? Consider all this and take measurements before finalizing a sale.

Hot Tub Budget

Do you really, really want a tub, or need one for therapy reasons? If you are on a budget you can easily find something that will work for your needs, especially if you do not mind a soft tub. These are easy to care for and are of a surprisingly high quality design. Plus, you can put them just about anywhere.

Hot Tub Features

A woman seating and enjoying the Essential Hot Tubs 50 Jets Polara seating

Features come with a cost, and you may want to consider exactly what is needed versus what is wanted. If you truly love a feature that is out of your price range, ask to see last year’s models, or discounted tubs that may have some cosmetic flaws that requires it to be sold below retail.

Hot Tub Capacity

How many people will be regularly using the tub? If it is going to be placed for entertainment and social gatherings, you may want to invest in a choice that can fit a larger amount of people.

Warranty

Always check the warranties of the tub mould, pump, and filters as they will often carry various support for parts and workmanship.

Top 5 Hot Tubs to Consider

If you have been wondering what the best hot tub for you is, look no further. The following hot tub reviews below showcase what kinds of choices are available to you, and can steer you in the direction you want to help you narrow down your options.

Aquarest 6-Person Spa

Aquarest 6-Person Spa
  • Material: Unicast
  • Size: 6-Person
  • Filtration: Ozone
  • Features: Lighting, waterfall, 19 self-controlled jets

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The Aquarest spa is a unicast design made to hold up to 6 people at a time. With 19 self-controlled jets, you can direct your flow and flow strength to where it is needed. The tub comes in various colors to fit your decor, and also is available with storage conveniently located in the steps provided as an add on for easy in and out.

It also comes with a safety lock cover to ensure it keeps out both animals and children alike when you aren’t around. Plus you have total control over the heat, lighting function, and waterfall to provide therapeutic ambiance as your body relaxes.

Pros

  • Functional and durable for outdoor use
  • Massaging jets are adjustable
  • Lighting has 9 functions

Cons

  • Steps are additional
  • Seating for 4, but can hold 6

Pro Tip

When you want to both relax and entertain, this is an awesome choice. With the ability to hold up to 6 people and with 19 jets it has something for everyone.


Aqua Rock Monterra Portable Spa

Aqua Rock Monterra Portable Spa
  • Material: Unicast
  • Size: 2-3 people
  • Filtration: Ozone (not included)
  • Features: Lounge seating, 14 jets, lighting, waterfall with lighting

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Aqua Rock is a popular brand name offers a wide variety of features and spa sizes. The Monterra Portable spa is a unicast design made for 2 to 3 people and includes both upright and lounge seating. Easy to maintain, this is a portable model that simple plugs into any standard home outlet.

Complete with 14 hydrotherapy jets, it also boasts underwater LED lighting as well as a waterfall, complete with additional lighting features. Although the filtration system is sold separately, it does come ready to work with an ozone system of your choice.

Pros

  • Easy to use in any location
  • Comfortable seating
  • Lighting is a nice touch

Cons

  • Filtration system not included

Pro Tip

Perfect for singles or couples, this portable tub is excellent for hydrotherapy purposes and long relaxing soaks.


Essential Hot Tubs 50 Jets Polara

Essential Hot Tubs 50 Jets Polara
  • Material: Acrylic
  • Size: 5-6 people
  • Filtration: Ozone
  • Features: Lounging seat, lighting

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Designed for 5 to 6 people, the Essential Hot Tub Polera model includes both upright seating and a lounger for full body immersion. 50 stainless steel jets provide massaging streams of water for all you needs. It also is completely controllable for both soft and more intense water pressure.

It comes with in-water LED lighting options, as well as a locking cover for protective and safety purposes.  It also comes with pillow cushions for an even more customizable, comforting experience. The size does require an electrician to set it up in order to run properly.

Pro

  • Runs great with wonderful heating controls
  • Very comfortable
  • Amazing jet placement and control

Cons

  • Cushions may not last
  • Customer service not very helpful

Pro Tip

When you want to entertain and have a high end luxury tub for therapy and soaking this is it. The 50 jets provide total relaxation and immersion.


Intex Pure Spa 6-Person Inflatable Portable Hot Tub

Intex Pure Spa 6-Person Inflatable Portable Hot Tub
  • Material: Vinyl
  • Size: 6 person
  • Filtration: Ozone
  • Features: Headrests, lighting, self-inflation

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The Intex Pure Spa is an self-inflatable model popular for both indoor and outdoor use. Easy to use and place, this choice fits up to 6 people and includes many features for an enjoyable experience. A hard water treatment system makes the water silky smooth on your skin, especially when agitated by the 170 small bubble jets that provide soothing pressure relief.

Headrests provide a lounging experience, and you can control the LED underwater lighting with simple controls. Although it should not be left out in freezing weather, and only be used in temperatures above 39 degrees so as not to tax the heater. It does come with a cover as well to help hold heat, and you can order seats and drink holders separately.

Pros

  • Super fast set up with self- inflation
  • Surprisingly roomy
  • Very comfortable

Cons

  • Cannot be used in very cold weather
  • Must change filters regularly

Pro Tip

When you want a temporary option and have a protected spot to place a tub, this is a great budget choice. Perfect for garages, sheds, and sunrooms, an inflatable choice is a wonderful pick.


Lifesmart Rock Solid Simplicity Plug and Play 4 Person Hot Tub

Lifesmart Rock Solid Simplicity Plug and Play 4 Person Hot Tub
  • Material: unicast
  • Size: 4 person
  • Filtration: Ozone
  • Features: Waterfall, lighting, jet pressure control

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The Lifesmart Rock Solid Simplicity model is a plug and play design that is portable and easy to connect to any regular home outlet for use. 13 high therapy jets provide all you need for 4 person, bucket seating, including rotating water pressure for added massage therapy.

A waterfall, lighting, and top side comfort valves allow you to adjust your jet pressure as well for the perfect mix of water and air. The light also comes with interchangeable mood light caps so you can control the ambiance. A locking top is also included.

Pros

  • Amazingly simple set up
  • Very comfortable
  • Easy to maintain and durable

Cons

  • Does not keep heat well in below freezing weather

Pro Tip

This portable option is a great choice for anyone who is looking for a fast, easy tub option.

Conclusion

Although these might not be the best in the world, these models are pretty darn good for home use. Whether you need a tub for therapy reasons or are looking for a personal way to relax and entertain, these are great choices from dependable brand company names. Everything from portable choices to more permanent designs can accommodate just about any size speca you can imagine them in.

If you have any questions or comments, please let us know below. And, as always, please share.