Most people pick a hot tub by price and seat count. Both matter, but four other things decide whether you still use it in February.
1. How many people, really?
Makers count seats generously. A tub "for 4 to 6" usually fits four adults comfortably. As a rule of thumb:
- Up to 180 cm across: two to three adults
- 190 to 200 cm: four adults
- 210 cm and up: five or six adults
If you mostly use it as a couple, a small tub heats faster and costs less to run.
2. Inflatable, foam or frame
This is the biggest choice. A plain inflatable is cheap but loses heat fast. A foam wall holds heat far better. A rigid frame looks like a hard tub and still plugs into a normal socket. Our inflatable, foam or frame guide compares them.
3. Bubbles or water jets
Almost every tub under £600 only blows air bubbles. They feel relaxing but do not massage. Water jets (often called HydroJets or hydrotherapy) need an extra pump and cost more. See our tubs with water jets.
4. Where the heater sits
On cheaper tubs the pump and heater sit in a box next to the tub. On foam-wall and some newer inflatables they are built into the wall, which looks neater and is one less thing to trip over.
5. Power
Almost every tub on this site runs from a 13 A plug socket. Use a weatherproof outdoor socket with RCD protection, never an extension lead. On many tubs the heater and the bubbles cannot run at the same time, because the socket cannot supply both.
6. Running costs
Heating 1,000 litres from cold costs a few pounds, and keeping it hot in winter costs more. The details are in our running costs guide.
Before you order
- Measure the spot and check it is flat and can take the weight. A filled 1,000 litre tub with four adults weighs well over a tonne. See where to put a hot tub.
- Check the hose reaches.
- Read our scoring method to see how we rank the tubs.
