There are many reasons to want a new hot tub – whether you want to spend more quality time with family or are seeking a hot tub’s hydrotherapy and therapeutic health benefits. Before buying a hot tub for your yard or patio, there are a few things to consider. Learn more in our hot tub buying guide below.

Why Buy a Hot Tub
Choosing the Right Spa
Hot Tub Sizes
Hot Tub Materials
Jets
Entertainment Features
Cover
Hot Tub Installation
Hot Tub Accessories

Why Buy a Hot Tub

A hot tub is a fun and relaxing way to spend time with family. A hot tub promotes quality time and enables you to focus on serenity and meaningful conversations.

A hot tub doesn’t just provide a place to relax and lower stress, it also offers health benefits. Whether you suffer from arthritis, insomnia, headaches, or muscle pain, a hot tub can help. Hydrotherapy relieves muscle tension, headaches, sore muscles, and joint pain. By reducing joint inflammation, you will also have more flexibility and a better range of motion. The heat from the water also increases blood flow, reduces blood pressure, and helps you fall asleep faster.

If you enjoy exercising, a soak in the hot tub after your workout will also release muscle tension and help you recover faster.

Choosing the Right Spa

Take a look at the diagram below to learn the advantages and disadvantages of each hot tub type. Read on for a more in-depth look at each type of hot tub.

Types of Hot Tubs

Standard: Typically made from high-end acrylic, these can require a 220V electrical hookup and professional installation. While they tend to be slightly more expensive than other types of hot tubs, they are the most durable option, have the best seating choices, offer the most entertainment features, and provide the most consistent jet and heat experience.

Plug & Play: This type of hot tub can be plugged into any standard wall outlet. Unlike standard hot tubs, they don’t require any special hookups or additional electrical circuits. However, this type of hot tub may be slightly slower to heat and typically has fewer (and less powerful) jets than a standard hot tub.

Inflatable: Typically made of synthetic plastic polymer, these hot tubs can be inflated anywhere. They have only the most basic features and accessories, and their jets are less powerful than those of other hot tub options. Inflatable hot tubs are also smaller and slower to heat than other hot tub types. This option is best for renters who cannot make permanent changes to their yards or patios but would like a short-term hot tub solution.

Tip!

Make sure you look under “Weights & Dimensions” to see how long the power cord is. This will affect its location, as it will need to be close to an outlet.

Hot Tub Sizes

When choosing a hot tub size, consider how many people are in your family and if you plan on hosting others. This will help you decide on the amount of seats to include. If you have kids, consider a hot tub with different levels of seating. However, make sure that the size you choose fits the location of your new hot tub. Don’t forget to measure all the doorways and gates leading to its final location.

Keep in mind that the bigger the hot tub, the more expensive it may be to buy and run. However, a bigger hot tub means you can relax and enjoy its many benefits with your whole family. Browse by maximum capacity, below:

Tip!

Reference the "Height", "Width", and "Depth" filters to the left-hand side of product pages to browse for specific hot tub sizes.

Hot Tub Materials

Acrylic: The most common material, acrylic is durable and can be molded into complex shapes. It is the heaviest material, but retains heat well — making acrylic hot tubs cost and energy efficient.

Plastic: This material typically has a dull matte finish and is lightweight and durable but doesn’t retain heat quite as well.

Solid Wood: Eco-friendly and extremely durable, this material type has a lot to offer. Although, unlike our other material offerings, Solid Wood is not as rot resistant.

Vinyl: This inexpensive option is often used in inflatable hot tubs. This material is not as durable or long lasting as plastic or acrylic.

Jets

When choosing between hot tubs, don’t simply focus on how many jets it has. You should also focus on where the jets are located. Do you often have back problems? Do your shoulders hold tension? Find a tub with jets that focus on these areas.

Typically, the more jets a hot tub has, the higher the cost. However, if you are looking for a massage-like experience to help ease muscle pain, the extra jets are worth it. Browse hot tubs by the number of jets you need, below.

Entertainment Features

Looking to enhance your hot tub? Check out these entertainment features. Remember that the more intricate the feature, the higher the price of the hot tub. However, if you plan on spending a lot of time in your hot tub, these additions will make your soak experience more enjoyable and relaxing.

Stereo: These waterproof speakers allow you to play music from your phone via Bluetooth technology.

LED Lighting: Avoid outdoor flood lights with LED lighting. Installed directly into the hot tub, the lights can often change color to provide an ambience or to match your patio furniture. The lights also allow you to easily get in and out of the hot tub at night.

Lounger Seat: Designed to allow you to sit in a reclined position.

Waterfall: Some hot tubs include a waterfall to add a spa-like feel.

Cover

Spa covers are necessary to owning a hot tub. They keep the heat in while also conserving energy and protecting the water from dirt, critters, and debris. The cover should fit the tub tightly, have a dense foam core, and lock in the heat. With Wayfair, there's no need to worry about cover compatibility – almost every hot tub in our entire selection of hot tubs comes with a compatible spa cover. Some hot tubs include a cover lift, or you can purchase a lift separately. Always clean the cover to slow the aging process, as holes and cracks will allow the heat to escape.

While every hot tub needs a cover to keep debris out and keep the heat in, a locking cover adds a necessary security feature if you have small children or no fence around your yard.

Heating

On average, hot tubs heat up at 3°F to 6°F per hour. However, this is impacted by the ambient temperature outside and if the hot tub cover is on. The hotter it is outside, the less time it will take to heat the tub. Leaving the cover on will also help heat it faster. Or, take away the guesswork altogether by going with a freeze-resistant hot tub model.

Tip!

The recommended temperature for a hot tub is between 100°–102°F. Always refer to the manufacturer's manual for specific heating safety notes and instructions.

Water Capacity

Water capacity affects cost and the time to fill and drain. It also impacts how you clean your hot tub as you must use the correct amount of chemicals. This information is found under a product’s “Specifications”.

Hot Tub Maintenance

Making sure your hot tub is clean and protected is essential to keep it working properly.

Water Management and Sanitation

Along with keeping your hot tub covered when not in use, you will need to pick a cleaning treatment to ensure your hot tub stays safe for use. Here are the options:

Chlorine: This chemical kills bacteria and germs. It is fast-acting and cost efficient, but you must watch the water balance to ensure it has the correct pH. If you have sensitive skin, chlorine may irritate it.

Bromine: Slower to start cleaning than Chlorine, Bromine actually kills more bacteria and lasts longer. Bromine is easier on the skin and eyes than Chlorine and has less of a scent. However, it is more expensive and can be harder to wash off your skin.

Salt Water: This is the least skin irritating of the options. This sanitation system uses salt and water to produce a constant supply of pure chlorine. It has the least amount of chemicals and is the least irritating to the eyes and skin. While it may cost more upfront, salt water care is much more simple than Chlorine or Bromine and after the initial set-up, it can last for months. However, diligent cleaning is a must as the salt water can corrode any pieces made of rubber.

Ozonator: This feature is a natural way to clean the hot tub. It destroys bacteria and algae – reducing the need for chemical treatments. It also breaks down remnant body oil – keeping the water cleaner longer.

Tip!

If you choose to change from one type of cleaner to another, make sure to flush the system completely as the combination of Chlorine and Bromine can cause a dangerous chemical reaction.

Cleaning & Care

Routine cleaning and maintenance ensures the hot tub works efficiently and lasts for a long time. Be sure to read your owner’s manual for more detailed maintenance information about your specific hot tub. Check out our guide How to Clean a Hot Tub to find step-by-step instructions for cleaning, draining, and winterizing a hot tub.

Hot Tub Installation

Prepare the underlayment and voltage to make your hot tub installation smooth and painless.

Underlayment

We recommend having a concrete patio under your hot tub. If you don’t have concrete, place the tub on spa pads. Avoid using paving stones, as they may shift or not be able to handle the weight, which could then damage your hot tub.

Voltage

Hot tubs are available in two different voltages: 240V and 120V.

240 Volts: Hot tubs that require 240 volts heat up faster and have more powerful jets, but require a special electrical outlet installed by a professional.

120 Volts: No additional wiring needed, this is easy and convenient for all homeowners as it can be plugged directly into your home’s outlet. These can typically handle up to 30 jets.

Regarding DIY installation, inflatable and plug & play hot tubs are the easiest to install yourself. Standard 220 – 240 volt hot tubs require professional installation as they need a specific electrical hook-up.

Tip!

For aesthetic reasons, you may choose to run the electrical line underground, which also requires a professional.

Location

When choosing a location for your hot tub, consider the following.

Place it Flat
Find a flat piece of land that has easy access to a water and electrical supply.

Make Sure the Deck Can Hold its Weight
If you are placing the hot tub on a deck, make sure it is able to hold the weight of the hot tub. When calculating your deck’s weight limit for a hot tub, don’t forget to add the weight of the water, your weight, and potential guests’ weight with the weight of the hot tub.

Have Space On Each Side
For easy hot tub maintenance, we recommend placing it in a location where there is at least a few feet of space around each side. This makes draining a hot tub more convenient and allows ample space for maintenance repairs.

Find a Good View and Privacy
Do you have a fence? View of the mountains? Can your neighbors see you? Place the hot tub where you will have the best view and privacy. If you don’t have a fence, you can create a private oasis by surrounding your hot tub with bushes, a trellis, or placing a pergola above it. Not only will the bushes provide privacy, they will also help cut down the wind – keeping your hot tub warmer.

Consider the Climate
If you live somewhere cold, you may want the hot tub close to your back door so you don’t have to walk far. Along with climate, also consider if you want it in direct sunlight or prefer to have it in the shade.

Create a Walkway
Once you have picked the perfect location for your hot tub, create a walkway to the tub to avoid dragging grass, rocks, or other pieces of debris into the hot tub. Make sure the surface isn’t slippery.

Measure All Doorways
Measure all doorways or gates to ensure you can get your hot tub to its final location. You may need a crane to lower the hot tub onto your patio or deck.

Before You Buy

• Check your town’s local building codes as some towns require a permit for a hot tub.

Hot Tub Accessories

Get the most out of your experience with these outdoor hot tub accessories.

Headrests: Hot tub headrests are essential to achieve the relaxation you deserve. These come as sets or individual products. They are designed to cup or hang over the edge of the hot tub, and you can adjust their placement with ease.

Hot Tub Seats & Benches: Hot tub seats rest on the built-in hot tub seats and are either made from plastic or water-resistant fabrics. They are ultimately designed to make hot tub lounging more comfortable. Benches help create seating in hot tubs without built-in seating configurations.

Hot Tub Steps: A seamless hot tub experience starts and ends with a smooth exit, which is why a stair set is essential. Place steps up against where you want your hot tub's exit to be. You can also place steps going into the hot tub as specified by the manufacturer. Hot tub steps come in a range of heights, so you can find one that fits your hot tub height.

Handrails: Handrails provide the perfect safety pairing for hot tub steps. These usually come with parts to help secure them to the ground, or they have a portion that tucks beneath the hot tub to hold it in place.

Cupholders: The last thing you want to worry about when relaxing in the hot tub is where to put your drink! Hot tub cup holders are designed to hold one or more drinks and grip the tub's edge for a secure drink station.

Lights: Hot tub lights affix to the tub wall or float on the surface of the water to provide ambient light at night. Some change colors for a fun ambiance! Make sure lights you choose are compatible with the type of hot tub/brand you have.

Hot Tub Vacuums: Just like a pool, hot tubs need regular cleanings to remove dirt and debris. Hot tub vacuums typically plug into an outdoor outlet and are designed to move around underwater and suck up any debris.

Filters & Chemicals: Hot tubs need regular filter changes depending on the size and the amount of use they get, so it's super important to always have replacement filters and cleaning chemicals on hand.

Before You Buy:

Pregnant women or people with heart conditions should check with their doctor before using a hot tub. If you are injured, consult your physical therapist to see if hydrotherapy is okay.

Browse for your at-home spa essentials, now.