4 Best Blow-Up Hot Tubs for Year-Round Relaxation [2024]

It is always pleasant to take a hot bath to feel your body relaxes. It is not unreasonable, as Hindawi scientists have confirmed the positive effects of warm water on the skin and mental health. Each subject who took a bath for 10 minutes a day for two weeks had higher health indicators than those who took a warm shower [1].

What if you add bubbles to warm water, which creates a massage effect and further improves physical health? In this case, you get a hot tub that will provide all of the above at home.

Also, we can add simplicity and mobility to the hot water + bubbles formula. In this case, we get blow-up hot tubs! It is very convenient to have such a device at home. Therefore, we decided to take a closer look at this type of hot tub, discuss its pros and cons, find out the top four models on marketplaces, and list the chemicals and accessories that will simplify and diversify your user experience!

Let’s dive into the world of relaxation with bubbles!

Top 4 Blow-Up Hot Tubs Comparison Table

Coleman SaluSpa Winner in the category The most efficient heater	Characteristics Amazon rating: ⭐️ 4.4 Max temperature: 104°F Capacity: 4-6 Number of jets: 114 Air Jets Material: PVC PVC or Polyvinyl chloride is a colorless, transparent plastic. What makes it the best The most efficient heater – heats water from 70°F to 104°F in 11-18 hours, which is 1.5-3 times more than others on the list; The fastest inflation – inflates in 10 minutes, which is 3 times faster than others; The safest chlorine level – ChemConnect system controls the desired chlorine level of 3-5 ppm; Easy to connect – requires 110-120V outlet; High durability – puncture-resistant Tritech material retains its shape no matter how many times it was inflated/deflated. Jump to the detailed review
Show price on Amazon Show price on eBay Show price on Wayfair
Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki Winner in the category The best for winter relaxation	Characteristics Amazon rating: ⭐️ 4.1 Max temperature: 104°F Capacity: 5-7 Number of jets: 180 AirJets Material: Drop stitch What makes it the best The best for winter relaxation – the Freeze Shield™ prevents freezing of the inner components; The most puncture resistant – drop stitch material and I-beam wall construction makes its walls thin and durable; The most practical design – thin walls reduce its size while saving interior spaciousness; The efficient reaching of the max temperature – 70% of users report that the hot tub reaches 104°F; Extra perks – has 2 cupholders. Jump to the detailed review
Show price on Amazon Show price on eBay Show price on Wayfair
Coleman Ponderosa SaluSpa Winner in the category The most efficient massage	Characteristics Amazon rating: ⭐️ 4.3 Max temperature: 104°F Capacity: 2-4 Number of jets: 120 AirJets Material: PVCPVC or Polyvinyl chloride is a colorless, transparent plastic. What makes it the best The most efficient massage – a more powerful pump and 120 Air Jets provide a massage effect like a regular hot tub; The best cover – consists of two tiers that allow rainwater to drain and not accumulate; The easiest to assemble – 50% of users report that it requires about 20 minutes to install; Reliable material – 3-ply PVCPVC or Polyvinyl chloride is a colorless, transparent plastic. protects it even from pet claws; Fast heating rate – heats water in 11-27 hours. Jump to the detailed review
Show price on Amazon Show price on Walmart
Intex Simple Spa Winner in the category The best at maintaining temperature	Characteristics Amazon rating: ⭐️ 4.2 Max temperature: 104°F Capacity: 4 Number of jets: 100 AirJets Material: PVCPVC or Polyvinyl chloride is a colorless, transparent plastic. and polyester mesh What makes it the best The best at maintaining temperature – when jets are turned off, it retains 98% of heat; The most comfortable – allows sitting comfortably on a soft floor and lean on soft walls; The most extensive kit – contains thermal ground cloth and test strips; Fast water filtration – filter up to 460 gallons of water per hour; Easy to carry – just deflate it and pack it in the bag, which comes with a hot tub. Jump to the detailed review
Show price on Amazon Show price on eBay Show price on Wayfair

How did we choose?

We used QCQC or Quality Criteria means the minimum standards expected of a participant when providing services, products, or works. to select the top four blow-up hot tubs. To apply this, we read 500+ comments on 10+ models, identified 24 criteria, and, based on them, created a rating of the best products.

What Is a Blow-Up Hot Tub?

Inflatable or blow-up hot tubs are hot tubs that are made of flexible and durable materials such as latex, vinyl, or drop stitch, which can withstand many inflations/deflations or stay folded for a long time. Accordingly, their main difference from hard shell hot tubs is their soft form.

Blow-up hot tubs do not require a time-consuming installation, as the user should inflate it, fill it with water using a regular garden hose, and plug it into a 110-120V outlet.

Moreover, the blow-up hot tubs also have air and hydro jets, heaters, filters, pumps, LED displays, Wi-Fi modules, and remote controllers.

Pros & Cons

An ability to inflate/deflate blow-up hot tubs is the main cause for pros and cons. Below we will describe them so that you will be 100% aware while buying a blow-up hot tub.

Pros

• Affordability. The blow-up hot tubs’ cost on Amazon starts at $340 and goes up to $1,660. As for hard shell hot tubs, their price ranges from $3,000 to $38,000. Therefore, blow-up models are 9-22 times cheaper than hard-shell ones.
• Mobility. The weight of blow-up hot tubs is 5-10 times less than hard-shell models. Moreover, they can measure approximately 30 x 20 x 23 inches when deflated, which is at least half the size when inflated.
• Ease of setup. Blow-up hot tubs are “plug and play”Plug and play is a technology designed for quick device configuration. devices. Therefore, you will need to inflate them, fill them with water, and plug them into a 110-120V outlet.
• Electricity bills. Blow-up hot tubs work using a regular 110-120V outlet. Therefore, you don’t need to call an electrician to install a more powerful 240V one. Moreover, the electricity bill is also half that of using hard-shell hot tubs, most of which run on 240V.

Cons

• Lack of seats. Most blow-up hot tubs don’t have seats. However, they have soft floors and walls to provide enough comfort.
• Air jets. Most blow-up hot tubs have bubble jets. They are less powerful than hydro jets, which create a deep massage effect. However, they help to treat tension, stress, weak metabolism, and even diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
• Less durable. While blow-up hot tubs are made from puncture-resistant materials that can withstand a lot of inflation/deflation, their material is still not as durable as fiberglass and stainless steel.
• Heating time. The heating rate of blow-up hot tubs is 2-3°F/hour. It is about half that of hard shell models. Also, some inflatable hot tubs can’t run the heater with jets simultaneously, so the water will cool faster.

Top 4 Blow-Up Hot Tubs for the Best Relaxation

It’s time to explore the four best blow-up hot tubs. We have highlighted four of the most important criteria due to users’ reviews and for each chosen the most suitable models.

Let’s start choosing!

Coleman SaluSpa – the most efficient heater

The most efficient heater

Coleman SaluSpa is a blow-up hot tub with the most efficient heater. Its water heating rate is 3°F, which is 50-300% faster than other models. You can see the difference between hot tubs in the graph below. 

So, when heated from 50°F to 104°F, the Coleman SaluSpa needs less than a day, while the Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki needs two and a half days.

Also, this hot tub uses the ChemConnect system, which automatically controls the chlorine level in the water. You can place up to four time-release chlorine or bromine tablets so that the dispenser distributes the sanitizer evenly and keeps the hot tub free of bacteria.

Moreover, the Coleman SaluSpa, like the Coleman Ponderosa SaluSpa, is made from DuraPlus material. It consists of three layers that provide flexibility and solidity, so you will not find punctures even after hundreds of deflating/inflating the tub.

Pros

• The most efficient heater – allows you to heat water from 70°F to 104°F in 24 hours and maintain it for 30 minutes with a max reduction of 4°F due to the fastest heating rate of 3°F/hour, which is 1.5 times more than others have;
• The safest chlorine level – ChemConnect system controls the desired chlorine level at 3-5 ppm and distributes chlorine or bromine evenly throughout the tub;
• Requires 110-120V outlet, so you do not need to call an electrician to install another outlet. Also, your electricity bill will be two times less compared to 220-240V.

Cons

• Users note that the EO2 error occurs frequently. In this case, you need to check the pump filter, and If it is clogged, it should be flushed and restarted.

Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki – the best for winter relaxation

The best for winter relaxation

Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki is the best for winter relaxation. It features innovative Freeze Shield technology that prevents internal components from freezing and failing. This system monitors the outside temperature and starts automatically heating the hot tub components when it drops below 42°F.

We can confirm that it is the best for winter relaxation using statistics: 70% of users note the effectiveness of this hot tub when operating at temperatures below 42°F, which is 20-40% more than others.

Another feature of Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki is the thinnest walls, which are made from drop-stitch material to provide durability. Moreover, they make Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki one of the most compact and spacious, as the thin walls reduce the overall hot tub size by 10% while internal size is still the same as other models have.

Also, due to the above-described feature, Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki accommodates up to seven people, which is one more person than Coleman SaluSpa can.

Pros

• The best for winter relaxation – the Freeze Shield™ monitors the outside temperature, and when it drops to 42°F and lower starts to heat inner components so a blow-up hot tub can work even in winter;
• The efficient reaching of the maximum temperature – it has 20%+ more efficient reaching of 104°F according to users’ reports;
• The most practical design – 4 inches thick walls reduce the hot tub size by 10% while the inner size is still the same as other models have.

Cons

• The heating rate is 1°F/hour less than other models. However, it can work at low temperatures.

Coleman Ponderosa SaluSpa – the most efficient massage

The most efficient massage

Coleman Ponderosa SaluSpa is a hot tub that delivers the most effective massage. 40% of the surveyed users state that 120 Air Jets help to relieve stress and tension, which is 20-30% more than other models.

Also, it is worth noting that air jets release thousands of bubbles from the bottom, which creates the whirlpool effect. It combines with a heating temperature of 104°F and makes a bubble massage. As a result, such massage help to treat the following problems:

• Tension;
• Stress;
• Diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• Weak metabolism;
• Migraine;
• Neuroses;
• Poor circulation;
• Lung diseases.

Also, Coleman Ponderosa SaluSpa has the same small size as Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki, but it is more lightweight – 57 pounds vs. 67.3 pounds. It makes the Coleman Ponderosa SaluSpa the most portable and easy-to-install hot tub because even one person can carry such a weight.

Pros

• The most effective massage – a 350 gallons/hour pump and 60 Air Jets creates a whirlpool with bubbles that envelop the body and help relieve stress and fatigue;
• The best cover – consists of two inflatable tiers that keep rainwater out of it and effectively maintain water temperature;
• Fast heating rate – heats water in 11-27 hours, which is the second best result among others.

Cons

• It does not have an auto-off function, which turns off a heater when the set water temperature is reached.

Intex Simple Spa – the best at maintaining temperature

The best at maintaining temperature

Intex Simple Spa is the best at temperature maintenance. This hot tub heater saves up to 98% heat, losing up to 2°F in half an hour with the jets off and up to 4°F with jets on. Moreover, users note the effectiveness of maintaining the temperature 10-20% often, which is displayed in the chart below.

Also, 40% of users note that Intex Simple Spa is the roomiest hot tub, which is 20-30% more than other models. The design allows up to four adults to sit comfortably on the soft floor and lean on soft walls.

Another distinguishing feature of Intex Simple Spa is the most extensive kit. Unlike the Coleman Ponderosa SaluSpa, which only has a cover, two filters, an inflation hose, and a repair patch, it also contains thermal ground cloth, a carry bag, and test strips. For this reason, you do not have to spend extra money to purchase these accessories.

Pros

• The best at maintaining temperature – when jets are turned off, it retains 98% of heat, and when turned on, the water temperature will drop by no more than 4°F in 30 minutes;
• The most comfortable – allows to comfortably accommodate up to 4 adults on a soft floor and lean on soft walls;
• Fast water filtration – the most powerful pump passes through the filter up to 460 gallons of water per hour, which is 1.3 more than others;

Cons

• Filter pipes may leak when installed improperly. In this case, they should be completely flat and pressed up together before you screw them in.

How to Maintain Blow-Up Hot Tubs?

Blow-up hot tubs last approximately five years, but you can extend this period with proper maintenance. Therefore, below we list four tips that will be handy for you.

• Provide a solid foundation. Although blow-up hot tubs are made from puncture-resistant materials, surface irregularities of the ground can cause punctures. Therefore, the best option would be to purchase a hot tub base.

• Cover the hot tub. Most hot tubs come with a cover. This accessory serves to keep the water warm and protect it from environmental debris. Therefore, cover a hot tub to reduce your electricity and chemical bills.

• Maintain the correct pH level. You should check your pH level once a week. Incorrect levels (out of 7.2-7.6) may cause materials to corrode, filters to clog, equipment to break, etc.

• Leave the hot tub running. If you’re using the hot tub more than three times a week, you’d be better off leaving the heater on, as it will cost less to maintain the temperature than to heat it from the lowest to the highest.

Which Chemicals Should I Use to Keep It Always Clean?

To keep the water clean in the blow-up hot tub, you should use a certain set of chemicals. Below we provide a table with those that are needed for regular care. In addition, you can check which other chemicals for a hot tub care you may need in another article.

Chemical	Purpose
pH adjustment products	You need to keep the pH between 7.2 and 7.6 so that the water doesn't become too acidic to cause corrosion processes or too alkaline to scale up and clog the filters.
Show pH increaser price on Amazon Show pH decreaser price on Amazon
Sanitizer	Its purpose is to kill bacteria that can get from the environment and feed on garbage, exfoliated skin, lotions, etc.
Show chlorine-based sanitizer price on Amazon Show bromine-based sanitizer price on Amazon
Hot tub shock	Its purpose is to eliminate large numbers of bacteria and algae at once. It is recommended to use 2-3 times hot tub opening/closing and 1-time dose once a week to keep the water clean.
Show chlorine shock price on Amazon Show non-chlorine shock price on Amazon
Calcium hardness adjuster	Its purpose is to regulate the levels of calcium and copper in the water. Their incorrect levels can cause cloudy and green water, in which bacteria and algae can actively multiply.
Show calcium hardness increaser price on Amazon Show calcium hardness reducer price on Amazon

Best Accessories for Blow-Up Hot Tubs

You can turn your blow-up hot tub into a 5⭐️ relaxation complex with just a few accessories. Therefore, below we have selected four main ones to consider when buying a hot tub.

Name	Purpose
Seats	The purchase of this accessory eliminates one of the disadvantages of blow-up hot tubs and provides a more comfortable pastime. Show price on Amazon
Headrests	The soft walls of the blow-up hot tub can cause neck pain. In such a case, you may consider headrests to provide more comfort. Show price on Amazon
Cupholders	Some blow-up hot tubs have built-in cupholders, so you can relax with a glass of your favorite drink. However, if it is unavailable, you may consider purchasing this accessory. Show price on Amazon
Cleaning set	This set will simplify the cleaning process because you will always have the necessary equipment, whether it is a brush or a scrubber. Show price on Amazon

Summary: Are Blow-Up Hot Tubs Worth It?

Blow-up hot tubs combine simplicity, portability, and comfort. Moreover, you can install them at home, outdoors, or in your basement in minutes. It is a great deal for their cost.

Such hot tubs are popular among both newcomers and regular users. Therefore, we analyzed the most popular models on marketplaces, read user reviews, gathered a comparison table, and chose the four best blow-up hot tubs (check them again if you haven’t chosen your favorite yet).

See you in the next reviews!

FAQ