When thinking about how to spend time during those cold winters, small hot tubs are the first thing that comes to our mind. It also helps you achieve a warm inviting feel outside your house.
Yet, picking the right one can be confusing. You want to go with the best small hot tubs that include the perfect features for your own needs.
I have done the search and comparisons for you. I have found the most worthy small hot tubs to assist your buying choice. Without wasting time, let’s get started.
Our aim is to not let you get into ‘hot water’ by selecting the wrong Hot Tub to buy this winter.
The Best Small Hot Tubs
Essential Hot Tubs 20-Jet Arbor Hot Tub
If you a set on buying a solid construction hot tub it is hard to go past the Essential Hot Tubs 20-Jet Newport. We checked out many others but honestly, they don’t come anywhere near the Essential Hot Tubs 20 for value and athletics.
For the best small hot tubs, the Essential hot tub offers 20 jets made out of tough stainless steel. It also ensures you are relaxing with passive therapy effects just by clicking the switch to activate.
On top of that, this hot tub comes with counter-style seats that are decent for up to 6 people to rest inside.
This small hot tub on top looks amazing on the balcony or outside the home to improve your home décor. It also makes sure you use it in any weather with no trouble of repair or care.
Overall, it’s a great pick for those who prefer plug & play hot tubs with heavy-duty design. This small hot tub also has a GFCI cord included with the package.
We are a bit biased toward Inflatable Small Hot Tubs however due to their portability, comfort and value for money. If this is your preference please read on.
Top 5 Best Inflatable Small Hot Tubs
Coleman 90454 SaluSpa Atlantis AirJet 4-Person: Best Small Outdoor Hot Tub
If looking for the best small hot tubs with inflatable designs, the Coleman brand stands on top. It is made out for up to 4 people that heats up quickly to a soothing 104 degrees.
This inflatable hot tub also comes with 140 surrounding air jets massage option that helps you to get enough comfort. It on top makes sure you feel cozy in any weather anywhere.
Made of TriTech 3-ply inflated walls, this inflatable hot tub is great for durability and comfort. It also reinforced cover with safety lock clips and a built-in air chamber to enjoy the cozy insulation.
In general, this inflatable hot tub is a decent pick for those who want 1 year of warranty and 2 easy-lift handles design. It also has an integrated water filtration system.
Coleman SaluSpa: Best Inflatable Hot Tub For Winter
A simple hot tub is Perfect for 4 people and looks great.
The Coleman SaluSpa inflatable hot tub comes with amazing quality and features for users to enjoy a cozy bath. It also makes sure you get a warm and bubbling Jacuzzi after a long hard day.
Plus, this inflatable hot tub comes with a digital control panel that allows users to dictate the water warms up to 104 degrees. It also allows a good force of water to save energy and money.
With durable and innovative construction, this inflatable spa is made of PVP material that offers strength and stability. It also makes sure your hot tub never loses its shape or quality.
Generally speaking, this inflatable hot tub is an ideal pick if you want a simple setup and portable options. It also prevents debris from getting in the hub.
AquaSpa#WEJOY Portable Hot Tub: Best 2-Person Budget Hot Tub
The AquaSpa#WEJOY Portable Hot Tub comes with durable materials to enjoy a restful bath for two people. It also allows you to use it both inside and outside the house.
And, this inflatable hot tub comes with easy-to-replace filter cartridges to clean spa water with no trouble. It also allows you to easily filter water in a shorter time period.
This inflatable hot tub comes with a safety assurance that allows it to be heated up to 104 degrees. It also has an insulated cover and ground cloth to get rid of heat loss.
In most cases, the inflatable hot tub is an excellent choice for 2 people with usable soothing bubble jets. It requires no special tools to set it up.
It’s probably not our favourite pick in terms of size but it certainly gets you into a robust hot tub at a great price.
ZC-2 Salu Inflatable Hot Tub Spa, 2-4 Person: Best Value Inflatable Hot Tub
ZC-2 Salus is available at a very competitive price. It’s not a large hot tub but it gets you in the warm water fast. It has a multi-functional spa pump and with easy to use pop-up electronic control panel.
In addition, this inflatable hot tub has an easy-to-use chemical connection dispenser to keep the water nice and clean.
This portable inflatable spa also has a fast setup design that needs only 20 minutes to get you going. It is also easy to deflate for easy storage.
This inflatable hot tub is a great buy-it-now pick for 2 – 4 people for a budget price and looks great in the grey colour. It will be a bit squeezy for 4 people in our opinion but certainly, for a couple, it would be fine.
The only problem you might find is the availability. They do seem to take a while to restock.
Bestway SaluSpa Hawaii: Best Square Inflatable Hot Tub
The Bestway SaluSpa Hawaii inflatable hot tub comes with 114 jests that give a great comfortable feel when resting. It really helps you enjoy the warm bath.
Also, this inflatable spa has a digital control panel that allows you to change the water temperature with ease.
This inflatable hot tub is made of puncture-free tri-tech material and an I-beam wall constructed that ensures your hot tub lasts long. It also allows you to retain its shape with ease.
When tested the Bestway SaluSpa only came in Blue which was not our favourite look as compared to some of the Colman Branded options available. But it was a good robust hot tub. We did notice there were a few complaints regarding after-sales customer support so it would pay to read the warranty information carefully before purchase.
Buying Guide of the Best Small Hot Tubs
Finding the best small hot tubs can be complex depending on the quality, features, and durability, you require. For that reason, here are some tricks and details for beginners to pick the most worthy small hot tub.
Inflatable Hot Tubs
Inflatable hot tubs are usually very compact and have great prices. This type of small hot tub has fewer features than the solid types however the big advantage is they are much more portable. Plus, inflatable hot tubs are made of vinyl or latex which is good for comfort.
Portable Hot Tubs
Portable hot tubs are very different from inflatable hot tubs as they are of acrylic construction. This type of small hot tub comes with many features to enjoy. Just like their name, they are moveable but they do need a number of people to relocate them. They also don’t pack away.
Rotomolded Hot Tubs
Rotomolded hot tubs are known for their design and quality. This type of small hot tub is made out of unicast which can be tough with many benefits like moulded seating and attractive lighting. Yet, they don’t come with as many jets if compared to higher-end hot tubs.
Plug-And-Play Hot Tubs
This type of small hot tub is just like a portable one but operates at 110 volts. Plug-and-play hot tubs can draw between 500 and 1,500 watts and are suitable to plug into a standard outlet.
Don’t Forget About the Price Point
It’s of course vital to check the price of any product before selection. The price of any product often relates to quality. For example, if you go with highly-priced hot tubs, they would come with more features and quality than cheaper ones. It really depends on what you want. We do find that AMAZON is generally very competitive with pricing due to its selling power.
Make sure to go with any small hot tub purchase based on its quality, features, and durability, and not just the price. If you are not sure if a hot tub is for you an Inflatable Hot Tub purchase is actually a smart idea. If you decide later that a Hot Tub is not what you thought, you have not wasted thousands and it is quite likely you will be able to on-sell it much easier than higher-priced hot tubs.
Consider the Hot Tub Jet Types
It’s essential to look for a small hot tub with consideration to its jet types. You must be wondering why since a relaxing spa is actually based on the hot tub jets type whether it has a massaging option or not.
Some hot tubs feature massage jests that are claimed to increase blood flow while others don’t. So, depending on that, I have done a study of the main types of hot tub jets below:
Rotary Jets
The rotary jets move and cause the water to flow in a circular motion. This type of jet gives comfort to the body and a high level of relaxation.
Pressure Point Jets
The pressure point jets are made to give you a higher-speed shower experience. They give an acupressure-type massage to help your body get rid of stress and discomfort created by your daily hard work.
Target Therapy Jets
The target therapy jets are made to give you adjustable relaxing key tension points for your lower back and calves to get rid of any tension.
Kneading Oscillator Jets
This type of hot tub jet comes with a kneading action that makes it perfect for a relaxing feel when resting.
Directional Jets
The directional jets are amazing adjustable water flowing points that help you to spot in any direction.
Pulsator Jets
The Pulsator jets come with two or more holes which allow you to swap water pressure with ease.
Multi-Massage Jets
The multi-massage jets come with different small holes that split water pressure from a single jet.
Consider the Hot Tub Materials
Another thing to consider before picking a small hot tub is the material. You want everything to be perfect when it comes to investing in a small hot tub. For that reason, you need to check the variety of material that is used for making the small hot tubs.
As a matter of fact, the exterior of a small hot tub should come with a tough design so that it lasts long. The hot tub should be made out of weatherproof and UV-resistant material to ensure lifelong support. Vinyl won’t last as long as other materials but they are much cheaper. Keep vinyl out of the sun and it will last longer.
Hot Tub Seats Types
And the last but not least thing to consider is the hot tub seat types. Basically, if you want to spend long periods with your wife, husband or friend in the tub, it should come in comfortable and big spaces ideally with integrated seats.
For therapy or relaxation, you want a good seating type. Here are the main types to consider:
Barrier-Free Seats
The barrier-free seats are excellent options if you want seating with no obstacles. This type of hot tub seat grants you a big space to roam from one part of the spa to another.
Contour Seats
The contour seats are basically designed with nice armrests, neck rests, and massage so that you rest in comfort and massage. They are the top choice if budget is not your main consideration.
Bench Seats
The bench seats usually come with 1 contoured seat with bench seating around it. This type of seat is usually comfortable and allows you to easy to roam.
Best 2-Person Hot Tubs In 2022– Excellent Products Guides!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a small hot tub?
Basically, a small hot tub is a moveable tub of water used for relaxing. Unlike a bathtub, hot tubs are usually used outside your house or in the garden for enjoying the perfect wintertime rest.
In recent times, small hot tubs are heated with electric resistance heaters that help tub jets to create massaging effects. A modern hot tub includes the body, pump, and filter.
How long does a small hot tub last?
Most good quality small hot tub brands can last 10 to 20 years with care and maintenance. The solid hot tub usually has a longer life span. Bargain and inflatable hot tubs have a shorter life existence of 5 to 15 years. It really depends on where it is positioned and how well they are maintained.
Do inflatable hot tubs work well in winter?
Yes
Are inflatable small hot tubs noisy?
They do make a noise when the pup is running and the jets are working but it is not irritating and you can still talk about the noise easily. If the noise is excessive it can be an indication of a blocked filter or worn pump.
Final Verdict- What Should I Buy?
In the end, you want to get the best small hot tubs that have a perfect blend of good quality, comfort, and durability. It’s all about compromise, however.
For that reason, I’d suggest going with any small hot tub after reading the product descriptions, pros, and cons. Don’t forget to check the comments too.
In my opinion, go for an Inflatable Hot Tub first to see if a Hot Tub is right for you before outlaying thousands on a larger Hot Tub. The Brand I would personally lean towards is Colman given it is a reputable Brand.