Staff, Courtesy of Sol 72 Outdoor
Updated July 20, 2022: This piece was updated to reflect current pricing, including sales, and details specific to each hot tub. We also replaced out-of-stock models.
For an excellent addition to your space—one which you can use year-round—you can’t go wrong with a hot tub. Sure, it’s a major investment, not unlike an above-ground swimming pool, and you should expect to spend a similar chunk of change, upwards of $2,000.
While a less expensive inflatable hot tub (or inflatable pool, as a point of comparison) is always an option, saving for a standard, semi-permanent hot tub is well worth considering. For starters, they take soaking to the next level. Also, they can potentially add to the value of your home.
Whether you’re looking for a hot tub for two or want to splurge on a luxe model to accommodate a party of six or more, here are our top picks for the best hot tubs to buy right now, plus advice on essentials to consider before you shop.
The Best Hot Tubs
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1
Best Overall
DayDream 6-Person Hot Tub
AquaRest SpasRead More
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2
Best Splurge
6-Person Hot Tub
Essential SpasRead More
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3
For Six People
6-Person Hot Tub
Sol 72 OutdoorRead More
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4
Best Round
Luna Hot Tub
Lifesmart SpasRead More
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5
For Four People
4-Person Hot Tub
AquaRest SpasRead More
What to Consider
The first decision to make is whether you want a plug-and-play or standard hot tub. The former are generally easy to set up and less expensive, made of high-impact polyethylene, plus they’re more widely available online. Standard hot tubs are pricier, made of acrylic (and often have UV-resistant side paneling), and are more complicated to install, requiring advance planning. You may also need to upgrade to 220-volt service to operate one of these tubs, which should be done by a licensed electrician. Depending on your setup, a plug-and-play hot tub might be your only option.
Next up: consider how many people will regularly use the hot tub and whether it’s for adults only or a family affair. If you have the space, consider sizing up. Six-person and four-person hot tubs are popular sizes. If kids are going to be using the hot tub, check out these safety tips for children. Consider seat depth and overall configuration of regular seats, lounge seats, or both.
The number of jets can be deceiving and more isn’t automatically better. Keep the jet count in mind, but you’ll also want to look at the size and placement of the jets. Water filtration and ozone purification systems (sometimes called ozonators) are a must. Most come with both, as well as insulated locking covers certified by the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM).
As a rule, hot tub steps are sold separately, but sometimes hot tub covers are included. Beyond that, it’s all about prioritizing special features and extras, like multicolor LED lighting, waterfalls, padded headrests, and built-in Bluetooth speakers, within the constraints of your budget.
How We Selected
Our thorough research and selection process included consulting expert sources, such as Wirecutter, to inform our choices, and combing through customer comments for enthusiastic reviews and common complaints. All of the hot tubs we cover have ratings of four stars or more, and, because maximum capacity is one of the of the most important considerations when purchasing a hot tub, we offer options in a range of sizes, from two-person to eight-person. Hot tubs come with a long list of must- and nice-to-have features, and we took them into account and weighed them against price, as well as highlighting the most notable ones for every hot tub we write about.
For some must-have accessories for your hot tub, check out our picks for the best hot tub covers and hot tub steps.
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