The easiest way to get access to a hot tub after a hard week’s training is to set one up right at home. You might think hot tubs are too expensive and large for your space, but inflatable hot tubs can help put that muscle-soothing relaxation within reach. Many are under $1,000, with some as low as $400. Unlike the blow-up kiddie pools of your past, they’re made from thick, puncture-resistant materials that help them keep their shape and hold up against inclement weather. And if you decide you need some extra room in your backyard, simply drain, deflate, and pack away.
Take a look below at quick info on the best inflatable hot tubs, then scroll down for buying advice and more in-depth reviews of these and other models.
The Best Inflatable Hot Tubs
What to Consider
Inflatable Versus Traditional Hot Tubs
If you’re considering getting a hot tub, there are two options—inflatable and traditional. Though there are pros and cons to both, an inflatable tub is a great choice for a newbie who doesn’t want to spend too much. Not only are they less expensive, but inflatable tubs are also easy to set up and take down if you want something that isn’t going to be a permanent fixture on your deck or in your yard. While they may not have quite as many jets as traditional tubs, they have enough to help you relax and ease some of your hard-worked muscles. These also allow you to get a bigger tub for a much more affordable price than a traditional one.
Traditional hot tubs have their advantages, like more powerful jets, and often more comfortable seating. Traditional tubs will also last longer, too, as they can’t be punctured like a PVC material could be. But they often cost over $3,000, with many models costing upwards of $7,000.
How We Selected
We researched expert sources such as The Spruce, Business Insider, and Tom’s Guide, as well as 9,000 consumer reviews to select the best inflatable hot tubs on the market. Our Consumer Score represents the percentage of customers who rated the product at least 4 out of 5 stars on retail and review sites like Amazon, Walmart, and manufacturers’ pages.
Prefer a cool dip after a run? Check out our favorite ice bath tubs.
Coleman SaluSpa
Consumer Score: 80% gave it 4 stars or more
High-quality spa for a mid-range price
Pros
- Includes cover and accessories
Cons
- Only 60 jets
For just $450, this Coleman SaluSpa is a great starter hot tub. It can fit up to four people and heat up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit with 60 air jets. The three-ply inflated walls add durability, and the cushioned floor makes relaxing more comfortable. It also comes with everything you need to get started, including a pool liner, cover, pump, chemical floater, filter cartridges, air pad protector, and a repair patch. Customers loved that it was easy to set up and move—before you fill it with water, of course—thanks to the built-in handles.
Coleman 90454 SaluSpa
Consumer Score: 82% gave it 4 stars or more
A little extra space and muscle-relaxing jets.
Pros
- Plenty of jets
Cons
- More expensive than circular tubs
Circular tubs can be a little, shall we say, cozy. If you aren’t looking to snuggle up to your buddies, you might want to opt for a square tub. The SaluSpa is relatively affordable, and it gives you and three of your closest teammates your own corners to relax in. It quickly heats up to 104 degrees and has 114 jets to massage and relax sore muscles. Because this tub inflates easily within minutes, setup doesn’t require breaking a sweat. While it’s easy to think of inflatable spas being of lower quality than standard hot tubs, the Hawaii is actually surprisingly durable thanks to its three-ply PVC. It also has a cushioned floor for extra comfort, and an aluminum-lined top helps to keep the water clean when you’re not soaking. Best of all, the power-saving system keeps the water at your ideal temperature, so it’s always ready for you.
Bestway SaluSpa Helsinki
Consumer Score: 73% gave it 4 stars or more
Room for half a dozen plus one
Pros
- Holds up to seven people
- Looks like a wood soaking tub
Cons
- Not as many jets as other models
If your family has many runners in it who regularly jockey for room in the hot tub, you won’t want to run out of space. The Helsinki is about as big as you can get in an inflatable, fitting up to seven people at a time—but the extra space does make this a more expensive option. If you do fill your tub to capacity, don’t worry about the structure buckling; it’s reinforced throughout the sides, and the material is a puncture-resistant PVC. The faux wood-paneled design might blend in better to your backyard too. The one downside is the relative lack of jets—with only 83 (compared to over 100 on some smaller models)—means it doesn’t give as powerful of a massage.
Intex PureSpa Plus
Consumer Score: 85% gave it 4 stars or more
Keeps the heat even in the cold months
Pros
- Can be used in winter
- Hard water treatment
Cons
- Takes a while to heat up
While you can arguably use any hot tub in winter, some are better than others. Take the PureSpa Plus. It comes with significant insulation and a ground cloth—both of which help to keep the warmth in and the cold out. Further boosting its insulation is Intex’s signature laminated Fiber-Tech material that guards against punctures. According to The Spruce, the PureSpa Plus is even strong enough for you to sit on the side of the tub and put your feet in without the wall caving. This six-person tub has 170 jets, which—along with the temperature—are controllable via the panel within reach of the tub. It also comes with two inflatable headrests. Keep in mind, though, that it could potentially take up to 12 hours to heat up, depending on how cold it is outside.
Bestway SaluSpa Milan
Consumer Score: 75% gave it 4 stars or more
Personalize the temperature and jets from your phone or tablet
While soaking in a hot tub is luxurious in and of itself, controlling that tub from a device makes it even more so. You can adjust the temperature, activate the power-saving timer feature, turn on the water filter, and control the jets of this model from anywhere using the Bestway Smart Hub App. Punch in the settings you want via your phone and the Milan will be ready to use by the time you come back from your run. If you plan really far ahead, you can even set the temperature at a max of 104 degrees up to three days in advance thanks to the power-saving timer. This tub can fit up to four people and has 80 jets that release from the bottom and sides. Unfortunately, it can’t hold its own when the temperature is under 39 degrees. If you live in a colder part of the U.S., you might be out of luck in winter.
Bestway St. Lucia
Consumer Score: 82% give it 4 stars or higher
Get cozy in this compact and affordable hot tub
Pros
- Impressive amount of jets for its size
- Includes cover with safety lock
Cons
- Likely too small for more than two
Perfect for two people, the Bestway St. Lucia is a compact option at about five and a half feet wide. Nevertheless, it features a plentiful 110 jets, a digital control panel, and an app to control temperature, timers, and other preprogrammed settings. The reinforced cover also includes a safety-lock clip, and the Freeze Shield prevents inner components from freezing if you leave it out in cold temps.
Bestway SaluSpa Miami
Consumer Score: 81% give it 4 stars or higher
Another great value with a decent amount of jets for its size
Pros
- 120 jets for up to 4 people
- Affordable
Cons
- Cannot be used under 39 degrees
Compared to other two to four-person inflatable hot tubs, the Bestway SaluSpa Miami has the most bubble jets for its size. While the Coleman SaluSpa for $450 has 60 air jets, this model has 120. Fitting four adults might be a tight squeeze, but two people can use this hot tub comfortably—not to mention easily set it up thanks to the included pump and lift handles—and control it via the digital control panel.
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
Paige Szmodis is an editor for Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics, who researches and writes home, tech, and outdoor product reviews and news.
