17 best hot tubs to take you from party to pamper session

• What we love: App control | 140 jets | Slightly different shape
• Cons: Bigger than others
• Seats: Up to 6
• Dimensions: H 71cm x W 218cm

If you're looking for a hot tub that's a little different from the typical round inflatable options, the Intex Purespa Jet And Bubble Deluxe Set has a hexagonal round shape, making it look a little more luxurious from your average. You'll fit up to six comfortably, but you might squeeze a few more in if you don't mind brushing shoulders, and the 140 bubble jets will deliver a relaxing experience for all.

Offering a temperature range between 10 and 40 degrees Celsius, this hot tub number will increase its temperature between one and two degrees an hour. Perhaps best of all however, it is connected to an app, allowing you to start heating it up from your phone before you're ready to get the hot tub party started properly. £648. At amazon.co.uk

• What we love: Good size | LED lighting | Built-in seating
• Cons: Colour may not be to everyone's taste
• Seats: 5-7
• Dimensions: H 80cm x W 201cm

The colour of the Lay-Z-Spa Palma may not be as neutral or as exciting as some other options from the brand, but this is a good size, seating up to seven, making it perfect for a little evening dip with friends. There's a sturdy construction, cushioned comfort and protection from UV rays too, seeing to the durability element.

When it comes to relaxation and ambience, there's a powerful 8 HydroJet and 180 AirJet massage system, alongside a foot massager, built-in inflatable seating and Aqua Glow LED lighting. To be honest, there's little this one doesn't have going for it, though we wouldn't have said no to some built in cup holders for our beer or gin and tonic. £1,149. At amazon.co.uk.

• What we love: Small size | 120 jet system | Freeze Shield Technology
• Cons: Not big enough for entertaining
• Seats: 2-4
• Dimensions: H 66cm x W 180cm

Not too dissimilar from the company's Barbados option, the Miami offers small, round shape with a soothing 120 AirJet system to deliver a relaxing, comfortable experience without taking up too much patio or garden real estate. Constructed with a sturdy I-Beam build made from the company's DuraPlus material, the Miami comes with an insulated protective cover and timer controlled heating.

Like many of the Lay-Z-Spa options, you'll also find Freeze Shield Technology, allowing you to use this hot tub all year round, alongside a rapid heating system up to 40-degrees Celsius and a pump with built in drink holders. £499 £329. At amazon.co.uk

• What we love: Wi-Fi-controllable | Cover included | 120 air jets
• Cons: Expensive for the size
• Seats: Up to 4 people
• Dimensions: H 66cm x W 180cm

With 120 massage jets, the Barbados Airjet bubbles into life to give you a comfortable and relaxing experience. You can even sit back and chill when controlling the design remotely over a dedicated smart app. Using the app you can turn it on and off, check and change the temperature and activate the massage system and timer.

The pump’s rapid heating system also makes it easy for the water to reach 40°C and using the pump you can heat the hot tub, filter the water and run the massage system at the same time. What we love most about this design is that it comes with an ‘Energysense’ outer liner and top cover that makes it 40 per cent more energy-efficient than other Lay-Z-Spa models. A great choice if you’re keen to use your hot tub in the winter as well as the warmer months, it also has Freeze Shield technology to ensure it can be used all year round. From £699 £515. At amazon.co.uk and johnlewis.com

• What we love: Drink holders | Cover included | 140 air jets
• Cons: Expensive for the size
• Seats: Up to 6 people
• Dimensions: H 71cm x W 196cm

Lay-Z-Spa has so many inflatable hot tub options, it's hard to keep up. The Vegas model is perfect for slightly larger groups, offering a six-person option or a four to six person model. Its pump has built-in drink holders, which we are all for, and there's plenty of technology packed in too.

Freeze Shield Technology stops the water from freezing so you can use it all year round, while a rapid heat system heats water up to 40-degrees. There's also a 140 AirJet system for a relaxing full-body massage of water bubbles, while the sociable shape makes for a perfect choice for Saturday evening drinks with friends. £325 £276. At amazon.co.uk

• What we love: Sturdy, efficient foam core | Easy to assemble | Refined appearance
• Cons: Expensive compared to some rivals
• Seats: Up to 6 people
• Dimensions: H 70cm x D 184cm

The Wave Osaka stands out from the crowd of inflatable hot tubs by being constructed from a foam core. The benefit of this is that it's over 50 per cent more efficient than conventional offerings, retaining heat while reducing running costs.

Easily assembled in as little as 20 minutes and capable of accommodating up to six people, its dark black leather-like finish will help it blend in while adding an air of class to its surroundings. With a filter and cover included, you'll be up and running (well: sitting and relaxing), in no time. £1,540. At wayfair.co.uk

• What we love: Wood effect design | Large capacity | Quick to inflate
  Cons: Design might not be to your taste
• Seats: Up to 7 people
• Dimensions: H 66cm x D 180cm

Lay-Z-Spa's Helsinki is one of the more stylish hot tubs, channelling a Nordic aesthetic with the wooden-look design, actually bringing something to your garden rather than looking like an inflatable eye sore.

Holding up to seven adults, it's a good choice if you want to use your hot tub for entertaining, allowing you to show off the 180 AirJet Massage System's full-body massage capability. And should you fancy using it in full Nordic style mid-winter, it's suitable for year-round use thanks to its Freeze Shield technology. £899 £595. At amazon.co.uk

• What we love: Easy to use | Insulating cover included
• Cons: External pump doesn't look amazing
• Seats: Up to 6 people
• Dimensions: H 70cm x W 125cm (2-4 person), H 70cm x 160cm (4-6 person)

The CosySpa Inflatable Hot Tub Spa is available in two sizes, one of which accommodates up to four people, and the other that accommodates between four and six. There are also a number of accessories available, from cup holders and headrests to an additional lid.

You'll find an easy to use control panel as standard however and the CosySpa is suitable for all year use with a rapid 42-degree rapid heating system so you don't have to wait too long for the water to heat up. It's not as luxurious as some others on this list, but it is an excellent price and it has a simple design. £200. At amazon.co.uk

• What we love: Large capacity | Wi-Fi/voice-control | Insulating foam construction
• Cons: Design won't suit everyone
• Seats: Up to 7 people
• Dimensions: H 70cm x W 190cm

The Toronto AirJet Plus offers foam walls instead of an inflatable one, making it one of the more energy-efficient designs you can buy. This means it has firm and rigid sides with thermally insulating foam for a practical, comfortable and stylish finish. Up to seven people can sit in this hot tub in one go too and enjoy the 180 Airjet massage layout with central foot massage. Pure bliss.

You can relax further knowing that recent research from Lay-Z-Spa suggests that a hot tub has significant cardiovascular benefits. The study showed that sitting in a hot tub can increase blood flow to the legs and create a similarly beneficial effect to that of a 30-minute jog – without the hard work. £999.99 £713. At amazon.co.uk and very.co.uk

• What we love: Inflates quickly | Rapid heating system | 120 air jets
• Cons: Design a little plain
• Seats: Up to 4 people
• Dimensions: H 66cm x W 180cm

The Lay-Z-Spa Cancun has space for up to four, making for a great romantic evening or small drinks with friends. It inflates in 10 minutes and there's a 40°C Rapid Heating System for bringing the water up to a nice warm and relaxing temperature quickly.

Thermostatically regulated for maximum efficiency, the Cancun can heat, massage and filter all at the same time, and Freeze Shield technology allows you to use the hot tub all year without worrying about freezing water. There's also a power saving timer that lets you set when you want the Cancun to heat up so you can save energy. £400 £380. At very.co.uk

• What we love: Rattan effect design | Accessories included | Inflates in minutes
• Cons: None at this price
• Seats: Up to 6
• Dimensions: H 70cm x W 204cm

We like the eye-catching rattan effect of the Dellonda hot tub that comes with a capacity of up to six. Its clean round exterior will match other popular garden furniture beautifully – such as a rattan – style sofa, table or chairs. But that’s just one of the attractive features of this hot tub, which also comes with an energy-saving smart pump that will automatically monitor water temperature and switch it on or off to avoid wasted energy.

It comes with a top cover with clips to protect the hot tub and trap in heat when not in use too. There are also 140 bubble jets included in its spec, so you can sit back and relax to enjoy a relaxing massage. £300. At amazon.co.uk

• What we love: Bright LED-lit design | Pillows included | Decent value for money
• Cons: Design won't appeal to everyone
• Seats: Up to 6 people
• Dimensions: H 66cm x W 196cm

Hollywood in name, and by nature, this particular model from hot tub legend Lay-Z-Spa will turn heads with its eye-catching transparent liner, which allows the full glory of its remote-controlled LED lights to shine through for all the world to see.

Its soothing 140 AirJet system is designed to massage away aches and pains, while Freeze Shield tech helps ensure any nasty surprise freeze-overs on cold winter nights. Throw in an energy-saving timer, a two-year warranty, and four included soft-touch pillows for additional comfort, and you'll be sinking into lit-up bliss without a care in the world, before you know it. £545. At amazon.co.uk

• What we love: Faux wood design | 140 bubble jets | Secure cover
• Cons: Capacity may be too small for some
• Seats: Up to 4
• Dimensions: H 71cm x W 216cm

Larger than some other Intex Inflatable hot tubs, this Intex Pure Spa Greywood Deluxe Inflatable hot tub can fit up to four. It also has more bubble jets – up to 170 – to accommodate everyone and purposefully relieve muscle tension. There are only two foam headrests included in the design, however, so you and your guests will have to take turns to recline fully.

It does include an LED lighting system so you can enjoy multi-coloured lights inside your hot tub, which is perfect when you want to add to the party atmosphere in your garden. There’s a wireless touch panel for remote control of the temperature too.  Made from puncture-resistant material and with a fibre-tech construction, it's a hardy design that is built to prevent damage and leaks, which is reassuring on a hot tub of this capacity as there will be up to six getting in and out. £234. At amazon.co.uk and currys.co.uk

• What we love: Wi-Fi connectivity | 140 air jets | Freeze Shield tech
• Cons: Simple design
• Seats: Up to 5 people
• Dimensions: H 60cm x D 155cm

Lay-Z-Spa's Singapore hot tub is easily one of the best around for value at well under £1,000. WiFi-enabled and controllable by app, which makes things exceptionally convenient, the smart hot tub can fit five people, all of whom can take advantage of the 140 air jets which focus a targeted massage on the legs and back with two different levels of intensity.

Easy to set up with the included pump, the heating system can get the water temperature up to 40 degrees in no time, while it also benefits from the practical inclusion of UV protection and a Freeze Shield to keep it functioning for years to come. £800 £599. At amazon.co.uk

• What we love: Generous multi-year warranty | Hard top safety cover | Aromatherapy system
• Cons: Expensive
• Seats: Up to 4 people
• Dimensions: H 79cm x W 160cm x D 213cm

Essentially a spa that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home or garden, The Canadian Spa Company's Calgary hot tub is exactly the piece of relaxing kit your body has been crying out for. From the 24 adjustable hydrotherapy jets to the aromatherapy system which diffuses scents by mixing scented beads with warm air – alongside a cascading waterfall and LED mood lighting – it's a hot tub and spa all in one, complete with all the bells and whistles to elevate you to next level indulgence.

The only downside? Suitable for just four adults, we'd say it's more for personal use with a small group of friends or family than it is for entertaining at parties. £6,440. At argos.co.uk

• What we love: Built-in seating | LED lights | Generous capacity
  Cons: Design may be bland for some
• Seats: Up to 7 people
• Dimensions: H 80cm x D 216cm

The Santorini is one of the larger hot tubs in Lay-Z-Spa's range, holding up to seven adults with ease. A whopping total of 180 powerful Airjets are ready and waiting to massage away your troubles, with 10 multi-directional, flow-adjustable Hydrojets thrown in for good measure.

Water-powered lights add extra ambiance, while built-in inflatable moulded bench seating provides additional comfort. With a smart, understated exterior and an interior designed to mimic the waves of a calm blue sea, the Santorini brings a piece of the Mediterranean to your home. £700. At therange.co.uk

• What we love: Customisable interior | Rammed with water jet and massage features | Sturdy build
• Cons: Extremely expensive
• Seats: Up to 5 people
• Dimensions: H 91cm x W 213cm x L 213cm

For a hard-shell hot tub option, the Jacuzzi J-335 Comfort with Compact Lounge Seat is an excellent choice and comes with the benefit of hydro-massage. Unlike an inflatable type of hot tub, a hard-shell design has an internal heating system and is insulated for use all year round. As it’s a permanent fixture, you’ll need to make sure you have the space on your patio to house it – either freestanding or built into your patio or decking. It's worth keeping in mind though, a hard-shell hot tub also costs considerably more than an inflatable.

On board the J-335 you’ll find lots of relaxing features including 42 jets of water, two massage selectors, a mini waterfall, two ‘hydro-soothe’ massage pillows and more. The interior on this Jacuzzi design can also be customised to suit your style in a range of finishes from cool Porcelain to a darker Monaco shade and the cabinet can also be tailored to your style with Smoked Ebony, Modern hardwood or Brushed Grey to complement your decking or patio. You can also upgrade the design to include a Bluewave spa stereo to stream your music. £11,999. At jacuzzi.com

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