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Indulge in a touch of spa style from the comfort of your patio with one of GQ's picks of the best hot tubs
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Whether you're after a spot of mid-week relaxation or an enhancement for your Saturday night party, investing in one of the best hot tub models will considerably enhance your outdoor space. Competitively priced and designed with both comfort and convenience in mind, the best hot tubs come with relaxing jets, headrests and ambient lighting to make you feel like you’re holidaying at home.
Just roll off your sun lounger and straight into the jets for the perfect summer day, or invest in an outdoor sound system or Bluetooth speaker to blast alongside your swim spa for a summer evening of fun.
In the GQ edit of the best hot tubs, we’ve focused on inflatable hot tubs from our favourite retailers and garden furniture stores, most of which are priced at less than £1,000 with some fairly reasonable entry-level options. They can be housed on your patio or lawn, many have cup holders for convenience and they come in a range of sizes from two-person seater options, to those suitable for up to eight people.
If you’re looking for something more permanent and are willing to spend a little more for a sturdier build quality – from a price point of £1,500 – you can also consider a hard-shell or wood-burning hot tub. Either way, our buying guide selection below promises a premium, high-quality hot tub experience.
Skip to: What’s the best hot tub in 2024? | What to consider when buying a hot tub | How we chose the best hot tubs: GQ's review process | Shop GQ’s pick of the best hot tubs for 2024…
What’s the best hot tub in 2024?
We've covered more detail about all the best hot tub options a little further down, but if you're in a rush to get soaking in your new hot tub and you want a quick round up, you can find our favourites below to help you find the best hot tub for you speedily.
With Wi-Fi controls that let you turn it on and off, change the temperature and activate the 120 AirJet massage system remotely, we rate the Lay-Z-Spa Barbados Airjet inflatable hot tub as the best overall inflatable option. It can comfortably fit four people, be used all year round and is up to 40 per cent more energy-efficient than the industry standard.
The Lay-Z-Spa Helskini Hot Tub has capacity for up to seven people so it's perfect for slightly larger groups. That, plus it actually looks great with its wooden-effect design, 180 AirJet Massage System and Freeze Shield technology for all-round use.
The ideal set-up for anyone with some cash to splash, the Jacuzzi J-335 Comfort comes with 42 jets, two massage selectors and two ‘hydrosoothe’ massage pillows for the ultimate in self-care and wellness.
- Best overall inflatable hot tub: Lay-Z-Spa Barbados Airjet, £515 at amazon.co.uk
- Best energy efficient hot tub: Lay-Z-Spa Toronto, £839 at amazon.co.uk
- Best affordable hot tub: Dellonda 4-6 Person Inflatable Hot Tub Spa with Smart Pump, £300 at amazon.co.uk
- Best inflatable hot tub for large groups: Lay-Z-Spa Helsinki Hot Tub, £513 at amazon.co.uk
- Best hard-shell hot tub: Jacuzzi J-335 Comfort, £11,999 at jacuzzi.com
Hot tub FAQs: What to consider when buying a hot tub
How much space do I need? You need to have an outdoor power supply to plug in your inflatable hot tub. It needs to be away from any water splashes too. “Inflatable hot tubs are easy to set up, with no need for an electrician as you can simply plug in and use the mechanical pump to inflate within a few minutes,” says Nadia McCowan Hill, style advisor at Wayfair. Inflatable hot tubs are therefore considered plug-and-play hot tubs, but keep in mind positioning.
What kind of surface do I need? Level grass or patio is an important factor to consider when buying a hot tub, whether a two person hot tub, or a larger option. “You need a flat surface as if you position the hot tub on a slope all the water will be putting pressure on one side of the hot tub,” explains Tom Drackett, marketing manager at Lay-Z-Spa. “You should also place your hot tub in a covered or sheltered area such as a pergola, gazebo or summer house. Not only will it protect you from the elements, but it also offers privacy if your garden is overlooked.”
How do you keep a hot tub clean? You’ll need to treat the water and check your hot tub pump and filtration system regularly to keep it in tip-top condition. A chemical starter kit is a great way to maintain your hot tub as it has everything you need in small amounts. Once you’ve got used to the process of maintaining your hot tub, you can then stock up on the products you need in larger amounts.
How do you avoid hot tub punctures? While they are built to be sturdy and to hold a decent amount of body weight, inflatable hot tubs can be punctured if not cared for properly. Wine glasses, jewellery, pets and sharp objects around the garden such as stones are often the culprits when it comes to punctures, so keep them well away from your hot tub. Most hot tub brands offer puncture repair kits as standard, but see if the company offers a warranty upon purchase for extra insurance.
Are hot tubs expensive to run? You don't just need to consider how much a hot tub costs, but you also need to think about operational costs – factoring in water and electricity. While we can’t control the current rising energy prices, many hot tub manufacturers are working hard to create energy-efficient designs. Lay-Z-Spa, for example, sells stylish inflatable hot tubs with insulated outer liners and top covers that make them 40 per cent more energy-efficient than standard.
Despite the temptation to turn it off after use, if you’re using your hot tub more than three times a week it’s actually more economical to leave it running, or on standby mode, covering it after every use to lock in the heat. “When you fill up, use warm water or water from the hot tap and add a few inches of cold to the hot tub first,” suggests Drackett. "That way the boiler will use less energy than the hot tub heater to get that water up to temperature.’
How we chose the best hot tubs: GQ's review process
All of GQ’s interiors guides are written by our in-house team of contributing testers and experts, and are edited by Daphne Bugler, British GQ’s Senior Commerce Writer, who has been working at GQ for the past four years, and has written extensively about interiors since 2020. The team regularly talks to experts in a variety of interiors categories to better understand the products we write about and what we should be looking for.
Hot tubs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, so we've included ones that are fit to accommodate different group sizes. We've also made sure to include a mixture of inflatable, hard, and foam insulation hot tubs, which all offer up different levels of convenience and insulation performance, which is reflected in their prices.
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