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Best Hot Tubs 2023 Reviews with Buying Guide

May 14, 2020 last updated

There are few things as relaxing as soaking in a hot tub. A backyard spa can help you turn your yard into a private oasis. If you’re thinking about buying a jacuzzi, this guide will help you by introducing you to some of the best hot tubs and offering you some tips for making this purchase. 

Best Hot Tubs and Spas 2020 (both Inflatable & Solid)

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Home and Garden 6 Person 71 Jet Spa with Stainless Jets Home and Garden 6 Person 71 Jet Spa Dollar coin iconDollar coin iconDollar coin iconDollar coin iconDollar coin icon BEST OF BEST Luxurious hot tub for 6 with plenty jets CHECK PRICE TODAY
Hudson Bay Spas 4 Person 14 Jet Spa with Stainless Jets Hudson Bay Spas 4 Person 14 Jet Spa Dollar coin iconDollar coin iconDollar coin iconDollar coin icon EDITOR’S PICK High-end value at a mid-range price point! CHECK PRICE TODAY
Hudson Bay 3 Person 14 Jet Spa Hudson Bay 3 Person 14 Jet Dollar coin iconDollar coin iconDollar coin icon Triangle-shaped 3 person option CHECK PRICE TODAY
AquaRest Spas AR-300 2 Person 14 AquaRest Spas AR-300 Dollar coin iconDollar coin iconDollar coin icon Unique design, shape and texture! CHECK PRICE TODAY
Intex Pure Spa Inflatable 6-Person Bubble Hot Tub Intex Pure Spa Inflatable Dollar coin icon BUDGET OPTION Popular inflatable (!) option CHECK PRICE TODAY
Our tip
We’ve actually written an article dedicated to just INFLATABLE hot tubs: Best Inflatable Hot Tubs of 2020

BEST OF BEST Home and Garden 6 Person 71 Jet Spa with Stainless Jets

If you’re looking for the best jacuzzi at any price, this one is worth looking at. It offers every high-end hot tub feature you could want and more.

It will comfortably fit six people and it offers an incredibly relaxing experience thanks to the 71 jets. This includes back, shoulder, calf, and foot jets.

Features

  • 71 jets, including 14-jet massage insert
  • low energy consumption due to Energy Rite® Pumps
  • 220V/50Amp
  • 6 seats
  • 350 gallon water capacity
  • 7-color underwater LED lights
  • ozone system
  • built-in waterfall
  • anti-fungicide tubing
  • lockable safety cover included
  • durable construction
  • including insulation
  • slip-resistant
Buyer rating
Although there are no reviews yet on Amazon, buyers have shared their overwhelmingly positive opinions about this luxurious spa elsewhere on the web. Several buyers report that this hot tub is even better than advertised, with particular praise for the jets. A few people complained of some leaking but it appears that this has been an experience for only a small minority.
Pros
  • large size
  • tons of jets
  • fun extras like LED lights and waterfall
  • low energy consumption
  • very durable construction
  • great looking
Cons
  • expensive

Bottom Line

Although a bit pricey, this luxury hot tub will not disappoint.

EDITOR’S PICK Hudson Bay Spas 4 Person 14 Jet Spa with Stainless Jets

This is our choice for best jacuzzi because it offers several high-end features without breaking the bank. It’s an ideal size for a backyard hot tub, comfortably fitting four without feeling cramped.

It maintains its maximum temperature of 104°F quite well. The waterfall, LED lights, and a variety of jets make this a really excellent spa experience.

Features

  • 7-color LED underwater mood lighting
  • 14 therapeutic jets
  • slip-resistant
  • built-in waterfall
  • anti-fungicide tubing
  • low energy consumption
Buyer rating
The majority of buyers are very happy with this tub, with many saying that it’s a great jacuzzi for the price. In addition to liking the overall value of this spa, people report being pleased with the size, the jets, and the LED lights. The only real complaint is the need to remove the entire access panel to fill or drain the hot tub. Click here to see the customer reviews for yourself
Pros
  • includes lockable safety cover
  • durable construction, including insulation
  • 14 stainless steel jets
  • LED underwater lighting
  • high-end features at mid-range price
Cons
  • entire access panel must be removed to fill or drain

Bottom Line

This is one of the best spas on the market because it offers high-end value at a mid-range price point.

Hudson Bay 3 Person 14 Jet Spa

This is a comfortable jacuzzi that is great for up to 3 people. It has a variety of therapeutic jets that are designed to touch the majority of body areas, inducing relaxation.

This jacuzzi is the balanced combination between quality and price, being able to offer most of the features that high-end products have without being the most expensive. It’s perfect for clients that don’t need more than 3 people to use it.

Features

  • 7-color LED mood lighting
  • beautiful stainless steel jets
  • maintenance free synthetic cabinetry
  • pressure treated base frame along with ABS bottom to ensure durability for years to come
  • slip resistant
  • low energy consumption
Buyer rating
Most of the clients are happy with this tub, saying that there is a very good value for the price paid. The only issue is that you have to remove a side panel to access the power cord. Other than that, it keeps the temperature up well and it’s very comfortable. 85% percent of the customers rated it with 4 and 5 stars, and the complains are mainly towards the customer service and not the product itself.
Pros
  • 14 stainless steel jets
  • 7 color LED mood lighting
  • Durable and slip resistant
  • maintenance free synthetic cabinetry
Cons
  • Hard to access power cord.

Bottom Line

A tried and tested corner hot tub.

AquaRest Spas AR-300 2 Person 14

If you are looking to enjoy the relaxation and wellness of a spa right in your backyard, this is a good option. The AquaRest Spas AR-300 is a portable hot tub made with a Rotomolded shell. It has a built-in Ozonator that keeps the water hot and free from chemicals.

Fit for two, this spa has 14 Stainless steel multiway hydrotherapy jets and heats up to a temperature of 104°F. For maximum relaxation, this plug and play hot tub has a waterfall feature, two cup holders to hydrate, and multi-colored backlights to enhance the mood.

Features

  • Size: 80” (L) x 68” (W) x 31” (H)
  • Power rating: 120V/15amp
  • Jets: 14 stainless steel adjustable hydrotherapy jets
  • Weight: 232 lbs., Dry Weight
  • Capacity: 160 Gallons
Buyer rating
While there were only a handful of reviews on Amazon, most of them praised the AquaRest Spas AR-300 for its portability, simple setup and maintenance. It gets extra points from a bulk of its reviewers for having a 120V plug. A major complaint was its rotomolded surface; some reviewers felt it was mildly rough, which makes it uncomfortable. A reviewer felt adding a longer chord would help enhance its portability.
Pros
  • Roomy and spacious
  • Plug and play hot tub
  • Ozonator feature kills bacteria faster than chemical treatment
  • Effective in-built heater
  • Powerful pump
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Mildly rough surface
  • Short cord

Bottom line

A decent featured, two-person, portable, plug and play hot tub fit for your backyard.

BUDGET OPTION Intex Pure Spa Inflatable 6-Person Bubble Hot Tub

Intex offers a portable inflatable spa that has a bit more room. It also has 170 high-powered bubble jets and head rests for added comfort.

Hot Tub Buying Guide

Buying a hot tub is a big investment and it’s not a decision you should make lightly. There are a number of things to consider when choosing the right jacuzzi for you. The advice below is more suitable for proper, solid hot tubs, rather than inflatable hot tubs.

Location

Before buying a hot tub, you need to know the ultimate location. It’s important that the location is both relatively flat and sturdy. If you want to place your hot tub on a deck, it’s important that the deck is well-supported. If you’re going to place the hot tub right on the ground, it’s important to find a level area where the earth is well packed. It’s also important that an electrical outlet is within reach.

You should also keep in mind how the hot tub will fit into your overall design layout. Will a hot tub look out of place? Can you rearrange your patio to make the jacuzzi fit right in? Ideally, your hot tub will be an inviting and natural part of your overall yard or patio layout. You might want to consider a hot tub’s “look” as well. Choosing a spa that will fit in with the general look of your other patio furniture might be nice.

Check out this hot tub patio design photo gallery from DIY Network for some inspiration.

Protection and insulation

We have written an article dedicated to hot tub covers, both protective weather covers and replacement insulated hard covers for your hot tub.

Size

Think about who will be using the hot tub. If you anticipate only using the hot tub by yourself or maybe with one other person, you don’t need to worry too much about getting a large capacity tub. If you anticipate a group of four or more people using the spa frequently, you’ll need to look for a hot tub with a larger capacity. You should also consider the size of the people who will be using the hot tub. A smaller hot tub that says it fits four might be uncomfortable for just two people who are both taller or larger.

Maintenance

When you buy a hot tub, you’re also committing to regular maintenance to keep it in ideal working order. Buying a hot tub is an investment but it’s one that will only pay off if you take care of it. By making sure the water is healthy, you are making sure that it’s a safe environment to relax in.

This video explains the basics of spa maintenance:

Jets

Most hot tubs use a combination of heat and jets to create that unmatched feeling of relaxation. For those who use hot tubs for therapeutic reasons, like for pain relief from arthritis or an injury, both the number and placement of the jets is important. The more jets there are, the more massaging power the spa will have.

Some hot tubs have adjustable jets while others have jets with placement to target specific areas of the body. Some jets are also more powerful than others. Bubble jets primarily just create that bubbling we expect from hot tubs while other jets will have more targeted massaging benefits.

Conclusion

We hope this hot tub buying guide and list of the best hot tubs has helped you find the right spa for you.

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Article author

Peter Lloyd
Peter Lloyd

Author and editor with LeisureRate.com since 2017.

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