Are inflatable hot tubs worth it?

What you get

For the outlay, an inflatable tub gives you warm water, bubbles and a social space in the garden. Setup takes an afternoon: lay the ground sheet, inflate the tub, connect the pump, fill it and start heating. It runs from a 13 A outdoor socket, needs no building work and can move house with you.

Mid range models add tougher walls, better covers and, on some, water jets, app control and freeze protection. Our best inflatable hot tubs guide compares the main options.

The trade-offs

Heating is slow. An 800 litre tub needs at least 26 kWh to go from 10 to 38 °C, which takes around 12 hours at 2.2 kW before any heat loss. Plan the first heat a day ahead.

Heat escapes through air walls, so in cold or windy weather the heater works hard to hold temperature. A thick cover and a ground mat help a lot. Many 13 A tubs also pause the heater when the bubbles run.

Lifespan is limited. With good care, inflatables commonly last a few seasons, and the pump is often the first part to fail. Seams, valves and the liner can also wear.

Running energy in kWh

Energy use depends on how often you heat from cold, how long you keep the water warm and how much heat escapes. Two simple sums help. First, the minimum to heat from cold: litres times 4.186 times the temperature rise, divided by 3,600, gives kWh. Second, holding: heater kW times the hours it runs. A 2.2 kW heater running five hours a day uses 11 kWh a day.

Multiply those kWh by your unit rate to get your own cost. Use the heat-up calculator for the first figure and see running costs for how weather and the cover change the second.

Upkeep and time

Like any hot tub, an inflatable needs a sanitiser, balanced pH and alkalinity, clean filters and a regular drain and refill. Expect to test the water a few times a week, rinse the filter every few days and change it when worn. Follow the chemical maker's instructions for every product.

There is also the base to prepare, the cover to keep clean and, if you store the tub, a drain, dry and pack away at the end of the season. See how to set up an inflatable hot tub for the first steps.

Who it suits

It suits less well if you want hot water on demand every day of winter, live in a very exposed spot or dislike routine water care. In that case, compare a hard shell tub or a foam walled spa.

• Households who will use it most weekends from spring to autumn.
• Renters or anyone who may move house.
• Gardens without space or budget for a permanent tub and 32 A supply.
• People happy to look after the water each week.

Safety basics

Plug the pump into a weatherproof outdoor socket protected by an RCD, keep cables off the ground and avoid extension leads unless the manual allows them. Use the cover's locks when the tub is not in use. Follow the maker's guidance on water temperature and how long to stay in.

Note:Always supervise children in and around a hot tub. If you need a new outdoor socket, have it fitted by a qualified electrician.

Frequently asked questions

Are inflatable hot tubs any good? For relaxed use in warmer months, yes. They are slower to heat and less durable than hard shell tubs.

How long does an inflatable hot tub last? Commonly a few seasons with good care. Storing it over winter and keeping water balanced help.

Do inflatable hot tubs use a lot of electricity? Heating from cold uses a fixed amount of kWh set by litres and temperature rise. Holding temperature in cold weather uses more, so a good cover matters.

Can I use one all year? Some models have freeze protection. Check the manual for the lowest air temperature the maker allows.