A hot tub can bring hours of fun and relaxation. Suitable for the whole family, hot tubs can be hired specifically for an occasion or bought to keep for years. However, purchasing this luxury addition to your home can also come with a hefty price tag. Taking time to consider everything necessary before making a decision can help you to save time, money, and hassle.
Here are some of the key things to consider before buying a hot tub.
The Costs
The upfront cost of buying a hot tub could be as little as £300 (for an inflatable version) or as much as several thousand pounds. Before starting to shop around, set yourself a budget.
In addition to the initial purchase, there will be other costs that could creep in. Deep cleaning of the hot tub every few weeks or months should be done thoroughly and safely by a professional. Accessories like pumps and jets may break over time, and costs will be involved to have them repaired or replaced.
Some suppliers will offer financing options, giving you the chance to spread the cost over several months or even years.
The Location
Any large item like a hot tub will need space to be stored safely. You should only consider buying such an item if you know that you have enough space to store it.
During warmer months, many hot tubs are kept outside in the garden. When choosing a good spot for your hot tub, you should think about the following:
- Is there enough space for the hot tub?
- Are you comfortable with other people or neighbors potentially being able to see you and your guests?
- Does the area get a lot of sunshine? Is it a shady area?
- Does the hot tub fit in with other garden furniture?
- Will there be any problems for trees, shrubs, and plants in the garden?
Other considerations may be individual to your home and garden. If you live with other people who will be using the hot tub, ask about their preferences too.
The Quality
Quality is often, but not always, proportionate to cost. The quality of the hot tub will often depend on your budget.
If you’re struggling to think of which areas to prioritize when looking for a good quality hot tub, the water filtration system is a good place to start.
A high-quality water filtration system will give you peace of mind that the water is being filtered properly while the hot tub is being used. Most standard systems will require a chemical such as chlorine to be added.
Other water filtration systems include those which filter water using UV-C light. This is reported to clean as much as 99.9% of bacteria from your hot tub.
Self-cleaning tubs, such as the , offer an easy and simple system that cleans the water every 15 minutes.
The Size
Choosing the right size of the hot tub for your property will depend on a variety of factors. Let’s consider some of the main things that will help make your decision on sizing.
How many people?
The size will largely depend on your plans for the hot tub and how many people will be using it at the same time. Small hot tubs are designed to accommodate 2-3 people, while medium and larger-sized hot tubs can hold 6-8 or more.
If you’re buying a hot tub to , it’s important to also consider whether all your guests would use the hot tub at once. If not, a smaller hot tub could also work.
What is the budget?
Larger hot tubs will inevitably cost more money, so you may be bound by the constraints of your budget. A small tub will still offer the same features as a larger one, but with the capacity for less water and fewer people.
Consider whether you could split the cost with housemates, family members, or friends who would also be taking advantage of this purchase.
Where will you store it?
It’s not always suitable to keep your hot tub outside all year round. A large hot tub will require more space in storage, even if it folds down to a smaller size.
Before committing to a purchase, make sure you have enough space to store it when not in use.
The Accessories
Making the most out of your hot tub experience could mean investing some extra cash in accessories. This is particularly popular with those who want to host guests at their homes and show off their new pieces of furniture.
Here are some of the extras you should consider when looking to buy a hot tub.
Pillows and headrests
This makes any hot tub experience even more comfortable. Add headrests and pillows to as you relax in the warm water with a few drinks.
Accessories like these are designed to be affixed to the hot tub. Some can be kept there for as long as two years with regular cleaning.
Bluetooth speakers
Are you imagining hosting a party in your garden with a group of friends? Maybe you have a hot tub in mind for your next birthday celebrations. Whatever you plan to do with your new arrival, Bluetooth speakers really help to bring the party.
But if you don’t like the thought of going too wild, music is a great addition to relaxing times. Playing your favorite playlist can help you to unwind after a busy day, or spend a weekend de-stressing from the cares of the week.
Some of the more advanced hot tub options will already have music and Bluetooth functions included.
TV screen
Another popular addition to a hot tub is a TV screen. Depending on the positioning of your hot tub, it might be easy to have this connected via your house. But if that’s not possible, you might need to pay a professional to install a screen so you can watch your favorite movies and TV shows while soaking.
We hope you enjoy your purchase!