The best hot tubs to bring a touch of luxury to your garden

The highlight of any garden party, hot tubs provide endless fun and fuss-free relaxation. There's no better time to invest in a hot tub – often seen as a luxury garden accessory, demand for hot tubs has rocketed in the last few years, and inflatable hot tubs in particular have been known to sell out almost instantly as soon as the heatwave hits.

In contrast to inflatable hot tubs, hard shell hot tubs are designed specifically with hydrotherapy in mind, thanks to their powerful flow of water through jets. Regardless of the design you choose, you can create the ultimate spa experience with the addition of some hot tub accessories – from a drinks holder to underwater LED lights and even a hot tub canopy for shade and privacy.

Where can I buy a hot tub?

The good news is that there are plenty of stockists (including some popular online retailers) with a good range of hot tubs and accessories. This list is not exhaustive but you can find a good selection at: Amazon | Wayfair | Robert Dyas | Argos | Homebase | JD Williams | B&Q. Scroll down to shop our favourite hot tub buys, from award-winners to cheap hot tubs.

How much does a hot tub cost?

There are different hot tubs to suit a range of requirements (what you will use it for), space (the size of your garden) and budgets (how much you can afford to spend). To help you decide, here are the most popular types of hot tubs...

Inflatable hot tubs: Inflatable hot tubs are a great starting point for someone wanting the luxury of bubbles without breaking the bank. A market leader is the Lay-Z-Spa hot tubs, offering various massage, size and design options. Portable and cost-effective, there's also the option for add-on accessories, such as a headrest to a drinks holder. While most inflatable hot tubs aren't suitable for year-round use, you'll find some with anti-freeze technology so you can have warming winter dips. And when not in use, blow up hot tubs are easy to deflate and fold away in a garden shed. The best part? With the right treatment and maintenance, inflatable hot tubs can last for years. Average cost: from £300.

Hard shell hot tubs: These hot tubs boast more powerful jets and features compared to inflatable designs. Durable and insulated for year-round use, the shell material could be vinyl, plastic or acrylic, to name a few. As these are permanent hot tubs, only consider this option if you have a permanent space at home for it. For the installation you need to ensure the area is completely level and that your hot tub has the correct foundation, such as a concrete base, plus a certified electrical supply and a garden hose pipe. You'll of course need to consider running costs, which varies depending on its size, insulation, capacity and heater. Average cost: from £4,000.

Wood-fired hot tubs: Wooden hot tubs are a more traditional style and are more efficient when it comes to energy consumption – rather than using electricity, water is warmed up through a log-fired stove. It'll take a few hours to heat up and because of this wood-fired method, it's hard to keep a precise temperature. Average cost: from £3,000.

What's the difference between a hot tub and swim spa?

Typically a swim spa refers to a larger tub designed for swimming in – and it's a luxury investment. Designed with powerful swim jets, it generates a current that you can swim or exercise against, yet it still has all the benefits of a hot tub. For installation, you may choose to position a swim spa on a reinforced deck or have it built in-ground. Average cost: from £20,000. B&Q is selling a 13ft swim spa for £20,000, while a larger 20ft version is retailing for £33,000 on Robert Dyas.

Is a hot tub the same as a Jacuzzi?

These terms are used interchangeably but Jacuzzi® is actually a brand that invented the hot tub over 60 years ago – and they are still manufacturing hot tubs today.

What size hot tub will I need?

Whether you want an inflatable design or a built-in model, the size of your hot tub depends on how you intend to use it and how much space you have. Planning regular hot tub parties this summer? You'll want a hot tub that can offer more seats than a standard family size.

How much does a hot tub cost to run?

According to Whatspa.co.uk, 'the most energy-efficient hot tubs on the market will cost between £1.00 and £1.30 per day at current energy tariffs of around 28p per kWh.'

How to set up a hot tub

The way you set up your hot tub will differ depending on the type of hot tub you've got. Saying that, proper ground preparation is crucial no matter the type of tub. Make sure the surface underneath is even and that there are no stones or debris underneath. We'd recommend investing in a concrete base or hot tub mat to ensure an even surface (plus, it helps with insulation).

If you've got an inflatable hot tub, start by plugging it into the mains and connecting the hose. Most pump systems use a 'blower mode' to inflate the plastic liner. Put your pump into this mode and inflate your hot tub. Once inflated, connect the pump inlet and outlet and start filling the tub with cold water from a hose. When the water is up to the fill line, you'll need to set the temperature and treat the water before using it. Do this by adding chlorine granules (following the recommended 'shock' amount on the box). Leave the water for 24 hours, then go back and test the pH balance, alkalinity and chlorine levels using hot tub test strips. If the levels aren't balanced, you may need to make adjustments by adding pH plus or minus.

Hard shell hot tubs are installed and treated in a similar way to inflatable hot tubs, though we recommend following the specific installation instructions set out by the manufacturer as each type can vary. Setting up and treating a wood-fired hot tub, on the other hand, is a little more complex than an inflatable or hard shell tub. For example, manufacturers suggest avoiding chlorine based treatments as they can damage the system. For full safety and setup instructions for a wood-fired hot tub, always read the manufacturers guide.

Remember...

All hot tubs should be on a level, solid foundation, ideally a concrete base. To ensure your hot tub holds its heat, place a large floor mat or outdoor rug underneath the tub to prevent cold creeping in from the ground - and don't forget to pop on the hot tub cover after each use. Regular cleaning will also help to prolong the life of your hot tub, so aim to shock your tub with chlorine every week or so (depending on the amount you use it).

On that note, we've rounded up the best hot tubs for your garden.