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The Ultimate Guide To Choosing Inflateable Hot Tubs

For most people, the idea of relaxing in their own hot tub often comes when the temperature begins to drop and the weather becomes colder. But who wouldn’t enjoy taking a nice dip into a hot tub after a long day at work? It doesn’t matter whether it’s a summer’s day or a cool winter’s night, the pleasant water bubbles would soothe away all your troubles, relax your tensed muscles, and revive your body and soul.
While a standard hot tub is the best way to enjoy the benefits of a spa in your own home, not everyone has the right space for a built-in unit. A practical and perfect solution to this is an inflatable hot tub. Inflatable hot tubs are much more affordable compared to standard hot tubs and can be installed anywhere in your home or taken down depending on your usage requirements. They come in different shapes and sizes, so it’s not difficult to find the perfect one for your space. Here are the most important things you need to know before splashing out on an inflatable hot tub and creating your own world of luxury.
Most standard spas are made from hard acrylic in contrast to PVC vinyl material from which inflatable hot tubs are made. It is also worth noting that most inflatable tubs don’t come with all the luxurious features of a standard spa. Here are some things worth considering before you make your purchase.
Size
There’s no doubt that the biggest advantage of inflatable hot tubs lies in their portability. However, if you plan on using it more frequently, you may want to consider selecting one that will fit in your available space. There are several sizes available in the market and you can find spas that are just around 180cm in width.
Shape
Majority of the inflatable hot tubs in the market today are round in shape, there are also a few ones with a square-shaped design. This may not seem much of a big deal when choosing one for your home but most portable spa users have reported that square-shaped and two-person hot tubs provide more leg room to relax and enjoy. Of course, this will also depend on the number of bathers in the spa at the same time.
Capacity
When choosing an inflatable hot tub for your home, you should consider the number of bathers that will be using it. Most inflatable hot tubs have capacities to accommodate two, four, six and even eight persons. Majority of the designs, however, are a tight fit for adults and sizing up may be the only solution if you want to increase the wiggle room available.
Control Panel
Inflatable hot tubs come with integrated digital control panels through which you can adjust settings such as heater timer, jets on/off, and temperature according to your preferences. It is a good idea to shop for tubs that allow you to access the control panel from within the tub. Such tubs are much more convenient but may come at a higher price.
Hard Water System
This is another important feature to consider when choosing inflatable hot tubs for your home. A tub with a hard water filtration system helps to prevent a continuous buildup of calcium in your tub. However, this should not replace your normal water chemistry maintenance.
Cover
Every inflatable hot tub comes with their own cover. The covers are mostly leather, insulated, or thermal blanket. You’ll also find covers that have a combination of these materials. Even though you can easily upgrade hot tub covers, be sure to check for the quality of the cover of the model you choose.
Hot Tub Seating
As easy and cheap as it may seem to buy an inflatable hot tub, you might be surprised that it is very hard to find one with built-in seats. This is one of the features that makes it different from a standard spa. In fact, most manufacturers consider this as a separate purchase. Some, however, provide seat cushions but these do not give the same comfort as in standard spas. Depending on your requirements, you can purchase seats or extra padding to place on the bottom of the spa.
Jets
When choosing your inflatable hot tubs, another important feature is the type of jet system that it uses. Most portable tubs have 100 air jets, there are also some models with up to 200 or more air jets. In comparison to standard spas, these jets cannot provide the same relaxation sensation. However, some portable hot tubs contain water jets which can improve your overall spa experience.
Cleaning
It’s important to keep your hot tub clean and shiny. With regular cleaning you can be assured that the water is always healthy, and that the hot tub will last longer. It’s tempting to take shortcuts with cleaning, but this is a very bad idea. Your hot tub will be filled with bacteria and dirt which can cause health issues. A clean inflatable hot tub is a happy inflatable hot tub.