If you're considering buying a hot tub, you might be tempted by an inflatable model as a first step on the road to a traditional tub. So, are inflatable hot tubs worth it? Read on to find out!
Inflatable Hot Tubs Pros and Cons
There are several benefits to an inflatable hot tub:
- Price
- Simple installation
- Storage
- Portability
The clearest benefit is the price. Inflatable hot tubs tend to be much cheaper than traditional models, making them a gateway for anyone wanting the benefits of a hot tub with a limited budget. They also come in a range of sizes, which means you can easily get a tub for two for an intimate evening, or a larger one to share with friends.
Being inflatable also means the installation is simpler – you just plug it into the mains, inflate it, and fill it with water. So, as long as you’ve got level ground and can reach the plug, you can set up anywhere.
Inflatable also means deflatable: you can deflate the tub and store it, also making it portable enough that you could take it with you in a camper van, for example. Traditional models have to stay where they are installed, making them a permanent fixture.
Inflatable Hot Tub Problems
Unfortunately, there are also plenty of downsides to inflatable hot tubs:
- Heating costs
- Lack of seating
- Lack of hydrotherapy options
- Durability
- Maintenance issues
- Effects of cold weather
- Shorter lifespan
Heating an inflatable hot tub may well cost more than a traditional hot tub. The energy efficiency and insulation in such models may be poorer than in a traditional model, meaning more heat is lost to the surrounding air. Heating an inflatable model can also take a lot longer – up to a whole day! - which means the heating costs may be prohibitive.
An inflatable hot tub also lacks the in-built seating availability of a traditional model. Not only do you have to sit on the ground – which can be uncomfortable for long periods of time – but you also have to forego the hydrotherapy jets that make the hot tub experience so appealing. You may find a model that has air jets on the bottom of the tub, but these provide more of a bubble experience than a targeted massage. All in all, this is much less comfortable than a traditional hot tub!
Inflatable hot tubs are also much less durable than traditional models. They are at serious risk of punctures and tears, and their heating elements are quite prone to failure. The cold of winter can also make the material of an inflatable tub more brittle and prone to damage, limiting its usage.
All hot tubs need regular maintenance, including cleaning and replacing the filter. On an inflatable hot tub, the filter is often smaller than in a traditional tub, so you’ll be cleaning and replacing it much more frequently. Small filters can get clogged more easily than their larger counterparts, which can also necessitate frequent water replacement if you regularly have four or five people in your hot tub. Some small filters last for only two or three cleans before needing replacement, which will mean spending more on filters over the lifetime of the tub. These costs can quickly rack up, especially when considered alongside the heating costs.
Inflatable hot tubs also tend to have shorter lifespans, lasting up to five years whereas well-maintained traditional models can enjoy up to twenty years of use.
Portable as an inflatable hot tub might be, they are still limited in where they can be set up. Not only do they need to be situated on level ground, but they become much heavier when filled with water and people – up to 1000kg or more. This means they tend not to be suitable for use on balconies, roofs, or elevated floors that aren’t really built to carry that kind of weight.
Should I Get an Inflatable Hot Tub?
The decision to buy an inflatable hot tub is ultimately yours. Although they present a cheaper upfront cost, you may end up paying more in the long term due to the maintenance issues and shorter lifespans. Here at Premier Hot Tubs, we feel that traditional hot tubs present a better investment overall.
If you have any queries about hot tubs, please do get in touch and we will do our best to answer them.
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