When looking for new ideas for relaxing outdoors, garden hot tubs are a popular choice. The healing and relaxing effects of water have been known for centuries. So which garden hot tub should you choose? Read this article to find out more about the different types of hot tubs and their installation and cleaning.
When looking for new ideas for relaxing outdoors, garden hot tubs are a popular choice. The healing and relaxing effects of water have been known for centuries. So which garden hot tub should you choose? Read this article to find out more about the different types of hot tubs and their installation and cleaning.
Types of garden hot tubs
Swimming pools and garden hot tubs are becoming increasingly popular in gardens and back yards. As you probably know, there are various types. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on hot tubs. They can be divided into two basic types: portable and in-ground. What is the difference?
Portable hot tubs
This type of hot tub should be inflated before use. They are usually made of very strong materials, such as PVC, which is resistant to punctures and scratches. Inflatable hot tubs are robust with firm edges, so you do not have to worry about spilling water. While sitting inside the hot tub, you can freely lean back and relax.
A big advantage of this type of garden hot tub is their lower price than all-year models. They are also very easy to assemble. You simply need to unfold it on a flat surface, inflate it, fill it with water and connect it to a power source. After the summer season, you simply need to wash it and let it dry before folding.
They come equipped with filters, pumps and hydromassage jets, so there is no need to buy and install these elements separately. They usually come with easy-to-use control panels for setting the temperature and even the amount of bubbles.
All-year hot tubs
A more expensive and, at the same time, more luxury option are all-year hot tubs. Their price largely depends on their capacity, as well as the material they are made of. In addition, you will need to buy and install nozzles, filters and pumps, as well as build around them and connect them to the water supply.
Garden hot tubs are often very heavy and bulky, which can make their assembly tricky. A crane is usually needed for installation and it is therefore best to plan the installation of an all-year hot tub at the same time as building your house or landscaping your garden.
As these hot tubs will be outdoors all year round, you also need to make sure that they are well looked after. You will find more on this topic later in this article.
 Inflatable Hot Tub – 900 L – 6 people – 130 nozzles – black/white |  Inflatable Hot Tub – 900 L – 6 people – 130 nozzles – dark blue/white |  Inflatable Hot Tub – 1,000 L – 6 people – 130 jets | |
| Capacity | 600 l | 900 l | 1000 l |
| Voltage / Frequency | 220-240 V, 50 Hz (EU) / 110-120 V, 60 Hz (US) | 220-240 V, 50 Hz (EU) / 110-120V, 60 Hz (US) | 220-240 V, 50 Hz (EU) / 110-120V, 60 Hz (US) |
| Power, filter pump | 30 W | 30 W | 30 W |
| Power, air pump | 30 W | 600 W | 36 W |
| Power, heating element | 1800 W | 1800 W | 1800 W |
| Maximum water temperature | 42°C | 42°C | 42°C |
| Heating time | 1-2°C/h | 1-2°C/h | 1,5-2°C/h |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 154,00 x 154,00 x 66,00 cm | 182,00 x 182,00 x 65,00 cm | 207,00 x 207,00 x 67,00 cm |
Pros and cons of garden hot tubs
Now that you know what types of hot tub are available, it’s worth considering the advantages and disadvantages of buying your own hot tub. This will help you make a decision.
Advantages of owning a garden hot tub
As previously mentioned, water has a positive effect on the human body. This applies not only to hot tubs, but also to other types of garden pools. For this reason garden swimming pools are becoming increasingly popular. You can read our post on building a swimming pool if you’re interested!
But returning to the topic of garden hot tubs, here are a few benefits of a hydromassage:
- it improves blood circulation,
- it stimulates the release of endorphins, also known as happiness hormones,
- it reduces limb swelling as well as muscular and joint pain,
- it reduces stress
- it helps treat arthritis and injuries,
- it gives your skin a healthy look
As you can see, there are many positive effects of using a garden hot tub. In addition, it is a great form of spending quality time with your loved ones all year round. It will also create an unforgettable experience during a romantic date.
Disadvantages of a garden hot tub
You should carefully consider every such major home purchase. Purchasing a garden hot tub is no different. Below is a list of disadvantages that you should take into account when choosing a hot tub:
- high purchase price and maintenance costs,
- tricky assembly (mainly in the case of all-year hot tubs),
- the need to connect them to the water supply and electricity,
- time-consuming maintenance,
- they take up a lot of space in the garden.
However, for most people the benefits of using a garden hot tub are worth putting up with the disadvantages. But make sure you bear them in mind when making your decision, especially the cleaning and maintenance.
Where should you locate your garden hot tub?
Once you have chosen your dream hot tub, you now you have to decide where to locate it. There are a few basic tips that should help you determine the optimal location for your hot tub.
One thing you don’t have to worry about is exposure to the sun. Unlike swimming pools, built-in heaters ensure that you always have the right water temperature. This means you could even place the hot tub under a roof. It is generally not recommended to place it near trees or tall shrubs, as leaves or flowers could contaminate the water and clog the filters. Of course, you can clean the tub regularly from leaves or use a special protective cover when not in use, but this will still not fully do the trick.
Another issue to pay attention to placing it on level ground. Uneven ground could cause water to overflow or even destroy the bottom of the tub. It is therefore best to place the hot tub on a level and paved surface. In the case of portable models, we would recommend that you additionally secure it with special sheets that protect the bottom from damage. All-year hot tubs are best located with easy access to the water supply and electricity. This way you will avoid additional complex and expensive work related to connecting it to the above utilities.
Also pay attention to the proximity to garden furniture and other equipment. After all, you don’t want to be surrounded by chairs, tables or barbecues while relaxing in the hot tub. The same goes for other garden recreational equipment, such as trampolines or swings. It’s best to move such things a bit further away.
Maintaining your garden hot tub
We have already mentioned the necessity to regularly clean the hot tub. Whichever hot tub you choose, proper maintenance is essential. So what will you need to do?
- Monitor the pH level of the water – as a natural result of frequently using the hot tub, the pH level may change. This is worth checking regularly, because too low a value will irritate the skin and damage the hot tub. A too high pH level, on the other hand, will make the water become cloudy and cause scaling on the hydromassage equipment. The optimal level is approx. 7.2 pH.
- Water disinfection – a high temperature and water are perfect conditions for the growth of bacteria, fungi and algae. Therefore, at least once a month and immediately after adding fresh water, the hot tub should be decontaminated with special substances. These are usually chlorine-based. After using them, wait a few hours until the Cl concentration drops to 1 mg/l.
- Cleaning the filter – the filter is designed to catch any impurities that appear in the water. It should therefore be regularly cleaned and replaced over time. How often you should clean the filter depends on how often you use the hot tub.
- Changing the water – in order to maintain a proper level of cleanliness, you should regularly change the water in your garden hot tub. This way you will avoid hard-to-remove sediments and maintain optimal water properties. You should change the water every 1-3 months – the more often you use the tub, the more frequently you should change the water.
- Washing the hot tub – after draining the water it is very important to thoroughly clean the tub from scaling. This is especially the case with portable hot tubs, which are more prone to sediment build-up.
Regular cleaning of your garden hot tub will ensure crystal clear water and a more pleasant experience.
Essential tools for cleaning the hot tub
Pool Cleaning Net – 191 cm
Perfect collection of leaves, twigs and insects from the water surface and water depth is possible thanks to the very fine mesh. The strong and durable mesh catches even small particles.
The aluminium construction of the handle makes it comfortable to use. The material is lightweight and has the strength and corrosion resistance appreciated in such tools. In turn, the frame of the pick-up is made of plastic, resistant to mechanical damage and twisting. The total length of the landing net is 191 cm, which is optimal and allows for comfortable work.
Hot Tub Filters – 6 pcs – Ø 65/105 mm – height 87 mm
The functionality of the hot tub filter from Uniprodo is that it effectively cleans the water flowing through the pump of dirt particles, and also makes it sufficiently softened. As a result, the magnesium and calcium content is reduced, which has a very positive effect on the skin and hair.
The efficiency of UNI_POOLS_06 model is a feature resulting from the fact that there are as many as 6 filters in the offer, and each of them can effectively work in the filtration system for up to 168 hours. The purchase of one set will thus allow for over a month of continuous filtering.
How to choose a garden hot tub – summary
The question “how to choose a garden hot tub?” is very complex and depends on many aspects. However, we hope that the advice in our article will make it easier for you to make a decision.
To summarise: you can choose from two types of garden hot tubs – portable and all-year. The first type is cheaper and can be conveniently folded and unfolded. The second is permanently located in one spot and requires more effort and a bigger investment.
A very important issue is the location of the hot tub. It does not have to be in a sunny spot, but certainly away from trees that could pollute the water. The ground should be level, and preferably paved. Try to find a pleasant spot in your garden, without garden furniture and other recreational equipment
The last thing to remember is proper cleaning and maintenance. If you stick to the above tips, you will be able to enjoy many relaxing moments for years to come. Therefore, make sure you keep them in mind.
If you are interested in other garden-related topics, make sure you read our other articles. Among them you will find out how to make a garden pond.
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