Enjoy the benefits of an inflatable hot tub.
COURTESY OF BESTWAY

Soak in the savings

Inflatable hot tubs offer value and convenience

by ERIK J. MARTIN

Yearning for the soothing sensation of a hot tub without the high expense? Consider a space-saving, plug-and-play inflatable hot tub, which can be easily set up for seasonal enjoyment.

A portable hot tub—typically made of PVC, nylon and other synthetic fabrics—is inflated with air, filled with water from a garden hose and attached to a pump that inflates, heats, filters and powers the unit when plugged into a nearby external GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlet. Best placed in a sheltered yard area and topped with a protective cover, it’s designed to operate in warmer months when the temperature is above freezing. Best of all, an inflatable hot tub can fit nearly all budgets.

Brian Taylor, a Costco member in St. John, New Brunswick, says he loves the inflatable hot tub he purchased from Costco. “Two people can easily move it to wherever you want to use it,” he says. “Ours is set up conveniently behind our house and we use it two or three times a week.”

Matt Vartola, vice president of business development for Bestway USA, a Costco supplier of inflatable hot tubs, says they “have the same basic features and functions of traditional hot tubs at a fraction of the cost, with easy-to-replace parts and only simple maintenance required.” (See “Expected upkeep.”)

However, inflatable hot tubs usually are smaller in size than hard-shell models, have less-powerful jets and shouldn’t be placed in direct sunlight or exposed to rain or snow, which can degrade the materials.

Owning an inflatable hot tub in Canada can be a comforting and relaxing experience, according to Marissa Johnson, founder of Inflatableblast.com, which provides information on a variety of inflatable objects. “A hot tub provides numerous health benefits, such as relieving muscle tension and soreness, improving sleep and reducing stress,” she says. “It can be easily deflated and stored during the winter months, too.”

If you’re warming up to the idea of an inflatable hot tub, now might be a good time to jump in.