Buying your first hot tub is exciting. Whether you have been dreaming about relaxing in warm, bubbling water after work, creating a new social space in the garden or simply enjoying more time outdoors at home, choosing the right hot tub can completely transform the way you use your garden.
However, if you have never owned one before, it is perfectly normal to have plenty of questions.
Which hot tub should I buy? Where will it go? How much maintenance does it need? What electrical supply will I need? How does delivery work? And what happens once it arrives?
At The Hot Tub Warehouse, we help customers through the entire process, from choosing your first hot tub to delivery, installation and learning how to look after it.
If you are thinking about buying a hot tub, this guide covers the important things you need to know.
Why Buy a Hot Tub?
A hot tub is much more than another feature for your garden. It creates somewhere you can relax, switch off and spend quality time throughout the year.
One of the biggest advantages of having a hot tub at home is convenience. There is no travelling to a spa, booking a session or worrying about opening times. Your own private place to relax is waiting just outside your door.
A hot tub can provide:
- A relaxing space to unwind after a busy day
- Warm water and hydrotherapy massage
- A place to spend quality time with your partner, family or friends
- More opportunities to enjoy your garden throughout the year
- A private spa experience at home
- A fantastic focal point for a new garden or outdoor entertaining area
- Somewhere to disconnect from phones, televisions and everyday distractions
And because modern hot tubs are designed for year-round use, they are certainly not just for summer. In fact, slipping into a warm hot tub on a crisp autumn evening or cold winter night can be one of the best times to enjoy one.
My First Hot Tub: Where Do I Start?
The best place to start is by thinking about how you expect to use your hot tub.
There is no single model that is right for everybody. A couple wanting somewhere peaceful to relax may have completely different requirements from a family looking for a spacious hot tub that can accommodate several people.
Before buying, consider how many people will regularly use the hot tub, whether you prefer upright seating or loungers, how much space you have available and which features are most important to you.
Visiting a specialist showroom can make this much easier. You can see different hot tubs in person, compare their sizes, seating layouts and features and get professional hot tub advice rather than trying to make your decision from photographs alone.
What Size Hot Tub Should I Buy?
Hot tubs come in a huge range of sizes.
Compact models can be ideal for couples or smaller gardens, while larger models provide plenty of room for families and entertaining.
Do not simply look at the advertised number of seats. Consider the actual seating arrangement too.
For example, some hot tubs have loungers that allow you to stretch out, while others concentrate on upright seating to maximise capacity. Think about who will use the hot tub most often and what will be comfortable for them.
It is also important to measure the available space carefully, allowing sufficient room around the hot tub for access and future servicing.
Where Should I Put My Hot Tub?
Choosing the right location is an important part of buying a hot tub.
Most people choose a patio, paved area or dedicated section of their garden. Others incorporate their hot tub into a larger garden project with decking, a pergola, gazebo or purpose-built outdoor entertainment area.
Ideally, your hot tub should be somewhere that feels private while still being conveniently accessible from your home.
Remember that you will probably use it during colder weather too. A hot tub at the far end of a large garden might look fantastic, but that walk back to the house can feel considerably longer on a freezing January evening!
You should also consider access for maintenance and servicing.
What Base Does a Hot Tub Need?
A filled hot tub is extremely heavy, so it needs a strong, solid and level base capable of supporting its weight. View our guide on getting the right base for your hot tub.
Suitable bases can include properly prepared concrete or paving, depending on the hot tub and installation.
If you are unsure whether your proposed location is suitable, speak to The Hot Tub Warehouse before installation. Getting the base right beforehand helps ensure your hot tub can be installed safely and correctly.
What Electrical Supply Does a Hot Tub Need?
This depends on the hot tub you choose.
Some hot tubs are designed around a simpler electrical connection, while larger or more powerful models can require a dedicated electrical supply.
The requirements should always be established before delivery so the appropriate electrical work can be completed by a suitably qualified electrician.
When choosing your first hot tub, The Hot Tub Warehouse can explain the requirements of the particular model you are considering so you know what needs to be prepared.
How Do I Get a Hot Tub Into My Garden?
This is one of the biggest concerns for many first-time buyers, particularly if access to the garden looks difficult.
Fortunately, difficult access does not automatically mean you cannot have a hot tub.
The experienced delivery team at The Hot Tub Warehouse regularly handles hot tub deliveries to all kinds of properties. Depending on the property and access available, hot tubs can be carefully manoeuvred through suitable access routes using specialist equipment and experienced handling techniques.
And when conventional access simply is not possible, crane delivery can also be arranged where appropriate, allowing a hot tub to be carefully lifted over obstacles and into position.
So if you have a narrow access route, walls, fencing or another obstacle between the road and your chosen hot tub location, do not immediately assume it cannot be done.
Talk to the team and let the experts assess the options.
What Happens When My Hot Tub Is Delivered?
The service does not simply end with a hot tub being left outside your house.
The Hot Tub Warehouse’s experienced delivery and installation team can take care of getting the hot tub into position and completing the installation and setup.
Once everything is ready, the team will also explain how your new hot tub works and talk you through its operation and care.
That means instead of being faced with an unfamiliar control panel and a manual after the delivery van disappears, you can understand the basics of operating and enjoying your new hot tub from day one.
For somebody buying a hot tub for the first time, that personal introduction can make the whole experience much easier.
Are Hot Tubs Difficult to Maintain?
This is another extremely common question, and the answer is no, provided you establish a good routine.
Your hot tub water needs to be kept clean and correctly balanced. This involves monitoring water chemistry, using appropriate sanitiser and cleaning or replacing filters when required.
The water will also need changing periodically, while the hot tub itself benefits from routine cleaning and professional servicing.
It might sound complicated when you first start researching hot tubs, but once you understand the basic routine, looking after one quickly becomes familiar.
Getting good hot tub advice when you purchase your spa makes a huge difference.
How Often Can I Use My Hot Tub?
That is entirely up to you!
One of the great advantages of owning your own hot tub is that you can use it whenever you want. Many owners incorporate their hot tub into their regular routine, whether that means relaxing after work, enjoying a weekend soak or spending an evening outside with friends.
Because the water is maintained and heated ready for use, there is no need to fill the hot tub from scratch every time you fancy using it.
Simply open the cover, get in and enjoy it.
Can I Use a Hot Tub All Year Round?
Absolutely.
A quality hot tub can be enjoyed throughout the seasons, making it a genuinely year-round addition to your home.
Summer evenings are fantastic for socialising outside, while autumn and winter bring a completely different experience. There is something particularly satisfying about relaxing in beautifully warm water while the temperature outside is decidedly less inviting.
A pergola or gazebo can also help create a more sheltered hot tub area and make your outdoor space even more enjoyable throughout the year.
What Features Should I Look For?
Modern hot tubs can offer an impressive range of features, but the most important question is which ones matter to you.
Things worth considering include:
- Number and positioning of hydrotherapy jets
- Lounger and upright seating arrangements
- Different massage zones
- LED lighting
- Waterfalls and water features
- Audio and entertainment options
- Filtration systems
- Controls and ease of operation
- Insulation and energy efficiency
- Overall build quality
- Cover quality
- Warranty and aftersales support
Rather than choosing a hot tub simply because it has the longest specification list, think about the experience you actually want.
How Important Is Energy Efficiency?
Energy efficiency is worth considering because your hot tub will normally maintain its water temperature between uses.
Good insulation and a quality insulated cover can help minimise heat loss, particularly during colder UK weather.
When comparing hot tubs, do not focus solely on the initial purchase price. Build quality, insulation, equipment, warranty, servicing and ongoing support all contribute to the overall value of your purchase.
Sometimes the cheapest hot tub to buy is not necessarily the cheapest or best hot tub to own.
Should I Buy My First Hot Tub Online?
You certainly can buy hot tubs online, but for such a significant purchase there are major advantages to dealing with an established hot tub specialist.
Seeing hot tubs in person allows you to properly appreciate their size, quality, seating and features.
More importantly, you have knowledgeable people available to answer questions about installation, electrics, access, maintenance and ownership.
The support available after purchasing is important too. Hot tubs contain pumps, filtration equipment, heating systems, controls and plumbing, so access to knowledgeable servicing and aftersales support can be extremely valuable throughout the life of your spa.
Buying a Hot Tub: Do’s and Don’ts
DO
- Do visit a specialist showroom and compare different hot tubs in person.
- Do think about how you will actually use your hot tub before deciding on its size and seating configuration.
- Do measure your available space and access route carefully.
- Do prepare a suitable solid and level base before delivery.
- Do establish the electrical requirements of your chosen hot tub in advance.
- Do consider running costs and energy efficiency, not simply the purchase price.
- Do ask about the warranty and aftersales support.
- Do consider future servicing and maintenance access when deciding where the hot tub will sit.
- Do ask for professional hot tub advice if you are unsure about anything.
- Do choose a reputable supplier that can support you before, during and after your purchase.
DON’T
- Don’t buy purely on price. Quality, efficiency and aftersales support matter.
- Don’t assume every hot tub is essentially the same. Construction, components, insulation and features can vary considerably.
- Don’t install a hot tub on an unsuitable or uneven base.
- Don’t arrange delivery before checking access and installation requirements.
- Don’t panic if access to your garden is difficult. Specialist delivery methods, including crane delivery where appropriate, can solve access challenges.
- Don’t overlook ongoing maintenance. A simple regular routine will help keep your water and hot tub in great condition.
- Don’t choose solely by the number of jets. Position, massage experience and seating design matter too.
- Don’t forget about aftersales support. Your relationship with your hot tub supplier should continue long after installation day.
What Should I Budget for When Buying a Hot Tub?
Your budget should take more than the purchase price into account.
Depending on your property and chosen model, you may also need to consider preparing the base, electrical work and any landscaping or shelter you would like around the hot tub.
There are then normal ongoing ownership costs such as electricity, water-treatment products, replacement filters and periodic servicing.
A reputable hot tub specialist can help you understand these considerations before you purchase so there are fewer surprises later.
What Are the Benefits of Having a Hot Tub at Home?
For many owners, their hot tub quickly becomes one of the most-used features of their garden.
It creates a reason to spend more time outdoors and provides a dedicated space for relaxation that is available whenever you want it.
It can become somewhere to catch up as a couple without everyday distractions, somewhere for family time or the centrepiece of an evening entertaining friends.
There are also the simple pleasures that are difficult to appreciate until you own one. An early morning soak at the weekend. Warm water after a long day. Sitting outside beneath the stars. Enjoying the garden during months when you might otherwise barely use it.
Instead of relaxation being something you have to go somewhere else to find, it becomes part of home.
Make Your First Hot Tub Easy with The Hot Tub Warehouse
There is a lot to consider when buying a hot tub, but buying your first one does not need to feel complicated.
The key is having the right hot tub advice and experienced people available to guide you through the process.
At The Hot Tub Warehouse, customers can explore a wide selection of hot tubs and get expert guidance on choosing a model that suits their home, garden, budget and lifestyle.
Once you have found the right hot tub, the experienced delivery team can handle the practical challenge of getting it into your property. From straightforward garden access to more challenging installations requiring specialist handling or even a crane, the team has the experience to plan and complete deliveries professionally.
The installation team then gets your new hot tub set up and ready, before explaining how everything works so you can feel confident using and caring for it.
From wondering “which is my first hot tub?” to enjoying your first soak, The Hot Tub Warehouse can help make the entire journey straightforward.
Ready to Find Your First Hot Tub?
If you have been considering buying a hot tub, visiting The Hot Tub Warehouse is a great place to start.
See different hot tubs for yourself, compare sizes and features, sit in the different seating configurations and speak to experienced people who can answer your questions.
Whether you already know exactly what you want or you are at the very beginning of researching my first hot tub, professional advice can help you make the right choice for your home.
Your first hot tub will become your new favourite place at home!
Get in touch with us today to begin your hot tub journey!