Hot tubs are usually larger than you think, and buying one that is the right size for you and your space is crucial. It is hard to tell the actual size of a tub from a photo, so going to a showroom and seeing them, as well as getting in one to size it up, will really help you choose the one that is just right. To get you started and thinking about the kind of hot tub you need, here is our hot tub size guide.
Considerations before choosing your tub size?
Here are some of the considerations before buying a hot tub, so you can weigh up the size that is right for your space – and for you.
Space
How much space do you have available? Think not only of the space but also room for access and draining which needs to be around 30cm on each side, and 40cm for the entrance. Consider also the surroundings for your hot tub and whether or not an enclosure or other aspects need to be factored in.
Depth
How tall are you and how deep do you desire the tub to be? Hot tubs are not all made equal, and this may impact things like privacy and surroundings, too.
Connectivity
Hot tubs need to be connected to electrical outlets and water outlets, so how easy is this in the space you are planning to put your hot tub in?
Comfort
What type of seats do you want? Do you want a lounger, deep seats, pivot seats, or is this something that you have yet to consider? Some models offer massage seats and more advanced options, so budgeting and planning for this could elevate your experience.
Budget
The price of the tub is one thing, but then you will need to plan costs for the power outlet, and also your monthly maintenance costs, which increase with bigger tubs as you would expect.
Entertaining
How many people do you usually have around for entertaining? You don’t want to be playing footsie in your new hot tub, and once you have people in it, you will realise that they can feel much smaller when filled to the max.
Note that the sizes are all estimates from manufacturers, and most people choose to size up in their hot tubs where space and budget allows. Once you’ve visited a showroom and sat in the tubs, you will get a better feel for the space that they actually allow, and you will often find yourself craving that bit more space. This image says a thousand words about what buying a hot tub is like!
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Hot tub sizes
Small
Small hot tubs are designed for 2-3 people and are great for small spaces or more intimate settings.
Medium
Medium hot tubs can accommodate roughly up to 6 adults, and are the most popular size.
Large
Large hot tubs are great for entertaining and can house 7+ adults.
Below, we break down the hot tub sizes in more detail, looking at how many they seat within each category, so you can choose the hot tub that is right for you.
These are rough estimates, ensure you check with your hot tub supplier.
| Type | Seats | Size | Depth | Price Range |
| Small | 2 | Under 200cm | 2’4″ – 2’9″ feet | £3,000 – £9,000 |
| 3 | Under 200cm | 2’4″ – 2’9″ feet | £3,000 – £9,000 | |
| Medium | 4 | 200cm – 220cm | 2’7″ – 3’2″ feet | £4,000 – £9,000 |
| 5 | 200cm – 240cm | 2’7″ – 3’2″ feet | £4,000 – £9,000 | |
| 6 | 200cm – 240cm | 2’7″ – 3’2″ feet | £4,000 – £12,000 | |
Large | 7 | 210cm – 250cm | 3′ – 3’3″ feet | £4,000 – £12,000+ |
| 8 | 230cm – 250cm | 3′ – 3’3″ feet | £4,000 – £16,000+ | |
| Swim spa | Varies | 360cm – 640cm long and around 240cm wide | 4’ – 5’ feet | £15,000 – £40,000+ |
Breakdown of hot tub sizes
2 Person
Seating capacity
2 person hot tubs seat two people, but keep in mind that two adults in here will feel cosy.
Size and Depth
2 person hot tubs are usually under 200cm in size and around 2’4″ – 2’9″ feet in depth. They’re small and compact but create a space for relaxation and intimacy.
Price range
£2,000 – £9,000, depending on the make, model, and features.
3 Person
Seating capacity
Room for three but in close quarters, you might want to try this for size and look to size up where space and budget allow.
Size and Depth
Also under 200cm in size, and 2’4″ – 2’9″ feet deep.
Price range
£3,000 – £9,000, depending on the make, model, and features.
4 Person
Seating capacity
4 person hot tubs are designed for four, but refer back to the guidance we mentioned earlier if you’re regularly going to have four people in your tub.
Size and Depth
They are usually 200cm – 220cm in size and around 2’7″ – 3’2″ feet deep.
Price range
£3,000 – £9,000, depending on the make, model, and features.
5 Person
Seating capacity
5 person hot tubs seat five people, but do your research and go and see some in person before you commit.
Size and Depth
They are usually 200cm – 240cm in size and around 2’7″ – 3’2″ feet deep.
Price range
£4,000 – £9,000, depending on the make, model, and features.
6 Person
Seating capacity
Seating for six and often feeling a little more spacious at this point, unless you have six adults in there at all times.
Size and Depth
They are usually 200cm – 240cm in size and around 2’7″ – 3’2″ feet deep.
Price range
£4,000 – £12,000, depending on the make, model, and features.
7 Person
Seating capacity
They seat seven adults at a time and have a little more depth than some of the smaller models.
Size and Depth
They are usually 210cm – 240cm in size and around 3′ – 3’3″ feet deep.
Price range
£4,000 – £12,000, depending on the make, model, and features.
8 Person
Seating capacity
On the larger size of the hot tub scale with room for 8 adults – and more depth to boot.
Size and Depth
They are usually 230cm – 250cm in size and around 3′ – 3’3″ feet deep.
Price range
£4,000 – £16,000+, depending on the make, model, and features.
Swim Spas
Seating capacity
Swim spas can seat anywhere between 4-14 people, depending on the make, model, size and set up of your swim spa. Note that swim spas are different to hot tubs, and are used for exercise more than relaxation.
Size and Depth
They are around 360cm – 640cm long and around 240cm wide, and also 4’ – 5’ feet deep.
Price range
£15,000 – £40,000+, depending on the make, model, and features.
Delivery considerations
Delivery is typically included in the price you pay for your hot tub, but you will need to measure the size of your opening for delivery. While delivery costs are normally included, if the hot tub does not fit, you will need to hire a crane which can cost £500 – £1000 or more depending on where you live within the UK – so the free delivery can get quite expensive if you haven’t measured properly.
Maintenance
All hot tubs require regular maintenance routines, but keep in mind that the larger your tub, the more time will be spent – and money, on maintaining it. This is often an important consideration when buying a hot tub, because monthly maintenance costs vary from £10 – £50 per month, so make sure you do your budgeting and research on maintenance costs before committing. Maintenance costs do not include running costs for your hot tub.
Accessories
Once you have chosen the size of your tub, you can look at the accessories to go with it. Whether you’re choosing an umbrella or an enclosure, an insulated cover or a lid, these will form part of the whole hot tub experience.
It may also be an idea to look at accessories and tubs holistically as if you’re looking at a larger shelter, it might be wise to opt for a smaller hot tub, or to see what kind of combination your space can afford.
You can read more about hot tub enclosure ideas here, and get some inspiration for your hot tub set up here.
Hot tub features
Hot tubs, no matter the size, are packed with a range of features. They depend less on the size of the hot tub, but more on the price tag and how much you want to invest into your tub. Here are some of the most popular features you can look out for when choosing your tub.
Lighting
Almost all hot tub lighting is powered by LED bulbs, and many hot tub models, not just the high end ones, offer mood lighting options so you can set the tone for your evening.
Jets
The jets in your hot tub will vary in terms of sophistication, but we can say for sure that every hot tub will have jets, it just depends on how many and how advanced you want them to be.
Temperature controls
Controls to take the temperature up and down are pretty standard, but there are some more advanced features especially for the cooler settings to cool off.
Audio and visual
Bluetooth connectivity for an audio experience is standard, and you can even get HD screens in some hot tubs if you fancy a safe and sound movie night while enjoying the view from your tub – not available as standard but certainly popular with the more advanced models.
Seating
The seats are moulded within a hot tub but some include things like massage functions and specially moulded seats for the ultimate level of comfort and relaxation.
Consider which features matter to you when buying a hot tub, and remember to measure once and measure twice before you settle on a size.
