(Until You’re Already Wet and Googling “Why Does My Water Smell Like Eggs?”)
Buying an inflatable hot tub feels like a genius move. You get all the luxury spa vibes without the price tag, installation headaches, or commitment. But here’s the thing:
Once you’ve soaked for the first time and posted your “tub life” selfie, reality kicks in.
And that’s when you start discovering the stuff no one puts in the Amazon product description.
So here it is — the unfiltered truth about what it’s really like to own an inflatable hot tub.
1. Yes, It Takes a Long Time to Heat — Like, Really Long
That “quick heat-up” marketing line? It’s a lie.
If you fill your tub with cold tap water and expect to be soaking in an hour, prepare for disappointment. Most tubs take 12 to 24 hours to reach full temp, depending on the weather and water source.
And if you live somewhere cold? Add another day.
Pro tip: Use warm water to fill it if you can, and always cover it while heating.
2. The Jets Are More “Spa Whisper” Than “Massage Beast”
Unless you’re dropping big bucks on a hydrojet model, most inflatable tubs use air jets — which means they create a bubbly, relaxing fizz… but not a deep-tissue massage.
They feel great for chilling out, but don’t expect them to fix your back problems. This is hot tub meditation, not hot tub physiotherapy.
3. You Become a Full-Time Water Chemist (Without Asking For It)
No one warns you about the sudden career shift. You go from “just want to relax” to testing pH, adjusting alkalinity, adding chlorine granules, and wondering if you accidentally created a potion.
And if you mess it up? Your water turns cloudy, stinks, or grows mystery foam that looks like a latte gone wrong.
Solution: Learn the basics of water care early. Or embrace chaos and drain the tub every two weeks.
4. Bugs Will Love Your Hot Tub More Than You Do
Leave that lid off for just one night and BOOM: floating bugs, drowned moths, the occasional suicidal spider. Your relaxing spa moment turns into a crime scene.
Even worse? Mosquitoes love warm, still water.
Keep it covered. Always. Even if you’re just going inside “for a minute.”
5. Your Electricity Bill Will Definitely Notice
No, it’s not the same as running a fridge. Most inflatable hot tubs use 1,300–1,700 watts to heat water. If you keep it running 24/7 — especially in winter — your electric bill will go up.
Not dramatically. But enough to make you raise an eyebrow and say, “Huh… what’s using all this power?”
Spoiler: It’s your bubbles.
6. It’s Huge When Full. Like, Really Heavy
An inflatable hot tub full of water weighs around 1,500–2,000 lbs.
If you were thinking of putting it on your wooden balcony, deck, or that slanted corner of your yard… think again.
Always check load limits. Because the only thing worse than a collapsed deck is a collapsed deck with you in a swimsuit on it.
7. You’ll Constantly Be Asked, “Can I Come Round?”
This sounds fun… at first.
But once friends, neighbors, and distant relatives know you have a hot tub? You become the unofficial spa host.
Suddenly, your alone time turns into group therapy, drink requests, and towel shortages.
Set boundaries early. Or embrace your new career as the local bubble dealer.
8. Draining It Is a Whole Event
Draining your tub sounds easy in theory. But you’ll quickly realize your yard isn’t flat, the drain valve is too slow, and somehow your slippers are soaked.
If you don’t have a water pump or a drainage plan, expect to spend your Sunday afternoon guiding puddles across your lawn like some kind of backyard Moses.
9. You’ll Become Weirdly Emotionally Attached to It
This part’s real. Once you’ve had a few late-night soaks, rainy day warm-ups, or glass-of-wine-under-the-stars moments… you’re hooked.
You start calling it “the tub.” You refer to it in group chats. You talk about it like it’s a pet.
And when it finally needs replacing? Yeah… it stings a little.
Final Thoughts
Owning an inflatable hot tub is amazing — but it’s not all steam and serenity. It takes patience, maintenance, and a bit of learning to really make the most of it.
But once you’ve accepted the quirks, the rewards are totally worth it.
A warm soak after a long day. A peaceful morning coffee in the mist. That feeling of escaping reality — in your own backyard.
Just know what you’re getting into before you dive in. Because no one told us. But now, someone’s told you.