(All Under $20 — No Champagne Required)
You’ve got the tub. It’s hot, bubbly, and doing its job. But something still feels… basic.
Here’s the secret:
Luxury isn’t about spending more — it’s about how something makes you feel.
And with the right little add-ons, even a $300 inflatable tub can start to feel like a VIP spa.
Below are five dirt-cheap accessories (under $20 each) that instantly upgrade your hot tub game — without upgrading your budget.
1. Spa Lights – Turn Your Backyard Into a Vibe
Add a few submersible LED spa lights and suddenly your tub feels like it belongs in a rooftop hotel. The water glows. The bubbles catch the light. You start calling it your “private retreat” instead of “the inflatable thing in the yard.”
Most lights come with remote control color modes and suction cups or weighted bottoms, so you can position them anywhere — under water, on the sides, or floating.
Price: $12–18
Why it’s luxe: Mood lighting = instant ambiance. Perfect for night soaks, date nights, or just vibing alone like a bubble god.
2. Inflatable Headrests – Say Goodbye to Neck Cramp Soaks
Your hot tub isn’t actually relaxing if your neck is in pain the whole time.
A pair of inflatable headrests changes that instantly.
They stick to the tub wall (or wedge behind you), giving your head and shoulders a soft, buoyant place to lean. Suddenly, you’re lounging — not hunching.
Price: $10–15 for a set
Why it’s luxe: Comfort that feels custom-fitted. You’ll wonder how you soaked without them.
3. Floating Drink Holder – Because You’re Not a Barbarian
What kind of spa doesn’t have beverages on hand? A sad one.
You can fix that in 5 seconds with a floating drink tray or inflatable bar.
They hold wine glasses, soda cans, snacks, even your phone — all while bobbing gently next to you. No more awkward edge-balancing or reaching for wet cups.
Price: $9–14
Why it’s luxe: Makes every soak feel like vacation. Pairs great with spa lights and a Bluetooth speaker.
4. Insulated Spa Cover Blanket – The Power Bill Saver That Pays for Itself
Most inflatable tubs come with a basic lid, but they’re not always great at trapping heat. Laying a thermal spa blanket (like a silver bubble wrap-style cover) directly on the water helps retain heat overnight, cuts down on evaporation, and saves electricity.
Yes, it’s practical — but when your tub is hot and ready whenever you are?
That’s luxury.
Price: $15–20
Why it’s luxe: Keeps your water hot and your mood unbothered. Also reduces chemical loss, meaning fewer top-ups.
5. Scented Spa Crystals – Turn Your Tub Into a Stress-Melting Ritual
This is the spa hack no one tells you about.
A tiny scoop of hot tub-safe aromatherapy crystals adds soothing fragrance to the water without messing up your filter or chemistry.
Lavender. Eucalyptus. Coconut. Pick your vibe.
You go from “guy in a backyard tub” to “elevated human soaking in scented serenity.”
Price: $7–12
Why it’s luxe: Engages your senses and instantly changes the experience. Plus, it hides any weird plasticky smells from new tubs.
Wrap-Up: Big Luxury on a Tiny Budget
You don’t need $1,000 or a built-in spa to feel like a king or queen.
With just a few clever upgrades under $20, your inflatable tub can feel like something out of a 5-star resort (minus the awkward robes and cucumber water).
Try just one of these upgrades next time you soak — or better yet, combine a few.
Once you do, you’ll realize you weren’t missing a “better tub.”
You were just missing the little touches that make any tub feel like magic.