Do Inflatable Hot Tubs Have Seats?

You might know that standard hot tubs usually have some sort of seats in them. But do inflatable hot tubs have seats in them as well? Do you have to blow them up or do you just sit on the floor. If an inflatable hot tub doesn’t have seats then doesn’t that make them really uncomfortable??

So do inflatable hot tubs have seats? Inflatable hot tubs do not have seats built into them. You sit on the floor. The floor is padded and so is comfortable and you can lean comfortably on the sides of the hot tub for support. You can buy seats for inflatable hot tubs as an extra if you would like to.

Many people look for comfort in a hot tub, and may, therefore, be surprised at the lack of built-inbuilt in seating in an inflatable hot tub, and may not research this before they purchase one. Organising the most comfortable hot tub experience may take more planning than you think.

Inflatable Hot Tub Seating

Most images on boxes and advertisements online of inflatable hot tubs show people reclining comfortably in their hot tub, seemingly on seats. However, when you actually buy an inflatable hot tub you find that they do not come with any form of seating built-in on the inside.

The reason for the lack of in-built seating is to do with how inflatable hot tubs work. Unlike conventional hot tubs that produce jet streams, inflatable hot tubs have thousands of tiny holes that are used to create bubbles. Building in a seat would result in fewer bubbles and poor heating circulation due to the fact there would be fewer holes.

The other reason that inflatable hot tubs don’t have seats is that they are designed to be the sitting hight of the average adult so that you can comfortably sit on the bottom of the hot tub and be above the water. This means that additional seating is not necessary, as the height has already been measured to be the right size for a seated adult.

This generally means that most people will be happy sitting on the hot tub floor and leaning on the hot tub walls. This is actually more comfortable than it sounds as the hot tub base is padded and the buoyancy of the water helps to support your body as well.

Another key reason for having no seating means you can fit more people into the hot tub. An inflatable hot tub maximizes space by having the entire circumference unhindered by unnecessary seating, allowing for more people to be able to comfortably sit in the hot tub at once.

There is, of course, the option of buying extra seating to go inside your inflatable hot tub if this is desired. You can purchase small cushions to sit on, as well as headrests that attach to the top of your hot tub so that you can recline.

Finding the Right Seating for Your Inflatable Hot Tub

As the seating is not included, you may feel you want to purchase additional seating to add to your inflatable hot tub. You should carefully consider what you want to use the hot tub for and who will be using it before you purchase your items.

If you have a large family that will be using the hot tub at the same time, it is wise to look for minimal seating to optimise space and should opt for a cushioned bottomed hot tub or mat to make sitting more comfortable.

If shorter adults or children above the age of 5 will be using the hot tub, consider singular seating that gives some height as well as comfort. This can be in the form of a singular inflatable cushion. Only one person needs to sit on it so that it doesn’t take up room, and it is stable and sturdy for someone to sit on and be above the water level safely.

If you are planning to share the space with a partner and you want to add a touch of luxury to your inflatable hot tub, you can purchase a cushioned seat and headrest to recline whilst you spend time in the hot tub. These can be attached to the edge of your hot tub and provide extra comfort when you lie back.

What You Should Expect To Come With Your Inflatable Hot Tub

As you have discovered you should not expect seating to come as part of your inflatable hot tub kit. There are some things you should expect to come with it, however, to ensure the best use of the hot tub. For example, the hot tub should have a comfortable base or bottom, so that sitting down is comfortable without the need for seats.

You should, as standard, have the heating and water pump either already attached to your inflatable hot tub. If they are not already attached, you should have instructions with your hot tub, that will instruct you how to attach them correctly so that the inflatable hot tub can function.

You should also expect a pump for air so that you can inflate the hot tub. Whilst it is possible to do this manually, it will take a much longer time, and won’t guarantee the hot tub remaining inflated throughout usage, as it will likely begin to deflate without constant topping up. Therefore an electric pump is something you should expect to come with your hot tub. You should check this before you purchase.

Why You May Not Want Seating in Your Inflatable Hot Tub

Sometimes seating is not the best option for your inflatable hot tub. One of the biggest reasons for not wanting one is because of space. By not putting in additional seating you can optimise the space of your inflatable hot tub, meaning that more people can use it at once. With the cushioned base, people can sit comfortably and spaciously without the need for seating.

Also, as the walls of the hot tub are already the right height for seated adults, there isn’t the need for additional seating, and seating may actually mean you are more out of the water, ending in a less pleasurable inflatable hot tub experience. So, if you are only planning on adult use, you may find no need for additional seating.

Often people find that additional seating can harbor germs and bacteria. This is because it is excess material that is constantly underwater. This may be a reason that you want to minimize the amount of plastic contact space you have to keep them germ-free.

Similarly, those who are using sanitizers in their inflatable hot tub to keep it clean and free from germs may find that additional seating can begin to be brittle and damaged when exposed to the chlorine consistently. As many of the seating materials are not manufactured with the same quality or durability as the inflatable hot tub itself, you will find that the chemicals required to sanitize the water can damage the less durable material used for seating. This may leave many feeling the seating is not necessary in the long run.

Related Questions

Can I Use My Hot Tub in Winter? The answer to this question is no, you should not use it in winter. This is due to the material the inflatable hot tub is made from. PVC, the material used, becomes hard and brittle once temperatures drop below 4 degrees Centigrade. This would mean severe damage to the hot tub and risk breaking or tearing the inflatable material, leaving it useless.

Furthermore, the insulation in inflatable hot tubs is not necessarily sufficient enough to retain the amount of heat you need to keep it warm during the winter, which will consume money and energy to attempt to keep the heat.

It is instead advised that you store your inflatable hot tub during the winter by emptying it, deflating it, and placing it back in its box, keeping it inside where the temperature will not drop and damage the PVC.

How Much Does it Cost to Run an Inflatable Hot Tub? There are several factors that contribute to the cost of running an inflatable hot tub. If you follow all of the right steps it will usually cost between £5 and £10 a week to keep one running. In order to keep costs low you should follow energy and money-saving advice.

If you plan to use your inflatable hot tub 3 or more times a week, you should leave it heated constantly. This is because heating up cold water takes a lot more time and money to do than consistently keeping it at a warm temperature.

Invest in a good lid or cover – the better the cover, the more it will keep the heat in and insulate your inflatable hot tub, reducing the amount of time and money required to heat it. Keep your water clean with filters and sanitizers. This will limit the number of times you need to refill your inflatable hot tub and therefore will use less energy and money to re-heat.

Invest in an insulated base or mat. This can help you avoid losing heat through the bottom of your hot tub and reduce the amount of heating you need to do.