When turning the dream of owning a hot tub into a reality, there are several factors you need to consider. Cost is usually one of them, along with value, maintenance requirements, and ease of installation.
But for a lot of people, the main consideration is size.
Most of us have a specific spot in mind when planning for a hot tub, and this can mean size limits for optimum fit. A small space shouldn’t keep you from having that spa you’ve always wanted!
Just like with any other product, be sure to take some time and think about what features are important to you.
And take a look at our top picks for the best 2 person hot tubs.
The 10 Best 2 Person Hot Tubs
#1. Intex 77in PureSpa
- The built-in hard water treatment system makes water gentler on skin for a soothing experience
The Intex PureSpa Portable Bubble Massage Spa Set is one of our top picks for affordability and simplicity. This tub is not only perfect for small spaces, but it’s also great for rental properties where you don’t want to install anything more permanent.
One of the unique features of this tub is that it includes a built-in hard water treatment system, so it’s great for areas where this is a problem. It also comes equipped with 120 bubble jets and an efficient heating system and a low-maintenance filtration system.
And if you ever need to move it, simply drain it and deflate it. Assembly and maintenance on this tub couldn’t be easier.
#2. Bestway SaluSpa Miami
- ATTENTION: This model is not available for sale in the following states: CA, MA, ME, NJ, NV, NY, OR, RI. Residents of these states may select the comparable Bestway model sold with energy-efficient EnergySense thermal cover to avoid cancellation.
Another top-of-the-line inflatable spa, the Bestway SaluSpa Miami, gives you all the luxury and features you could ever need. The puncture-resistant tri-tech material is constructed with I-beam formation so that it never loses its shape or structure.
This hot tub is super simple to operate with a digital control panel inside the tub that you can adjust up to 104 degrees. It’s also programmable up to 72 hours in advance for power-saving convenience.
#3. American Spas Hot Tub
- This 2 person hot tub will be delivered curbside. To have the item Delivered to a location of choice on your property, kindly make additional arrangements with a third party provider ahead of delivery
This American Spas hot tub is particularly great for tight spaces because of its triangular, corner-fitting shape. It’s the ultimate in luxury with its “whisper-quiet” titanium heater, individually-controlled stainless steel jets, and multi-color LED lights.
But the element that makes it the most unique is its Hydro clear Ozonator that purifies the water with a corona discharge cell. With this feature, the hot tub practically cares for itself.
#4. Essentials Hot Tub
- 11 STAINLESS STEEL JETS: Relax with passive therapy or switch to an invigorating massage at the touch of a button.
The Essentials hot tub comes in three different colors: gray, cobblestone, and millstone to match your design preference. And its octagonal shape makes it an attractive feature for any patio.
It’s constructed of resin, so it’s lightweight and portable. But the material still has the appearance of a high-end installed tub.
This hot tub is considered a plug-and-play because you can simply fill it up, plug it into any outlet, and hop in. And the durable stainless steel heater keeps it going in any weather.
#5. Bestway SaluSpa Palm Springs
- Enjoy the ultimate spa experience: receive total relaxation when you slip into this soothing portable hot tub after an exhausting day at work. A separate air pad sits underneath the spa for extra comfort under foot and backside while insulating the floor.
The Palm Springs is another great hot tub from Bestway. It’s a little larger than the previous model but comes with all the same features.
Also an inflatable tub, the Palm Springs is made to be transported wherever you want it. And it’s durable enough to stand up to all kinds of environments.
Set this tub up quickly within minutes. It requires no tools and no complicated construction. Simply inflate, fill, and plug in. You can even manage all the controls from inside the spa without ever leaving the warmth of the water.
#6. QCA Spas Gemini
- 91 x 42 x 29 2 Person Hot Tub
QCA makes this oblong hot tub that’s a really cool shape and size for most spaces. It’s also extremely stylish with its polished acrylic interior and classy wood-look exterior.
The seats in the tub are designed for comfort. They’re made to cradle your body in the perfect position for relaxation while powerful jets massage your muscles.
The Gemini was made with efficiency in mind. It uses a green heating method that recycles the heat generated by the motor to save on money and natural resources.
#7. Hudson Bay Jet Spa
- This item will be delivered curbside. To have the item delivered to a location of choice on your property, kindly make additional arrangements with a third party provider ahead of delivery
This triangular hot tub comes equipped with a ton of features. It requires a dedicated 110V outlet, so it’s less portable than others.
Using an Energy Rite Pump, this Hudson Bay model is designed with energy efficiency in mind. The system uses little energy but performs like a dream.
The white shell is constructed from a multi-layer Lucite acrylic that is both durable and slip-resistant. And the mocha exterior gives it a clean and beautiful design.
#8. Essentials Newport Hot Tub
- 14 STAINLESS STEEL JETS: Relax with passive therapy or switch to an invigorating massage at the touch of a button.
The Essentials Newport hot tub is made out of quality granite resin and contoured for optimum seating comfort. It’s also designed to be “super lightweight and portable while still offering strength and durability.”
This hot tub comes equipped with a Balboa heater, which is known for its year-round reliability. It also comes with a heavy-duty insulated cover with locking clips.
#9. Hudson Bay Stainless Jets
- Electrical: Dedicated 110V/20Amp. 10ft Long GFCI Cord Included. Plugs Into a Standard 110V Outlet
Hudson Bay’s spa was designed with both energy efficiency and style in mind. Its Energy Rite pump uses little energy while still giving you high performance.
The interior is constructed with slip-resistant lucite. And the exterior is a wood-look wrap-around that gives it the look of luxury.
The most unique feature of this hot tub is its built-in waterfall. Top that off with the color-changing LED underwater lights and you can see why this one is a favorite among consumers.
#10. Essentials Integrity Hot Tub
- 11 STAINLESS STEEL JETS: Relax with passive therapy or switch to an invigorating massage at the touch of a button.
As the second Essentials hot tub to make our list, the Integrity is a lightweight portable spa with all the features of a higher-end model. It boasts bench-style seating, an all-weather Balboa heater, and multicolor LED lights.
The interior is constructed from beautifully-colored granite resin. And the exterior is made from weather-resistant sturdy material to protect it for years to come.
It’s also a very low-maintenance hot tub that’s easy to maintain and easy to move when needed.
You might be interested: Best Hot Tub Accessories
Reasons to Buy a Hot Tub
In case you’re still on the fence about this purchase, let’s take a look at some of the best reasons to buy a hot tub. There are probably a whole lot more than you think.
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Pain relief
There aren’t too many pains that can’t be relieved with a good long soak in a hot tub. In fact, one study cites significant improvement in MPS (Myofascial pain syndrome) patients with hydrotherapy after just a couple of weeks.
In this study, some participants were treated with heat packs while others sat fully immersed in whirlpools for 30 minutes 3 days a week. The whirlpool users had significantly less pain after the trial than the heat pack users.
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Improved digestion
A hydrotherapy experience helps to increase circulation and relax the muscles. This can have a huge impact on your digestive tract. It can be especially helpful after an uncomfortably large meal or for occasional gastric problems.
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Anxiety relief
The same study was used to measure improvement in the symptoms of anxiety among MPS patients with drastic results. But the treatment is not a new development.
Soaking in hot water has long been known to relieve the symptoms of anxiety. This is because it raises your body temperature, helping your muscles relax and tension to slip away.
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Romance
Sure, romance isn’t one of the more practical reasons for owning a hot tub, but there’s nothing wrong with wanting a retreat for you and your partner.
A hot tub is conducive to romance for a couple of reasons. First, if it’s set up in a secluded space, it’s great for alone time. But more importantly, it eases tension and makes for a more relaxed mood.
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Better sleep
Sleep deprivation is a much more serious health concern than many people realize. Some of the surprising effects are weakened immunity, high blood pressure, higher risk for diabetes, and memory issues.
A hot tub is one of the best cures for sleep difficulties because of its relaxing effect on the body. Soaking in one right before bedtime can relax your mind and muscles enough to help you fall asleep and stay asleep all through the night.
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Workout recovery
We keep mentioning the relaxing power of soaking in a hot tub, but the other thing it’s great for is increased circulation. Both of these benefits can aid in speedy recovery and pain relief for overworked muscles.
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For entertaining
Who doesn’t love stopping by a friend’s house for a glass of wine and a soak in the hot tub? If you enjoy entertaining or just having an intimate place to gossip with your BFF, one of these fixtures might be just the thing you need.
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To boost your immune system
Believe it or not, raising your body temperature is great for your immune system. It naturally stimulates the production of white blood cells in the body, fighting off viruses and infections you might normally be exposed to.
Choosing the Best 2 Person Hot Tub For You: 5 Factors to Consider
When choosing the best hot tub for you, there are some important factors you need to keep in mind. Each of these will rely mostly on your personal preferences or limitations.
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Size and shape
For most people, size is one of the main reasons they might choose a 2 person hot tub instead of something larger. This is usually because of space limitations or simply because they don’t want to take up much of the patio.
As you can see from the chart below, there are plenty of options available when it comes to the size of these units. And, of course, 2 person hot tubs are quite a bit smaller than larger ones.
Source: [https://www.calderaspas.com/hot-tub-tips/what-are-typical-hot-tub-dimensions]
In addition to size, your available space might require you to be picky about the shape. Thankfully, hot tubs come in several shapes to suit your needs: round, octagonal, oblong, and square.
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Electrical requirements
Some of the hot tubs we listed are considered plug and play, meaning they can just be plugged into a regular 110V outlet. However, the NEC (National Electric Code) does have specific requirements for most other full-sized hot tubs.
All hot tubs must be GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) protected, but each unit handles this a little differently. For example, a self-contained spa might have GFCI protection within the unit. But a full-size sp will probably require you to install a special outlet.
On top of regular code, you also have to consider electrical requirements for any special feature your hot tub might have. Fountains, submersible pumps, and luminaires are all examples of these.
These and some other special features also must comply with the NEC and have GFCI protection for their circuits. Additionally, they can’t have a cord longer than 10 ft.
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Price
Price is an important factor to consider for almost everyone. And hot tubs can range from under $1,000 to $15,000 or more.
The wide range in hot tub prices has a lot to do with features, size, materials, ongoing service, and many other factors. Features that might mean a higher price tag for a tub can include things like built-in entertainment systems, customizable design, and a larger number of jets.
But try to avoid the temptation of buying the cheapest hot tub you can find, even if you’re on a budget. Do your research and read reviews before settling on one.
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Seating
Contoured seating is the most comfortable, especially for 2 person spas. However, if you’d like to squeeze another person or 2 in from time to time, bench seating may be more practical.
Keep in mind the purpose of your hot tub. If it’s strictly for therapeutic benefit, contoured seating is probably the best way to go
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Delivery
Depending on where you get your hot tub, there’s a good possibility you’ll have to have it delivered. This is something you’ll want to ask a lot of questions about up front.
For small, portable style hot tubs, it won’t be a big deal if it’s delivered to your curb. But if you happen to order a larger, heavier tub, you’ll want to make sure you have a way to get it to its spot.
Also keep in mind that delivery and setup fees may not be included in your initial quote.
Top Features to Look For in the Best Hot Tubs
The most basic hot tubs usually have a few jets and some basic seating. A lot of plug and play models fall into this category.
There’s nothing wrong with most of these, and in fact, there are some pretty great basic tubs that made our list. However, most of the best hot tubs have a few key features you won’t want to do without.
Construction
Hot tubs can be made out of several different materials and each one has its pros and cons.
An acrylic shell for example, is usually molded into its desired shape and then covered with fiberglass or resin for added durability. These are glossy and attractive, as well as tough and energy-efficient.
Vinyl hot tub shells are typically used in inground hot tubs. They are usually made to be inserted in concrete frames next to inground pools.
These are a little more costly and don’t retain heat as well as vinyl. But they might be your best option for this type of structure.
Lastly, you have rotomolded plastic shells. These are the cheapest and lightest weight of all the options, but that’s about where the benefits end. They have a matte finish and don’t retain heat very well.
The exterior of the hot tub is what gives your hot tub its unique look. But it also helps protect it from the elements.
Soft-sided hot tubs are usually made out of marine grade vinyl or pvc. They are very sturdy and can last for years in a protected environment. But it’s important to realize that they’re not made to last quite as long as hard-sided spas.
The advantages of these types of hot tubs is that they’re very portable and usually only require a 110V outlet to operate. They’re also a lot cheaper, sometimes coming in at just under a grand.
Other hot tub exteriors can be made out of wood, vinyl, or plastic and come in a variety of different styles. A lot of the vinyl exteriors even have a wood look to them to give them a pleasant appearance while protecting the tub from the elements.
Insulation
This is another part of hot tub construction that can vary a little between manufacturers. Some hot tubs are just insulated underneath the shell while others are insulated with expanding foam to fill the surrounding.
As you can probably guess, the higher the quality of the hot tub, the more it’s usually insulated.
For cold climates, it’s crucial that you check the insulation of the tub. But if you happen to live in a mild climate, a lightly insulated model is probably perfectly fine.
Jets
Some hot tub manufacturers try to make you think that the more jets a hot tub has, the better. But this isn’t always necessarily true.
You’ll notice that most of the plug and play hot tubs don’t have a huge number of jets and there’s a reason for this. With the types and sizes of motors they have, more jets would mean less pressure coming out of each one.
Instead of the number of jets a hot tub has, pay close attention to the placement. This is always a personal preference depending on its main purpose for your home.
If you’re buying a hot tub mainly for its therapeutic benefits, choose one that has foot, back, and neck jets. These are usually designed for massaging tired muscles and will give you the most benefit.
Controls
Some of the newest hot tubs have caught up with technology. They’ll either have remote controls or smartphone apps that allow you to control temperature, jets, pump, and lighting.
Of course, if advanced technology is not a priority for you, you can always stick to the simpler models. That might even save you a little money overall.
2-Person Hot Tub FAQs
How much does a 2-person hot tub cost?
Hot tubs vary quite a bit in price. As we’ve mentioned here, there are a lot of different specs and features that go into their design.
But two-person hot tubs are usually a little more budget-friendly because they’re smaller and require less materials to build. They can also get by with smaller motors and less jets while maintaining the same functionality.
Inflatable hot tubs are on the lowest end of the price spectrum and this goes for any size. Some models can cost well under $1,000.
Most other 2-person hot tubs range in price from $1,500 to $5,000. However, some super high-end models or built-ins could cost you well over $15,000, depending on how they’re designed.
What is the best hot tub for cold climates?
We like QCA spas for cold climates. They’re specifically made to “withstand harsh, northern winters.”
Read: How to winterize a hot tub
They use styrofoam panels along with reflective materials for added insulation and heat absorption. They also take extra care to seal the bottoms of their spas to protect them from moisture.
You’ll find the Gemini made our top ten list above and we highly recommend it for colder climates.
How often should you clean a hot tub?
Draining and cleaning hot tubs is a lot easier than cleaning pools. And because of the warmth of the water, they can be a breeding ground for some pretty nasty gunk if you don’t properly care for them.
We recommend thoroughly draining and cleaning your hot tub at least once a month. But if you start to notice problems with the chemistry, you might need to do it more often.
How long do hot tubs last?
The cheapest inflatable hot tubs are only made to last a couple of years. But if you take really good care of them and shield them from the environment, you may be able to get a lot more life out of them.
Most other hot tubs can last up to 20 years if they’re properly maintained. Of course, this all depends on the quality of the materials and the environment they’re kept in.
Conclusion
Owning a hot tub is no longer an unattainable luxury. With all the different types made today, you can find one on almost any budget.
But don’t just settle for the cheapest spa you can find unless you’re only planning to use it for a couple of seasons. Do your research, shop around, and look for the best quality you can afford.
Hi, I’m Matt Harper, the founder of poolcareguy.com, a site I started with one simple mission: to help people around the world clean and take care of their pools and hot tubs on their own, without the hassle.
I’m not a professional pool cleaner and don’t have any formal training, I’m just an average guy who loves hanging out by his pool and hot tub and taking care of it. After many years on the job, I’ve become quite good at it.
On this website I will be teaching you absolutely everything I know about pools and hot tubs.
