Running costs updated 1 October 2026. Every electricity figure on this page is costed at the Ofgem price cap average electricity unit rate of 26.32p per kWh, which applies from 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own tariff may be higher or lower, so check your latest bill before relying on these numbers.
An inflatable hot tub costs a few hundred pounds and arrives in a box. A hard-shell (acrylic) hot tub costs thousands and arrives on a lorry. Both get you into hot, bubbling water in the garden, but they suit very different households. This guide compares them honestly.
The short answer
Choose an inflatable if you want to try hot tub ownership cheaply, rent your home, or will mostly use it from spring to autumn. Choose a hard-shell if you will use it year-round for many years, want proper seats and strong massage jets, and can pay for the base and electrics.
Side by side
| Inflatable | Hard-shell (acrylic) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical purchase price | Roughly £300-£900 for the models we compare | Usually several thousand pounds, plus delivery and installation |
| Installation | DIY in under an hour of work; plugs into an RCD-protected outdoor socket | Needs a solid base, crane or team delivery, and usually a dedicated supply fitted by an electrician |
| Heater | Typically around 1.8-2.2kW; about 1-2.5°C an hour | Typically larger heaters and much better insulation |
| Heat retention in winter | Weaker; air walls and soft lids lose heat | Much better: foam insulation and rigid, lockable lids |
| Jets and seating | Mostly air bubble jets; you sit on the floor | Moulded seats, water (hydrotherapy) jets |
| Lifespan | Often a few years with care | Typically much longer with maintenance |
| Moving it | Can be drained, packed away or taken with you | Effectively permanent |
| Resale | Low | Some resale value |
Inflatable prices are from our own shortlist. Hard-shell figures are general ranges because we do not review hard-shell models.
Running costs: the difference that surprises people
An inflatable is cheaper to buy, but it is not always cheaper to run. In a UK winter, its thinner walls and soft lid lose heat faster, so the heater works harder. A well-insulated hard-shell can cost less per day to keep hot in cold weather. In summer the gap narrows a lot. Our hot tub running costs guide and the running cost calculator let you model your own use at the current Ofgem rate of 26.32p per kWh.
Who should buy which
| You… | Better choice |
|---|---|
| Want to try it before committing | Inflatable |
| Rent, or may move within a couple of years | Inflatable |
| Mostly use it from April to October | Inflatable |
| Plan to use it most days, all year | Hard-shell |
| Want a massage, not just bubbles | Hard-shell |
| Have limited space or access to the garden | Inflatable |
A sensible middle route
Many UK owners start with a good inflatable, live with it for a season or two, and then decide whether a hard-shell is worth it. If you go inflatable, insulation matters most. Look for an insulated lid, a ground mat and freeze protection. Our top-scoring model is the Lay-Z-Spa Santorini HydroJet Pro, which adds water jets to the usual air bubbles. See the full ranking on our best hot tubs UK page, and are inflatable hot tubs worth it? for the honest pros and cons.
How we worked this out: this guide is research-led. It draws on manufacturers' published specifications and instructions plus owner feedback, not our own hands-on testing. Prices are typical prices we last recorded and they change often. Always follow your hot tub's manual.
The BestPicks UK hot tub guides
Choosing one
- Hot tub buying guide
- Are inflatable hot tubs worth it?
- Lay-Z-Spa vs CleverSpa
- How long an inflatable hot tub lasts
Setting up
- What to put under an inflatable hot tub
- How to set up an inflatable hot tub
- Hot tub accessories worth buying
Running and looking after it
- How much a hot tub costs to run
- Hot tub chemicals for beginners
- How often to change hot tub water
- Should you empty a hot tub over winter?
- Using a hot tub in freezing weather
Compare models in our best hot tubs UK guide, or work out your bill with the hot tub running cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is an inflatable hot tub as good as a hard-shell?
Not in the same way. Inflatables give you warm, bubbling water for far less money. Hard-shells give you proper seats, stronger jets, better insulation and a longer life.
Are inflatable hot tubs cheaper to run than hard-shell ones?
Not necessarily. In cold weather, a well-insulated hard-shell can use less electricity per day. In summer the difference is smaller.
Do hard-shell hot tubs need a special electricity supply?
Many do. Larger models usually need a dedicated supply installed by a qualified electrician. Most inflatables plug into an RCD-protected outdoor socket.
How long does an inflatable hot tub last compared with a hard-shell?
Inflatables typically last a few years with good care. Hard-shells usually last considerably longer. See how long an inflatable hot tub lasts.
