I Tested the Bestway SaluSpa Hot Springs to See How an Inflatable Hot Tub Holds Up at Home

For the past four months, my family has been testing the Bestway SaluSpa Hot Springs in our backyard. We’ve enjoyed quiet evening soaks with a book, chats with our teens, and Barbie parties with our youngest in this inflatable hot tub. The SaluSpa Hot Springs is part of a relatively new crop of plug-and-play hot tubs that have given consumers a lower-priced (and lower-commitment) entry into the home spa world.I reviewed this hot tub the same way I review everything—with real-world use, ongoing notes and thoughts, and careful consideration of the points that matter to shoppers. Online shopping is great, but returns are a pain, especially for large items like this.After several months, I know we will never be without a home hot tub again. We plan to continue enjoying this model, testing others, and gathering information for readers. All of my hesitations about having a backyard spa—such as maintenance, cost, and setup—were proved false with this hot tub. We found it easy to set up, easier to maintain, and great for adding some tangible value to our everyday life.ProsStraightforward setup with clear instructionsStrong bubbles without overwhelming noiseComfortable floor and room to stretch out soloMaintains heat well, even on chilly nightsAffordable entry point with manageable upkeepConsMore comfortable for two than the advertised fourBulky plug may not fit beneath some outdoor outlet coversDebris can clog intakes and stop circulation, requiring regular checksKey SpecsDimensions71 × 71 × 28 inchesShapeSquareSeating Capacity4–6 peopleWater Capacity242 gallonsMaximum Temperature104°FMassage System140 air jetsControlsDigital control panel and Wi-Fi appPower SourceCorded electricAccessoriesHot tub, cover, pump, Type IV filter cartridge, ChemConnect chemical dispenser and repair patchHow I TestedI tested the SaluSpa from late June through the end of October, which gave me a chance to see how it performed in summer heat, cooler fall temperatures, and some wild weather in between. We set it up on our existing flat paver patio with a tarp underneath. I typically soaked alone, though I also evaluated how comfortably we could share the space. While it’s advertised for four people, I personally found two to be a more realistic number.Throughout testing, I paid attention to how well the water held its temperature, how much maintenance the tub required, and how it stood up to changing weather. I also wanted to know whether having a hot tub would add enough enjoyment to our everyday lives to justify the work. Beyond finding the warm water relaxing and soothing on my muscles, I appreciated that it gave my family another way to spend time together (Barbie loves to swim in this hot tub, as well).I didn’t measure the tub’s electricity consumption separately, so I can’t put a dollar figure on its operating costs. With four kids who rarely turn a light switch off when leaving a room and plenty of other things drawing power, isolating its effect on our household bill would be difficult, but I didn’t notice a substantial increase.We haven’t drained and packed away the SaluSpa for storage, so I can’t assess that process yet. I’ll continue testing through winter, within the manufacturer’s operating limits, and update this review with what I learn.Meg St-EspritSetting up the Bestway SaluSpa is pretty simple—we put it on our existing paver patio with a tarp underneath.Instructions Were Clear, and Setting Up Wasn’t DifficultBefore unpacking the SaluSpa, I gave our paver patio a thorough cleaning. I swept away anything that might damage the bottom of the tub, then went a little further with a shop vacuum, pulling small stones out of the cracks so they couldn’t work their way underneath it later. I had also treated the weeds between the pavers beforehand and waited until they had died back. Finally, I laid down a standard tarp from our local hardware store, folding it to roughly match the tub’s footprint.Once the patio was ready, setup took about 45 minutes before my son and I could start filling. We followed the step-by-step instructions without any trouble. Honestly, it was pretty neat to watch it inflate so quickly, and we had some fun together during the install as two people who love to work with our hands.The included pump does double duty. It inflates the tub before becoming part of the system that runs it. After inflation, we repositioned the connections and attached the three fittings on the side. I was honestly quite shocked by how straightforward the process felt.Filling and heating required more patience than assembly, but it was a hands-off process. Our garden hose took about two hours to fill the tub, and the water reached 104°F overnight. This is a project you want to start the day before inviting a friend over for a soak.The biggest setup frustration involved the plug. It was too bulky to fit beneath our existing outdoor outlet’s weatherproof cover. We tried a temporary work-around, but it didn’t hold up, and finding a properly fitting weatherproof cover remains on our list.For now, I am trying a nonconductive duct seal putty and a rubber flap to deflect water. I’d check your clearance before choosing a spot for the tub. This tub also cannot run off of an extension cord, so you’ll need to ensure you place it in direct reach of an outlet.Later in testing, a storm knocked out power to our outdoor outlets, including the one supplying the SaluSpa. At first, I worried that the hot tub had failed when I removed the cover for my nightly soak and found it a chilly 80°F in October. This doesn’t appear to be related to the hot tub itself, but rather to a surge or lightning strike that caused several issues. Once the outdoor outlet was replaced with a new weather-resistant ground fault circuit interrupter outlet, the tub worked again.By then, it had been without power for five days. We drained and refilled it, treated the fresh water, and gave it another night to heat. After that interruption, it returned to working just as it had before the storm. I could not wait for my soak that evening, as it’s become great for my sore muscles and my mental health.Space Is Tight, but the Jets Are StrongI was honestly a bit surprised by how robust the bubbles felt for an inflatable hot tub. I expected something closer to the underwhelming portable jet systems I’ve tried in my indoor bathtub, but the SaluSpa delivered a much more satisfying soak.There are no built-in seats or targeted jets; the bubbles come from the floor’s perimeter, so I sat directly on the floor, which felt thick and comfortable over our flat patio and tarp. At 5-foot-10, I found the water reached my shoulders while seated, and I had plenty of room to stretch out when soaking alone.Meg St-EspritThe bubbles in the hot tub are pretty strong, but not so loud that you have to shout to keep a conversation going.I briefly considered adding a floating lounger under my arms, but never felt I needed it. I also initially placed a stool outside the tub to help with getting in and out, then found I could comfortably manage without it. Someone with mobility issues may want to place the tub near a fence or wall and add a grab bar.How much room you have depends on how many people join you. We tried four people, but everyone had to sit cross-legged and stay fairly still. For me, one or two people were the sweet spot for a comfortable soak with room to move. I enjoy frequent soaks with my 8-year-old and a few of her plastic friends.The bubbles aren’t so loud that they interfere with conversation, either. I could comfortably chat over the bubbling and even talk to a friend on the phone from the tub without finding the noise distracting. Blessedly, they are loud enough to drown out any calls of, “Mom!” from the house when I am out back in the tub, alone with my book.The Water Consistently Stayed WarmThe SaluSpa took a little less than 24 hours to reach 104°F after our initial fill, although we set it up in summer with warm outdoor temperatures, helping things along. Once heated, it maintained that temperature well with the cover on.Even when overnight temperatures dipped to 38°F during testing, I found the water at 104°F the next morning. The exceptions were a few occasions when debris clogged the filter and circulation stopped, leaving us with cooler water—a maintenance issue I’ll get into, below.Taking the cover off for a soak did cause the temperature to drop, but never enough to spoil the experience. Even with the outdoor temperature around 42°F, the water stayed at or above 100°F throughout our use.Getting back to 104°F afterward depended on the weather. In summer, I found it could recover in an hour or two, while cooler fall conditions stretched that to three or four hours. That wait was manageable for our routine, though it’s something I’d factor in if I wanted multiple soaking sessions close together.Upkeep Is a Factor, but It’s Pretty ManageableWith a lot of kids and a busy household, I was more concerned about keeping up with maintenance than assembling the tub. Fortunately, the routine turned out to be surprisingly simple.We used bromine tablets in the dispenser, tested the water regularly, and scooped out stray leaves with a small fishing net. Bestway mentions that folks may need pH leveler and a scum remover, but our levels stayed great without these.We changed the filter about every two weeks, rinsing it in between. I also kept a scrubbing sponge floating in the tub for wiping away buildup along the waterline. Evaporation means occasionally topping up the water, but the marked fill line makes it easy to see how much to add. Twice, we needed a complete water change after failing to notice that the pump had stopped.Meg St-EspritIn terms of maintenance, it’s important to unscrew the ChemConnector and filter housing to ensure that nothing gets clogged.Draining and refilling is straightforward, and it allows us to thoroughly clean the interior. It’s important to regularly unscrew the ChemConnector and filter housing from the inside of the tub, too. Little sticks, hair, and other debris can clog the intakes and make the pump throw an error code. I check it every time I go in, since our tub sits under some hedges that shed leaves often.The tub’s material, cover, and fittings held up well throughout testing, although I learned to use the cover buckles even when I wasn’t thinking about child safety. Because our kids are older, I initially left them unfastened—until windy weather blew the cover off.After that, securing it became part of my routine, both to keep it in place and to help restrict access by young neighbors who might enter the yard. The buckles aren’t a substitute for supervision or appropriate barriers, but they’re a feature I wouldn’t leave unused again.Final ThoughtsFor my first backyard hot tub, the Bestway SaluSpa proved to be an approachable, comparatively affordable choice. I was initially nervous about setup and maintenance, but both turned out to be manageable, and the relaxation and family time it has added make the effort worthwhile. I found the ongoing cost of chemicals and replacement filters reasonable, too.I haven’t tested it through a Pittsburgh winter yet, so I can’t speak to its performance in those conditions or its long-term durability. Local friends have reported good experiences with other Bestway models—including one who has owned theirs for five years—but my recommendation rests on my own four months of use.If you want a backyard spa without committing to the expense and delivery logistics of a hard-sided model, I think this is a good place to start (and maybe stay).Shop the Bestway SaluSpa Hot Springs Inflatable Hot TubOther Hot Tubs We RecommendMeg St-Esprit (she/her) is a freelance writer chasing down and covering the most interesting and quirky ideas about parenting, home design, education and travel. She lives with her husband, four kids and way too many pets in Pittsburgh. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications including The New York Times, Washington Post, Romper, Fodor's, and more. When she's not writing, she's definitely camping. Follow her on Twitter, on Instagram or at her website.