Exploring the Pros & Cons of Rigid vs. Inflatable Hot Tubs
The hot tub market is booming in the UK. During covid, showrooms saw sales increase by 1000%, and the hot tub hire market has grown in popularity too. There are many new brands, technologies and products on the market right now, and we understand this makes the market a little confusing for some.
Whether you are in the market to buy or hire a hot tub, you should be clear on the options available and the differences between these two equally popular categories of hot tubs. This small blog post sheds light on the subject and helps you decide which hot tub is right.
Inflatable Hot Tubs
The Lazy Spa hot tub changed the hire and sales game overnight, and it's not been the same since. Many brands are now offering affordable and transportable inflatable hot tubs. Additionally, every man and his dog offers inflatable hot tub hire on Facebook Marketplace. So what's there to know? Here are the facts:
a popular LazySpa inflatable hot tub
Pros:
Inflatable Hot Tubs Are Cheaper!
Who doesn't like a bargain? You can buy and hire them for much less than the rigid predecessor. You can pick up a cheap inflatable hot tub for as little as £300. For many people, this is the only reason they'll need to nip down to B&Q and grab themselves the latest Lazy Spa hot tub.
Inflatable Hot Tubs Are Transportable!
An inflatable hot tub could be the answer for many renters and owners of households with limited space/access. Just one person can often handle inflatable hot tubs, and they can easily pack into most cars, fit through tight passageways, and store in small spaces such as garden sheds. When renting to someone with limited access, we usually opt for an inflatable Lazy Spa Paris, as they can easily fit through the tightest gaps and still hold up to 6 persons.
Inflatable Hot Tubs Are A Good Gateway Tub!
Why not start with a cheaper alternative to the traditional rigid shell if you've never owned or hired a hot tub before? The average price of a hot tub is £10,000, and whilst our Orbis tubs are much more cost-effective to buy or rent, they still take some commitment. If you want to test out what it'd be like to own or hire a hot tub, why not just get an excellent inflatable for now and see how you like it?
Cons:
Inflatable Hot Tubs Do Not Heat As Effectively!
Because inflatable hot tubs are just lino and air, the amount of insulation you can expect is just a fraction of that of a rigid hot tub. Unfortunately, even the award-winning Lazy Spa range also suffers somewhat in the colder times of year - arguably the best time to hire. The effects of poor insulation are three-fold: first, they take longer to heat up. Second, they will only hold their heat for a short time whilst in use. Finally, they use a lot more energy than rigid hot tubs. For example, we guestimate that the Lazy Spa Paris we hire uses about twice as much energy as the Rotospa Orbis hard shell.
Inflatable Hot Tubs Don't Have Seats!
Think of them like a large paddling pool - you sit on the tub floor. Whilst this is only one of the least significant issues with inflatable hot tubs, some like the finer things in life. If you want comfort, the rigid tub is best for you.
Inflatable Hot Tubs Can Break - A Lot!
The hot tub hire and sales world is full of inflatable hot tubs, but you can expect a different quality from something made from cheap plastic, vinyl and PVC lino. To try and avoid heartache or disappointment, you need to be aware of two simple facts:
1. Any inflatable hot tub's quality will be much lower than any hard-shell alternative.
2. The quality amongst different manufacturers and models varies massively!
Unlike solid hot tubs, if you buy an inflatable hot tub, do your homework and don't expect your hot tub to last years. If hiring, be cautious about who you rent a hot tub from. Our award-winning Lazy Spa Paris hot tubs are great, but many of the cheaper hirers have terrible alternatives, and they might not replace them as frequently as we do. Facebook Marketplace is often the best place to grab a cheap hot tub hire - but are you sure you want the most inexpensive? Even our little Manchester-based hire company gets tonnes of people each year contacting us in a panic because their child's birthday or hot tub party hire just got ruined by some random hirer.
Inflatable Hot Tubs - Final Words
We have nothing against inflatable hot tubs and plan to continue hiring them. However, the benefits are worth weighing up alongside the downsides. We'd never buy an inflatable hot tub to own and use all year round because it'd cost too much and break often. However, occasionally hiring one makes sense so long as you source a reputable hirer who will sell you a beaten-up or sub-par product. In the height of winter, around Christmas and New Year, try to hot-fill them and use the inflatable hot tub jets periodically so the hot tub can heat up in between uses.
Rigid (regular) Hot Tubs
Traditionally known as the 'rigid', 'hard shell' or 'solid', this firmer, more robust design is the timeless classic most people think about when you say 'hot tub'. The traditional hot tub hard-shell model has yet to be replaced by Lay-Z-Spa for the simple reason - their quality is unrivalled by ANY inflatable. However, there are still things to consider when buying or hiring a rigid hot tub, and our pointers should help you decide:
Our flagship solid shell Rotospa Orbis hot tub.
Pros:
Rigid Hot Tubs Are Better Quality!
The solid hot tub design is built to last. Unlike cheaper inflatables, you can expect your hot tub to last for years, and they usually come with a lengthy manufacturer warranty too. Rigid hot tubs are also more durable - you don't need to worry much about transporting them, storing them, knocks, bumps, or the dog occasionally trying to jump in.
Rigid Hot Tubs Cost Less! (in the long run)
It will pay off in the long run if you can afford the higher upfront cost of a rigid vs an inflatable hot tub. Similarly to an electric car, if you can stomach the higher price now, you'll pay a lot less in energy and upkeep to enjoy an energy-efficient rigid hot tub over the years. We've calculated that the hard shell hot tubs we hire cost half as much as the inflatable Lay-Z-Spa Paris in energy. While energy efficiency might not matter much to a customer hiring a hot tub for the weekend, it's a noticeable difference for someone running one for even a month.
Rigid Hot Tubs Provide Better Comfort!
For a starter, unlike inflatables, a rigid hot tub has seats and loungers built into them, enhancing the overall experience for you and your guests. Second, the jets are of superior quality. With most inflatable hot tubs, the jets are just tiny holes in the lino material that shoot air or water. With hard shell hot tub designs, combinations of specially designed hydro-jets can be controlled or customized by you and your hot tub party. If you want a hot tub for hydrotherapy, then the rigid is the way to go.
Cons:
Rigid Hot Tubs Cost More! (upfront)
Despite being a comparatively excellent investment over the long term, you can expect a rigid hot tub upfront cost to be 10X more expensive than an inflatable counterpart. You could look into the second-hand market or ex-display if budget is an issue.
Rigid Hot Tubs are Less Portable!
If you have a round tub like our Orbis model, you can wheel them. However, regardless of which hard-shell tub you have, the fact of the matter is they are harder to transport or move. Inflatable hot tubs can be packed into a car, shed or house, but a rigid hot tub will need way more consideration. Our tubs are great because they'll fit through a standard side gate or door, but we still have customers who we can't serve because they might have tight corners or steep hills/steps to get around.
Conclusion
There is no 'best hot tub', and it's very much down to your taste and requirements. If you like the finer things in life, are after a hot tub for the therapeutic benefits or are after a long-term solution, then a rigid hot tub is probably for you. However, we totally get the allure of the inflatable tub if you have limited access or are looking for a more budget-friendly, short-term hot tub experience. Before you go running to type in 'buy a hot tub near me' or 'hot tubs for hire near me', check us out, we're the fastest-growing hire and sales company in the North West.
Home
<< Return to news