A hot tub is a great place to unwind. The hot water and soothing jets combine to ease your stresses, leaving you in complete comfort. Well, provided you can actually sit comfortably in them.
Solid hot tubs often come with seats built into them, so that you’ve always got a comfy position to sit in. But what about inflatable hot tubs? Do they come with seats? Do they even need them?
Let’s take a look.
Do Inflatable Hot Tubs Come With Seats?
Generally, inflatable hot tubs don’t come with seats. However, that doesn’t mean that they’re uncomfortable. Most models make up for the lack of seats by having a cushioned bottom that is comfortable enough to sit in all day.
Even though inflatable hot tubs don’t have seats, it is possible to buy the seats separately. If you don’t think sitting in the hot tub as it comes will be right for you, then you can just add your own seat – and because they aren’t fixed, you can put them wherever you like.
Why Inflatable Hot Tubs Don’t Have Seats
There are a few reasons why inflatable hot tubs don’t have built-in seats. The main one comes down to how inflatable hot tubs work. Unlike traditional hot tubs that produce jet streams, inflatable spas create their bubbles using numerous tiny holes.
These holes aren’t as powerful as jets, but they come together to create enough airflow to move the hot water around and give you that hot tub experience. Building in seats would compromise that design, making the hot tub less effective.
Another reason why inflatable hot tubs don’t have seats is that the inner dimensions of an inflatable tub tend to be smaller than a solid one. If the tub had seats, it would accommodate fewer people. So instead, inflatable hot tubs maximize their space by keeping the design free of seats.
Inflatable hot tubs are designed to fit the height of a seated adult from the bottom of the hot tub to the backrest. Adding seats might make the hot tub less comfortable, since your back would be raised above the backrest. If you have to buy a seat, you might also want to pick up a headrest to attach to the top of the hot tub so that you can recline comfortably.
Remember that inflatable hot tubs are very comfortable as they are. The base is padded so that you can sit there in comfort for hours without worrying.
Can You Put Seats in An Inflatable Hot Tub?
You can, if you want to, put your own seats into an inflatable hot tub. These seats are designed specifically for hot tubs, and they look more like pillows. They are not super-deep but will boost your comfort.
They’ll be made from a non-slip material, so that once you place them on the bottom of the hot tub they don’t slide around. Also, once you sit down you won’t be slipping off the cushioned seat every few minutes either.
And they’re normally quick-drying, so that once you remove them from the hot tub they aren’t soaked and likely to grow mold.
Dual use – seat cushion or headrest
Machine-washable removable cover
Designed not to retain moisture
Some are also made from a harder plastic material, so that they won’t absorb any water at all. These may be height adjustable, and will often have gaps in the seat to allow bubbles to pass through. If you prefer a solid seat then these may be a better option for you.
Height adjustable – 3 to 5.8 inches
Contoured seat for added comfort and consistent support
Laminated finish protects against wear and tear
Is Buying a Seat for Your Inflatable Hot Tub Worth It?
Because inflatable hot tubs are designed to be used without seats, you should only buy one once you’ve tried a hot tub and decided you aren’t completely comfortable. If that’s the case then yes, buying an additional seat is worth it.
After all, inflatable hot tubs are not cheap. They might be a lot less expensive than solid ones, but you still don’t want to buy one only to find you aren’t completely relaxed when you use it.
Buying a seat is a relatively cheap way to potentially improve your comfort, so that you can make the most of your hot tub.
How To Find the Perfect Seat for Your Inflatable Hot Tub?
If you’ve decided that you need a seat for your inflatable hot tub, then you need to decide whether you’d prefer a soft one that works like a pillow, or a hard one that is designed more to keep your posture in a comfy position.
You can test this yourself – with the hot tub inflated but empty (and dry), try adding a pillow and sitting in it. If that feels better, then you probably want a soft one. Otherwise, a solid seat would be a better choice.
Next, check the dimensions. You don’t want a seat that isn’t big enough for you, but ideally you want one that won’t take up too much room either. Especially if you tend to have the whole family in the hot tub at once.
Finally just make sure that they are slip-resistant. The last thing you want is to be constantly falling off the chair, or have it sliding around the hot tub floor as you chase it.
Final Words
Most people don’t need a seat for their inflatable hot tub – they’re comfy enough as they come, and at a good height. But that doesn’t mean they’re right for absolutely everyone.
If you are finding that you aren’t as relaxed as you want to be in your hot tub, don’t give up on it – try it with a seat instead, as that might just make you fall in love with your tub all over again.
