The Best Way to Relax: Top 5 Hot Tubs for Canadian Winter

Winter is a time for hot tea, relaxing, spending time with your family, and watching New Year’s movies. But it is also a time for stress, a lot of work, house chores, and other problems that will not allow you to fully enjoy this wonderful time of year.

A great solution may be a hot tub, which you can use at low temperatures of cold Canadian winters without any problems. Relaxing in the jacuzzi is the best thing that can be done during a busy lifestyle. This will not only allow you to completely relax but also strengthen your health.

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know when using the jacuzzi in the cold season, 5 steps to prepare your hot tub for Canadian winter, and present the top 5 hot tubs. 

Comparison table: 5 best models of hot tubs for Canadian winter

Model	Characteristics
Best temperature resistance in winter Bestway Hawaii Inflatable Outdoor Spa	Size: 180 x 180 x 71 cm Weight: 81.79 Pounds Material: Plastic Capacity: 222 gal Seating capacity: 6 Jets: 114 bubble jets Benefits-Best temperature resistance in winter due to Freeze Shield function which prevents the water from cooling down; -The most comfortable control panel due to simple design and a wide choice of functions; -The walls are made of durable, puncture-resistant DuraPlus material which retains its shape after numerous inflating/deflating; -Relaxing massage due to Salu-Massage System
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The fastest heating Bestway SaluSpa Paris AirJet	Size: 180 x 180 x 71 cm Weight: 81.79 Pounds Material: Plastic Capacity: 222 gal Seating capacity: 6 Jets: 114 bubble jets Benefits-The fastest heating (2-3ºC per hour) due to the special rapid heating system; -The best lighting due to LED light show cycles through 7 colors; -Multi-function spa pump inflates the spa and regulates the filtration system; -Evenly disperses a stable level of chlorine due to the effective work of the ChemConnect dispenser which allows you to keep the water clean
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The most powerful jets Intex PureSpa Greywood	Size: 215.9 x 215.9 x 71.12 cm Weight: 110.44 Pounds Material: Vinyl Capacity: 290 gal Seating capacity: 6 Jets: 170 bubble jets Benefits-The most powerful 170 bubble jets; -The best durability is due to a Fiber-Tech Construction which stands up to plenty of use all season; -Included headrests for more comfort; -Built-in hard water treatment system makes water gentler on your skin, clothes, and the hardware spa system
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The most sturdy construction Intex Inflatable Spa	Size: 216 x 216 x 71 cm Weight: 108.59 Pounds Material: Polyvinyl Chloride Capacity: 290 gal Seating capacity: 6 Jets: 140 bubble jets Benefits-The most sturdy construction due to Fiber-Tech design and puncture-resistant 3-ply laminated construction; -The simplest maintenance with two easy-to-replace filter cartridges; -Equipped with the built-in hard water treatment system; -An insulated cover and lock is included to minimize heat loss and provide an added safety feature
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The highest quality of materials Bestway SaluSpa St.Lucia Air Jet	Size: 170 x 170 x 66 cm Weight: 55.85 Pounds Material: Polyvinyl Chloride Capacity: 160 gal Seating capacity: 3 Jets: 110 bubble jets Benefits- The highest quality of materials due, namely, durable, puncture-resistant, Duraplus material which prevents from stretching and expansion, allowing the spa to maintain its shape after numerous uses; - Best temperature resistance in winter due to Freeze Shield function which prevents the water from cooling down; - Power saving timer allows you to control the temperature of your spa up to 40 days in advance; - Best portability due to lifting handles
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How did we choose

We conducted an in-depth market analysis and studied comments from more than a hundred buyers. Based on user comments and characteristics of the models, we have identified the most important criteria that the best hot tubs must meet:

• The ability to keep warm in winter (especially important is the presence of Freeze Shield function, which helps to maintain water temperature. This function has Bestway Hawaii Inflatable Outdoor Spa and Bestway SaluSpa St.Lucia Air Jet);
• Size and the capacity (the more gallons of water the hot tub is designed for, the longer it will heat up. Also, the larger the size of the hot tub, the more people will fit in it. for example, Intex PureSpa Greywood is designed for 4-6 people, and Bestway SaluSpa St.Lucia Air Jet only for 2-3 people);
• The number and power of jets (this point is especially important for those who want to get a quality massage when using hot tubs. In general, the greater the number of bubble jets and their power, the better the massage. For example, Intex PureSpa Greywood and Intex Inflatable Spa have the highest number of jets (170 and 140));
• The convenience of the control panel (the control panel must be as comfortable as possible. Also, you should remember that it should have a simple design and a wide choice of functions to ensure the most convenient use);
• the presence of LED lighting (LED lighting can be included or sold separately. For example, Bestway SaluSpa Paris AirJet has this in the kit. This point is not very important, but it will help you enjoy your hot tub more)

These criteria will help you to find a hot tub from the top-5 models with the best functionality. To save your money and time, we present this analysis of each of the models to make your choice easier.

A detailed review of each model

Bestway Hawaii Inflatable Outdoor Spa — best temperature resistance in winter

Category winner: Best temperature resistance in winter

Pros

• Best temperature resistance in winter due to Freeze Shield function which prevents the water from cooling down
• Comes supplied with a cover to maintain optimal water temperature
• Has a filter cartridge that allows your filter to work as long as possible without breakage and not to pass in water any dirty particles
• Has an effective chemical floater which makes the water more chlorinated, kills bacteria, and purifies i

Cons

• Can be too narrow for the specified number of people (perfectly fits only 3-4)

If you are looking for a model that can be used in any season of the year without fear that something may break or not work at low temperatures, this model is for you!

This model is well adapted to cold air temperatures thanks to the Freeze Shield function which prevents water from cooling down. This means that you can use this hot tub even at temperatures below 40 °F (4 °C). In addition, an important role is played by the cover, which tightly closes the hot tub and allows you to maintain the water temperature for as long as possible when it is not used. Therefore, all you have to do is insulate the control panel and, if desired, the hot tub itself. 

A very positive fact is that it comes with a filter cartridge (which eventually can be replaced with a washable one), and a chemical floater which keeps your hot tub clean by adding chlorine to the water.

It’s important to mention the convenient design of the control panel, which makes the use of the hot tub convenient and clear. This control panel is very user-friendly and will allow you to enjoy using this model without any problems! It also comes with built-in cup holders and a flat surface to store personal belongings.

Bestway SaluSpa Paris AirJet — the fastest heating

Category winner: The fastest heating

Pros

• The fastest heating (2-3 ºC per hour) due to the special rapid heating system
• The hot tub is super lightweight (only 24.4 pounds), so it is easy to move
• Has a Lay-Z-Massage system with soothing bubble jets

Cons

• The pump can be a bit loud while working

Tired of waiting days and hours for your hot tub to warm up to the right temperature? Then this model will surprise you with the speed of its heating. Bestway has introduced a so-called fast heating system in the SaluSpa Paris hot tub, which raises a temperature of 2-3 ºC per hour, which is almost 2 times more than an average inflatable hot tub.

This model contains less water (213 gal) than other hot tubs, so it will quickly reach the desired temperature. For example, Intex PureSpa Greywood can hold 290 gallons. This means that this model will take much longer to heat up.

A nice bonus is that this model has integrated LED lighting. As part of the purchase, Bestway has bundled in a lighting strip with this tub which has an easy battery-powered install. Just use the remote to control the 7-color lights from the palm of your hand.

Also, it is important to say about the effective work of the ChemConnect dispenser which evenly disperses a stable level of chlorine. Thanks to this you can be sure of the purity of your water and the absence of harmful substances.

Intex PureSpa Greywood —  the most powerful jets

Category winner: The most powerful jets

Pros

• The most sturdy construction due to Fiber-Tech design and puncture-resistant 3-ply laminated construction
• Easily inflates in about 20-minutes and can be deflated for comfortable storage or transport
• A maximum convenience of wireless touch button control panel with up to 48 hours of wireless operation per full charge which attaches to the top of the tub 

Cons

• After a few months of using E90 error may appear (instruction on how to fix this)

Are you looking for a model that will not only be able to relax you but also arrange the best massage for you? Then Intex PureSpa Greywood with its 170 strong bubble jets will help you with this. Thanks to the special design, these jets are arranged in such a way and work with such force to make the best massage and provide maximum relaxation.

Can’t ignore the convenience of using this hot tub, namely its control panel. Compact control unit with built-in wireless integrated charging is very easy to use and does not even need special instructions to understand how it works.

Also, this hot tub is perfect for you if you want to spend time with friends. Due to its large size (290 gal), you can arrange a small party with 3-6 people. This will be an especially interesting idea in winter. For example, Bestway SaluSpa St.Lucia Air Jet is much smaller (160 gal) so if you’re a party lover, this model can be not suitable enough.

Intex Inflatable Spa — the most sturdy construction

Category winner: The most sturdy construction

Pros

• The most sturdy construction due to Fiber-Tech design and puncture-resistant 3-ply laminated construction
• The big size allows accommodating in a hot tube from 4 to 6 people
• Has 140 high-quality bubble jets that provide effective massage

Cons

• The chemical floater (accessory) can not work effectively enough and you will need to buy another one

Do you prefer the quality and strength of construction? Then this model will be able to satisfy you in all criteria. Intex Inflatable Spa has the most sturdy construction due to Fiber-Tech design and puncture-resistant 3-ply laminated material. Thanks to this, you don’t have to worry that your hot tub will eventually lose its shape or some elements will break.

It is also important to note that although this model does not have the largest number of jets (for example, Intex PureSpa Greywood has 170 bubble jets), it still provides a high level of massage with its 140 bubble jets.

Also, don’t worry that this hot tub will require expensive maintenance. Thanks to two easy-to-replace filter cartridges you will have the simplest maintenance. It’s not difficult, but if you still have questions about the correct replacement of cartridges, you can read the instructions, which describe everything in detail. 

Bestway SaluSpa St.Lucia Air Jet — the highest quality of materials

Category winner: The highest quality of materials

Pros

• The highest quality of materials due to the walls which are made of a durable, puncture-resistant, Duraplus material which prevents from stretching and expansion, allowing the spa to maintain its shape after use
• Has the soothing AirJet targeted bubble massage system
• The reinforced cover comes with safety lock clips to prevent blowing away from the wind while it maintains the water temperature and keeps the spa clean from debris

Cons

• If you use bubble jets in winter, it significantly lowers the temperature of the water

Do not deny yourself the pleasure and give the highest quality purchase. And taking into account all the characteristics, Bestway SaluSpa St.Lucia Air Jet contains only the best materials and will satisfy you with its quality. 

It has the highest quality of materials due to the base and walls which are made of a durable, puncture-resistant, Duraplus material that prevents stretching and expansion, allowing the spa to maintain its shape after numerous uses. So if you want to move your hot tub often or hide for a certain season, this feature is especially important.

Also, this model has an interesting feature that not all hot tubs have. It has a power-saving timer, which allows you to control the temperature of your spa up to 40 days in advance. So if you are a person who likes to control everything and understand the sequence of events in advance, you will like this feature.

It is important not to forget what this model has a Freeze Shield function which prevents the water from cooling down. It means that it has the best temperature resistance and will keep the water temperature as long as possible. The same feature has Bestway Hawaii Inflatable Outdoor Spa so take a special look at these two models if you plan to use hot tubs mostly in the cold season/

Accessories to improve the use of your hot tub during winter

Chemical floater

When using a hot tub, one of the most important tasks is to keep it clean. If you neglect cleaning and purification, you can harm yourself, because the water will be of poor quality and will contain unhealthy substances. That’s why you need to have a chemical floater. It will be able to keep your hot tub clean. This thing is convenient because it significantly reduces the amount of time you will need to take care of the hot tub. Just leave it in the water and it will drop some amount of chemicals to keep the water constantly clean. 

Bromine Floating Tablet Dispenser

Size	15.24 x 15.24 x 25.4 cm
Weight	181.44 Grams
Benefits	Adjustable chamber controls the feed rate Dispenser uses 1″ bromine or chlorine tablets Perfect for use with spas/hot tubs and small pools. Features easy access for bromine tab refill  Has fully adjustable flow and erosion control and comes with float and tie string

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Premium Floater Dispenser for Spa

Size	12.19 x 5.08 x 19.81 cm
Weight	227 Grams
Benefits	Sturdy and has a weighted screw cap Is adjustable and allows up to 13 opening positions for the release of chlorine or bromine Has 1-inch tablet, unscrew the bottom and fill float with one or more 1-Inch tablets  Works perfectly for hot tubs and small pools

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LED lights

It’s nice to relax in a hot tub, but many buyers say that their experience of using a hot tub was more memorable when using LED lights. It is often included with the model, but if you do not have such type of lightening, you will enjoy once use. Its price is not very high, but it will temperature constantly add romance to your use of the hot tub and lift your spirits.

Submersible LED Lights with Remote

Size	85 x 52 x 60 mm
Material	Silicone
Number of light sources	10
Benefits	Available in 16 static colors and 4 modes The battery-powered led lights are embedded with 10 LEDs, waterproof and cordless

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Blufree LED Floating Pool Lights

Size	93 x 91.9 x 58.9 mm
Material	Silicone
Number of light sources	10
Benefits	Comes with 10 bright LEDs with multi-color options With a magnet contained in the back of the housing, it can easily be attached to the hot tub Made with premium double-layer waterproof material and with a soft silicone

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5 steps to prepare your hot tub for Canadian winter

The use of inflatable hot tubs in winter is not recommended by manufacturers. In general, they advise not to use it if the temperature is below 40 °F (4—5 °C). But fortunately, there are ways to prepare your hot tub for winter weather, save water from freezing and avoid breaking structural elements. On the Internet and YouTube, you can find many instructions on how to do it. For example, you can watch this video. And below we will provide another option.

1. Insulate the bath

Most hot tubs have a mat or disc located between the floor and the tub, creating a thermal barrier. But this barrier cannot cope with low temperatures, so it is important to raise the barrier before doing anything else. This means that under the bottom you need to lay another mat or material that can retain heat (such as high-temperature reflective aluminized PTFE glass fiber cloth)

2. Connect the heater

Place the propane tank (that is a safe gas product) in the spa lid and route the hose to the tankless water heater. You can place it inside the case or outside for a clear look.

3. Connect the pump to the hose

A hose clamp may be required for this procedure, as you will need to connect the pump to two hoses. Place the length of the hoses in the spa. Eco-tank heats the water quickly.

4. Use a 12 V wired switch to connect the pump to the adapter

This procedure seems a bit complicated and requires the use of instructions. You can watch the video, which will help you.

5. Assemble the AC adapter

Connect the Kaster 12v to the adapter and pump to power the plug adapter. Once the plug-in module feeds the entire system, your hot tub is ready to use.

What do error codes mean and how to fix them?

In general, the hot tub is a difficult system, and the occurrence of so-called error codes can appear very often. Users often think that these codes mean a complete malfunction of the hot tub and the impossibility of its use. Many of them immediately turn to the support service with a request to replace the product or even a full refund. 

But before you take such steps, try to understand the breakdown. In most cases, if an error code occurs, it means that there is a problem that you can solve yourself without the help of a master. In our article, we will pay the most attention to the three most common types of errors: E90, E02, and E03.

E90 error 

The most common of these is the E90 error. If alarm code E90 is displayed on the control panel, it means no water is flowing through the system.

There can be a few possible causes: the filter pump has absorbed too much air, the water balance is not correct, the water in the spa was not changed or disinfected in time, wrong products have been added to the water (eg essential oils, bath pearls, …), etc.

To resolve this issue, all you need to do is follow these steps:

• Clean the hot water filter cartridge or replace it with a new one.
• If the E90 does not disappear, check and make sure that there is no debris inside the inlet and outlet screens of the spa. If there is debris inside, unscrew the inlet/outlet grille with a screwdriver. Clean and replace it.s%2
• Make sure the spa water is clean and disinfected.

E02 error

The second most common problem is E02 error. This error code can occur when the filters are dirty or blocked, the water level is not correct, the water is below the minimum line on the spa liner, or water flow sensors are not working, etc. 

There are many reasons and each requires a special approach and a specific solution. Therefore, for convenience, we advise you to watch the video below to immediately identify the problem and fix this as soon as possible.

E03 error

This error code is the most relevant because if you want to use the jacuzzi in winter, the temperature can be much lower than the minimum allowed. We have described above how to prepare your hot tub for winter. But it is still important to be prepared for any situation and know how to solve it quickly and effectively. 

Error code E03 means that the temperature is too low. The pump will only run when the ambient temperature is above 4 °C. We recommend that you switch off the pump and move it to a warm place. You will need to perform the thermal reset procedure before continuing to use it.

Summary

Choosing a hot tub is a difficult and responsible task. Especially when it comes to choosing a model for a cold winter. Therefore, carefully analyze the characteristics of each model, its pros and cons, and choose the best. Don’t forget to also read our tips on how to prepare your hot tub for winter. They will be useful to you. And do not be afraid to face difficulties in use, because all mistakes can be solved. We advise you to re-read what are the errors codes and how to fix them. 

In the meantime, let’s remember the most important characteristics when choosing your ideal hot tub: the ability to keep warm in winter, size, capacity, the capacity of people, the number of jets, the convenience of the control panel, and the presence of LED lighting. 

So let’s take another look at the list of the top 5 hot tubs, taking into account all the above characteristics:

Best temperature resistance in winter Bestway Hawaii Inflatable Outdoor Spa
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The fastest heating Bestway SaluSpa Paris AirJet	The most sturdy construction Intex Inflatable Spa
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The most powerful jets Intex PureSpa Greywood
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The highest quality of materials Bestway SaluSpa St.Lucia Air Jet
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