Best spa bath: Relax in your own home whirlpool

Enjoy a soothing hydrotherapy experience at home with the best spa baths to buy
Rachel Ogden
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Published on 24 May 2023

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Baths are relaxing: the warm water, aromatic fragrances and maybe even a candle or two nearby all make for a soothing experience. But what if you could add one more feature to your unwinding repertoire in the form of bubbly jets? Thats what the best spa baths and whirlpool baths offer beyond the standard tub. Its jets are designed to ease muscle tension and improve circulation, making for a more luxurious experience all round.

How a spa bath works is simple: it uses a system of pumps to suck your bath water in, before pushing it back out mixed with air, creating a bubbly effect. Weve selected some of the best spa baths you can buy for your budget as well as the questions to ask when choosing one. Below, you’ll find our buying guide to help you select the perfect one, or you can simply scroll on for our top picks.

What types of spa bath are available?

Ever since Jacuzzi invented the hydrotherapy jet in 1956, spa baths have been an incredibly popular addition to bathrooms. However, as the technology has progressed, theyve also become more affordable and accessible, so you can install them at home without blowing the budget.

Much like standard baths, they come with a choice of styles and sizes to suit your bathroom space. Straight inset baths are the most common type but youll also be able to find corner, freestanding and shower bath models. Many have a choice of the number of jets too, often up to 14, although basic models come with at least six. Some may have air jets, which inject warm air into the water without sucking bath water in, but they dont provide the same sort of deep tissue massage that water jets offer.

Spa baths may fit into an existing bathtub space but if you can, allow extra room. The primary purpose is relaxing, so if the bath proves to be too small, itll end up being used more as a practical tub rather than as a whirlpool.

What else do I need to consider when buying a spa bath?

Check the tubs capacity. While its possible to have a shallow bath in a standard tub, for the water jets to work and prevent damage to the pump, theyll need to be covered by a certain level of water, potentially increasing your energy and water bills. Circulating jets can also cool your bath water faster, so look for a model with an integrated heater or you may need to keep topping up the hot water.

While the plumbing is the same as a standard bath, the pump requires an electrical connection, which will need to be fitted by a qualified electrician. The same applies if youre converting an existing bathtub with a whirlpool kit.

How much should I spend on a spa bath?

Spa bath kits to convert your existing tub start at around £500, yet its possible to pick up a brand new spa bath for as little as £650. On average, budget at least £800 for a straight bath, with up to £1,400 for larger tubs, extra features, such as LEDs lights and heaters, and more than six jets.

READ NEXT: Best hot tub

Price: £1,000 | Buy now from Better Bathrooms

For the ultimate relaxing experience at home, look no further than this multi-tasking tub. It has a whopping 14 water jets combined with 12 air jets, so it can deliver deep and soft tissue massages. The 14 jets are well-placed too, with three midi at either side and four micro at both ends, meaning that even your feet will get a bubbly boost. You can select either air or water or both, and control the pump pressure. Plus, it has a built-in heater, so you wont need to reach for extra hot water as you soak and the waste and overflow is included.

One element to bear in mind is that this model is single-ended, which could affect its placement and where your taps will live. However, at £1,000 and with a two-year warranty on the whirlpool and a 25-year one on the bath itself, its a great investment in unwinding at home.

Key specs Capacity: 200L; Jets: 14 (+ 12 air jets); Dimensions: 75 x 170 x 51cm; Weight: 46kg

Buy now from Better Bathrooms

Price: £1,259 | Buy now from Victoria Plum

Ideal for compact bathrooms, this corner spa bath combines a luxe look with fantastic space-saving abilities. And while it looks like it might take an age to fill, it actually holds 160 litres, so theres no need to wait around for your bubbly bath. There are four jets at each end and two at each side of the bath so every inch of your body should enjoy a good kneading.

Rather frustratingly, this package doesnt include everything you need. Youll still have to buy the front panel if youre not boxing it in or tiling around it, plus the waste overflow. However, if straight baths are proving to be a space hog, this could be the answer to squeezing a stylish spa bath into your home.

Key specs Capacity: 160L; Jets: 12; Dimensions: 105 x 150 x 54.8cm; Weight: 40kg

Buy now from Victoria Plum

Price: From £900 | Buy now from the Big Bathroom Shop

For those who like baths, showers and therapeutic baths, a spa shower bath ticks every box. Designed with a wider standing space at one end, this Milano Elswick model is a perfect example. Sleek, modern and angular, its available as a left- or right-hand style and in two sizes: this smaller version and one thats 170cm long. While this compact length comes with just six jets (three on each side), upgrade to the larger one and theres also the option of air jets and 14 water jets.

This package includes the waste and black bath screen but not the panels for around the bath, so youll need to allow some budget for those if youre not boxing it in. However, theres a 10-year guarantee, which is longer than many on the market and five years for the screen.

Key specs Capacity: 200L; Jets: 6; Dimensions: 85 x 150 x 55cm; Weight: 45kg

Buy now from the Big Bathroom Shop

Price: £639 | Buy now from Plumbworld

Proving that a tight budget is no barrier to including a stylish spa bath, this Vitura whirlpool might be affordable but it offers plenty for the price. A smooth curved interior, six jets along the length, a quiet pump and a 25-year guarantee (two years on the pump), all serve to make it a great buy.

There are a couple of things to be aware of, however. One is that its single-ended, which could affect its placement in your bathroom, while the other is that the waste and panels arent included, so that will bump up the total cost. Its also made to order (in the UK), so theres a four-week wait from ordering.

Key specs Capacity: 180L; Jets: 6; Dimensions: 70 x 170 x 51cm; Weight: 65kg

Buy now from Plumbworld

Price: £785 | Buy now from B&Q

If its flexibility youre looking for, this spa bath has plenty. As its double-ended, this simple straight spa bath can go anywhere you like in your bathroom. Plus, as all 12 AirSpa jets are in the base, its not as subject to a minimum fill line at the side like some other spa baths. Of course, the effect wont be the same as side jets, but you also wont have to wait as long to get bubbly.

Price-wise, its pretty affordable for a spa bath. This pack includes almost everything youll need, such as the waste and overflow, although youll still need to invest in a front panel if youre not boxing it in.

Key specs Capacity: 210L; Jets: 12; Dimensions: 75 x 170 x 55cm; Weight: 25.5kg (spa system adds 43kg)

Buy now from B&Q

Written by

Rachel Ogden

Rachel Ogden is a freelance journalist who has been writing about small and large appliances, interiors and home tech since 2007. Her kitchen has seen hundreds of air fryers, cookers and coffee machines over the years as well as food processors, mixers and blenders. Other outlets she has contributed to include Ideal Home, BBC Good Food, Woman & Home, Tech Advisor and Trusted Reviews.

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