With the value of real estate rising, Australian homes and backyards are shrinking. To make the most of their property, a modern homeowner needs to be more efficient and clever with their use of space than they’ve ever been before.
But when the right choices are made, even the most compact of homes can have more than enough room for the ultimate addition to any property: a hot tub.
Do I have space for a hot tub?
It’s a question that we hear a lot at Hot Spring, and one that we will usually answer, often surprisingly, with a ‘yes’. At Hot Spring we offer a range of compact and cleverly shaped hot tubs that are built to fit comfortably into tight spaces, while simultaneously offering a luxurious amount of room inside.
Hot Spring hot tubs come in models that take up as little as two square metres of space – a size that can fit within the most compact of backyards, courtyards, balconies, decks and sunrooms.
TX Perfect relaxation for two RELAXATION FOR TWOWith seating for two, the TX packs power and comfort in a small package. Easy to fit in small spaces like a confined patio or deck, this easy-to-care-for spa pool offers 10 soothing jets including a Moto-Massage™ jet,... 2 Person 183 x 183 x 74 cm 720 Litres Jetsetter Three is never a crowd SOOTHING MASSAGES COME IN SMALL PACKAGESDesigned for small spaces and easy installation, the Jetsetter™ is ideal for shoppers seeking a luxury spa that can operate on 230 volts. This compact spa is ideal for smaller spaces yet provides interior space... 3 Person 213 x 173 x 84 cm 925 Litres SX Place big luxury in small spaces A SMALL SPA THAT PERFORMS 3 Person 183 x 196 x 84 cm 870 Litres Stride A compact massage powerhouse THE STRIDE 3 PERSON SPAWith seating for up to 3 people, the Stride relieves tension with targeted jets, including Directional Hydromassage jets. Finished with impressive styling, LED lighting and total FiberCor™ insulation to conserve energy, this reliable hot tub will... 3 Person 213 x 165 x 74cm 850 LitresOur compact hot tubs
The compact 3-person SX spa comes complete with a Moto-Massage™ jet and all of the outstanding features that normally come in a full-size Hot Spring® spa. This model includes a No-Fault™ heater, and FiberCore® insulation. The...
The best hot tub for small spaces: Key considerations
If you’re keen to become a hot tuber, you more than likely can. Your challenge is simply to choose the right spa: one that fits in your space, while delivering the high quality soaking and ownership experience you deserve.
There are a few key factors you need to consider when comparing different compact hot tubs. Let’s walk through these elements, and what you need to know about each.
1. Dimensions & footprint
Your first job: choose where you want to place the spa, and measure the dimensions of that space. The right spa will be slightly smaller than the available space, as you need a bit of room around the spa to make it easy to access, clean and maintain.
2. Seating capacity vs. space efficiency
How many people will want to use your spa at any one time? The Hot Spring range includes machines with 2-7 seats, and the options for a compact backyard will naturally sit at the lower end of the seat count spectrum.
That said, some compact spas look to squeeze more seats in, while others minimise seat count to maximise the space offered in each. The right choice for you will depend on whether you prioritise personal space or company.
In terms of seating capacity, it’s important to look beyond the number of moulded seats. Just because a spa advertises five or six seats doesn't mean five or six adults can comfortably sit in it.
One critical and often overlooked area is the footwell: many spas have limited space in this region, which can become cramped when the spa is full. It’s easy to underestimate the level of discomfort, until you try fitting ten feet into a tight, shallow footwell. It’s wise to pay close attention to this space, as it’s a factor in real-world comfort.
The good news for Hot Spring customers: no matter which model you choose, you’ll enjoy the deepest, widest, most comfortable hot tub seats and footwells on the market, delivered through exclusive production techniques that remove the design limitations faced by other spa brands.
3. Power & installation requirements
A smaller hot tub is easier to install for a couple of reasons: it’s easier to physically move the machine into place, and it’s easier to power the spa.
Case in point: Hot Spring’s Plug’N’Play models that can be plugged into a standard power outlet. Without the need to hardwire your spa, you can get soaking sooner, and save money on hiring a professional electrician to hook your machine up.
4. Weight (filled & empty)
Speaking of installation, you’ll need to find an appropriately strong foundation for your spa, which is less of a challenge for a compact machine. Some small spas can even be installed on decks and balconies, provided they are strong enough.
It’s important to remember that the full weight is far higher than the empty weight. The smallest spa in the Hot Spring range, the Freeflow Mini, has a dry weight of 115kg, but a wet weight of 610kg (based on 2x 80kg adults soaking), so you need to ensure your chosen spot can handle that load. It’s wise to consult a structural engineer if you’re unsure.
5. Jets & hydrotherapy options
When you choose a high-end machine, the size of your hot tub won’t affect the hydromassage experience found inside. Sure, larger spas will have more jets, but the focus should be on the quality of those jets, not the quantity.
Take the 3-person Highlife Jetsetter, which features the Moto-Massage DX, the latest iteration of the world’s first and only moving hot tub jet.
6. Design aesthetics
Along with physically fitting into your outdoor space, you also want your compact hot tub to fit in with the look and feel of your property.
Effortlessly combining the traditional hot tub look with a unique brand of European-inspired minimalism, Hot Spring hot tubs are capable of fitting in or standing out. With up to 15 colour combinations and endless accessories to choose from, you can create a spa that’s all your own.
7. Noise levels
Noise is a concern in densely populated urban areas, particularly in unit title properties that may have specified quiet hours. A particularly loud hot tub hum can also affect your soaking experience, by making it a less relaxed and sociable affair.
Solution: choose a compact hot tub with a SilentFlo 5000 circulation pump, which eliminates the traditional hot tub hum to create a perfectly peaceful, sociable and relaxing soak, and ensures you have no issues with your neighbours.
When comparing different spa brands and models, keep in mind that the presence of a circulation pump doesn’t automatically mean silent operation. In fact, most circulation pumps are far from silent. Not all pumps are created equal – many circulate water loudly and inefficiently, often running 24/7 and drawing a surprising amount of power.
If quiet operation and energy efficiency matter to you (especially for indoor installations or when you have close neighbours), ask to hear the spa running, or check for the presence of ultra-efficient, quiet technology like the SilentFlo 5000.
8. Maintenance requirements
When space is tight, maintenance can become that much trickier, particularly if you need to perform upkeep on hard-to-reach parts of the spa. You should aim to choose a machine that is simple to maintain, and ideally doesn’t require much work at all.
Hot Spring’s compact hot tubs have you covered. Packed with high-end water care technology, our machines are always warm, always ready, and always filled with the most luxurious water, all while reducing hot tub maintenance by up to 90%.
9. Delivery & access
Once you’ve chosen your ideal compact spa, you next need to consider how it will get from the showroom to your preferred spot. With even compact machines weighing hundreds of kilograms when empty, DIY delivery and positioning is a risk that may not be worth taking.
Hot Spring’s nationwide network of dealers is here to help. Our experts can deliver, position and install your spa wherever you choose, even using cranes to gain unfettered access to the tightest of backyards and the highest of balconies.
Hot Spring Spas: Big things come in small packages
Ready to shop for the ultimate hot tub for your small property? We’re ready to help.
At Hot Spring we offer a range of 2-4 person hot tubs across four distinct collections: the entry-level Freeflow, the value-packed Hot Spot, the luxurious Limelight and the unmatched Highlife.
The amount of space, comfort, technology and luxury found within our compact models has to be seen to be believed.
But you don’t need to take our word for it – head to your local dealer today to experience the Hot Spring difference today.
