Inflatable hot tubs have become increasingly popular in recent years as a more affordable and portable alternative to traditional acrylic hot tubs. However, one question many potential buyers have is: how much does an inflatable hot tub weigh?
The weight is an important consideration, as it will determine where you can safely set up and use the hot tub. In this blog post, we’ll explore the factors that influence an inflatable hot tub’s weight and provide some typical weight ranges to help you plan accordingly.
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Factors That Affect an Inflatable Hot Tub’s Weight
Several key factors impact how much an inflatable hot tub weighs:
1. Size/Capacity
The size and capacity of the inflatable hot tub is the primary factor determining its weight. Larger hot tubs designed to accommodate more people will obviously weigh more than smaller 2-3-person models. Most inflatable hot tubs range from 2-person models up to 6-person sizes.
2. Construction Materials
Inflatable hot tubs are typically made from durable materials like layered PVC and reinforced polyester. The exact materials used, as well as the number of layers/reinforcement, can cause some variation in weight between different models and brands.
3. Water Capacity
While the physical hot tub itself has some weight, the majority of the total weight comes from the water it holds when filled. A hot tub with a higher water capacity in gallons will be significantly heavier.
4. Occupants
When people are inside the filled hot tub, their weight gets added to the total as well. Most manufacturers account for the expected number of occupants in their weight specifications.
Typical Inflatable Hot Tub Weights
With those key factors in mind, let’s look at some typical weight ranges for the most common inflatable hot tub sizes:
2-Person Inflatable Hot Tubs
- Empty Weight: 40-60 lbs
- Filled Weight: 1,200-1,600 lbs
Small 2-person inflatable hot tubs are the most lightweight and portable option. When empty and deflated, they weigh only 40-60 lbs, making them relatively easy for one or two people to move around. However, when filled with 140-190 gallons of water, their weight balloons up to 1,200-1,600 lbs.
4-Person Inflatable Hot Tubs
- Empty Weight: 60-90 lbs
- Filled Weight: 1,800-2,400 lbs
Stepping up to a 4-person model, the empty weight increases to 60-90 lbs. When filled with 210-290 gallons of water and accounting for 4 occupants, the total filled weight lands in the 1,800-2,400 lb range.
6-Person Inflatable Hot Tubs
- Empty Weight: 80-120 lbs
- Filled Weight: 2,400-3,200 lbs
The largest commonly available inflatable hot tubs can accommodate up to 6 people. (Although there are larger ones in the market right now) The empty weight is 80-120 lbs, while the filled weight with 250-350 gallons of water and 6 occupants is a hefty 2,400-3,200 lbs.
As you can see, the weight difference between an empty inflatable hot tub and a filled one is massive – often over 2,000 lbs! This is why it’s crucial to set up your inflatable hot tub on an extremely sturdy, flat, load-bearing surface.
Inflatable Hot Tub Weight Considerations
With those typical weights in mind, there are some important considerations to keep in mind regarding inflatable hot tub weight:
1. Setup Surface
The surface you set up an inflatable hot tub on must be able to handle the immense filled weight, which can range from 1,200 lbs for the smallest models up to over 3,000 lbs for larger sizes. Solid surfaces like concrete patios or decks are ideal while setting up on grass or bare ground runs the risk of the hot tub sinking.
Many sources, including hot tub manufacturers, recommend having a structural engineer evaluate your setup surface if using a deck, patio, or other raised surface. The surface needs to be designed to handle that immense weight load.
2. Moving the Hot Tub
While inflatable hot tubs are touted as “portable,” portability refers more to their ability to be deflated, moved, and re-inflated elsewhere. Actually moving a filled inflatable hot tub is extremely difficult and risky due to the extreme weight.
It’s generally recommended to drain an inflatable hot tub before attempting to move it, even just a short distance. At their empty weights of 40-120 lbs, they become much more reasonably portable for one or two people to carefully move.
3. Indoor vs Outdoor Use
The immense filled weight of inflatable hot tubs means they typically need to be set up at ground level, whether indoors or outdoors. Very few residential floors, even at ground level, are designed to handle localized weights of 2,000+ lbs.
If attempting indoor use, having a structural engineer evaluate the floor is highly recommended. Outdoor use on a proper patio or deck is generally safer from a weight perspective.
4. Energy Efficiency
One advantage of the lighter-weight construction of inflatable hot tubs is that they are generally more energy-efficient to heat than much heavier acrylic or ceramic hot tubs. The insulation doesn’t need to be as substantial to retain heat.
However, this efficiency advantage is diminished in very cold temperatures, when the heat loss becomes more substantial relative to the hot tub’s heating ability. But in general, their lighter weight helps keep operating costs down.
Empty Weight of Inflatable Hot Tubs
The empty weight of an inflatable hot tub, without any water, typically ranges from:
40 lbs (18 kg) to 120 lbs (54 kg)
The exact empty weight depends on the size and materials, but most sources indicate inflatable hot tubs are relatively lightweight when empty, usually under 100 lbs. For example, some specific empty weights mentioned are:
- 25 kg (55 lbs) for the Pure4Fun inflatable hot tub
- 60-90 lbs for a typical 4-person inflatable hot tub
- 80-120 lbs for a 6-person inflatable hot tub
Maximum Filled Weight Capacity
The maximum filled weight of an inflatable hot tub when filled with water and occupied by the maximum number of people is significantly higher than the empty weight. Typical filled weight capacities are:
- 2-person: 1,200 – 1,600 lbs
- 4-person: 1,800 – 2,400 lbs
- 6-person: 2,400 – 3,200 lbs
The water itself accounts for the majority of this immense weight increase when filled. For example, the Lay-Z-Spa Miami 4-person model has an empty weight of 696 lbs but a filled weight of 1,534 lbs.
It’s crucial to set up inflatable hot tubs on extremely sturdy, flat surfaces like concrete patios that can handle these heavy-filled weights of 1,200 lbs or more. The surface needs to be evaluated for adequate load-bearing capacity.
Weight and Inflatable Hot Tub Durability
You may be wondering – if inflatable hot tubs weigh so much less than traditional hot tubs, does that mean they are flimsier and less durable? The answer is yes, inflatable hot tubs do tend to have shorter lifespans than their acrylic counterparts.
While a high-quality acrylic hot tub can last 20+ years with proper care, most inflatable hot tub manufacturers suggest a 5-7-year expected lifespan.
The lighter-weight materials and construction simply don’t hold up as long under the pressure of the water weight and temperature extremes. However, for the lower upfront cost of an inflatable hot tub, that 5-7-year lifespan may be acceptable, especially if you envision wanting to replace it with a newer model after that timeframe anyway. Just be aware of the tradeoff between lower weight/cost and shorter lifespan.
In Summary
To summarize the key points about inflatable hot tub weight:
- Inflatable hot tub weights vary based on size, from around 1,200 lbs filled for 2-person to over 3,000 lbs filled for 6-person models
- The water itself accounts for the majority of the immense filled weight
- Setup surfaces must be extremely sturdy and flat to handle the weight
- Moving a filled inflatable hot tub should be avoided if possible due to the risks
- Indoor use requires evaluating the floor’s load-bearing capacity
- The lighter weight helps with energy efficiency compared to acrylic hot tubs
- But it also means a shorter 5-7 year expected lifespan for inflatable models
As long as you understand the weight considerations and set up your inflatable hot tub properly on a safe, load-bearing surface, you can enjoy the affordable relaxation it provides for years to come. Just be sure to account for that heavy weight from the start!
