The Best Hot Tub Shell Color: Standard & Specialty Options Compared

You have to consider a whole lot of options when buying a hot tub—so it makes sense that color might not be the first thing on your mind.

But the truth is that hot tub shell color is one of the most important decisions you can make for your hot tub: it can both make or break a first impression, and set the mood while you're using the tub.

So, how do you choose the best color for a hot tub interior? In this article, we'll break down a number of hot tub shell color options, as well as the functional and aesthetic factors involved—all so you can be sure you pick the best one.

White

Shades of white are among the most popular hot tub shell colors, and for a good reason. While a hot tub is a large addition to many backyards, it will inevitably be just one item in the environment. This means that you may want it to match with the colors around it to some extent.

White tends to be a good catch-all choice because it goes with pretty much everything. On the other hand, since white comes in a variety of shades, you still have room to personalize.

For instance, you might want a brighter white if you want your hot tub to pop out from darker colors in its surroundings or perhaps more of a light gray if it's blending with more neutral colors.

Of course, there is a whole suite of options beyond these! You might choose a subtle pearl, a lustrous silver, a beaming white eggshell, or more for your hot tub.

But bear in mind that if you're more of a daytime spa user, you might find a white interior too bright due to the sun glare on this type of shell.

Black

Black is another popular option for hot tub interiors. Like white, it's a neutral color that goes well with many other environments (though not all, of course!). More uniquely, black can impart elegance and classiness to a hot tub.

On top of this, black interiors can be a great way of incorporating the hot tub water itself into your aesthetic. Black tends to look excellent in contrast with a hot tub's bubbles, and this interior also makes a great background for photos if you like to snap pics during parties.

Black, however, is not without downsides. Since black absorbs light more than white does, interior lighting will have a less dazzling effect on a white shell.

Additionally, the contrasting effect of black makes wear-and-tear more obvious; a black shell will usually show more evaporation lines and water spots (think about how black cars always show the dirt worse).

Blue

Blue is another strong contender for the best hot tub shell color. In many ways, it strikes a nice balance between black and white hot tub interiors.

Obviously, blue is a great hot tub sell color if you're going for an aquatic theme. Whether you're thinking of a deep sapphire, a gleaming cerulean, or a vibrant teal, something about a blue hot tub just makes you feel like you're by the ocean—and on top of that, there's a kind of calming luxuriousness to blue.

Blue also has the advantage of working well with interior lights, which can make a blue shell look absolutely marvelous (though not quite as bright as a white shell) at night. And, depending on the shade of blue you choose, it may help to hide the watermarks that you tend to notice on black interiors.

Midnight Canyon

Midnight canyon is a hot tub shell color that combines the deep richness of brown with the alluring neutrality of black. This is a great option if you like the idea of darker shell, but also want a natural feel rather than anything too modern or futuristic.

The color interweaves blacks, browns, and whites together to give the impression of a natural earthy tone—and it looks great in any hot tub.

Tuscan Sun

Another specialty hot tub color, Tuscan Sun draws on sandy tones of cream, brown, and white to give a lighter finish that still looks natural—something like the inverse of Midnight Canyon. This might be the best hot tub shell color for you if you want both earthy warmth and a sandy lightness in your tub.

You can almost imagine it's like bathing in a natural pool surrounded by sandstone. Tuscan Sun would be the daytime version, and Midnight Canyon would be like taking a dip in the same pool at night.

FAQs

Let's look at some of the commonly asked questions about hot tub colors.

Why are hot tubs white?

Many hot tubs have white as their default color for two main reasons:

• Lighter shells reflect the LED lights better so the colors look more vibrant
• During the day, the water is a beautiful aqua blue against the white background

White can also help cover up the discolorations and issues that can come with a colored hot tub shell.

As we mentioned previously, hot tub interiors in dark hues can show water lines and stains far more vividly than light colors, and this is of course exacerbated with poor hot tub maintenance. For this reason, white can sometimes be the easiest choice.

However, that's not to say that it's the end of the world if you have a dark-colored hot tub. If you only use your tub at certain times of day and make sure to cover it when it's not in use (to avoid too much evaporation), you shouldn't find water stains to be much of an issue.

Are there specialty hot tub colors?

Yes! In fact, many hot tub brands offer colors that go beyond the basic white, black, and blue. Some of the most popular colors are textured and complex, not just flat—such as Sterling Silver, Midnight Canyon, or Tuscan Sun.