How Much Does an Inflatable Hot Tub Weigh?
By Jennifer Rhodes · Updated
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You can probably already guess that inflatable hot tubs are a lot lighter than regular hard-sided spas. After all, the tub itself weighs very little.
But just how much lighter are they?
Based on an average of some of the most popular models, a filled inflatable hot tub weighs around 2,290 lbs (or 1,038.8kg). This includes the tub itself, and the water (filled to a recommended 80% capacity).
In this article, we'll break down the weight of some popular inflatable spa models, then look at the extra information you'll need to determine whether an inflatable spa can go on your deck or balcony.
Weights of popular SaluSpa/Lay-Z-Spa models
SaluSpa/Lay-Z-Spa (different brand names for the same line of inflatable spas, all manufactured by Bestway) are big players in the inflatable hot tub market. Let's take a look at the weights of some popular models.
| Model | Capacity | Boxed Weight | Filled Weight | Lbs per Sq. Ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami AirJet™ | 2 - 4 adults | 30.9 kg (68.0 lbs) | 1,026 kg (2,261 lbs) | 104.4 |
| Vegas AirJet™ | 4 - 6 adults | 40.4 kg (89.1 lbs) | 1,110 kg (2,426 lbs) | 93.4 |
| Helsinki AirJet™ | 5 - 7 adults | 39.5 kg (87 lbs) | 1,155 kg (2,548 lbs) | 117.7 |
| Palm Springs AirJet™ | 4 - 6 adults | 43.1 kg (94.9 lbs) | 1,225 kg (2,701 lbs) | 104 |
| Paris AirJet™ | 4 - 6 adults | 36.8 kg (81.1 lbs) | 1,215 kg (2,678 lbs) | 103.1 |
| Hawaii AirJet™ | 4 - 6 adults | 41.78 kg (92.1 lbs) | 879 kg (1,938 lbs) | 98.8 |
| Siena AirJet™ | 2 adults | 42.8 kg (94.4 lbs) | 548 kg (1,205 lbs) | 43.1 |
| St Moritz AirJet™ | 5 - 7 Adults | 42.98 kg (85.6 lbs) | 1235 kg (2723 lbs) | 59.9 |
| Monaco AirJet™ | 6 - 8 Adults | 46.1 kg (101.7 lbs) | 1235 kg (2723 lbs) | 43.8 |
| Palm Springs HydroJet™ | 4 - 6 Adults | 60 kg (132 lbs) | 864 kg (1,905 lbs) | 104.9 |
| Hawaii HydroJet Pro™ | 4 - 6 Adults | 62.1 kg (136.6 lbs) | 867 kg (1,911 lbs) | 69.3 |
| Maldives Hydrojet Pro™ | 5 - 7 Adults | 83.6 kg (184.5 lbs) | 1,117 kg (2,463 lbs) | 70.4 |
Source: Lay-Z-Spa
Note: I have allowed an 8-inch thickness for the walls of each spa in this calculation. This is just an estimate, so double check the exact dimensions of the spa you have in mind.
How to calculate the weight of any inflatable hot tub
The calculation you need is this:
- Find the water capacity (in gallons)
- Multiply it by 8.3 (weight of a gallon of water in lbs)
- Add the boxed spa weight
- Add the weight of the people who will use the spa
So, let's say you have a 250 gallon spa with a dry weight of 80 lbs. That's 2,075 lbs of water (250 x 8.3), plus 80 lbs of spa. So the empty filled weight would be 2,155 lbs.
If it's a 4-person spa, and the 4 people using it weigh 170 lbs each on average, the total person weight would be 680 lbs.
Combining the filled spa and person weight gives us a total of 2,835 lbs.
Now, what can you do with this information? If you're hoping to put your inflatable hot tub on anything other than the ground, you need to know how much it weighs.
Can you put an inflatable hot tub on a deck or balcony?
The great thing about inflatable spas is that you can install them in places with very limited access; if you can walk there, you can put an inflatable spa there.
However, this doesn't necessary mean you should.
In many cases, it is possible to safely install an inflatable hot tub on a deck or balcony. But there are a series of checks you need to perform first to ensure it can support the weight of the tub, as well as satisfy requirements around drainage, power and permits.
Let's take a look at what's involved.
How to determine if your deck or balcony can support an inflatable spa
This section will provide you with a basic checklist of steps you need to follow to safely install an inflatable spa on a raised deck or balcony.
1. Find out if any permits are required
I list this step first for a reason: you don't want to go to the trouble and expense of preparing your structure for a hot tub, only to find out you're not actually allowed to put it there.
If you live in a shared apartment building, there are often rules against items like hot tubs or waterbeds due to their potential to cause damage to the building should they malfunction.
So, you should always notify your building management and/or relevant city department before you go ahead, to avoid surprises down the line.
2. Contact a structural engineer to assess your building
Building codes in most areas require decks to be built to support a minimum of 40-50 lbs per square foot, increasing to 100 lbs per square foot for balconies.
If you look at the column on the right of the table above, you'll notice that many of the inflatable models we analyzed do fall under 100 lbs per square foot. However, that's not the full story.
How is deck or balcony capacity calculated?
The weight capacity of a structure is calculated from a combination of:
- Dead load: the static load of any flooring, fencing or supports that make up the structure itself
- Live load: the dynamic load that comes from usage of the structure, such as people or furniture (including hot tubs)
The load-per-square-foot number is based on the total area of the structure. For example, if you had an 8'x10' deck, it would have an area of 80sq. ft, so the total load it would be required to support overall would be 8,000 lbs.
However, that doesn't necessarily mean that any particular part of it is capable of supporting a large weight if concentrated in a single area—like a hot tub.
I hope this explains why there's really no way to give a quick answer about your specific deck or balcony, and why it's critical to get professional advice for this part.
3. Get your deck or balcony reinforced
Obviously this step might not be required, but if it's recommended by the structural engineer, it's important to add extra supports in the area where you plan to position your inflatable spa.
4. Confirm you have adequate power and drainage
Wherever you install a hot tub, you'll need a way to power it, and a safe way to dispose of the water. And inflatable spas are no exception.
Do inflatable hot tubs use 110V or 220V power?
In the US, inflatable spas fall under the 'plug-n-play' category, meaning they just need to be plugged into a regular 110-120V GFCI 15-20 amp electrical outlet.
In the UK, inflatable spas use standard 230V outlets.
So, your structure will need a suitable outlet in range of where you're planning to position the tub.
How to dispose of hot tub water
When you need to get rid of spa water (either from overspill during use, or when you intentionally empty the tub), it's important that you have proper drainage in place.
To properly dispose of spa water, you need to drain it either onto plants in your yard, or into the sewer system—not into a storm drain.
Chlorine, bromine, algicides, biocides, water conditioners, stabilizers and other chemicals in spa water are toxic to fish and other aquatic life.
The sewer system collects wastewater from homes and carries it to a treatment plant where it can be cleaned before being released into streams, rivers, and other drainage waterways. However, street drainage and storm drains flow directly there without treatment.
So, if you're planning to put a hot tub on a deck or balcony, you need to make sure you have access to a proper sewer drain, and not just a storm drain—both to prevent your spa from polluting waterways, and from flooding or damaging the structure.
5. Position, inflate and fill your spa
If you've met all of these requirements, you're now ready to fill your inflatable spa and enjoy your first soak!