Style, size and included features are obvious considerations for buying a lazy spa and it would be difficult to buy one without considering these first. However, when it comes to the long-term usage of your lazy spa, it's worth thinking ahead... Maintenance and cleaning

We used the hot tub six times over the space of a month, enough time to perfect the amount of chlorine I needed to add, and we didn’t have to use any of the other chemicals at all. For a traditional hot tub that has all the extra amenities you could desire, this Canadian Spa four-seater hot tub delivers the ultimate outdoor spa experience. Enjoy crystal clear waters with our guide to how to clean a hot tub. Otherwise experts at the British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association are clear that even a straight-forward inflatable design will require some hot tub maintenance. Their advice is that 'the essential points on upkeep relate to the water's quality and purity and a sound filtration system. All hot tubs and swim spas will come with a warranty, and your dealer will be able to advise you on how to keep high-quality water in the hot tub'. This is a 'proper' hard-shell hot tub – no inflating required – and its high-quality frame is designed to last for years and years, with no worries about punctures or deflation. However, that does mean it's going to take up a lot more space to store, or it will need a permanent spot in the garden Two, four, six-person or more? How large your outdoor space is and how many people you're expecting to use the hot tub at any one time will, of course, impact your hot tub choice. When choosing, bear in mind the hot tub marketing can often be a little optimistic... In other words, what's described as a six-person hot tub often means four or five would be more spacious and comfortable seating experience.Both hot tubs have inflatable lids, but they both have the issue in that they gather rainwater, although the Wave lid fits more snuggly and is sturdier. The hot tub took just under two hours to empty and we were left with about an inch of water in the base. This is because the plug hole sits slightly higher than the water level, so to empty the last dregs I had to tip the hot tub up slightly so that the water level was higher than the plug.

Much like visiting a real spa, these lazy spas or home hot tubs as they're known can provide a wealth of health benefits including muscle relaxation, pain relief, improved sleep and lowered blood pressure. The WiFi App is really handy, you can easily view the real-time pool temperature, and turn the heater, bubbles and filter on from your phone. You can also set a timer from your phone, or on the main control panel, which is useful if you want to save money. Keeping it clean is a simple case of washing the filter once a day (and replacing it once a week) and keeping the chemical levels up. Emptying is also easy, just detach the pipes and release the plug. Additional features So, soothe yourself in the bubbles and relax in care-free bliss of these lazy spas! Which lazy spa brand is best? Similar in size and specs to the other four-person Lay-Z-Spa models in our round-up, this inflatable offers 120 air jets, easy inflation, and just enough room for four adults. But as evening falls, the reason for upgrading to this hot tub becomes clear. I’m not going to lie, it’s not the prettiest hot tub I have ever set eyes on, but it’s not the ugliest either. The greige colourway is far nicer than some of the lurid blue/green portable tubs out there and the heater unit is sleekly designed. I did make sure it was positioned in the corner where it would be fairly hidden from view when looking out from the kitchen windows or sat on the patio. Is the Lay-Z-Spa Barbados worth the money?

Introducing the Lay‑Z‑Spa Barbados AirJet™

Corner spots are good for providing a little shelter from the wind, however, having yourhot tubright next to the wall of your home is probably tooclose. The steam that comes from the water may seep into windows and water splashed from thetubmay cause a slippery walkway. You'll also want to avoid placing it under a tree to prevent leaves and debris from raining down while you're soaking.

This energy‑efficient inflatable hot tub has Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to control your hot tub from the Lay-Z-Spa app so it's always ready when you are. It looks great on our patio and its anti-freeze technology means we're likely to use it all year long, so for the price I think it's good value.

Alkalinity neutralises the water to prevent it being too acidic. By measuring the pH levels you can test how acidic or alkaline your water is, helping to prevent a range of problems that can take away from the enjoyment of your spa. Using your testing kit, balanced pH levels should be between 7.2 and 7.6. Most hot tubs come with a cover included, which can be very useful for insulating and maintaining the temperature when the tub isn't in use, as well of course for covering the open water from debris and making it safer for children. They're also make life much easier when it comes to hot tub winter care. Although it's larger capacity was very welcome for our family of four, the Wave Osaka does have its downsides, compared to the smaller, inflatable Lay-Z-Spa Barbados AirJet Hot Tub. For starters, the Lay-Z-Spa was very easy to assemble – it took me just 20 minutes on my own, whereas it took twice as long and I needed my partner to help me with the Wave. The Barbados Airjet hot tub seats up to four adults, comes equipped with 120 airjets, heats up to 40°C, can be WiFi-controlled, and – perhaps most importantly when energy efficiency is at the forefront of most of our minds – includes an 'integrated EnergySense™ insulated outer liner and top cover that makes it 40% more energy efficient when compared to similar models in the Lay‑Z‑Spa range', according to the brand. This inflatable model also claims to be easy to set up – Lay‑Z‑Spa state it can be done in five minutes – and easy to dismantle and store when it's not in use. While there is a range of lazy spas available to buy, one of the biggest and best in the UK is the Lay-Z-Spa. As the country's most 5 stars reviewed hot tub brand, they provide premium inflatable spas with advanced technology, unique features and award‑winning design which helps these lazy spas stand out above the rest.