You do not need a big garden for a hot tub. You need the right footprint, a flat base and a socket in reach. Below are the smallest tubs we list, measured by the space they take up, using the outside sizes the makers publish. We have not set any of them up ourselves.
Measure the patch, not just the tub
A round tub still needs a square patch of ground. A tub 180 cm across takes up a 180 x 180 cm square on your patio, even though the tub itself only covers about 2.54 m² of it. So when you measure, measure the square.
Then add room for:
- Getting in. You need space to stand beside the tub and step over the wall.
- The lid. You have to put it somewhere when you lift it off. On a tight patio, that is often the hardest part.
- The pump box. Tubs without a built-in heater need a box beside them, cabled to the tub.
- The hose and the socket. Both have to reach.
The smallest hot tubs we list
| Hot tub | Shape | Outside size | Floor area of the tub | Seats (maker) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wave Tahoe 4 | Round | 156 cm | 1.91 m² | 4 | £1,010 |
| MSpa Oslo | Square | 160 x 160 cm | 2.56 m² | 6 | £1,699 |
| MSpa Tribeca | Square | 160 x 160 cm | 2.56 m² | 6 | £1,395 |
| Lay-Z-Spa Stockholm | Square | 164 x 164 cm | 2.69 m² | 6 | £1,000 |
| Lay-Z-Spa Carrara | Round | 170 cm | 2.27 m² | 6 | £725 |
| Canadian Spa Co. Grand Rapids | Round | 177 x 175 cm | 2.43 m² | 4 | £379 |
| Lay-Z-Spa Miami | Round | 180 cm | 2.54 m² | 4 | £299 |
| Lay-Z-Spa Boracay | Round | 180 cm | 2.54 m² | 4 | £390 |
| Intex PureSpa Onyx Octagon | Octagon | 180 cm | about 2.68 m² | 4 | £316 |
We worked out the floor area from the published size: a circle for round tubs, a square for square ones. The Wave Pacific 4 may be small too, but Wave does not publish its size.
Smallest overall: Wave Tahoe 4
At 156 cm across, the Tahoe 4 needs the smallest patch of any tub we list. It holds 650 litres, has a 6-inch WaveEco foam core, a heater in the wall (so no pump box) and app control. Wave quotes about £2 a day to hold 40 °C. It is sold for 4 people, which at 156 cm means two adults with room to stretch.
The catch is the price, £1,010, and the reviews: 2.6 stars from only 2 when we checked.
Best all-rounder for a small patio: Lay-Z-Spa Carrara
The Carrara measures 170 cm and has a ThermaCore foam wall, a heater in the wall and app control, so no pump box takes up extra space. It scores 7.1, second on our whole site, and costs £725. It is sold for 4 to 6 people. At 170 cm, plan on three adults.
Best for a corner: Lay-Z-Spa Stockholm
A square tub sits flush in a corner, which wastes less space than a round one. The Stockholm measures 164 cm, has a foam wall and a built-in heater, and scores 7.0. It weighs 74 kg empty, so put it in place before you fill it. See all square hot tubs.
For the frame look: MSpa Oslo or Tribeca
Both measure 160 cm square. The Oslo has wood-effect panels and 4.7 stars from 12 reviews. Both use a separate control unit, so leave room beside the tub. Neither listing shows a maker's guarantee, and at £1,395 and £1,699 they cost far more than the Lay-Z-Spa foam tubs.
On a tight budget: Miami, Boracay or Grand Rapids
The Miami (£299, 1,246 reviews at 4.5 stars) and Boracay (£390, 669 litres, app control) both measure 180 cm. The Grand Rapids is a touch smaller at 177 x 175 cm, costs £379 and comes with LED lights and plug and play. All three use a pump box beside the tub, so add that to your measurements.
Weight matters more in a small garden
Small gardens often mean a small patio, decking or a roof terrace. Water weighs 1 kg a litre, so the Tahoe 4 holds 650 kg of water on less than 2 m² before anyone climbs in. Add the tub (29.5 kg) and two adults and you are well past three quarters of a tonne. Read hot tubs on decking and hot tub base options before you pick a spot. Never put a hot tub on a balcony or roof without a structural engineer's say-so.
Small tubs cost less to run
Less water means a cheaper first heat. At 25p per kWh (our assumption, check your tariff), heating the Tahoe's 650 litres from 15 °C to 38 °C costs about £4.34. A 1,340 litre tub costs about £8.94 for the same heat. See hot tub running costs.
Quick answers
What is the smallest hot tub for two? On our site, the Wave Tahoe 4 at 156 cm.
Do I need planning permission in a small garden? Usually not for a portable tub, but rules depend on where you live. Read hot tub planning permission and check with your council.
More small tubs: hot tubs for 2 to 4 people and where to put a hot tub.
