Enhancing Your Hot Tub Experience
Your hot tub provides relaxation and therapy out of the box, but thoughtfully chosen accessories elevate the experience from good to exceptional. Some accessories address practical needs you'll discover quickly, while others add luxury touches that make every soak feel special. Building your accessory collection over time lets you customize your spa experience to perfectly match your preferences and lifestyle.
This guide covers both essential accessories that most owners eventually acquire and premium options that enhance enjoyment for those seeking the ultimate spa experience. Consider your usage patterns, budget, and priorities when evaluating these options—the best accessories for you depend on how you actually use your hot tub.
Cover Lifters
A cover lifter should be your first accessory purchase, transforming the daily chore of cover removal into an effortless one-handed operation. Without a lifter, covers are awkward to handle alone, often getting dragged across surfaces that scratch vinyl or dropped in ways that stress foam cores. The convenience encourages more frequent spa use while protecting your cover from premature wear.
Various lifter styles suit different installations. Shelf-style lifters fold the cover and store it behind the spa, requiring clearance space at the rear. Pivot lifters swing the cover to one side, working well when rear access is limited. Under-mount lifters install beneath the spa, maintaining a cleaner appearance. Evaluate your space constraints and mounting options when selecting a lifter style.
Steps and Handrails
Safe, stable steps make entering and exiting your spa easier and safer, particularly for children, elderly users, or anyone with mobility limitations. Factory-provided steps are often minimal—aftermarket options offer greater stability, additional treads, and features like built-in storage compartments for supplies. Look for steps with textured surfaces that provide traction when wet.
Handrails provide additional support that many users appreciate, especially when entering or exiting in darkness or after a relaxing soak that may leave muscles temporarily weakened. Rails mount to the spa cabinet or adjacent decking, providing sturdy grips at convenient heights. Consider rail placement during spa installation planning to ensure appropriate mounting locations are available.
Spa-Side Tables and Storage
Having convenient surfaces for drinks, phones, and personal items eliminates the frustration of reaching outside the spa or leaving items where they might fall into the water. Spa-side tables designed for hot tub use resist moisture damage and often include features like towel bars, storage compartments, or holders for specific items. Some mount directly to the spa edge for stability.
Built-in storage steps combine access functionality with enclosed compartments for chemicals, cleaning supplies, and accessories. These dual-purpose items keep essentials accessible while maintaining a tidy spa area. If your steps don't include storage, consider a separate waterproof storage container positioned near the spa for items you need regularly.
Towel and Robe Storage
Emerging from warm water into cool air becomes more comfortable when warm, dry towels are within arm's reach. Towel warmers designed for outdoor use keep towels toasty and ready, transforming the exit from your spa into a luxury experience. These appliances typically hold multiple towels and robes, ensuring everyone can wrap up in warmth immediately.
For simpler solutions, weatherproof towel racks or hooks mounted near the spa provide convenient storage without the heating function. Consider covered or enclosed options if your spa area lacks overhead protection from weather. Having designated towel storage encourages good habits around keeping towels dry and ready rather than left in damp piles.
Drink Holders and Accessories
Enjoying beverages in the spa requires appropriate holders that keep drinks secure and accessible. Floating drink holders work for any spa but may drift away from your reach. Clip-on holders attach to spa edges, maintaining position but requiring compatible edge designs. Built-in holders in spa caddies or tables provide the most reliable solution for frequent beverage enjoyment.
Use shatterproof drinkware rather than glass near your spa—acrylic wine glasses, insulated stainless steel tumblers, and plastic cups eliminate breakage risks that could create dangerous situations or damage your spa. Quality acrylic stemware is virtually indistinguishable from glass while being safe for poolside and spa use.
Entertainment Systems
Waterproof Bluetooth speakers bring music, podcasts, or audiobooks to your spa time without risking electronics. Many speakers designed for outdoor and bathroom use handle the humid spa environment well, with waterproof ratings that protect against splashes and submersion. Position speakers where sound reaches the spa clearly without placing electronics where they might actually fall in.
Some owners install more elaborate entertainment systems including weatherproof televisions mounted in view of the spa. While not essential, these additions support extended soaking sessions and make your spa area more versatile for outdoor entertaining. Ensure any electronics installed near water have appropriate weatherproofing ratings and are positioned safely away from splash zones.
Comfort Enhancements
Spa pillows supplement or replace factory headrests with softer materials, different shapes, or better positioning for your body. If you find yourself uncomfortable during longer soaks, aftermarket pillows may solve the problem inexpensively. Look for quick-drying materials that resist mold and mildew while providing the cushioning support you want.
Spa booster seats raise smaller users to more comfortable positions, ensuring jets align properly with their bodies. These accessories benefit children who would otherwise be too deep in the water and adults who find standard seat heights don't position them optimally for jet therapy. Weighted designs stay in place during use without requiring attachment to the shell.
Maintenance Accessories
Quality testing supplies ensure accurate water chemistry monitoring. Test strips provide convenience for regular checks, while liquid test kits or digital testers offer precision for troubleshooting problems. Maintaining a supply of necessary chemicals, stored safely and accessibly, means you're never unable to treat your water when readings indicate adjustments are needed.
Spa vacuums help remove debris that settles on seats and the floor of your spa between draining cycles. These manual or battery-powered devices make quick work of sand, leaves, and other particles your filter hasn't captured. Waterline cleaning products address the scum that accumulates at the water surface, keeping your spa looking fresh between deep cleanings.
Lighting and Ambiance
Additional lighting beyond your spa's built-in LEDs creates atmosphere and improves safety in the surrounding area. Solar-powered path lights require no wiring while illuminating walkways to the spa. String lights or lanterns add decorative touches. Floating spa lights supplement underwater illumination with colors and patterns that enhance the visual experience.
For the ultimate ambiance upgrade, consider fire features such as tabletop fire bowls or portable gas fire pits positioned near your spa. The combination of warm water, cool air, and dancing flames creates an extraordinarily relaxing environment. Ensure any fire features are positioned safely with appropriate clearances from structures and combustible materials.
Building Your Collection
Start with practical accessories that address immediate needs—a cover lifter, good steps, and basic maintenance supplies should come first. Add comfort and convenience items based on your experience using the spa—you'll quickly identify what would make your specific routine easier or more enjoyable. Luxury additions like entertainment systems or towel warmers can follow as budget allows.
Quality accessories are worth the investment. Cheap alternatives often fail quickly or perform poorly, requiring replacement with better options anyway. Research reviews, ask your dealer for recommendations, and choose accessories built to last in the demanding spa environment. Thoughtfully selected accessories make every hot tub session more enjoyable, compounding your return on investment with each use.