Best hot tubs in New Zealand 2024

Hot tubs are a great way to relax and unwind. Whether you’re after the therapeutic waters of a heated hot tub to relieve sore muscles or a place to relax with your family, adding a hot tub in your backyard offers year-round benefits.

In this article, we’ve used brand names not affiliated with Spa World™ or Vortex Leisure Pty Ltd, the parent company of Spa World™. You can see the list of the brand owners at the bottom of this article. All information, including store locations and product details, was accurate at the time of writing (September 2022) and may change without notice.

What is a hot tub?

Depending on where in the world you live, you might call them hot tubs, spa pools, spas, or even Jacuzzis^®.

Click the button to learn more about Jacuzzis^® in our detailed review below.

Most traditional hot tubs are designed for holiday or weekend use only; for this reason, wood-fired and gas-fired hot tubs are usually not preheated, meaning the water is not held at the desired temperature for immediate use. Depending on the outdoor climate and water temperature, it typically takes two and a half to three hours to heat the water.

Another obvious difference is the way the water is heated. Most hot tubs are heated with fire or gas and sometimes electricity, while spa pools use electric heaters, heat pumps or even solar.

Click the button below to learn more about the difference between a hot tub and a spa pool.

Best hot tubs 2023 reviewed

We researched the best hot tub models in New Zealand, evaluating them on durability, safety, value, and ease of use. Here are our top 3 picks in no particular order.

Stoked™ Hot tub review

According to their Youtube channel, Stoked™ Stainless was established by Andrew Horton and Daniel Young in 2009.

It states on the website that the company offers handcrafted, stainless steel, wood-fired, and cedar hot tubs, as well as electric bath tubs, plunge pools, and spa pools.

This review focuses on the company’s wood-fired Stoked™ Hot Tub.

You can buy Stoked Stainless™ hot tubs online via their website. You can also visit their showroom in Wanaka, New Zealand. You will need to contact them to book an appointment before visiting.

Stoked™ Hot tub | Pros

• Durable - Uses stainless steel interior and internal components which the company claims can last for many years when properly cared for.
• Spacious - Its overall 1,900mm diameter can accommodate up to five to six adults.
• Better seating position - Reclined seating position for better posture and has a rolled top edge for added comfort.
• Portable - Since wood-fired tubs don’t have electric cords of any sort, they can be placed almost anywhere.
• Timber - Uses red cedar, a durable timber that looks great and ages well.

Stoked™ Hot tub | Cons

• Exposed metal elements - Exposed metal elements such as near the chimney or log burner, can get very hot, posing a risk to users, especially small children.
• Maintenance - Timber-panelled hot tubs will need to be treated with oil every 1 to 3 years to keep them in good condition and prevent fading.
• Ease of use - Like all wood-fired hot tubs, Stoked™ hot tubs can’t be preheated. This means that you have to fill and heat the water ahead of time before soaking.
• Water quality - Stoked™ hot tubs don’t require water chemicals, while this may be convenient, untreated water can cause skin problems if not changed after every use. Please note: Although this is what Stoked™ said on their site at the time of writing this article, Spa World™ always recommends using an APVMA approved chemical sanitiser in all hot tubs, spa pools, and swim spas to avoid the risk of water-borne illness. Even if the water is not kept for more than a few days.
• Price. Higher price than some other hot tubs with similar features. With its price, you can already buy a mid-market spa pool.

Cedar Hot Tubs™ Small Round Wood-fired Review

As listed on their website, Cedar Hot Tubs™ is a New Zealand-based company that manufactures and sells its own brand name of hot tubs.

The company offers wood-fired and electric hot tubs, including hot tub accessories.

According to their website, they also offer custom-sized hot tubs. Cedar Hot Tubs™ products are distributed in New Zealand, Australia, and worldwide.

Cedar Hot Tubs™has a showroom in Auckland, New Zealand. If you’re interested in visiting their store, you will need to call first to arrange a time to visit.

Cedar Hot Tubs™ Small Round Wood-fired | Pros

• Rustic appeal - Uses panelled cedar wood to blend in with nature.
• Spacious - Its overall diameter of 1540mm can accommodate up to four to six adults.
• Portable - Like other wood-fired tubs, Cedar Hot Tubs™ don’t have electric cords of any sort, so they can be placed almost anywhere.
• Safety - Uses external heater which is a safer option to reduce the chance of injury from contact with the burner. External heaters are also easier to light and allow more room within the hot tub for soaking.
• Water Quality - Cedar Hot Tubs™ offers Natural Volcanic Water Treatment to keep the water hygienic. Please note: Spa World™ always recommends using an APVMA approved chemical sanitiser in all hot tubs, spa pools, and swim spas to avoid the risk of water-borne illness. Even if the water is not kept for more than a few days.

Cedar Hot Tubs™ Small Round Wood-fired | Cons

• Ease of use - Like Stoked™ Hot tub, Cedar Hot Tubs™ can’t be preheated. If you plan to take a dip, you’ll need to fill and heat the water ahead of time.
• Cleaning can be challenging - Panelled cedar wood hot tubs are harder to clean than stainless steel and acrylic interior hot tubs.
• Maintenance - Timber-panelled hot tubs will need to be treated with oil every 1 to 3 years to keep them in good condition and prevent fading.

Cedar Hot Tubs™ Small Round Wood-fired | Price

Price starts at $14,600.00 (NZD) based on their official website.

Alpine Spas™ Narvik Hot Tub™

Alpine Spas™ is a New Zealand-owned spa pool and hot tub retailer. The company has been in the industry since 2014.

Alpine Spas™ also offers swim spas, saunas, and gazebos, including hot tubs, spa and swim spa accessories.

Alpine Spas™ products are available in Australia and New Zealand. They have showrooms in Auckland, Christchurch, Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane (opening 2022).

Alpine Spas™ Narvik Hot Tub™ | Pros

• Spacious - Its overall diameter of 1600 x 1600 x 1050mm can seat up to four to six adults.
• Durable - Uses tough and elastic plastic shell material called polypropylene.
• Easy to care for - Its shell material requires less interior cleaning.
• Safety - Uses external heaters like Cedar Hot Tubs™.

Alpine Spas™ Narvik Hot Tub™ | Cons

• Ease of use - Like the hot tubs reviewed above, Narvik Hot Tub™ is designed for weekend or holiday use. This means draining the hot tub after each use, then filling and heating the water if you plan on soaking.
• Water quality - Similar to most hot tubs, Narvik Hot Tub™ doesn’t require water chemicals. To reduce skin infections, draining and refilling the water after every use is recommended. Please note: Although this is what Narvik Hot Tub™ said on their site at the time of writing this article, Spa World™ always recommends using an APVMA approved chemical sanitiser in all hot tubs, spa pools, and swim spas to avoid the risk of water-borne illness. Even if the water is not kept for more than a few days.
• Maintenance - Like all the products reviewed above, Narvik Hot Tub™ uses timber-panelled exteriors which will need to be treated with oil every 1 to 3 years to keep them in good condition and prevent fading.

Alpine Spas™ Narvik Hot Tub™ | Price

Price ranges from $7,995 (NZD) to $9,995 (NZD)

IN SUMMARY:

We hope this article has given you some good ideas about which hot tub might be best for you.

Traditional, wooden hot tubs don't have the same features as modern spa pools – but if you're after back-to-basics style and old-world charm then this type of tub could be perfect for you.

If you want the benefits of hydrotherapy and a hot tub that's ready to use 24/7 then a modern spa pool could be a better option for you.

If you are interested in learning more about spa pools and how they compare to hot tubs – you’re welcome to visit us in store and chat with one of our spa experts. You can also connect with us online. We're here to help!

DISCLAIMER:

The following registered trademarks are owned by companies not affiliated in any way with Spa World™ or Vortex Leisure Pty Ltd – the parent company of Spa World Ltd:

Stoked Stainless™ trademark is owned by Stoked Stainless Limited. Cedar Hot Tubs™ , Alpine Spas™ trademark is owned by Alpine Spas Limited

Affiliations: Vortex^® Spas, Fisher™ Spas and Spa World^® are trademarks owned by Vortex Leisure Pty Ltd. The Jacuzzi^® brand is owned by Jacuzzi Inc. and exclusively licensed for use to Spa World™ in Australia and New Zealand.