After spending so much money to install a hot tub, you expect that it will last a long time. What's more, you expect that it will not cost you an arm and a leg to maintain and keep it hot. Among the things you can do to protect your beautiful tub and keep your maintenance cost low is to cover it. The best hot tub covers insulate your water from heat loss and protect it from chemical degradation, dirt, and debris.
If you got your hot tub from a high-end brand like Cal Spas, it likely came with a cover already. However, over time even the best hot tub cover suffers degradation and needs to be replaced after a while. Hot tub covers come in many shapes and forms, from simple canvas designs to unconventional ones. We picked out these five hot tub models from dozens of listings because of their durability, heat sealing abilities, safety, and of course value for money.
1. iBirdie Outdoor Waterproof and Weatherproof Hot Tub Cover
- Proper Dimensions: Cover size 85 inch long, 85 inch wide, 20 inch...
- Weatherproof: Perfect for protecting your hot tub and hard top...
- Air Vents Design: Both sides are designed with air vents to expel...
- Well Made: iBirdie Hot Tub cover is made of heavy-duty fabric...
- Secure Fit: Four adjustablebuckles and waterproof zippers on each...
iBirdie Outdoor Waterproof and Weatherproof Hot Tub Cover is our top pick for several reasons. One, the cover is will fit exactly to your hot tub. The second reason is that it's made of heavy-duty fabric with a waterproof coating that looks as luxurious as leather but more durable in the face of external factors like sun and water.
The beautiful-looking hot tub cover is available in 85 x 85 inches, but it is lightweight, so it might not last as long as you would like. However, to ensure longevity, the company has double-stitched the seams for durability.
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2. ULTCOVER Waterproof Hot Tub Cover
- Guaranteed to fit hot tub size up to 90”(L)x 90”(W), Actual...
- Made of top quality 600D polyester canvas complex with waterproof...
- ULTCOVER provides 3 years warranty and guarantees to be 100%...
- Well-made structured air vents at two sides stay open to prevent...
- 100% coverage design avoids the furniture exposure in the sun...
ULTCOVER waterproof hot tub cover is built for square hot tubs of up to 86L x 86W making it versatile and suitable for most models of hot tubs. This cover is crafted from a heavy, specially chosen polyester fabric that is not only rugged, but also resistant to water – so you can guard your hot tub against rain, sleet, or snow.
Also, the ULTCOVER Hot Tub Cover has a double-stitched seam that makes it stronger and reduces on tearing. It is also completely UV stabilized to ensure that it does not bleach or craze in the sunlight. It also adds to the ability to increase the durability of the cover itself.
The ULTCOVER Hot Tub Cover has features four strap points that should be attached to various parts of the hot tub so that the cover will not be blown off by a strong wind. The lid of the pot also has an air vents that help to avoid moisture accumulation which can cause problem such as mold or mildew formation.
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3. Classic Accessories Ravenna Square Hot Tub Cover- Most Affordable
- Premium Outdoor Cover: Fits Square Hot Tubs 94"W X 94"D X 14"H
- Outdoor Furniture Cover With Warranty: Two-Year Limited Warranty
- Heavy Duty And Water Resistant: Gardelle One Is A Durable Woven...
- Custom Fit Outdoor Patio Cover: Reinforced Padded Handles Provide...
- Reinforced padded handles make removal easy while air vents help...
It’s no secret that replacement hot tub covers can be pricey, and sometimes you want something more affordable. This Classic Accessories Ravenna Square Hot Tub Cover is exactly that with the added benefit of being a quality product as well. The cover is 94 by 94 inches in width and 14 inches high, so it will fit your average hot tub perfectly.
It is fitted with an elasticated hem with a toggle attached, meaning you can tighten or loosen the band to a perfectly snug fit. The cover is made of Gardelle One woven polyester, and it's laminated for waterproofing both on the inside and outside. To ensure pests like raccoons and rats don't scratch and tear the cover, Ravenna uses double stitching on the seams to strengthen them. The Classic Accessories Ravenna Square Hot Tub Cover looks good on your tub, it has extra buckles to hold it in place, and it's gentle on your pockets.
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4. QH. HOME 738N Tearing Strength Hot Tub Cover Protector
- 【Choose the Correct Size】 Cover size 85 "L x 85"W x 20 "H,...
- 【Upgraded Fabric】 Our hot tub cover fabric is made of 600D...
- 【100% Waterproof】 Our spa cover has a waterproof coating on...
- 【Tight Fit】 The hot tub cover is designed with adjustable...
- 【Easy to Install and Remove】 Our hot tub covers comes with a...
This tapered hot tub cover from QH. HOME is also custom-made to perfectly fit your hot tub, with a variety of measurements for most hot tubs.
What we love most about the hot tub cover though is that it's built for all climates, including the worst winter weather. The high-density material is able to withstand heavy loads, whether it's snowfall or little animals playing on top. It's also fitted with tie downs, stakes, and velcro to ensure your little ones will be safe around the hot tub.
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5. MADHOLLY Spa and Hot Tub Cover
- Trim to Fit: Our thermal solar blanket cover is 7 × 7 ft/210 ×...
- 16 MIL Thickness: Different from the general 8-12 mil spa hot tub...
- Save Time & Money: When you heat the water in your hot tub,...
- More Functions: Covering the square solar cover on the hot tub...
- Bubble-side Down: When using, you need to put the bubble side of...
The MADHOLLY Spa and Hot Tub Cover, is really practical. Overall it is very simple to install and does an excellent job of protecting any hot tub and keeping it clean. The material is heavy and has a kind of rubber like texture, which respond well to weather changes. It also tightly covers it and minimizes the chances of contamination by debris, leaves and dirt falling into the water. It also has the added advantage of keeping warm which conserves energy. In all it will suffice to say that the cover does what it is designed to do without much fuss.
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What Is The Purpose Of A Hot Tub Cover?
If you have a hot tub, getting a replacement cover for it is non-negotiable unless you want your entire investment to go to waste. Some of the reasons you MUST buy the best hot tub cover you can afford include;
1. Prevent Evaporation
Water naturally evaporates whether it's hot or cold, and this happens more if the hot tub is exposed to sunlight. When you leave the hot tub open, you can expect to find your water level going down by the day, which means you have to constantly refill it, which costs money. As the water evaporates, so do the chemicals you put to keep the water clean and balanced. This means you have to add more chemicals even as you replenish the water.
2. Prevent Heat Loss
Did you know it takes 12 to 24 hours to heat some hot tubs? That is a lot of energy to use, so you have to find ways of keeping the water hot once you shut off the power. The best hot tub covers come with next-level insulation abilities to keep the water hot for hours. The cover also allows water to heat up quickly because the heat is not being released into the environment.
3. Cleanliness And Durability
Whether your spa is indoors or outdoors, there will always be dirt and debris ready to fall into the water. Besides making the water dirty, such debris can get into your filter or sump pump and destroy your hot tub's components. The best hot tub cover ensures this doesn't happen by protecting your tub from any dirt or debris.
4. Safety
The most important reason you need to cover up indoor and outdoor hot tubs is the safety. A hot tub cover protects your children and pets from falling inside the tub and drowning. The best hot tub covers come with a firm surface and heavy duty elastic cords or locks to ensure kids and pets can't fall into the tub.
How Do I Choose A Hot Tub Cover?
As you may have noted from the selection of energy efficient spa covers we have highlighted, the best hot tub covers are not cheap. You want to invest in a cover that's durable and will take you at least a decade before you think about replacing it. These hot tub cover features, along with how well you take care of the cover, will help you with that.
1. Foam
It is also important to understand that the best hot tub covers are made of high-density foam because its an excellent thermal insulation. The normal range is between one and two pounds but the thicker the foam the better its heat saving ability. Make sure you also look at where the foam gradually diminishes towards the sides to allow water flow.
2. Vapour Barrier
A vapor barrier is a protective cover that encases the foam of your hot tub cover. It should be water-tight and water-resistant to prevent vapor and moisture from getting inside the foam. A poor quality vapor barrier will leave the cover vulnerable to mold and mildew, not to mention degradation.
3. Material
When selecting a cover for a hot tub, you should consider finding one that will not succumb to any type of weather. During a hot environment, the material should not start deforming and becoming less stronger. This also applies so when it is still a chill outside and snow is icing the ground. These hot tub covers are usually the best and are made from vinyl which is both water and UV resistant material. In terms of toughness, look at the weight per square meter of the vinyl because this informs you on the toughness of the material.
4. Extra Features
When selecting a cover for a hot tub, you should consider finding one that will not succumb to any type of weather. During a hot environment, the material should not start deforming and becoming less stronger. This also applies so when it is still a chill outside and snow is icing the ground. These hot tub covers are usually the best and are made from vinyl which is both water and UV resistant material. In terms of toughness, look at the weight per square meter of the vinyl because this informs you on the toughness of the material.
How Long Should Hot Tub Cover Last?
The durability of a good spa cover is usually between 5 to 7 years. Hazardous climatological elements like UV radiation or snow, physical impacts like falling debris and other harm causing elements alter the life-cycle of a hot tub cover. However, if you clean and apply some protectant treatment to the hot tub cover, it should serve you for a good number of years.
Conclusion
When sifting through the best hot tub covers, let price be the last thing you consider. Like most things, cheap will end up costing you more in the long run. For that perfectly snug fit, you can try any of our custom-made picks and choose everything for yourself.
