Imagine this: it’s wintertime, and night comes early. You’ve just finished dinner at 7:30 p.m., and you’re winding down for the night, but your eyes are too tired to look at a TV screen, and you’re not in the mood to do the laundry. So, you put on your swimsuit, walk onto your back patio, and step into a 104-degree hot tub.
Since the Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub was sent to me for testing, this has been my reality every evening. (Not to mention every morning, too.) I can say that it’s been one of the most relaxing testing experiences I’ve had.
I’ve long known of the hot tub benefits; my parents have had one for over a decade, and when I visited them, I sought it out to relax, help my aching or strained muscles, aid in digestion, and warm up on cold nights. Like many homeowners, buying a hard-surface hot tub wasn’t in my cards yet. They’re large and expensive, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to invest in one yet. That’s where an inflatable hot tub comes in.
The best inflatable hot tubs offer the same kind of rest and respite as a hard-surface hot tub for a considerably lower price. They can also be moved between places and managed fairly easily on your own, and they offer temperatures up to 104 degrees!
The Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub is no different. While it’s not the fanciest inflatable hot tub, it’s a solid mid-range hot tub with a variety of features, like a power-saving timer, FreezeShield technology for the winter, and an air jet system. I tested it for two weeks in the middle of December and can confidently say it was a joyful experience.
If you are after one of the best hot tubs, read on to see why a small investment in the Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub can significantly impact your life.
Alex Temblador is a skilled freelance writer and product tester who has a passion for testing and reviewing products such as inflatable hot tubs. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Top Ten Reviews, Tech Radar, and Tom's Guide. As a first-time homeowner, Alex recently purchased a beautiful 103-year-old Sears & Roebuck house on half an acre of land, complete with a stunning wraparound porch, original hardwood floors, pocket doors, and a butler pantry. When she's not busy with her writing work, Alex can be found relaxing and enjoying her outdoor spaces, especially her favorite inflatable hot tubs!
Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet: Key specs
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Row 0 - Cell 1 |
| Type | Inflatable |
| Heat range | 68-104℉ |
| Water capacity | 205 gallons |
| Material | DuraPlus |
| Fits | 4-6 people |
| Jets | 140 |
| Dimensions | 71 x 26 inches |
Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet: Price & availability
The Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub is sold for $599 through the Bestway site, Amazon, and Walmart.
While there are some inflatable hot tubs in the high $400 range, at nearly $600, the Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub is well-priced, especially if it's on sale/clearance too - some of the above retailers currently have significant reductions on this item. It's not the most expensive inflatable hot tub on the market, yet it can fit a decent number of people and has all the features required for a relaxing soak. There are inflatable hot tubs with better energy efficiency for about the same price and inflatable hot tubs with back massaging jets for about an extra $100.
Score: 4/5
Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet: First impressions
I’ve tested a few inflatable Bestway hot tubs, so I knew what to expect when the Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub arrived at my door. I moved the heavy box with a dolly from my front porch to my back porch and set it up.
The hot tub was broken down into various parts – the pump, the hot tub itself, the cover, a filter, a chemical dispenser, and a few accessories like a tube and caps that help you air the hot tub up. Since I’ve put together a few inflatable hot tubs, it took about 20 minutes to air the hot tub and the cover, and then another 20 minutes to fill the hot tub with water – all on my own. If you’ve never assembled an inflatable hot tub, it’ll likely take you an hour to 15 minutes to assemble it.
The materials appeared to be of the same top quality that I expected. The DuraPlus material that the hot tub is made out of is pretty durable, which prevents punctures from happening. Even then, I liked to play it safe, so I placed a tarp on my back porch and set the hot tub on the tarp so as not to cause any accidental punctures.
As a square hot tub, it’s better suited to accommodating more people than a circular one. I liked the deep teal color, though I wasn’t that impressed with the cover, which I’ll explore more in the “Design” section of this review.
Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet: Design
The Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub’s design relies on three main parts: the hot tub, the cover, and the pump. While the pump is primarily used to filter and heat the water in the hot tub, it also doubles as an air pump to blow air into the hot tub and the cover insert.
When setting up the hot tub, I screwed a tube (which is provided) to the pump and pressed the air jet button. It blows air through the tube, which can then be inserted into the cover to inflate it. I then used the same tube to blow air into the hot tub. After both items were aired up, I screwed the pump to a set of tubes on the back of the hot tub, plugged the hot tub into an outlet, and filled it with water between the minimum and maximum lines, which are displayed on the interior of the hot tub.
The hot tub is made with DuraPlus material, a puncture-resistant material that helps keep its shape no matter how many times you inflate or deflate it. Square in size, the hot tub has handles on all sides, which allow multiple people to easily move it when the water has been drained. There is a drain tube on the backside of the hot tub where water can be released.
The Ibiza has Freeze Shield Technology, which can be used during wintertime if the temperature doesn’t drop below 14 degrees. The filter and the heater will need to be turned on during the winter so that the Freeze Shield Technology works, and checking on the hot tub during those chilly times is required. If the temperature is expected to get below 14 degrees, Bestway advises breaking down the hot tub and storing it until temperatures rise.
The pump is pretty large and made of durable plastic. On the top are two cup holders beneath a digital control panel that can hinge up or down. The control panel is automatically set to Celsius, so I changed it to Fahrenheit. You can also raise or lower the temperature with arrows, turn on the filter and heater, set a power-saving timer, and press a button that turns on the air jets, all via the digital control panel.
On the hot tub's interior is a filter and a ChemConnect chemical dispenser. The filter case has a filter inside of it. I think it’s a nice touch that Bestway provides you with at least one filter so you can start using the hot tub immediately. The filter screws onto the hot tub. I must remove the filter every few days and rinse it with water, or it’ll turn yellow. Above the filter is the ChemConnect chemical dispenser. This is where I place a bromine chlorine tablet that slowly disintegrates into the hot tub to keep it clean.
My only complaint about the design has to do with the cover. To provide some structure to the cover, Bestway has designed it so that there is an inflatable square insert that you can fit inside the cover. The cover is supposed to stay in place thanks to eight buckles placed along all four sides of the hot tub. These buckles have safety locks to prevent kids from quickly opening them and getting inside the hot tub without adult supervision. You have to click the sides and the top buttons at the same time to open them.
Unfortunately, even when the buckle straps are tightened to their fullest extent, the cover’s flaps appear loose against the hot tub, allowing heat to escape. I cover the hot tub with a tarp to mitigate this and to prevent leaves and twigs from falling onto the top of the cover. However, I find that sometimes the buckle straps loosen on their own. Not only that but removing the cover from the hot tub is quite flimsy. If leaves or debris are on top of the hot tub, it’s nearly impossible to prevent them from falling into the water upon removing the cover.
Score: 4/5
Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet: Performance
After filling the hot tub with water, it took about 26 hours to heat up to 104 degrees. This is typical, especially since I set up the hot tub in winter. The instructions say it could take up to 40 hours when the temperature is 50 degrees outside.
I typically like to get in an inflatable hot tub at 104 degrees. Yes, it’s a bit warm, but inflatable hot tubs can’t usually maintain that temperature the entire time you’re in them, especially not one such as the Ibiza, which doesn’t have energy-efficiency properties. According to the control panel, the water temperature drops to about 102 degrees within the first 10 minutes and then anywhere between 100 and 102 degrees for the next 10 minutes.
Unlike hard-surface hot tubs, inflatable tubs don’t have seats, so I have to sit on the bottom of the inflatable hot tub and stretch out my legs. The Ibiza is padded on the bottom, so it’s comfortable for me. I’m 5’5”, so my legs don’t hit the other side of the hot tub, meaning I can stretch out quite a bit. The padded bottom can be slippery, so carefully get in and out. This may not be the best choice for those struggling to get up and down from the floor.
I only had one other person join me in the hot tub at a time, but even then, I could tell that this hot tub would not fit six adults unless those six adults were below average in height and weight and didn’t mind their legs touching. Four average-sized adults could fit in the hot tub, with perhaps one small kid, though it would be a tight fit even then. For the most comfortable experience, I wouldn’t put more than four adults in this hot tub. Five or six people would be far too cozy for comfort.
Since I filled the hot tub with water between the minimum and maximum lines, the water rose to my chest when I got into the hot tub by myself. When another person was in the hot tub, it rose to the top of my chest (not my shoulders). I find this to be a pretty good level. If I were to put water to the maximum line and then hit the air jets button on the control panel, the bubbles would cause water to splash out of the hot tub. More than three people are in the hot tub, and the water could slosh over the sides if anyone moves around too much.
The air jets are essentially 140 holes around the bottom of the hot tub that have air pushed through them to create bubbles. The bubbly experience is excellent, but not necessarily massaging in any sense. I’ve also found that more heat escapes from the hot tub when using the jets, so I don’t usually use them. I prefer the heat over a bubbly experience.
I did test the power saver timer a few times. It’s tricky to figure out if you’ve never done it before. Essentially, the LED began flashing when I pressed the power saver timer button. I then use the arrows to determine how many hours I want the heater to run, between 1 and 999 hours. After that, I again press the power saver timer button to confirm my decision. When the LED flashes again, I set a time (1-999 hours from that moment) for when I want the hot tub to be fully heated. I use the arrows to put the time and press the power saver button again to confirm.
That’s a bit confusing, so here’s how it would work out. Say it’s 9 a.m., and I’m off to work, but I want the hot tub to be 104 degrees between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. when I typically want to get there. I would first set the hot tub to heat for 3 hours – between 7 and 10 p.m. After that, I’d set the hot tub to be fully heated at 104 degrees by the time 7 p.m. rolls around, which is 10 hours from 9 a.m. During those 10 hours, the hot tub’s filtration system will continue to run, but the heating function will only start working when the system determines that it needs to begin heating so that by 7 p.m., the water will be 104 degrees.
The power-saving timer is an excellent function and saves me a bit of electricity throughout the day. I can see it being a fantastic tool when traveling for a few days or weeks, and I want my hot tub to be warm upon my return.
Maintaining the hot tub is fairly easy. I took some water to a pool and hot tub store, where they tested it and informed me of the chemicals I need to use (like Calcium or PH increaser or decreaser) to maintain the pH balance and prevent mold and other nasty things from growing. Generally, I only add a few tablespoons of chlorine once a week and a Bromine tablet when the other disintegrates in the ChemConnect dispenser.
When it comes to the filter, I rinse it off with water about twice a week. I usually have to exchange it once a month. I order additional filters from Amazon or through the Bestway website. About twice a year, I’ll break down the hot tub by removing the water and giving it a good scrub in the yard before inflating it again on my porch. Having another person to help move the hot tub during maintenance is very helpful. While the DuraPlus material is durable, dragging a hot tub on concrete will cause a hole. Bestway does provide some patches in case a hole occurs, but it’s always better to do what you can to prevent that.
If you need to store it away because the FreezeShield technology doesn’t work below 14 degrees or for some other reason, you’ll need space. Sure, the pump can deflate the hot tub, but the pump and the deflated hot tub and cover will still take up some space. It might not hurt to save the box it comes in for a safe and organized storage method.
All in all, I like this hot tub. It’s not the fanciest inflatable hot tub on the market, but it provides a lovely space to spread out and enjoy a hot soaking experience morning, noon, or night.
Score: 4/5
Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet: Maintenance
Proper care and maintenance are essential for extending the life of your Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub. To keep your hot tub in good condition, it's important to regularly clean the filter, check the water's pH balance, and add the recommended chemicals. It's also essential to cover the hot tub when not used to prevent debris and protect it from the elements. Additionally, it's recommended that the hot tub be drained and refilled every few months to ensure fresh water.
Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet: User reviews
Amazon reviews for the Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet are negative. The product was either delivered late or had technical issues that rendered it unusable after a short time. One user reported that the product leaked, ultimately causing the water to disappear overnight. A third user stated that the control panel failed after only five months. Reviews from other countries, however, are far more positive, and the model has an overall rating of 4.2/5.
Should you buy the Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub?
| Attribute | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Price & availability | Average priced inflatable hot tub which includes the spa and pump in the price; available through multiple stores | ★★★★ |
| Design | Made with DuraPlus material, Freeze Shield technology, and has a control panel to control temperature, air jets, etc.; cover is a bit flimsy. | ★★★★ |
| Performance | Heats to 104 degrees and air jets creates a bubbly experience. No back massaging jets. | ★★★★ |
Buy it if...
Don't buy it if...
How does the Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub compare?
The Bestway SaluSpa Fiji inflatable hot tub is very similar to the Ibiza in most ways. They both have Freeze Shield technology and power-saving features. However, Fiji is round in shape and designed to fit only 2-4 people, making it a better choice for singles or couples with slightly less outdoor space or who only want to use it for themselves. With less water to heat up, you save more money.
If you want a hot tub with jets massaging your back, you’ll want to go with the Bestway SaluSpa Hawaii Inflatable Hot Tub. This square inflatable hot tub has two jets in every corner, offering the ultimate relaxing experience.
Those willing to spend another $100 can enjoy even more with the Honolulu EnergySense Smart Signature AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub. It comes with an EnergySense cover that is 40 percent more energy efficient, meaning your water stays hot without increasing your energy bill. Even more exciting, this spa connects to an app. You can control the temperature and massage system, run the water filter, and set up the power-saving timer all on your phone.
How I tested the Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub
The Bestway SaluSpa Ibiza AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub arrived on my porch at the beginning of December. After inflating the hot tub and connecting the pump on my back porch, I tested it for two weeks every morning and night. I even had a few friends and family members over to experience the hot tub and share their feedback. I tested all its features to provide a comprehensive review.
For more on how Top Ten Reviews reviews products, head to our how we test page.
