This is our review of the Lay Z Spa Rio (updated in 2023)
Lay-Z-Spa has a few 4-6 seater hot tubs, including the Rio Spa, making it challenging to choose the right one. Do they all have the same features? Is it just a case of aesthetics? How do you know you’re selecting the right one for your family?
With more room than others of similar size, this contemporary hot tub has been updated to incorporate features like an LED lighting system, multi-functional pump and Freeze Shield technology. Plus, it's stylish enough to complement any modern outdoor space.
That’s where we come in. This Rio review will explore what’s beneath the surface of this mid-range spa and how it stands up against the competition. Can it fit six adults? Is this model with lighting better for parties?
You’re going to find out:
- Who is this hot tub for?
- What features it has
- Is it good value - what about running costs?
Our mission isn’t to tell you which spa is the best; it’s to give you the knowledge to make an informed choice to have a blissful spa experience.
The Lay Z Spa Rio is a reasonably sized and stylish inflatable hot tub that offers some of Lay Z Spa’s best features without any complicated additions. A straightforward and stylish model, the Rio Airjet does the basics incredibly well and promises to look great in any garden, thanks to its dark hexagonal mosaic design.
Quick Glance
Capacity
4-6 people.
Set Up Time
Under 10-minute tool-free setup.
How Long To Heat Up
6-12 hours to heat from initial setup.
Running Costs
£30-£40 per month.
Winter Frost Protection
Freeze shield technology included as standard.
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What Previous Buyers Say
See all the Rio hot tub reviews on Amazon.co.uk
Currently in Stock
The Rio is currently available
Pro’s
Low running cost, contemporary design, Duraplus lining.
Con’s
Similar sized hot tubs include more features.
Making use of the freeze shield and rapid heating system, the Rio hot tub can be used year-round to great effect, and with enough space to fit 4-6 adults, this hot tub should be perfectly sized for any small family or couple looking to purchase their first blow up hot tub.
What We Liked - Key Features
Eye-catching geometric design
The most noticeable feature of the Lay Z Spa Rio is its luxurious geometric design, which promises to look great in any contemporary garden space. The dark hexagonal mosaic design contrasts beautifully with the white interior and lip lining to produce an eye-catching feature piece that will complement any modern garden.
Not only does the Rio Airjet look great, but the inner and outer linings are made from an incredibly robust Duraplus material, which works to prevent any punctures or scratches from damaging your hot tub during regular use.
140 airjets
With a 140 air jet massage system, the Rio Lay Z Spa produces a surprisingly large amount of bubbles for its size, helping to create a genuinely intensive spa experience and allowing you to fully relax during your soak.
With the air jets placed around the entire circumference of the hot tub’s floor, you’ll feel the benefits of this massage system no matter where you choose to sit, with the intensity of the jets being fully adjustable from the easy to reach digital control panel.
Rapid heating system
A staple for all modern Lay Z Spa models, the Rio Airjet makes great use of its rapid heating system to produce a water temperature of up to 40 degrees Celsius within around 10 hours straight out of the box.
Once initially heated, this system works in conjunction with the built-in freeze shield to keep your jacuzzi above 6 degrees Celsius at all times, allowing the Rio to reach your desired temperature within an hour or two during all future use.
Size, Dimensions and Specifications
Item Number:
B08ZJS4Z89
Inflatable Capacity:
4-6 adults.
Water Capacity (70%):
806L (213 gallons)
Inflated Size:
71cm x 196cm (28″ x 77″)
Filled Weight:
840kg (1851lb)
Cable Length:
7 metres
Max heat capability:
40 degrees Celsius.
Is This a WI-FI Controlled Hot Tub?
The Lay Z Spa Rio Airjet does not include wi-fi controls as standard, though the brand does sell a wi-fi enabled pump at an additional cost that will work with the Rio model.
How Many People Can it Accommodate?
The Rio Lay-Z-Spa falls directly in the middle of the Lay Z Spa size chart, with room to comfortably sit 4-6 adults within its 806L capacity interior.
As other reviews will tell you, we think you’ll get the most enjoyment out of the 6 person Rio Airjet by operating slightly under capacity. Most top spas advise this as this will provide a little added leg room to relax and enjoy the bubbles fully.
Does This Model Have Lighting?
The Rio Airjet doesn’t come with any built-in lighting system, but if it’s lights that you’re after, then Paris is the same size as the Rio and does come with an LED lighting system as standard.
What About Safety Features?
With an inflatable lid and secure clip-on cover, the Rio Airjet can be fully sealed to prevent debris, pets or children from falling into the pool when the hot tub isn’t in use at home.
Alongside this covered protection, the Lay Z Spa Rio includes an excellent ground fault detection system which works in conjunction with an internal RCD system to cut the power to the inflatable spa if any fault is detected within the Rio’s circuitry.
Detailed Review
How comfortable is the Rio hot tub?
With supportive I beam construction and a robust Duraplus lining, the Lay Z Spa Rio is pretty comfortable to relax in when fully inflated. The cushioned floor provides a good deal of support for shorter dips of around an hour or two, though, during extended use, you may need to get up and stretch your legs every now and then.
The comfort of the Lay Z Spa Rio could be improved upon by adding inflatable seats, though, at an extra charge of £10-£20 per 2, we think it would be nice for them to be included with this model standard.
Running costs
The Lay Z Spa Rio Airjet is a relatively economical hot tub in terms of this brand’s range, with some online reviewers claiming to spend as little as £3-£4 per week running their model!
A more likely estimate will fall around the £7-£10 mark for most customers, though using Rio’s built-in energy-saving timer can undoubtedly help keep those energy costs down to a minimum.
You should also consider the cost to properly maintain your Rio Airjet, with filter cartridges and chemicals representing a surprisingly high cost. However, Lay Z Spa do often provide a free starter kit with the purchase of new hot tubs that can offset this cost considerably.
Heat up times
Thanks to Lay Z Spa’s excellent heating system, the Rio Airjet can reach a maximum water temperature of 40 degrees Celsius within around 10 hours of being initially filled.
Once initially heated, you’ll find this hot tub is particularly good at maintaining its water temperature, mainly thanks to its dual operation, which allows the heating, massage system and water filter to all run concurrently without any performance issues.
Storing the Rio Airjet with the lid and cover firmly sealed will also help keep those heating times down, with the freeze shield helping to prevent the internal temperature from ever dropping below 6-10 degrees Celsius.
How noisy is the Rio model
Any hot tub using a massage system and pump will make a considerable amount of noise, though thanks to its smaller size, the bestway Lay Z Spa Rio is definitely on the quieter end of the scale.
There are a few things that you can do to lessen the impact of any operational noise. You may try placing the Lay Z Spa Rio on an insulating mat or positioning it in a sheltered area of the garden. However, it’s always best to limit your usage during the night and make use of the low power mode to prevent upsetting any close neighbours!
Winter usage
Thanks to its robust heating system and built-in freeze protection, the Lay Z Spa Rio is an excellent choice for winter usage. The freeze protection works by constantly monitoring your inflatable hot tubs internal temperature, automatically adding heat if the water drops below 6-10 degrees Celsius.
Not only does this help to speed up the Rio’s heating times, but it works to protect the pump and pipes from being damaged by frozen water during cold winter nights, allowing your Rio hot tub to remain fully functional during the coldest parts of the year.
Price and discounts
Though the Rio Airjet is far from the most expensive Lay Z Spa model available, it is noticeably more expensive than some similarly sized models from competing brands.
Lay Z Spa are, by all accounts, a premium manufacturer, so we’ve come to expect that their products will cost a little more than their competitors, though we’ve always found that this increase in cost is well reflected in their hot tubs’ overall build quality.
It’s always worth checking several stockists to find the most competitive price, especially during the off-season, where many will be looking to offload unsold items; often, you’ll find premium brands like Lay Z Spa at a surprisingly affordable price!
Warranty and support
The warranty for Lay Z Spa products is always incredibly reasonable, offering 12 months on the pump and 6 months on the lid and cover as standard.
Some customers are not aware that this warranty can actually be extended to 24 months on the pump and 12 months on the cover by simply registering their product through Lay Z Spa’s website.
Whilst you’re on the Lay Z Spa site, it’s also worth jotting down their official support line phone number, which is staffed by Lay Z Spa experts who, of course, can help with any queries or issues regarding your Lay Z Spa Rio.
Lay Z Spa Rio Reviews
The reviews of the Lay Z Spa Rio show that it has some of the newest technology and is a great option for a family. There arent loads of reviews on this model but the ones we found were mainly positive.
The Lay Z Spa Rio is a good choice for small families and couples that are looking to invite a few friends over for a decent spa experience.
The Rio excels at doing the basics well, with an excellent massage system that will produce endless bubbles and a brilliant heating system that will ensure that you’re never chilly, even during the winter months!
With a stylish design, the Lay Z Spa Rio will suit any contemporary outdoor space and is an excellent choice for first-time buyers that aren’t too fussed about the complicated features that some of Lay Z Spa’s more premium models offer.
How Does it Compare?
If you like the basic features of the Lay Z Spa Rio but want a little extra space and capacity for bubbles, the Mauritius might be a better option for you.
With the same heating system and freeze protection as the Rio, it goes one step further with a better massage system and a larger capacity to fit up to 7 adults. The only downside being its larger size that prevents it from being a truly portable spa.
Our review of the Lay Z Spa Mauritius Airjet is here.
This MSpa model provides tough competition to the Lay Z Spa Rio, with a larger capacity and comparable massage system at a more competitive price point.
This model from the MSPA range also sports a similarly luxurious design, though it can't quite match the Lay Z Spa Rio in terms of maximum heat capability or freeze protection.
How to Set Up The Lazy Spa Rio
Like all current models from this brand, the Lay Z Spa Rio Airjet features a super simple tool-free setup that allows you to have the spa ready for action in under 10 minutes.
Simply attach the included air pump and wait for the Lay Z Spa Rio to reach full inflation, then begin filling the tub with clean water from your hose.
The filling process will usually take around 1-2 hours, and we recommend using warm water to speed up the initial heating time. After this, you’ll be ready to relax with your friends and family in your new Lay Z Spa Rio. There is a lot of information and questions on the Lay Z Spa website if you become stuck.
Last Word
There are a number of models to pick from, but overall, we think the Lay Z Spa Rio Airjet is a great choice for first-time buyers or for those looking for a stylish tub to relax in with friends, without any of the complicated features of the more premium models in this brand’s range.
The Lay Z Spa Rio does all of the essentials incredibly well, with an easy to use control panel that provides full operation of the heating, jets and energy usage, allowing you to relax in peace with no fuss.
There are other hot tubs in the range of the same size that include flashier features, though this will be reflected in the price, and often these features are more for show than anything.
If you’re looking for a stylish, designed, premium quality spa that works just as well in the winter as it does in the summer, the Lay Z Spa Rio is a decent choice and should provide you with years of quality and enjoyment.
You can also now compare all the hot tubs by lay z spa if this one wasn’t to your liking. Browse over 25 models and see which one fits your garden perfectly.
