This is our review of the Lay Z Spa Tahiti (updated in 2023)
If you are looking for a compact value for money hot tub, the Tahiti could be ideal. However, when it comes to 2-4 person spas, there are plenty of options, so are there others that fit the bill better.
Unfortunately, quality isn’t a given, as we’ve discovered over our years of testing blow-up spas.
- Its small size makes it perfect for smaller gardens
- Modern design fits in with most gardens
- Relatively cheap to run
- Not as many jets as some other models
Lay Z Spa has several 2-4 seater spas in their range and the Tahiti, with its integrated lights and contemporary design, is ideal for couples, small families and those with limited space. It has 81 airjets and all the standard features Lay Z Spa are known for, like Freeze Shield and a sturdy Duraplus outer shell.
So should you stick with a trusted brand like Lay Z Spa for peace of mind, or are there other brands that might suit you better?
This review will discuss
- How the Tahiti stacks up against the competition?
- Is it good value for first-time buyers?
- What you may not like about this spa?
Keep reading and we’ll give you all the info you need to decide if the Tahiti is the one to introduce a tropical paradise to your back garden.
Whilst, for some people, the perfect inflatable hot tub may be gargantuan in size and overflowing with features, there will always be a contingent looking for an affordable spa. Robust enough for daily use and compact enough to not take over their entire garden.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or simply looking for a personal massage spa, the Lay Z Spa Tahiti perfectly fills this role. Updated for 2021, this compact 2-4 person hot tub now boasts an impressive 120 air jets, advanced frost protection and even a dazzling LED lighting system, all for a price tag that won’t break the bank!
Quick Glance
Capacity
2-4 adults.
Set Up Time
5-10 minutes.
How Long To Heat Up
6-12 hours.
Running Costs
£30-£40 per month.
Winter Frost Protection
Frost protection included.
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What Previous Buyers Say
See all the Tahiti hot tub reviews on Amazon.co.uk
Currently in Stock
Yes, the Tahiti is presently available.
Pro’s
Portable, affordable, LED lights.
Con’s
Limited capacity.
What We Liked - Key Features
120 Airjet Massage System
When we tested out the previous incarnation of the Tahiti, we were impressed by its comfortable design and portability features. Still, we were left a little underwhelmed by a meagre 81 airjet massage system.
Well, it seems the folks at Lay Z Spa have answered our calls, with the updated 2021 model now packing an impressive 120 air jets into the same sized interior!
Powered by an improved digital pump and easy-to-reach control panel, our team found switching between the two power levels from within the spa to be a breeze and quickly learned that an extra 40 jets in a hot tub of this size really does make all the difference!
Dual-Operation
One often overlooked benefit of the smaller capacity hot tub is its ability to heat up much faster than its larger range-mates. The Tahiti takes this to the next level by introducing dual-operation into its digital pump.
We gave this feature a spin, with the manual promising that the heater, jets and lighting system would all run concurrently from the same pump, and oh boy, were we impressed!
This means our reviewers could enjoy actively heated bubbles straight out of the jets, but we also found that running the system this way noticeably increased the hot tub’s heat-up times.
LED Lighting System
A great feature to entertain the kids or set the perfect ambience for a private nighttime soak. The Tahiti includes a mesmerising array of colour-changing LED lights set into its interior walls.
With seven distinct colours to choose from or an automatic colour-changing mode, we found switching between these settings to be simple enough, as, in a hot tub of this size, the control panel is never out of reach!
Size, Dimensions and Specifications
Item Number:
BW54186GB
Inflatable Capacity:
2-4 people.
Water Capacity (80%):
669L (177 Gallons)
Inflated Size:
1.80m x 66cm (71” x 26”)
Filled Weight:
696kg (1534lb)
Cable Length:
7m
Max heat capability:
40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit)
Is This a WI-FI Controlled Hot Tub?
The Tahiti does not feature Wi-Fi controls. In our experience, this feature is usually reserved for the more expensive models in this brand’s range, though as an Airjet model, you can find a compatible Wi-Fi enabled pump on Lay Z Spa’s website.
Does This Model Have Lighting?
Yes! The Tahiti comes bundled with an impressive LED lighting system that offers 7 vibrant colour options, fully controlled by the digital pump’s soft-touch control panel.
How Many People Can it Accommodate?
This is very much a personal hot tub; though Lay Z Spa advertise the Tahiti as a 2-4 seater, our reviewers were adamant that any more than 2-3 adults becomes something of a squeeze!
We reckon that the average family of 2 adults and 2 kids would be comfortable lounging in here, but we think the Tahiti works best as a personal or couple’s spa.
What About Safety Features?
You’ll find all of the standard safety features you’d expect from an industry-leading brand here, including a ground fault detection system to handle any electrical issues and an RCD unit that will protect against any water coming into contact with the circuitry.
There’s also a secure cover and inflatable lid, which can be clipped into place when the hot tub is not being used. This improves the Tahiti’s ability to maintain its heat and prevents anybody (or anything!) from stumbling in by accident.
Detailed Review
How comfortable is the Tahiti hot tub?
Whilst the Bestway Lay-Z-Spa Tahiti may not include any dedicated comfort features, it does make the most of its available space with a cushioned floor lining and padded interior walls.
When relaxing under-capacity, with about 2-3 of our team in the water, we found this hot tub to be perfectly comfortable for a few hours at a time, but a combination of the small size and lack of inflatable seating did mean we needed the odd break to stretch our legs every 2 hours or so.
Running costs
The Lay Z Spa Tahiti will not break the bank; with an energy-saving timer and two adjustable power levels for the jets, we found it easy to keep on top of our energy usage.
The average running costs for a spa of this size are around £7-£10 per week, but by using the insulated cover during storage to reduce heat-up times and running the jets at the lower power setting, you can expect to spend around £30-£40 per month running this thing.
You will need to factor in the cost of chemicals and filters, but with a water capacity of only 669L, a little will go a long way. Also, adding a quick rinse of the filter cartridges to your weekly cleaning routine will extend their life considerably.
Heat up times
Once again, the Tahiti’s portable size comes in handy, with the smaller capacity meaning you can expect an initial heat up time of around 6-10 hours.
Subsequent heat up times are aided dramatically by both the insulated Duraplus lining and the inflatable lid, which work together to trap the hot tub’s heat, meaning the heater has little to do to reach its maximum temperature.
How noisy is the Tahiti model?
Whilst you’re never going to find an inflatable hot tub that makes no sound at all, the Tahiti is pretty reasonable in terms of noise.
This is partially down to its smaller size, but some credit is due to the digital pump, which is surprisingly quiet when running on its low power mode, even with 120 air jets engaged.
If you live in a crowded neighbourhood, you’re still going to want to avoid running this hot tub late into the night. Still, by popping it onto an insulated mat and sheltering it amongst the shrubbery of your garden, you’ll be surprised at how reasonable the noise levels are!
Winter usage
A lot has been said about Lay Z Spa’s Freeze Shield technology, a handy device that prevents your hot tub’s water from freezing by automatically engaging the heater when the cold weather rolls in.
We had our team put this array of sensors to the test, and they found that by running power to the pump overnight, the Freeze Shield was able to work with the insulted cover and lining to maintain the Tahiti’s internal temperature at about 6-10 degrees Celsius, even during frosty weather!
In layman’s terms, this means the Tahiti is ideal for winter use, preventing frozen water from damaging the hot tub and helping to save a little money on daily heating costs.
Price and discounts
The Lay Z Spa Tahiti is reasonably priced. In fact, there are few comparable models from other popular brands that can match this hot tub in terms of size, jets and frost protection for this price.
Though we do believe that this hot tub is worth its price tag, you can often find some decent savings by being patient with your purchase. Checking several suppliers over several months will usually result in the odd sale during the off-season, so it can certainly pay to bide your time!
Warranty and support
As with any Lay Z Spa hot tub, you’ll find a decent warranty of 12 months on the pump and 6 on the lid, though this can be doubled by simply registering your hot tub on the brand’s website.
You’ll also find details of Lay Z Spa’s UK-based support line customer service whilst you’re there, where a team of industry professionals are on hand to assist with any issues, questions or problems you may have regarding your Tahiti airjet.
Lay Z Spa Tahiti Reviews
The reviews of the Lay Z Spa Tahiti are fantastic with an average score of 4.8/5 and many stating how quiet the pump is.
The Lay Z Spa Tahiti is an excellent choice for first-time buyers, small families and especially couples, as its small size is ideal for an intimate soak.
Whilst you’re not going to be able to squeeze all of your friends into this jacuzzi, you’ll find that 120 air jets and a dazzling light show are perfect for either a personal soak after a long day or a bit of quality time with 1 or 2 guests.
The Tahiti is quick to heat up and relatively inexpensive to run, whilst also easy to shift around the garden thanks to its small size, quick drain valve and tool-free setup. If you’re new to inflatable hot tubs and want to dip your toes into the water, we reckon this is a good shout!
How Does it Compare?
This CosySpa model does offer 10 more air jets and a little more space than the Tahiti, though you’ll find that the material lining isn’t quite as comfortable or durable.
There’s also nothing in the way of LED lighting available with this inflatable hot tub, though if you’re simply looking to save a little money, it’s certainly not a bad alternative.
With a square-style shell instead of the Tahiti’s circular design, you may find this hot tub a little easier to squeeze into your garden, though you will notice a drop in massaging power with only 108 air jets.
Again there are no lights available with this model, but the reinforced PVC lining is very hard-wearing, great for those that know the kids are likely to give their hot tub a hard time!
How to Set Up The Lazy Spa Tahiti
With quick inflation and a tool-free setup, you can have the Tahini ready to be filled in under 10 minutes.
Filling this spa should take around 1-2 hours, and heating the water will take a further 6-10 hours.
Last Word
A lot of people ask us which is the best one from lay z spa? And we think the Lay Z Spa Tahiti is an excellent choice for a first-time buyer or a small family that wants to treat themselves to a premium quality hot tub.
Though there are a few cheaper models elsewhere, none quite match this spa in terms of size, jets and frost protection, and indeed, none offer these features with an included LED light show!
The Tahiti is economical to run and super simple to set up, making it a great first hot tub and one that is sure to last through the years.
