This is our review of the Lay Z Spa Vancouver (updated in 2023)
Hot tubs are a fantastic way to relax after work and are great for parties and Summer BBQs and none better than the Lay Z Spa Vancouver, but you only have to read reviews (we’ve read thousands) to see that people don’t always get what they expect and sometimes have wasted money on something not suited to their needs.
With its elegant stone look exterior and 140 airjets, the Vancouver offers all the features we come to expect from this brand and more. It is easy to set up; it comes with Freeze Shield technology for cold weather use and the Chemconnect dispenser for easy maintenance.
Over the last ten years, we’ve reviewed hundreds of models to see what matters, and it is two factors – quality and price. Some spas are packed with features; others not so much.
This review will uncover:
- Vancouver’s best and worst points
- Who should buy this spa today and why
- Some competition you may not have considered
The Vancouver 3-5 person inflatable spa is a nice hot tub, but it does have some shortcomings. This post will give you insight into whether the extra space is worth the higher price.
Keep reading as we sneak a peek under cover of the Vancouver and see what all the fuss is about?
After putting the Lay Z Spa Vancouver Airjet through our rigorous testing process, we’ve found it a tremendous mid-size inflatable hot tub with excellent usability thanks to its wi-fi functionality and advanced air jet massage system. The first thing we noticed about this stylish hot tub was its eye-catching grey and white printed exterior, which looks great and can withstand an awful lot of use thanks to its incredibly durable drop-stitch construction.
This durability is excellent if you’ve got kids, and with space for up to 5 adults to recline, you’ll be sure to squeeze everybody in with ease. Though this hot tub isn’t just for families, couples that want a little bit of extra room to sprawl out will really be able to appreciate the benefits of its premium 140 air jet massage system.
Quick Glance
Capacity
Up to 5 adults
Set Up Time
Less than 10 minutes
How Long To Heat Up
Around 10 hours to initially heat
Running Costs
£35-£45 per month
Winter Frost Protection
Yes, freeze shield protection is included
Currently in Stock
Though not currently stocked by Lay Z Spa, the Vancouver is stocked by several online and in-store suppliers.
Pro’s
Wi-fi functionality, drop-stitch construction, 140 air jets
Con’s
Is a little less comfortable than comparable models.
What We Liked - Key Features
Wi-Fi Functionality
With Wi-Fi enabled pump as standard, the Vancouver allows you to fully control everything from the heating system to the power of the air jets from an intuitive smartphone app.
This means you can preheat this hot tub from the warmth of your home and adjust any of the main features without ever having to access the control panel, resulting in what we can only call a premium hot tub experience packed with functionality.
This isn’t a particularly common feature in the world of hot tubs, but once you’ve tried out this smartphone business, it’s tough to live without it!
Premium Drop Stitch Construction
The ideal inflatable hot tub will be used daily, so we appreciate that the Vancouver Airjet includes an incredibly durable lining constructed from premium drop-stitch materials.
This hard-wearing exterior does a great job of resisting any bumps and scrapes from careless guests by creating an ultra-rigid barrier around the tub; it’s also finished in a stylish grey and white pattern that we think looks great at the end of any garden.
140 Airjet Plus Massage System
We think you’ll agree with us when we say that one of the best additions to the new Vancouver model is its enhanced massage system layout, which places the air jets around both the centre of the base and the sidewalls of the tub. If you’re looking for an intensive full body massage, you’ll get it here, with a whopping 140 air jets that really get the bubbles going.
Not only does the Vancouver benefit from this new layout, the jets themselves can be set to one of two intensity levels, which our team were able to easily adjust from the comfort of the tub thanks to the previously mentioned wi-fi controls.
Size, Dimensions and Specifications
Item Number:
BW60027BG
Inflatable Capacity:
3-5 adults
Water Capacity (70%):
804L (213 Gallons)
Inflated Size:
1.55 m x 60 cm (61″ x 24″)
Filled Weight:
831 kg (1,833 lbs)
Cable Length:
7m
Max heat capability:
40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit)
Is This a WI-FI Controlled Hot Tub?
You can probably already tell that we love The Lay Z Spa Vancouver’s Wi-Fi functionality; how could you not when it offers great control of the hot tub’s main functions through a simple smartphone app?
Lay Z Spa do note, however, that the app only supports a router configuration of 2.4GHz, and doesn’t typically work well with 5G connections, bummer!
Does This Model Have Lighting?
Though you won’t find any lights as standard on the Vancouver, compatible lighting accessories can be found from loads of retailers online, ranging from floating lights at around £10-£20 to fully programmable systems upwards from £50!
How Many People Can it Accommodate?
In our opinion, the Lay Z Spa Vancouver Airjet is pretty roomy, with a maximum capacity of up to 5 adults, though you’ll find it’s a little more comfortable if you keep that number down to 4.
Our reviewers reckon the Vancouver is an excellent choice for families. You’ll easily fit everyone in for a relaxing soak and still enjoy plenty of room to spread out amongst the comfort of the bubble jets.
What About Safety Features?
There are a few decent safety features packed into this model. By attaching the included inflatable lid and secure-clip cover, you can prevent any accidental dips when the hot tub is being stored, and an internal ground fault detection system helps to protect hot tubbers from any faults within the hot tub’s circuitry
Detailed Review
How comfortable is the Vancouver hot tub?
In our opinion, the cushioned floor and enhanced air-jet layout of the Vancouver are fairly comfortable to recline in with the massage system fully powered. However, we did find that the rigid interior walls are a little unforgiving to lean on.
The drop-stitch construction does allow the Vancouver to withstand bumps and scrapes incredibly well, but we’ve found that models with thicker walls are generally much more comfortable. You should probably invest in some headrests if you consider this jacuzzi, which can usually be found for £10-£20 each.
Running costs
Many of Lay Z Spa’s models cost between £7-£10 per week to run, though if you’re making use of this hot tub’s massage system and heater at full power, you can expect this cost to rise to between £10-£15 per week.
Savvy hot tubbers can keep their energy bills in check by using the Vancouver’s energy-saving timer, which is really easy to access from within the Wi-Fi app.
Heat up times
The Vancouver can reach its maximum water temperature of 40 degrees Celsius in just 10-12 hours after its initial setup, which we were able to further reduce by filling the tub with warm water and popping it in the sunniest area of our garden.
Once set up, we found that the Vancouver stays relatively warm if stored with the lid sealed, allowing you to re-heat the hot tub within an hour or two.
How noisy is the Vancouver model?
With 140 air jets, the Lay Z Spa Vancouver can be particularly noisy when running at full power, though it is pretty easy to quickly switch the jets to the low power setting using the Wi-Fi controls.
Our team reduced the noise further by placing the hot tub on an insulating ground mat and in a sheltered area, though personally, I would advise that you don’t run this hot tub late into the night!
Winter usage
All current Lay Z Spa models include freeze shield technology. This high-tech feature allows you to enjoy hot tubbing in the snow and keep your hot tub running during the cold winters, as a range of sensors will automatically heat the water when the frost starts to roll in.
Though there are mixed opinions online as to how effective this tech is, our tests were able to make good use of this feature, finding that it helped protect the internal pipes and pump from being damaged by frozen water. It even saved us a couple of quid on running the heating system on particularly chilly nights.
Price and discounts
As the Lay Z Spa Vancouver is packed with premium features, it does tend to be more expensive than similar models. We feel, however, that the Vancouver is worth its price tag, with the functionality of the wi-fi controls alone, meaning you’ll likely get a lot of use out of it.
It’s always worth checking a range of stockists and searching for discounts during periods of low demand. You’ll often find premium models like the Vancouver at surprisingly low prices when suppliers are looking to get rid of old stock.
Warranty and support
Lay Z Spa offers an impressive standard warranty of a full year on the pump and half a year on the cover and inflatable lid. So if you encounter a problem with your products, order or delivery, then contact the Lay-Z-Spa customer service team.
It’s worth mentioning that this warranty can be extended by registering your product on the brand’s official website. Whilst you’re there, you’ll find details of a UK-based support line staffed by industry professionals that can help with any questions you may have about your inflatable hot tub.
Lay Z Spa Vancouver Reviews
The reviews of the Lay Z Spa Vancouver are good with an average rating of 4/5 stars and people stating how good the 140 massage jets are.
If you’re looking for a sturdy, reliable and highly functional hot tub to enjoy with your entire family, the Vancouver is definitely a good choice.
As far as we’re concerned, the Wi-Fi functionality really helps this model stand out, as you can probably tell from all of our mentions! With the ability to control all of the main functions from afar, you’ll likely get a lot of use out of this hot tub, especially during the colder months.
The only real downside is a lack of comfort in the lining, though if you’re willing to buy a few headrests, this can be easily looked over.
For a greater selection, see this page for all the lay-z-spa options and how they fare against each other as we look at the advantages and disadvantages of each model.
How Does it Compare?
It certainly looks more luxurious than the Vancouver, and with a cushioned lining and 930L capacity, some may argue that it is, though the lack of Wi-Fi controls may dissuade you.
It features a similar number of air jets with a comparable massage feature, so the choice between the two really comes down to comfort or ease of use.
Is one of Lay Z Spa’s most affordable hot tubs, so it’s a good choice if you like this brand’s core features but aren't too bothered about the premium stuff like Wi-Fi compatibility.
With a similar capacity and a square design that some say is a little more comfortable when entertaining a few guests, the Ibiza Lay Z Spa can be a great choice for casual hot tubbers.
How to Set Up The Lazy Spa Vancouver
Like all current Lay Z Spa models, the Vancouver features a simple tool-free setup that takes around 5-10 minutes. Just attach the inflation hose and activate the pump to get your model up and running.
Make sure to register an account on Bestway’s website to set up your Wi-Fi app, which you can then connect to the pump to make use of the wi-fi controls.
Last Word
In our expert opinion, we believe that the Lay Z Spa Vancouver is a great hot tub for those who pride functionality above all else. With all the main features being easily adjusted through the app, you’ll likely get a great deal of use out of this hot tub.
With this brand’s most advanced air-jet system to date and an incredibly durable drop-stitch construction, you’ll be free to enjoy daily soaks.
The only downside is a lack of comfort in the interior walls, though if you’re willing to kit out your hot tub with a few headrests and inflatable seats, you’ll find that the Bestway Lay Z Spa Vancouver is up there with the best inflatable models on the market.
If you want more from a hot tub, then see our main page where you can find one that suits your needs. Whether that’s a certain colour or price, with 27 reviews, hopefully, one can be your perfect spa.
