5 Best Hot Tub Thermal Blankets- Save Energy & Money

best hot tub thermal blanket

So you’re looking for the best hot tub thermal blanket?

Then you’ve definitely come to the right place.

To create an energy-efficient and insulated environment for your hot tub water, thermal blanket is an excellent and least expensive product to use.

If you’re in the market for the best thermal blanket for hot tub, I’ve done the hard yards for you.

After hours of researching and comparing more than 50 models available, I’ve found out these 6 best hot tub thermal covers.

Check them out below.

What is a hot tub thermal blanket?

Basically, it is an insulating, floating plastic-made cover that features thousands of tiny air sacks. Due to these air sacks or bubbles, it floats on your hot tub water surface and keeps the water temperature maintained.

Benefits of Using Hot Tub or Spa Thermal Blankets

A thermal hot tub blanket has many benefits.

1. It Lowers Hot Tub Water Heating Costs

During the colder months, a spa or hot tub is prone to losing heat. When the water loss heat, your heater needs to work more to make up for the lost heat. A floating thermal blanket helps to reduce heat loss from the hot tub by up to 95%. If you use the thermal blanket on your hot tub cover, it acts as a medium between the water and cover that ultimately lessens the heat loss. By insulating heat, you can keep the water temperature maintained, save energy, and reduce your heating energy cost.

2. It Lowers Hot Tub Chemical Costs

If you already have a spa or hot tub, you know that it’s essential to add sanitizing chemicals (chlorine or bromine) to the tub water from time to time.

Unfortunately, these chemicals tend to escape from water through evaporation. A thermal blanket minimizes water evaporation and the amount of chemical loss. Thus, it helps save you money on chemicals over time.

3. It Improves Your Hot Tub or Spa Cover Life

Most of the hot tub or spa covers absorb moisture and chemicals that evaporate from the tub water. Fumes and moisture accumulation cause the cover to be damaged. If you use a thermal blanket between the tub water and spa cover, it’ll prevent the cover from getting moist and extend its life.

While thermal blankets help retain heat, pairing them with a quality hot tub cover lifter makes it much easier to manage your cover, especially after a relaxing soak

5 Best Hot Tub Thermal Blankets Reviews

While making this comprehensive list, I’ve emphasized a variety of factors, including brand value, product value, quality, and reliability. I’ve also collected information from various trustworthy and credible sources and customer ratings and reviews.

So, whichever one you buy, you can rest assured that you’re getting your hands on the best possible hot tub insulation blanket.

#1 Spa Depot Thermo-Float Hot Tub Bubble Cover

Best Floating Spa Blanket

Spa Depot Thermo-Float Hot Tub Bubble Cover Floating Spa Blanket
  • Thickness: 16 Mil
  • Size: 7 x 7 feet
  • Thermal Efficiency: Up to 80%
  • Reduces Evaporation: Yes (95%)
  • Reduces Chemical Loss: Yes
  • Warming Ability: Good

If you’re in the market for a heavy-duty insulating solar heating hot tub cover, look no further than this customer favorite option.

Thermo-Float Spa Blanket offers you many benefits.

First of all, this insulated cover acts as a debris shield to keep the water cleaner and solar blanket on in-ground spas.

Secondly, this solar blanket does a good job of bringing the temperature up and shortens heating time. It’s made like bubble wrap to keep heat in. Notably, it minimizes evaporation heat loss up to 95%.

Its 16 mil film thickness ensures its long life. In addition, it keeps hot tub chemicals from wearing out the spa’s hardcover. Thus, it protects your cover as well extending its life.

Pros

  • Very well-made
  • Easy to maneuver
  • Strong, and very durable
  • Easy to trim a great fit for your hot tub
  • Good insulation
  • Thick, excellent heat retention

Cons

  • A little pricey, but it’s worth every penny!
  • Heating process takes a bit longer than a clear cover.

You can also get

Spa Depot Thermo-Float 16-mil 6ft x 6ft Hot Tub Bubble Cover Floating Spa Blanket – trimmable Heavy-Duty Insulating Solar Heating

Spa Depot Thermo-Float 16-mil 8ft x 8ft Hot Tub Bubble Cover Floating Spa Blanket – trimmable Heavy-Duty Insulating Solar Heating

#2 In The Swim Spa and Hot Tub Solar Blanket Cover

Best Hot Tub Solar Blanket

In The Swim Spa and Hot Tub Solar Blanket Cover
  • Thickness: 12 Mil
  • Available Size: 6 x6 feet
  • Warranty: None
  • Thermal Efficiency: Up to 80%
  • Reduces Evaporation: Yes
  • Reduces Chemical Loss: Yes
  • Warming Ability: Good

One of the best solar thermal blankets you can purchase is the In The Swim Spa and Hot Tub Solar Cover.

While this particular model is 6 x6 feet, you can easily trim it in any shape with kitchen sheers to fit just about any spa or hot tub.

This solar blanket features tiny air bubbles that capture heat from UV rays and transfer it to the tub water. Notably, it raises your hot tub water temperature to 8- 10 degrees if left in consistent sunlight for 5 to 8 days.

So, you can lower your energy bill as well as extend the use into the colder season.

In addition to excellent heating and water retention, this 6-foot pool cover reduces water evaporation and chemical loss. Thus, it saves you money. Notably, it offers up to 80% in thermal efficiency.

Polyethylene construction material makes this cover lightweight to float on the water surface.

Pros

  • Lightweight, yet durable
  • Trimmable to any shape and size
  • easy to take on and off
  • Lessen the condensation inside the tub

Cons

  • You may find it difficult to handle the rolled-up cover because it is very limp.

You can also get

In The Swim 7 x 7 Foot Spa and Hot Tub Solar Blanket Cover 15 Mil

In The Swim 8 x 8 Foot Spa and Hot Tub Solar Blanket Cover 15 Mil

#3 Solar Sun Rings UV Resistant Circular Heater Solar Cover

SSR1 Solar sun ring swimming pool spa cover
  • Thickness: not specified
  • Dimensions (W x H): 60 x 2 inches
  • Warranty: None
  • Reduces Evaporation: Yes
  • Reduces Chemical Loss: Yes
  • Warming Ability: Good

You can’t beat the price of this Circular Heater Solar Cover. This floating blanket is perfect to use on the hot tub, spa, above-ground, and in-ground swimming pool.

The craftsmanship on this Solar Cover is unbeatable. It’s constructed from two sheets of U.V resistant, heavy-weight vinyl to convert sunlight into heat.

The upper layer is clear and the lower layer is blue colored. The upper layer holds insulating air. At night the contained air acts as an insulating blanket to retain heat and minimizes chemical and water evaporation.

The upper layer also focuses sunlight on the lower layer. Then, the second layer absorbs 50% of sunlight and converts it to heat, and passes through deep water heating.

Most importantly, this thermal spa cover is not affected by chlorine and salt system and is compatible with automatic pool cleaners.

Conveniently, Solar Sun Rings solar cover includes water anchors that add stability and weight for windy conditions and storms.

Pros

  • Retains heat, and water chemistry
  • Designed for all weather uses
  • Easy to inflate and use
  • Simple to clean, take out, and store

Cons

  • Nothing for the price

#4 Intex Solar Cover

Best Solar Pool Cover for 12ft Round Easy Set and Metal Frame Pools

INTEX 28012E Solar Pool Cover
  • Dimensions: 12 feet
  • Reduces Evaporation: Yes
  • Reduces Chemical Loss: Yes
  • Warming Ability: Good
  • Material: Plastic
  • Warranty: 1-year limited

Intex Solar (model: 29022E) is a Solar-heat-retaining cover perfect to enjoy warmer water and a longer swimming season.

While this model fits 12-foot (3.66m) diameter round pool, it’s also available for 10-foot and 15-foot diameter round pools. It fits inside the edge of the above-ground pool and floats in place.

Hot tub thermal cover features air-filled pockets or air bubbles that absorb and transfer solar heat into the pool or tub water. It also insulates water temperature and reduces heat loss from evaporation.

Notably, this inflatable hot tub blanket minimizes water and chemical evaporation up to 95%. It also keeps debris out of the outdoor hot tub or pool.

It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and store. This product comes with a reusable carry bag for easy transport and storage.

Pros

  • Perfect for a round-shaped pool, outdoor tub, or spa
  • Retains heat and chemical
  • Reduces evaporation by 95%
  • Easy to use and store

Cons

No options to secure it

#5 Blue Wave NS098 Solar Blanket

Best 12-mil Solar Blanket

Blue Wave NS098 12-mil Solar Blanket for Hot Tubs
  • Thickness: 12 Mil
  • Available Size: 7 x 8
  • Warranty: 90-day manufacturer’s warranty
  • Reduces Evaporation: Yes (95%)
  • Reduces Chemical Loss: Yes
  • Warming Ability: Good

This is another excellent floating thermal blanket for hot tub to extend your swimming season and save energy.

Blue Wave hot tub bubble cover is transparent blue in color and has an innovative thermal bubble. It traps the maximum amount of the sun’s rays to effectively raises the temperature of your tub or spa water. It can raise the water temperature to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

12 Mil thick thermal spa cover retains heat through cloudy days and cool summer nights. This chemical-resistant and UV-protected bubble wrap hot tub insulation cover withstand years of direct sunlight.

Pros

  • Optimal warming for energy efficiency
  • Retain heat far longer than a clear cover
  • 95% less water evaporation
  • UV-resistant
  • Trimmable; you can cut off the excess for an exact fit
  • Manufactured in the USA

Cons

  • Thin and very lightweight

Conclusion

These are my top recommendations for the best hot tub thermal blanket.

Investing in any of these models will give you excellent enjoyment out of your spa or hot tub.

FAQs about Hot Tub and Spa Thermal Blankets

1. Is it economical to keep a hot tub hot?

Yes, it’s economical to maintain the water temperature of your spa or hot tub rather than heating it each time. If you heat the water each time you want to use it, this will add to your hot tub running cost.

2. How do you use a hot tub blanket?

Using a hot tub thermal blanket is surprisingly simple. All you need to do is inflate it to the water surface of your spa or tub.

3. How much does it cost per day to run a hot tub per day?

Although it depends on many factors, the most energy-efficient hot tub may cost between 75p and £1.00 per day if the energy tariff is 12 to 13p/ kWh. Users of Hot Spring® Spas hot tubs report an increase in their energy bill of just $10 to $20 per month.

4. What temperature should I maintain in my hot tub when not in use?

If you leave your hot tub unused for an extended period, keep it at a lower temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius. Don’t turn it off completely, as this will use more energy to reheat it and will be less cost-efficient.