The best hot tub Christmas gift under £100 should make regular soaks easier without asking the recipient to change their water-care routine or hot tub. The Lay-Z-Spa 4-in-1 accessory table is our best overall choice because it keeps drinks, a towel and small essentials within reach, yet its adjustable clamp makes it more versatile than a model-specific novelty. Compatibility still matters, so this guide tells you exactly what to check before wrapping anything.
Quick answer: the best hot tub Christmas gifts under £100
- Best overall: Lay-Z-Spa 4-in-1 accessory table
- Best comfort gift: Lay-Z-Spa pillow set
- Best entertainment gift: soundcore Select 4 Go speaker
- Best post-soak gift: Dock & Bay adult changing poncho
- Best practical gift: EASYTEST hot tub test strips
The table is the easiest recommendation when you know the tub has a compatible wall or rim. The pillow set is more model-dependent, the speaker needs sensible placement away from the water, and the poncho needs a size choice. Test strips are less glamorous, but a diligent owner will use them repeatedly.
In this guide
- How we chose
- Comparison at a glance
- Five gifts reviewed
- Choose by recipient and hot tub
- Compatibility and safety checks
- The bottom line
- Frequently asked questions
How we chose
We compared current UK products by usefulness, documented fit, care requirements and the likelihood that the recipient will still use the gift after Christmas. We have not physically tested these five items, so the recommendations are based on manufacturer specifications, current UK availability and the practical problems each product solves.
Every choice sat below £100 at the final product check, but prices can move. We avoided chemicals as the main gifts because water treatment depends on the owner’s sanitiser system, dose, tub volume and test results. If the recipient is new to maintenance, our hot tub chemicals guide for beginners is a better starting point than guessing a bottle for them.
We also favoured products with a clear compatibility check. A gift does not become useful merely because “hot tub” appears in its name: rim thickness, model exclusions, garment size and intended water parameters all matter.
Comparison at a glance
| Gift | Best for | Check first | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lay-Z-Spa 4-in-1 accessory table | Best overall | Tub wall or rim is 5–25cm | Bulky beside a small tub |
| Lay-Z-Spa pillow set | Best comfort gift | Exact Lay-Z-Spa model | Excluded models do not fit |
| soundcore Select 4 Go speaker | Best entertainment gift | Dry placement and Bluetooth range | Not a substitute for electrical caution |
| Dock & Bay adult changing poncho | Best post-soak gift | Poncho size and coverage | Thin changing-towel format |
| EASYTEST hot tub test strips | Best practical gift | Sanitiser and parameters tested | Useful rather than indulgent |
The quickest way to narrow the shortlist is to decide whether you are buying for the hot tub, the person or the maintenance routine. The table and pillows attach to or rest on the tub, so fit is decisive. The poncho is personal, while the speaker and strips are useful only when handled correctly.
The five best hot tub Christmas gifts under £100
1. Lay-Z-Spa 4-in-1 accessory table — best overall
This adjustable side table combines a flat tray, two cup positions, a splash-resistant storage compartment, towel hangers and a tablet slot. The manufacturer states that its fitting adjusts from 5cm to 25cm and works with all Lay-Z-Spa models plus many other hot tubs. That range makes it a much safer gift than a tray moulded for one specific rim.
It makes a particularly good Christmas present because the improvement is immediate: drinks and towels stop living on wet decking or an unstable chair. It also feels like an upgrade rather than routine maintenance. The sensible caveat is that electronics should stay out of splash range; the tablet slot is not a promise that a device is waterproof.
- Buy it if: the recipient regularly balances drinks, towels or a phone beside the tub and the wall or rim suits the 5–25cm fitting.
- Skip it if: the tub has a cabinet shape, cover lifter or control panel that leaves no safe mounting position.
- Main compromise: it adds useful surface space but also occupies space around a compact tub.
2. Lay-Z-Spa pillow set — best comfort gift
This set of two waterproof headrests is designed for Lay-Z-Spa tubs, with the explicit exceptions of the Monaco and Helsinki. They wipe clean and give two bathers somewhere to rest the head and neck instead of leaning directly on an inflated wall.
The pair format is what makes these gift-worthy: the recipient can share the upgrade instead of receiving one accessory that creates an obvious second purchase. It is still a poor surprise gift when you do not know the exact tub. A similar-looking inflatable spa can have a different wall profile, and the excluded models matter.
- Buy it if: you have confirmed a compatible Lay-Z-Spa model and the owner wants more relaxed seating.
- Skip it if: the tub is a Monaco, Helsinki, hard-shell spa or another brand with an unverified wall profile.
- Main compromise: simple comfort and easy cleaning come with narrow model compatibility.
3. soundcore Select 4 Go — best entertainment gift
The Select 4 Go is a compact 5W Bluetooth speaker with a carrying strap, quoted battery life of up to 20 hours and IP67 dust-and-water protection. It can float and supports pairing two units for stereo, although one speaker is enough for background audio beside a normal garden hot tub.
This is a good gift because it is useful beyond the spa: the recipient can take it to the garden, beach or kitchen. Keep it on a stable dry surface where possible. An IP rating reduces the consequences of an accidental splash; it does not make charging near water sensible, and a floating speaker should never encourage anyone to reach awkwardly across the tub.
- Buy it if: the recipient wants low-volume music outside and values a small speaker they can use elsewhere.
- Skip it if: they already have garden audio or expect room-filling bass from a 5W unit.
- Main compromise: excellent portability limits bass weight and maximum scale.
4. Dock & Bay adult changing poncho — best post-soak gift
The Dock & Bay poncho combines a hood, deep pockets and a quick-drying microfibre fabric. The selected large size is documented at 105cm by 80cm, while smaller sizes are also sold. It offers more coverage than an ordinary towel when somebody has to cross a cold patio after a winter soak.
That cold walk is exactly why it works as a Christmas gift. It deals with the least enjoyable part of a winter hot tub session and can double as a beach or pool changing towel. Do not confuse it with a heavy insulated changing robe: the trade-off for faster drying and a compact bundle is less warmth in wind. Our hot tub towel warmer and robe guide covers warmer alternatives.
- Buy it if: the recipient wants coverage, a hood and quick drying after a soak.
- Skip it if: they need a thick insulated coat for standing outside in winter.
- Main compromise: compact quick-dry fabric is less warm and plush than heavyweight towelling.
5. EASYTEST hot tub test strips — best practical gift
These strips read pH, total alkalinity and free chlorine or bromine against the colour chart. The pack contains 150 strips, and the instructions call for a short dip followed by a 15-second reading period. Keep wet fingers out of the bottle, read the chart in natural daylight and store the pack cool and dry.
They make a sensible add-on gift for somebody who already takes water care seriously. The catch is that strips do not correct the water and this model does not measure every possible parameter. Results also depend on following the timing and storage instructions, so they should support—not replace—the owner’s established routine.
- Buy it if: the recipient uses chlorine or bromine and wants quick routine checks for the listed parameters.
- Skip it if: their system requires different tests or they already use a preferred photometer or liquid kit.
- Main compromise: speed and convenience provide less detail than a broader professional test kit.
Choose by recipient and hot tub
For an inflatable hot tub owner
Start with exact model compatibility. The pillow set is the more personal comfort upgrade, while the accessory table has the broader 5–25cm fitting. Check that a cover lifter, pump housing or control panel will not compete for the same position. Our guide to inflatable hot tub setup mistakes explains why stable access around the tub still matters.
For a hard-shell spa owner
Avoid the Lay-Z-Spa pillow set unless the recipient also owns a compatible inflatable tub. The speaker, poncho and test strips are more portable choices, although the strips must match the sanitiser routine. A cabinet-mounted table may also interfere with a cover lifter, so measure before buying. See our cover-lifter guide if you are unsure how much side clearance the mechanism needs.
For somebody who uses the tub through winter
The poncho is the strongest seasonal choice because it reduces the awkward wet walk back indoors. The speaker is useful, but battery performance and handling are less convenient in very cold weather. A good cover has a bigger effect on heat retention than any small accessory; our guide to using a hot tub in winter covers that decision.
For the practical owner
Choose the test strips only after checking their sanitiser and preferred measurement method. Practical owners often already have a favourite kit, so discreetly inspect the bottle they use. Replacing like with like is more thoughtful than buying a longer feature list.
Compatibility and safety checks before buying
Measure before ordering
- Table: confirm a 5–25cm fitting range and a clear mounting position.
- Pillows: confirm the exact Lay-Z-Spa model and avoid the Monaco and Helsinki.
- Poncho: compare body coverage and length rather than choosing by the word “adult”.
- Test strips: confirm the owner uses chlorine or bromine and needs the listed readings.
Keep charging and mains electricity away from water
A water-resistant portable speaker is preferable to a mains-powered device at the tub, but charge it indoors and keep plugs, extension leads and chargers away from splash zones. The HSE spa-pool guidance treats design, operation and water control as a joined safety system; an accessory should never undermine that setup.
Do not guess water treatment
Test strips measure; they do not sanitise. Follow the hot tub manufacturer’s target ranges and chemical instructions, and never mix products in a bottle or dosing container. Our guides to cleaning hot tub filters and draining and cleaning a hot tub cover the jobs accessories cannot replace.
Keep food, drink and devices under control
A side table reduces clutter but cannot make glass safe around a tub. Use unbreakable drinkware, keep alcohol moderate, supervise children, and move phones or tablets if splashes are likely. Convenience should reduce risky reaching, not encourage more objects at the water’s edge.
The bottom line
The Lay-Z-Spa 4-in-1 accessory table is the best hot tub Christmas gift under £100 for most compatible tubs. It solves several everyday annoyances at once and feels more like an upgrade than a maintenance purchase. Choose the pillow pair only for a confirmed compatible model, the soundcore speaker for portable entertainment, the Dock & Bay poncho for a winter user, or the EASYTEST strips for somebody whose existing routine matches their measurements.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best hot tub Christmas gift under £100?
The Lay-Z-Spa 4-in-1 accessory table is our best overall choice when the tub has a compatible 5–25cm mounting point.
Will the Lay-Z-Spa pillows fit every inflatable hot tub?
No. They are designed for Lay-Z-Spa models but exclude the Monaco and Helsinki; do not assume other brands fit.
Can I use a Bluetooth speaker in a hot tub?
Keep the speaker on a stable surface beside the tub, charge it away from water and follow its IP-rating instructions. Water resistance is not permission to charge or handle mains power near the tub.
Is a changing poncho as warm as an insulated robe?
No. A quick-dry poncho offers coverage and absorbs water, but it is not the same as a thick insulated changing coat.
Are hot tub test strips a good gift?
Yes for an owner who uses the parameters the strips measure and follows a regular testing routine; otherwise confirm their preferred kit first.
Should I buy hot tub chemicals as a surprise gift?
Usually not. Treatment depends on tub volume, sanitiser system, current readings and the manufacturer’s instructions, so accessories are safer surprises.