Quick Answer: The three hot tub accessories worth buying first are an insulated cover, spare filter cartridges, and test strips — they protect your water and cut running costs. Add steps and a handrail for safe entry, a floating chemical dispenser for steady sanitizer, and an insulated ground mat under an inflatable tub. Comfort extras like LED lights, a spa caddy, and a waterproof pillow are nice-to-haves once the essentials are covered.
Last updated: August 13, 2026 — refreshed the electricity-rate figure to the current EIA/ChooseEnergy August 2026 average and re-verified kit contents and filter-replacement guidance.
A hot tub is only as good as the gear around it. The right accessories keep your water clean, hold heat in (which is where most of your running cost hides), and make getting in and out safe. We ranked the accessories that actually matter in 2026 for inflatable and plug-and-play spas — starting with the ones that pay for themselves.
Hot tub accessories by the numbers
- Every 1–2 weeks is how often Intex recommends replacing an inflatable-spa filter cartridge under regular use, because the small pleated-paper filters clog quickly — so keeping spares on hand is the cheapest way to protect water quality.
- The water surface is where nearly all standby heat is lost, to evaporation and cold air — according to U.S. Department of Energy guidance on spas, a snug insulated cover is the most effective way to cut that loss and keep monthly electricity toward the low end of the $30–$60 range.
- 7+ items ship in a complete kit like the Intex PureSpa Plus — an insulated cover, thermal ground cloth, two filter cartridges, a chlorine floater, test strips, an inflation hose, and a carry bag, per Intex’s spec sheet — which tells you which accessories the manufacturer itself considers essential.
- 104°F (40°C) is the maximum safe soak temperature per the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and a good cover plus a floating or wireless thermometer helps you hold it without overshooting.
- 18.44¢/kWh is the average U.S. residential electricity rate as of August 2026 per EIA-sourced reporting, up roughly 23% from 15.04¢/kWh in 2022 — which is why an insulated cover (the accessory that cuts heat loss the most) has become an even bigger lever on your monthly running cost than it was a few years ago.
Our top accessory picks at a glance
| Accessory | Why it matters | Priority | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulated cover / thermal blanket | Cuts heat loss & running cost | Essential | ~$30–$80 |
| Filter cartridges (spares) | Keeps water clear & safe | Essential | ~$15–$30 / pack |
| Test strips | Tells you what to dose | Essential | ~$10–$15 |
| Hot tub steps | Safe, non-slip entry | High | ~$40–$90 |
| Insulated ground mat | Protects liner, blocks cold ground | High | ~$25–$50 |
| Floating chemical dispenser | Steady sanitizer between doses | Medium | ~$8–$15 |
| LED lights / spa caddy / pillow | Comfort & ambiance | Nice-to-have | ~$15–$40 |
1. Insulated Cover & Thermal Blanket — Best for Cutting Running Costs
Insulated Hot Tub Cover + Under-Cover Thermal Blanket
- Holds heat between soaks — the single biggest lever on your electricity bill.
- Keeps leaves, bugs, and rain out so your filter and chemicals work less.
- A floating foil/solar thermal blanket under the lid speeds reheat.
- Adds a safety barrier for households with kids or pets.
If you buy one accessory, make it a better cover. Long soaks are prime downtime — start a free Audible trial and get your first audiobook free to enjoy while you unwind. Most inflatable tubs ship with a thin inflatable lid that leaks heat; adding a fitted insulated cover plus an under-cover thermal blanket keeps water warmer, so the heater cycles less and reheats faster. That directly shrinks the running cost that scares off most first-time buyers. For the model-by-model breakdown — Intex 28523E, Bestway EnergySense, and custom hard-shell replacements — see our dedicated best hot tub covers guide, and if the upgraded cover gets too heavy to lift solo, our best hot tub cover lifter guide sorts picks by tub shape. That safety barrier only works if the straps actually lock — if a buckle is cracked or the key won’t turn, our best hot tub cover lock guide covers replacement kits.
2. Spare Filter Cartridges — Best for Water Quality
Replacement Filter Cartridges (Intex Type S1 / SaluSpa)
- Match the exact type for your tub (Intex Type S1, or your SaluSpa size).
- Small paper filters clog fast — Intex advises swapping every 1–2 weeks.
- Buying multi-packs is far cheaper than single cartridges.
- Clean water means less shock and sanitizer, saving on chemicals.
Filters are the cheapest insurance for clear water. Because inflatable-spa cartridges are small, they load up quickly and lose effectiveness — running dirty filters is the fastest route to cloudy water. If you’re unsure which cartridge your tub actually takes, our hot tub filters guide decodes the part numbers (Intex Type S1, Bestway Type VI, Pleatco PWW50) and the cross-references between them. Pair fresh cartridges with the right dosing from our hot tub chemicals guide and the water practically maintains itself — our hot tub maintenance schedule lays out exactly when to rinse, deep-clean, and replace them.
3. Test Strips — Best for Simple Chemistry
AquaChek 6-in-1 Test Strips
- Reads free chlorine/bromine, pH, alkalinity, and hardness in seconds.
- Tells you exactly what to add — no guessing, no wasted chemicals.
- Dip 2–3 times a week to catch drift before the water goes cloudy.
- One tub of strips lasts most owners a full season.
You can’t balance what you can’t measure. A quick strip test before each soak keeps sanitizer in range and your liner happy. Strips are one item on this seven-item priority list; for the strip-by-strip comparison — chlorine versus bromine pads, the 85%-accuracy ceiling, and when a Taylor liquid kit earns its place — see our dedicated best hot tub test strips guide.
4. Hot Tub Steps — Best for Safe Entry
Confer Curve / Weighted Non-Slip Spa Steps
- Tall inflatable walls are slippery — steps are the #1 way to prevent slips.
- Weighted, wide, non-slip treads stay put on wet decking or grass.
- Choose a soft-edged or plastic step so it can't puncture a liner.
- Especially valuable for kids, older users, and wet-footed exits.
Stepping over a tall tub wall with wet feet is how most soak-time accidents happen. A stable step — or a weighted spa handrail — turns entry from an awkward clamber into a non-event. Sizing matters more than brand here: our best hot tub steps guide compares the Confer, Step2 and VEVOR units and explains how to match tread height to your tub wall.
5. Insulated Ground Mat — Best for Inflatable Tubs
Insulated Foam Ground Cloth / Spa Floor Protector
- Cushions and protects the liner from grit, roots, and rough patios.
- Blocks heat loss into cold ground — a real winter running-cost saver.
- Interlocking foam tiles or a fitted cloth both work well.
- Also makes the tub more comfortable underfoot.
An inflatable tub sitting straight on cold concrete bleeds heat through its floor. An insulated mat protects the liner and keeps that warmth where you want it — worth double if you plan to soak through winter. See our best inflatable hot tub for winter guide for cold-climate setups.
6. Floating Dispenser & Comfort Extras
Floating Chemical Dispenser + LED Lights, Caddy & Pillow
- A floating dispenser meters chlorine/bromine tablets slowly and evenly.
- Waterproof LED lights add mood without wiring or heat.
- A spa caddy or clip-on cup holder keeps drinks and phones safe.
- A waterproof headrest pillow makes longer soaks far comfier — strap-mounted for inflatable tubs, suction-cup for hard-shell.
Once the essentials are handled, these small extras are what make a hot tub feel like a spa. A floating dispenser holds sanitizer steady between doses; lights, a caddy, and a pillow are pure comfort — cheap upgrades that punch above their price. See our hot tub pillow guide before buying one, since a suction-cup pillow that works great on a hard-shell spa will slide right off an inflatable wall, our hot tub lights guide before buying an LED accessory, since a generic “waterproof” rating isn’t the same as one built for hot, chemically treated water, and our hot tub side table guide before buying a caddy, since the same suction-cup-vs-inflatable-wall mismatch applies to trays too. Two more functional extras worth adding to this list: a handheld hot tub vacuum for the debris that sinks to the floor before your filter ever sees it, and an ozonator if you’d rather cut your sanitizer use than just meter it more evenly. If bugs or a neighbor’s sightline are the actual annoyance, a mesh hot tub enclosure solves that more directly than any lighting or comfort upgrade.
How to prioritize your accessory budget
- Protect the water first. Cover, spare filters, and test strips do more for your experience — and your wallet — than any gadget. Clean, warm water is the whole point.
- Then make it safe. Steps and a handrail cost little and prevent the most common hot-tub accident: slipping on the way in or out.
- Insulate the base. For inflatable tubs, a ground mat protects the liner and blocks heat loss into the ground.
- Comfort last. Lights, caddies, and pillows are fun, but they don’t clean your water or lower your bill — buy them once the basics are sorted.
- Match your model. Filters especially are model-specific; check whether you need an Intex Type S1 or a Coleman/Bestway SaluSpa cartridge before ordering.
- Consider a shelter last. A hot tub gazebo is the biggest-ticket accessory on this list, but it blocks the wind and sun that drive up reheat cycles — worth it once the essentials above are covered.
The bottom line
The best hot tub accessories aren’t the flashiest ones — they’re the boring three that protect your water and your budget: an insulated cover, spare filter cartridges, and test strips. Add steps and an insulated ground mat for safety and efficiency, then treat yourself to lights and a pillow once the essentials are covered. Already own a cover that’s gotten heavy or saggy? See our hot tub cover replacement cost guide for what a swap costs by tub type. Sun the bigger annoyance than heat loss? Our best hot tub umbrella guide sorts shade options by tub type. Not sure which tub to build all this around yet? Start with our best inflatable hot tub guide.