The 8 Best Hot Tub Covers of 2023
A must-have for preventing energy loss and keeping water clean.
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Buying a hot tub cover is an essential purchase, whether you're looking for something that will simply keep dirt and other debris out of the water or protect it in all seasons. Prices run the gamut—you can spend $50 or less for a basic cover or plunk down serious cash on a custom-made option or one that attaches to your hot tub and lifts open and closed.
No matter which end of the spectrum you're on—or if you fall in the middle and are in the market for a midrange cover—read on for our top recommendations.
What to Consider
Hot tub covers are often made of polyester—sometimes oxford canvas or tear-resistant ripstop fabric—though vinyl is another option, which is typically less expensive. Both offer varying degrees of water-resistance or waterproofing, and generally those at the higher end offer better protection. There are also solar blanket covers that use the sun's rays to heat up the water.
Covers are available in a range of shapes, dimensions, and colors, or you can spring for a custom-fit cover if you’re willing to spend more. Another pricey option is a cover that mounts to your hot tub and lifts manually or (if you’re considerably flush with cash) automatically, like a convertible. In terms of features, most hot tub covers have adjustable cords or straps to keep them in place, along with wind vents for airflow and extra protection against high wind.
How We Selected
Every hot tub cover we review below has an average rating of at least four stars. During our research, we combed through countless customer reviews and consulted expert sources, including The Spruce and Good Housekeeping. Our selection includes options in a range of styles and shapes, including square and round, and almost all are available in multiple sizes. We also feature covers that span a range of price points, from budget-friendly to splurgeworthy.
This popular hot tub cover has high-end appeal, with clean lines and well-finished trim. It’s equally well-made, too, constructed from durable 600D polyester canvas fabric with a waterproof backing.
The cover features air vents on two sides to maximize airflow and prevent it from blowing off in strong wind gusts. It also has a heavy-duty elastic cord and a buckle strap to keep it securely in place.
It’s available in light brown in addition to the black that's shown, along with multiple sizes, plus it comes with a three-year warranty.
Note that an insulated hard cover is recommended for all-season use.
If you’re in the market for a custom-fit hot tub cover, look no further than this option—a customer favorite, with an average 4.6 stars from more than 760 reviewers.
Start with selecting your hot tub’s shape, then choose from 10 colors and shades, such as bourbon, dark gray, and sky blue. All covers are made to order, crafted from commercial-grade vinyl and EPS foam (an efficient closed-cell insulation material) and have double-stitched seams for extra durability. The covers get bonus points for coming with a 5-year warranty.
While they may be on the pricey side, getting an under-mount lift cover for your hot tub is like buying a convertible.
Made by Ultralift, a major manufacturer of cover lifters, this model may not open and close with the press of a button (there are super high-end ones that do), but a manual lift beats the heck out of dragging weighty cover on and off your hot tub. There are no screws required for installation and there’s a universal-fit sliding bracket to mount the lift.
Unfolding and covering the hot tub happens in two steps. Easy-peasy, and well worth the extra bucks if you can swing it.
If you’re able to spend a bit more, this hot tub cover is well worth the upgrade for its quality and lineup of features. For starters, it has a durable woven polyester fabric with a UV coating to prevent fading, plus a water-resistant laminated backing.
There are also gusseted wind vents to maximize airflow and minimize condensation, along with an adjustable drawcord for a snug fit, plus padded handles to grip for removing and replacing the cover.
It’s available in two sizes and comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
You can’t beat the price on this hot tub cover—plus it has a similar look to the more expensive option above. It’s made of 600-denier polyester fabric, with a poly-coating for waterproofing, two air vents to prevent it from lifting and to cut down on condensation, plus an elastic rope and adjustable buckle straps to ensure it stays put.
The hot tub cover comes in two size choices, with black as an alternate option to beige, and is said to provide all-season protection.
This heavy-duty hot tub cover is made of ripstop 600-denier solution-dyed polyester, woven in a grid pattern for extra strength. The material is water-repellant and fade-resistant to hold up to tears and cracks, offering year-round protection for your hot tub.
The cover features double-stitched seams, with waterproof bindings and an adjustable drawcord, plus it comes with a 7-year warranty.
It’s available in tan in addition to the soft dove gray that’s shown, and in other sizes, including round and rectangular.
Those lucky enough to have a hot tub big enough for a large group of friends will want to consider this oversized cover, which spans nearly 8 feet. It’s made of a fade-resistant polyester fabric and features an adjustable wind belt, tie-down cords, and an air vent.
There’s also a thermoplastic polyurethane backing, which is softer than PVC and can withstand lower temperatures—down to 5 degrees Fahrenheit, in fact—without cracking, though keep in mind that using an insulated hard cover underneath is recommended.
Solar blanket covers can raise and maintain water temperature by 10 degrees if left in direct sunlight for several days, which can lower your energy bill and extend use into colder months.
Made of polyethylene, they float on the surface, and the tiny air bubbles capture heat from UV rays and transfer it to the water, Plus, in addition to preventing heat loss, solar blankets also help keep the water’s chemicals in balance. This option can be trimmed to fit the exact shape of your hot tub and comes in two sizes.
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
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