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Relax and recharge right at home with these great additions to your backyard.

With summer in full swing, now is the perfect time to update and maximize your home’s outdoor space. Adding a hot tub to your backyard, patio, or deck is a great way to do this, providing a dedicated space to host your friends and family, or just quietly relax with your partner after a long day. They don’t take up much space, are easier to install and set up than you probably think, and once filled up with water, practically maintain themselves. Plus, you don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars if you don’t want to, thanks to inflatable options that can be easily deflated and packed up whenever you like.

First, think about whether you’d prefer an inflatable or hard-sided hot tub. Inflatable tubs are significantly cheaper, easier to install since they come in a box, and can be packed back up whenever you like. They’re inherently less durable though, and are vulnerable to rips and tears if you’re not careful. Hard-sided tubs are more expensive, but provide a sturdy, strong foundation, and come equipped with the molded seats that you’re probably familiar with.

Second, consider how many people you plan on inviting into your tub. If you’re buying a tub specifically for you and your partner, or potential partner, go with a 2-person tub. These are much cheaper than full-size models, and you’ll have more space on your deck or patio for other items. If you're expecting more guests—or if you just want a bit more room to spread out—opt for a model that has some extra seating space.

We’ve used, maintained, and installed several hot tubs over the years, and kept this hands-on experience in mind when putting together this list of options. We also studied customer reviews on several well-respected retail sites, paying close attention to both positive and negative comments related to installation, ease of use, and potential durability issues, as well as looking at Popular Mechanics' coverage of the best hot tubs on the market for inspiration. We did our best to include a good mix of styles, sizes, and price points as well, so regardless of your preference, you should be able to find an option that fits your needs.

For more great additions to your backyard this summer, check out our picks for the best inflatable pools and ice bath tubs.

The driftwood color and faux wood texture of this tub provide a natural, rustic look, and the impressive 300-gallon capacity fits up to six people. The interior design features a pair of captain's chairs and one lounger, allowing users to choose the seating position that works best for them.

A backlit display also makes this tub easy to use at night, and the straightforward controls allow anyone to easily adjust the water temperature, jets, and underwater lighting. Separate flow controls make it possible to adjust jet pressure from your seat, too.

This Coleman inflatable hot tub is made of durable PVC, and thanks to the included pump, is simple to put together right out of the box. It also features a cover to prevent leaves and debris from falling in, as well as reducing any heat loss when you’re not using it.

Its 88.5-pound weight is relatively low, and the integrated handles make it easy to move around before filling it up. The digital control panel is easy to use too, and features large symbols and oversized buttons that are convenient to use with wet, slippery fingers.

We personally like the green color option seen here, but it's also available in black or gray.

If you’re looking for a smaller inflatable tub for a couple of people, this Bestway model could be a perfect fit. Despite its smaller size, this tub still offers the same benefits of larger units, like an included pump for easy setup, and a durable design with l-beams for structural support. It’s also powerful enough to maintain a max temp of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

An integrated chemical dispenser automatically disperses the chlorine needed to maintain clean and clear water, as well. Keep in mind that although this tub advertises that it can hold four people, that’s going to be a pretty tight fit.

Even though it’s significantly more expensive than the other inflatable options on our list, the bells and whistles of this Intex tub could be worth the price. Our favorite feature of this model is the color-changing LEDs—usually only found on hard-sided hot tubs—which can rotate through four different colors as you soak. The inflatable headrests are also a nice perk, and combined with this model's 170 bubble jets, make for an extremely relaxing experience.

We love the plug-and-play setup of this hard-sided tub: you simply fill it up, plug it into your existing 120-volt wall outlet, and you’re all set. The geometric pattern on the exterior gives it a funky, retro vibe, and the greystone finish mimics the look of real stone. The 29 stainless steel hydrotherapy jets provide a relaxing massage, and multicolor LEDs make nighttime dips that much more enjoyable. One corner even doubles as a mini waterfall! For those in cooler climates, this tub can be used in outdoor temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

This is the most expensive hot tub on our list, but if money’s no object and you’re looking for a high-end product that maximizes comfort, it could be a great choice. Its large size can fit six people relatively comfortably, and its non-inflatable fixed pillows provide maximum comfort.

We’re most impressed by the choice of additional water features—including both waterfalls and fountains—all of which feature their own LEDs for maximum customization. The locking cover not only prevents accidental entry from animals or inclement weather, but also keeps small children from climbing inside when unsupervised.

The stone finish and irregular shape give this tub a natural, high-end look, making it a great choice for those without the space or desire for a larger model. Even though it's small, this tub still features an impressive number of jets, integrated LEDs, and can reach a maximum temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Plus, this limited capacity means that it won’t take forever to fill up and maintain your preferred temperature. At 232 pounds, it’s relatively light too, and easier to move around upon delivery.