Which Lay-Z-Spa should you buy? The answer comes down to one question: do you want air bubbles (AirJet) or real water jets (HydroJet)? AirJets give you a relaxing bubble bath; HydroJets deliver targeted massage on your back and shoulders.
This article compares all four Lay-Z-Spa models on specs, comfort, energy use, and what you’ll need for maintenance after you buy.
All models in one table
| Feature | Paris | Palm Springs | Hawaii AirJet | Hawaii HydroJet Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ~€549 | ~€599 | ~€686 | ~€799 |
| People | 4-6 | 4-6 | 4-6 | 4-6 |
| Diameter | 196 cm | 196 cm | 196 cm | 196 cm |
| Water capacity | 930 L | 930 L | 930 L | 930 L |
| Jet type | 140 AirJets | 140 AirJets | 180 AirJets | 6 HydroJets + 40 AirJets |
| LED | Yes | No | No | No |
| Freeze Shield | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Massage feel | Light | Light | Medium | Strong |
| Best for | Best price | Better lid | More jets | Real massage |
Lay-Z-Spa Paris AirJet, best value
The Paris is the entry model and the most popular Lay-Z-Spa. For €549 you get 140 AirJets, LED lighting for evening use, and Freeze Shield, all the core features in one package.
What you get:
- 140 AirJets along the floor and walls
- Built-in LED lighting (dimmable blue/white)
- Freeze Shield: automatic frost protection
- TriTech walls: three-layer polyester mesh, PVC, and inner liner
- 196 cm diameter, fits in a 2.5×2.5 m space
- Weight when filled: 1,150 kg
Choose the Paris if you’re buying a spa for the first time, or you use it seasonally and don’t want to overspend.
Lay-Z-Spa Palm Springs AirJet, slightly better lid
The Palm Springs has exactly the same specs as the Paris, 140 AirJets, Freeze Shield, TriTech walls, but with a thicker lid that insulates marginally better. No LED lighting.
Difference from the Paris:
- Thicker lid → slightly lower standby energy use
- No LED lighting
- €50 more expensive
The energy saving from the better lid amounts to at most €10-€20 per year. That doesn’t cover the price difference. The Paris is the better deal for most buyers. The Palm Springs makes sense if you specifically don’t need LED and value the slightly better lid.
Choose the Palm Springs if you want the Paris but don’t need LED and prefer a marginally better insulating lid.
Lay-Z-Spa Palm Springs AirJet Inflatable Spa for 4-6 People
Grey Lay-Z-Spa for 4-6 people (Ø 196 cm) with 140 AirJets and Freeze Shield. Sleek grey design, energy-saving timer heating to 40°C.
- Pros
- Neutral grey suits any garden
- Freeze Shield for year-round use
- Energy-saving timer heating
- Quick to set up
- Cons
- No LED lighting like the Paris
- Air bubbles only, no jets
Lay-Z-Spa Hawaii AirJet, maximum air bubbles
The Hawaii AirJet has 180 AirJets, 40 more than the Paris and Palm Springs. The difference is noticeable: air pressure feels higher and the bubble bath effect is more intense. But they’re still AirJets. There’s no directed pressure on specific muscle groups.
What you pay extra for (€137 more than Paris):
- 40 additional AirJets (140 → 180)
- Slightly higher air pressure
- Same Freeze Shield; no LED
Choose the Hawaii AirJet if you want to maximise the bubble bath experience and AirJet intensity matters more than price.
Lay-Z-Spa Hawaii MaxHold EnergySense AirJet for 4-6 People
Mid-range Lay-Z-Spa Hawaii (Ø 196 cm, 2025) with MaxHold UltraFit pump, EnergySense thermal wall, and app control. Up to 40% lower energy use vs older models.
- Pros
- EnergySense: up to 40% less electricity
- App control via smartphone
- MaxHold UltraFit pump system
- 2025 model with latest improvements
- Cons
- Pricier than entry models
- App requires Bluetooth connection
Lay-Z-Spa Hawaii HydroJet Pro, real massage
The Hawaii HydroJet Pro is the top model and the only one of the four models compared here with real water jets. Six HydroJets, three on each side, pump water under pressure aimed at the back and shoulders. It also has 40 AirJets for the bubble bath effect.
What you get:
- 6 HydroJets: adjustable pressure on back and shoulders
- 40 AirJets: all-over bubble effect
- Same Freeze Shield and TriTech walls
- No LED lighting
The difference in massage feel compared to AirJet models is significant, this is the only one of the four where the higher price delivers something fundamentally different. The downside: the jet filters need monthly rinsing (an extra 10 minutes of maintenance) and the model costs €250 more than the Paris.
Choose the Hawaii HydroJet Pro if you want real targeted massage and are willing to maintain the jets.
Energy use: do pricier models cost more to run?
No. The heating element is 2,200 W on all four models. Standby energy use (keeping the spa warm) is identical. Only the jet section differs:
| Model | Heating element | Jet pump active | Total while running jets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris / Palm Springs | 2,200 W | 1,500 W | 3,700 W |
| Hawaii AirJet | 2,200 W | 1,500 W | 3,700 W |
| Hawaii HydroJet Pro | 2,200 W | 1,700 W | 3,900 W |
The difference between cheapest and most expensive is €0.06 per hour during jet use. At 30 minutes of jets per day, that’s €0.90 per month extra. Negligible.
The real energy saving comes from a thermal insulating cover (not the standard air lid): expect €100-€200 per year less by reducing heat loss through the water surface.
Setting up: what you need
A Lay-Z-Spa is ready in 30-45 minutes:
- Choose a flat, hard surface (paving tiles, concrete, or firm ground). Soft lawn will sink.
- Inflate the spa with the included pump.
- Fill with water to the marker on the inner wall (15-20 cm below the rim).
- Connect the pump unit and let the water heat up, allow 12-16 hours to reach 38-40°C.
- Add chemicals once the water is up to temperature.
The weight of a filled Paris (1,150 kg) spreads over a 196 cm diameter. Check that your patio or decking can handle this, tiles on sand are generally fine; wooden decking needs checking.
Water quality and chemicals for your Lay-Z-Spa
An inflatable spa demands more attention to water chemistry than a regular pool. At 38-40°C, chlorine degrades faster and bacteria multiply more quickly.
Target values:
- pH: 7.2-7.6
- Free chlorine: 3-5 mg/l (higher than a swimming pool)
- Alkalinity: 80-120 mg/l
Test at least 3 times per week, more often after heavy use. Use test strips rated for higher chlorine levels:
AquaChek 511244A Test Strips 6-in-1 (100 strips)
Test pH, chlorine, alkalinity, hardness and more in one go. 100 strips per pack.
- Pros
- Fast results
- 6 parameters in 1 strip
- Affordable
- Cons
- Less accurate than digital testers
For disinfection, use 20-gram mini chlorine tablets in the included floating dispenser, they dissolve slowly at high water temperatures, giving more stable chlorine levels than granules.
Pool Power Mini Chlorine Tablets 20g (1 kg tub)
20 g mini chlorine tablets for inflatable pools and small pools up to 10,000 litres. 1 kg tub with about 50 tablets. Use them in the skimmer or a floating dispenser.
- Pros
- Easy to dose
- Fast-dissolving
- Compact format
- Cons
- Not suitable for large pools
If pH climbs above 7.6, add pH-minus. High pH makes chlorine up to 10× less effective:
pH Decreaser Powder (5 kg)
Sodium bisulphate powder to lower pool pH. 5 kg for multiple treatments. Always dissolve in a bucket of water before adding.
- Pros
- Fast-acting
- Good price per kg
- Easy to dose
- Cons
- Creates dust when measuring, wear gloves
Want to dose chlorine through the pump? The ChemConnect chlorine dispenser fits several Lay-Z-Spa models. Check the part number in your manual:
Lay-Z-Spa ChemConnect chlorine dispenser
Official chlorine dispenser that screws onto the outlet of a Lay-Z-Spa pump. Fits several models; check the part number in your spa manual before ordering.
- Pros
- Official Bestway accessory
- Screw connection on the spa outlet
- Cons
- Does not fit every model: check the part number
Filter maintenance and cleaning
The filter cartridge runs 24/7. Rinse it under the tap every 1-2 days during heavy use. Replace it every 2-4 weeks.
- Rinsing: remove the cartridge and rinse under the tap.
- Descaling: soak 2 hours in diluted citric acid or filter cleaner.
- Replacing: use only original Bestway Type VI cartridges.
A pack of 6 replacement size VI filter cartridges replaces the Bestway 58323 cartridge:
Spa filter cartridges size VI (6 pack)
Pack of 6 replacement size VI filter cartridges that replace the Bestway 58323 cartridge. Fits Lay-Z-Spa Miami, Vegas and Palm Springs among others, and Flowclear pools.
- Pros
- 6 cartridges in one pack
- Replaces the size VI 58323 cartridge
- Cons
- Not an original Bestway part
- Check that your spa uses a size VI filter
Limescale in the pump can be removed with this accessory and white vinegar:
Lay-Z-Spa descaling kit
Accessory that creates a closed circuit in the spa pump so you can descale it with a descaling agent or with white vinegar and water. Keeps the heater and circulation free of limescale.
- Pros
- Works with white vinegar and water
- Tackles limescale in the heater and circulation
- Cons
- Made for Lay-Z-Spa pumps only
Off-season storage
If you’re not using the spa outside summer:
- Drain it fully via the drainage valve.
- Wipe down the inner walls with a clean cloth.
- Leave it in the sun for 2-3 hours to evaporate remaining moisture.
- Deflate the walls, fold the spa, and store it dry and frost-free.
- Store the pump unit separately, frost damage to the pump is not covered by warranty.
Never store the spa rolled up while wet: mould and odour will follow.
Other Lay-Z-Spa models: Miami, Helsinki, Honolulu and Cabo
Besides the four models above, you will run into four others if you search more widely. The Miami AirJet is the compact entry model for 4 people with 120 AirJets, frost monitoring and an insulating cover. Handy if your garden is small. The Helsinki AirJet has a wood look and seats 5 to 7 people according to the manufacturer, but costs considerably more. The Honolulu AirJet is a round spa with a grey rattan look, 140 AirJets and room for 4 to 6 people. The Cabo Smart HydroJet is square (180 x 180 cm), has real HydroJets and app control, and costs around €1,000.
Lay-Z-Spa Miami AirJet inflatable hot tub for 4 people
Entry-level inflatable hot tub for 4 people with 120 AirJets, heating, frost monitoring and an insulating cover. More compact than the Paris, with the same basics.
- Pros
- 120 AirJets
- Frost monitoring and insulating cover included
- Compact: fits a small garden
- Cons
- Seats 4, not 6
- AirJets only, no targeted massage
Lay-Z-Spa Helsinki AirJet inflatable hot tub with wood look
Round inflatable hot tub with a wood-look exterior and room for 5 to 7 people according to the manufacturer. For anyone who wants a bigger spa with a calmer look than a plain blue wall.
- Pros
- Room for 5 to 7 people
- Wood look suits a garden with a wooden deck
- Cons
- Costs more than the Paris and Miami
Lay-Z-Spa Honolulu AirJet inflatable hot tub (round, grey rattan look)
Round inflatable hot tub of 196 x 71 cm for 4 to 6 people with 140 AirJets, Freeze Shield and heating up to 40 degrees. Grey rattan look. Includes a cover, pump, 2 size VI filter cartridges and a ChemConnect dispenser.
- Pros
- 140 AirJets
- Freeze Shield protects the pump and tub in frost
- Rattan look that suits a garden
- Cons
- AirJets only, no targeted HydroJet massage
Lay-Z-Spa Cabo Smart HydroJet inflatable hot tub (square, up to 6 people)
Square inflatable hot tub of 180 x 180 x 71 cm for 4 to 6 people with HydroJet massage jets, EnergySense insulation and control through the SmartSpa app. Comes with a cover, pump, ChemConnect dispenser, 4 headrests and a size VI filter.
- Pros
- HydroJet massage jets
- Control through the SmartSpa app
- EnergySense insulation, up to 40 percent more efficient than comparable inflatable spas according to Bestway
- Cons
- Priced around 1,000 euro, well above the AirJet models
Which Lay-Z-Spa should you buy?
Paris (€549): best choice for most buyers. LED, 140 jets, Freeze Shield, all the basics at the lowest price.
Palm Springs (€599): only choose this if you don’t need LED but want a marginally better lid.
Hawaii AirJet (€686): choose this if you want maximum bubble intensity and AirJet experience matters more than targeted massage.
Hawaii HydroJet Pro (€799): choose this if you want real massage. This is the only one of the four where the higher price delivers a noticeably different experience.
For a comparison with Intex and other brands: best inflatable hot tub for 4 people or the complete hot tub buying guide .
