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 Paris Luxe AirJet Inflatable Spa with LED for 4-6 People
Lay-Z-SpaRound inflatable spa for 4-6 people (Ø 196 x 66 cm) with 140 AirJets, LED lighting, Freeze Shield, and ChemConnect dispenser. Heats to 40°C.
- 140 AirJets for a relaxing bubble massage
- Freeze Shield: safe outdoors in frost
- Remote-controlled LED lighting
- ChemConnect for stable chlorine levels
- Air bubbles only, no hydrotherapy jets
- 3-6 year lifespan with proper care
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
Lay-Z-SpaGrey 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.
- Neutral grey suits any garden
- Freeze Shield for year-round use
- Energy-saving timer heating
- Quick to set up
- 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
Lay-Z-SpaMid-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.
- EnergySense: up to 40% less electricity
- App control via smartphone
- MaxHold UltraFit pump system
- 2025 model with latest improvements
- 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 Lay-Z-Spa 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 model 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.
Lay-Z-Spa Hawaii HydroJet Pro Inflatable Hot Tub for 4-6 People
Lay-Z-SpaPremium inflatable spa with real HydroJet pressure massage for back and shoulders, app control, and Freeze Shield. The only inflatable Lay-Z-Spa with water-pressure jets.
- HydroJet Pro: real pressurized water jets
- App control with scheduling
- Freeze Shield for frost use
- Noticeably stronger massage than bubble-only models
- Most expensive inflatable model
- Extra maintenance for jet filters
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:
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.
If pH climbs above 7.6, add pH-minus. High pH makes chlorine up to 10× less effective:
pH Decreaser Powder (5 kg)
Chloor.nlSodium bisulphate powder to lower pool pH. 5 kg for multiple treatments. Always dissolve in a bucket of water before adding.
- Fast-acting
- Good price per kg
- Easy to dose
- Creates dust when measuring, wear gloves
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.
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.
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 model 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 .
