It is one of the first questions every hot tub shopper asks — and one of the easiest to get wrong. Buy too small and you outgrow it within a year. Buy too large and you are heating water you never use and cleaning a spa that sits half-empty. The right size is the one that matches how you actually plan to use it, not how you imagine you might.

This guide walks you through every factor that matters: backyard space, seating capacity, jet layout, budget, and the specific models available at our Anaheim showroom.

Measure Your Space First

Before you think about seating or features, measure your available space. This is the one factor that overrides everything else.

Hot tubs need clearance on all sides — a minimum of 24 inches for access and maintenance, more if you plan to install a gazebo or surround. Factor in the weight too. A filled hot tub can weigh anywhere from 3,000 to 6,000 pounds. Most concrete pads, reinforced decks, and compacted gravel bases handle this fine. A standard timber deck may need reinforcing — something our team at Backyards In Style can advise on before delivery.

Standard hot tub footprints by seating capacity:

• 2 to 3 person: approximately 5 ft x 5 ft to 6 ft x 6 ft
• 4 to 5 person: approximately 7 ft x 7 ft to 7 ft x 8 ft
• 6 to 7 person: approximately 7.5 ft x 7.5 ft to 8 ft x 8 ft
• 7+ person / lounger models: 8 ft x 9 ft and up

Bring your measurements to our showroom at 1241 N Lakeview Ave, Anaheim. Our team will match them to available models immediately, so you are not guessing from a spec sheet.

Think Honestly About How Many People Will Use It

Seating capacity is the number on most shoppers’ minds, but the real question is: how many people realistically use it at once, on a typical Tuesday?

Most hot tub owners are couples or individuals. A 7-person spa sounds appealing on paper but costs more to heat, more to maintain, and more to fill. If you host occasionally, consider a 5 to 6 person spa as the right middle ground — roomy for a group, comfortable for two.

Here is a practical guide:

2 to 3 person hot tubs are ideal for couples, solo soakers, or homeowners with limited backyard space. Compact footprint, lower running costs, faster heat-up time. A good example is the Nordic Hot Tubs Crown XL — a 6-person model that performs like a smaller spa thanks to its efficient design.

4 to 5 person hot tubs are the most popular size range. They suit couples who occasionally host friends, families with two or three children, and anyone who wants flexibility without the running costs of a large spa. The Sundance 880 Series Ramona seats 5 and is one of our most recommended all-round models.

6 to 7 person hot tubs are built for households that genuinely entertain, large families, or homeowners who want a full resort-style experience. The Sundance 980 Series Kingston and the Sundance 880 Series Maxxus both seat 6 to 7 with a full lounge seat included.

Lounger vs all-seat configuration — if one person plans to use the spa primarily for hydrotherapy or back pain relief, a model with a full-length reclining lounger seat is worth considering. Lounger seats deliver full-body jet coverage that upright seats can’t replicate.

Match Seating to Your Height

This is the detail most buyers skip until they are sitting in the showroom — and wish they had known sooner.

Hot tub seats are designed around average adult proportions. If you are under 5’3″ or over 6’2″, pay close attention during your wet test. Common issues:

• Shorter bathers may find their feet don’t reach the footwell, causing them to slide forward and lose jet contact at the back and shoulders
• Taller bathers often experience insufficient legroom in deeper lounge seats, and may find their shoulders sit above the waterline in standard upright seats

The fix for both is straightforward: do a wet test before you buy. At Backyards In Style we invite every customer to try before they commit. Bring your partner, bring whoever is going to use it most, and test it at full depth. No other step in the buying process matters more.

Consider Jet Count and Placement

Bigger is not always better when it comes to jets. A 50-jet spa with well-positioned, adjustable jets will outperform a 100-jet spa where half the jets hit the same spot.

What to look for:

Targeted therapy jets at the lumbar, shoulder, calf, and foot positions are the ones that deliver genuine therapeutic benefit. These should be individually adjustable.

Rotation jets for the back and neck provide a kneading effect that fixed jets cannot. Look for these in the headrest and upper back zones.

Foot jets are often overlooked but are one of the most appreciated features after a few months of ownership — particularly for anyone who stands for work.

Sundance Spas use patented FLUIDIX jets engineered for specific muscle groups — the Intelli-jet in the 980 Series Kingston is a good example of targeted therapeutic design. Cal Spas offer high jet counts across their Escape and Platinum series, making them a strong option for buyers who prioritise full-body coverage.

Factor In Running Costs

A larger hot tub costs more to run — more water to heat, more water to balance, more filter surface area to maintain. In Anaheim’s climate, running costs are lower than colder states because you are not fighting against freezing temperatures, but the difference between a 300-gallon spa and a 500-gallon spa still shows up on your electricity bill.

General monthly running cost estimates for Anaheim:

• 2 to 3 person spa: $20–$35/month
• 4 to 5 person spa: $30–$55/month
• 6 to 7 person spa: $45–$75/month

These figures assume a well-insulated modern spa running at 100°F with a quality cover in place. Sundance Spas’ SunStrong insulation system and Nordic Hot Tubs’ full-foam construction both perform well on energy efficiency in our OC climate.

If energy cost is a primary concern, ask our team about the CEC (California Energy Commission) rating for any model you are considering. California requires all spas sold in-state to meet strict energy standards, so every spa we carry is compliant — but some models perform significantly better than the minimum.

Think About Accessories and How They Affect Size

A few popular additions change your space calculation:

Gazebos — a Visscher gazebo over your hot tub adds privacy, shade, and year-round all-weather use. They require additional clearance on at least one side for the posts. Browse our Visscher Gazebo range to see footprint options.

Steps and handrails — most spas need a set of entry steps, which adds 12 to 18 inches to one side of your footprint. Factor this into your measurements.

Cover lifters — a motorised or assist-style cover lifter needs clearance at the rear of the spa for the cover to fold back. Budget approximately 24 inches behind the spa for this.

Water care accessories — our accessories range includes everything from floating dispensers and steps to spa pillows and LED lighting kits, all sized to work with standard spa dimensions.

Our Hot Tub Size Recommendations by Use Case

Solo soaker or couple with a small backyard

A 2 to 4 person spa is the right call. Compact footprint, lower running costs, and faster heat-up time — without sacrificing jet quality. We recommend the Nordic Hot Tubs Crown XL or the Cal Spas Patio Plus. Both are available to view at our Anaheim showroom.

Couple with occasional guests

A 5 person spa gives you room to host without the running costs of a larger model. The Sundance 680 Series Ramona and Cal Spas Escape are both excellent in this range — comfortable for two, spacious enough for four.

Family of 4 with regular use

Step up to a 5 to 6 person model. The Sundance 880 Series Maxxus and the Nordic Retreat SE both offer the seating variety and jet coverage a family needs for daily use across different ages and body types.

Entertainers and large families

A 6 to 7 person spa with a full lounge seat is your best fit. The Sundance 980 Series Kingston and Cal Spas Platinum series are built for this — loaded with therapy seats, programmable lighting, and the jet coverage to handle a full crowd.

Hydrotherapy focus — back pain, joint issues, or muscle recovery

Prioritise a model with a full-length reclining lounger seat. The Sundance 880 Series Optima and Sundance 780 Series Chelsee both deliver full-body jet coverage that upright seats cannot match. Book a wet test and feel the difference before you decide.