A hot tub is a fantastic way to relax and unwind after a long day, and it gives you a convenient area to bring your friends and family to entertain. If you want to make it more private, hot tub enclosures are a great way to go. There are dozens available, and they range from full-sided and top enclosures to simple ones that just have a roof. Others are two or three-sided structures that you can set up and take down at a whim to create a more private area or open it back up to make it more accessible. It’s a nice way to add another layer of protection to your hot tub if you live in an area that gets snow.
Since there are so many hot tub enclosures available, it can be challenging to pick out the best one for your wants and needs. There are fabric and metal structures you can choose from, and they come in a huge range of price points. With this in mind, I’ve picked out 10 excellent hot tub enclosures for you to compare side-by-side. The attached buying guide will help you narrow down your choices until you find the best one for your backyard, garden, or patio.
A nice hot tub enclosure can be a cost-effective way to transform part of your yard and create a haven to sit back and relax on those warm summer days. You can choose from metal or polyester designs, and they come in several sizes.
Contents
1. Abba Patio Soft Top Gazebo – Top Pick
A hardtop hot tub enclosure is a great idea if you want to shield your raised planter boxes along with your hot tub and you live in a very wet area. You get a double vented roof on this enclosure that will shield your hot tub from the elements while allowing heat to escape to keep it comfortable. The roof has UV-treated polyester material that won’t fade or weaken with sunlight exposure, and it’s a very durable product with a steel frame. The powder coating on the steel frame ensures that it won’t rust or corrode with moisture exposure, and it also helps prevent normal wear and tear.
This hot tub enclosure has a fully enclosed bug screen on it, and you can enjoy your hot tub without getting bit by insects, mosquitos, or other flying pests. It has four zippers that make it easy to open and close it, and the extended top fabric ensures that the water drains correctly off the sides. It’s 10-feet by 10-feet, and this gives you plenty of room for your hot tub and a few chairs around the outside to sit and relax. It has secure ties to hold the mesh netting open to give you excellent airflow, and it comes with a pretty brown coloring that is very earthy.
PROS
- Hard-top design
- Includes mesh walls
- Powder coating
- Durable steel frame
- Rust and corrosion-resistant
- UV-treated polyester
- Easy to assemble
CONS
- Only available in one color
2. CKH Outdoor Gazebo Canopy – Step-Up Pick
If you want a hot tub enclosure that stands out in your yard while drawing your eye to your entertainment area, this is a solid pick. The cover features a durable polyester material to give you shade, and it’s a very durable design as it has a steel frame that won’t rust, corrode, or show a lot of wear and tear due to exposure to the elements. You can adjust it to increase your coverage levels, especially at night. It has a very pretty beige coloring to it, and setting up or taking down the enclosure is relatively straightforward and easy enough for one person to do.
There is net drapery that gives you slightly more privacy, and it also has durable ties that allow you to secure the side drapery to the poles to keep it open and out of your way on hot days. It measures 118-inches long by 118-inches wide by 107-inches high,and you get multiple attachment points for each wall to ensure that your netting stays up when it’s windy. The durable zippers make it easy to open and close the hot tub enclosure at will, and you get step-by-step instructions with all of the tools you need to put it together right out of the box.
PROS
- Polyester covering
- Walls are solid
- Instructions are clear
- Get all of the tools you need for assembly
- Beige and brown coloring
- Steel frame
CONS
- Wall connectors are plastic rings
3. Sunjoy L-GG001PST Double Tiered Canopy – Mid-End Budget Pick
Anyone who lives in an area with high winds knows how important it is to get a hot tub enclosure that will survive them. That is exactly what this metal-based product will do, and it would also work around your pond or over your water garden to shield your plants. This is an eight-foot by five-foot enclosure, so it is slightly smaller. The roof on this enclosure comes slanted to ensure that any water from rain or snow runs harmlessly off the sides without pooling, and the simple design makes it very easy to spray it off to clean it as pollen or debris builds up on the top of it.
There is a polyester top on this hot tub enclosure that is very durable and resistant to wear and tear while being low maintenance, and you get an LED light tucked up under the canopy so you can easily light up the area around your hot tub to use it after dark. It has feet that you can secure to the ground with stakes to help ensure it stays in place, and you get excellent ventilation that allows the heat to escape to keep it comfortable. The powder coating on the frame makes it resistant to rust or corrosion, and this can help it last longer.
PROS
- Easy to clean
- Low-maintenance choice
- LED lighting included
- Slated roof for water flow
- Excellent ventilation
- Frame is rust and corrosion-resistant
- Easy to set up
CONS
- Slightly smaller design
4. AmazonBasics Outdoor Pop Up Gazebo – Bargain Budget Pick
If you’re on a tight budget, this hot tub enclosure is a safe pick where you won’t sacrifice quality for price. You get a polyester material that comes designed to shield you from heavy rains or the sun’s UV rays, and it comes with mosquito nets that you can hang up on the sides to keep you comfortable during the evening or early morning hours when the bugs are out. This is a pop-up style gazebo that is very easy to set up in 15 to 30-minutes, so it’s a great pick if you’re someone who does a lot of entertaining but doesn’t need a cover on their hot tub all of the time.
This outdoor hot tub enclosure does only measure 10-feet by 10-feet, so you won’t have a lot of leftover room for chairs or tables around the hot tub, but it’s nice if you just want to cover the hot tub itself. The frame is a powder-coated steel that is weather-resistant, and it won’t corrode or rust if you choose to keep it outside. You can quickly and easily store it in your garden shed due to the pop-up design, and you get all of the hardware components and instructions necessary to use it.
PROS
- Very budget-friendly
- Can add LED lighting to the domed top
- Three pretty color choices
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Three styles available
- Pop-up design
- Easy to store
CONS
- Won’t withstand heavy winds
5. ABCCANOPY High Grade Gazebo – Best for Larger Hot Tubs
Ideally, any hot tub enclosure you get will allow you to set up a small entertainment or gathering area around it where you can sit and relax, and this 10-foot by 12-foot structure will allow you to do just that. If your hot tub is on your patio, this can give you excellent shade while providing you with UV protection. The canopy is water-resistant, and this means that you’ll stay dry if it happens to rain. The water will run right off the top and down the sides. It has multiple tiers in the design, and this helps with ventilation to ensure that the hot steam from the hot tub doesn’t get stuck and make the interior uncomfortably warm.
The vented design of this hot tub enclosure’s top also ensures that it stays relatively dry to stop mold or mildew growth. You can set it up in under an hour in most cases, and it comes with curtains that you can string up along the sides to add more privacy to this area. The frame is a high-grade engineered steel that has a strong load-bearing capacity, and there is a powder coating on it that resists rust and corrosion. It can withstand windy conditions due to the domed top, and you can easily tie the sides open to allow for a crossbreeze.
PROS
- Larger sized
- Nice domed top
- Has excellent ventilation
- Engineered steel frame
- Fabric is water-resistant
- Easy to maintain
- Doesn’t allow for mildew or mold growth
CONS
- Feet aren’t very sturdy or long-lasting
6. COOL Spot Pop-Up Gazebo – Best for Temporary Placement
This hot tub enclosure comes specially designed to be easy to set up and remove on a temporary basis. It’s a pop-up style enclosure, and it allows you to set it up for a few hours at a time before taking it back down and storing it safely away. You get less wind buildup and greater airflow with this product than you do with many other hot tub enclosures, and this allows it to stay up relatively easily in unfavorable weather conditions. It has an 11-foot by 11-foot design, and it allows you more than enough space to have a hot tub on one end and a small entertainment area on the other.
Each of the walls features a mesh mosquito netting that won’t block the air while allowing you to stay comfortable by keeping the bugs out, and you get a steel frame that resists rust and corrosion with exposure to the elements. Each product goes through a thorough testing process to ensure that it’s durable, and you get a push-button control system that locks the frame in place. You can quickly attach the side walls after you extend the legs, and you get a rolling carry bag that makes it simple to pack away and store.
PROS
- Has a rolling carrying bag
- 11-feet by 11-feet
- Mesh mosquito netting
- Steel frame
- Push-button leg lock
- Allows for great airflow
- Sets up in minutes
CONS
- Not meant to be permanent
7. YOLENY Polycarbonate Gazebo – Best for Wet Areas
This stylish hot tub enclosure is the perfect complement to your privacy screens to help give you a haven to relax and unwind without worrying about nosy neighbors. It’s a 10-foot by 13-foot hardtop design that is stunning and very sturdy. It’s a double hardtop with a polycarbonate roof, and this is the same material that you’ll find on many greenhouses. It offers three layers of protection while allowing sunlight to filter through while reducing how hot it is and blocking up to 99% of UV rays. The roof also has vents on it to allow heat to escape and prevent mold and mildew growth to make it easier to maintain.
There is a powder-coated aluminum frame that resists both corrosion and rust, and it has double-wall curtains in each purchase that also has netting. You can zip them up at the corners to keep the bugs out, and they’re also UV-protected. The four legs come with feet that have pre-drilled holes that allow you to secure the hot tub enclosure to the ground. It’s 9.1-feet tall at the center and 6.5-feet tall at the edge so you won’t have to duck to go in and out. You can choose from four sizes to suit your needs when you order.
PROS
- Hardtop design
- Comes with excellent ventilation
- Blocks up to 99% of UV rays
- Prohibits mold and mildew growth
- Powder-coated aluminum frame
- Taller design
- Can bolt the feet to the ground
CONS
- Assembly can be very complicated
8. Backyard Discovery Arlington Cedar Gazebo – Best for Large Yards
Beautiful, big, and bold. These are three words that many people use to describe this hot tub enclosure. You get a 100% cedar body that is meant to be durable enough to survive a host of weather conditions and turn into a permanent fixture in your yard. It uses tight knot cedar wood that won’t warp or develop cracks, and the sheathing boards with the rafters will easily support 29-gauge steel for the roof that resists rust and corrosion with moisture exposure. It comes guaranteed to reduce heat transfer by as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit to keep it cooler and more comfortable when you’re under it, and the roof is strong enough to handle a lot of 50 pounds per square inch. This works out to around 30-inches of snow.
You get dual cross beams and corbels that give the hot tub enclosure a high amount of durability and strength, and the brackets are also powder coated steel. The lumber for this enclosure comes pre-drilled, pre-cut, and stained a very rich walnut color to help seal out moisture while making it quicker and easier to assemble. There are step-by-step 3D instructions that are voice-narrated included, and you get free shipping when you order it. Due to the 800-pound weight, this is a very nice perk.
PROS
- 100% cedar body
- Wood comes pre-cut and pre-drilled
- Can use 3D, voice narrated instructions
- Stainless steel hardware
- Stained to seal out moisture
- Naturally mold and mildew resistant
- Uses tight knot cedar
CONS
- Weighs 800 pounds
9. Coolaroo Butterfly Backyard Gazebo – Best for Modern Home Designs
Anyone who is after a hot tub enclosure that is large enough to accommodate an outdoor bench or other seating area should take a look at this pick from Coolaroo. This is a little more unexpected and avant garde than most items on our list, but you get a very modern design that draws the eye. It’s a semi-permanent structure that is freestanding, and it measures 13.1-feet by 13.1-feet. The durable and strong top features Xceltex fabric that comes made from 100% polypropylene that is recyclable and environmentally-friendly, and it’s a fast-drying, all-weather fabric that resists mold and rot.
These qualities make it a very low-maintenance hot tub enclosure, and the fabric comes covered by a five-year warranty against damage. It will block up to 99% of the sun’s rays, and you can set it up in under 20 minutes when you get it. You get powder-coated steel poles for the frame that make it very sturdy and resistant to wear, rust, tear, and corrosion with exposure to the elements. You can leave it outside without worrying about it breaking down, and you get excellent ventilation. You can hand wash it with a mild detergent and water to keep it looking nice.
PROS
- Very striking design
- Larger design
- Features 100% polypropylene fabric
- Easy to clean
- Sets up in under 20 minutes
- Poles are steel with a powder coating
- Five-year warranty on the fabric
CONS
- Included wrenches are flimsy
10. AsterOutdoor Outdoor Gazebo – Best for Concrete Patios
The final hot tub enclosure on the list is both portable and affordable. It gives you easy take down and set-up too, and it’s a 10-foot by 10-foot option. You get a dual-tiered domed roof that comes made out of 300D polyester that makes it very weather-resistant. It also gives you much better stability when it gets windy while ensuring you get a decent amount of airflow to reduce wind and heat stress on the structure. The material is UPF 50+ protected, and it’ll block up to 99% of UV rays. It’s fire-retardant and water-resistant too, so this helps to ensure it lasts.
You get extended eaves on this hot tub enclosure that give you more shade while ensuring water drains correctly. The frame is a powder-coating steel that ensures it’s stable and durable, and it’ll resist rust and corrosion. The legs come with holes drilled into the feet so you can drive the stakes into it to anchor it to the ground, and there is a center-hanging hook that can hold up to a 50-pound light fixture or fan. The eaves are 6.3-feet tall, and the center is 8.10-feet tall.
PROS
- Has a steel frame
- Very portable
- Easy to set up
- Roof design allows for efficient runoff
- Very nice ventilation
- Affordable
- Powder coating on the frame
CONS
- Has lower eaves
Hot Tub Enclosure Buying Guide
One of the first things you’ll notice when you start searching for hot tub enclosures is that there are several sizes and styles available, and this can make it challenging to narrow down your dozens of choices. This can be an expensive investment, so you want to make sure it fits into your design and space while giving you plenty of space. This short guide will highlight the important aspects of picking out a hot tub enclosure below.
Size
Size is going to be a huge factor with your hot tub enclosure. If you have things like a koi pond in the way or a smaller yard, you’ll have to scale your enclosure accordingly. You want to get an enclosure that’s large enough to cover your hot tub and give you privacy without crowding the rest of your yard. Measure your hot tub and the area around it to get an approximate size before you shop so you can start narrowing your choices down right away.
Weight
The weight of your hot tub enclosure is another very important thing to consider as some of them are meant to be permanent while others are semi-permanent or temporary. Permanent structures can weigh up to 800-pounds, and this is almost impossible to move without heavy machinery. You want to get one that you can maneuver if it’s semi-permanent or temporary.
Carefully sizing your yard or garden before you buy your hot tub enclosure can ensure that you’re 100% happy with your pick. You’ll have enough room to give you adequate shade while being able to move and perform routine yard maintenance around it.
Type
You have to decide on a type of hot tub enclosure when you start searching through your options because this will allow you to narrow down your choices right from the start. You can choose from:
- Freestanding – This hot tub enclosure doesn’t need any additional support to keep it up. You can put it on any flat area in your yard or garden without having it lean against something.
- Lean To – This enclosure is one that leans against the outer wall of your home, and it’s usually over your back door. You can get a freestanding design or one that attaches to your wall for more support
- Pop-Up – You can set most pop-up-style gazebos up in minutes, and they’re a nice choice for temporary structures. They’re usually thinner materials and less sturdy frames, but they’re easy to store.
- Tent – A tent-style hot tub enclosure will give you slightly more privacy as it comes with walls and a canopy. They can have “windows” made out of a clear fabric to allow light in.
Material
Do you want a hot tub enclosure that is going to last for years or are you looking for a budget option? Generally speaking, you’ll spend more if you want more durable materials like aluminum or powder-coating steel. If you’re on a tight budget, you may end up picking out a mesh and fabric or polyester enclosure. They won’t stand up to bad weather conditions as well, but they’re okay in a pinch when you need something to last a season or two while you save up for something more lasting.
Airflow
It’s hot and humid during the summer, and the hot tub can make it seem even hotter and more humid in the direct enclosure. This can lead to mildew and mold growth like you find in your shower, so you need good airflow in and out of your hot tub enclosure to keep the mold at bay. This is where having large doors and windows comes into play. Some enclosures have roof vents too. Double-check the airflow capabilities before you buy anything to ensure you stay comfortable.
You want to make sure your enclosure has enough airflow and anchor points to keep it in place while giving you enough air to be comfortable when the weather heats up.
Assembly Process
Do you plan to put your hot tub enclosure together by yourself or do you have people that will help you? Some are easy enough to put together without any help because they’re lighter weight. However, if you order a bigger and more elaborate one, you may need help and specialized tools. Double-check the recommended assembly process and get one that you’re going to be able to feasibly do.
Anchor Points
How does your hot tub enclosure anchor to the ground? This is a very important consideration to keep in mind because it’ll directly dictate how well your structure stays up in different weather conditions. If it’s a heavier metal structure, this won’t be such a huge point. But structures made out of mesh, polyester, or screen will need anchor points. They should sink deep into the ground and have multiple points on each corner of your hot tub enclosure.
Bottom Line
A hot tub enclosure is a nice way to boost your privacy without installing a permanent fence to cordon off an area of your yard. I’ve given you 10 examples of quality hot tub enclosures for any budget, and you can use the buying guide to narrow down your products to make your final choice. Take your time, compare the products on the list, and enjoy your new private area for your friends and family.
Jen is a master gardener, interior designer and home improvement expert. She has completed many home improvement, decor and remodeling projects with her family over the past 10 years on their 4,500 sf Victorian house. She is also a passionate farmer who keeps goats, chickens, turkeys cows and pigs on her farm, and an instructor for her community’s Organic and Sustainable Farming project.