You spent good money on your hot tub, but every time you use it, something feels off. Maybe you’re fumbling in the dark. Perhaps the towels are always damp because there’s nowhere to hang them. Or the electricity bill keeps climbing because your cover has seen better days.
Owners often forget that the hot tub itself is only half the picture. Without the right accessories, even a top-tier Jacuzzi® hot tub can feel underwhelming. Heating costs creep up. Kids and pets get too close. Guests leave sooner than they should. What was supposed to be a garden retreat starts feeling like a chore.
The good news? Fixing this doesn’t take a full renovation. A few well-chosen accessories can transform how your outdoor spa looks, feels, and performs. Below, we’ve grouped the best hot tub accessories into three categories: safety and efficiency essentials, comfort upgrades, and year-round additions for Sussex weather.
The Essentials: Safety, Efficiency, and Longevity
These aren’t optional. Every outdoor hot tub owner should have these five basics in place before adding anything else.
1. Insulated Hot Tub Cover
A quality cover is the single most important accessory you can own. It keeps heat locked in, energy bills down, and unwelcome visitors out. That means leaves, insects, curious pets, and small children.
Look for a cover that meets the ASTM safety standard, has locking straps, and uses closed-cell foam insulation. Cheap covers waterlog within a year and drive your heating costs up. A good cover pays for itself in energy savings within 18 to 24 months.
Pro tip for Sussex weather: choose a cover rated for wet climates. Our winters bring plenty of rain, and covers without proper drainage taper start sagging within months.
2. Cover Lifter
If your cover weighs 40kg, lifting it off twice a day gets old fast. A hydraulic or lever-arm cover lifter handles the weight for you. It also extends the life of your cover and keeps your back happy.
The best models fold the cover cleanly out of the way in seconds, taking up minimal footprint around the spa. Browse our covers and lifters to see current options.
3. Slip-Resistant Steps
Getting in and out of an above-ground hot tub is a slip risk, especially when wet. Slip-resistant steps solve that in one purchase.
Better sets match the cabinetry of your hot tub and include a small storage compartment underneath. That’s a handy spot for water care supplies or a spare towel.
4. Handrails
Handrails are the accessory people wish they’d bought first. Often, they only get added after a near-miss. Handrails mount onto the side of the hot tub and provide a stable grip for stepping in and out.
Older owners, guests, and anyone with joint pain will thank you. Handrails are quick to install and one of the cheapest ways to make your spa safer.
5. Water Care Starter Kit
You’ll need water care products from day one. A starter kit typically includes sanitiser, pH balancer, alkalinity adjuster, and test strips.
Pop into our Sussex showroom for O-Care, a gentler eco-friendly water treatment that’s popular with owners who want a cleaner approach to spa water.
The Comfort Upgrades: Making Every Soak Better
Once the essentials are handled, these accessories genuinely change how enjoyable your hot tub feels.
6. Bluetooth Stereo System
Music transforms a hot tub session. The optional BLUEWAVE™ Spa Stereo System streams from your phone via Bluetooth, plays radio, or takes input from a USB stick.
Speakers are marine-grade and built into the hot tub shell, so there’s nothing sitting on the deck to knock over. Ask our team about upgrading your existing Jacuzzi® hot tub with a stereo system.
7. Waterproof Headrests and Pillows
Standard headrests are fine. Upgraded gel-filled or memory-foam waterproof pillows are better. They mould to the shape of your neck, reduce pressure on the spine during long soaks, and last for years without going flat.
8. Floating Drink Trays
A floating drink tray keeps your glass within reach and off the deck. Look for one with weighted bases so it doesn’t tip when the jets kick in. Some models include compartments for phones, snacks, or a small speaker.
9. Waterproof Games
Waterproof playing cards, floating dice games, and pool-style entertainment turn a hot tub session into an evening with friends. These are especially good for family use during holidays or on weekends.
10. Outdoor Aromatherapy
Spa-safe aromatherapy crystals dissolve into the water and release scent as the jets run. Lavender helps with sleep. Eucalyptus opens the sinuses. Citrus lifts the mood.
Only use products labelled as safe for hot tubs. Regular essential oils will damage your jets and filters. Learn more in our guide to hot tub aromatherapy.
Year-Round Additions for Sussex Weather
Sussex offers everything from summer heat waves to damp winter mornings. These accessories make your outdoor spa comfortable in every season.
11. Outdoor Lighting
Ambient lighting turns your garden into an evening destination. Popular options include:
- String lights along fences, pergolas, or trees for a soft glow
- In-ground pathway lights for safe access after dark
- Solar-powered stake lights around the hot tub itself
- LED spotlights for architectural features nearby
Choose warm white (2700K to 3000K) for a cosy feel, or cool white (4000K+) for a modern look. See our full guide to outdoor lighting ideas for your hot tub.
12. Pergola or Gazebo
A pergola or gazebo provides shelter from rain, protection from strong sun, and privacy from neighbours. It also creates a defined outdoor room around your hot tub, which makes the space feel like a proper retreat.
Some Sussex owners choose the Covana Legend, an automated cover-gazebo hybrid that lifts on hydraulic legs. It doubles as insulation, security, and shelter in one product.
13. Wind and Privacy Screens
Wooden slat screens, bamboo panels, or climbing plants on trellises break up wind, create privacy, and add a natural feel to the garden.
Even a low screen makes a big difference when a cold breeze rolls in from the South Downs. For more ideas, see our post on hot tub privacy.
14. Towel Racks and Storage
A wall-mounted or freestanding towel rack keeps towels dry and off the ground. Weatherproof storage boxes hold water care supplies, spare filters, and cleaning tools within easy reach.
15. Outdoor Heating
A patio heater or fire pit extends your outdoor time on cool evenings. Position it a safe distance from the hot tub, never directly over the water. You can enjoy warm ambient air even in autumn and winter.
Chill Tubs® owners often pair their cold plunge with a fire pit for contrast therapy.
16. Potted Plants and Landscaping
Adding greenery around your hot tub softens the setup. It makes the spa feel less like a piece of hardware and more like part of your garden.
Good choices for Sussex gardens include:
- Bamboo for privacy and movement in the breeze
- Ornamental grasses like fountain grass or feather reed grass
- Boxwood or hostas for structure
- Lavender for scent and pollinators
Skip anything that sheds heavily, drops berries, or attracts wasps. Explore more ideas in our hot tub landscaping guide.
Setting Up Your Outdoor Hot Tub in Sussex
Every garden is different, but a few local factors are worth thinking about when planning your outdoor spa setup.
Sussex winters can be damp rather than freezing. That means covers, cover lifters, and quality water care matter more than in drier climates. Summer heat waves have become more frequent, so a pergola or gazebo for shade is worth considering.
If your garden borders open land or overlooks the South Downs, you may not need much privacy screening. If you’re in a tighter suburban plot, screens and clever plant placement matter a lot.
Our team has installed hot tubs across Sussex for nearly 20 years. If you want a second opinion on where to place your spa or which accessories would work best in your space, pop into our Washington showroom for a chat.
FAQs About Hot Tub Accessories
What are the most important hot tub accessories to buy first?
A quality insulated cover, a cover lifter, and slip-resistant steps. These three cover safety, energy efficiency, and daily usability. Everything else is a comfort or style choice.
Do I need a hot tub cover in the UK?
Yes. A cover is essential in the UK for four reasons: heat retention (which cuts your electricity bill), safety (keeping children and pets out), water cleanliness (blocking leaves and debris), and cover longevity (protecting against rain damage).
How often should I replace hot tub accessories?
Covers typically last 5 to 7 years. Cover lifters can last a decade if built well. Steps and handrails often outlast the hot tub itself. Water care testing kits need refreshing every year for accurate readings.
Are outdoor speakers and stereos safe for hot tubs?
Only if they’re marine-grade and installed properly. Never bring standard consumer speakers near the water. Systems built into the hot tub shell, like the BLUEWAVE™ system, are the safest choice.
What’s the best way to keep insects away from my hot tub?
Keep the cover on when the spa isn’t in use. Citronella candles or plants like lavender, mint, and marigolds around the area help. Avoid open fruit or sugary drinks near the tub.
Can I add these accessories to a hot tub I already own?
Most of the accessories in this guide work with any brand of hot tub. Some, like the BLUEWAVE™ stereo system, are Jacuzzi® specific. Bring your model details to our showroom and we’ll confirm compatibility.
Shop Hot Tub Accessories in Sussex
If you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor spa, our showroom in Washington, West Sussex carries a full range of hot tub accessories. From covers and lifters to lighting, steps, and water care, our team can help you pick the right items for your space and budget.
We also offer full hot tub servicing, installation support, and expert advice from a team that’s been helping Sussex owners for nearly two decades.
Visit our showroom or get in touch to talk through what your setup needs.
Shop Hot Tub Accessories in Washington
Looking for hot tub accessories? Visit Euphoria Lifestyle in West Sussex today for a wide range of hot tub supplies, perfect for just about any spa owner! Our products and services don’t stop there, we offer hot tub maintenance support, can help you or your loved ones find their dream hot tub, help create jaw-dropping garden installations, and so much more. Contact our team of experts at Euphoria Lifestyle today to begin.
