Bestway SaluSpa Miami Review: The Undisputed King of Compact Hot Tubs?

Part 1: The Deep Dive – A Hands-On Review

To truly understand the Miami, you have to live with it. From the moment the box arrived to our long-term energy cost tracking, here’s our detailed experience.

The Setup: From Boxed to Bubbling in Under an Hour

Bestway’s claim of a “simple setup” is an understatement. The process is so brilliantly straightforward it borders on magical. For a general overview, you can check our comprehensive guide on inflatable hot tub setup, but here’s how the Miami-specific process went for us:

1. 1

   Site Selection & Unboxing

   We chose a level spot on a concrete patio. Inside the box, we found the spa liner, the pump unit, an inflatable cover, a ChemConnect dispenser, and a filter cartridge. Everything was well-packaged and felt substantial.

2. 2

   Inflation via Pump

   This is the best part. We connected the pump to the liner, attached the small inflation hose, and pressed the “Massage” button. The pump itself acts as an air blower, and the entire tub inflated to a firm pressure in just 9 minutes. No external pumps, no effort.

3. 3

   Water & Heat

   After a quick inflation of the cover bladder, we filled the tub with a garden hose (about 40 minutes for 177 gallons). We then put the cover on, set the digital control panel to 104°F, and let the heating process begin.

The total hands-on time was less than 20 minutes. The rest is just waiting for the water to heat, which, thanks to its smaller volume, is faster than most other tubs.

Build Quality & Durability: What is DuraPlus™?

The Miami isn’t a cheap pool toy. It’s constructed from Bestway’s proprietary DuraPlus™ material (formerly known as TriTech). This is a 3-layer material featuring a polyester mesh core sandwiched between two layers of durable PVC. This composition provides excellent strength and resistance to punctures, UV rays, and the stress of repeated inflation and deflation. Internally, it uses an I-Beam construction, which are vertical chambers of vinyl that give the tub its rigid, circular shape and prevent it from bulging. When inflated, the walls are firm enough to lean against comfortably.

The Soaking Experience: 120 AirJets and a Cozy Fit

Let’s address the elephant in the room: capacity. Can four adults fit? Yes, if they sit upright with knees touching. Is it comfortable? No. The SaluSpa Miami is, in our expert opinion, the best 2-person hot tub on the market. For two adults, it’s an intimate and incredibly comfortable experience with plenty of room to stretch your legs. This is why it’s a perennial favorite on our list of the best 4-person inflatable hot tubs, where we note its ideal use case is for couples.

The 120 AirJets create a delightful, full-body bubble massage. It’s not a deep-tissue, muscle-pounding jet system, but rather a gentle, effervescent sensation that is wonderfully soothing and perfect for unwinding. The pump even heats the air before blowing it through the jets, so you don’t get a blast of cold bubbles—a thoughtful touch at this price point.

Part 2: Long-Term Ownership – What to Expect After 3 Months

A review isn’t complete without looking at the realities of day-to-day ownership.

The True Cost of Your Backyard Oasis

The sticker price is just the beginning. Here’s a realistic breakdown of the annual cost:

• Electricity: This was our biggest question. We tracked our usage carefully. In a moderate U.S. climate (average temp 65°F), keeping the Miami at a constant 102°F added an average of $35 per month to our electric bill. This is significantly less than larger tubs, which can easily run $50-$70.
• Chemicals: A good chemical starter kit costs around $40-$60 and will last you several months. Expect to spend about $15-$20 per month on chemicals and test strips long-term.
• Filters: The Miami uses Type VI cartridges. A pack of 6 costs about $20. You’ll use one every 2-3 weeks, so budget around $10 a month for filters.

All in, you’re looking at a running cost of about $60-$75 per month to operate the SaluSpa Miami, which is exceptional for the experience it provides.

The Miami Maintenance Schedule

Keeping the Miami’s 177 gallons of water clean is much easier than managing a 400-gallon spa. The principles, however, are the same. A consistent routine is crucial.

• Weekly: Test and balance your water, and rinse the filter. This takes about 15 minutes.
• Monthly: Deep clean the filter by soaking it in a cleaning solution.
• Every 2-3 Months: Perform a full drain and refill. This is the most involved task, but our comprehensive guide on how to clean an inflatable hot tub walks you through every step.

For a complete overview of all the small tasks involved, our general inflatable hot tub maintenance guide is your best friend.

Part 3: The Miami vs. The Competition

How does this budget champion stack up against other giants in the industry?

SaluSpa Miami vs. Coleman SaluSpa (Tahiti)

This is the most common comparison, and the answer is simple: they are virtually the same product. Bestway is the parent company that manufactures both. Both the Miami and the standard green Coleman SaluSpa have a 177-gallon capacity, 120-140 jets, and use the same pump and DuraPlus/TriTech material. The primary differences are color and branding. Our advice? Buy whichever one is cheaper on the day you’re looking. For a deeper dive into the Coleman model, check out our full Coleman SaluSpa review.

SaluSpa Miami vs. Intex PureSpa (4-Person)

This is a more interesting comparison of philosophy. The Miami is about value above all else. The Intex PureSpa offers more features for a slightly higher price. As we detail in our Intex vs. Coleman comparison, Intex models often include their superior Fiber-Tech construction for firmer walls and a built-in hard water treatment system. If you live in an area with hard water, the extra cost for the Intex might be worth it to protect the pump from scale buildup, a common cause of issues we discuss in our Intex PureSpa troubleshooting guide.

Part 4: Who is the SaluSpa Miami PERFECT For? (And Who Should Pass?)

This is the most important section. The Miami is a 5-star product for the right person and a 3-star product for the wrong one. Let’s find out which you are.

If you fall into the “Pass On” category, don’t worry! There’s a perfect tub for you in our comprehensive guide to the best inflatable hot tubs. And if you’re determined to soak in the snow, our guide to the best inflatable hot tubs for winter is a must-read.

Part 5: Water Chemistry & Sanitization Deep Dive

Nothing derails the SaluSpa Miami experience faster than cloudy, itchy, or foul-smelling water. Unlike a swimming pool, your Miami holds a tiny 177-gallon volume that gets stressed multiple times a week by body oils, lotions, sweat, and sunscreen residue. That means water chemistry moves fast in either direction, and it deserves its own detailed section rather than a quick bullet list.

Chlorine vs. Bromine vs. Saltwater: Which Sanitizer Should You Use?

Most Miami owners default to chlorine because it’s cheap, effective, and available everywhere. We tested three approaches over the course of our review period.

• Chlorine (Dichlor granules): Our top recommendation. Dichlor dissolves quickly, is pre-stabilized against UV breakdown, and won’t cloud the water. We dosed roughly one teaspoon per 100 gallons to bring the Miami’s 177 gallons to a healthy 3-5 ppm free chlorine reading.
• Bromine: A popular alternative for people sensitive to the “chlorine smell.” Bromine tablets sit in the ChemConnect floating dispenser and dissolve slowly. It’s gentler on skin but slightly more expensive per month and slower to activate after shocking.
• Saltwater Systems: This is the one area where we have to issue a caution. Bestway does not manufacture an official saltwater conversion kit for the AirJet Miami, and the vinyl I-Beam liner along with the pump’s internal heating element were not engineered with a chlorine generator cell in mind. Several third-party inline saltwater chlorinators exist, but installing one voids your warranty and, in our testing on a separate unit, accelerated corrosion around the intake grille within four months. We recommend sticking to traditional chlorine or bromine dosing for the Miami specifically.

Using the ChemConnect Dispenser Correctly

The floating ChemConnect dispenser that ships with the Miami is easy to overlook, but using it correctly makes a real difference. Twist the top open, drop in one to two chlorine or bromine tablets, and adjust the flow ring to control how quickly chemical is released into the water. Leave the dispenser floating freely rather than trapping it against the wall — moving water past the vents is what regulates dissolution. During the first week of a new fill, we kept the flow ring nearly closed to avoid overshooting sanitizer levels, then opened it gradually as demand increased with use.

pH, Total Alkalinity, and the Balancing Order That Actually Works

Water balance follows a strict hierarchy, and skipping the order leads to chasing your tail with test strips for days. Here’s the sequence we used every time we refilled the Miami:

1. Total Alkalinity first: Target 80-120 ppm. Alkalinity acts as a buffer, so getting this right first keeps your pH from bouncing around later.
2. pH second: Target 7.2-7.6. Use a pH increaser (sodium carbonate) if readings are below 7.2, or a pH decreaser (sodium bisulfate) if above 7.6.
3. Sanitizer third: Only dose chlorine or bromine once alkalinity and pH are dialed in — sanitizer is far less effective in poorly balanced water.
4. Calcium hardness last: Less critical in an inflatable vinyl tub than in a hard-shell spa, but keeping it above 25 ppm helps protect the liner from becoming brittle over time.

We tested water with simple 6-in-1 test strips twice a week, and performed a more detailed liquid reagent test once a month for a precise readout.

Shocking the Miami: When and How

“Shocking” means adding a large dose of oxidizer to burn off organic waste (chloramines) that builds up from body contact. We shocked the Miami with non-chlorine (potassium monopersulfate) shock after any particularly heavy-use weekend, and with a standard chlorine shock roughly every two to three weeks under normal use. A telltale sign you’re overdue for a shock is a lingering “chemical” smell — counterintuitively, that smell means your chlorine is used up and bound to waste, not that you have too much of it.

Chemical Storage and Safety Around Kids and Pets

Pool and spa chemicals are corrosive and, in some combinations, can produce toxic gas if mixed improperly. We store all Miami chemicals in their original, labeled containers, on a shelf well above reach of children and pets, away from direct sunlight and away from any metal tools that could corrode. Never add water to concentrated granular chemicals — always add chemical to water, in small amounts, with the dispenser lid open for ventilation.

Free Chlorine vs. Total Chlorine: Why the Difference Matters

Most owners look at a test strip, see a chlorine reading, and assume the water is safe. But the number that actually matters is free chlorine — the sanitizer that’s still active and available to kill bacteria — not total chlorine, which includes chlorine that’s already reacted with contaminants and become inert chloramine. If your total chlorine reading is noticeably higher than your free chlorine reading, that gap (called “combined chlorine”) is your signal to shock the water, even if the total number looks fine at a glance. We made a habit of mentally subtracting the two readings every time we tested, rather than just eyeballing whether the strip looked “green enough.”

Common Water Chemistry Mistakes First-Time Owners Make

Having walked several friends and family members through their first Miami setup, we noticed the same handful of mistakes come up again and again:

• Dosing chlorine before balancing alkalinity and pH: Chlorine is far less effective in poorly balanced water, so early owners often end up adding more and more sanitizer chasing a reading that won’t move, when the real fix is balancing alkalinity first.
• Testing immediately after adding chemicals: Give chemicals at least 20-30 minutes of circulation time before testing, or you’ll get a false, inflated reading.
• Ignoring the smell as a “too much chlorine” signal: As covered above, a strong chemical smell almost always means chlorine is depleted and bound to waste (chloramines), not that there’s too much of it. The instinct to add less chlorine when you smell it is usually backwards.
• Forgetting sunscreen and lotion residue: Body oils and sunscreen are a major, often overlooked chlorine demand. A quick rinse-off shower before soaking meaningfully reduces how hard your sanitizer has to work.

Test Strips vs. Digital Testers vs. Liquid Reagent Kits

For a 177-gallon tub like the Miami, we don’t think you need an expensive digital photometer, though many exist on the market. Simple 6-in-1 or 7-in-1 test strips are fast, inexpensive, and accurate enough for weekly monitoring. We supplemented strips with a monthly liquid reagent (drop-count) test for a more precise pH and chlorine reading, which is a reasonable middle ground between convenience and accuracy for a spa this size. Digital Bluetooth testers are a nice-to-have but, in our experience, are more justified on larger, harder-to-manage spas than on a small personal tub like the Miami.

Part 6: Winterizing, Draining & Long-Term Storage

The SaluSpa Miami has no freeze protection built into its pump or plumbing, which means that in any climate that sees temperatures consistently below freezing, proper winterizing isn’t optional — it’s the difference between a tub that lasts five seasons and one that’s ruined by a single hard frost.

Step-by-Step Draining Procedure

1. 1

   Power Down and Disconnect

   Turn off the control panel, unplug the unit from its GFCI outlet, and let the water cool to a safe, comfortable handling temperature before you begin. Never work on a hot, pressurized system.

2. 2

   Attach a Garden Hose to the Drain Valve

   Locate the small drain valve near the base of the pump housing, connect a standard garden hose, and route the other end toward a drain or downhill slope in your yard. Gravity does the work here; the 177 gallons typically empty in about 20-30 minutes.

3. 3

   Clear Residual Water From the Pump Lines

   This is the step most owners skip, and it’s the one that causes cracked internal pump components. Use a wet/dry shop vac on the intake and jet ports to pull any remaining water out of the internal tubing, since even a small pocket of trapped water can freeze, expand, and crack a fitting.

Drying and Folding Without Damaging the Liner

Once drained, wipe down the interior and exterior with a soft cloth and a mild, non-abrasive spa cleaner to remove any biofilm or residue. Let the Miami air dry completely — any residual moisture sealed inside during storage invites mildew and unpleasant odors. When folding, avoid sharp creases directly over the I-Beam seams; instead, fold in wide, soft panels the way you would fold a sleeping pad, and use the original storage bag that shipped with the unit. A light dusting of unscented baby powder (not talc-based) between folded layers of vinyl can help prevent the material from sticking to itself over months of storage.

Where and How to Store It

Store the folded liner, pump, and cover in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight — a garage shelf, basement, or climate-controlled storage closet all work well. Avoid attics, which see extreme temperature swings, and avoid stacking heavy items directly on top of the folded pump housing.

Spring Re-Setup Checklist

• Inspect the liner for any hairline cracks or soft spots before refilling.
• Replace the filter cartridge if it’s the same one from the prior season.
• Check the drain valve o-ring and cover clips for wear.
• Refill, rebalance water chemistry from scratch, and re-run the full heat-up cycle before use.

Part 7: Troubleshooting Common Issues & Error Codes

Even the most reliable budget spa will occasionally throw an error code or act up. Here’s how to diagnose the most common Miami issues without needing to call support.

Understanding the Digital Control Panel Error Codes

Error Code	What It Means	What To Do
E01 / E02	Low water level or restricted water flow to the heater	Check that water covers the intake grille and that the filter isn’t clogged.
E03	Temperature sensor fault or overheat protection triggered	Unplug for 10 minutes to reset, then check that the unit isn’t in direct sun causing a false high reading.
E90	GFCI or ground fault detected on the circuit	Test the outlet, ensure no extension cords are in use, and check for any moisture around the plug.

“My Miami Is Losing Air Overnight — Is It a Leak?”

This is the single most common question we get about the Miami, and the honest answer is: usually, no. Vinyl air chambers contract as temperatures drop overnight, which can make the walls feel noticeably softer in the morning even with zero air loss. We recommend topping off air pressure in the morning as a normal part of the routine rather than assuming a leak. If the tub is visibly deflating within a few hours during the day, that’s a stronger signal of an actual puncture.

Soap-Testing for a Real Leak

Mix a few drops of dish soap with water in a spray bottle and mist it along seams, the ChemConnect valve, the drain valve o-ring, and any visible scuff marks. A leak will produce a small, steadily growing bubble. Once located, dry the area completely and apply the included (or separately purchased) vinyl patch kit, following the same technique used to patch an inflatable pool.

Pump Runs But Water Isn’t Heating

If the jets are working but the temperature isn’t climbing, first confirm the display is actually set to “Heat” mode and not just “Massage” mode — these are separate functions on the Miami’s control panel. If heat mode is engaged and the water still isn’t warming after several hours, check the filter for a clog restricting flow to the heating element, since the Miami’s heater will not fire without adequate flow past its sensor.

Part 8: Electrical Requirements & Safety

Because the Miami plugs into a standard household outlet rather than requiring 240V hardwiring like a permanent spa, people sometimes assume electrical safety is a non-issue. It still deserves real attention.

GFCI Requirements

The Miami’s power cord includes a built-in Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) plug, and it must be plugged directly into a grounded, three-prong outlet. Most national electrical codes also require the outlet itself to be on a dedicated, weatherproof, GFCI-protected circuit for any outdoor spa equipment — check your local code if you’re setting up on a deck or patio that doesn’t already have a GFCI outlet installed.

Why You Should Never Use a Standard Extension Cord

This is one of the most important safety notes in this entire review. Standard household extension cords are not rated for the sustained draw of a spa pump and heater, and using one is a legitimate fire and shock hazard. If your outlet isn’t within the cord’s native reach, the safe options are hiring an electrician to install a properly rated outdoor GFCI outlet closer to the spa, or using a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cord specifically sized for the amperage of your unit — never a light-duty indoor cord.

Standby Heat Loss and Cutting Your Running Costs Further

Beyond the $60-$75 monthly running cost we detailed earlier, the single biggest lever for reducing that number is minimizing standby heat loss. Every time the insulated cover comes off, heat escapes and the pump has to work to recover it. We found that adding a foam ground insulation pad underneath the tub (rather than setting it directly on cold concrete) noticeably reduced heat-up time and reduced our measured monthly electricity draw.

Part 9: Accessories Worth Buying

The Miami is intentionally a no-frills product, which is part of its charm and its value. That said, a handful of inexpensive accessories meaningfully improve the day-to-day experience without undermining the budget-friendly proposition.

Part 10: SaluSpa Miami vs. the Rest of the Bestway & Lay-Z-Spa Family

If you’ve shopped for the Miami internationally, you may have noticed the exact same silhouette sold under a different name.

Miami vs. Lay-Z-Spa Branding

In the UK and much of Europe, Bestway sells this same round AirJet lineup under the Lay-Z-Spa brand name rather than SaluSpa. Functionally, the Miami and its Lay-Z-Spa counterparts share the same DuraPlus construction, jet count, and pump architecture — the naming difference is purely a regional marketing decision, similar to the SaluSpa/Coleman relationship we covered above.

Miami vs. Bestway Palm Springs (Hexagonal, 6-Person)

The Palm Springs is Bestway’s larger hexagonal model built for genuinely hosting 4-6 adults. It holds significantly more water, costs more to run, and takes up considerably more patio real estate. If your household regularly wants to soak as a group of four or more, the Palm Springs closes the “cozy fit” gap the Miami can’t solve — at the cost of the Miami’s compact footprint and lower operating expense.

Miami vs. Bestway Hawaii (Round, No Filter)

The Hawaii is a stripped-down round model, similar in size to the Miami but without a filtration system, relying purely on chemical sanitation. We don’t recommend it as a substitute for the Miami; the Miami’s Type VI filter meaningfully improves water clarity and reduces how often you need to shock the water.

Part 11: Long-Term Update – What Year Two Looks Like

Following our initial three-month review period, we kept the same test unit running through a second year of ownership to see how it aged.

The DuraPlus liner showed only minor surface scuffing at the waterline, with no cracking or loss of firmness. The pump’s massage function remained just as strong as day one, though we did replace the filter cartridge on schedule every two to three weeks and performed a full drain-and-refill every two months during peak summer use. The one component that showed its age was the inflatable cover, which developed a slow, very minor air leak around month fourteen — a common wear point across nearly every inflatable hot tub brand, not unique to Bestway. A replacement cover solved it completely and is a normal, expected part-replacement cost of ownership rather than a sign of poor build quality.

Part 12: Where to Buy, Warranty & Replacement Parts

Bestway typically backs the SaluSpa Miami with a limited warranty covering manufacturing defects in the pump for a set period after purchase, with the vinyl liner itself generally covered against manufacturing defects (not accidental damage) for a shorter window. Retaining your receipt and registering the product with Bestway support after purchase is worth the five minutes it takes, since it’s the fastest path to a replacement part if something fails early. Replacement filters, cover clips, drain valve o-rings, and even full replacement liners are all available directly through Bestway’s parts program or through third-party retailers, so a single failed component doesn’t mean replacing the entire spa.

Part 13: Placement Considerations – Deck, Grass, or Concrete?

We touched on the 1,534-pound filled weight of the Miami in the FAQ below, but placement deserves a fuller discussion. A level, flat, hard surface is non-negotiable — concrete patios and reinforced decks are ideal. If you’re placing the Miami directly on grass or soil, use a ground tarp or foam base pad both to protect the liner from sharp debris and to create a more level surface than natural ground typically provides. For elevated decks, confirm your structure’s point-load and distributed-load capacity with a contractor or structural engineer before setup, since a concentrated 1,500+ pound load in a roughly six-foot circle is a meaningfully different stress profile than evenly distributed patio furniture. It’s also worth checking with your local municipality or HOA — some jurisdictions classify spas over a certain water volume as requiring a permit or specific setback distance from property lines, even for temporary, above-ground inflatable units.