Cart is empty When choosing a hot tub, seating is one of the most important features to consider. The layout affects how you relax, where you receive hydrotherapy, how easily people can talk to each other, and how many people can comfortably use the spa.
The two common options are lounger seats and bench-style or open seating. So, which is better?
A lounger is generally better for a reclined, full-body relaxation experience, while bench or open seating usually provides more flexibility for families, groups, and conversation. The best choice depends on how you expect to use your hot tub.
Before choosing a model, it is worth comparing the seating layout as carefully as the number of seats and jets.
What Is a Hot Tub Lounger?
A lounger is a molded seat that allows you to recline with your legs extended. It is similar to sitting in a reclining chair, with jets positioned to provide hydrotherapy across different parts of the body.
Many loungers include a footwell or foot dome, allowing your legs and feet to be positioned comfortably while you are reclined. Jacuzzi Canada describes lounge seats as designed for a reclined position and notes that their shape and depth can vary between brands and models.
Benefits of a Lounger
A lounger can be a good option if your priority is personal relaxation and a reclined position.
Potential advantages include:
- Reclined body positioning
- Extended leg support
- Jets positioned throughout the lounger
- A dedicated space for relaxation
- A different hydrotherapy experience from upright seats
For someone who expects to spend significant time relaxing rather than socializing, a lounger can be an attractive feature.
Things to Consider With a Lounger
A lounger also has trade-offs.
Because it takes up a larger portion of the seating area, a lounger can reduce the amount of upright seating available. It may also make face-to-face conversation less natural when several people are using the spa.
Another consideration is body position. Some people may find that they float upward in a lounger when the jets are operating. Jacuzzi recommends trying a spa before buying when possible because lounger angles and depths vary between models.
What Is Bench or Open Seating?
Bench-style or open seating generally provides more flexible upright seating around the hot tub. Rather than placing one person in a deeply molded reclining position, the design gives users more freedom to sit, move, and interact.
Open seating is particularly useful when a hot tub is going to be shared by several people. Jacuzzi notes that open-seat configurations can be well suited to entertaining because users can face one another more easily.
Benefits of Bench Seating
Bench or open seating can offer several practical advantages:
- Easier face-to-face conversation
- More flexible seating positions
- Better use of available space for groups
- Easier movement between seats
- More flexibility for families with different preferences
For households that regularly use the hot tub together, this flexibility can be more important than having a dedicated reclining seat.
Things to Consider With Bench Seating
Bench seating does not provide the same reclined experience as a dedicated lounger.
If your main priority is stretching out and having your legs elevated while receiving hydrotherapy, you may prefer a lounger.
However, many hot tubs combine upright seats with different jet configurations, so you do not necessarily have to choose between comfort and hydrotherapy.
Lounger vs. Bench Seat: Which Is Better?
There is no universal winner. The right seating style depends on how you plan to use the hot tub.
| Feature | Lounger | Bench/Open Seating |
|---|---|---|
| Reclined relaxation | Excellent | Limited |
| Leg support | Strong | More limited |
| Face-to-face conversation | Less convenient | Excellent |
| Group flexibility | Moderate | High |
| Personal hydrotherapy | Excellent | Varies by seat |
| Family use | Good | Often very flexible |
| Space efficiency | Uses more seating area | Generally more flexible |
The most important question is not simply “How many seats does the hot tub have?” Instead, ask whether those seats suit the people who will actually use the spa.
Which Seating Style Is Better for Calgary Families?
For many Calgary households, the decision comes down to lifestyle.
If the hot tub will primarily be used by one or two people for quiet relaxation, a lounger can be appealing. If several family members will use the spa at the same time, open or bench-style seating can provide greater flexibility.
Backyard Canada’s current Calgary hot tub selection demonstrates that seating layouts vary significantly between models. For example, the Maple Spas Mount Robson M-620 combines a lounger with captain chairs, while other models use multiple upright chairs.
This is why comparing the actual seating configuration of each model is more useful than choosing a spa based only on its advertised capacity.
Consider the Jets, Not Just the Seat Shape
A seat’s shape is only one part of the hydrotherapy experience.
Look at where the jets are positioned and what areas they are intended to target. Two seats may look similar but provide different jet configurations.
When comparing hot tubs, consider:
- Back jets
- Shoulder and neck jets
- Lower-back jets
- Leg jets
- Foot jets
- Jet intensity and adjustability
- The number and type of jets assigned to each seat
Backyard Canada’s Be Well Canada Spas collection features ergonomically designed seating and different jet configurations across seats, allowing buyers to compare the massage experience as well as the physical seating layout.
Why You Should Try the Seating Before You Buy
Photos and specifications can help narrow down your options, but they cannot completely tell you whether a seat will feel comfortable.
This is especially important with loungers. Your height, body shape, and preferred seating position can affect how a particular lounger feels.
If possible, visit a showroom and sit in the models you are considering. Backyard Canada states that its Calgary showroom allows customers to sit in and compare hot tub models before buying.
Pay attention to:
- Whether your feet comfortably reach the footwell
- Whether your shoulders rest naturally against the back
- Whether the seat feels too deep or shallow
- Whether the lounger holds your body comfortably
- Whether you can easily get in and out
- Whether you can comfortably talk with other people
What About a Hot Tub With Both?
You do not necessarily have to choose an all-lounger or all-bench design.
Many hot tubs combine different seating types. A model may include one lounger alongside captain-style or upright seats, giving users several ways to enjoy the spa.
This hybrid layout can be useful when members of the household have different preferences.
For example, one person may prefer the reclined position of a lounger while others prefer upright seating for conversation. A mixed layout can accommodate both preferences within the same hot tub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hot tub loungers more comfortable than bench seats?
Comfort is subjective. A lounger provides a reclined position and leg support, while bench seating provides a more upright and flexible position. The best choice depends on your body size, preferred position, and how you use the hot tub.
Do loungers reduce the number of people a hot tub can seat?
A lounger occupies space that could otherwise be used for upright seating. Therefore, two hot tubs with similar dimensions may have different practical seating arrangements depending on their layouts.
Are bench seats better for families?
Bench or open seating can be very practical for families because it provides flexible upright seating and makes conversation easier. However, the best configuration depends on the number of users and their individual preferences.
Can you float out of a hot tub lounger?
Some people may find themselves moving upward in certain loungers when the jets are operating. Lounger depth and angle vary between models, which is why trying the seat before purchasing can be helpful.
Should I choose a lounger or bench seating?
Choose a lounger if your priority is reclined relaxation and full-body hydrotherapy. Choose bench or open seating if you prioritize flexibility, conversation, and group use. A combination of both can provide a useful middle ground.
Find the Right Hot Tub Seating Style
The best hot tub seating style is the one that matches how you will actually use your spa. Loungers offer a dedicated reclined experience, while bench and open seating provide flexibility for families and social use.
Before making a decision, compare the seat layout, jet placement, dimensions, and comfort of the actual models you are considering.
Explore hot tubs Calgary products from Backyard Canada to compare available models and seating configurations. You can also explore Backyard Canada’s Be Well Canada Spas collection for additional seating and hydrotherapy options.
Ready to find the right seating configuration for your backyard? Visit Backyard Canada and explore your hot tub options in Calgary.
