Hot tub or garden bathtub? Which suits you better?
Do you dream of bathing outdoors – with a crackling fire, warm water, in the middle of nature? Then sooner or later you’ll probably be faced with a question: hot tub or garden bathtub – which is better for you?
Both variants have their charm. Both bring fire and water into your garden. But they differ significantly: in form, function, size, heating time, water consumption – and in the attitude to life they convey.
Here you can find out what the differences really are – and which variant suits your everyday life, your character and your personal style better.
The hot tub: round, sociable, original
The hot tub is the classic outdoor bathing shape. It is always round – this is no coincidence, but tradition. The round shape invites you to get together: People sit opposite each other, talk, keep quiet, laugh, enjoy. The whole thing is a little reminiscent of a campfire in the water – pure community.
A hot tub is available in various sizes – heated with an indoor heater or an outdoor heater, depending on the model and preference.
Typical features:
- Space for 4 to 10 people
- Water tank from 1,000 to 2,000 liters
- Heating times between 2.5 and 5 hours
- Needs a stable foundation
- Higher wood consumption due to the large amount of water
The firewater hot tub, for example, offers space for up to six people on three double benches made of solid pine wood. Outside with rustic wood cladding, inside with high-quality inner tray made of V4A stainless steel.
A hot tub is perfect for sociable people who like to bathe with family, friends or guests – it takes more time, a larger outdoor space and more wood for heating.
The garden bathtub: elongated, reduced, efficient
The garden bathtub is the compact counterpart to the round hot tub. It has an elongated design – like a classic house bathtub – and is usually intended for one or two people. Ideal for those who prefer to bathe alone or as a couple, use less water and want to get into the bath spontaneously.
Typical features:
- For 1-2 persons
- Filling capacity mostly under 400 liters
- Heating time between 45 and 90 minutes
- Low wood requirement
- Flexible placement, often portable in pairs
- Requires little space, also fits on smaller terraces or in narrow gardens
For example, there is room for two people in the firewater tub. Even tall people weighing up to 105 kg can bathe in it. You sit directly on the warm stainless steel floor, leaning against the wooden backrests, your legs stretched out long – minimalist, honest, powerful.
The garden bathtub is suitable for all freedom lovers who don’t want long preparations and want to save resources.
A direct comparison between a hot tub and a garden bathtub:
Feature | Hot tub | Garden bathtub |
Shape | Round | Elongated |
Persons | 4-10 | 1-2 |
Water requirement | High (1,000-2,000 liters) | Low (250 to 400 liters) |
Heating time | Long (2.5-5 hours) | Short (45-90 minutes) |
Wood consumption | High | Low |
Space requirement | Large | Compact |
Mobility | Standing, fixed | Portable (depending on model) |
Mood | Sociable, rustic | Reduced, quiet |
Conclusion: What suits your wild life?
If you
- need the sociable pack,
- have plenty of space,
- bring patience and
- like to add wood to the fire.
→ Then the hot tub is your territory.
If you
- prefer to bathe alone or in pairs,
- love to be spontaneous,
- heats efficiently and
- celebrate reduction.
→ Then the garden bathtub suits you.
No matter what you choose:
You get fire back.
Into your life.
Freedom in your everyday life.
No frills. No plastic. No detours.
Own the wild.
About the author
Sophie Auer is the wife of Martin Auer, the founder of Feuerwasser. She has been with Feuerwasser since the early days. She loves the simple life in nature, bathing in the open air and the crackling of a real wood fire.
In her texts, she writes about natural self-care, real experiences without filters and the good life – away from the screen. As the provocative voice of the Own The Wild mission, she inspires people to get back in touch with themselves, with nature and with their own wildness.