Choosing a hot tub cover

Posted by Laura Onder de Linden

8 September 2026

On 2 December 2023

When you’re planning your hot tub, you compare sizes, heating methods, hydrotherapy jets, and additional accessories. One of these accessories that is often overlooked is a hot tub cover, while it actually plays an important role in the performance, comfort, and safety of your hot tub.

It helps retain heat, protects the water, improves safety, and can even influence how often you use your hot tub throughout the year.

The problem with traditional wooden covers

A wooden tub and a wooden cover: visually, it makes sense. The natural wood creates a traditional appearance and complements the craftsmanship of the tub itself. However, wooden covers come with practical drawbacks.

Wood is extremely heavy, especially once it has absorbed moisture from rain, snow, or humidity. Opening and closing the cover becomes difficult over time, especially when you don’t have an extra set of hands to help. Wooden covers also provide little insulation compared to modern covers, which allows more heat to escape through the top of your tub.

Why insulation is so important

Most of the warmth of your tub rises. This means the largest source of heat loss in a hot tub is often the surface of the water. A well-insulated cover helps retain that heat, which reduces your energy consumption and helps maintain your ideal water temperature between uses.

This becomes especially important when you consider how differently our customers use their hot tubs around the world. Some enjoy their cedar hot tub in mild climates, while others install them in colder regions where temperatures can drop to -20°C or lower. In these cases, customers want to be able to enjoy a warm soak after a long day on the slopes in freezing temperatures. A good cover helps maintain the water temperature and minimise heat loss, regardless of the climate.

What makes a high-quality hot tub cover?

Not all hot tub covers are built the same. At Northern Lights, our covers are designed to combine insulation, durability, safety, and ease of use. Inside the cover, a highly insulated EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) core helps reduce heat loss, while a double-layer construction and integrated moisture barrier protect the insulation from humidity and weather exposure. This helps the cover maintain its effectiveness over time, even in colder climates.

Designed for year-round outdoor use

A hot tub cover spends its entire life outdoors. Rain, snow, sun, frost, and changing temperatures all place demands on the materials. For this reason, our covers feature a marine-grade outer skin designed to withstand exposure to the elements. The material is durable, easy to maintain, and available in three natural colours that complement the appearance of a cedar hot tub: Chestnut Brown, Forest Green, and Anthracite Black.

The result is a cover that performs well in all seasons while maintaining a clean and attractive appearance.

Easy to lift and use

One of the most overlooked aspects of a hot tub cover is how often you need to handle it. A cover that is difficult to remove can become a frustration over time. The easier it is to open your hot tub, the more likely you are to use it. Our covers are lightweight and fold neatly in half, making them easy for one person to open and close. This also allows for easy access without needing to remove it completely. An aluminium centre reinforcement provides structural strength without adding unnecessary weight. Unlike steel, aluminium offers excellent durability while keeping the cover easier to handle. This combination of strength and convenience makes everyday use far more enjoyable.

Extra safety

Aside from heat retention, covers are very important for safety, especially with children and pets. Our covers include locking safety straps that help secure the cover when the hot tub is not in use. These locks provide additional peace of mind and help keep the cover securely in place during windy conditions. The covers are also engineered with a static load resistance of up to 200 kg. This means they can withstand significant weight without collapsing, providing an additional level of safety around the hot tub.

More than just a cover

You might think of a hot tub cover as a simple accessory, but it is really one of the most important components of the entire hot tub experience. The right cover helps reduce heat loss, improve energy efficiency, simplify daily use, and enhance safety. It protects your investment while helping you enjoy your hot tub more comfortably throughout the year.

When configuring your cedar hot tub, choosing a high-quality insulated cover is one of the most valuable upgrades you can make. You can choose our R21 version, and add the R24 upgrade if you live in an extremer climate like the Alps.