Posted on September 10, 2026September 10, 2026 by Maree

Tickle Tub Econo Lite Hot Tub vs Original Tickle Tub Range

Tickle Tub Econo Lite vs Original Tickle Tub Range

Two options. One exceptional hot tub experience.

The Tickle Tub Econo Lite was designed to offer the same beautiful, durable marine-grade fibreglass hot tub experience at a more accessible price point, while the Original Tickle Tub range offers our full insulation, customisation and upgrade options.

🔥 The biggest difference: insulation

Original Tickle Tub Range
Our original models are constructed using double-layer marine-grade fibreglass with insulation between the two layers. This provides faster heating, better heat retention, less wood or gas required to heat and maintain temperature and greater overall heating efficiency. The Original Tickle Tub range starts at approximately 730 mm and extends up to 860 mm, depending on the model with many exciting upgrade options to choose from.

Econo Lite
The Econo Lite is constructed from single-layer marine-grade fibreglass, but we have increased the strength and thickness of the shell with a textured exterior finish. It takes slightly longer to heat, but we have found that it still retains heat exceptionally well.The Econo Lite stands at approximately 660 mm high, giving it a lower, more streamlined profile.
It does not include the built-in drinks tray and is designed as a simple, clean tub without the extensive upgrade options of the Original range.

💧 Same water capacity

One important point: the internal bathing area and water capacity are identical across our range. All Tickle Tubs require a minimum filling volume of approximately 450 litres to operate correctly, so choosing an Econo Lite does not mean sacrificing bathing space.

🛠️ Customisation & upgrades

The Original Tickle Tub range offers virtually unlimited ways to customise your tub, including:
Gas conversions • Chimneys • Drip trays • Covers • Steps • Trays • Accessories • and more.

Available in 300+ colours, including 6 granite finishes and a variety of authentic wood-look finishes.

The Econo Lite is intentionally kept simple, with only a chimney, driptray and canvas cover available as an optional upgrade. It is NOT compatible with the other accesories in the Tickle Tub Range. However, its lower profile makes it particularly versatile for creative installations. It can be dropped into a wooden deckor surrounded with virtually anything you choose—from timber to stone, rocks or your own custom-built surround.
Inner colour is available in endless colouroptions for the outside, but only 1 grey outer finish (with a textured speckle colour to match the inside.

So which one is right for you?

ECONO LITE
• Single-layer marine-grade fibreglass
• Thicker textured outer shell
• Approx. 660 mm high
• Slightly longer heating time, but excellent heat retention
• Same internal bathing space & capacity
• Minimum 450 L filling requirement
• Limited outer colour options
• Compatible canvas cover available
• Perfect for dropping into a deck or creating your own stone, rock or wooden surround

ORIGINAL TICKLE TUB RANGE
• Premier range – Double-layer marine-grade fibreglass
• Insulation between the two layers
• Faster heating & longer heat retention
• Uses less wood/gas to heat and maintain temperature
• Approx. 730–860 mm high depending on model
• 300+ colour options
• 6 granite finishes + wood-look finishes
• Built-in drinks tray
• Extensive upgrade options: gas conversion, chimneys, drip trays, covers, steps, trays & more

Choose the Econo Lite if:
You want the Tickle Tub experience at a more accessible price, prefer a clean and simple design, and want to create your own custom surround or deck installation.

Choose an Original Tickle Tub if:
You want maximum heating efficiency, superior heat retention, extensive colour choices and the ability to customise your tub with our full range of upgrades and accessories.

Same Tickle Tub quality. Same bathing capacity. Two different ways to enjoy it.

Give us a call today and we will help you select the right tub for your needs.

Posted on September 9, 2026 by Maree

Tickle Tub Voted the No. 1 Fire-Driven Hot Tub in South Africa

It Is No Wonder Tickle Tub Has Been Voted the No. 1 Fire-Driven Hot Tub in South Africa

It is no wonder that Tickle Tub has been voted the No. 1 fire-driven hot tub in South Africa, becoming a top-selling and leading hot tub export brand.

For over 13 years, Tickle Tub has been proudly manufactured in South Africa and has become the quality choice for private homes, lodges, hotels, guest farms, resorts and hundreds of commercial establishments, with more than 700 Tickle Tubs currently working in commercial operations.

Having produced an average of more than 500 tubs per year, our experience has been built through years of real-world use, customer feedback and continuous product development.

Today, Tickle Tub is available in Australia, Europe and the United Kingdom, with the USA coming soon.

Our success is built on one simple philosophy: listen to our customers, identify the problems and engineer better solutions.

Manufactured Without Compromise

Every Tickle Tub is manufactured using carefully selected, high-grade materials, including marine-grade fibreglass and Grade 304 stainless steel.

We don’t cut corners or use inferior materials where quality matters.

Our tubs are designed specifically for the demands of hot tub use, including environments where they are used frequently by multiple guests.

And there is no plastic plumbing hidden inside a Tickle Tub.

The Beauty of Wood Without the Maintenance

One of the biggest frustrations our commercial customers experienced with traditional wooden hot tubs was maintenance.

Wood requires ongoing sanding, sealing, varnishing and protection from the elements — and eventually, there is the risk of wood rot.

This led to the development of our Wood-look Fibreglass Artistry range.

Using carefully crafted fibreglass textures and finishes, we recreate the appearance and character of traditional timber, including the distinctive ridges of wood.

The result is a remarkably realistic wood-look tub with the practical advantages of fibreglass:

No wood rot. No sanding. No varnishing. Minimal maintenance.

Designed for Efficient Heating

We believe there is a sweet spot when it comes to hot tub size.

Our core range is designed around the traditional 3–4 person hot tub, providing enough space to enjoy the experience without requiring excessive amounts of water.

A smaller, efficiently designed tub means less water to heat and faster, more efficient heating.

Our fire-driven heating systems are positioned externally, keeping the bathing area clear while making the system easier to access, clean and maintain.

Selected configurations are also compatible with gas heating, giving customers flexibility in how they heat their tub.

Practical Features Come Standard

Years of customer feedback have helped us refine the details that make a Tickle Tub easy to own.

Depending on the model and configuration, features include:

In-line filtration and sieve
Convenient shut-off valve
Drainage positioned at the lowest point for easier emptying
Garden-hose connection for easy filling – and emptying
External heating mechanism – No accidental burns !
Non-slip internal surface
Wood-fire and gas-compatible heating options
Natural water circulation without requiring a pump or electricity
Pump and filter compatible

Every feature has a purpose: to make the tub easier, safer and more convenient to use.

More Than Six Models — Designed to Your Style

Our range has grown from a simple hot tub concept into a selection of more than six models, offering everything from an economical entry-level tub ECO LITE to premium Fibreglass Artistry designs and LED-lit statement tubs.

With extensive colour and finish options, your Tickle Tub can be customised to complement almost any outdoor environment.

Whether it’s for a family home, a luxury lodge, a glamping destination or a busy commercial property, there is a Tickle Tub designed for the application.

Proudly South African

Tickle Tub has spent 13 years developing, manufacturing and refining fire-driven hot tubs right here in South Africa.

With more than 700 commercial tubs currently active and an average production history of over 500 tubs per year, our products have been proven in some of the most demanding real-world environments.

That experience is now taking Tickle Tub around the world.

From South Africa to Australia, Europe and the UK — and soon the USA, we are proud to see a South African-made product being enjoyed internationally.

Why Tickle Tub?

Thirteen years of manufacturing and real-world customer feedback have shaped the Tickle Tub range into what it is today.

Premium materials.
Smart design.
Minimal maintenance.
Efficient fire-driven heating.
Exceptional customisation.

We didn’t simply set out to make another hot tub.

We identified the problems with traditional designs — and built solutions into ours.

Tickle Tub

South Africa’s No. 1 fire-driven hot tub.

Proudly manufactured in South Africa.
More than 700 commercial tubs currently working.
Over 500 tubs produced per year on average.
Available in Australia, Europe and the UK.
Coming soon to the USA.

Beautiful by design. Built for real life.

Posted on April 10, 2025April 10, 2025 by Maree

Before you invest in a Hot Tub or Spa, READ THIS…

The Lowdown on purchasing a Hot Tub: Don’t get sunk by the, Buy Cheap, Buy Twice, trap.

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten” – Benjamin Franklin’s words still sting today, especially when it comes to hot tubs.

With a decade of experience in the manufacturing industry, we’ve seen our fair share of subpar products flooding the market. Some new manufacturers entering the industry try to cut corners, asking us for advice, asking to ‘collaborate’, stealing with their eyes and eventually churning out cheap alternatives that barely last a season. We’ve worked with clients who’ve been burned by these inferior products, and we’ve learned what works and what doesn’t, one replacement after the other.

Enjoy the read and remember … buy clever and buy only once…

Our Take on What Matters …

After years of modifying clients existing tubs and replacing broken, warped, and rotten ones, we’ve formed strong opinions on what makes a hot tub truly great. Often, the price difference between a quality product and a cheap one is minimal.

So, what sets us apart?

– NO TO PLASTIC: We ditch the cheaper plastic inner tub alternatives that warp, fragment, or crack after a few months. A fibreglass tub is the way to go, outliving its owner and perfect for high commercial usage. We have experienced enough frustrated clients replacing their cheaper tubs after a year with quality that will last. Let’s face it, plastic is made for water tanks, not hot tubs.

– DOUBLE WALLED & INSULATED: Our tubs are built to last, with double-walled insulation that cuts heating time and saves on wood or gas. Single-walled plastic and metal tubs just can’t compete as the heat simply dissapates without insulation.

Rotten Wooden Hot Tub

– NO WOOD ROT: Save the trees, our Woody Tickle Tubs are crafted from pure fibreglass artistry, looking and feeling like wood without the hassle. No wood rot, no sanding, no varnishing required.

– SAY NO TO INTERNAL HEATERS: We say no to internal water heaters that pose a burn risk, especially for your hospitality clients, your family and especially the kids. (And boy, do we have the pictures to prove it !) Your safety is paramount! After replacing 16 tubs for a single lodge due to repeat burn wounds from their guests, it is safe to say, the external fire coil is the only way to go. Lastly, these internal snorkel water heaters do not create any form of hot water circulation, often heating the water directly in contact with the unit creating extreme hot and cold spots.

Fore arm Burn Wound from Internal Water Heater Snorkel

– EASE OF CLEANING : We’ve seen our fair share of gross internal ‘snorkel’ heaters clogged with scum and debris. Our design prioritizes cleanliness, making it easier to maintain your tub. No more complaints from guests about debris floating in the newly replaced water. On a side note, remove that internal water heater… and clean behind it … THAT is where the debris are coming from. The external fire coil is the hygienic way to go.

– LOADSHEDDING FRIENDLY: Go completely off the grid if you want to with a fire driven coil that can heat your hot tub with wood or gas. No more costly electric bills, constant pumps running and hey… electricity shortage is a thing in South Africa !

I want a Hot Tub so what now? …The Bottom Line

Don’t get sucked in by cheap prices and inferior products. Invest in a quality hot tub that will stand the test of time, developed by professionals with over a decade of experience in the industry, and over 30 years experience in the fibreglass industry. With a small price difference, you can land a product that will provide years of relaxation and enjoyment. Choose wisely and you will be soaking in bliss for years to come.