The right hot tub cover lifter comes down to one number: how much clear space you have behind the spa. A lifter that needs 32 in will not work against a fence 12 in away, and a lifter that hugs the cabinet may block the view you bought the spa for. This guide sorts top mount, bottom mount, cradle, basket and roller lifters by clearance, spa shape and setting.
Still deciding on the cover itself? Our hot tub cover replacement guide covers measuring, taper and foam.
Do I need a cover lifter?
A folding hard cover gets heavier as it gets thicker. Without a lifter, you drag it off and lean it against something, which is hard on the skirt, the foam core and your back. A lifter lets you fold the cover and push it back on a hinged frame, off the ground.
You can skip a lifter if you have a small, light cover and two people every time, or if you use a rolling spa cover instead of a folding hard cover. If you open a large folding cover alone, a lifter is worth it.
Hot tub cover lifter types compared
All five lifters we carry are made by Canadian Spa Company. Here is what each listing says about clearance and fit.
| Lifter | How it mounts | Clearance behind spa (per listing) | Listed fit | Lift assist |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Mount Cover Lifter | Brackets mount directly to the spa | 10 in (the listing also says 10 to 12 in) | Spas up to 96 in wide, corner radius up to 12 in | Not listed |
| Bottom Mount Cover Lifter | Low on the spa, no large mounting plates | “Moderate” (no figure listed, call to confirm) | Not listed | Not listed |
| Cradle Mount Cover Lifter | Base plate nests under the tub, no cabinet mounting | 26 in | Any portable spa shape; not recommended for covers over 5 ft in length | Gas assisted spring |
| Basket Cover Lifter | Top of the spa cabinet | 32 in | Square or rectangular spas up to 96 in wide; extra wide basket for swim spa covers | Dual gas assisted springs |
| Roller Cover Lifter | Side or back | 42 to 48 in | Square or rectangle acrylic spas and swim spas | Manual |
Top mount vs bottom mount cover lifter
A top mount lifter bolts high on the cabinet and stands the open cover upright behind the spa. That is why it needs the least room: our Top Mount listing calls for 10 in behind the spa and lists “minimum clearance required” and “maximum privacy.” The upright cover doubles as a privacy screen, but it blocks the view behind you.
A bottom mount lifter sits lower, so the open cover rests lower and the view stays more open. Canadian Spa Company describes its Bottom Mount as “the perfect choice where all views from the tub are worth seeing.” Its listing says “moderate clearance required” without a number, and the maker’s page gives none either, so call us before ordering if your spa sits close to a wall.
Leisure Concepts lists its CoverMate I at 10 to 15 in of clearance behind the spa, and its lower-resting CoverMate II at 18 in. Cover Valet’s comparison chart lists 6 to 8 in for its gas shock mounted models and 18 to 36 in for its undermount models.
Cradle mount: no drilling, any shape
The Cradle Mount’s base plate slides under the tub, so nothing screws into the cabinet. The listing says it works on any portable spa shape and needs 26 in behind the spa. It also says it is not recommended for covers over 5 ft in length. Many covers are much longer than that (our Toronto/Edmonton cover is listed at 84 x 84 in), so call to confirm fit for your cover. The plate sits under the tub, so the base needs to be flat and solid; see our hot tub foundation guide.
Basket and roller lifters for big covers and swim spas
The Basket lifter’s wide frame is built to carry swim spa covers, with two gas springs doing most of the work. It needs 32 in. The Roller lifter is manual, mounts on the side or back, and needs the most room at 42 to 48 in, but its listing rates the view as “great” and says it folds when not in use. Both are listed for square or rectangular spas.
Cover lifter clearance: how to measure your space
- Pick the hinge side. Choose the side with the most open space, usually the back.
- Measure from the cabinet to the nearest obstacle on that side: wall, fence, railing, deck edge or gazebo post.
- Check side clearance too. Leisure Concepts lists 5 in on each side for its CoverMate models, and Cover Valet lists 2.5 to 4 in for its mounted models.
- Look up. On upright styles the open cover stands above the spa. Our rough estimate: a folded cover stands about half its length above the lip, so roughly 42 in for an 84 in cover. Check that against a gazebo roof or low eave.
- Check the corner radius. Our Top Mount listing allows up to a 12 in corner radius. Leisure Concepts sells extended brackets for larger radii.
If you are still planning placement, our guide to hot tub sizes covers footprint and access space around the tub.
Best hot tub cover lifter for your setup
- Spa against a wall or fence (10 to 25 in of room): Top Mount.
- Open yard, view matters: Bottom Mount (call to confirm clearance) or Roller if you have 42 in or more.
- Round, odd-shaped or rotomolded spa, or no drilling: Cradle Mount, if your cover length fits its limit.
- Swim spa or very wide rectangular cover: Basket (32 in) or Roller (42 to 48 in).
- Under a gazebo or low roof: measure overhead height first. A lower-resting style or a rolling cover may fit where an upright one hits the roof.
- No room behind the spa at all: consider a Rolling Spa Cover for 84 in spas. Its listing says one person can unroll it in under 60 seconds, in either direction.
Safety: a lifter does not lock the spa
A cover lifter makes the cover easier to open, including for children. Close the cover fully after every soak and fasten the locking straps. Our OEM Spa Cover for the Toronto/Edmonton, for example, lists eight locking straps with keys “for added child protection.” Do not leave the cover parked on the lifter when nobody is in the water. Safety covers for pools and spas are governed by ASTM F1346, “Standard Performance Specification for Safety Covers and Labeling Requirements for All Covers for Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs.” If a safety rating matters to you, ask the cover maker whether a specific cover is certified to it. Follow the lifter’s installation instructions.
Price check and ordering
Canadian Spa Company sells the Top Mount Cover Lifter direct on its US site for $240; we list it at $299.99. When we checked, its US site did not list the other four lifters. If you are also buying a cover or spa, freight shipping is free on orders of $999 or more, with a $200 flat rate below that. Call 866-777-2590 (Mon to Fri, 9AM to 6PM PST) to check clearance or fit, and read our return and refund policy before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
How much clearance does a hot tub cover lifter need?
It depends on the type. Our listings range from 10 in (Top Mount) to 26 in (Cradle), 32 in (Basket) and 42 to 48 in (Roller). Other makers list as little as 6 in for some gas shock models.
Which is better, top mount or bottom mount?
Top mount needs less room and gives more privacy. Bottom mount keeps the view more open; its clearance is not listed, so call to confirm.
Can I put a cover lifter on a round hot tub?
Yes, with an under-spa design. Our Cradle Mount listing says it works on any portable spa shape. Leisure Concepts makes the CoverMate Freestyle for round spas.
