Timber IN vs Gardenvity: A Comprehensive Comparison of Premium Wood-Fired Hot Tubs

What are Timber IN hot tubs?

Founded in 2009 in Kaunas, Lithuania by Dr. Albertas Klovas.
‍Business Model: A direct-to-consumer manufacturer. They design and build the units in Lithuania and ship them across Europe without third-party retailers.

TimberIN sells to approximately 18 to 20 countries, primarily across Europe.

While Timber IN offers a wide variety of hot tubs, their website navigation is a hurdle.

The categories mix internal/external/gas/electric heaters and insert types indiscriminately, making it difficult for first-time buyers to differentiate between models without a filtering system.

• Wood Fired Hot Tubs

While the 'Woodfired Hot Tub' category clearly defines the heating method, the user experience quickly becomes cluttered.

At a glance, the catalog mixes fundamental structural differences—such as polypropylene liners versus all-wooden builds—with varying sizes and burner locations.

Without an immediate filter for tub material or seating capacity, a first-time buyer is forced to click through every individual listing just to understand the basic specs.

• Inconsistent Labeling: Some tags highlight price ("Spruce basic cheap"), while others highlight material ("Polypropylene") or installation ("Sunken!"). This makes it hard for a buyer to compare.

• Visual Overload: The images show different configurations (with and without inserts), but these aren't categorized anywhere on the page, leading to a 'wall of products' effect.

• Missing Specs: Crucial info like "seating capacity" is only mentioned on a few tags (e.g., "2 Person Model"), leaving the user to guess for the others until they click.

What are the differences between models?

Round

In this post we will compare wood-fired hot tubs with inserts

TimberIN Nordic Core™

TimberIN Nordic™ External Comfort

Seating

Panel 190: 180 cm inner diameter – 4–6 people
‍200 cm inner diameter – 6–8 people

Heating

Panel 190: Internal wood-burning stove (approx. 2–3 hours)

Panel 220: External wood-fired stove

Insert

Panel 190: Fiberglass

Exterior

Panel 190: Spruce, Larch, Thermowood, or Oak

Price

Panel 190: starting at £3,289

Panel 220: starting at £3,300

TimberIN’s catalog is a mess of duplicate listings that makes shopping way harder than it needs to be. Take a look at the Nordic Core and the External Comfort models:

- Identical Specs: Both tubs have the same 180–200 cm diameter, the same fiberglass insert, and the same wood options (Spruce, Larch, Oak).
- The £11 Difference: The only real change is the heater position, with a price gap of just £11 (£3,289 vs £3,300).
- Wasted Clicks: Instead of one clean product page with an "Internal/External" toggle, you’re forced to jump back and forth between different pages just to compare them.

It feels like the site is designed to pad the catalog rather than help the user. If I’m about to drop over £3,000 on a hot tub, I shouldn't have to do detective work just to figure out why two "different" products are actually the same thing.

Square

Let's find out about the differences between the square hot tubs.

One of it is called 'Elite', so what is elite about it?

TimberIN Nordic Elite™ Square

TimberIN Nordic Square™

Seating

Regal 190:up to 8 adults

8-16 people allegedly

Heating

Regal 190:Hybrid (Electric+Wood-fired)
Integrated wood-fired 316 AISI

Regal 220:Configurable:
- Electric
- External wood-fired
- Hybrid (wood-fired + electric)
- Submerged integrated

Insert

Regal 190:

Regal 190:Fiberglass

Exterior

Regal 190:Spruce, Larch, Oak, or stable, heat-treated ThermoWood

Regal 220Thermowood or spruce cladding

Price

Panel 190:
starting at  £4,290

Panel 220:
*starting at £2,862

Found some more info on TimberIN Nordic Square™ in their catalog, there is no information about the Elite model. [Catalog]

The TimberIN Nordic Square™ starts at a much lower price point for one simple reason: it’s more configurable. It doesn't force you into a "luxury" package from day one.

But here’s the kicker: the moment you add that integrated heater, you're suddenly looking at a £4,169 bill. So, what makes the "Elite" version different enough to justify the jump?

Honestly, if you’re looking at the tech, it’s a bit of a mystery. The design is a touch more "architectural" with rounded edges and those steel bands for flair.

But when you get down to the actual features? It’s basically a mirror image. The massage systems, the LED lighting, and the WiFi gadgets are identical. It feels like you’re essentially paying a premium for aesthetics. If you’re a "features-first" person, you’re getting the exact same soak for a lot less of a headache.

Catalog or Product pages

A lot of useful information can only be found in the catalog, is that a Pro or a Con, you decide.

Gardenvity’s approach to premium wood-fired hot tubs in the UK

Gardenvity distinguishes itself by focusing on practical luxury over traditional brand storytelling, offering high-end hot tubs that prioritize ease of use and high-value upgrades.

Their models are centered on providing a comprehensive home spa environment, specifically emphasizing high-performance air and hydro massage systems.

The brand's design philosophy merges Nordic aesthetics with functional features tailored for British gardens and the UK climate.

Moving away from generic imported units, Gardenvity develops its products with the long-term owner in mind—ensuring robust durability, rapid heating, and a transparent purchasing process.

The UK climate is demanding—rain, wind, frost, and constant humidity can quickly expose weaknesses in materials and construction. Gardenvity addresses this by using:

• A great filtering system: Every filtering system option includes the sand filter,  matching wooden filter box (square or round), that helps to protect the filter system from the UK weather. Most include a UV-C lamp or offers it as an upgrade.

• Premium Sand Filter: An Ultimate Three Step Filtration System.
  Components include: the sand filter, UV-C lamp, 3kW Heater, Prefilter and a Control Center. [Premium Sand Filter]

Component Overview

• Sand filter
  

• Blue Lagoon UV-C lamp
  

• 3 kW Electric Heater, 220 V (Premium feature)
  Prevents the hot tub from freezing even in lower temperatures.
  

• Prefilter (Premium feature)
  The prefilter catches debris before it even reaches the main filter.
  

• Independent controls (Premium feature)
  Ensures convenient, customized operation while extending the lifespan of the UV-C lamp.
  

More about the filter [Premium Sand Filter]

Massage systems

They also offer almost fully customizable Air and Hydro massage systems. [Fully Customizable Massage Experience]

- Seat-by-Seat Customization: Owners can configure individual massage seats, choosing the exact placement and number of jets required for their needs.
- High-Capacity Nozzles: Systems support up to 28 hydro massage nozzles and 12 air massage nozzles for a thorough therapeutic effect.
- Zone Control: The tubs feature independent hydro zones and adjustable flow settings, allowing for a personalized massage intensity across different areas of the tub.

They offer seperate Hydro Zones and Flow Adjustment [Hydro massage]

Why the Market Loves Them

Gardenvity has established a strong standing in a competitive market by catering to those who desire a high-end wood-fired experience paired with a secure and uncomplicated purchasing journey.

Customers consistently highlight several key advantages that set these tubs apart:

• Contemporary Aesthetic: The minimalist design is crafted to complement both classic and modern UK garden layouts without the bulky, synthetic appearance of traditional plastic spas.

• Material Integrity: Every tub utilizes practical, high-quality build materials, including durable inserts, insulation, and ThermoWood cladding.

• Prioritizing Essentials: The brand avoids forced "high-tech" gimmicks, allowing buyers to keep their setup simple or add specific upgrades like jets, lighting, and filtration based on their own needs.
  

• Purchase Transparency: The buying process is designed for clarity, featuring VAT-inclusive pricing, explicit delivery information, and a seamless overall purchase flow.

• Educational Resources: Owners benefit from a wealth of useful content, including blogs and guides dedicated to the long-term maintenance and care of their hot tub. [Guides & Resources]

Customers can order fully pre-configured models or use the online configurator to customize layouts, jets, lighting, and accessories.

Whether you have a compact urban garden or a sprawling country estate, there are options to match your space and usage habits.

Design & build

When comparing Timber IN wood-fired tub design with Gardenvity’s approach, you’ll notice similarities and important differences in how products are optimised. Both traditions value natural materials and clean aesthetics.

Square Wood-Fired Hot Tub for 4–6 people

Round Wood-Fired Hot Tub for 4–6 people

Also you can get a 1-2 person Ofuro shape, or an easy-entry hot tub.

Configure Ofuro Wood Fired Hot Tub | Integrated Heater

Easy-Entry Wood-Fired Hot Tub for 4-6 | Configure Yourself

Low-Profile Access for Effortless Entry

With its low height of just 72 cm, this hot tub offers remarkably easy entry and exit — especially compared to the ~1 m walls of traditional tubs.

The flat-bottom design ensures stability and comfort every time you step in or out.

Child-Safe & Family-Friendly Height

The lowered walls make this hot tub safer and more accessible for the whole family, including children and those with mobility challenges.

Forget the struggle of climbing over high sides — simply step in, relax, and enjoy.

Parents can rest easy knowing that the reduced height helps prevent slips or falls while making it easier to assist younger family members.

It’s a thoughtful design made for both comfort and peace of mind.

Brand Offered Features

Timber IN

Gardenvity

Insert options

Timber In:Fiberglass, PP
4 colors and RAL pick

Gardenvity:Fiberglass, Acrylic
8 Fiberglass colors, 5 Acrylic

Cladding and exterior finish

Timber In:Wood, Thermowood
5 types available.

Gardenvity:Thermowood
3 colors available.

Heaters

Timber In:- Electric
- External wood-fired
- Hybrid (wood-fired + electric)
- Submerged integrated

Gardenvity:*Integrated: Standart, Verta™, Horizon™
*External: Octa

*All Gardenvity heaters have options for 2 types of stainless steel and heat output ranging from 20kW to 39kW.

Filter

Timber In:Sand-filter with the filter box available

Gardenvity:Sand filter, filter box, UV-C. Upgrade available. [Premium Sand Filter]

Massage options

Timber In:Hydro: up to 6 jets
Air: up to 12 jets

Gardenvity:Hydro: up to 28 jets
Air: up to 12 jets