Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber: Should You Buy One, or Use One at a Spa?
Written by Becky Lumsden, founder of PURE Spa & Beauty · Updated July 2026
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has gone from elite-athlete secret to something people want in their weekly routine — which is why more of us are asking the same question: is it worth buying a chamber for home, or is it smarter to just use one at a spa? Here's an honest look at the costs and trade-offs, so you can decide what actually fits your life.
The short version: a home hyperbaric oxygen chamber costs around £18,000 to buy, while a session at a PURE spa starts at £45 for 30 minutes (or from about £23 a session on a pass). Buying makes sense if you'll use it very regularly and have the space to keep it. For most people, pay-as-you-go or a course at a spa is far better value — and you can try it first.
First, what is HBOT — in plain terms?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) simply means resting inside a chamber that's pressurised a little above normal atmospheric pressure, while you breathe air that's 90–95% oxygen. It's calm and undramatic — most people read a book or magazine, or just switch off. People use it for recovery, energy and relaxation, and research is continuing to explore its role in general wellbeing. At PURE, sessions run 30, 60 or 90 minutes. If you're new to it, our hyperbaric oxygen therapy guide covers how it works, pricing and where to book.
Buy vs use at a spa — the honest comparison
| Buy your own chamber | Use one at a PURE spa | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Around £18,000, delivered and installed | £0 — you pay per session or per course |
| Cost per use | Effectively "free" once bought, plus running & upkeep | From £45 (30 min) one-off, or from ~£23 a session on a 30-session pass |
| Space needed | A dedicated spot at home — chambers are large | None — the spa provides everything |
| Upkeep | Yours to maintain, clean and run | Maintained and supervised by the spa team |
| Best for | Frequent, long-term users with the space and budget | Most people — flexible, no commitment, try before you buy |
The maths is really about frequency. A £18,000 chamber only starts to look cheaper than the spa if you're using it several times a week, for years — and you're happy to house and maintain it. If you're not yet sure how often you'd genuinely use one, that's a strong sign to start at a spa.
The case for using one at a spa
No upfront cost · no commitment
Pay only for what you use
Start with a single session and see how you feel. If you want to go regularly, a course or an Access Pass brings the per-session price right down — from about £23 a session — without a five-figure outlay or a chamber taking over a room at home.
See HBOT sessions & passes →There's also a practical point people forget: at a spa, the chamber is set up, cleaned and supervised for you every time. You turn up, relax, and leave. If you'd value HBOT as part of a wider wellness routine, an HBOT Access Pass (5, 10 or 30 sessions) is usually the sweet spot between cost and flexibility.
The case for buying your own
For frequent, long-term users
A chamber at home
If you already know HBOT is part of your routine and you'll use it several times a week, having your own chamber is convenient — no travel, no booking, use it whenever suits. It's a significant investment and it needs dedicated space, but for committed regular users the per-use cost falls over time. PURE supplies chambers delivered and installed across the UK.
See at-home chambers →Our honest recommendation
Try before you buy. Book a handful of sessions at a spa first — it's the only real way to learn how often you'd genuinely use HBOT. If it turns out you're going three or four times a week and you've got the space, a home chamber can make sense. For almost everyone else, a course or Access Pass gives you the same experience, professionally maintained, for a fraction of the outlay.
Book an HBOT session from £45 →
Where to try HBOT near you
HBOT is available to book at four PURE spas across the UK — a good first step before deciding whether to buy your own:
| City | Spa |
|---|---|
| Edinburgh | Lothian Road |
| Glasgow | West Nile Street |
| Aberdeen | Union Square |
| Witney, Oxfordshire | Witney Lakes |
Hyperbaric oxygen chambers — your questions answered
How much does a hyperbaric oxygen chamber cost to buy?
A home hyperbaric oxygen chamber costs around £18,000 to buy outright, delivered and installed across the UK. The pay-as-you-go alternative starts at £45 for a 30-minute session at a PURE spa.
Is it cheaper to buy a chamber or use one at a spa?
It depends on frequency. A 30-minute spa session is £45 one-off, or from about £23 a session on a 30-session Access Pass. A home chamber is roughly £18,000 upfront plus running and upkeep, so it only works out cheaper if you use it very frequently over several years and have the space.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy?
HBOT means resting inside a chamber pressurised above normal atmospheric pressure while breathing 90–95% oxygen. People use it for recovery, energy and relaxation, and research is exploring its role in wellbeing. Sessions at PURE run 30, 60 or 90 minutes.
Do I need to try HBOT before buying a chamber?
It's the sensible approach. Booking a few sessions at one of PURE's four HBOT spas tells you how often you'd realistically use one — which is the single biggest factor in whether buying is worth it.
Read next: what happens in an HBOT session →, how many sessions people have →, or the full HBOT guide → and latest HBOT news & research →.
