Choosing a hot tub brand can be difficult, especially since most people have very little knowledge about the hot tub category. Here are a few things to consider as you try to answer the question “What is the best hot tub brand for me?”
Should I Buy a Hot Tub Online or In-store?
One of the questions many hot tub shoppers have is, who is going to answer any questions I have about my new hot tub, or help me if I run into any issues? If this question has crossed your mind, then you should select a brand that is sold through a local hot tub dealer. An experienced and knowledgeable hot tub dealer can ensure that you know everything you need to know before selecting and purchasing a hot tub. They will take care of delivery and installation, and teach you about water care and maintenance. With their guidance you will have an excellent hot tub ownership experience and get the most value from your hot tub.
HOT TUB REVIEWS FROM CUSTOMERS
There is nothing better than being able to read product reviews from real customers. Check on the hot tub manufacturer's website for star ratings, and be sure to read reviews on a model before you choose it. Often products will have a mix of positive and negative reviews. When this happens you also have a chance to see how the brand responds to customers when there is a problem. It may be better to choose a spa that has mixed reviews and a manufacturer that cares rather than one that has no reviews, since there is no way to know what those customers have actually experienced.
THIRD-PARTY SPA REVIEWS
There are a limited number of sources that provide unbiased third-party reviews of hot tub brands. SpaSearch.org is an independent organization that surveys retailers about the hot tub brands they sell, and awards deserving brands (those that deliver exceptional quality, innovative products, great value and customer care) with their trade-certified designation.
Consumers Digest evaluates the hot tub category every four years, and each year they designate a select number of brands and models as Consumers Digest best buys.
HOT TUB FORUMS
An often overlooked resource, there are a couple of online forums where hot tub professionals and hot tub enthusiasts come together to discuss various topics related to hot tubs. What's The Best Hot Tub is a site where shoppers, owners, and experts discuss brands, prices, and technical issues related to hot tubs. While there are personal biases that you should be careful of, you can get a good sense of a brand's reputation on a forum like this.
FOCUS ON FEATURES THAT MATTER
Think about what is most important to you when it comes to choosing a hot tub. Is the lowest price what you are after, or are you looking to invest in a product that will last you for ten years or more? Are you in an area where the winters are extreme? Then make sure energy efficiency is a part of your selection criteria. Do you have sensitive skin, or concerns about water maintenance? If so, find a brand that offers a more natural or more hands-free approach to water care. It is easy to get distracted by things like jet count, fancy lighting, and other bells and whistles. These features can enhance your experience, but only if they are on a quality hot tub.
BRAND REPUTATION
Lastly, choose a brand that has been around for a long time. While some hot tub manufacturers have been around for 40 years, many have not. You want your hot tub to last a long time, and you will expect that the brand you choose will be there to support you with parts and service for the life of your hot tub. It's important to choose a hot tub brand that will be there if you need it.
When shopping for a hot tub, you will find that many hot tub manufacturers offer a variety of water care options so that you can choose the system that fits your routine and budget. If you don't know much about hot tub water care, this aspect of hot tub ownership can start to feel overwhelming. It's actually much simpler than you think. Let us break down the three main approaches to water care for you here.
Three Approaches to Hot Tub Water Care
TRADITIONAL SPA WATER CARE:
Traditional spa water care is the most manual approach, and also the least expensive.
Traditional care requires the spa owner to manually add an approved sanitizer to the spa once a week and before each use. We recommend purchasing these chemicals from an authorized hot tub dealer to ensure you are getting the highest quality products and are only using products that are approved for that spa. How much effort is required by the spa owner depends on how frequently the hot tub is used. With typical hot tub use, you should check the spa water with a test strip each time you use the spa. Your hot tub dealer can help you select the products you'll need to keep your spa water clean.
With traditional spa water care you will typically use one of two sanitizers - Chlorine or Bromine. These are the primary actors for killing bacteria and viruses as well as preventing algae growth. Chlorine levels should stay between 3 and 5 parts per million. DO NOT use tri-chlor chlorine, any type of compressed bromine or chlorine, acid or any type of sanitizer which is not recommended specifically for your spa.
OZONE WITH MPS AND SILVER IONS:
Ozone with MPS and Silver Ions is slightly more expensive than traditional water care. While still a fairly manual process, it requires a little less interaction from the spa owner than traditional water care. The main benefit is crystal clear spa water with very little chlorine needed.
Once considered a significant innovation, this approach has since become the industry standard for hot tub water care. This system combines powerful oxidizers - ozone and MPS - with silver ions to decrease the need for chlorine. Some hot tubs come with an ozone unit as a standard feature, while others offer ozone as an upgrade. The ozone unit, once installed, continually releases tiny ozone bubbles into the water. The silver ion cartridge is then installed in the filter standpipe and automatically release silver ions into the water that inhibit the growth of bacteria. The spa owner is required to manually add MPS to the spa with each use, and a small amount of chlorine once a week. The silver ion cartridge should be replaced every three months, and the ozone unit will need to be replaced every 4-5 years.
HOT TUB SALT WATER SYSTEMS:
Typically the most expensive option, salt water systems automatically generate the sanitizer needed, making water care much more hands-free. Depending on the type of salt system you choose, there are a number of other added benefits to consider - including better-feeling and longer-lasting spa water.
These systems have been an option for pool water care for decades, but salt systems for hot tubs have only become popular in recent years. In any salt system, an electrode cell transfers energy to the water to convert salt into a sanitizer.
When using a salt water system, the hot tub owner still needs to balance the spa water and dip a test strip to determine how often the system should run. The electrode cell will create the sanitizer automatically so the spa owner spends much less time manually dosing the spa. The cell will need to be replaced at regular intervals, which vary depending on the type of system you have.
The new FreshWater® Salt System is designed to make water care as easy as possible. Available on all Highlife® Collection and Limelight® Collection spas, this easy-to-use salt water system eliminates the worry of keeping spa water clean, clear and sanitized for a full year.* With just a little salt in your spa water, the system generates chlorine automatically so you'll spend less time measuring and adding chemicals. This unique system makes spa ownership easier than ever by removing the guesswork and hassle of water care maintenance.
*Many factors affect the life of spa water, such as bather load and water chemistry. When these factors are accounted for and the spa is properly maintained, the FreshWater Salt System will keep water clean and clear for a full year.
Your local hot tub dealer should be an expert in spa water care; they can walk you through the process of starting up your spa and explain what you need to do to keep your spa water sparkling clean. As with most things in life, you can choose the tried and true traditional approach, or upgrade to a more advanced option designed to make your life a little bit easier and your spa experience a little bit better.
As you begin to compare models and brands of hot tubs, it may feel like there is a lot of similarity. As a result, many shoppers start to focus on the things that seem to be distinct differences between models, and inevitably jet count becomes a factor in their decision criteria.
If you are using jet count to decide which hot tub model might be right for you… Stop! Jet count is not as important as you think!
Jet count does not equal hot tub quality
There are many hot tub manufacturers, and most of them build hot tubs very similarly - with acrylic shells, synthetic wood-like cabinets, and off-the-shelf components like heaters and jet pumps. For some brands, adding more jets is the only way they can compete. That is why you may come across brands with astronomical jet counts. But more jets does not equal a better hot tub.
An educated shopper will uncover that there are much more important things than jet count to consider when choosing a spa - like overall product quality, warranty, energy efficiency, filtration and water care options. The very best brands invest in building a better overall hot tub and not merely increasing the number of jets.
Are more jets really better?
How many jets can you use all at one time? Even in one seat, do 20 jets necessarily provide a better massage experience than 10 or even 5? There is definitely a point of diminishing returns when it comes to the number of jets you can use at one time, as well as the total number of jets you need in a spa.
Choose quality spa jets over quantity
Some hot tub brands offer a lot of jets - but no jet variety. If you are after a seriously enjoyable hydromassage experience, choose a brand that offers a number of different jet types: big, pulsating jets for larger muscle groups in your back and shoulders; powerful directional jets to loosen up a sore neck or work out tired calf muscles; and a strong jetstream to soothe aching feet.
For example, consider the Moto-Massage® DX jet. With two powerful streams of water that sweep up and down your back, the Moto-Massage DX is counted as only two jets, but it provides a back massage beyond compare - no matter how many jets you stack it up against.
Pay only for what you need
High jet counts typically mean large jet pumps to power them. Otherwise, you are likely to get very weak massage action, and lots of jets with low power is certainly not what you are after. But with those large jet pumps also come higher energy costs.
Instead of using jet count as your guide, we encourage you to focus on finding a spa that can provide you with a therapeutic and relaxing hydromassage experience with the right number of thoughtfully designed jets and an energy-efficient jet pump system.
Do I need a hot tub with a lounge seat?
When it comes to choosing a hot tub, there are a lot of decisions to make: Where do I put it? Which brand do I choose? How many seats do I need? How many jets do I need? And… inevitably you will need to decide – do I want a model with a lounge, or not?
Whether or not you choose a hot tub with a lounge seat really comes down to your personal preference, but here are a few things to consider.
What is a hot tub lounge seat?
A lounge seat in a spa is a seat that allows you to sit in a more reclined position. Imagine sitting upright in a reclining chair in the living room, and then reclining back so that the foot rest comes out and you are lying almost horizontally - this position is very similar to sitting in a hot tub lounge seat.
How well do you fit?
Lounge seats can vary dramatically in shape and size. Most lounge seats are designed for people who are average height or taller. It’s important to ensure that you can sit in the lounge seat comfortably – and preferably without a snorkel!
Being able to sit with your head above the water is not the only factor to consider from a fit standpoint. You should also make sure that your legs rest comfortably over the peak of the lounge seat, and that you are able to use your feet to lock yourself into position to keep you from floating away.
Be sure to sit in the hot tub while it is dry as well as when it is filled with water, if that is an option, to ensure you can rest comfortably in the lounge seat.
How many seats do you need in your spa?
Due to the size of a lounge seat, which generally takes up more room than a regular seat, a spa with a lounge usually will have one less seat than a similar sized spa without a lounge. So, if you are trying to seat a lot of people comfortably in a spa and you are limited on space, you may want to choose a model that does not have a lounge.
Are there any other hot tub seat options?
The lounge/non-lounge issue may not be as black and white as it seems. Many brands offer models with semi-reclined seats that allow you to lean back partially and enjoy an experience that is like sitting in a lounge, but without taking up quite as much space as a traditional lounge. The captain’s chair featured in the Hot Spring® Envoy is a great example.
Do I need a hot tub with a lounge seat?
When it comes to choosing a hot tub, there are a lot of decisions to make: Where do I put it? Which brand do I choose? How many seats do I need? How many jets do I need? And… inevitably you will need to decide – do I want a model with a lounge, or not?
Whether or not you choose a hot tub with a lounge seat really comes down to your personal preference, but here are a few things to consider.
What is a hot tub lounge seat?
A lounge seat in a spa is a seat that allows you to sit in a more reclined position. Imagine sitting upright in a reclining chair in the living room, and then reclining back so that the foot rest comes out and you are lying almost horizontally - this position is very similar to sitting in a hot tub lounge seat.
How well do you fit?
Lounge seats can vary dramatically in shape and size. Most lounge seats are designed for people who are average height or taller. It’s important to ensure that you can sit in the lounge seat comfortably – and preferably without a snorkel!
Being able to sit with your head above the water is not the only factor to consider from a fit standpoint. You should also make sure that your legs rest comfortably over the peak of the lounge seat, and that you are able to use your feet to lock yourself into position to keep you from floating away.
Be sure to sit in the hot tub while it is dry as well as when it is filled with water, if that is an option, to ensure you can rest comfortably in the lounge seat.
How many seats do you need in your spa?
Due to the size of a lounge seat, which generally takes up more room than a regular seat, a spa with a lounge usually will have one less seat than a similar sized spa without a lounge. So, if you are trying to seat a lot of people comfortably in a spa and you are limited on space, you may want to choose a model that does not have a lounge.
Are there any other hot tub seat options?
The lounge/non-lounge issue may not be as black and white as it seems. Many brands offer models with semi-reclined seats that allow you to lean back partially and enjoy an experience that is like sitting in a lounge, but without taking up quite as much space as a traditional lounge. The captain’s chair featured in the Hot Spring® Envoy is a great example.
Do I need a hot tub with a lounge seat?
When it comes to choosing a hot tub, there are a lot of decisions to make: Where do I put it? Which brand do I choose? How many seats do I need? How many jets do I need? And… inevitably you will need to decide – do I want a model with a lounge, or not?
Whether or not you choose a hot tub with a lounge seat really comes down to your personal preference, but here are a few things to consider.
What is a hot tub lounge seat?
A lounge seat in a spa is a seat that allows you to sit in a more reclined position. Imagine sitting upright in a reclining chair in the living room, and then reclining back so that the foot rest comes out and you are lying almost horizontally - this position is very similar to sitting in a hot tub lounge seat.
How well do you fit?
Lounge seats can vary dramatically in shape and size. Most lounge seats are designed for people who are average height or taller. It’s important to ensure that you can sit in the lounge seat comfortably – and preferably without a snorkel!
Being able to sit with your head above the water is not the only factor to consider from a fit standpoint. You should also make sure that your legs rest comfortably over the peak of the lounge seat, and that you are able to use your feet to lock yourself into position to keep you from floating away.
Be sure to sit in the hot tub while it is dry as well as when it is filled with water, if that is an option, to ensure you can rest comfortably in the lounge seat.
How many seats do you need in your spa?
Due to the size of a lounge seat, which generally takes up more room than a regular seat, a spa with a lounge usually will have one less seat than a similar sized spa without a lounge. So, if you are trying to seat a lot of people comfortably in a spa and you are limited on space, you may want to choose a model that does not have a lounge.
Are there any other hot tub seat options?
The lounge/non-lounge issue may not be as black and white as it seems. Many brands offer models with semi-reclined seats that allow you to lean back partially and enjoy an experience that is like sitting in a lounge, but without taking up quite as much space as a traditional lounge. The captain’s chair featured in the Hot Spring® Envoy is a great example.