Selecting the Right Hot Tub for You

If you're in search of the perfect hot tub, it's important to remember that one size doesn't fit all. To find your ideal hot tub, you'll need to make several considerations including your lifestyle, therapeutic needs, cost requirements, and other preferences.

In this post, you'll learn just what to look for to help you choose the best hot tub for you.

Design and Comfort

The comfort of any hot tub is closely linked to its design. The first consideration you make should be the number of guests you'll have in the hot tub at any one time. As you evaluate different hot tubs, consider how many seats it has, how large the hot tub is, the size of the foot well, and how many loungers it offers. Choose a hot tub that is large enough to comfortably seat all of your guests.

Next, determine whether the hot tub is comfortable to sit in. Ask the dealer for a "wet test" where you can try out the seats for comfort while the hot tub is full. As you do this, pay attention to the seats: are they designed to fit your body's curves? Is there is multi-level seating to accommodate all different body types? Do jutting jets cause back discomfort?

For maximum comfort, your feet should remain on the floor even while you lounge. Also be on the lookout for safety steps for guests who may need them. Considering all of these factors will give you a good sense of whether the hot tub offers enough comfort for your needs.

Massage capabilities

If you and your guests have specific therapeutic needs, you don't want to skimp on just any hot tub. All hot tubs have jets, but all jets are not equal. Look for hot tubs that are designed to address a variety of therapeutic needs such as back or leg pain, sports recovery, headaches and stress, or insomnia.

A hot tub that offers customizable wellness programs for your therapeutic needs is truly irreplaceable. Ideally, each of the hot tub's seats should offer different types of jets and positions to provide individualized therapy. During your wet test, pay attention to whether the number of jets seems sufficient for your therapeutic needs. It's also important that therapeutic programs can be easily selected with the touchpad.

Money-Saving Insulation Options

Proper insulation is a key factor in saving energy and money. When reviewing hot tubs, check to see what type of insulation each has. Full foam, wall insulation, and thermal shield are very different types of insulation. Thermal shield insulation provides the most money-saving benefits.

Another money-saving feature to look for is thermal vents that will expel heat in the cabinet to prevent overheating. For maximum energy savings, choose a hot tub that traps waste heat inside the cabinet and reuses it. A hard cover that can lock in and conserve the water's heat will also help you save money and energy, especially in winter.

Also find out how much it costs per month to run the hot tub and look for an efficient model that is CEC approved. If you cannot determine these answers from reading the hot tub's labeling, your dealer can provide you with the information you need.

Simple Maintenance and Filtration

Maintenance and filtration are serious considerations when buying a hot tub. In order to have plenty of time to relax, you don't want maintenance to be a hassle. Self-cleaning models are far easier to clean and drain than other types of hot tubs. For simpler maintenance, make sure that all plumbing can be accessed from each side of the hot tub. In-line chemical feeders will also ensure that your hot tub stays clean and disinfected while saving you time and money.

Reputable manufacturers and dealers

Having a reputable hot tub manufacturer and dealer is crucial. When you have issues with your hot tub, you want a dealer and manufacturer that will be knowledgeable and responsible. Some traits to look for are a hot tub manufacturer that has been in business for a long period of time and has a strong track record of reliability. Seek out independent reviews to find out what others' experiences with this dealer have been like.

During your visit to the dealer, ask questions. Find out how easy it is to get parts if your hot tub needs repairs. Does the dealer offer water testing onsite? Do they outsource service, or have maintenance support in-house? Choose a dealer and manufacturer that makes repairs and maintenance easy.

Strong Warranties

Warranties are of enormous importance when choosing a hot tub. The best hot tubs will include a 10-year structural warrant, a 5-year acrylic surface warranty, and a 3-year parts and labor warranty. Also find out whether the company charges extra for trip fees during warranty calls. Ideally, you should not have to pay for this.

Other Considerations

There are a variety of personal considerations that can enhance your hot tub experience, depending on your lifestyle. Ice buckets, wood or synthetic cabinets, quiet running hot tubs, quality stereos with the features you need, voltage, salt water options, and relaxing lighting are just some of the perks you can find in quality hot tubs. Decide which of these features are important to you and look for a hot tub that meets your needs!

Now that you've learned about some of the key considerations when buying a hot tub, click here to download our free Hot Tub Comparison Guide. It will give you an even better sense of what to look for in your ideal hot tub and how different hot tubs compare.