What Should I Consider Before Buying a Hot Tub?

Purchasing a hot tub is a serious investment and it is important to select one that will suit your needs and lifestyle long term. The features, benefits and quality can significantly vary amongst manufacturers as well as what personalized options are available. Knowing what features and benefits to look for and what to avoid will ultimately help you choose the best hot tub for your needs.

Below, you will find both important features to look for as well as what to avoid when buying a hot tub.

Things to Look For:

These three features are incredibly important to ensure that you have a hot tub that is comfortable, suits your needs and lifestyle.

Comfort & Design

All hot tubs are not created equal. It is essential to test different models and compare their comfort levels. Look for features such as multi-level or ergonomic seating which will accommodate the different sizes and shapes of users. Ask your retailer if they will allow you to perform a wet test, where they will fill the hot tub with water so that you can truly test the comfort and design of the model.

Massage Jets

One of the main reasons people enjoy using hot tubs is because of their massage jets and therapeutic massage programs. Each hot tub model has different styles or types of jets with different pressure ranges and program features. Look for a model that has custom massage options and wellness programs to target the areas that your body needs the most. Hot tubs are fantastic for helping with back and joint pain, however, there are models that are designed to treat other health issues such as insomnia.

Cleaning Features

Knowing what to expect in maintaining and cleaning your hot tub is essential before you choose a model. Hot tubs come with a wide range of maintenance requirements and if you want to minimize the amount of time you need to spend cleaning your hot tub, you can choose a self-cleaning model that can actually vacuum, skim and filter the water for you.

Things to Avoid:

By being aware of the following three factors, you can avoid having a poor support and service as well and keep your utility bills from soaring.

Dealers with Poor or No Reputation

Always make sure to research hot tub dealers and read independent reviews of their business as well as the manufacturers of the hot tubs that they carry. A price tag that seems too good to be true may just be that. Buying a hot tub is a significant investment and you want to be sure that your dealer will be around and willing to support you should an issue arise. Ask if they have local service and support, how long they have been in business for and if they stock parts and perform their own repairs.

Basic Warranty

A cheaper model may come with a basic warranty that you could regret down the road if a major component of your hot tub needs to be replaced. Choosing a comprehensive warranty can help save money in the long run, should an issue arise. Ideally,  your model should be supported by a 3-year parts and labor, 5-year acrylic surface and 10-year structural warranty.

Poor Insulation

Hot tub models that are only insulated on the exterior will end up using much more electricity and increase your monthly utility bill. Look for models that have thermal vents and hardcovers that will retain heat, use high-flow/low-flow energy pumps and thermal shields. For maximum energy efficiency, look for a model that is approved by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Make sure to ask your dealer what the monthly cost is to run the models that you are interested in.

Now that you know what to consider before buying a hot tub you can begin the exciting process of finding the model that is perfect for you to enjoy for years to come. To learn more, download a hot tub buyer’s guide.