Hot Tub Reviews

Hot Tub Reviews - Buying A New Hot Tub

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Buying a hot tub online and having it delivered right to your house is definitely possible - but be aware there are a few different styles of hot tubs and generally only the entry level hot tub styles are the ones that you can order online. Buying a more robust and expensive hot tub will likely require trips to a local dealer and a process not unlike that of new / used car shopping where you will get estimates, have sakes people try to aggressively sell you a (very expensive) hot tub.


If you are new to hot tubs you might be wondering if there is any value in an entry level spa model, and let me tell you - there absolutely is. Almost all of the physical and health benefits of hot tubs relate to the hot water therapy and less so the massage jet action. This works well for entry level spas that tend to be (very) light on the massage jet action, but all will heat the water to 104F / 40C (maximum safe water temp for hot tubs) which means you get just as much hot water therapy benefit from a $500 spa as you do a $10,000 spa. Pretty cool. I mean, pretty hot!


Hot tubs available from Amazon: - I will try to keep this page updated with the latest links from hot tubs and spas for sale online that I would considering buying for myself if I needed one. I still own my original Intex brand inflatable hot tub and highly recommend these as a great entry level and low cost hot tub solution.

Why Getting a Hot Tub Is a Good Idea

There are so many reasons to own a hot tub from personal relaxation and soaking to entertaining with friends, injury rehabilitation, sleep aid, pain relief, medical recommendation - but they are so expensive and hard to maintain right? Wrong! If you are seeking the benefits of hot water therapy, which are many, then you should realize that the only thing you really need is hot water. A futuristic hot tub that looks like it was teleported to your backyard off the Star Trek Enterprise sounds great, and it is, but in reality you only need a tub that holds water. Hot water specifically.


Hot Tub Prices
Total investment for a high end spa including pad placement, electrician and electrical hookup is more than $15,000 assuming for zero landscaping. The sky is the limit if you start insetting your new spa into a cedar deck or custom landscaping it.

For everyone else, buying a hot tub is considered a major purchase and something that warrants serious consideration since it involves upfront cost, possible setup costs, transportation costs, heating and maintaining costs as well as a fair bit of work to learn about water chemistry and spa maintenance.



Intex inflatable hot tub reviews

Common questions about inflatable spas

How to clean and care for your spa filters

Why does my hot tub water smell bad?

Too much foam in your hot tub?

10 Items hot tub owners buy online

Unexpected Costs Associated With Buying A Hot Tub

Depending on what kind of hot tub you buy there will be additional costs that you need to be prepared for. A portable hot tub for example can be set up on most flat and strong surfaces such as grass or a concrete deck (using the supplied liner pad) however an acrylic hot tub will require a permanent hot tub pad to be built from concrete, paving stones or compacted limestone.

Hot Tub Pad $750 - $2000
There are some models of hot tubs, usually fiberglass hot tubs which are much heavier and much stronger than acrylic spas, that do not require a pad as they have one "built in" to the design. If you are looking at buying anything more than an inflatable, portable hot tub then you are likely going to need a hot tub pad which will cast anywhere from $750 to $2000 depending on the rates of contractors local to you. You can attempt to take this project on yourself however the thickness and size of a hot tub pad requires usually over a meter of concrete - too much to mix yourself efficiently and too little to order from a ready mix supplier without paying penalty fees for a small load. Remember that hot tubs are very heavy once they are full of water, and people, and usually a wood deck will not support a full size spa without being built specifically for this purpose.

Electrical Installation $1500 - $2500
Hot tubs are either wired for 110 volts or 220 volts. 110 volt models are portable hot tubs and can be plugged directly into any standard wall outlet through the GFI provided plug that comes with the spa. 220 volt hot tubs are much larger and more capable and require a permanent electrical connection to be made to your house via a GFI Breaker Panel which will require an electrician to complete. The cost of hiring an electrician to wire your 220 volt hot tub will change depending on the length of the run and the size of the breaker and wire needed. A 40 amp hot tub will cost slightly less than a 50 or 60 amp hot tub service as the wire is thinner. The further your hot tub is away from the electrical panel for your house the longer the wire will need to be which increases the cost of the materials you need by quite a bit. A typical 40-60 amp hot tub electrical installation is going to cost from $1500-$2500 depending on the price of contractors in your area. If you decide to do this work yourself it might end up costing your $400-$750 but be absolutely sure you are qualified to make these connections - heavy current electrical lines, hot tubs and amateur fingers do not go well together.

Location $200 - $750
When a hot tub us shipped to you it usually will have only curb delivery. This means that the hot tub will be on the street in front of your house and it will be up to you to get it into the back yard. Weighing hundreds to even thousands of pounds for some models you will need a plan on how to move the hot tub once it arrives. Many full service spa dealers, like a brick and mortar store, will provide location services when you purchase from them. Otherwise you will need at minimum 4 strong people and 6 is better, which can be either paid help or future hot tub users. Lifting straps, heavy duty dollies and protective pads will help with this process. What you need to be very careful of is overhead clearance. Most hot tubs are 7 to 8 feet square and so you either need to have a very wide access or a very tall access to your ideal location. In the event that you will need a crane for placement this will cost you another $400 - $750.

Initial Chemicals & Supplies $100-$300
You are going to need to need a host of chemicals, treatments, filters etc to go with your hot tub, not to mention any frill item such as aromatherapy scents that you might want to use. Chemical sanitizers like bromine, commonly used in hot tub treatment, are fairly expensive. You will also require oxidizer, alkalinity control, pH control, pipe flush, filter cleaner and at least 1 backup filter. These items when purchased individually as replacements will not be as noticeable - but starting with nothing and needing everything is going to cost you a few hundred dollars.

New hot tub steps $60 - $250
Unless you are planning the classic pole vault entry into your hot tub you are going to need to get yourself a set of spa steps. Usually made out of plastic or wood these 36" wide 2-steps are going to cost you anywhere from $60 - $80 on the low end to $100 - $200 for nicer models such as this set of spa step with storage. If you want anything fancy like wrap around steps you are looking well over $500. Of course if you are a carpenter then you can build something functional for a fraction of these costs.

Types Of Hot Tubs

There are so many brands, styles and models of hot tub on the market it can be confusing even figuring out what you are looking for - let alone finding it! The first distinction that you need to determine is whether you are looking for a portable hot tub or a permanent hot tub.

Portable Hot Tubs
A portable hot tub is defined by not needing a permanent (hardwire) electrical connection in order to operate. A portable hot tub will come equipped with a ground fault protected cord end that plugs directly into any standard house receptacle. These can include both inflatable models as well as smaller hard shell hot tubs. Given the electrical limitations portable hot tubs typically have very small booster pump motors and heaters when compared to permanent hot tubs. Also, the heater and pump can not be on at the same time with these models as this would overload the circuit. That is one of the reasons why portable hot tubs tend to have trouble holding temperature during use as compared to permanent hot tubs with much larger electrical supplies.

Permanent Hot Tubs
A permanent hot tub requires a hardwire electrical connection and usually a flat concrete or stone pad for it to sit on. These 220 volt hot tubs range from 30-60 amps and typically will include heaters much larger than that available in an portable hot tub. Additionally the heater as well as the booster pump can both be on at these same time in most of these models. If you are serious about your hot tub time then a permanent hot tub would be suit your needs.

Inflatable Hot Tub Reviews

If you understand the limitations of a inflatable hot tub they can be a very cost effective method to achieve the benefits of hot water therapy. What this type of spa typically lacks is size, jets, heat retention and longevity. Physically speaking these spas are on the small size with sizes averaging 100 - 300 gallons suitable for 1 to 2 people comfortably or 3 - 4 people who want to get to know each other really well. The jet motors being powered by 110 volts will leave much to be desired if you are seeking an aggressive deep tissue massage and blower motors (bubblers) do little to provide a massage like feeling.

Heat retention in a spa with a small 110 volt heater will always be a concern. In cold climate areas these spas will have trouble, or simply not be able to retain the water temperature at the normal 104 degree level. Fortunately the vast majority of benefits from hot water therapy have nothing to do with powerful jets or gigantic lounging areas. What a portable hot tub can do is provide a soak in water up to 104 degrees which will dramatically increase circulation and blood flow, improve sleep, speed healing of injuries, provide pain relief and improve overall health. Don't think that you can not afford the benefits of the hot tub lifestyle just because you can not afford a permanent hot tub.

This is the Intex 77" inflatable hot tub which I believe to be the most popular brand and model of portable / inflatable hot tubs on the market. There are actually a ton of competing brands in this market, but Intex is one of the names I recognize as being actual (pretty big) players in the swimming pool industry. Intex makes a ton of above ground swimming pools which I think is a good sign. If you are looking for an entry level hot tub and you want something that is likely to still have parts and support available a few years down the road then Intex is probably the one you want to buy.

Rated for up to four people this spa is perfectly sized for two. Four people is certainly possible but definitely would be pretty cramped in terms of leg room. This spa has no benches or seats, which actually works really nicely as the water depth is better (deeper) than you might think from an entry level portable / inflatable spa like this.



This is the Intex 6 Person Inflatable Hot Tub. Larger in diameter and volume this inflatable hot tub will hold approximately 290 gallons (1100 L) and is 85" in diameter which is very well suited for two or four people to use. As with most hot tub ratings this spa being used by six full sized adults would border or comical looking, but could be done for very close friends or families of 5 to 6 people.

As with other Intex brand inflatable spas you can be fairly confident you will still have product warranty and support (like replacement parts) from Intex in the future. They seem to be a fairly well established company within the (entry level) pool and spa market and I am comfortable endorsing them as such. If you are "fence-sitting" on buying a new hot tub I can not encourage you strongly enough to try one of these portable spas like an inflatable Intex hot tub. I think you will be surprised with the quality of the hot water soak you can achieve with these simple, entry level spas.



This Intex 6 Person Inflatable Spa is another great option for a larger inflatable hot tub with the obvious advantage of this unit being the square shape. Most inflatable spas on the market are round and if your space would be better suited for a square shaped hot tub then this might be the one for you. I have the Intex round 77" spa and I definitely love it, but I think if I were to buy a new one tomorrow I would possibly opt for a square model to allow for a little more leg room and sitting positions when you have more than one person in the tub.

Outer dimensions of this hot tub are 77" x 77" and the depth is 28". Note that the pump and heater housing unit attaches to the side of the spa and on this side it extends the total length to 95" so be sure that you have enough room. You can not remotely locate the pump and filter with these Intex spas - they attach directly to the spa itself.


When looking at an inflatable hot tub you need to realize that you have to take care of them or you will end up putting holes in it - but they are NOT easy to poke holes in. The PVC material and seams are robust and will definitely resist holes unless you abuse them. The units with air blower systems are fun but the air blower draws air from the ambient air which means that cold water bubbles are pumped into the water. This has the end effect of feeling cold on the skin as well as decreasing the temperature of the water quickly. The very minimal size heating elements in hot tubs of this class will struggle to maintain water temperature once the lid is open - even without the air blower on. With the air blower on the heater will not be able to hold temperatures indefinitely. Colder ambient air, such as in the winter, will make it very difficult if not impossible to maintain water temperatures. Working within these limitations these spas are the most cost effective way to get yourself into hot water.

As an industry expert I would expect that I would get at least 3 years of use from a hot tub in this class. Anything over 3 would be good and anything over 5 without at least something breaking seems unlikely. If the tub lasted only 2 years I would be disappointed and less than 1 year I would attempt to return it under warranty however shipping costs and company return policies would likely make this a difficult option. The bladder can leak from damage, installation error or manufacturing error. The electronics, pump and heater will be very expensive to replace compared to the total unit value - if available at all. The quality is going to be a gamble with an inflatable spa but for the minimal investment required most people buying a spa for the first time should consider one of these. If you use it until it dies then that would be a good sign that you can safely invest more into your next spa without it becoming a 2000lb garden ornament that never gets used.

One Piece Portable Hot Tubs

This class of hot tub is the closest to a "traditional" hot tub but still with the convenience (limitation) of 110 volt plug and play versatility. While much less portable than any of the inflatable or collapsible class spas these are technically still classified as portable spas. An intrepid hot tub enthusiast could put one of these in the back of a truck and drive it to the cottage or cabin so technically they are portable but certainly better suited to more of a permanent setup in your backyard.

The real benefit of these spas is the fact that you do not require a permanent electrical connection. In addition to the cost of the components and labor to install a permanent hot tub sometimes the house service is inadequate for the draw of the spa. If you would require an electrical service upgrade to your home to accommodate a new hot tub, suddenly these 110 volt models start to look pretty appealing. Regardless of how much you spend on a portable hot tub they will all suffer from the same limited heating ability. A well built unit can have superior insulation value but once the lid is open, and especially if there is an air blower drawing ambient air, the temperature will start dropping. If you have the ability to have a 220 volt hot tub this will vastly improve the efficiency and ability of the spa - including massage jets and larger heaters. If 220 volt is simply not an option then the tubs in this class are the best that you can get.

This is the LifeSmart 4-Person Hot Tub which is a one piece molded resin spa that is able to withstand much more use and abuse than any inflatable spa style. If you have dogs or children that you are worried might ruin an inflatable hot tub then these are the ones you should be looking at - actually strong enough to hit with a baseball bat and not leave any damage - though that is certainly not recommended to try.

This hot tub measures 70" x 61" x 32" tall and is a plug and play style spa (no permanent hardwire electrical required). It comes with 13 hydrotherapy jets with are a little on the weaker side but still functional. At only 200 gallons due to the four molded corner seats this spa is rated for four people but certainly more comfortable for 2 to 3 people.



Slightly larger, this is the LifeSmart 5 Person Hot Tub measuring 81" x 72" and standing 34" tall. This hot tub has a few extra features as well including 28 hydrotherapy massage jets, an LED light as well as a small water fountain feature.


If you are looking for a plug and play style hot tub that you can buy, have delivered and set up quickly and easily, but is large and resistant to damage then this is probably the one you want. You will not find a portable hot tub much larger or more feature packed than this model from Lifesmart.


Now you can see a little better how the hot tub market is structured and some examples of price points that you will encounter depending on the class of spa you are shopping for. For an entry level spa purchasing online is certain to save you money but as the price of the tub increases so does the chance that you may be able to find a better deal local to your area from a brick and mortar store.

Are You A New Hot Tub Owner?

If you own a hot tub then there is some essential information that you must know to make sure that yourself, and any bathers in your tub, are protected at all times - and this includes brand new hot tubs!

When you get a hot tub, whether a super expensive one or an entry level / inflatable spa the maintenance and care process is almost identical. Every hot tub requires water management in the way of testing and balancing the water chemistry. Hot tubs are actually very important to maintain proper water chemistry as the moist, warm environment is the pefect breeding grounds for bacteria. This is why a chemical sanitizer (like bromine or chlorine) are used as part of hot tub water chemistry.

The small size of the hot tub (unlike a pool) means that you can experience pretty dramatic changes in water chemistry pretty quickly. Even one or two people using the spa can adversely affect the water chemistry so dillegence is needed to learn how to manage the water safely. If you will also need to learn about hot tub chemistry can check out the Hot Tub section on this website, or you can also check out the water chemistry crash course.


Intex inflatable hot tub reviews

Common questions about inflatable spas

How to clean and care for your spa filters

Why does my hot tub water smell bad?

Too much foam in your hot tub?

10 Items hot tub owners buy online





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Swimming Pool Steve is an award winning, second generation swimming pool specialist from Ontario Canada and one of the most trusted voices in the swimming pool industry. With over 20,000,000 views on the Swimming Pool Steve YouTube Channel, winner of the Pleatco Pool & Spa Industry Leadership award and author of hundreds of pool and spa articles both online and in print. Steve is committed to helping pool and spa owners as well as pool and spa industry workers learn more about the technical side of building, renovating, repairing and maintaining all types of swimming pools and spas. Follow Swimming Pool Steve on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.


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