What to Consider When Buying a Hot Tub

While a hot tub or spa will provide you with many years of enjoyment, finding the perfect one for your needs is a bit more challenging. With so many brands, options, and styles, how do you choose? As with any major purchase, there are a number of things to take into account. Consider these factors to help you narrow down your choices.

1. Your budget

Today's hot tubs have a wide price range of about $2,500 to $25,000-plus. Large/luxury models are typically $12,000 or higher, but you can get a great five-person hot tub for about $6,000. If your budget is limited to the $2,500 – $6,000 range, there are a many two- to three-person economy models to choose from. Most manufacturers offer a wide variety of models—from standard to deluxe—so you can choose the best option for your budget.

Keep in mind that a hot tub is a long-term investment and typically can be financed. Many hot tub retailers state that finance payments can be as low as $50 per month.

2. How you plan to use your hot tub

If a quiet, calm and stress-free soak in the hot tub is all you are looking for, zero in on spas with Zen-like features, including soothing bubbling systems, contoured seating, relaxing jets, and perhaps even a waterfall to aid in your meditation.

If you plan to use your hot tub for entertaining or getting together with a few friends, be sure to purchase a spa model with plenty of seating. Note that this does not necessarily mean the largest spa you can afford, but one that seats four, six or eight adults comfortably. While these hot tubs rely more on bench seating than massage chairs, they make it possible to host a spa soiree with ease. And for all you Martha Stewarts out there, consider party must-haves, like bar attachments and stereo systems.

Now, if you plan on utilizing your spa for rehabilitation from an injury or surgery, or as therapy for an existing medical condition, focus your attention on those spas that have been designed specifically for people in your situation. Developed with the input of medical experts and patients, these hot tubs have helpful features, including steps designed to make it easier to enter and exit the spa, grab bars to assist in moving about the spa, therapy seats and easy-to-use knobs and filters for those with limited dexterity.

Lastly, if you hope to use your spa as your home gym, make sure you select one that allows enough room for your workout. Today, many hot tubs are available with larger footwells to allow plenty of space for exercise. Consider aquatic fitness gear like water weights, workout balls and stretchbands, and ask if a water exercise instruction manual is included.

If you desire a combination of these functions, you are in luck. There are a number of versatile hot tub models that will allow such variety. Just make sure that the model you select meets your primary goals first.

3.  Types of seating

Your hot tub seating arrangement requires careful deliberation. With a variety of seating options, including lounge seats, captain style chairs and a cool-down seat, it's a good idea to take a test soak. Ensure that primary users will be comfortable in their chosen seats, and that the arrangement allows for good eye contact and conversation flow. If you are above or below average in height, take the time to make sure that the seats you choose do not place your head below, or your shoulders above, the waterline.

4. Where you’d like to install your hot tub

While you can place your hot tub in a number of locations—such as a deck, gazebo, or even inground—it must go on a firm level foundation, which is often composed of reinforced concrete, 10 cm thick at minimum. If installing in an existing room, ensure that the spa fits through the doorways. While having an indoor spa is convenient, proper ventilation is key: Since excess humidity can build up, you want to avoid possible structural damage.


If you'd like to place the spa on your wooden deck, obtain the spa's weight when filled with water and consider the total weight of the maximum number of users. Then consult a contractor or engineer to ensure your deck has enough support.

5. The type of massage and number of jets

Are you looking for a soft water backrub or a more aggressive Swedish-type aqua massage? Despite the general consensus that more jets are better, this principle may not necessarily be true for you. Placement, type and adjustability of the jets should be factored into your purchasing decision as well.

First, decide where you most need massage therapy. For example, if you have neck pain, make sure that a number of jets are strategically placed where your neck will be positioned. Second, consider what type of jets you prefer. Some jets pulse water onto afflicted areas, while others aggressively focus on one spot. If you and another user have different aches and pains, make sure that each individual jet can be turned off or on easily. That way, you can customize the jets when you are using a particular seat and the other user can change the jet setting for his or her time there.

6. The style/look of the hot tub

Hot tubs now come with interior acrylic shells in a rainbow of colors and exterior cabinets in any synthetic wood stain imaginable. Do you want your spa to match seamlessly with your deck, or do you prefer a hot tub that really makes a statement? Try to envision what your ideal hot tub will look like in its setting. Would a contemporary or traditional style be more suitable to your taste? Also contemplate the type of surroundings you want to create near your hot tub by incorporating landscaping, mood lighting and/or a water feature.

7. Fun extras

Today it is possible not just to buy a hot tub, but a hot tub lifestyle. Since most purchasers plan to spend quite a bit of time in their spa, as well as make it their home retreat, manufacturers offer a wide variety of extras that can enhance the spa experience. From LED lighting to self-rising flat-screen televisions, the array of options can be mind-boggling, but keep in mind that some of these extras can be purchased at a later date and added to your spa with little effort.

8. Water care and maintenance system

It’s critical to maintain the water in your hot tub—not only for your enjoyment, but also for your health. You’ll also need determine what kind of sanitizing system you’d like to use. A basic method is to add chemicals manually and test the water on a regular basis. Bromine is the most common chemical sanitizer used for hot tubs, but biguanide is another option. Just be aware that biguanide is not compatible with any other type of chemical sanitizer.

If you’re looking for automatic options, ozonators, ionizers, and mineral systems will automatically disperse sanitizer into the water; however, they still require a small amount of a primary sanitizer (such as bromine or biguanide) to maintain a residual. Manufacturers typically offer several water care options for each of their models.

9. Warranties

Most hot tubs come with a standard warranty and offer the option to purchase an upgrade. A hot tub's life can be as long as twenty years, so keep that in mind when considering warranty purchases.

Also, carefully review service policies. Find out if the company has trained service professionals in your area, what the standard wait-time for a service call is and the hourly rate.