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The Best Hot Tubs

Where Can You Find the Best Hot Tubs?

Do the mere words hot tub give you the dreamy feeling of sinking down in a pool of warm water, relaxing, closing your eyes, feeling the healing massage of the hydro jets on your back and neck, and letting the world slip by? Or perhaps you associate hot tubs with friends or family relaxing together, enjoying a little social time in the warm, bubbly spa.

If you've dreamed of enjoying the relaxation and muscle relief that a spa can offer, and having it in your own yard, we have information for you on the best hot tubs out there. Just sit back and relax. Hot tubs can come in a variety of colors and styles. You can choose the standard model, or you can go up in levels where they add waterfalls, colored lights, and perhaps smart capabilities.

Monday, June 5th

2023 Hot Tub Reviews

Bullfrog Spas Review Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award 5 Star Rating

Bullfrog Spas

5 Star Rating Top Consumer Reviews Best-In-Class Blue Ribbon Award

Bullfrog has a reputation for luxury and customization. They have high-quality hot tubs catering to your comfort and individual wants with their multi-jet JetPak jet system. They are made in the US, the tub is well made and has good insulation, the cover is included in your purchase, and we found it easy to get the tub you want with as much or as little customization as you desire. Their unique feature is the movable JetPak that is on the back of your seat. so each person gets the hydromassage that they need and want. Bullfrog is our favorite place to shop for hot tubs.

Jacuzzi Review 4.5 Star Rating

Jacuzzi

4.5 Star Rating

The Jacuzzi name has a long history of being synonymous with hot tub. They've been around since 1956 and have remained well known in the trade. Their spas are high quality. With a variety of shapes and how many people they seat, they offer 28 models for you to choose. They are known for their higher-end spas, but have more affordable spas as well. This company earns a very close second-place finish among hot tub brands.

Master Spas Review 4.5 Star Rating

Master Spas

4.5 Star Rating

Master Spas is a good option for affordable spas. There are four spa collections which include a choice of 25 models. More of its models are available at the modestly-priced end, making affordable spas more available to the consumer. You should know, however, that "affordable" starts at $10,000. There are luxury models as well, including those in the Michael Phelps line. Pricing keeps this retailer from earning our highest rating, but Master Spas is still a brand worth considering for high-quality hot tubs.

Catalina Spas Review 4 Star Rating

Catalina Spas

4 Star Rating

Catalina Spas are manufactured by hand in the US. All their tubs are luxury level and include features that are in the highest-end models or only offered as additional upgrades with other companies. Some of the included water or fire features aren't included at all with the competitors! On the other hand, if you're looking for a not-so-luxurious price tag, Catalina Spas might not be the best choice.

CalSpas Review 4 Star Rating

CalSpas

4 Star Rating

So many choices for so much pleasure! With 42 models to choose from, plus luxurious add-ons, with CalSpas you can design the relaxing haven or the entertaining hangout of your dreams. Feel good that your CalSpa tub is made in the USA and that the tub insulation is made of recycled materials. The price, however, is a little more steep than others at a comparable level. It's frustrating to have to give your personal information just to download a brochure, and pricing can only be obtained through a dealer, making this step more tedious than fun.

Marquis Spas Review 3.5 Star Rating

Marquis Spas

3.5 Star Rating

If you're looking for an employee-owned company that gives back to the community and offers nice touches such as including a cover for your spa, look no further than Marquis Spas. They've been around for more than 40 years and boast low-pressure jets for a weighty massage giving muscle-tension relief. They have a cleaning device set to clean a half-hour after use, and a micro-bubble system to enter the pores for health and anti-aging benefits. Their spas are more at the mid-level and luxury level, so consumers who search for an entry level spas will want to read reviews from our more highly-rated manufacturers. You'll also have to jump through some hoops if you want pricing details here.

HotSpring Spas Review 3.5 Star Rating

HotSpring Spas

3.5 Star Rating

HotSpring offers spas that are energy-efficient and offers salt-water sanitation systems. They've been around for 40 years and are made in the US. HotSpring is one of the few manufacturers to focus on the smaller spa and still offer quite a few larger models, but you'll need to look elsewhere if you want a hot tub for eight or more.

Sundance Spas Review 3.5 Star Rating

Sundance Spas

3.5 Star Rating

Sundance Spas has been around since 1979 and has a great reputation for well-made hot tubs. They have a full range of spas: from focusing on the family with more cost-effective features to the luxury spas with elite jets that have wider spacing for a full-body hydromassage feel. We like their wide range of spas, but we didn't like getting put on email subscriptions in order to request a brochure to download.

AquaRest Spas Review 3 Star Rating

AquaRest Spas

3 Star Rating

If you just want to find your hot tub and get it home and relax without the hassle of having seemingly a hundred choices, and therefore a hundred decisions to make, AquaRest is what you're looking for. They have nine models that are easy to understand, keeping the decision process simple and easy. AquaRest offers spas to seat up to six. If you're looking for a large, party spa to seat more than six, and/or a spa with plenty of fancy options to customize and individualize it to your liking, we have reviewed spa manufacturers that offer just that.

Caldera Spas Review 2.5 Star Rating

Caldera Spas

2.5 Star Rating

Caldera makes choosing a hot tub simple with only three series of tubs and few options to choose from. Purchasing one from Caldera can be almost as relaxing as slipping inside one and feeling the relaxation... well, almost. If simplicity is what you're looking for, check out Caldera. If, instead, you look forward to the excitement and frenzy of many choices of models, options, and add-ons, take a look at other spa companies in our reviews.

Compare the Best Reviews

Continued from above...

Even still, you can customize by choosing a level that best suits your needs and then add on features to make your spa into your own style. Prices often start around $3,000 and with more luxury and more add-ons, you can reach a price tag of over $20,000. Remember that the price may not include delivery and probably does not include installation. In fact, some spa companies don't offer installation, which may mean you'll have to hire out.

As you shop around for a hot tub, there are so many things to consider! It can be overwhelming trying to understand all of the options and which spa design is going to be the ideal fit for what you've pictured in your mind for fun and relaxation. You can focus your search more effectively by knowing what you prefer in these areas:

  • Size. Hot tubs can vary in size from three to ten seats, so think about how many people you'll want to have in your spa at once. If you're looking for small and intimate, and perhaps have limited space, consider a tub that seats 3-4 people. Larger tubs can seat 7-10 people; these will have a larger footprint in your space and take longer to heat, which means more stress on your utility bill. There may also be an option for lounge seating in your tub. You would sit more reclined, and there would be more jets along the length of your body. It's a great feature, but each lounger can take the spot of two regular seats, so plan accordingly.
  • Type of hydromassage. Some brands offer a gentle, low pressure, all-water massage and others have a powerful half-water/half-air jet stream for a deep massage. There are other jet options to choose from for your comfort, such as leg, feet, and neck jets, or a wrap-around-the-side body stream for more of an all-over effect.
  • Location and environment. Plan where you will like your spa. Is there room enough for the size you are considering? Most tubs are about 7' x 7', but yours will be bigger if you want to seat more people. The factors to consider for weather are the cover and insulation. The full-foam insulated covers help keep the interior from the elements and extreme temperatures, as most of the heat is lost through the top of the tub. The insulation helps keep the heat inside and prevents the heater from overworking itself.
  • Local availability. Can you visit a dealer in person to see the hot tubs on the showroom floor, or even get a "wet test" where you can try it out with water in it? You can see how strong the jets are and how it feels when you adjust them to your body.
  • Reputation. It's always a good idea to see what other customers have to say about the hot tub company. Keep in mind that the installation and servicing may be done by a third-party business, so you'll want to look into their track record as well.

TopConsumerReviews.com has evaluated and ranked the most popular brands of hot tubs on the market today. We're confident that this information will help you find the spa that will deliver the ultimate in relaxation and fun for many years to come!

The Best Hot Tubs Compare Hot Tubs Compare Hot Tub Reviews What are the best Hot Tubs Best Hot Tub Reviews

Hot Tub FAQ

When people think of hot tubs, they generally think of relaxing in them for pleasure. Although this is their main purpose, they are also great for hydrotherapy, pain relief, muscle relaxation, calorie burning, and more. There are a surprising amount of health benefits that come from lounging in a warm body of water.
When deciding what size of hot tub to buy, measure the area where you plan to put the hot tub. Leave a few extra feet on at least one side for getting in and out and doing maintenance. Other factors to consider are how many people you want to be able to fit in the hot tub together. You'll usually find ones that fit anywhere from 2-7 people, which will be a big factor in determining the overall cost.
Hot tubs will range from $3,000 to over $16,000 based on the performance, size, accessories, and design. For people getting a hot tub for their first time, they'll likely be happy with something in the $3,000 to $7,000 range that will meet all their needs. Some people choose to finance their hot tubs and make monthly payments on them since they are a considerably big purchase to make. That way they don't have to pay for it all upfront.
Luckily, hot tubs aren't very high maintenance. If you stick to the 3 C's of circulation, cleaning, and chemistry, you're set! It helps to set a schedule to check the hot tub filter to make sure nothing is getting in the way of water circulating freely. Also schedule times to clean out debris, scum, or stray critters that can dirty your hot tub. Last but not least, make sure you maintain a healthy pH and alkaline level in your hot tub by checking your chemicals and adjusting them as needed. Carefully read the instruction manual that comes with your particular model to be aware of all the parts that may need replacing after a certain period of time.
You'll probably find yourself making more choices than you first thought once you start your hot tub shopping journey. For starters, do you want a square hot tub? A circular hot tub? Or a hexagon-shaped hot tub? Not only are there multiple options for the shape, but also the exterior color and material, interior materials, color, light features, seating arrangements, where you want the jets, and much more. You'll be able to choose a hot tub to match the aesthetic of your home and patio.
Hot tubs and saunas can serve similar purposes for people, but in completely different ways. A sauna is a room where infrared heat or steam is emitted to produce a feeling of relaxation, increase blood flow, loosen muscles, and sweat for weight loss. Hot tubs allow people to be immersed completely in warm or hot water to loosen joints, relax muscles, improve mood, and increase blood flow. Many people opt for hot tubs over saunas because they are more versatile and tend to work easier in the existing spaces people have outside their home.
Hot tubs are usually in the backyard on a flat surface like a cement pad, deck, under a gazebo, or on the patio. Consider how close to the house you want your hot tub for getting in and out during cold weather, having to go to the bathroom, or drying off and changing. Do you want it in a secluded area where you can't be seen by neighbors? Consider the aesthetic appeal of a hot tub and where it might look pretty and be enhanced by landscaping and lights.
If you're worried about having a hot tub dropped on your doorstep with no way to move it, fear no more! Most hot tub deliveries come with a crew that will place your hot tub in the exact location you want it and get it set up for you. Since hot tubs are big and heavy, you're not expected to hoist it around on your own. This is a good time to take advantage of the crew's expertise and learn your way around your new hot tub and all the neat features it comes with!
The Best Reviews of Hot Tubs