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AquaRest Spas Review

Monday, June 5th

2023 Hot Tub Reviews

AquaRest Spas Review 3 Star Rating

AquaRest Spas

3 Star Rating
  • Few models to choose from makes easy shopping
  • Plug in, add water from the hose, heat, and enjoy
  • Can purchase from manufacturer or big box store

AquaRest has been making hot tubs for 25 years, and they understand what hot tub shoppers are looking for. They can seat between 2 and 6 adults and include 20 or more jets. While in the factory, before each tub is shipped, it undergoes a 24-hour water test to make sure it meets the company's standards. Each tub also has full-foam insulation and a marine-grade vinyl thermal cover so that the heat stays in the tub, keeping your utility bill lower. You can purchase factory-direct, through a big-box store, or through a dealer, where you may be able to give it a wet-test -- get in the spa full of water and test out all the features. You're just not going to get all the bells-and-whistles you'll see with hot tub brands who specialize in high-end, luxury designs.

Easy to run

All spas require a standard household 120V/15AMP outlet for use. You can upgrade to 120/240V as an option, though. Fill the tub with your garden hose and plug it in. Once the water heats to your desired temperature, hop in and feel the stress start to melt away.

Four collections, nine model choices

AquaRest keeps it simple with only nine models to choose from. If you'll be a first-time spa owner, you may be overwhelmed with other companies and the many models to choose from plus their several options to consider. AquaRest might be a refreshing opportunity with only these nine models and four series:

  • Select Spas have two models in this category: the 300 which is in a triangle shape and seats two adults, and the 400, which is in a square shape and seats four adults. Both include the thermal-locking cover, bucket loungers with arch support for your back, 20 stainless steel jets, digital controls, 1.5 HPR 1-speed pump, multi-color LED backlit waterfall, Easy Kleen 100% filtration system, full-foam insulation, and the EZ Access water drain valve.
  • Elite Spas have two models, including the 500 which seats five adults, and the 600 which seats six. They include the same features as the Select series, but add ozone.
  • The Premium Spa line includes four models at this level: the 300 which is in a triangle shape and seats two adults; the 400, in a square shape and seats four adults; the 500 which seats five; and the 600 which seats six. The Premium line includes all that the Elite line has, but includes a 2 HPR (horsepower) 2-speed pump rather than the 1.5 HPR 1-speed pump.
  • Daydream Spa. There is only one spa at this level: the 4500. It seats six adults and includes the thermal-locking cover, but in black. This luxury line includes all of the features of the Premium line, but has 45 stainless steel jets, 3 HPR 2-speed pump, convertible 1kW/4kW electric heater, barrier foam insulation, and multicolor LED exterior lighting.

How to purchase

There are a couple of dealers you can work with, and they are listed at the bottom of AquaRest's home page. You can order directly from AquaRest, or you can find AquaRest spas through some third-party big box retailers. If you're an outlet shopper, there's an online AquaRest Outlet on their website, and it's just a click away.

Pretty energy efficient

The hot tubs include a full-foam cover and some insulation in the tub. Since most of the heat loss can come through the top, having a full-foam cover should definitely help the impact of your spa on your utility bill. Other companies we've rated go all out in their tub insulation as well as full-foam cover, offering even more energy efficiency.

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Ozone sanitation system

AquaRest uses an ozone sanitation system, which converts oxygen into ozone, destroying bacteria and other nastiness. It helps to reduce the need for high doses of chemicals, therefore creating less odor as well.

Hot tub costs

  • Select series: $3,399
  • Elite series: $4,199
  • Premium series: $3,799 - $4,599
  • Daydream Spa: $5,599

Decent reputation

There aren't many complaints about AquaRest. The ones we do see are recommendations to upgrade to 240 volts, as the standard 120 won't heat it as fast. There are a few complaints on the insulation of the tub itself, saying it can lose heat. Their solution was again to upgrade to 240V as adding more heat helped with the tub's heat loss.

Simple is good, but we'd like more

AquaRest is a good company and they keep it simple when it comes to buying a hot tub. If you're the shopper who wants to know about some fun and fancy options for your spa so you can pick and choose for a customizable or semi-customizable hot tub, try our more highly-rated companies who have also been around for twenty years or more. However, if you want a good hot tub, nice price points, and easy decision-making, try AquaRest.

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.

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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!
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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!

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