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CalSpas Review

Monday, June 5th

2023 Hot Tub Reviews

CalSpas Review 4 Star Rating

CalSpas

4 Star Rating
  • Recycled materials
  • 42 models to choose from
  • 6-horsepower motor
  • Anti-aging Twin Pure Silk System
  • Made in the USA

CalSpas is made in the USA, has been around since 1978, and has an entire 42 models of spas to choose from. There are also several add-on options if the model you want doesn't happen to have all you're looking for. So, if you want customization for the ultimate, personalized spa experience, CalSpas delivers. Whatever you can imagine for your hot tub, CalSpas probably has it.

Pick a seat, any seat

Even though a hot tub's seating sounds like a simple concept, CalSpas has designed their seating for your guests as well as for your own full-body comfort. If you want to host friends or have the family in the spa, the bench seat can make room for your group. Just like a regular bench, you can slide down for more people to join. The lounge seat, on the other hand, targets the upper and lower body to help you relax and to soothe your muscles. The ergonomic design of the lounge seats keep the user seated rather than float up off the seat from the pressure of the water. A third seat is the Kool Seat, which allows your body to acclimate to the change in temperature from in the spa to outside in the weather or vice versa, by keeping the person half-immersed when entering or exiting the spa.

Their jets aim to please

Their various types of jets offer several health and comfort benefits. The Velocity Jets are placed in various configurations for maximum massage benefits, and their Adjustable Therapy System has a dedicated motor and control panel for massage personalization.

We love the power

Their HP pump has a 6-horsepower motor which both heats and circulates the water simultaneously. It also has a reverse-flow cooling system built in. CalSpas features a high-power filtration system with a 24-hour circulating pump which continually and quietly heats the system. Their Adjustable Therapy seat has a dedicated 2-horsepower pump as well as a dedicated control panel, right there within reach. Their titanium heater is designed for longevity, and their LCD display screen offers a full-color display, complete with icons for its functions, including time of day, temperature, modes of operation, and more.

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5 series to choose from

CalSpas offers 5 series of hot tubs for you to choose from:

  • The Patio Series has four models to choose from, seats from 3 to 6 people, and has between 31 and 34 jets for you to enjoy your spa experience. It includes the six-horsepower motor which circulates the water as it heats it, and can also cool it. The efficient titanium heater is included as well. For your enjoyment, they include a cascade waterfall.
  • The Patio X-Series spas have two models to choose from, seat 6 people, include a 240-volt pump; multi-colored, LED-lit corners, and a lighter and more protective cover.
  • The Escape Series has 14 models to choose from, seats 6 or 7 people, has between 39 and 67 jets, includes perimeter LED lighting, a cascade waterfall, a titanium heater, and a 2-pump system.
  • The Escape X-Series has eighteen models to choose from, seats 6 or 7 people, has a premium finish on the cabinet, has the look of natural wood on the exterior, has LED beam light for the corners, and a 4" LED touch screen.
  • The Platinum Spas series has four models to choose from, seats 6, has between 92 and 94 jets, includes a 20" cascade waterfall which is beautiful and also can massage your neck. There's also the titanium heater, adjustable water/air combo control for the jets, the DynaFlow Filter System which can function 24/7 for cleanliness, and the Twin Pure Silk System which creates tiny bubbles that give a silky feeling and encourages collagen and cell regeneration.

Unique features of the tub and cabinet

The cabinet uses a completely-recyclable insulation which produces less waste than the traditional urethane foam. The tub itself is super strong, with a patented 7-layer laminate system that's reinforced with steel and wood.

Hot tub costs

  • Patio Series: $8,195 - $8,395
  • Patio X-Series: $9,795
  • Escape Series: $9,095 - $9,895
  • Escape X-Series: $11,295 - $14,895
  • Platinum Series: $14,395 - $14,895

You have to give your information to get a brochure

In order to receive a brochure, you are required to give a name, mailing address, and email address. You can't just get the full brochure, either; you have to fill in the series and model you are interested in. When you just want to shop for a spa, taking the extra steps of filling out a form, sharing personal information, and having to choose a series and model just to get more details when you really don't know much about their 42 choices of tubs? It's really a turn-off.

Well made, great features, expensive price tag

CalSpas are made in the US, have been around since the 1970s, and are environmentally conscious with the materials in their insulation. They don't skimp on the features, as the pumps offer six-horsepower motors, adjustable jets that perform multiple functions, and can have a full-body hydromassage. Unfortunately, just to download the brochure requires way too much information for our liking, and prices are only found through dealers. The quality is excellent and the prices reflect that; meaning, you'll not find a spa for under $8,000, even for their three-person tub. There are so many features to fall in love with, but the price tag and the effort just to get specific information are two features we don't love.

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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