Whether you’re searching online or visiting a retail outlet store in your quest to find the Best Hot Tub, do you really know what you are actually looking for? How do you define the Best Hot tub? Well, it is somewhat subjective, however, I can provide you a list of criteria that should be part of your A list in your search.
It often comes down this first and number one question I hear from hot tub shoppers, “how much do the best hot tubs cost”? Here again, you have to decide what it is that you want, what type of budget you comfortably feel OK with spending and what type of amenities are on your “A” list of must haves and what amenities would be nice, but you could do without.
On the question of price; On the low side, you can find inexpensive “inflatable” hot tubs for around six to eight hundred dollars. They may look cute and all that but remember, you get what you pay for. I don’t know anyone that is really happy with one of these units. They are, (in my opinion), very uncomfortable to sit in. Many have very little water circulation, maybe a little bubble action but it will also be minimal at best. Maintaining temperature and water sanitation can be a challenge with these units as well.
Inflatable up hot tub
You can get more water action from a Jacuzzi style bath tub in your house. You just have to fill it every time you want to use it and of course it’s indoors. You won’t be sitting back relaxing staring at the moon or stars unless you have skylights in your bathroom.
Next, lets take a look at the true portable hot tubs, the ones many people are led to believe are the best hot tub. These are the fully self-contained “plastic” or “fiberglass/acrylic” type hot tubs with surround cabinets. You just pick a spot in your yard, level it, drop in the hot tub, fill it with water and plug it in. Certainly would be a much better choice over any inflatable type hot tub.
Price wise on what retailers try to convince you to believe are the best hot tub, “portables”, will run all over the place. I’ve seen tubs for as low as $2999.00, (clearance units), to over $15,000.00 or more. So, you have decide just how much you feel comfortable spending on one of these portable hot tubs. Don’t forget that all portable hot tubs begin to depreciate the day you put it in operation, so very likely about 50% of your investment will go away the first several months you own one of these portable hot tubs.
A couple of typical portable spas
Now, I want you to understand that the choices you have when it comes to potable hot tubs whether they are the best hot tub or not, are rather extensive. If your mind is made up that a portable hot tub is what you want, then that is what should you get. (there is another option I talk about further down in this blog). The only thing now is determining what hot tub is the best hot tub for you.
You should make yourself a list of what’s important to you to have in your hot tub and what would be considered frivolous or throwaway wants. Most hot tub retailers deck out their floor model tubs so you can see everything that’s available to you. Nothing wrong with doing that, if I had a retail hot tub store I would do the same thing. But remember the price is going to reflect extras that you may not want or need. There are a number of reputable dealers that will let you order a hot tub with just want you want in it rather than try to convince you that what they have on the floor right now is the way to go. They might tell you that it takes as much 6 months to get a special order hot tub. Maybe it does for some manufacturers, I don’t have that answer.
What I can tell you is that if the salesmen starts to realize you’re more than willing to order just what you want rather that pay more for amenities you don’t want, they will start bargaining with you. They don’t want to wait 3 or 4 months for a commission check. What could likely happen now is the salesmen will say something like, “let me talk to my manager and see if there is anything we can do for you here”. At that point I can all but assure you they will come down on the price.
You want to make sure you hold firm on what you are willing to spend and on what. If your budget is $5000, stay at that number. If they have a floor model or and in stock model for $7000 but will come down to $6000, (today only, ever hear that), say no, stick to your budget be willing to walk out the door. I will bet you will be called back or get a phone call in a day or two with a new offer or an excuse why they can sell you that $7000 tub for the $5000 you are willing to spend.
In your preparation for looking for a hot tub, I mentioned making a list of what you have to have in your purchase. There is another list of things that you should look for when buying any hot tub to help assure you are getting quality. I go over all these things extensively in my book, “Spa Secrets Revealed”. This book is FREE in my Hot tub building information package. The information in this book could easily save you thousands of dollars. For just $59.95 you can get “Instant Access” to my entire information package, (8 books in all and a 2-1/2hr Video on how to build a hot tub).
So, this leads to another option when considering getting a hot tub, “Build it Yourself”! Never crossed you mind you say? Well, maybe it would be something to consider and here’s why. For a cost that can typically be Half of what a quality portable hot tub costs, you can get a hot tub that has everything you want, only what you want and, in most cases, will add equity value to your home instead of becoming a depreciating asset like a portable hot tub. “Wow, I didn’t know that you say”, well now you do know that!
A couple of DIY hot tub examples.
Not only can I show you exactly how to build your own hot tub, I will help you every step of the way. It’s what “Custom Built Spas” is all about. We provide highly detailed information and help in building spas, hot tubs, swim spas, plunge pools, small pools and more. See what just a small handful of my customers have had to say, visit my testimonials page.
Hope you have found this blog helpful and informative in your quest for the best hot tub. Feel free to contact me anytime if you have questions I can help you with!
Gene Trumbull
Custom Built Spas
