How to buy the best hot tub – Which?

There’s nothing quite like resting after a hard day with a bath in your backyard portable hot tub. Warm water relaxes tense muscles and relieves stress; it can also boost sleep and cardiovascular health!

Right present, the hot tub market is exceeding, well, hot. Its popularity has grown yearly, and we believe millions of families in the United Kingdom to own one!

Several reports expect growth to be even faster in the coming five years. This surge in popularity is because of the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic, which caused many individuals to spend more time at home and less time travelling. More homes are looking for high quality hot tubs for sale in the UK as a luxury item for at-home leisure!

Purchasing a hot tub can be a terrific investment that you can use all year – even in winter!

However, there are several things you should know before purchasing to guarantee that you receive the best hot tub for your location.

Hot tub varieties

Several types of hot tubs are available, each with its distinct characteristics. Here’s a quick rundown of each class to help you decide which is best for you:

Inflatable hot tubs

For a few reasons, inflatable hot tubs are many people’s first foray into hot tub ownership. Foremost, the best inflatable hot tubs cannot compete with standard permanent hot tubs in terms of performance.

One important reason for this is because inflatable hot tubs are “plug-and-play,” which means they use a standard three-pronged plug rather than a separate 32 amp power source. This is undoubtedly practical, but it also means that the jets are too feeble to provide the hydrotherapy massage provided by a permanent hot tub.

This is exacerbated because the components of inflatable hot tubs are of much lesser quality than those of permanent hot tubs. This reduces the price but has a significant influence on performance.

And sitting on inflating plastic is far less comfy than relaxing on moulded acrylic. Because inflatable home spas are circular rather than square, a model the same size as a fixed tub might fit fewer people.

Finally, all save the most expensive inflatable hot tubs release a tremendous amount of heat. This means they take forever to heat up and cost a fortune to run.

So, while an inflatable hot tub may appear to be a reasonable price initially, it will not provide the same hydrotherapy massage as a permanent home spa. The operating costs will be so high that it may be more expensive than a permanent hot tub after a few years.

Permanent hot tubs

As the name implies, permanent hot tubs are permanent installations in your landscape.

They have a rigid base, side panels, internal electronics, and a moulded acrylic seating surface.

They are available in a wide range of sizes and qualities. Some include simply two lounger seats for couples to enjoy together, while others can accommodate an entire family and have built-in Bluetooth speakers (and even waterfalls).

Most people choose permanent hot tubs because they provide a massage that inflatable hot tubs simply cannot match. They can fit many more people in the same space, are much cheaper to run, and last a lot longer, with a decent model lasting up to two decades.

In-ground hot tubs

In-ground hot tubs are custom-built home spas dug into the ground and typically adorned with tiling.

They look fantastic, and because they are manufactured to order, they may be designed for your specifications. However, they are more expensive than a regular permanent hot tub and may require extensive architectural work to build.

An in-ground hot tub can be a terrific investment if you have the money and the suitable space in your garden. If a half-or fully submerged home spa appeals to you, you can also sink a permanent hot tub, which may be a more practical and cost-effective solution.

How to Purchase the Best Hot Tub

Which hot tub is best for you is not always a simple decision. It all comes down to your preferences, how many people you want to squeeze into your home spa, your budget, and the room you have to work with.

Here’s everything you should think about when choosing which hot tub to purchase:

How it feels

If this is your first time purchasing a hot tub, test various types, from the most affordable to the most expensive. That way, you’ll wind up with the ideal home spa instead of having one that looks great on paper but doesn’t feel right. When you compare lower-end models to top-of-the-line versions, you’ll see whether spending the extra money is worthwhile.

Select a few tubs to test, then change into your bathing suit and have the showroom staff explain how to run the first spa on your list.

Then ask them to leave you alone so you can test it out for yourself to see if it’s the proper hot tub for you.

During a wet test, pay close attention to:

• Is there enough space for the number of persons you wish to enjoy your hot tub with simultaneously?
• Are the seats comfortable and deep enough to accommodate every family member?
• Do the jets provide a relaxing massage?
• Is it simple to change the power and type of massage provided by the jets?
• Are the lighting and multimedia options, such as speakers and a TV, appealing and simple to use?

Do you enjoy the feel of the hot tub above anything else? It comes down to opinion, so choose the home spa that feels the most comfortable to you, even if it isn’t the most refined model on paper.

The seating capacity

It is critical to evaluate how many people will use your home spa – and how frequently.

As a general guideline, choose the smallest hot tub possible. You’ll get more bang for your buck this way.

Of course, if you want to put the entire family in your new hot tub, you’ll have to go with one of the larger models on the market. You’ll merely need the room – and the ability to reach the upper end of the market.

For many individuals, the choice is between a little hot tub with more features and a giant one that isn’t as luxurious but can accommodate everyone you’d like to have over for a dip.

We recommend deciding how frequently you will host your closest friends and family in this situation.

Suppose you intend to take advantage of one of the most significant advantages of owning a hot tub and make a regular event of inviting friends and family over to bathe in your spa. In that case, it may be worthwhile to invest in a larger model may be helpful.

If your loved ones are only going to stop by for a dip now and then, you can go for the smaller spa and take turns in the tub with your friends and family when they do stop by.

The power source

Hot tubs typically use a 13 or 32-amp power supply.

A standard three-pronged connector powers a 13 amp hot tub. This category includes almost every inflatable hot tub.

They are popular among first-time home spa owners since they do not require the installation of a dedicated power outlet. They’re also typically far less expensive than their 32 amp counterparts because they include less sophisticated circuitry, which means they cost less to construct.

Most permanent hot tubs are 32 amp. These require a dedicated 32 amp electrical supply, which means they cannot be plugged into a conventional outlet. They are typically more expensive than 13 amp units but provide significantly superior performance.

We’ve written extensively about the differences between 13 amp and 32 amp hot tubs. Still, the short version is that 32 amp units provide significantly superior hydrotherapy massages while costing far less to operate.

As a result, we strongly advise you to avoid 13 amp hot tubs in favour of a 32 amp type.

The construction quality

The build quality of a home spa is a crucial factor that many first-time hot tub buyers neglect.

Unscrupulous online-only manufacturers frequently construct home spas that appear functional on the outside but are critically lacking in some critical regions beneath the surface.

This is a significant reason you should only buy hot tubs in person from reputable hot tub shops, as it is the only method to inspect the build quality for yourself.

So, ask a showroom employee to remove the service panel of a model you’re interested in and show you.

The seating configuration

The following selection is whether to go with an all-seater or lounger hot tub.

A lounger seat is exactly what it sounds like: an area of a hot tub where you can stretch out and get a full-body massage.

There aren’t many better ways to unwind after a hard day than relaxing in a hot tub’s lounger seat with the jets on full blast.

The disadvantage is that a lounge seat takes up the space of two or three upright seats; therefore, it cannot accommodate as many people.

Another consideration is whether you want an all-seater or lounger hot tub. This is determined by how many people you want to fit into your home spa.

If you’re planning to use your hot tub mostly for solo soaks, get one with a lounger seat so you can stretch out – even if it means it won’t fit everyone at once when you invite people over.

If you have a large family or intend to make your home spa the focal point of your social activities, you may regret choosing a lounger hot tub.

Keep this in mind as you select the ideal home spa for you.

The framework

Untrustworthy producers will initially cut corners on the frame. Cheap online imports feature structures of untreated metalwork that corrodes after only a few years of use.

Always get a hot tub with a galvanised or stainless steel frame.

The insulating material

The most crucial aspect of how much a hot tub costs to run is its insulation.

The interior of the most efficient home spas is “fully foamed,” with high-quality foam placed everywhere except around the control panel, which requires a few inches of maintenance access.

Hot tubs that aren’t thoroughly foamed will be far more expensive to run and may struggle to keep heat.

The waterproofing

Make sure a waterproof membrane or substance that prevents dampness from rising to the cabinet protects the floor of the inside of a hot tub.

The cabinet

Softwood cabinets that look the part but rot rapidly are typical in low-cost imports. As a result, choose a model with a cabinet made of treated wood.

The air jets

The air jets in a hot tub are essential variables in how effective a hydrotherapy massage it provides.

Hot tubs at the higher end of the pricing range typically contain additional jets that may be adjusted to your personal needs, providing the ideal massage.

When testing a hot tub, pay special attention to the number of jets and combinations you may use them in.

The filtering system

The more effectively a hot tub filters water on its own, the less you’ll have to do to keep its water quality up.

Choose a model with a high-quality filtration system to avoid adding hot tub chemicals to keep it clean.

The larger and more filters a hot tub has, the less you’ll have to intervene to maintain the water quality up to par. Of thumb, seek hot tubs with at least 100 square feet of filter area per cartridge.

The front cover

A hot tub with a fully insulated, airtight cover will be much more energy-efficient than a fully protected hot tub.

Put your hand on the cover of a hot tub to see how effective it is. If it’s at room temperature, it’s trapping heat and possible.

We also strongly advise purchasing a hot tub with a locking clamp cover. These will provide an airtight seal, keep the surface from blowing off in the wind, and keep unsupervised children from accessing your home spa.

The illumination

Most high-quality hot tubs have LED lights built into their acrylic chairs, which adds atmosphere to a soak, especially when the sun goes down.

Look for models with external lighting, as this comes in handy while hopping in and out of your spa in the dark.

The multimedia options

Note the multimedia features of the hot tubs. Models with built-in Bluetooth speakers and smart TVs are available at the high end of the market. These aren’t deal-breakers when choosing the best home spa.

The integrated water treatment equipment

Some hot tubs at the higher end of the market even include automatic water treatment technologies.

Some have ozone generators and UV systems to kill bacteria, while others have built-in devices that steadily discharge small amounts of chlorine or bromine, so you don’t have to top them up by hand.

The command-and-control panel

Some home spa control panels are simple and easy to use from any seat, whilst others are complex and difficult. And, the more expensive the home spa, the more options its control panel will have, which can be good or bad depending on how well it’s built.

So, experiment with a model’s control panel to ensure it won’t irritate you whenever you go for a bath.

Final Words:

Once you’ve determined where and how to get your spa, Aqua Warehouse is here to answer any questions you may have along the journey. Aqua Warehouse is your go-to source for anything hot tub-related, from filters to foam, sales to hot tub-maintenance and pumps to pH.