If you’re researching hot tubs and want to know the answer to a simple question: What do hot tubs cost? You might be frustrated. Most retailers don’t post pricing online. We want to help you understand what hot tubs cost by answering the question:

Do you have to pay a lot of money for a good hot tub?

Yes! And no. Okay that’s not a clear answer, but hear us out!

The Yes

We say yes you have to pay a lot for a good hot tub because you get what you pay for. There are companies that advertise a Hot Tub with “700 jets that seats 6 Adults for under $1500.” You could buy that hot tub online or in-store today and have it delivered soon thereafter. But in the hot tub industry, you DO get what you pay for. A few problems you could run into:

Getting Service and Parts

A cheap hot tub is generally made oversees- most likely in China- to save on manufacturing costs. There are new “Brands” that seem to come out every day with a new name, boasting lots of jets and features at a cheap price. These brands exist one day and are rolled into a different brand or made in a new factory under a new name the next week. We see it all the time. And this doesn’t just happen in the hot tub industry!

The problem with this is service & parts. If you need a repair (and with a spa that cheaply made, you most likely will) how will you know that the manufracture will be around so that you or a service repair person can get part?

The Dealer

Generally a dealer offering the cheapest hot tubs is a retailer based online, or if they are local to your home, they have carried multiple brands over the years they’ve been in business. If that’s the case, ask the Dealer why. The chances are it’s because the brands have gone out of business. And if you purchase from an online retailer, who do you go to when you have a problem? Even if they have a local service repairman, do you feel comfortable having someone come to you home from a company where you’ve never put a face to a name?

Cheap manufacturing and parts:

There is a difference between the feel of a cheap jet and a jet of better quality. Major brands have engineers on their design teams who understand ergonomics and how that relates to your body in hot water. But don’t take our word for it! Test it out for yourself. Try a test soak in a hot tub from a brand-name manufacturer and then try a cheaper hot tub. See if you notice the difference!

Quality

The last difference you’ll see is quality- a cheap hot tub may not last you for many years. We see Hot Spring and Caldera brand hot tubs that are 10-15 or even 20 years old all the time!

The No:

We say NO- you don’t have to spend a lot to get a great hot tub because it IS possible to get a great quality hot tub that is manufactured well with quality parts for a decent price. You will sacrifice some features and maybe a shorter warranty period, but you won’t have to give up brand name, manufacture reputation, quality & reliability. Here is what we mean:

If you spend over $10,000:  This will buy you the best hot tub available. You will be able to pick from the top features and options and have the best warranty available for hot tubs.

If you spend $5,000-$10,000:  You may have to give up some of the top-of-the line features and the warranty may be a year or two less, but many of the same options are available and you will not suffer with a lesser quality spa.

If you spend less than $5,000:  You will most likely just have a 1 or 2 year warranty and may not have features like lights throughout the hot tub and multiple water falls. Your jet configurations might be less unique than in the higher-end hot tubs.

But in all of the above scenarios you WILL have:

• Support & service from a Local Dealer
• The quality & reliability of a manufacture like Hot Spring, Caldera & Freeflow
• A long lasting, enjoyable hot tub for years to come!

Do you have any thoughts to add? Let us know in the comments!