Things to consider when choosing a hot tub
There’s an overwhelming amount of information on the internet about hot tubs—it only takes a few minutes of clicking around to feel like you’re drowning. From Google product ads to Pinterest glamour shots to blog articles on everything from jets to wellness routines (and those are our blog posts!), it can feel like you need a personal shopper to help you find the right tub for you and your family.
STEP 1 HOW DO YOU PLAN TO USE YOUR HOT TUB?
Okay, so this is a trick question. Whether you're planning to use your hot tub for entertaining friends, relaxing with your honey after a long day, adding hydrotherapy to your wellness routine, hanging out with your teenage kids, or love the idea of being outside all year long, you'll quickly find you can do all of that and more in a hot tub. That's what's so unique about hot tubs.
That being said, some types of tubs lend themselves better to some uses.
If you want to use your hot tub for entertaining, you'll likely want more than four seats. (Plus, if you want to interest your older kids, room for friends is a must.) If your priority is hydrotherapy, look for a hot tub with preset and programmable wellness routines. Any high-quality hot tub will do if you want to melt the day away, watching the light dance in the mist rising from the warm water (or watching it steam up your wine glass).
Be honest. If you'd rather have a pool but don't have the space or budget (and we get it, we love pools, too), you might be looking in the wrong place. Instead, check out our swim pools, a pool and hot tub combo starting at 12' long.
STEP 2 HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE AND NUMBER OF SEATS FOR YOUR HOT TUB
This one is pretty straightforward. Do you want to be the place for hot tub parties or the place for hot tub parties?
We're kidding (sort of). But understanding what size hot tub and how many seats you'll need will largely depend on what you plan to do with it. If you prioritize getting a hot tub for date nights with the better half, perhaps a 3-seater is right for you. Want to have regular post-game "hops and hydrotherapy" sessions with the guys? Um, 9-seater. (And go for self-cleaning.) Do you want to hang out with your high schoolers or college-aged kids on the weekends or when they're home from school? The hot tub size will depend on your family size (and the size of your kids. And their friends).
Speaking of size, an often overlooked factor in deciding what size tub to choose is the height of the tallest person who regularly uses the hot tub. Hot tub seats come in different depths, and if basketball players are in your family, you'll want seats they can sink into.
The style of seats is also an important consideration. Some people can't live without a lounger. Some people want to ensure there are two loungers to keep the peace. Of course, if you're unsure whether you'd like a lounger or wish to try Hydropool's famous no-float lounger, you can always book a test dip.
STEP 3 THINKING ABOUT AVAILABLE SPACE IN YOUR YARD OR PATIO
At some point in your hot tub selection process, you'll have to consider how much space you have available in your yard or patio.
Overall, hot tubs are a great option for smaller yards, patios and decks (though they're an excellent option for large areas too, or as an add-on to your existing pool to get year-round fun).
But beyond the generalities of "good for small spaces," it's wise to think of the specific location where you want to place your tub and any existing constraints or opportunities. Do you have an existing patio or concrete pad that you could use to support the tub? Do you want to place it near a shed you plan to convert into a cabana or your pool? Have you landed on a deck design and prefer the hot tub integrated? Do you have an existing deck that needs to be considered? Ensure you measure the space you need to work with before talking with a salesperson. As a general rule, if space is tight, rectangular hot tubs offer greater flexibility in placement.
When measuring your yard for a new hot tub, you'll want to consider distance to the house as a significant factor in determining available space.
How close to the house is too close?
When determining where to put your hot tub in your house you'll need to consider a few things:
- Distance from the home entrance: You'll want to place your hot tub close enough to a door that you can quickly and safely get in and out during the winter but not so close that it's in the way of traffic when the tub isn't in use. When it comes to winter hot tubbing, you'll also want to ensure that the hot tub is far enough from a central traffic area so that water from bathers doesn't cause dangerous slippery areas. Winter snow and ice aside, a shorter walk can often be a little easier in the dark.
- Distance to an electricity source: Having your hot tub close to the house is excellent for easy access to electrical and water sources needed to run and power the hot tub. Take this into consideration when thinking of where to place your hot tub.
- Privacy and noise concerns: When considering available space for your hot tub, you'll also want to consider who will be using the tub and when. If teenage kids are more likely to use the tub later at night, having it outside your bedroom window may make for sleepless nights.
STEP 4 ALL ABOUT AESTHETICS: CABINET AND SHELL DESIGN AND COLOUR
When choosing the right hot tub, cabinet and shell colour and design are primarily about personal preference, though size and budget will affect your options.
Many choose to match or contrast shell colour with the colour of their home, deck or patio features or to let the hot tub stand on its own as a unique piece.
Cabinet design is another feature that many people like to play with. If your home or backyard has a contemporary design, you'll likely want a cabinet that compliments that feel. Again, choices for the design and colour of your shell and cabinet are mainly a matter of taste and preference.
STEP 5 CHOOSING THE TYPE AND NUMBER OF JETS
What's the difference between a hot tub and a bathtub? One of the most apparent differences is the hot tub jets. The jets play a vital role in hot tub hydrotherapy, providing important massaging features. They also make the water bubbly, which is fun for everyone!
We've put together a post specifically on the seven types of hot tub jets and what they do. If you plan to use the hot tub as a part of your health and wellness routine, you'll want to pay close attention to the jets and seating and go for preset or programmable wellness routines.
STEP 6 CHOOSING HOT TUB ADD-ONS AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Another difference between hot tubs and bathtubs: are add-ons and special features. Unless you're a Kardashian, your bath won't have special pillows, lighting, or built-in speakers. Chalk one up for hot tubs again! Unique features and add-ons are great ways to get more out of your hot tub.
It can be easy to get carried away with the extra features. The options for all the bells and whistles can quickly drive up the price of a hot tub, so choose the ones that fit with your reason for getting the tub in the first place. Some of our favourite options for add-ons and special features include:
- Northern Lights Shell Upgrade: strategically placed LED lighting illuminates all of the top-mounted control valves and waterfall jets, creating a beautiful sequence of colour ranges, or set to a single colour
- DreamScents on Demand: mix some aromatherapy with your hydrotherapy! With this add-on, you can inject the perfect amount of specially formulated essential oils directly into your hot tub.
- Cover lifter and steps: make getting in and out of your hot tub a breeze.
Unique features and add-ons are great options if you want to kick your hot tub game up a notch, but if you like to keep it simple, you can do without and still enjoy your desirable tub experience.
STEP 7 HOT TUB CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE NEEDS
Like most things, keeping things running smoothly and safely takes a little effort. Regarding hot tubs, this comes down to cleaning and maintenance. Besides the regularly scheduled chemical needs of a hot tub, there are times when extra bathers, temperature changes, or an accidentally spilled glass of wine or pint of beer will require you to do some additional maintenance. You'll also have to drain your tub every 4 to 6 months, depending on its size and how much use it gets. (Check here to learn how to drain a Hydropool hot tub.)
When deciding which hot tub is suitable for your family, you'll want to consider how much time you can afford to care for your hot tub. Most hot tub owners will tell you that maintenance doesn't take much, but you might consider a self-cleaning model to help you do what a hot tub is meant for, taking it easy.
STEP 8 AVAILABLE WARRANTY AND REPAIR SERVICES
You'll want to consider a hot tub dealer when choosing a hot tub. Certified dealers can help you make the best choice of hot tub but are also best equipped to help you maintain your warranty and provide the best repair services when something breaks down.
Buds has been a certified Hydropool dealer for more than 40 years. Not only do we have our technicians and fully-stocked trucks, but we’re experts in repairing and maintaining made-in-Canada hot tubs.
The experience of our year-round, factory-trained staff means there’s nothing they haven't seen, which means we can often help customers troubleshoot issues with their hot tub over the phone, which could save you a service call.
STEP 9 PRICE
Having a budget is a great way to start your hot tub journey and may be a deciding factor in the type, size, and add-ons available to you. Luckily, there are hot tubs for all types and sizes of budgets. Hot tub financing is also available to help you make the most of your decision and find the hot tub that's perfect for you.
Now that you know everything that goes into finding the right hot tub, you're ready to start your hot tub journey. While all this information can be overwhelming, we have something to help make it even easier.
Our hot tub quiz will help recommend the right hot tub for you. Take the quiz now and take the first step on your hot tub journey!
WHICH HOT TUB IS BEST FOR YOU?
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