So you’re ready to buy a hot tub. Alright then!

You’ve thought about it, you’ve talked about it, now it is time. Time to purchase the hot tub that meets your needs and start a truly rewarding adventure.  There is no other purchase I have ever made that gave me so much ongoing pleasure and relaxation. Here are some of the key points you should consider as you make your selection:

Upfront Costs. Besides the hot tub, you will need to consider the cost of the foundation, cost of installation, cost of running electrical and the cost of landscaping or decking depending on how large your project is going to be. Make sure to understand these costs BEFORE you commit so you don’t spend beyond what you are comfortable with. One of my other blogs discusses these items in more detail.

Types of Hot Tubs. Inflatable, portable and in-ground are all possibilities. Inflatable are suitable for someone renting their home, while in-ground are suitable for those who are flush with cash. This article is focussed on portable (acrylic-shell with wood frames). Portable is a misnomer if you have ever tried to move one of these beasts.

The best hot tub to buy. Did you really think it was going to be that easy? Some stranger tells you what to do so you don’t have to do your homework? You can spend between $3,000 and $18,000 on a portable hot tub so if price matters you need to decide what you need versus what you want in your hot tub. Focus on how many people you want to comfortably seat and remember you can pack more kids and partiers into a hot tub than the rated seating. Then decide how many jets you want, do you need a waterfall, how many multi color lights, built in stereo, wifi connectivity etc etc. This is the difficult part, separating needs from wants. From my own experience, less is more.  Really, a hot tub is about warm water circulating with and without air bubbles to create a relaxing experience.  Twice the bubbles, twice the jets and twice the lighting does not give you twice the relaxation.  Buy what you can afford and make yourself happy with that. Check reviews and ratings to make sure others have had a positive experience with the exact model you are considering and that the manufacturer has a good reputation. 

Ongoing costs. Sanitizer (chlorine or bromine), shock (chlorine or non-chlorine), chemicals to adjust pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness, filters, water costs and electricity are all part of the budget you will need to keep your hot tub running. Budget at least $50 per month.

Salt water tubs. You may be aware of salt water swimming pools. The same sanitization technology is available for hot tubs. For the uninitiated, a small amount of salt, (approximately 3000 parts per million, less than 1/10 of an ocean) is added to the hot tub and an electrically driven cell breaks the salt into sodium and chlorine while water circulates. The chlorine generated sanitizes the water, mostly eliminating the need for added chlorine. Salt water tends to be gentler on the skin and extends the time between water changes. There is an upfront cost for the system and an ongoing cost for replacement generator cells. You won’t likely save money but you will reduce your ecological chemical footprint and enjoy the gentle effect of this type of sanitation on your skin.

I found an interesting stat from another blogger's post. 58% of hot tub buyers wish they had bought their tub sooner. Make a good decision on what to buy and you too will wish you had bought a long time ago!