Unsure how to buy a hot tub? In Reef Spas hot tub buying guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about finding the right hot tub to suit your needs. Discover the different kinds of hot tubs offered by us and the features to look out for before signing on the dotted line.
Read on for our top tips on finding the best hot tub for you.
Types of hot tubs
Reef Spas offer a few different types of hot tubs; each with their own unique characteristics. Here’s a quick overview of each kind to give you an idea of which might be best for you:
Swim Spas
Our Essex swim spas are moderately-sized jetted tubs. In them, you can swim against the current created by the jets. You stay in one place as you swim while the water moves around you
Hot Tubs
Our Essex hot tubs have no such current, but the water often swirls and bubbles around sitters as they relax.
How to buy the best hot tub
Finding the right hot tub for you isn’t always easy. Not only must you consider your individual preferences, budget and space, but you must also think about how many people you want to fit into your spa at any one time.
Here’s absolutely everything you should consider when you’re thinking about which hot tub to buy:
How it feels
The most important step in choosing a hot tub is to head to a Reef Spa showroom, which will have private test swim facilities you can use to test models.
If this is the first time you’re buying a hot tub, be sure to test a number of different kinds of models. That way you’ll find the right spa that suits you best. You’ll also get clear on whether splashing the extra cash is worth it to you when you compare lower-end models with top-of-the-range ones.
A few things to pay particular attention to during a wet test are:
Does it feel like there’s plenty of room for the amount of people you want to be able to enjoy your hot tub at once?
Are the seats comfortable and the right depth to suit every member of your family?
Do the jets give a good massage?
Is it easy to adjust the jets’ power and the type of massage it gives?
Are the lighting and multimedia options, like speakers and a TV, to your liking and easy to use?
Above all else, do you like the feel of the hot tub? It’s really a matter of preference, so be sure to go for the home spa that feels best to you, even if it’s not the best model on paper.
The seating capacity
Before you purchase your spa, it’s crucial to consider how many people will be using it and how often.
Unless you're choosing a swim spa, you should go for as small of a hot tub as you can. That way you’ll get more for your money. However, if you want to fit the whole family in your new hot tub, it’s wise to look at one of the bigger models. You’ll just need the space for it.
Reef Spas recommends making the deciding factor based on how regularly you’ll be entertaining your nearest and dearest.
If you’re planning on enjoying one of the biggest benefits of having a hot tub and making a regular event of inviting friends and family round to soak in your spa, it might be well worth splashing out for the larger model. However, if your loved ones are only going to be swinging by for a soak every once in a while, you might opt for the smaller spa and potentially take turns in the tub with your friends and family when they pop round.
The air jets
Have you thought about jets? A hot tub’s air jets are one of the biggest factors in how good of a hydrotherapy massage it gives. Hot tubs at the higher end of the price spectrum tend to have more jets that can be adjusted to your specific preferences, giving the perfect massage for you.
So before you sign on the dotted line, make sure to pay close attention to the number of jets and the amount of combinations you can use them in when you’re testing a hot tub.
The filtration system
The more effectively a hot tub filters water on its own, the less hands-on you’ll have to be with maintaining its water quality.
Go for a model with a top-of-the-range filtration system to save yourself from having to spend your time adding hot tub chemicals to keep it clean.
The bigger a hot tub’s filters and the more it has, the less you’ll have to intervene to keep the water quality up to snuff. So, as a minimum, look for hot tubs with a minimum of 100 sq ft of filter area per cartridge.
Buying an Essex Hot Tub
Buying a hot tub is a very personal experience. It’s one of the biggest purchases you can make, aside from your house and car! With almost 20 years of industry experience, Reef Spa aims to supply the best low cost hot tubs, without compromising on design and quality.
We understand that buying a hot tub is a big investment for you and your family. That’s why our team of experts are on hand to provide the best advice to choosing the right spa that fits your budget and needs. You can also find your nearest dealer and showroom now, where they can show you all the great features Reef Spa has to offer.