This blog post discusses what we considered when choosing our spa - you may have a different set of criteria, but at least this will give you a starting point.
Also consider cost when selecting a size. New two-person spas can be purchased for $3,000-4,000, seven-person spas for $9,000-15,000, and swimming spas can cost much more than that.
There is no wrong answer - pick what best suits the situation.
Another aspect to seating: some spas include "lounge seats" for reclining in the spa. We chose not to get a lounge seat because (a) it actually takes up the space of two normal seats, (b) we didn't feel the lounge position would be comfortable for all of the spa's regular users, and (c) we heard that they can be fun initially but then end up being wasted space later on.
Decide whether the spa should have many jets to provide a whirlpool of motion while the water massages the body, or whether calm water is more desirable to provide a peaceful, serene atmosphere. Even if the spa has many jets, they can be turned off for the occasional peaceful moment. On the other hand, the more jets there are, the higher the potential for waters leaks and increased repair costs.
Finally, jets are usually grouped together by different control settings - not all jets run at the same time in most situations. Ensure the groupings work for you. On our spa, this knob controls whether water is sent to the first set of jets, the second set of jets, or half-power to both sets of jets.
Imagine sitting in the spa relaxing. As time passes, the jets or lighting needs to be adjusted. How easy is that to do? Is it necessary to go to the control panel, or can the control panel come to you? How easy are the controls to see at night? What does the control panel allow you to adjust? These are all important considerations that could greatly affect your enjoyment of the spa.
All spas require maintenance.
Saltwater spas are nice because they require fewer chemicals and many people appreciate not having the chlorine smell frequently associated with freshwater spas. However, saltwater is corrosive to metal and can negatively impact concrete and plants near the spa.
The spa will need to be drained on a regular basis. Some spas have a drain at the bottom so all water can be easily drained with a hose. We factored that in as an important feature to us - however, we've found it less useful than anticipated. First, the drain on our model has a plastic fitting and therefore I am reluctant to use it for fear of stripping the threads. Second, spa water cannot be drained to the gutter due to the chemicals in spa water and therefore needs to go through the home's sewer system. This will probably require a pump to get it to your home's sewer system. If a pump is needed anyway, might as well use it to pump the water from the spa also!
We took into consideration the reputation of the various brands. We chose a stable, top tier company with a great reputation for reliability and quality. It was also a major plus that the spa was made about 10 miles from our house so professional support should be easy to get.
In addition, our local dealer is stable and has served our area for a long time. We value the reassurance that provides.
Research how water filtering works on the spas being considered. Are the filters reusable? How often do they need to be replaced? How much does it cost to maintain the filters?
And the big one to us: is the water filtered while the jets are running. In many cases the answer is NO which means the water is not being cleaned while the spa is in use.
Spa electrical requirements are not the same across all manufacturers and models. For starters, some spas need 110 power while others require 220. Therefore, it is important to select a spa before completing the electrical work. Smaller spas sometimes only require 110 but this can offer less power for the jets and for heating the water.
Different manufacturers require different 220 setups on their 220 spas, which is another reason it is important to select a spa before completing the electrical.
Pick the spa location before purchasing a spa. Ensure the location has proper drainage away from the spa since water will sometimes splash out during use or maintenance. Pick a location where tree leaves, tree roots, sprinkler overspray, and excessive sunlight will not be an issue. The location we picked does get morning sun but is shaded in the afternoon. As additional protection against sunlight, we bought a custom cover from a third party that covers the top and all sides of our spa. We put it over the manufacturer's spa top cover and take it off when the spa is in use.
Consider the access to the spa location. Spas are typically rolled into position on their side - will the spa clear gates, eaves, gutters and trees? If the answer is no, a crane may be required to place the spa and that greatly increases delivery cost.
Spas can be placed on a concrete pad or a looser foundation, but since they can weight 5,000 pounds or more when full of water we recommend a concrete base.
Cities, counties and states often have regulations that must be met with a spa - even portable spas. For example, our city had the following safety requirements when we installed ours:
This is a typical spa shutoff box.
Finally, when all the above decisions are ironed out, take some time to consider the options.
Most spas come with a cover and some manufacturers offer better covers as an upgrade. Since large covers can be hard to move, they often offer cover lifts as an option. Cover lifts that include struts can make moving the cover much easier. Be sure to factor in the extra space required for a cover both in the open and closed positions.
And finally, decide whether you'd like a basic plastic step or one of upgraded material such as wood.
Here are a few of the brands in our area that we considered.
Beachcomber
Made in Canada, many Beachcomber models have the pumps and other equipment located in the exterior step for easy repair access. Their lineup included many model we liked, so they ended up on our Top Three list.
Caldera
Caldera spas are very popular and offer a great variety of sizes and colors.
HotSpring
Build in Southern California, these spas are high quality.
We selected this brand for several reasons. The controls were on a removable pad that could be placed anywhere around the spa making it very convenient to change the settings. The controls are easy to navigate, easy to read, and offer a large variety of settings.
HotSpring is one of the few brands where the filters run at the same time as the jets - comforting to know while sitting there with family and friends.
And finally, the spa is built locally and the dealer network in our area is well established and reputable.
Jacuzzi
This is a very popular and well-known brand. They are often at the expensive end of the price range.
Maax
We ran across this brand at the Del Mar Fair. We liked the size and style of the spa, but Maax isn't as well known as other brands.
Sundance
This is another popular brand that made our Top Three list. In the end, we found the seating configuration was not exactly what we wanted so we ruled it out.
So there you have it! In our opinion, those are the basic considerations when selecting a spa.
We encourage you to develop your own criteria. Whatever you decide, we feel it is VERY important that you see, feel, and sit in the spa (with or without water) before purchase. It is important to know if you feel comfortable in the spa before it arrives at your house.
We hope this has been helpful and enjoy your new spa!
Saltwater spas are nice because they require fewer chemicals and many people appreciate not having the chlorine smell frequently associated with freshwater spas. However, saltwater is corrosive to metal and can negatively impact concrete and plants near the spa.
The spa will need to be drained on a regular basis. Some spas have a drain at the bottom so all water can be easily drained with a hose. We factored that in as an important feature to us - however, we've found it less useful than anticipated. First, the drain on our model has a plastic fitting and therefore I am reluctant to use it for fear of stripping the threads. Second, spa water cannot be drained to the gutter due to the chemicals in spa water and therefore needs to go through the home's sewer system. This will probably require a pump to get it to your home's sewer system. If a pump is needed anyway, might as well use it to pump the water from the spa also!
We took into consideration the reputation of the various brands. We chose a stable, top tier company with a great reputation for reliability and quality. It was also a major plus that the spa was made about 10 miles from our house so professional support should be easy to get.
In addition, our local dealer is stable and has served our area for a long time. We value the reassurance that provides.
And the big one to us: is the water filtered while the jets are running. In many cases the answer is NO which means the water is not being cleaned while the spa is in use.
Different manufacturers require different 220 setups on their 220 spas, which is another reason it is important to select a spa before completing the electrical.
Pick the spa location before purchasing a spa. Ensure the location has proper drainage away from the spa since water will sometimes splash out during use or maintenance. Pick a location where tree leaves, tree roots, sprinkler overspray, and excessive sunlight will not be an issue. The location we picked does get morning sun but is shaded in the afternoon. As additional protection against sunlight, we bought a custom cover from a third party that covers the top and all sides of our spa. We put it over the manufacturer's spa top cover and take it off when the spa is in use.
Spas can be placed on a concrete pad or a looser foundation, but since they can weight 5,000 pounds or more when full of water we recommend a concrete base.
- Must be four feet from building openings
- Safety glazing on all glass within 5 feet of spa
- Receptacles must be GFCI protected
- Emergency shutoff must be visible and between 6 and 20 feet from spa
- Spa must have a locking top
- Spa must be surrounded by a barrier at least 60 inches high
- Gates must open outward, away from the spa, and be self-closing
Most spas come with a cover and some manufacturers offer better covers as an upgrade. Since large covers can be hard to move, they often offer cover lifts as an option. Cover lifts that include struts can make moving the cover much easier. Be sure to factor in the extra space required for a cover both in the open and closed positions.
And finally, decide whether you'd like a basic plastic step or one of upgraded material such as wood.
Beachcomber
Made in Canada, many Beachcomber models have the pumps and other equipment located in the exterior step for easy repair access. Their lineup included many model we liked, so they ended up on our Top Three list.
Caldera spas are very popular and offer a great variety of sizes and colors.
Build in Southern California, these spas are high quality.
We selected this brand for several reasons. The controls were on a removable pad that could be placed anywhere around the spa making it very convenient to change the settings. The controls are easy to navigate, easy to read, and offer a large variety of settings.
HotSpring is one of the few brands where the filters run at the same time as the jets - comforting to know while sitting there with family and friends.
And finally, the spa is built locally and the dealer network in our area is well established and reputable.
This is a very popular and well-known brand. They are often at the expensive end of the price range.
We ran across this brand at the Del Mar Fair. We liked the size and style of the spa, but Maax isn't as well known as other brands.
This is another popular brand that made our Top Three list. In the end, we found the seating configuration was not exactly what we wanted so we ruled it out.
So there you have it! In our opinion, those are the basic considerations when selecting a spa.
We encourage you to develop your own criteria. Whatever you decide, we feel it is VERY important that you see, feel, and sit in the spa (with or without water) before purchase. It is important to know if you feel comfortable in the spa before it arrives at your house.
We hope this has been helpful and enjoy your new spa!
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