How much should you really be paying for that new hot tub? With so many brands on the market and vast differences in pricing, it can be hard to know if you are getting a good deal.
Hot tubs and spas can be divided up into four basic categories depending on their build quality and features, which in turn determines their pricing.
Continue reading to learn everything you'll need to know about just how much your new hot tub should cost you.
Our Top Choices For Hot Tub Prices
1. Entry-Level Hot Tubs
- $3,000 - $7,000
- Often plug-and-play, roto-molded hot tubs
- Limited features & customization options, low number of jets
2. Value-Priced Hot Tubs
- $7,000 - $10,000
- Acrylic spa shells, plug-and-play options
- Wider variety of features, massage jet variety, more customization & add-ons
3. Premium Hot Tubs
- $10,000 - $16,000
- Acrylic spa shells, high-quality components
- Large range of top features, good energy efficiency, & plenty of customization options
4. Luxury Hot Tubs
- $16,000 upwards
- Top quality, durable with the most extensive warranty protection
- Best hydrotherapy features, top engineering & design, and ample luxury customization options.
Hot Tub Pricing Guide
How much does a hot tub cost? Well, we can broadly divide hot tubs into four price ranges depending on their features. Let's take a look at how much you can pay with our hot tub pricing guide.
Entry-Level Hot Tubs
$3,000 - $7,000
Entry-level hot tubs are often made from rotationally-molded durable plastic with the spa shell and cabinet as a single piece. This means they don't have the sleek, shiny look of acrylic plus the color options (if there are any available) are generally quite limited.
Often these hot tub models are plug-and-plays, meaning they don't need an electrician for the installation. They can simply be filled with water, plugged into a standard electrical outlet, and you are ready to relax. This also makes them portable, which many of the higher-end hot tubs are not.
A disadvantage of these 110V plug-and-play hot tub models is that you can't run the jets and water heater on full at the same time, however, it is possible for an electrician to convert them to 240V in order to avoid this issue.
Don't expect loads of fancy features with these types of hot tubs. They usually have a simple design, maybe a few LED lights, low numbers of jets that aren't particularly powerful (around 10 to 25 jets depending on the size of the hot tub), standard foam insulation, basic system controls, and use bottled chemicals for water sanitization.
These hot tubs have very limited customization options if any. Some brands offer color options and accessories like spa steps, but in general, don't expect lots of optional extras.
At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. A lower price can mean lower quality components such as insulation leading to higher energy costs as well as less than robust features.
A value-priced hot tub will set you back a bit more than an entry-level hot tub. Many of these models are also plug-and-plays so offer the best portable hot tubs if that's what you're after.
Value-priced spas often have acrylic shells and composite cabinet panels that require minimal maintenance.
Compared to the entry-level hot tubs they tend to have higher jet counts and also offer different types of massage jets.
A value-priced hot tub might have features such as built-in water sanitation, in-line filtration systems, good insulation maximizing energy efficiency, spa interior lighting, water features, and hydrotherapy massage jets. There may also be more options for hot tub customization.
Value-price range hot tubs often have features that might sound enticing but many also can be a letdown in terms of performance. You might find a nice hot tub with lots of massage jets but they might not be particularly powerful or the spa pump might be very loud.
Now we are heading into the price ranges where you can expect top-quality hot tubs that are energy efficient, and have plenty of features with high numbers of jets.
Premium hot tubs often feature high gloss acrylic shells and composite cabinetry that requires minimal maintenance. They generally have a good variety of massage jets for different massage styles and ergonomically designed seating with head pillows for exceptional comfort.
Premium hot tub insulation is usually multi-layered and energy efficient keeping energy costs low and they tend to have advanced water care systems such as salt water systems allowing you to use fewer cleaning chemicals.
With advanced design and engineering, you can get a good hot tub that will last years making for a happy hot tub owner within the premium hot tub price bracket.
There are often plenty of customization options and a great variety of hot tub sizes in these price ranges.
Need a Hot Tub?
If you are after the best hot tubs, take a look at luxury hot tubs.
For a hot tub model in this price range, you would expect high-quality components and the very best hydrotherapy massage jets.
A luxury spa will have high numbers of jets with a plethora of jetting styles and options for the ultimate hydrotherapy experience and also they utilize state-of-the-art technology and materials for durability and minimal maintenance.
They have plenty of very special features along with the best massage jets, including for example advanced water care systems, extremely durable high quality construction, and insulation for maximal energy efficiency.
Enjoy luxury spa features such as Wifi controls, audio systems with multiple speakers, programmable massage settings, self-cleaning technology, and more.
If you want to customize, luxury spas have loads of add-ons so you can personalize your spa for a beautiful backyard focal point.
For peace of mind, these hot tubs also have the most extensive warranty protection with some brands offering lifetime guarantees on particular spa components.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does An Inflatable Hot Tub Cost?
Inflatable hot tubs offer a very cheap spa option, but they aren't the best hot tubs if you are after an excellent hydrotherapy experience. These tubs have minimal features, often just having a couple of jets, if that, and many just have air blowers for bubbling the water.
They don't tend to have any seating or heater but the more expensive ones might have some of the features you could find in entry-level hot tubs.
Inflatable hot tubs usually cost under a thousand dollars with an average cost of between $300 to $500.
Can I Pay For My Hot Tub In Installments?
This really depends on where you are buying your hot tub from. Many hot tub dealers offer financing and payment by installment, but bear in mind this can end up costing you more overall.
How Much Does Hot Tub Installation Cost?
Hot tub installation costs vary greatly between customers but expect to pay a least a few hundred dollars. See our hot tub electrical requirements page for more information on how installation is carried out.
Plug-and-play hot tub models have the lowest installation costs as they don't require an electrician for the wiring, they can just be plugged into a standard electrical outlet.
Some customers may require ground preparation and a concrete pad pouring to rest the hot tub on.
Those going for in-ground installment can expect to pay as much as a few thousand dollars for their installation process.
Where Can I Find Specific Pricing Information?
Most hot tub brands don't list their prices online. Expensive brands, as well as models where you have a large selection of add-ons and customization options will increase the overall base price.
A few brands let you search their hot tub models by price range, but for the majority you need to get in touch with local hot tub dealers for quotes.
Hot tub manufacturer rarely set actual prices. The final hot tub cost is determined by the hot tub retailer. You'll also need to factor in delivery and installation costs, which will vary between customers.
Rather than spending hours tracking down hot tub pricing information, we'll do the hard work for you. Answer the questions below to receive multiple quotes based on your tub specifications. And the best part - this service is completely FREE to use! There is zero pressure to make a purchase, and you can see the best quotes in your area.
About The Author
Meredith Kiley
Full-time staff writer at wyllz.com and stay-at-home mom.