A hot tub can be a significant investment. They’re large appliances with several operating components that typically don’t come cheap. Why are hot tubs so expensive? The fact is that you can pretty much spend as much or as little as you want on a hot tub. It all depends on what you’re looking for. To help you understand what causes a hot tub’s price to increase, we’ve put together this list of factors.
Inflatable, Portable or Inground?
The type of hot tub you choose will greatly influence the price you pay. Inflatable hot tubs are on the more economical end of the scale. You can pick one up off the internet for a few hundred dollars. But if you’re looking for a durable investment that will give you a range of options and settings at a low operational cost, the cheapest hot tub on the market isn’t going to provide that for you. But if you’re looking for something cheap, cheerful and temporary, an inflatable hot tub can save you a lot of money.
Portable hot tubs are unfortunately named because they aren’t exactly what you’d call easily movable. And while it is very much possible to move them from one place to another it’s not something you’d want to be doing on a regular basis. Composed of a rigid shell encased in a sturdy frame, portable hot tubs are large and heavy. However, they are the middle ground when it comes to price and durability.
The price of inground hot tubs is limited only by the size of your imagination and bankroll. Usually fully customizable, inground hot tubs typically call for a team of professionals for installation. That said, the money and effort spent on them can lead to a work of art that can last for decades. If price is not a limit, an inground hot tub can be designed to meet all your needs.
Cleaning† Systems
The standard hot tub cleaning† system is based on chlorine. But some people are extremely sensitive to too much chlorine. Saltwater and ozone systems greatly cut back on the amount of chlorine used and can make for a more comfortable soak. However, you’ll generally pay for this type of upgrade.
Seating
Hot tubs that seat more people will generally cost more money. The extra seating will require more water jets and often a more powerful water heater and pump. As it’s often the case that people end up buying too much hot tub for their personal situation, a way to cut down on price is to cut down on seating capacity. You may not even notice the difference.
Accessories
There are certain so-called accessories, such as the hot tub cover, footbath or skimmer net, that are really more of a necessity. However, there’s a huge range of hot tub accessories that won’t actually affect the underlying principles of hot tub use. Things like sound, lighting or Wi-Fi systems, waterfalls or aromatherapy packages can all add to the experience (for a price!) but aren’t an absolute necessity.
Brand Name Quality
The hot tub industry is dominated by a few large players that have been in the business for 30, 40 or 50+ years. They’ve achieved this dominance because of their reputation for quality. And while you’ll pay for this quality, often it ends up being more economical in the long run. The hot tub industry also has more than its fair share of here today, gone tomorrow no name brands that sell hot tubs that are cheap in both price and quality. And while there may be an argument for having this type of option available to consumers, it’s important to understand what you’re buying.
Now that you have a better idea why hot tubs are so expensive, get more information by downloading a free buyer’s guide below today, or visit us at our hot tub store.