How Much Does a Hot Tub Cost?

Are you thinking about buying a hot tub? If you’re like most of our customers, the first question on your mind is, “How much does a hot tub cost?”

The answer is, it depends. Hot tub prices are not an industry secret. Yet, you usually don’t find prices listed on websites because prices vary so much depending on several important factors.

Here we’ll explain those hot tub price factors and provide the typical exact price ranges you’ll see when shopping for your new hot tub.

What Makes a Quality Hot Tub?

A quality hot tub is an investment, and just like shopping for a car, options and upgrades can increase the price of a particular model.

Once you’ve done your research, you may decide that a basic hot tub without a lot of “bells and whistles” is right for you, or you might decide you want the top of the line, or even something between.

First though, you deserve to have the right information to make an educated decision. With this info, you’ll to understand why prices can vary widely and why it’s not worth it to simply shop for the lowest price.

Ultimately, as an educated shopper, you can choose for yourself what type of hot tub ownership experience is best for you and your family.

Some of the important factors that can drive the price of a hot tub up or down include:

• Size
• Features
• Engineering
• Quality
• Design
• Dealer freight costs from the manufacturer
• Dealer-provided services included with the sale

It’s obvious that better quality, or a larger hot tub, costs more. But there are additional pricing factors, and it’s important that we cover those, too.

Hot Tub Pricing

The price of a new hot tub ranges from about $3,000 to $16,000 and more.

In theory, the further up you move in pricing, the more long-term enjoyment you get out of your hot tub. However, the initial cost of the spa is only one element to consider.

When trying to determine which hot tub provides the most value for your money, consider the ongoing costs of ownership, how often you plan to use your hot tub, and how many years you want it to last.

The following provides a breakdown of what you can generally expect from a hot tub within each typical price range.

Entry-Level Hot Tubs

$3,000 to $6,000 Starting Range

These affordable spas make it very easy for first-time hot tubbers to start enjoying hot water massage. They are great hot tubs, but they won’t have very many features compared to higher price ranges. In the entry-level category, you can expect:

• Mainly 110v, but can be converted to 220v. At 110v, you don’t incur additional electrical labor costs, and installation is a piece-of-cake
• Shorter warranty periods
• Not many accessories to choose from (music systems, salt systems, etc.)
• Spas in this price range are rotationally-molded – meaning the spa interior and exterior are formed out of a durable plastic. They look different than spas with shiny acrylic shells offered at higher price points. One benefit of a rotationally-molded spa? They are lightweight and easy to move.
• Many of these spas are plug-n-play meaning you can plug them in, fill them with your garden hose, and enjoy.
• These spas include our Freeflow and smaller Hot Spot models such as the Freeflow Azure and the Hot Spot Stride.

Value-Priced Hot Tubs

$7,000 to $9,000 Starting Range

This is the starting price range for spas with high-gloss acrylic shells, synthetic wood-like cabinets and lots of fun features, like dozens of jets lining the spa seats.

In the value-priced category, you can expect:

• Mainly 220v
• Made with longer lasting materials, acrylic shells and synthetic wood cabinets
• Spas with multiple pumps
• Multiple LED lights
• Easier water care options with inline sanitizing systems
• These spas include our Hot Spot Relay and Hot Spring Beam models

Premium and Luxury Hot Tubs

$9,000 to $16,000 Starting Range

As you move further up in price, spas in the premium range tend to offer a better and more satisfying long-term ownership experience.

Spas in this range offer the very best ownership experience. At this level you’re making the decision to invest more in the upfront price for a hot tub that delivers exceptional long-term enjoyment. Expect the very lowest energy costs, minimal maintenance, simple operation and quality from a spa that can last 10 to 20 years or more!

In the premium and luxury category, you can expect:

• Mostly 220v
• The longest lasting components
• Heaters made from titanium
• Multiple pumps with two speeds and a dedicated circulation pump
• More insulation which equals superb energy efficiency
• Multiple zoned LED lighting system
• The longest warranty in the market place – 5 years parts and labor* (ask for the warranty breakdown)
• The best (and most) therapy jets and jet cluster for the best massage
• To count on the best in water care options including 100% filtration all the time
• Less maintenance time when it comes to water care
• These spas include our Hot Spring Flash and Hot Spring Vanguard

Models in this range are the crème de la crème of hot tubs. In addition to robust features, high-quality components and durable construction, you can also expect some very special features in a luxury spa.

One-of-a-kind jet systems for the very best hydrotherapy massage, leading-edge design that makes the hot tub a beautiful backyard focal point, top-of-the line filtration for the cleanest spa water possible, and other innovations that help separate spas in this range from models in lower ranges.

What Affects the Price of Your Hot Tub?

Now that you have a general idea of how much a hot tub may cost, we’ll explain some of the model-specific factors that influence hot tub pricing.

The Best Hot Tub Size and Features

• Big hot tubs cost more to manufacture than small hot tubs. There is more material, more labor and therefore more cost.
• The next obvious factor influencing hot tub pricing is features. These are big price drivers. Going back to the car analogy, you won’t find hand-crank windows or a non-adjustable driver’s seat in that new performance car. Technology advancements improved functionality along the way, and now those upgrades have added to the manufacturing costs and are built into every model.
• Similarly, many of the most desirable spa features, like lots of powerful jets, touchscreen control panels and improved filtration systems, are built into the cost, as these are now standard features included on premium and luxury spas.
• Optional accessories affect price, too. While your hot tub should come with a cover, the cover lifter is an option. Steps, entertainment options and other items come with different price points, depending on what you choose. Those decisions affect the total purchase price for a hot tub but can add a lot to the pleasure you get from the spa and help you use it more often.

Does Engineering Matter?

Many hot tub shoppers wonder if hot tubs could really be that different. Don’t they all hold and heat water? Don’t they all have jets? Well the reality is, what is under the hood can make a big difference in your ownership experience.

For example, a BMW 3 Series and a Nissan Versa® both get you to work. But one is triple the price of the other. Features are one reason, but engineering – which determines the quality of the ride and the quality of the experience – is the other. A spa with advanced engineering is more efficient, more intuitive and more reliable. As a result you will use it more, so you get the maximum return from your investment.

Quality Counts

Quality is another element that is hard to see on the surface, but directly impacts spa life.

Nature – sun, rain, snow, ice – is unkind to anything left outdoors. Since hot tubs are most often installed outdoors, a quality spa must be built to stand up to the elements over time.

The internal operating components must also be high-quality – heaters, jet pumps, circulation pumps – are all expensive components to have to replace. Investing more up front for a spa with quality components can save you money and angst down the road.

The Design of Your New Spa

The way a hot tub looks in your backyard is more important to some homeowners than it is to others.

Many hot tub brands today offer product lines that emphasize hot tub design and take it to a new level. If you are concerned about how your new hot tub will look with your beautifully landscaped outdoor space, you may be willing to pay more for a model that offers leading-edge design.

The Importance of the Best Spa Dealer

Purchasing a hot tub is a significant investment, so finding a dealer you trust is so important!

Things to think about when buying a new spa include:

• Does the dealer service hot tubs? This is important as you may need their help.
• Do they offer a good service response time?
• Does the dealer sell the hot tub chemicals you need?
• Do they offer expert advice?
• Are their technicians up-to-date and trained on current spa technology?

Long-term spa ownership depends on having access to a reliable local dealer just like us!

We’ll develop a superb relationship for service support over the 10 to 20 year life of your spa investment. We can’t emphasize this point enough and encourage you to evaluate the benefits of purchasing a hot tub from a quality dealership.

We Provide the Best Customer Service

Your overall hot tub ownership experience is important to us from the purchase to set up and delivery, to ongoing service and maintenance after.

Since many first-time buyers typically know little about hot tubs initially, white glove service is a comfort to many, and we aim to provide it.

In the hot tub market, brand integrity and reputation are huge considerations. Ask who will help you if a problem arises.

Does the brand you’re purchasing have a reliable warranty?

Do they guarantee access to service support and parts for years beyond your purchase? The best hot tub brands and dealers (like Townley) are fully accountable. We openly engage, listen to and respond to their customers. A dealer’s (and brand’s) longevity, along with customer reviews can give you some insight into the level of service you can expect.

Can I Finance My Spa?

Yes! We are happy to offer 0% financing options for our customers (WAC) many times throughout the year.

We consider a hot tub as an investment in your family’s health and well-being, and we want you to be able to invest in a model that offers the best long-term value.

By financing all or a portion of the purchase price, you may be able to get the model that has everything you want and pay a low monthly payment you can afford. Stop by and talk to us about your options!

Final Thoughts

With all that information, you might still be wondering where you can get the EXACT price of your new hot tub.

The best place to get information about models, features, upgrades and costs for a hot tub of your own is by stopping by our store. You can even set up a time to bring a swimsuit and enjoy a test soak!

We are always here to answer your questions – even the ones you haven’t thought of yet – about models, features, options … and, of course, pricing.