There are so many different options these days in the portable hot tub market, that it can get very confusing for a newcomer with no background on the topic. Follow our guide so you can purchase the best option for you.
Look For Other People’s Opinions
In today’s day and age, even if you don’t intend to make your purchase online, it is relatively simple to find inflatable hot tub reviews. Browse any online store and you’re likely to come across user reviews of the products. This can be a good starting point to find the flaws that manufacturers and stores are unlikely to tell you about.
Sizes Are Smaller Than They Seem
Whenever you look at the features of a blow up hot tub, you'll find a recommended number of adults that can be seated in it (e.g. seats 4-6 adults). However, you should known that these are recommendations for adults to sit side by side, crowded together in the tub. For most of us, that isn't the ideal seating situation we think of when we want to relax in warm water and get an invigorating massage. Keep that in mind and adjust your expectations accordingly. I generally half the number provided by the manufacturer. That means that when they advertise 4 to 6 people, I'm expecting to seat 2 or 3 comfortably, and squeeze in a couple when in a pinch.
Insulation Helps You Save On Energy Costs
The running costs of a hot tub of any kind include the energy needed to heat up a large body of water and keep the temperature steady. Whenever you turn off the heating mechanisms and leave the water to cool down, the heater has to spend a lot more energy to heat the water back up to your preferred temperature. That is why most people keep their hot tubs running for the entire season they intend on using it. Any loss of heat will require more energy to drive the heating mechanism, so insulation is a great way to save on energy costs. In the winter months, it may be more of a necessity than a savings issue.
Insulation comes in many forms. A floor protector placed under the hot tub can help prevent heat loss to the cold surface beneath. Some models have reinforced insulated walls, and others offer an optional insulating cover. In some colder climates, insulating the heater/pump is also required.
As you can see, there is no reason to get confused when shopping for an inflatable hot tub. If you do your research, and compare between models, you can come up with the best option for your needs. Make sure to read consumer reviews to get an idea of the type of product you can expect to get, and you should be good to go. My final advice is to avoid generic (poorly manufactured) models to avoid safety and quality issues, and keep using your hot tub in the long run.
