Best brands of stand alone hot tubs these days.

[Basset_Hounds]

I currently have a Caldera Utopia Geneva that is getting some age on it. It's been a great hot tub, and I have always figured if we ever replaced it, it would be with the same thing. However, I thought I would see what else is out there, because who knows, there might be something that I like even better. Or even better brands these days. Would love to hear your opinions. Thanks

 

[cranbiz]

There are a lot of quality brands and all too many junk brands.

The ones considered top brands are Hot Springs, Caldera, Artesian, Marquis, Bullfrog, Dimension One, Sundance.

I have an Artesian Island series and so far, it's been a great tub. very happy with it and my dealer. If you were happy with the service your Caldera gave you, I wouldn't hesitate to put them on your short list but it also wouldn't hurt to review the others in my list. One brand may have a feature that you want to experience. Bullfrog has interchangable jet packs, Hot Springs has the motomassage seat, etc.

Just as important as the tub is, a good dealer is a must. Find a tub that you like, wet test it if possible and go with the dealer that you feel comfortable with and that has in house, factory trained techs.

 

[RDspaguy]

That is a loaded question, as the definition of "best" varies with the user.
Watkins (hot springs, caldera, among others) makes a good, long lasting, and well designed spa. I hate working on them, but can't deny their longevity. They are among my top brands.
But the most important factor in your spa decision is the dealer. A bad dealer will make any spa a bad experience. If you are happy with your Caldera dealer after all this time, you might want to stick with him.
Otherwise, I usually advise that you find reputable dealers in your area and go test out the floor model(s). That can be a problem right now as many dealers have had to sell their display tubs, but is the best way to go about it.
If you want more specifics you need to give some info on what you think makes a good spa? For example, many people want full foam for the insulation value and plumbing support, but others want a spa that is relatively easy to do repairs on so they can fix it themselves if it has problems. 24/7circulation vs timed filtering, ozone, uv, smartchlor, cabinet construction/material, frame material, app controlled, bluetooth stereo (bad idea), etc... Shop brands online for the details and just visit the ones that have what you want. Call the dealers, they will tell you whatever you want to know, in addition to the sales pitch bs.

 

[sydner23]

That is a loaded question, as the definition of "best" varies with the user.
Watkins (hot springs, caldera, among others) makes a good, long lasting, and well designed spa. I hate working on them, but can't deny their longevity. They are among my top brands.
But the most important factor in your spa decision is the dealer. A bad dealer will make any spa a bad experience. If you are happy with your Caldera dealer after all this time, you might want to stick with him.
Otherwise, I usually advise that you find reputable dealers in your area and go test out the floor model(s). That can be a problem right now as many dealers have had to sell their display tubs, but is the best way to go about it.
If you want more specifics you need to give some info on what you think makes a good spa? For example, many people want full foam for the insulation value and plumbing support, but others want a spa that is relatively easy to do repairs on so they can fix it themselves if it has problems. 24/7circulation vs timed filtering, ozone, uv, smartchlor, cabinet construction/material, frame material, app controlled, bluetooth stereo (bad idea), etc... Shop brands online for the details and just visit the ones that have what you want. Call the dealers, they will tell you whatever you want to know, in addition to the sales pitch bs.

Does it matter what type of hot tub I get if my pool is salt? Should I be looking at Hot Springs salt hot tubs? Are there other brands that make salt systems? Thanks!

 

[A.O.]

You can get a salt tub, or you dont have to, choice is yours. My pool is a salt pool, my Cal Spas hot tub is not, but it is wonderful!! In fact I'm heading there right now!

 

[jseyfert3]

Does it matter what type of hot tub I get if my pool is salt? Should I be looking at Hot Springs salt hot tubs? Are there other brands that make salt systems? Thanks!

You can retrofit any tub with a hang-over SWCG such as the Saltron Mini. This is what I do for my older Cal Spa tub. It's really great and I wish my pool had a SWCG based on my experience with it on the tub.

 

[PoolBrews]

Take a look at the Tuff Spas. The patented cover is amazing and guaranteed for life. I've had 4 hot tubs over the past 35 years, and have had the Tuff Spa TT250 for the past 5 years. It has been the best built hot tub I've ever had.

They have a video showing them pushing one down the side of a big hill. It flips several times while going down, yet still is in one piece and functional after getting to the bottom! Their other huge advantage is that they use standard parts for all the internals that you can get anywhere - no custom panels, pumps, filters, etc.

 

[RDspaguy]

It flips several times while going down, yet still is in one piece and functional after getting to the bottom!

Yeah, that's just how we move them...
It has been my (limited) experience that swg built in to spas are problematic. I am not a fan of swg even in pools and, in spite of the several happy saltron users here on tfp, I do not recommend them in a spa.

 

[A.O.]

Yeah, that's just how we move them...
It has been my (limited) experience that swg built in to spas are problematic. I am not a fan of swg even in pools and, in spite of the several happy saltron users here on tfp, I do not recommend them in a spa.

Why?

 

[RDspaguy]

Why what? Why do we move them that way? (That was a joke, I just can't access the laughing emoji anymore, so imagine one here.)
I hear from many folks about issues with the built in salt systems going through (expensive) cartridges like my son goes through potato chips. (Imaginary emoji.)
I generally dislike salt systems due to the ph issues that seem to result frequently from their use and the damage that results. I am a repairman, and have cut open the heat exchanger on a heater completely clogged with calcium after less than a year on a salt pool. The manufacturer tech support knew it was on salt without being told, just based on the description of the result, and pointed out the paragraph in their warranty where it states that salt systems void said warranty. The heater replacement was expensive, but I imagine it was cheap compared to the melted vinyl siding and soffit from the heater catching on fire. I am aware that this can be dealt with, but in my experience fixing them, it usually is not. Of course, I am not sent to the ones that aren't broken, so maybe I am biased.
Plus, salt cells are expensive and need frequent replacement. You can buy alot of sodium hypochlorite for the price of one salt cell.

 

[phonedave]

That is a loaded question, as the definition of "best" varies with the user.

I give the same response as you quite often. I get asked what is the best pool, what is the best hot tub, what is the best hotel, what is the best restaurant, etc.

I highly doubt there is one thing that his head and shoulders above everything else in all aspects. What is an important feature to one person means nothing to an other.

 

[A.O.]

Why what? Why do we move them that way?
I hear from many folks about issues with the built in salt systems going through
I generally dislike salt systems due to the ph issues that seem to result frequently from their use and the damage that results. I am a repairman, and have cut open the heat exchanger on a heater completely clogged with calcium after less than a year on a salt pool. The manufacturer tech support knew it was on salt without being told, just based on the description of the result, and pointed out the paragraph in their warranty where it states that salt systems void said warranty. The heater replacement was expensive, but I imagine it was cheap compared to the melted vinyl siding and soffit from the heater catching on fire. I am aware that this can be dealt with, but in my experience fixing them, it usually is not. Of course, I am not sent to the ones that aren't broken, so maybe I am biased.
Plus, salt cells are expensive and need frequent replacement. You can buy alot of sodium hypochlorite for the price of one salt cell.

Ok, thanks.. and I helped you with your emoji's up there!

So if they are a detriment why do some manufacturers offer them on their hot tubs? Cal Spas offered a bromine generator, that was a no brainer for me to decline. On and off the fence about a over the side SWG for my tub... I may never decide on that one.

 

[A.O.]

I give the same response as you quite often. I get asked what is the best pool, what is the best hot tub, what is the best hotel, what is the best restaurant, etc.

I highly doubt there is one thing that his head and shoulders above everything else in all aspects. What is an important feature to one person means nothing to an other.

Agreed... and dealer back up was one of the big things when I bought my last one at the beginning of the year.

 

[phonedave]

Agreed... and dealer back up was one of the big things when I bought my last one at the beginning of the year.

Me too. I knew I wanted a Bullfrog, but if the dealer was totally useless I would have either gone elsewhere, or settled for a different model.

My dealer is a bit opinionated (like when he delivered my tub he felt the need to tell me he would have built my deck differently - the tub is not on the deck either), but he is responsive and fixes / makes things right.

 

[RDspaguy]

Salt sytems sell, plain and simple. Many pool users don't even realize it is making chlorine, and believe the salt is the sanitizer. They hear "just add salt" and look no farther. If people are buying them, somebody is going to make them.

 

[darkrider]

My 2010 Hot Spring Grandee with ACE salt system has been wonderful. I don't use the Watkins replacement cells, as they are ridiculously expensive. I use the Scepter replacement cells, which are plug and play, and only cost $240. They work even better than the ACE cells (have to dial them back a bit) and are at least as durable, maybe even more so. I've only had a few minor issues over the years, but all of them were covered by warranty, even one which was out of the warranty period. I just replaced the original circ pump and heater earlier this year, and expect to get 10 years out of the replacements. At that point, I'll be ready for a new tub. If you do go with a salt tub, make sure that you buy one with a titanium heater. I've seen too many people have problems with conversions with non titanium heaters.

 

[A.O.]

My 2010 Hot Spring Grandee with ACE salt system has been wonderful. I don't use the Watkins replacement cells, as they are ridiculously expensive. I use the Scepter replacement cells, which are plug and play, and only cost $240. They work even better than the ACE cells (have to dial them back a bit) and are at least as durable, maybe even more so. I've only had a few minor issues over the years, but all of them were covered by warranty, even one which was out of the warranty period. I just replaced the original circ pump and heater earlier this year, and expect to get 10 years out of the replacements. At that point, I'll be ready for a new tub. If you do go with a salt tub, make sure that you buy one with a titanium heater. I've seen too many people have problems with conversions with non titanium heaters.

And how often do you have to replace the cell?

 

[darkrider]

I've found they average about 3 years. I reverse polarity every other filter clean and regularly clean in a dilluted muriatic acid bath.

 

[duganderson]

Converting my hot tub to saltwater using a SmarterSpa SWCG is the best thing I've done for my hot tub. It makes managing my hot tub really easy and I believe the extra cost for a SWCG is offsetted somewhat by decreased chemical use and decreased testing due to increases in stability of PH, FC, etc.

I have a buddy with a Hot Spring with the ACE system and he LOVES it!

The add on systems are SOOOO easy to add that I would not pick the brand of hot tub based on whether or not they have a salt water model. Also, I'm curious if the drape over SWCG are cheaper and easier to fix, replace, etc. when things go wrong or need replacing. Based on what my friend said about his ACE system, it seems like the SmarterSpa gives you more control of the FC range because you can adjust both the low and high FC range. Maybe the ACE system can do this, but it did not sound like it so more research needed here (OR Hot Springs folks feel free to chime in here).

 

[darkrider]

I have one of the early versions of ACE, so I don't know if it has changed over the years, but mine let's me adjust both for spa size and usage. It also has the temporary boost option. I agree 100% on ease of use and maintenance. After water changes, I make sure I nail my levels up front and get an appropriate level of CYA (typically 25-30ppm) and borates (35-40ppm). From there on out it is almost completely predictable with very little drift until the next fill! When I first got the tub, I tested religiously on a daily basis with a Taylor K2006... Now, in the summer months, I've been testing biweekly and it's very rare that I have to make adjustments, even for pH. In the winter months, I use the tub pretty much daily and still do need to add muriatic acid to account for pH rise with the jets and water features over extended time (2 weeks or longer). That said, I've gotten to the point where I'm only checking once a week in the winter, unless I get an off reading or have more or heavier usage than normal.