When you’re hot tub shopping and you discover there are so many options, it can seem a little overwhelming. How can you decide which one is right for you? Most customers are concerned with both saving money and making sure they pick a hot tub that will perform well and last. You may even be wondering, is a high-end hot tub worth it? The first step to answering that question is to understand what separates a high-end hot tub from an entry-level one. 

High-End Hot Tubs

There are four main things that make a high-end spa different than an entry-level one: function, comfort, energy-efficiency, and beauty.  

• Function – You might think the first place to look when grading a hot tub’s function is the amount of jets it has. But actually, quality matters more than quantity when it comes to jets. All jets are not created equal. Some sweep up and down (perfect for easing back pain). Some are rotating or pulsating (ideal for kneading sore muscles and problem spots). Orbit jets, unique to Master Spas®, have a fully adjustable velocity that you can adjust from 10-100%, allowing you to customize your massage to what feels good to you today. 
• Comfort – Sit in the basic jetted seat you find in an entry-level hot tub and then take a test soak in a high-end spa. There is no comparison in comfort level. While the seats vary from model to model, you can expect certain features from a high-end hot tub, like lounge seats, sculpted seating, comfortable footbeds, neck- and arm-rests.
• Energy-Efficiency – While a high-end hot tub is more expensive upfront, you’ll save money in the long run, thanks to its energy-efficiency. Compared to an entry-level hot tub, it will need less maintenance, fewer water chemicals, and cost WAY less to operate. 
• Beauty – Unlike bare-boned entry-level hot tubs, high-end spas boast eye-catching designs and beautiful features. Your spa may have high-tech features, like a remote control or Bluetooth® connectivity. Plus, it will likely have cosmetic features like fountains and ambient lighting that will set the mood. 

Entry-Level Hot Tubs

• Jets – Just because a hot tub has a lot of jets, doesn’t mean it’s a high-quality model. A ton of small, identical jets won’t provide the customized massage you need. Plus, it requires large jet pumps to adequately push water through a great number of jets…something entry-level hot tubs don’t have.  
• Exterior – You can expect to find a Plain Jane exterior with minimal features in an entry-level hot tub. No lighting, no water features, no glossy, attractive finish
• Materials – Here is where the rubber meets the road. Instead of the premium insulation, expensive acrylic shell, and high-quality interior components you find in a high-end spa, entry-level hot tubs have to use lower-quality materials for the components to save money.  Your entry-level hot tub will have a durable plastic shell instead of acrylic, cheaper insulation, and less durable components. To put it plainly, that means your entry-level hot tub will cost you more to operate and kick the bucket sooner. 

When you look closely at all the elements, you can see that a high-end hot tub isn’t quite as expensive as it first appears. Sure, you’ll spend more upfront, but it will cost less to operate and last longer (we’re talking 20+ years, compared to the 5-7 years you can expect to get out of an entry-level spa). 

Have more questions about deciding on the right hot tub for you? We’d love to help! Stop by our showroom to learn more about our range of Master Spas Hot Tubs, and we’ll help you decide which features are most important to have in your new spa.