What to Look for in a Hot Tub

If you love to relax outdoors, then a hot tub could be the perfect solution for you. 

Unlike swimming pools, hot tubs don’t require nearly as much maintenance, and you can enjoy using them practically all year round. 

If you’re looking for hot tubs for sale in Cleveland, be sure to stop by and visit our showroom today. 

Buying a hot tub is a big investment, so it’s absolutely vital that you know what to look for before you take the plunge. 

Read on to discover some things to look for in a hot tub, so you can find the right one for your lifestyle and your home. 

Materials and Overall Construction

Before you head out to buy a new hot tub, take a closer look at the materials that it’s made of. Hot tubs are constructed using a mold to form a durable shell that you fill with water. 

The most common hot tub materials include acrylic, vinyl, and rotomolded plastic. 

Certain materials do a better job of holding onto heat than others, so make sure you understand which of these options is the most insulative and energy-efficient. 

Acrylic hot tubs are made using a thick sheet of heated acrylic that’s placed over a mold. 

Once the acrylic cools off, a combination of resin and fiberglass is added to give it extra strength. 

Most high-quality acrylic hot tubs also include a special UV coating to keep the hot tub colorfast and bright. 

These hot tubs are durable, and they also come in a myriad of fantastic colors, too. 

Most poolside hot tubs are made of vinyl. 

These hot tubs are made by placing a vinyl liner over a cement frame which creates the shape and design. 

While they’re great for putting next to an inground pool, vinyl hot tubs don’t retain heat as well as acrylic, and they’re also more prone to fade in the sun. 

Finally, there are rotomolded plastic hot tubs. 

These are made by adding a special plastic powder to a mold, then heat is applied, and the mold is rotated until all of the melted plastic covers the shell. 

This style has a dull, matte finish as opposed to sleek and smooth glossy acrylic. 

These hot tubs are very lightweight, but they also don’t hold onto heat as well as acrylic does. 

Buying a Hot Tub: Special Features and Controls

As you look for hot tubs for sale in Cleveland, remember that different brands offer various features. 

The more custom controls you have, the more you’ll enjoy using your hot tub while relaxing and entertaining guests. 

Many newer models include handheld remote controls that allow you to make changes with a push of a button. 

More tech-friendly models include a control panel that you can use through a smartphone app for easy adjustments. 

You can adjust the temperature, lighting, and pump as well as control the hot tub runtime all with your smartphone. 

Whatever option you choose, there are certain features that you should look for in order to enjoy your new hot tub to its fullest potential. 

First, make sure that you are able to control the blower. 

This option allows you to control the air that bubbles from the jets to get a customized massage. 

Almost all new hot tubs include lights, so look for models that allow you to turn the lights on and off, adjust the brightness, or even change the color. 

Jets are what make hot tubs so enjoyable, so look for an option that lets you control their strength and speed. 

You should also buy a hot tub that allows you to adjust the temperature settings so that you can make the water as cool or as warm as you like. 

It’s important to note that most hot tubs are made to keep the water at 104 degrees or cooler for safety. 

Speaking of safety, check the control panel of the hot tub to ensure that it has a warning system that alerts you in case the GFCI outlet fails or overheats.

Extra Entertainment

A hot tub is designed to help you relax and soak your cares away. 

But some people also love to use their hot tub to entertain themselves and their family and friends. 

Look for options like audio entertainment systems that you can add to your hot tub. 

These systems let you listen to your favorite music from waterproof speakers that attach to the hot tub or are built-in. 

You can also supplement your hot tub with a quality wireless Bluetooth speaker system that lets you stream all kinds of music from your smartphone or your home stereo. 

Whatever system you choose, ensure that it includes a durable, water-resistant remote control or a smartphone app so you can control the volume, pause songs, skip tracks, and more.

Another great option is HD video monitors, so you can sit back and soak as you watch your favorite TV shows and movies. 

These all-weather HD video monitors are a great way to chill while enjoying some entertainment outdoors. 

Keep Size in Mind

When buying a hot tub, you’ll also want to make sure that you choose the right size for your needs. 

Start by determining just how much space you can allocate for the hot tub in your backyard. 

If you’re looking at poolside hot tubs, they will fit snugly right next to your pool, while freestanding designs require a separate base or platform to stand on. 

It may seem like a no-brainer to select a simple hot tub for two. 

But the reality is that you’ll probably want something bigger so you can let other people get in on the fun. 

If you have a family of four or more, choose a hot tub that’s between seven and eight feet in size. 

Most hot tubs will indicate how many people they can accommodate, and they typically range from two to eight people max.

Before settling on the size, keep the amount of power the hot tub requires to operate into account. 

If you don’t have access to a viable outdoor outlet nearby, you may need to hire an electrician to install something that can power the hot tub’s pump, lights, and jets. 

Now It's Your Turn

These are just some of the most important things to remember when you start shopping for a new hot tub. 

If you’re on the hunt for hot tubs for sale in Cleveland, be sure to stop by the Northeast Factory Direct showroom today. 

We carry a wide range of high-quality hot tubs to make relaxing in your backyard better than ever, so come and visit us today so we can help you find the perfect option for you!