How to Buy a Hot Tub
Hot Tub Buyer's Guide - Choosing The Best Hot Tub For You
What to look for when buying a hot tub:
Shopping for a new hot tub? Good for you! Whether you are a longtime hot tub enthusiast or will be a first-time owner, you are wise to solicit good advice and weigh your options. Every year the number of hot tub brands keeps increasing—especially online. While it is nice to have such a wide selection, it also means the risk of making a bad decision keeps increasing. Our goal is to empower you with information so you get an amazing hot tub at a fair price, and experience many years of enjoyment.
HOT TUB LOCATION
Designing your outdoor living space is a lot of fun, so make good use of your time and have fun with it. The internet is full of creative backyard hot tub ideas, and every situation is unique. Before having your heart set on a particular hot tub model, evaluate where you intend to locate your spa and ask yourself these questions:
- "How much space do I have available?"
- "Is my location accessible, does it have good lighting, and will it offer enough privacy?"
Not sure yet? That is okay. Many local Marquis Dealers offer free site evaluations, even before you select a model or commit to buying anything. Why? From past experience they have an eye for site access, space limitations, electrical challenges and other common pitfalls to avoid. Their expertise can inform your decisions or help you make simple adjustments that you really appreciate. What else should you consider?
HOT TUB SIZE, WEIGHT AND POWER
Hot tub size: The size of your hot tub affects the number of people it seats, how much water it holds, how much it will weigh at full capacity, and how much power it needs. Before making any big decisions about site upgrades, however, ask yourself these questions:
- "Realistically, how many people will use my hot tub at one time?"
- "Can I be content with a small or medium-sized hot tub?"
- "Do I want a large hot tub, or would I prefer the fitness benefits of a swim spa?"
Hot tub weight: Typically, hot tubs require a reinforced cement pad at least four inches thick, or a wood deck capable of supporting 100 pounds per square foot. Saving money is an important consideration, of course, but avoid the temptation to cut corners. The last thing you want is a cracked hot tub, voided warranty, property damage or worse. To be on the safe side, check your local building codes and consult a qualified expert.
Hot tub power: Many small hot tubs and some medium-sized hot tubs are “plug and play,” meaning they can be plugged into a standard 110/120V power outlet (15 amp).* Larger hot tubs filter and heat a larger volume of water and usually have multiple pumps. So they typically require 220/240 volt electrical service (30 or 50 amp).* If an electrical upgrade is necessary, your local Marquis Dealer can recommend a qualified electrician in your area.
HOT TUB THERAPY NEEDS
Do you have special needs, such as arthritis, chronic stress, fibromyalgia, physical injury or trouble sleeping? Heated-water immersion and hydromassage work wonders to soothe aching joints, relieve stress, relax tense muscles, promote healing, and improve sleep quality. While all hot tub brands offer some therapeutic benefit, Marquis takes extra-special care to ensure that every aspect lends itself to the ultimate hydrotherapy experience. Features like high-flow therapy, pristine water care and oxygen skin therapy set Marquis apart. And extra details like quiet operation, ergonomics, ease of use and durability are why so many people have stuck with Marquis over the decades.
TOTAL BUDGET
Obviously, it is wise to set a budget. This should take into account what you can comfortably spend, and what your therapy expectations will be longer term. By this point you should have evaluated your hot tub location and considered how many people it needs to hold. You have an idea of site preparation. But before making any final decisions, ask yourself these questions:
- "What is my maximum budget, including site upgrades and installation?"
- "What is my monthly budget for electricity and hot tub supplies?"
Depending on the size of your project, you can expect to spend anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to twenty thousand dollars or more. Whatever you spend, it should satisfy your therapy needs, performance expectations and personal preferences. How many features do you want? Which options and accessories matter to you? Typically, several hot tub sizes are available in each price range. Be sure to ask about financing options, energy efficiency ratings (e.g. Energy Wizards) and the average monthly cost of electricity and hot tub supplies.
ASK FOR A TEST SOAK
At this point, you have probably narrowed it down to one, two or three hot tub models. Now the fun begins! Did you know you can ask for a “test soak” (or, "wet test")? In other words, bring a bathing suit and towel, soak in a test model, and physically experience the way it makes you feel. Unlike sitting in a dry model, soaking in a test model demonstrates the buoyancy of your body in water. This enables you to better appreciate details like multi-level seating, jet placement, and ergonomic controls placed within easy reach. Once you experience "The Marquis Difference," you will notice deeper muscle penetration without skin discomfort, comfortable seating options for all body types, and less noise than other brands. Contact your local Marquis Dealer to get started.
NEXT STEPS
At this point, you may be ready to make a final decision. Or, perhaps you want to do a little more research. For example, there are hundreds of unbiased reviews from hot tub owners available on ConsumerAffairs.com, a trusted consumer reports website. In fact, Marquis has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars among verified customers.
Want more in-depth information? Additional buyer's guides are available below, featuring an extensive overview of hot tub design details and important features and options to consider. Ultimately, the most important thing is that you feel comfortable and confident with your hot tub purchase. We sincerely thank you for considering Marquis, and hope to become your hot tub brand of choice.
MORE BUYER'S GUIDES TO HELP YOU
*U.S. power specifications also apply to Canada and Central America. See hot tub model details for other international power specifications.
