A hot tub is a purchase for many years. All the more annoying if, after buying, you notice that your favourite seat is uncomfortable, the power supply is insufficient or the cover is hard to move. Most of these surprises can be avoided – with the right questions in the consultation and a close look at the models. You can print this checklist or take it with you on your phone.
Before the appointment: what to clarify at home
The better prepared you are, the more specific the consultation. Note down in advance:
- Location: where should the hot tub stand? Measure the area and take a few photos.
- Access: how wide are gates, paths and passageways? Are there stairs, bottlenecks or obstacles?
- Base: is there already a base slab, paving or a patio? Has the load-bearing capacity been checked?
- Power: where is the nearest fuse box? Is there already a three-phase supply?
- Users: how many people bathe regularly? Are there very tall or short people, or children?
- Usage: year-round or mainly in summer? More massage or more relaxed get-togethers?
With this information, a dealer can say much more precisely which models are suitable – and which are not.
In the consultation: the most important questions
About the technology
- Which pumps and how many are installed? What is each pump responsible for?
- How is the water heated, and what heating output does the model have according to the data sheet?
- Which control system is used? Is there an app or remote control, and do I really need it?
- Which systems support water care, for example ozone or UV-C?
- Which power connection does the model need – 230 V or 400 V – and with what fuse rating?
About insulation and cover
- How is the shell insulated (full foam, multi-layer, thermal layer)?
- How thick and how heavy is the cover? Is there a cover lifter?
- Is the cover lockable? This is especially important with children.
Insulation has a big influence on running costs. So ask specifically and have the details in the data sheet shown to you.
About warranty and service
- What warranty applies to the shell, equipment and cabinet – and for how long in each case?
- Who comes in the event of a service call, and how quickly?
- Are spare parts such as filters, pumps or controls available in the long term?
- Is there an introduction at commissioning?
A dealer near you is a real advantage here. If a pump fails, you don’t want to wait weeks for a technician.
About delivery and installation
- Is delivery included in the price? How far is it delivered – to the property boundary or to the installation site?
- Is a crane needed, and who organises it?
- Who connects the hot tub, and who handles the first fill and commissioning?
About total costs
- What is included in the price, and what costs extra (steps, cover lifter, starter kit)?
- Roughly what running costs for electricity, water and care should be expected?
Reputable dealers give a range rather than a fixed figure here, because consumption depends heavily on location, usage and water temperature.
In the showroom: what to look out for
Many buyers walk through the showroom, look at the tubs from the outside and leave again. Yet it is worth taking a close look at seat shapes, entry and controls.
- Test every seat: sit in every seat and try the lounger, if there is one. Where do your head, shoulders and feet rest?
- Consider your height: can your feet reach? Will the water come up to your shoulders? For loungers: do you slide away, or lie stably?
- Test with your partner: sit in together. Do your legs get in each other’s way? Is there enough room for everyone who bathes regularly?
- Check the entry: how high is the edge? Are steps needed? This is particularly important for older users.
- Lift the cover: try for yourself whether you can open and close the cover alone.
- Look at the controls: is the control panel easy to reach and understand?
If the showroom has filled models, ask for a short demonstration of the massage jets. You will quickly notice whether the massage is too gentle or too strong for you.
Anyone living in the Düsseldorf area can do this, for example, in the Spa Natural hot tub showroom in Hilden and compare several models side by side.
After the appointment: compare at leisure
Take the data sheets of the models in question home and compare them. Pay attention to dimensions, filled weight, power connection, water volume and warranty conditions. Don’t be dazzled by the sheer number of jets: what matters is whether the jets are in the right places.
Anyone who wants to narrow down their requirements further will find the guide How to choose the perfect outdoor hot tub a good complement to this checklist.
How to recognise good advice
Good advice starts with questions to you – not with the most expensive model. The adviser should want to know how you want to use the hot tub, where it will stand and who will bathe in it. They should say openly if a model does not suit your location or power supply, and give you time to decide. Be wary of strong time pressure, unclear warranty information or blanket consumption promises.
Quick checklist to take with you
- Location and access measured
- Base clarified or structural capacity checked
- Power connection discussed with an electrician
- Seats and lounger examined closely
- Cover lifted yourself
- Insulation and warranty in writing
- Delivery, crane and commissioning clarified
- Running costs requested as a range
- Data sheets taken away
Frequently asked questions
How long does a good hot tub consultation take?
Allow at least an hour so that all questions can be answered. An arranged appointment is often more relaxed than a spontaneous visit.
Is a hot tub from the internet cheaper?
Sometimes on price, but delivery, installation, introduction and on-site service are often not included. So always compare the overall package.
What should I pay particular attention to in the warranty?
Separate periods for shell, equipment and cabinet, and whether labour and call-out costs are included in a warranty case.
How many models should I compare?
Two to three models that suit the space and usage are usually enough. Too many variants tend to make the decision harder.
Infinitas editorial team, in cooperation with the dealer Spa Natural, Hilden, Germany.