Common Hot Tub Features

You may have a number of different reasons for wanting to buy a hot tub. Maybe you want a hot tub or spa to help ease muscle tension, which can alleviate headaches and back aches. Maybe you want a spa to help you relax in the evening so you can sleep better. Maybe you just love soaking in hot water with thousands of bubbles floating all around you. Whatever your reasons may be, buying a new hot tub is a serious investment; even if you buy a smaller portable hot tub, you will still spend a chunk of money. Hot tubs are certainly worth the investment, and you'll save money by purchasing a spa or hot tub at Overstock.com. However, doing a bit of research into the different features and extras commonly available with spas and hot tubs can ensure that you are well-satisfied with your investment.

Hot Tub Features:

1. Hot tub jets. For some people, jets make the hot tub. For others, lounging in hot water is all they really want. If you love the "swimming in champagne" feeling of numerous jets, then look for a spa that has a high number of jets per occupant. If you simply want hot water and quiet, then extra jets that you don't want or don't plan to use simply add unnecessary cost, so find a hot tub that doesn't have many jets, or has jets that can be turned off.

2. Hot tub horsepower. This is a tricky feature to pin down. The horsepower of your hot tub or spa affects how powerful the jets are. While most hot tubs will offer a horsepower figure, manufacturers calculate that figure in a number of different ways, so the numbers can be misleading. Probably the best way to find out how powerful a potential hot tub is and how effective the jets are is to find out what current owners think by reading user reviews. Also, keep in mind that if you aren't interested in having lots of jets or powerful jets, then you probably don't need very much hot tub horsepower.

3. Hot tub ozonators. Just like a pool, hot tubs require a number of different chemicals, like chlorine and bromine, to clear out bacteria and prevent residue and corrosion. Ozonators are machines that pump ozone into hot tubs, which oxidizes a number of different organic contaminants. Ozonators don't eliminate the need to add chemicals to your hot tub, but they reduce the amount of chemicals you will need, and they also get rid of some contaminants that chemicals cannot, like hairspray and soap, which eases the strain on your hot tub's filter.

4. Hot tub lift covers. A decent cover for your hot tub is a must, and so is a good cover lift. Hot tub cover lifts come in a number of different designs, from racks of rollers that allow you to roll your cover off the hot tub to hinged bars with gas-filled hydraulics that make lifting the cover off your spa very easy to do. Most spa cover lifts work just fine; the less expensive ones require a little more muscle, and the most expensive ones almost do the work themselves. Choose a cover lift based on the type of space you're dealing with and how much effort you're willing to put into removing the cover each time you want to use your spa or hot tub.

5. Hot tub radios and other extras. Spas and hot tubs often offer a number of different "extras" that affect aesthetics more than performance. For instance, hot tub radios don't have any effect on how your hot tub runs, but it can be a great extra if listening to music helps you relax. Colored lights don't have anything to do with hot tub performance, but some people really enjoy them. Decide which features you want and will enjoy using.