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4.3

The Intex hot tub is a great entry point to home hot tubbing.  In this review we are taking a critical, and in depth look at two tubs at the more budget end of the Intex PureSpa hot tub range.

These tubs have a “no frills” approach, but that certainly shouldn’t mean that they can’t provide an excellent and invigorating hot tub experience.

In fact both of the Intex tubs that we’re looking at both have the same built in features that the more expensive models in the range offer.

They’re built with same high, or higher bubble jet count, and the same pump and heater capacity. All they are really missing are the four high powered massage jets offered on some of the premium Intex portable spas.

Lets take a closer look at what’s on offer….

At a Glance


Product:     PureSpa
Brand: Intex
Type:   Inflatable
Seats:   4- 6 persons
Jet Count: 120 AirJets
Capacity: 210 gallons
Dimensions: H 28in x D 77in.
Filled Weight: 1752 lbs
  • 120 Bubble jets
  • 3-ply puncture resistant carcass
  • Digital Control Panel
  • Hard water treatment
  • Insulated top cover
  • Insulated Floor

on Amazon.com


INTEX INFLATABLE HOT TUB REVIEW

Which Intex Hot Tub?

THE 77 or 85 INCH

Any range of products is going share many of the same characteristics. The Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage range is no exception.

They are all constructed with the same robust proprietary three-ply Fiber-Tech construction. All the models in the Intex Purespa range are fitted with the same capacity heaters and pumps. That is regardless of the size or shape of the tub.

So the budget end tubs benefit from the same basic specification as the premium.

In our Intex PureSpa review we are focusing on the 77” Intex PureSpa Hot Tub, but also looking at it’s big brother.

The generously sized 85” tub has exactly the same on board equipment except it offers 140 bubble jets compared the smaller model’s 120.

Of course running the same specification heater and pump on both tubs does have some implications, especially for the larger tub.

It will take a little longer to bring the larger tub up to operating temperature. It will also require a little more energy to maintain the temperature.

The bonus the 85 inch model offers is a massive 30% more room.

In our opinion the 85 inch Intex Purespa tub is the only true six person inflatable hot tub on the market.  

Lets look at the specification of both Intex Hot Tubs....

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Intex 85" PureSpa

Intex 77" PureSpa

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Rating
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Dimensions
85 x 85 x 28 inches
77 x 77 x 28 inches
Water Capacity
290 gallons
210 gallons
Filled Weight
2420 lbs
1752 lbs
Persons
4 -6
2 - 4
Air Jets
140
120
Heater
1300W 1 -2ºF/hr
1300W 2 -3ºF/hr
Flow Rate
460 gal/hr
460 gal/hr
Hard Water Treatment
Yes
Yes
Cost
$$
$
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Intex 77in PureSpa INFLATABLE Spa

Intex Hot Tub Features

Fiber-Tech Construction

Forget old ideas of inflatable goods being a little sloppy. The Intex PureSpa has a comfortingly firm feel to it.

They are all constructed with the same robust proprietary three-ply Fiber-Tech construction. The liner is reinforced with laminated PVC layers of fibre materials. It makes the spa much more durable.

The manufacturer boasts it to be rigid enough to support the weight of an adult sitting. Depends on the size of the adult, we think!!

But we do know from experience that it feels just like sitting on a well padded bench.

ntex PureSpa Bubble jet control panel copy

Control Panel

The easy to understand waterproof panel sits above the pump and heater units.

It’s been set at a convenient height that allows easy access without having to exit the tub. The comprehensive set of controls allows the Intex PureSpa user to:

  • Choose Celsius or Fahrenheit.
  • Activate heater.
  • Turn on water filter.
  • Select desired temperature.
  • Start bubble massage.

Once the desired temperature is reached the Intex hot tub will automatically keep it within a 2 degree window.

Hard Water Treatment

Most modern inflatable tubs don’t come with this feature, but the Intex portable spa offers built in hardwater treatment as standard.

As hard water areas are incredibly common throughout all of the United States this is an important and useful feature to have conveniently built in.

The spa experience that the Index PureSpa offers is elevated by this one feature alone. It enhances the user experience by making the water feel soft and silky when using the tub but the benefits are noticed one the skin and hair after exiting the tub.

It works when the filter pump is running by using alternating magnetic fields. By creating an electric field around the incoming water pipe it stops the minerals present in the water from sticking to, and building up on the internal surfaces of the Purespa.

This will significantly extend the life of the tub, particularly in high scale areas.

Chemical Floater

These are budget Intex hot tubs so they don’t not come with a built in salt water treatment system. Water purification must be done manually.

This is not hard or difficult to do. Many owners that have premium tubs that include saltwater purification systems actually prefer to treat the tub manually anyway.

Chemical treatment is a breeze these days, so it is not something to be apprehensive about. We have written a an easy to understand post on how to do keep a crystal clear tub.

See our in depth article >>

 

Thermal Cover and Base

The clip down, child proof inflatable cover is foil lined to minimise heat loss.

A base thermal blanket is also provided to lay below the hot tub after inflation. We recommend paying close attention to the base and an extra form of insulation is a good idea if possible.

 Both cover and base blanket are handy cost saving things, but to really cut energy costs an investment in a solar blanket will pay back its cost many times over. They are easy enough to tailor exactly to the dimensions of the tub.  

See our in depth article >>

Pump and Heater

OK now we are at the heart of the tub. Without a pump and a heater we’ve just got a cold PVC bath!!  Yikes! 

Unfortunately the heater is one of the most misunderstood parts of any hot tub. Many hot tub owners become disappointed at the speed that the water initially heats up. Their expectations are often simply unrealistic.

This is a large quantity of water we are talking about. Two to three hundred gallons!!  But given a normal summer ambient temperature the Intex PureSpa will heat the smaller 77 inch tub at 2 – 3º/hr. Because it has 30% more volume to heat the larger 85 inch tub has a slightly slower temperature build profile.

When they are up to temperature it is easy and cheap to maintain their temperature using the solar blanket technique we have detailed elsewhere on the site. 

The heaters fitted to the PureSpa range are actually pretty efficient when compared to other hot tubs on the market. The manufacturer states 2 – 3º/hr temperature rise and we have found that to be reasonably accurate.

The filter pump is capable of filtering over two complete tub volumes per hour, which is also good. Water is directed through the filter when the heater is activated, or it can be run independently.

Intex Purespa Hot Tub Set Up

Intex Hot tub box

The Intex hot tub arrives in a fairly hefty sized box, it weighs in at just a shade under 110 lbs.

That’s when the fun starts, we do mean fun because setting the tub up is really fast and simple.

Not all reading this review are technically minded, and you don’t have to be.

The manual walks through the process in easy and simple steps. It’s a breeze.

Included In The Box

  • Heating system.
  • 3-Way Test Strip.
  • 2 Filter Cartridges.
  • Floating Chemical Dispenser.
  • Thermal Base Cloth.
  • Inflation Hose,
  • Carrying Bag
  • All Necessary Tools
  • Manual

Set up actually shouldn’t take more than an hour or so. It’s helpful to have two people during the tub set up, one doing the build, and the other one supplying the cold drinks.

The only thing that might slow the build down is the type of cold drinks being consumed!!!

No special tools are required, everything needed to complete the build is in the box, and no specialist knowledge is needed either.

So if you can read the Intex PureSpa Manual, or watch a video and know how to put a plug into a power socket then you have all the qualifications you need to get inflatable hot tubbing!!! 

Of course running some water inside the tub is another required skill set!! 

Intex Hot tub main points

This “at a glance” guide should help to highlight and recap the main points and features of both Intex hot tubs.

  • Quiet Pump. Major plus, it’s just a couple of feet away from the user. A noisy pump ruins hot tub experience, not so with the Intex PureSpa range.
  • Spacious. The 85 inch tub is the biggest on the market. If you are looking for a roomy tub, then this could be the one.
  • Hard Water Treatment. Automatically runs when the pump is on. Great for hair and skin and extends life of the tub internal components.
  • Good Jet Count. The 77 inch carries 120 and the 85 inch 140 jets. That is sufficient to give a good all round invigorating bubble spa experience.
  • Easy set up. No technical knowledge required.
  • Price. Competitive price point on 77 inch model. The 85 inch has no real competitors.
  • Customer Service. The Index Hot Tub customer service can be a little patchy at times.
Intex hot tub 77 INCH PORTABLE SPA

Intex Hot Tub Final Notes

Both the 77 and the 85 inch Intex hot tubs offer a brilliant bubble massage experience. They are identical apart from the size, and the extra jet count the larger tub tub carries.

The larger sized model is slightly slower in the time it takes to heat and reheat the water, but the power and coverage of the bubble jets has not really been affected.

One of the real plus points of the entire Index hot tub range is that they can run both the bubbles and heater simultaneously. Other inflatable manufacturers have not been able to offer this feature.

Like all bubble spas the water will cool a little when the bubbles are running but with the Purespa it is at a very much reduced rate.

We do like that Intex have produced a whole range of accessories to personalise their tubs. Multi-coloured lighting systems, interior seating, head rests and lots more fun stuff are all available to pimp your tub to your own individual taste.

Of course every buyer has their own boxes that need to be ticked before deciding to purchase however whatever the criteria, we think the Intex PureSpa Bubble Massage range offers the buyer a solid, robust and well featured product.

If it is a comfortable six person inflatable tub you are looking for then the 85″ tub has no competitors, in fact it is a class of it’s own, nothing else on the market comes close to its size and capacity.

The Intex hot tub range will give you many seasons of fun and enjoyment and at prices that certainly won’t make your eyes water.

To find the current prices and availability.

77″ INTEX PURESPA HOT TUB

on Amazon.com

85″ INTEX PURESPA HOT TUB

on Amazon.com

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