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The quality of your hot tub cover directly affects just how much you spend on monthly energy bills.
That’s because the cover is one of the primary sources of heat loss.
So installing the best replacement hot tub cover you can is an investment that’s going to pay you back quickly.
Given that a quality cover should last for for at least five years, and in some states much longer, you’ll see a return on the investment in the first year or two.
The other upside of a good hot tub cover is your pump and heater don’t have to work so hard to maintain water temperature so it will help to extend the life of these expensive core components too.
All in all it’s just an all round good investment.
We have curated a list of not just great tub covers for heat loss. You’ll also find simple hot tub covers in these reviews too.
They’re useful to protect the main heat loss cover from sun damage and the elements.
Let’s take a a look at what’s on offer……
HOT TUB COVER REVIEWS
MySpaCover Hot Tub Cover Replacement
The Cadillac of hot tub covers. If you’re looking for the best, then this company produces quality that certainly won’t disappoint you.
These replacement spa covers are tailored to your own specifications using only top grade materials. No shortcuts here, they’re cut from 30oz Marine Grade Vinyl and sewn using durable double stitched threads. They finished more like quality luggage than a hot tub cover.
After you order the customer care department will contact you to confirm the order and help with any general or technical questions.
Color Choice: 10 colors to coordinate with your hot tub color scheme.
Made to Order: Any shape and size up to 96 x 96 inches
Warranty: From 1 to 5 Years depending on thickness of foam. Highlighted model is 5 years.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
The Cover Guy Custom Made Hot Tub Cover
This company can custom make your hot tub cover in pretty much any shape and size up to a 96 inch square. They also advertise their covers are compatible with most of the well known hot tub makes too.
The ordering process is a breeze, but many buyers do worry about measuring up right. But don’t worry the Cover Guy folks will help every step of the way if you need it.
A high quality hot tub cover from a company that’s been making them for thirty years with a seven year warranty. There is nothing not to like here.
Color Choice: 12 pleasant understated colors are available
Made to Order: Up to a maximum of 96 x 96 inches any shape or style can be made.
Warranty: 7 Years
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Porch Shield Square Hot Tub Cover
The multiple locking systems and adjustable slider buckles at both sides makes this one of the best protective covers in our opinion.
It’s made of highly durable 600D polyester fabric and an added water-resistant laminate under-coating. The water resistant backing helps to keep the primary cover completely dry. Double stitched seams for strength and double air vents are cut into opposite sides of the cover to stop it billowing and becoming wind damaged.
This cover has definitely got it covered !! It looks great too.
Color Choice: As shown.
Size Options: Either 85 x 85 or 95 x 95 inches
Warranty: 3 Years.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
ULTCOVER Waterproof Hot Tub Cover
This quality protective cover will protect your primary hot tub thermal cover from the elements and prolong its life. It looks pretty elegant we think.
Made from heavy duty water resistant 600D polyester canvas with vinyl backing. It’s UV resistant, and and durable enough to take care of pretty much everything your weather can throw at it. The side air vents will take care of wing ballooning and lofting and also reduce condensation.
Secured by a powerful elastic hem cord and buckles, toggle adjusters make sure of a snug fit. A brilliant low cost method of protecting your high cost hot tub assets.
Color Choice: As shown.
Size Options: They are tailored for 76L x 76W, 85L x 85W or 95L x 95W hot tubs, They’ve been machined 2 inches larger to ensure a good fit.
NOTE: This protective cover is for use over an insulated hard cover .
Warranty: 3 Years.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Veranda Round Hot Tub Cover
A beautifully tailored hot tub cover. An economical way to prolong the life of the main tub cover.
Machined with interior bound seams for strength, using high density stitching. Yhis is a stout and durable tub protective cover at a bargain price. Lots of happy owners report it stands up well to harsh weather conditions and high wind too.
A quality cover from a well respected manufacturer.
Color Choice: Just the pleasant beige as shown.
Size Options: Up to 85 inch round hot tubs
Warranty: 3 Years.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
AmazonBasics Square Hot Tub Cover
An excellent quality hot tub protective cover. Made from a stout woven polyester fabric with water-resistant backing. Durable and rain proof it offers long lasting protection for your tub at a budget price. Nice looker too.
Tailored air vents prevent ballooning an cuts down condensation between this cover and the primary one. The cover has a drawstring to pull it tight, and it also has a velcro sealed opening for access under the cover without having to take it off.
Effective long term protection.
Color Choice: Only one choice as shown.
Size Options: Two options Medium 88.2 x 88.2 x 13.8 inches or large 94.9 x 94.9 x 13.8 inches
Warranty: N/A.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Five Reasons To Buy A Good Hot Tub Cover
You may be replacing an old or damaged hot tub cover or simply upgrading to a better one. If you’re shopping for a simple polyester cover then you might take time consider one with a little more thermal insulation if it’s going to be your primary cover.
THERMAL INSULATION
Base, walls and cover. These three elements are crucial in retaining our hot tub water temperature. Of the three the cover is arguably the most important.
Any home owner knows most of the heat loss in the home is through the roof and a hot tub is no different. So just like a domestic water heater we are aiming to get the best thermal protection all around the reservoir of the hot water in our tub.
SEASONAL PROTECTION
Your tub is almost certainly going to live outside all year round. Every state is different, but surely you tub will be tested with four seasons worth of weather. Summer heat. driving rain, cold, wind, dust and leaf fall are pretty much a given anywhere.
Lots of hot tubs live where significant snow falls too. The cover needs to be rugged enough to protect the precious hot tub from all the weather can throw at it. We don’t want rain pooling in the centre, and we don’t want it to collapse under the weight of snow either.
It’s not expected to survive a hurricane but it shouldn’t sail off into to your neighbours yard either.
EXTENDING HOT TUB LIFE
Not the most obvious reason to buy the best hot tub cover you can, but let’s just take a moment to explain.
A poor cover increases heat loss and that’s what increases your energy bills. Now your pump and heater need to run frequently, in some cases almost constantly, in the winter to maintain the required water temperature.
It’s just simple logic really, if the pump and heater are running twice as much as they need to then they’ll need replacing twice as quickly. That’s an expense that nobody wants.
MANUAL HANDLING
There are a number of fancy handling systems for hot tub covers. Some of the best tub covers are quite thick and reasonably weighty, and given their size they can be rather unwieldy too.
However if no handling system is present on your tub then most quality tubs are designed to be folded and stowed by just one person, two is easier of course but if you’re out for a bit of solo hot tubbing it shouldn’t present a problem.
CHILD SECURITY
Heat loss, hot tub life and protection from the elements are all irrelevant. If you have children, grand children or kids over playing outside then this the most important reason to buy a quality hot tub cover. It’s got to be well fitting and secured to the tub and be child proof.
A hot tub will always attract children, they all over it and climbing on the cover and jumping off is great fun so a flimsy piece rubbish masquerading as a hot tub cover won’t keep them out, and can be a disaster waiting to happen.
Hot Tub Cover FAQs
FOAM DENSITY
This is really an indication of how well the hot tub cover will retain heat. It’s measured by weight, so the heavier the foam the better thermal protection it provides. Of course that means that it’s more difficult to manually handle too, and that’s why many hot tub owners choose to install a lifter to assist cover removal.
FOAM THICKNESS
For hinged hot tub covers the foam is cut to provide a fall to stop rain water pooling in the middle of the cover. Foam thickness will vary but generally heavy duty tub covers will run from 6 inches along the hinged centre down to 4 inches at the edge. That gives a 2 inch fall which is more than enough to easily drain the cover.
GRADE OF VINYL
The best hot tub covers are made of what is know as marine grade vinyl. As the name suggests it’s primarily used in the boating industry, it’s thick, durable, weatherproof and easy to clean.
Being made for marine environments it’s manufactured with antibacterial and anti-fungal additives that help to make it mildew resistant. Generally speaking it has an element of UV resistance too.
WHAT IS A C-CHANNEL
If the hot tub cover is hinged it will have two c-channels. They are normally made of rust resistant steel and run through both sides the entire hinged area to reinforce it and protect the foam.
VAPOR PROTECTION WRAPPING
This is just a further protective wrapping around the foam. The vinyl is the primary barrier, and this wrapping provides extra protection. It’s simply a double heat sealed plastic wrap to stop water evaporation and moisture ruining the foam.
LOCKS AND BUCKLES
Of course all the best hot tub covers come with some way of securing them to the hot tub walls. Simple plastic pinch release latches are the norm. Unfortunately these are not really child proof, but there are plenty of better options to give you the peace of mind that your hot tub is properly secured. If you’ve got little ones these are a must.
- Sure-Lock latch set of 4 for spa cover straps
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Images from Amazon Product Advertising
