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A good plug and play hot tub offers a really brilliant solution for anybody looking for a great hot tub experience with the minimum of hassle, mess or disruption.
A plug and play hot tub is delivered to your door and is pretty much ready to fill, heat and enjoy.
This type of hot tub is so popular for its easy convenience. They dominate the market between inflatable tubs and fully built in spas.
Some of the best plug and play hot tubs need not be super expensive either, if you are looking for a tub full of extra features they are available, but obviously at a premium.
Waterfalls, light shows, ozonators, water softeners etc are built in to some tubs, and options on others.
They’re all pretty nice to have, but they don’t really add much to the stimulating, rejuvenating experience of a hot tub.
Jet count, pump pressure and heater power and great insulation are what we are looking when we choose a hot tub.
Our experts have curated this years best plug and play hot tub options. They’ve looked at on board equipment, build quality, visual impact , user experience and price / quality ratio.
Why A Plug and Play Hot Tub ?
EASY INSTALL: Almost instant happiness might be a bit of an exaggeration. You do need to fill it, plug it in and heat it up. But that’s really it!!
The toughest part of plug and play installation is waiting for the water to heat (typically 12 – 24 hours ), and preparing the site prior to delivery.
PORTABILITY: Of course there’s a ton of reasons to buy a plug and play hot tub, but for us perhaps the one of the most compelling is that they are portable. Not portable in the sense of an inflatable tub, but portable nonetheless.
They can be re-sited depending on the season, or even brought undercover for the winter months if you prefer.
YEAR ROUND ENJOYMENT: Pretty much all plug and play hot tub models can be used outside year round no matter what the weather conditions.
Lots of folks actually look forward to their winter hot tubbing. To get the very best winter hot tub experience many owners do opt to upgrade power to 240v, but it’s certainly not a necessity.
PRICE: Plug and play hot tubs can be purchased starting from around $2500.00, so you and your family can all enjoy the invigorating health benefits of a hot tub at a price that wont necessarily make your eyes water.
The “lower end” budget hot tubs still provide a brilliant hot tub experience.
Let’s face it; a hot tub is all about soothing warm water, and plenty of stimulating jets. All the lower ticket tubs offer all of that. A few bells and whistles might not be available but jet power and hot water they’ve got in abundance.
Of course a hot tub isn’t a cheap thing, they’re a bit of a luxury item with a heavy emphasise on health and wellness.
In our experience though the only regret most new hot tub owners have is that they hadn’t purchased a plug and play tub years earlier.
Here’s our top PLUG AND PLAY picks
Here’s our top PLUG & PLAY picks
Plug and Play Hot Tub Reviews
Newport 4 Person Plug and Play Hot Tub
The Newport Plug and Play Tub Features
- DIMENSIONS: 71 x 70 x 29.5 inches.
- JET COUNT : 14 x stainless steel jets well placed for maximum effect. The lounger has enough dedicated jets for a brilliant relaxing session.
- SEATING: 1 x Lounger Chair and 3 Therapy Chairs.
- PUMP: This plug and play tub runs from a 2 peak HP high efficiency pump. It really provides a great invigorating hot tub experience
- HEATER: A 1Kw/4Kw Balboa all-season stainless steel heater. Balboa equipment is the quality benchmark for hot tub heaters.
- COLOUR OPTIONS: Three really nice understated options. Variations of beige and grey.
- COVER: A heavy-duty, insulated tapering cover with locking clips included in the price.
- CAPACITY: 200 gallons to recommended level. This water capacity heats fast with 110v but switch to 240v and it has it up to temperature in minutes.
- POWER: Dedicated 120V 15A or Can convert to 240v if desired.
- WARRANTY: Very comprehensive. At the time of writing the spa cabinet and shell surface 5 years. Spa shell 10 years, and plumbing and equipment 1 year.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Essential Hot Tub 20 Jet Plug and Play
GREAT TUB FOR THE PRICE
The Powerful Essential Hot Tubs 20 Jet Arbor Spa
- DIMENSIONS: Round tub 80.5 x 80.5 x 34.5 inches.
- JET COUNT : 20 x Stainless steel jets nicely spaced to give the best hot tub experience for five people
- PUMP: An energy efficient 2 Peak HP 2-speed pump takes care of the circulation and the jets.
- SHELL CONSTRUCTION: Rotationally moulded with contour style seating for six.
- COLOUR OPTIONS: This model comes with three colour choices, the highlighted cobblestone, a really pleasant light sandstone or millstone.
- FEATURES: Nice tight fitting cover that’s tapered from the centre hinge to the edge to stop pooling. Mood lighting installed in the footwell.
- CAPACITY: Accommodates five adults quite comfortably, six at a push.
- POWER: 110V 15-20A. Can convert to 220v
- MANUFACTURED: Made in USA.
- WARRANTY: Original owners lifetime guarantee on structure and shell and 1 Year Limited on plumbing and equipment. Correct at time of writing.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Lifesmart 4 Person Plug and Play Hot Tub
The Popular Lifesmart Four Person Hot Tub
- DIMENSIONS: 70 x 61 x 32 inches.
- JET COUNT : 13 x Stainless Steel. Individual jet power can be adjusted or turned off completely
- PUMP: Powerful 1 x 1.5 HP.
- SHELL CONSTRUCTION: The uni-body shell is well proven, durable and virtually indestructible. As tough as they come. The tub interior is fully insulated throughout to ensure absolute minimum heat loss.
- COVER: An excellent, well fitting thermal cover included in purchase price.
- COLOUR OPTIONS: This model only come in a light beige or grey finish. Elegant and easy on the eye we think. It should fit in to any interior or exterior setting.
- CONTROLS: Simple, easy access digital controls by Schmancy.
- FEATURES: Two colour mood lighting plus a top loading filter for easy maintenance.
- CAPACITY: Accommodates four adults in sculpted bucket seats.
- POWER: 110V 15A. Standard Plug.
- ENERGY CONSUMPTION: Exceeds California Energy Commission mandate for energy consumption.
- WARRANTY: 1 Year Limited.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Shoreline 24 Jet Plug and Play Hot Tub
Essential Hot Tubs 24 Jet Shoreline Plug and Play Hot Tub
- DIMENSIONS: 74.5 x 74.5 x 32 Inches.
- JET COUNT : 24 x Stainless Steel. Jet power can be adjusted or turned off completely
- HEATER: Fitted with a 1kW (120V 15A) stainless-steel Balboa heater which can be converted to 240V (4kW) for increased energy efficiency.
- SHELL CONSTRUCTION: Roto-moulded uni-body acrylic. Fully insulated around the periphery cabinet walls of the tub.
- COLOUR OPTIONS: Two choices, it comes in light grey or a light tan.
- FEATURES: Mood lighting and a top loading filter.
- COVER: Snug fitting and heavy duty it offers good thermal insulation. It can easily be handled by just one person.
- CAPACITY: Can accommodate six adults with lounger-style seating with good jet placement throughout the seating spaces.
- POWER: Dedicated 110V 15A, or can be simply switched to 240v 40A
- WARRANTY: Original owners lifetime warranty on shell and structure.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Bueno Spa Jersey 46 Jet Plug and Play Hot Tub
EXCELLENT FEATURE PRICE RATIO
The Bueno Spa Jersey 46 Jet Hot Tub
- DIMENSIONS: 79 x 79 x 35 inches.
- JET COUNT : 46 x Stainless Steel.
- PUMP: 1 × 3 HP double speed high efficiency unit.
- SHELL CONSTRUCTION: Uni-body with polyurethane re-enforcement. The wood grained side cladding is UV resistant. No fibre-glass used in construction.
- SEATING: 1 reclining lounger and 5 bucket seats.
- INSULATION: Excellent Polyfoam (1.4 in) Scandinavian insulation housed within the fully enclosed tub body.
- OZONE GENERATOR: Nice high end feature that will reduce the amount of chemicals required for water sanitation.
- COLOUR OPTION: Light Silver grey interior and grey cabinet.
- FEATURES: 15 water-line LEDs fitted for ambient evening lighting. 3 headrests for extra comfort.
- COVER: Tapered thermal cover. 5 inches across the centre fold down to 3.5 inches to stop rain water pooling.
- CAPACITY: Weighs in at 661 lbs holding 290 gallons of water.
- POWER: Dedicated 27A / 240V / 60HZ.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Comfort 51 Jet 5 Person Plug and Play Hot Tub
The Elegant 5-6 Person Comfort Hot Tub
- JET COUNT / SEATING : 51 stainless steel jets placed around one captains chairs and four other sculpted seats. There’s an occasional extra small seat if required possibly for a child. Depending on where you sit you can choose a relaxing soak or an invigorating massage.
- TWO PUMPS: Plenty of pump power available The Comfort is fitted with a 2 x 3 HP pumps so an abundance of power behind the 51 jets.
- HEATER: Rapid winter heating with the efficient 5kW heater unit.
- OZONATOR: Built in ozonator greatly reduces need for chemical treatment for water hygiene.
- COLOUR CHOICE: Just the stunning light grey wood board effect as highlighted.
- FEATURES: A number of nice bells and whistles. Fountain and waterfall feature, LED lights and headrests.
- POWER: This tub needs a dedicated 240V/50A electrical spur.
- OVERALL DIMENSIONS: Square 83 x 83 x 35 inches.
- WATER CAPACITY: 370 gallons.
- COVER: A well fitting roller cover that’s been tapered to the edges to encourage rainwater run off. Strong and durable but still removable by one person.
- MANUFACTURED: Made in the China.
- WARRANTY: 1 year limited warranty.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Calypso 100 Jet Plug and Play Hot Tub
A Luxury 6-7 Person Hot Tub With Ozonator
- JET COUNT : Plenty of jet coverage for all on board hot tubbers. The 100 fully adjustable stainless steel jets are spread around the ample seating areas. There’s various rejuvenating or relaxing jet arrays for bathers to choose from. The three captains chairs and lounger have shoulder jets and padded headrests. We particularly like the five easy access flow controls that adjust the jet pressure.
- TRIPLE PUMP: An abundance of controllable power here. This brilliant high end tub has 3 Hi- Performance pumps on board. There’s one 5 Peak HP 2-speed and a pair of 5 Peak HP single speed pumps, so plenty of horsepower on tap. Put a wheel on each corner and the Calypso could run at NASCAR.
- HEATER: A four seasons 4kW Balboa stainless steel element. Foam and spray insulation inside the tub body means heat retention is first class.
- OZONATOR: Much less chemical maintenance required when the ozone generator is running. Some chemical treatment is still required, but just small tweaks. Expect easier and worry free water maintenance.
- SEATING: Can be an occasional seven seater hot tub but it will certainly hold six adults comfortably. There’s 3 captains chairs with varying back, neck and leg jet coverage. The lounger is particularly indulgent with 32 dedicated jets arrays with 2 neck, 10 back and shoulder, plus 20 leg and foot jets and they’re all fully adjustable.
- COLOUR CHOICE: Either a mahogany brown or grey as pictured above. The exterior tub walls are studded with LED light features.
- SOUND SYSTEM: Bluetooth connected twin speakers.
- POWER: 240V/60A. Hard wired electrical connection required.
- OVERALL DIMENSIONS: 91 x 91 x 40 inches.
- WATER CAPACITY: 480 gallons.
- COVER / STEPS: The color matched insulated cover is hinged in the middle for easy manipulation by a single person. Also a set of steps is bundled with the purchase for safe entry and exit from the tub.
- WARRANTY: The Essential Hot Tub warranty plan covers the spa shell, cabinet and surface for five years. Two years on the plumbing plus one year on labor. This information is correct at the time of writing.
on Amazon.com
What Owners Like
What Owners Don’t Like So Much
Plug and Play Hot Tub Buyers Check List
How To Cut Your Hot Tub Energy Bills
All the best plug and play hot tubs are quite well insulated but summer or winter there will be heat loss when the hot tub is in use.
Running the jets will cool the tub a tad, water agitation and evaporation both contribute to the cooling as well. Heat loss means we need to spend money to build our water temperature back to where we want it.
Adding any extra thermal insulation to the tub is going to help building back our water temperature after a session faster. Using base blanket will help, and adding a heavy duty polystyrene sheet below the base blanket will create an even better barrier between the tub and the ground.
Next many owners choose to drop what is known as a solar blanket over the top of the water when the tub is reheating.
Despite the name this doesn’t need the sun to speed up the heating process it simply acts as thermal insulation over the entire water surface, it also reduces evaporation. These solar blankets are cheap, really effective and we definitely recommend using one on your plug and play hot tub.
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