Hot Tubs

An extension of Robert's Hot Tubs, a California-based manufacturer of wooden hot tubs, this site has a section of user reviews at a huge number of spas of all types. Very few owners post comments for the… same spa, but there's a large enough number of comments here that you're more likely to find something on the spa you're considering. Additionally, there's a helpful buyer's guide that covers spa materials, jet types, maintenance and installation considerations. Although the website isn't very easy to navigate, there's a better collection of glossary terms and advice here than at any other website we found.

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While Amazon.com sells (or sells through third parties) a few models of home spas and hot tubs, very few receive any owner-written ratings or feedback. One exception is the Comfort Line Spa-in-a-Box, which… gets about 15 reviews. This model is mainly inflatable, and it requires no special plumbing. Once you fill it up, a heater warms the water. A generator produces the bubbles. While most owners say the Spa-in-a-Box is good for the price, they also tend to add that the set-up instructions are unclear. The hot tub also loses heat quickly since the jets blow only air instead of hot water. One user reports that his electric bill tripled. Most owners say this is a good choice if you will use the hot tub for short dips of 15 minutes or so, as opposed to long soaks (since the heat loss is perceptible).

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