# What's the best hot tub / spa?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-hot-tub-spa/126736>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [September 3, 2002, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-hot-tub-spa/126736 "2002-09-03T01:04:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2002, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-hot-tub-spa/126736/1 "2002-09-03T01:04:37Z")

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I am ready to take the plunge and purchase a hot tub or spa for the back yard. I have looked at Jacuzzi, Sundance, Coleman, and a couple of local (Alaska) manufacturers of spas and real hot tubs. What kind of experiences, recommendations, and warnings can all you folks give me about what to buy, how to install it, deck versus concrete pad, etc.? All your information would be greatly appreciated.

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**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2002, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-hot-tub-spa/126736/2 "2002-09-03T02:50:21Z")

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I like the Softub. Convenient, easy to maintain, portable, durable. We’ve been using ours for over 5 years now, just test it and add chemicals (especially the enzymes) once a week. It’s been outside the whole time, and gets used summer and winter. We just re-inforced the deck a bit. No plumbing, just an extension cord and a hose.

Lots cheaper too.

> **[Softub Spas® | Simple Is Better - Hot Tub Alternatives](https://softub.com/)**
>
> The Softub® Family Sportster® 140 The ideal choice for creating a personal relaxation oasis at home, the Sportster® 140 is designed to accommodate 1-2 adults. With 4 adjustable jets, you are sure to find your “happy place” inside of a Sportster® 140....