Best Plug and Play Hot Tub
Best Plug and Play Hot TubLooking for a high-quality hot tub, but don’t want to deal with super-costly installation? The plug-and-play hot tub is the answer! After a thorough look at the market, we’ve found that the Lifesmart 400DX Hot Tub is the best plug-and-play hot tub around.
It can seat up to five people, has 19 jets including an awesome waterfall jet, includes LED lights. It can handle 205 gallons of water, is available in two colors, and has a unique air dial on the side which allows you to adjust the turbulence in the hot tub.
With all of these features, it’s easily our top pick.
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For more information on the LifeSmart 400DX, see the Product Reviews section below.Runner Up: Best Plug-and-Play Spa
Our runner-up, the LifeSmart Simplicity Hot Tub, comes with a sleek white housing and is a great energy-efficient choice.
The LifeSmart Rock Solid Simplicity Hot Tub is a great choice for those looking for a spa for four people. It’s a bit smaller than the 400DX, with only 13 jets and no waterfall, but it’s significantly cheaper. The hot tub looks great, works great, and is an excellent choice!
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For details on the LifeSmart Simplicity, see the Product Reviews area below.
Budget Choice: Plug-and-Play Hot Tub
If you’re looking for something affordable, you’ll want to check out our budget-pick, the Newport Essential Hot Tub. This affordable spa comes with 14 jets and has a full body lounger inside.
It also has multicolor LED lights which can add a soothing touch to it when you’re relaxing in the hot tub.
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
For more info on the Newport Essentials Plug and Play Spa, see the Product Reviews below.
Plug and Play Spa Buyer’s Tips
In this section, we’ll look at the benefits of the Plug and Play Hot Tub, and what makes it special. Buyer’s should keep in mind these aspects when considering their spa.
What is a Plug and Play Hot Tub?
A plug and play hot tub works similarly to as a normal hot tub, except that it does not need professional installation. The power is supplied with a standard 110v grounded cord and can plug into any wall outlet. Water is supplied from a standard garden hose, so there’s no need to have a plumber come and hook up anything.
Circuit Amperage
Most spas will require a 15 amp dedicated circuit to use the tub. Many exterior house plugs are already on 15 amp circuits, but you should check yours before you plug in the tub. If you don’t have a 15 amp circuit, you may need to swap your breakers out, and perhaps have an electrician come by after all (boo!).
Also, the tub should almost always be on its own circuit, without additional power draws while the tub is running.
Plug and Play Hot Tub vs. Inflatable Hot Tub
Plug and Play hot tubs are very similar to inflatable hot tubs in the design of their systems. The heaters, filters, jets, and the like are pretty comparable to an inflatable system. But the housing of a plug and play hot tub is typically made of fiberglass, and is much more robust and elegant than an inflatable!
Also, you can’t puncture the fiberglass without really trying!
The plug and play hot tub is a nice middle ground between a cheap inflatable hot tub, and a costly custom built-in hot tub.
How to Use a Plug and Play Hot Tub
The plug and play system is so much easier than a custom hot tub package! Simply plug in the standard 110v plug, and fill the tub with water from the garden hose.
Heat it up to a toasty 104′ or so, and climb in! Voila!
The Benefits of Using a Plug and Play Spa
Plug and play hot tubs come with a variety of great benefits. Below are some you can enjoy when using one.
Easy Portability
Ok, maybe they’re not as portable as an inflatable hot tub, which can collapse into nothing. But a plug and play hard-shell hot tub is much more portable than a built-in spa!
Use is here, then decide you want to move it there, under the metal pergola? easy as pie! You can easily move these tubs around your yard, and even from place to place, if you’re renting or you move house.
Zero-Cost Installation
There’s no need for a special housing to hold the hot tub, and there’s no need to hire an electrician or plumber to hook anything up.
Style and Beauty
There’s no question these hard-shell units are much more attractive than a typical inflatable hot tub. Should you want to, you could build a further housing around the tub for elegance, but there’s no additional construction required with these tubs.
Resilience and Strength
The fiberglass hull of a plug-and-play hot tub is lightweight but very robust. There’s no chance you’re going to puncture this tub unless you really work for it!
Relaxation and Rejuvenation
One of the best benefits of these devices is that they help you to relax. They often come with numerous soothing jets which can be adjusted so you get the right amount of pressure in it.
Most of these tubs come with unique features like LED lights, and some come with built-in waterfalls to help make the experience even more enjoyable.
They are Affordable
While these do tend to be a little pricey relative to an inflatable, they are much more affordable compared to regular hot tubs which cost thousands of dollars more.
This makes them perfect for those on a budget who want a hot tub, but can’t quite spring for the super-expensive built-in hot tubs..
What to Look for When Shopping for a Plug and Play Spa
Before you buy one of these products, you’ll want to keep an eye out for a few things. Below are some important things to consider.
How Many People it Can Sit
A good thing to check when shopping for a plug and play hot tub is how many people it can sit. Ideally, the hot tub should be able to hold up to five people. Less than that and things start to get a little bit cramped.
Is a Hot Tub Lounger Seat Included?
Having a molded lounger-seat is a nice extra, and means you probably won’t need a spa pillow or anything else to help you get comfortable in the hot tub.
An Underwater LED Light
While not critical, an underwater light is a nice feature to have in the spa. It will illuminate the water and change colors. This can help to add to the soothing factor of the hot tub, and will certainly give it a cool atmosphere.
How Much Water it Can Hold
These devices will often vary in the amount of water they can hold — generally, the hot tubs built for more people will hold more water.
If you want a lot of water to fully cover your body when sitting in it, you’ll want to look for a large amount.
A good starting point for this is about 200 gallons. Otherwise, you might find that there’s not enough water to keep you warm while sitting in it.
If Steps are Included
Most of the tubs on our list do not include spa stairs. Depending on how you plan to set up the tub, and your needs and requirements, you may want to pick up some hot tub steps.
If a Cover is Included
A hot tub cover will help to not only keep your hot tub insulated, secure, and cozy, but it will prevent children and animals from getting inside the tub.
Because of this, look to make sure a cover is included. Most often come with one and some even add safety clips to help keep it better secure to the hot tub.
Also, consider a hot tub cover lift or roller to help get the cover on and off.
Maintenance, Chemicals, and Troubleshooting
If you run into problems with your hot tub, see our guide to common hot tub problems here. For spa chemical information, see here.
Plug and Play Hot Tub Reviews
A plug and play hot tub will allow you to get set up and going fast, without additional expense and hassle. You want to spend your time relaxing in the spa, not waiting for the electrician to come!
This article will explore some important information about plug and play hot tubs as well as our picks for the top products, like the LifeSmart 400DX, which comes with strong hydrotherapy jets and a soothing waterfall feature. To find out more about this product and our other recommendations, keep reading.
We’ll start with a comparison table to get the lay of the land, and then move into individual reviews. We’ll conclude with our favorites.
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Arbor Essential Hot Tubs Arbor-20 Jet Hot Tub
Key Points at a Glance
- It has 20 jets.
- It comes in two color options (gray and tan).
- The hot tub features contour seats.
- It can seat up to five people.
- It uses a Balboa heater.
- It comes with an insulated cover and safety clips.
Dimensions and Specs
- It measures 80.5 x 81 x 34.5 inches.
- It weighs 480 lbs.
The Details
The Arbor Essential Hot Tub comes in a sleek gray color or a rather generic tan (choose the gray!). It includes an LED light setup, which is a sweet plus, and makes it a great option to use at night.
The Arbor spa can hold up to five people thanks to its contoured seats, which also provide an adequate amount of comfort. The hot tub can hold up to 250 gallons of water, making it a pretty sizable tub.
The water is heated by its 1 kW/4 kW Balboa heater, which is powered by a simple 110v plug. Simply plug it in, fill it with water, and you’re good to go!
Once the water is heated, you can turn on its 20 stainless steel jets which will work quickly to create a soothing stream of water to help you better relax. The tub uses a 1 x 1.5 HP pump so you can be sure that this flow will be strong and steady.
This product also includes a GFCI cord which you can use to safely plug in your devices and play them while relaxing in the hot tub. When you’re done using it, you can cover the device with the insulated cover that comes with it and secure the cover with the included safety clips.
The Bottom Line
The Arbor Essential tub is a circular hot tub, which to us is a bit more awkward than a square tub to sit in and to get comfortable in. It’s priced reasonably aggressively, and it works quite well. And of course, it’s super easy to set up and get going.
However, the cover and locks aren’t the most reliable, so you’ll need to be careful when using them.
- 20 STAINLESS STEEL JETS: Relax with passive therapy or switch to an...
- SEATS 6: Contour-style seating for 6. There’s plenty of space to...
- PLUG & PLAY: Relax in minutes by plugging into any standard 120V/15A...
- ALL-SEASON: 1kW/4kW(120V/240V) true all-season stainless steel Balboa...
- MADE IN THE USA: You can take pride in knowing that your Essential Hot...
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. AquaRest Spas AR-500 5 Person 19 Jet Spa [Amazon Link] [Wayfair Link]
Key Points at a Glance
- It comes in two color options.
- It can seat up to 5 people.
- It features a 120V plug for standard plug-in ease.
- It comes with 19 stainless steel jets.
- It has a built-in waterfall and LED lights.
Dimensions and Specs
- It measures 88 x 80 x 40 inches.
- It weighs about 348 lbs.
The Details
The AquaRest AR-500 plug and play hot tub is available in two colors (again, gray and tan — choose the gray). It can seat up to 5 people, and the square shape is a bit more comfortable for most users.
The AR-500 supplies relaxation and comfort through its 19 stainless steel jets to help provide the ultimate comfort when you sit in it. These hydrotherapy jets are also adjustable so you can easily move them around as desired.
As a very cool addition, on the side of the hot tub, you’ll find a small built-in waterfall!
This feature is meant to help keep you relaxed and calm while sitting in it. In addition to this, you’ll also find built-in LED lights which you can sort through to change the color of the water.
To activate the jets and other features you can use the controls on the side.
This product also has a water filtration system which will help to filter out any bacteria and particles in the water.
There’s also a 120V plug which you can use to plug in your devices and use them while sitting in the tub. This hot tub comes with a cover and child safety locks you can use to secure the hot tub when it’s not in use.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a lightweight hot tub that comes with a variety of great features, the AquaRest AR-500 is one you’ll want to check out. It comes with a built-in waterfall and a power plug so you can use most devices safely while sitting in it.
The overall package, with its build quality, features, and ease of use, makes this the best plug-and-play hot tub around!
Be sure to check the price on Wayfair before you purchase.
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Essential Hot Tubs Newport-14 Jet Hot Tub
Key Points at a Glance
- It comes in a cobblestone design.
- It has 14 jets.
- It can seat up to four people.
- It comes with a built-in GFCI cord.
- It has a stainless steel heater.
- It comes with a cover.
Dimensions and Specs
- It measures 70.5 x 61 x 29.5 inches.
- It weighs 320 lbs.
The Details
The Newport Essential Hot Tub features a stunning cobblestone design and includes over 14 hydrotherapy jets. It’s one of the smallest tubs on our list but is large enough for four people to sit in relatively comfortably.
These jets spurt out a strong stream of water thanks to the two-speed pump built inside. This product also features a 1 kW/4 kW stainless steel heater which works to quickly heat up the water. Just plug it in, and get cooking! Unfortunately, it does take a bit of time to get up to temperature.
This plug-and-play spa tub can hold up to 200 gallons of water, which is about the minimum size we would suggest for one of these tubs.
Inside the hot tub, you’ll find four seats as well as a full body lounger. The lounger is a nice extra and is certainly more comfortable if the tub isn’t crowded.
There is also a controller on the side which will allow you to alternate between settings, include the LED multicolor underwater light.
This tub comes with an outdoor-rated GFCI cord to get everything going. When you’re done using the hot tub, you can use the cover that comes with it to keep it secure.
Clips are also included to help prevent the cover from flying off or animals from getting in it.
The Bottom Line
The Newport Essential Hot Tub is an affordable option, making it perfect for those on a budget. It is the Budget Pick for Best Plug-and-Play Hot Tub. Be sure to check the price on Wayfair before you buy!
It features over 14 strong jets and comes with unique features like an underwater light. However, this product does take a bit of time to fully heat up the water.
- 14 STAINLESS STEEL JETS: Relax with passive therapy or switch to an...
- SEATS 3-4: Contour-style seating for up to 4. Sink into any one of 3...
- PLUG & PLAY: Relax in minutes by plugging into any standard 120V/15A...
- ALL-SEASON: 1kW/4kW(120V/240V) true all-season stainless steel Balboa...
- MADE IN THE USA: You can take pride in knowing that your Essential Hot...
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Lifesmart Rock Solid Simplicity Plug and Play 4 Person Hot Tub [Amazon Link] [Wayfair Link]
Key Points at a Glance
- It can seat up to four people.
- It comes with a white design.
- It’s coated in a durable sandstone shell.
- It has a digital controller you can use to flip through settings.
- It comes with red and blue spa lights.
- It features 13 jets.
- It has two air valves.
- It can hold up to 195 gallons of water.
- There is a built-in thermostat.
Dimensions and Specs
- It measures 79 x 61 x 32 inches.
- It weighs 269 lbs.
The Details
The LifeSmart Rock Solid Simplicity Plug and Play Hot Tub has a fantastic name because it’s true! This hot tub will be up and running quite quickly, and you’ll be relaxing in the 104′ water in no time.
This plug and play product can sit up to four people. It comes with a control panel which features numerous buttons you can use to adjust the settings. You’ll find a comfort dial on the side which you can use to control the water flow so that it adheres to your needs. There’s also a thermostat so you can keep an eye on the temperature of the water. On the side of the hot tub you’ll find a waterfall setting as well as a controller so you can adjust the built-in LED lights.
This durable product uses a 1.5 HP pump and a 110V connection, so you’ll be able to connect this up to standard power with no visits from the local electrician (and his billing department!).
The tub can hold up to 195 gallons of water and comes with a child-safety cover to help keep it secure when not in use.
The Bottom Line
This product is ideal for those who are looking for something lightweight and affordable. It comes with a few helpful features, like a thermostat and child-safety cover.
The Jets are also extremely powerful, the plug and play nature makes this super easy to set up. We should mention that some have found that the thermometer may read a bit off (e.g. thermometer reads 104′, but the actual temp is 100′). This may be frustrating for some, but even still, the value in this package is significant!
Be sure to check the price on Wayfair before you buy!
- This item will be delivered curbside. To have the item delivered to a...
- Item may ship in more than one box and may arrive separately
- 4-person capacity
- Rock Solid sandstone Sahara shell and surround
- Deluxe Balboa digital control; 12-volt spa light with red and blue...
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. LifeSmart 400DX 5-Person Rock Solid Plug and Play Spa
Key Points at a Glance
- It can seat up to five people.
- It features 19 jets.
- It has a waterfall setting.
- It’s an energy-efficient choice.
- It has a 110V for plug and play devices.
- It has a full body lounger.
- It comes in a white design.
- It has cup holders on the side.
- There is a locking spa cover that comes with it.
Dimensions and Specs
- It measures 75 x 75 x 34 inches.
- It weighs 449 lbs.
The Details
The LifeSmart 400DX Plug and Play Hot Tub comes with a white housing with brown faux-wood panel sides, making it look closer to a built-in hot tub than most of the other units on our list. The two-tone color scheme is nice, and is definitely a step up from the rest of the tubs on our list.
We also like the rounded corners on the shape, though if you need a replacement insulating cover down the line, you’ll need to get something a bit more custom than usual.
The 400DX can seat up to five people and has a 215-gallon capacity. It also has a full body lounger seat for you to enjoy, which is a great extra if you plan on hanging out in the tub for a while.
This hard-shell spa features 19 jets soothing, massaging jets, and an additional waterfall one for the magic!
On the side, you’ll find an air dial which you can use to adjust the turbulence in the tub, as well as cup holders so you can keep a drink nearby for your hot tub party needs. We love that there’s really no need for a spa side table with this one unless you plan on having food.
When you’re done using it, you can place the locking spa cover over it to help keep it secure.
The Bottom Line
The LifeSmart 400 DX plug-and-play hot tub is a beauty, and hits all of the right notes. It’s the best plug-and-play spa around!
The 400 DX has space for 5, an easy-to-use system, an included cover, and of course, the 19 jets plus the waterfall system is fantastic. The cup holder system is pretty nice, and the molded lounger area is a great plus.
The LED light is a nice plus, though they’re a bit dim relative to some of the other systems on our list.
The price is high on this one, but it’s quite reasonable given the specs of this tub, and the benefits to owning a high-quality, larger format plug-and-play hot tub.
- Item may ship in more than one box and may arrive separately
- 19 Therapy Jets Plus Adjustable Waterfall Jet 20 Total Jets
- Plug and Play: No Special Wiring Needed 110 volt 15 amp dedicated...
- Includes Locking Spa cover
- 5-6 person capacity
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion: Plug-In Spa
A plug-in spa is a great choice for those who want simplicity and no-nonsense installation, and don’t need the added expense and complexity of a built-in hot tub. If the price is too high on these tubs, buyers may want to consider an Intex PureSpa inflatable tub.
Our top pick, the LifeSmart 400DX Plug and Play Tub fits 5, has 19 jets plus a waterfall, a super nice fit and finish, a great cover system, and a clever built-in cup holder for those champagne glasses!
As a cheaper alternative, the LifeSmart Rock Solid Simplicty dispenses with the waterfall, and cuts the size down to four people, but keeps the general quality and systems intact.
If you’re searching for something a bit more budget-friendly, you’ll want to check out the Newport Essential Hot Tub, can fit 200 gallons and 4 people, which is a reasonable size. It only has 13 jets, but the Newport is positioned at a pretty sweet price point!
Last update on 2024-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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