Difference

[mstrlucky74]

Hello and thanks in advance. What's the main pros/cons of portable hot tub vs. stationary?

What would be reasons, other than budget, to get a portable hot tub?

Thank you again 

 

Yikes, maybe I misunderstood. Thought portable was inflatable. Sorry. Question still applies

[ratchett]

So it sounds like you're asking the difference between a cheap inflatable spa verses a portable hardshell hot tub (there is also a third category of hot tubs which are built into in-ground pools, but that's less common for a variety of reasons).

Here's my take:

• Inflatable spas are very budget-friendly.  They hold water and *eventually* get kinda hot.   You might get jets to circulate water, but don't expect any sort of therapeutic massage from the jets.
• Inflatable spas are poorly insulated and do not adequately contain heat.  Thus they are energy inefficient and lose temperature fast when the cover is removed for use.
• Inflatable spas are not constructed to be serviced.  The seams are heat-welded together.  They have a limited lifespan of roughly 1-3 "seasons" before some seam starts to wear out and air or water leaks where it's not supposed to.   You might find someone who has one which lasts for a few years, but it's rare to find.
• Inflatable spas have a pitiful tiny filter which clogs up frequently (at least weekly cleaning is essentially necessary to keep the unit working) - portable hardshell spas typically have larger filtration systems which need less frequent cleaning (weekly is suggested, but monthly works fine for many users).
• Inflatable spas have poor to no quality control in the construction process.  Unlike hardshell hot tubs which are tested in the factory (filled with water, powered up, etc), inflatable spas are constructed and placed into a box for packing.  I have seen complaints ranging from defective dead-on-arrival pumps to water connection valves heat-welded shut.  One person even found after a month that their water had developed a low-voltage electrical charge which shocked her when touching the water!!! That should totally not be possible with any UL/CE certified product.

Portable hardshell hot tubs are typically built to be serviced to have a longer lifespan.  Industry average for these hot tubs is 7-14 years, although some of the top-tier flagship spas might last 20-30+ years with proper care/maintenance.    Many hot tub brands even use the same industry-standard off-the-shelf components (heaters, control boards, jets, motors, etc) making it easy to find replacements if you're a DIY weekend warrior.

Personally, I think it's better to spend $2000 to buy a used (but fully working) hot tub in the local classifieds, than spend $500 on an inflatable spa.  You'll get a better and more comfortable therapeutic experience.

The only case I see inflatable spas making sense is if you're a medical patient and a doctor has advised heat therapy in hot water for several months for treatment, and you don't have a budget for anything nicer than an inflatable spa.