Open Request Form

Blog

How Much Do Hot Tubs Cost?

How Much Does a Hot Tub Cost?

  |   Buying & Research Guide, Pricing & Costs   |   36 Comments

Your Hot Tub Pricing Guide

 

 

How Much Does a Bullfrog Spa Cost?How much does a hot tub cost? It’s an important question every serious spa shopper asks, but admittedly one that brands aren’t always great at answering. Everybody almost instinctively knows roughly how much cars cost, or TVs, or standard home appliances. However, hot tubs are not a consumer item that most people know too much about until they are ready to buy. That’s a problem this article will solve, helping you understand hot tub pricing better, allowing you to make an informed purchase decision with your amazing new hot tub.

 

Ok, before we go too far, a little explanation of why hot tub pricing is so challenging. I understand what likely brought you here and how it goes. You decide you want a hot tub so you start to research it online. You can find all kinds of information on features, build quality, and other benefits. But as you start to look for hot tub prices, you run into a bit of a brick wall, especially where many of the top quality hot tub brands are concerned.

 

Hot tubs are sometimes highly customized. Additionally, they cost a lot to ship to different locales. And hot tub markets vary regionally. A spa in San Francisco is likely to cost more than the same spa almost anywhere else. For these reasons and some others, prices for nearly all high-quality hot tubs have generally been established and communicated by local dealers. Since spa pricing, even for the same model, can vary somewhat by location and, in order to avoid cross-market confusion, hot tub prices from many brands are not posted online.

 

However, in this article, I want to help you navigate the hot tub pricing process by giving you information on what you can generally expect to pay for a hot tub, based on factors like type, quality, and size, along with what you can expect to pay over the lifetime of the spa in energy and maintenance. And I’ll tell you where to get the MSRP for your Bullfrog Spa.

 

 

Browse by topic. Click the links below to jump to each topic.

 

 

 

Getting a price on a custom spa Elite Luxury hot tub prices
Getting local pricing and specials Luxury hot tub prices
Hot tub costs over time Mid-range hot tub prices
Energy costs of a hot tub Value hot tub prices
How to assess total value Entry-level hot tub prices
Swim spa prices

 

 

Get an Instant Price Quote on a Custom Bullfrog Spa You Design Online

 

Before we get too deep into our explanation, it occurs to us that you may just be here looking for a price on say a Bullfrog Spas M7 hot tub. If that’s the case, simply proceed to our Design Studio software, configure your specific spa model with the colors, JetPaks, features, options you prefer, and enter your information to save your design.

 

Once you’re done, you’ll get an instant MSRP quote based on the options you picked. Keep in mind that MSRP is just the brand’s suggested pricing. Your dealer will often have additional pricing incentives available.

 

DESIGN MY SPA & GET A QUOTE

 

 

 

Get a Local Price in Your Area

 

The very best place to get very specific hot tub pricing, including current specials, is by making a visit to your local Authorized Bullfrog Spas Dealer. These businesses offer the best support, service, and prices on hot tubs and spas in your area. Your local dealer also offers local knowledge of water chemistry, building codes, and climate that will help you get set up correctly.





LOCATE MY DEALER




 

 

Prices on Hot Tubs

 

SWIM SPA – $25,000 to $40,000

 

swim spa class

These spas are unique in that they offer the ability to exercise, relax, or play. Swim spas are priced around $25,000 to $40,000. They offer ample amounts of space seating 13 to 15 people. With the current system technology, you can get a real workout while staying stationary in a swim spa. With the amount of space, the whole family can take a dip and play without feeling too confined.  These spas have high aesthetic standards and are made to fit with your home and backyard. Swim spas are great for not only you but your family as well.

 

Pay close attention to the versatility of the swim spas with manufacturing, jets, size, and more.

 

In this range, you’ll find Bullfrog Spas Swim Series.

ELITE LUXURY – $20,000 to $25,000

 

Elite luxury spas, M Series by Bullfrog Spas

These are the absolute best hot tubs in terms of build quality, features, and options. Elite luxury hot tubs can be priced from $20,000 to $25,000 or more in the United States and Canada. It is expected in this tier that your spa will be both designed and engineered better than any other. Elite class spas offer every feature available on today’s spas like ultra-versatile seating designs, cover sensor technology, connected control systems, premium ozone sanitation, proprietary water care, and Simplicity filtration. These spas will also be designed to the highest aesthetic standards, something you’ll be proud to show off as a centerpiece of a well-appointed backyard environment.

Pay close attention to the technology, versatility of seating, design awards, advancements in water care, location of manufacturing facilities, engineering technologies, and materials used throughout the spa structure.

 

In this range, you’ll find Bullfrog Spas M Series and potentially larger A Series depending on which features and options you choose.

LUXURY – $15,000 to $20,000

 

Modern luxury, STIL by Bullfrog SpasPremium luxury-class hot tubs will be built only by the top manufacturers, offering premium acrylic shells with a substantial warranty and well-built wood-free frames. This category will cost around $15,000 – $20,000 in the USA and Canada. It is expected in this tier that your spa will offer premium engineering, be built-in a hi-tech domestic factory, and will make use of top-quality materials. These hot tubs should also offer a wide range of customization options, including connected technologies and the JetPak Therapy System. These custom options allow you to completely personalize your spa to your needs and preferences.

 

Pay close attention to the reputation of the manufacturer, location of manufacturing, and materials used throughout the spa structure.

 

In this range, you’ll find Bullfrog Spas STIL spas, some A Series spas, and potentially larger R Series spas depending on which features and options you choose.

MID-RANGE – $10,000 to $15,000

 

Sunset view from the hot tubMost premium-class hot tubs are built by the top manufacturers and offer quality acrylic shells, and well-built frames and cabinets. This category will cost around $10,000 – $15,000. To assess whether a spa merits this range consider things like how well the hot tub is engineered, what materials it uses, what jet technology is used, where it is made, and the overall reputation of the company. Using these factors you can determine which hot tubs will give you the best value in this price range.

 

Pay close attention to the reputation of the manufacturer, location of manufacturing, and materials used throughout the spa structure.

 

In this range, you’ll find Bullfrog Spas R Series spas, potentially some smaller A Series spas, and some larger X Series spas.

VALUE – $5,000 to $10,000

 

Round Hot TubThe same quality hot tub manufacturers mentioned above usually offer a value-class spa line that will cost $5,000 – $10,000. These spas usually have fewer features and less complete hydrotherapy, but still offer decent reliability, warranties, and comfort.

 

As you shop, you will also find other companies selling lesser quality spas in this price range. Many big-box retailers will pass off a poor quality spa as “premium” in this price range. Even some spa companies that have been around for a while offer lesser quality spas in this range.

 

Pay attention to these things to determine quality in this range: established brand, established dealer sales channel (not online or big box), consumer feedback, domestic manufacturing (made in USA or Canada).

 

In this range, you’ll find some X Series spas or smaller R Series spas depending on the features and options you choose.

ENTRY-LEVEL – $2,000 TO $5,000

 

Cheap entry-level hot tubs will cost you around $2,000 – $5,000. There are really only a few manufacturers making a reasonable entry-level spa in this range. Try to determine the better brands, however, if this is the price range where you’re looking, it is wise to beware.

 

Many spas in this price range are made using methods that produce a product with a limited usable life. Many of these spas are built to be inflatable, are roto-molded like your kayak or folding pic-nic table, or are built with poor materials and workmanship from knock-off overseas companies. These hot tubs can be ok if you’re looking for a very short-term or no-frills experience. One more consideration also creeps in at this price level – cost to operate. Most of these “low cost” hot tubs are so poorly insulated you will end up paying far more in the long run for the electricity to operate them. This leads us to something else you’ll want to factor into your decision – cost over time.

 

If you insist on a hot tub in this range, you’ll want to pay attention to these things to determine quality in this low-end range: type of materials, ongoing energy costs, and reputation of the manufacturer.

You will not find any Bullfrog Spas models in this range.

 

 

Something to Consider, Hot Tub Costs Over Time

 

EnduraFrame hot tub structureWhen you’re making your decision on which hot tub to buy you should, of course, start with initial quality. You also need to consider how much your hot tub will cost to operate over time. This decision has 2 basic components.

 

  • The expected life of your hot tub or durability
  • The cost of operation associated with your hot tub

 

These factors, combined with your initial purchase price will give you the lifetime cost of ownership for your spa.  Look for 2 things to minimize your lifetime cost of ownership – quality construction and energy efficiency.

 

 

Energy Cost of a Hot Tub

 

Using the example above, in reality, the quality spa actually costs less overall over time. It lasts longer and eliminates the need to reinstall a new spa every few years. And, in addition to longevity, a quality spa will also use far less energy and require less maintenance.

 

High quality spas are usually full foam insulated except for the area where pumps and heaters are located. This helps to isolate the hot water in the spa from the cold and keep warmth within. Full foam insulated spas require much less energy to keep them ready to use.

 

One way to find energy efficient hot tubs is to look at the data compiled by the California Energy Commission, which keeps hot tub energy use statistics. Pay attention to the spa brands that consistently show at the top of these lists.

 

 

A Few More Important Factors to Consider in Hot Tub Pricing

 

It would be easy to simply say that you get what you pay for in hot tubs. While this is obviously true of many if not most consumer goods, there are unfortunately a few companies out there that prey on the general lack of understanding of what makes a true quality hot tub.

 

Keep in mind that the vast majority of dedicated spa retailers out there are honest and hard-working and carry great products, they wouldn’t stay in business otherwise. There are only a few of these companies to watch out for and you can usually pick them out by their tactics. Watch out for things like high-pressure in-home presentations, traveling “spa shows” that really only feature spas sold by one company and other fly-by-night tactics. What’s most important when looking at an investment like a quality portable spa is understanding how to evaluate quality brands and quality retailers, then looking at pricing in terms of the total value you are getting for your dollar.

 

 

You Will Love a Quality Hot Tub for Years to Come

 

Hot tubs are extremely nice to own for many reasons. So it makes sense that you will want to own yours for as long as possible. When you decide to go with a top-quality spa, engineered, and built to last, you will have always-ready hydrotherapy, relaxation, and fun right in your own backyard. No other product offers as many health and lifestyle benefits.

 

So, consider the quality and value first when making your decision on which hot tub is best for you. Your purchase price may be a little higher, but you will be rewarded with better features, better hydrotherapy, and a lower cost of ownership over time.

 

How to Assess Total Value

 

Keep in mind that these are outdoor hot tubs. They are exposed to the environment every day, all day. A well-built hot tub will last you much longer than a poor quality spa, often a decade or more. This means your initial purchase price will be spread over more years of use. Then also factor in energy costs over time. Deduct this from the purchase price. Lastly, add the somewhat intangible factor of user experience. This will be measured by your enjoyment, minus the possible frustrations of ownership.

 

Example: A quality spa that costs you $10,000 initially and lasts 10 years costs you the same per year as a poor quality spa that costs you $3,000 and only lasts for a little over 3 years. Actually, the quality spa costs you much less when energy use is factored in. As explained above, cheap hot tubs almost always use more energy. The scales tip even further in the direction of the quality spa when an absolutely incredible worry-free user experience is weighed against one wrought with frustration and down time.

 

In the end, quality simply pays for itself.

 

Get an Instant Price Quote on a Hot Tub

Design Your Own Bullfrog Spa

 

Get an MSRP price quote on a Bullfrog Spa model in your area by starting with our Design Studio software. Build your spa just the way you like it. Once you finish, you’ll receive your instant price quote.

 

DESIGN MY SPA & GET A QUOTE

 

Jake Ricks

AUTHOR - Jake Ricks

Jake Ricks is the Marketing Director for Bullfrog Spas. In addition to his efforts in marketing leadership roles, Jake has been published in a variety of publications with topics that include the pool and spa industry, outdoors, digital marketing, and content marketing. Jake's passion is fly fishing, bird dogs, and living life outside. When possible he guides on local waters, competes in fly fishing events, designs new fly patterns and is a regular contributor to outdoor blogs and periodicals.

36 Comments
  • Bryony Evans | Apr 23, 2014 at 10:09 pm

    There are many myths in purchasing a hot tub for the first time, and it is great to see that Bullfrog Spas is working to dispel them through proper education. In a young industry, Bullfrog Spas has the ability to lead many changes with its innovative brand. Thanks for writing this great article.

  • mike Brown | Mar 30, 2015 at 5:04 pm

    it dances around a lot but where are the prices?

    • Jake Ricks

      Jake Ricks | Mar 31, 2015 at 8:54 am

      Mike,
      Thanks for the comment.
      Yes, you’ll notice only price ranges are given in this article. Unfortunately, that’s about as accurate as we can get speaking to so general an audience since prices are set at the local dealer level and vary by market due to shipping and other market-specific variables.
      The best way to get specific pricing on specific models with a certain feature package is to use SpaDesign (http://spadesign.bullfrogspas.com). Design your specific model with the colors, JetPaks and options you want and it will give you the dealer info where you can request a local quote on your specific spa.
      Jake

  • lavon vincent | May 14, 2015 at 11:06 am

    I am interested about financing a spa/hot tub.

    • Jake Ricks

      Jake Ricks | May 15, 2015 at 4:29 pm

      Great! In most areas it is possible to finance your hot tub purchase. This is generally done with your local spa dealership. Visit https://www.bullfrogspas.com/stores to locate your nearest Authorized Bullfrog Spas Dealer and ask about financing options.

  • Dr Robert Fewkes | Oct 11, 2015 at 6:48 pm

    I see all this STUFF about quality, features, future costs, etc. , but I am just trying to find out How much a 6 person Bullfrog would cost . . .+,-. I have had tubs, and I’m looking for a new one. I appreciate the features. . . but what are the prices?

  • Jim McMan | Jan 20, 2016 at 7:25 pm

    I have a 2015 A8 with all the bells ozone, wifi, blue tooth sound system it cost around $16,000. My electric bill went up about $15 to $20 dollars a month.
    Bull frog spa is the best you will find. I can move the seats around when needed. I have owned other brands but after a couple of years it’s the same spa. With Bullfrog just move the seats or purchase new jets for around $400 a seat. So no need to purchase a new one.

  • Will a Hot Tub Increase the Value of Your Home? | Canadian Home Leisure | Mar 15, 2016 at 8:25 am

    […] debate the correlation between hot tubs and property values. This troubles some homeowners because the cost of a mid-range spa falls between $5,000 and $8,000. Thankfully, unlike swimming pools, spas can appreciate the value […]

  • tom | May 31, 2016 at 12:17 pm

    I bought a new house and a bullfrog spa came with it. I want to find out the cost of it since I might sell it to someone soon. I will not be able to use it as much as I thought I would. Any used pricing out there. sort of a true-spa site like true-car is for cars. surfing the web it appears usually none are sold it seems except for new
    . just bought then run into the dirt then trashed it seems.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Jun 1, 2016 at 11:45 am

      Unfortunately we’re not aware of anything like a “blue book” or “tru-car” for used spas. We can say that we see a reasonable used market in many locations that, depending on the age of the spa, varies between 50 and 75% of new pricing. Additionally, because of the wood-free composite construction and ability to upgrade JetPaks, Bullfrog Spas tend to hold value much better than most other spas.

  • Rick | Jul 24, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    I just bought an A7L today with built in Bluetooth stereo, wifi, digital display, lights and exterior speakers and I am stoked… Thanks guys, I look forward to enjoying it.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Jul 25, 2016 at 9:48 am

      Awesome! You will love it.

  • Allen Smith | Oct 5, 2016 at 9:21 pm

    Price? Price? Price? Price?

  • Allen Smith | Oct 5, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    What is the Price?
    What is the Price?
    What is the Price?
    What is the Price?

    • Bullfrog Spas | Oct 6, 2016 at 5:10 pm

      Allen, we appreciate your interest. Please go to http://spadesign.bullfrogspas.com and spec out the model and options you want. This will get sent to your local dealer and you will get their contact info. You can go to them to get a specific local price on the spa you’re interested in.

  • Steve Gillies | Oct 24, 2016 at 9:55 am

    Like the rest, I would like a price. I have filled in the ‘Design my Spa’ 2 times and not heard back.
    Guess you guys don’t need the business, this doesn’t bode very well on your team and the ‘authorized’ resellers.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Oct 24, 2016 at 11:24 am

      Steve,
      We’re extremely sorry that you haven’t received a response from your local authorized dealer. Thank you for making us aware of this situation. We are contacting them immediately. Please contact us by email at info@bullfrogspas.com if you do not hear back in a reasonable time frame and we will do everything possible to help you get the information you’re seeking.
      Bullfrog Spas Support

  • Christine Lucey | Dec 10, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    FYI to your web developers: When trying to use the tool to design a spa, the X6R does not appear anywhere. Suboptimal for those of us interested in that particular mode.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Dec 12, 2016 at 8:51 am

      Thanks for the feedback. We are aware. Since the X Series line doesn’t feature JetPaks and is somewhat less configurable than other Bullfrog Spas it was not included in SpaDesign. However, as X Series does have some configurable features, like colors and finishes we are considering adding it to the tool.

  • Jeran Dahlquist | Apr 5, 2017 at 6:51 pm

    The Spa Design breaks when you try to put together a STIL, FYI. Fortunately we got our dealer to just order one in for us to check out, but it would have been nice to be able to put together what we are looking for.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Apr 7, 2017 at 4:17 pm

      Thanks for the heads up! We’ve corrected this issue.

  • Angela Cummins | Jun 15, 2017 at 10:58 am

    I inherited a jacuzzi when we bought our new house. The body seems fine but apparently it is not reliable to always turn on. Is it possible to just replace the motor parts and give it new life?

    • Bullfrog Spas | Jun 19, 2017 at 12:00 pm

      It is probably possible to replace the control board to improve the performance. The best way to determine this, or if another repair is appropriate, is to contact a local spa repair/service expert and have them do a diagnostic evaluation.

  • Dharm | Apr 9, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    You must have an MSRP……I saw your earlier comment about prices, but understand that car prices too may vary from state to state, but there is an MSRP…..

    What is it?

    • Bullfrog Spas | Apr 10, 2018 at 9:53 am

      Thanks for the interest and inquiry. Since our spas are so highly configurable and pricing is set locally we don’t actually publish an MSRP currently. The best way to get a local price quote is to select the specific model you’re interested in & configure it to your liking with our SpaDesign tool. You can then request a local price quote on that specific configuration from your local dealership. Design your spa here: http://spadesign.bullfrogspas.com

  • Todd Chavers | Apr 17, 2018 at 11:41 am

    We were visiting family near Denver Colorado and spoke with the Bullfrog sales support at a Costco in Thornton. He encouraged us to look at the Costco/Bullfrog schedule and visit a Costco near our home in Northern Virginia. We did just that and much to our dismay, when we went to the Chantilly Costco, all the Costco store manager could tell us is that “Bullfrog cancelled with no explanation”. Costco has no other references to Bullfrog on the Costco website….what gives?

    • Bullfrog Spas | Apr 17, 2018 at 12:07 pm

      We’re very sorry for your inconvenience. While we do occasionally offer our products through a cooperative in-store program with Costco these shows are very limited in availability and are subject to change according to both the needs of each particular Costco warehouse and the needs of the independent Bullfrog Spas dealerships that schedule and staff these events. We looked into this specific event and it appears that the dealership who had committed to do this show could not and so made the cancellation. Because these in-store events are very limited, if you see Bullfrog Spas at Costco it’s best to take advantage. We realize that was not possible for you in this case and apologize once again.

  • Judy Leep | May 9, 2018 at 5:57 am

    I own a 2001 Hot Springs Spa. A couple of parts have been replaced over the years. Now it is leaking badly and they tell me it is time to replace. How does Nullfrog compare to Hot Springs on durability?

    • Bullfrog Spas | May 14, 2018 at 10:20 am

      Thanks for considering Bullfrog Spas. Of course we’re biased, while the spa brand you mentioned does make great hot tubs, we believe that we are the best. We wouldn’t do this otherwise. Bullfrog Spas have some significant advantages over conventional hot tubs like those you’ve referenced. The simplified plumbing design of our JetPak Therapy System improves reliability, energy efficiency, and gives you the opportunity to select the massages that feel best to you. You can see more about what truly sets us apart here.

  • Jay Bogo | Aug 8, 2018 at 11:03 am

    How does Bullfrog compare with a similar Dimension one spa? The deal who put in our in ground pool carries that line and I love their customer service but I’m not entirely sold on the Dimension one line.

    • Bullfrog Spas | Aug 14, 2018 at 9:07 am

      We’re of course biased but most in the industry would agree that Dimension One spas are great, just not perhaps in the same category as Bullfrog Spas and some of the other industry leaders in terms of build quality and energy efficiency. Bullfrog Spas of course feature the JetPak Therapy System, which is a much-improved plumbing design when compared with conventional spas.

  • Bill | Sep 29, 2018 at 3:35 pm

    I hava delima, a hot tub from 1 store with 60 jets and another one with 40 jets same price. One includes steps one I think doesn’t which is the cheaper of the two. One is s Lifesmart sap and one is Evolution. Never heard of Lifesmart
    Any advice

    • Bullfrog Spas | Oct 23, 2018 at 8:47 am

      Bill, we’re not familiar with either of these brands and would highly recommend that you look at a quality brand with a reliable dealer/service network and a history of reliability. We’re of course biased towards the Bullfrog Spas brand. We work really hard to produce a top quality spa with industry-leading reliability.

  • SALVADOR LOPEZ PEREZ | Jan 12, 2020 at 5:05 pm

    same deal here , where are the prices? i have been doing my research for 3 days in a row and no prices to be found.
    irritating!!

    • Lance Hansen | Jan 14, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      Salvador,
      Just like buying a car, the price depends on the dealer. We offer MSRPs but calling a dealer near you or going to see their floor models will help you to get the price that we think you are looking for.

  • 8 Elements You Need to Create the Ultimate Outdoor Man Cave in Your Backyard – Mandujour | May 4, 2020 at 2:45 pm

    […] feeling the cool night air as you watch your favorite team crush their opponents. According to Bullfrog Spas, hot tubs can range from a couple thousand to over 10 grand depending on what features you want. […]

Post A Comment