Voting has ended for the 2011 About.com Readers' Choice Awards. Our readers have chosen a winner!
The About.com Reader's Choice Awards 2011 Pool and Patio honors the year's Best Hot Tub / Spa brands and manufacturers, as nominated and chosen by our readers.
Comments
How long does the contest go on for!?
The contest, and voting, continues through March 8, 2011.
Go Arctic!
Arcticspas.com
I’ve owned my 552 Bullfrog Spa for a year now. I still enjoy it’s soothing hot water massage therapy several time a week. I highly recommend the well made Bullfrog Spa!
Love my Bullfrog Spa!!! Go Bullfrog!!!
Why isn’t Jacuzzi Brand Hot Tubs on the list?
The hot tub/spa brands that received the most nominations during our readers’ nomination period became the five finalists. Maybe next year!
I’ve had my Hot Springs ‘Classic’ Spa since 1986. This spa was made with the Rovelle (sp?) material and looks as good today as it did 25 years ago. Unprecedented, especially when you consider this tub was purchased in TX, moved to FL, AR and now is still fully functional in St. Louis. Plus, the Jacuzzi pump is original equipment and works great. Hot Springs…always!
I can’t beleive anyone would buy something other than an Arctic Spa. I did alot of research and found them to be the best built units anywhere , considering our climate..Dollar for dollar best unit ..I love my spa and ahve never seen a cost difference in my power bill,,even during the coldest months..5 star product and incredible customer support
I love my Hot Spring Spa – it’s a 1989 Classic and still going strong. Who else can say they have a 21-year-old hot tub that still looks awesome?! I sit in it every morning while I play fetch with my labrador. He gets exercise; I get relaxation.
DO NOT BUY FROM CAL SPAS. THEY HAVE THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE!
I voted and when I look at the total votes, it was the same as before I voted.. Not sure how that can happen?
BTW, I voted Hot Spring as I have owned 2 and would say they were beyond satisfactory.
I love my Calspas and I never had a problem with it.
Go Cal Spas!!!! I’ve owned a Cal Spas for years and would never buy from another manufacturer! Their hot tubs rock!!!
Amazing how people will blast companies that they have no knowledge about. Just vote and keep your negative comments to yourself.
I have owned many spas in my lifetime. With the exception of a few, they were all pretty good. I must say that for comfort, some were better than others, for efficiency others were better than some. I would be willing to bet that most people that post a negative comment about a certain spa company, work for the competitor.
Arctic Spas are the best spa on the market, I love mine!
It gives great massage and is very relaxing and is cheap to run. Would highly recommend anyone thinking of buying a spa to opt for an Arctic, go Arctic!!
Ive got a 7 year old Arctic spas Avalanche still running like a dream makes me smile every time get in it
I’ve had my Arctic Spa for many years now. I love it! Wouldn’t trade it for anything! Energy efficient, relaxing, great options like salt water! It is the best spa out there!
I’ve owned my BullFrog Spa (Model 231) for two years now. I LOVE it and use it everyday. What I found in my research is that my local dealer, EnviroSmarte in Virginia, is just as important as the manufacturer. Not only did I find the best made hot tub (check out those nifty JetPacks!) but the best local dealer as well.
Hot Springs!!! wooo
Go Arctic! I have a 4 year old Bullfrog and the shell just cracked all the way through in 4 places and am waiting to be able to get my new spa…an ARCTIC!!
My Caldera spa is wonderful! I have owned it for Eight years now and it still brand new looking and have Never had any issues!
When it comes down to how a Arctic Spa is built there is no other brand I would own.Wins hands down.
After calculating the time, it is quite possible that my wife and I may have logged more hours in a HotSpring than anyone on Earth. Kind of embarrassing really, but we just can’t stay out of the tub. We are on our third one over a 20+ year period and we only switched models because of the changing size of our family over that same period.
Cal Spas is the best! Easy setup, reasonable cost, and still working great!
Where are the rest of Spa Manufactures?? Like Sundance, jacuzzi, master, ……. Not very Biased!!!
Raymond and others:
The top five finalists were chose based on the number of nominations each received during the open nominations period, which began Jan. 13. If you feel your favorite brand should be a finalist, be sure and nominate it next year.
Hi Raymond,
Only the top five qualified, looks like your cheering for the wrong brand
Hotspring of course, worlds best spas!
I Have a 1993 HotSpring Grandee…Even at 35 below runs like a champ!!! HotSpring Spa best investment EVER!!!
Jacuzzi not on the list. they must not have paid somebody to be on the list
Jacuzzi Hot Tubs and Hot Spring Spas.
Raymond and others with concerns: Some people are publicizing the awards heavily and receiving lots of responses because of it. This is such a common issue among contestants that About.com’s Guide to Contests, Sandra Grauschopf, wrote an article about it: “If a Contest Entry Gets Tons of Votes Overnight, Are they Cheating?”
As far as the five finalists, they were nominated by you, the readers, during the open nomination period starting Jan. 13. The top five became the finalists. If you’d like to see your particular brand nominated next year, I highly recommend you regularly check this site and nominate them next year!
My Bullfrog is an energy HOG! My neighbor purchased an Artic, wish I was that smart.
I have had an Arctic for 10 years and enjoyed everyday. The customer service at our local dealer is exceptional, when this one dies we’ll be buying another Arctic for sure.
I live in alberta canada, its been an average of 25 below 0 all winter, my spa is an Arctic brand which i have had for 7 years now, it costs me about 23 dollars a month to run it,all year round! i cant imagine owning anything else..
Arctic Spas makes, by far, the most exceptional product. Their service is great as well. Cannot say enough about them.
Owned a Hot Springs for 10 years was ok.Purchased a Bullfrog 4 years ago, what a piece of junk.Shell cracked in 2 places and the jetpaks were a pain when cleaning the tub.Live in Colorado and the only hot tub that works great out here is my neighbors Artic.Can’t wait to get my Artic this spring Best spa made EVER!
We have had nothing but good luck with Bullfrog spas, our customers love the uniqueness of the jetpack system and their customer service is phenomenal!
Nothing compares to the Bullfrog. When you want something that never goes out of style – you buy Bullfrog. Being able to purchase a new JetPak whenever you want a new type of water therapy for a seat is so awesome. I wouldn’t look anywhere else! We are so happy with the Bullfrog Spa and the Energy Efficiency that we are lifetime owners!!!!
I’ve seen a lot of 25+ year old hot tubs that were still up and running, looked good, and parts were readily available….and every single one of them was a Hot Spring Spa.
Arctic Spas is the best! GO ARCTIC!
I love my Cal Spa hot tub! It has worked great for years.
if you are looking for a hot tub just check out Cal Spas they have most selection of hot tubs and swim spas and also what i love about them they also offer all kinds of other products such as gazebos, bbq islands , check them out
Sasha sounds like a troll but of the 4 hot tubs I have had the past 20 years, Cal Spas has been the most relaxing with the least repairs.
Wow…CalSpa has almost doubled their number of votes in 24 hours! Amazing
I have owned CalSpa-bleecch: shoddy construction and and shoddy service. Was in market for new spa: local Arctic dealer said she might be closing up shop-didn’t give me confidence to buy, after all: who would I go to if I needed service?
Local HotSpring dealer: been in business over 31 years! Now THEY know a thing or 2 about spas! HotSpring Spa: YOU ROCK!
Hot Spring Spas is by far the best hot tub. Most of my friendss own a Hot Spring. The ones that don’t have water issues or broken pumps, and heaters. I have a 2001 Hot Spring and it hasn’t ever missed a beet or had any problems. I would strongly recomend only buying this brand if you want years of reliablity and comfort.
I bought it from the folks in Portland. Oregon Hot Tub. Good company that has been around sense the 80’s.
Hope this helps…
I always recommend Cal Spas to my patients. I have used Hot Springs in the past and found it very problematic.
My husband and I have spent lots of time reading reviews, talking with friends, and checking out Spas from different manufacturers and so far, Cal Spas seems to have the best quality and customer service. Several of my neighbors recommended Cal Spas over Hot Springs, Arctic and Jacuzzi. I just got mine last week and am happy with the install and quality.
This is our third spa. Our first was a Hot Springs for our cabin in Big Bear and we had nothing but problems with it. We replaced it in 09 with Cal Spas and have been happy ever since so we decided to get another for our home. They have went above and beyond our expectations. We are literally about to walk out the door from our local spa dealer now after buying another Cal Spas and as soon as I heard about this contest I had to vote. Thanks Cal Spas!
I would have voted for Hot Springs, at one time they were great. However, after replacing my 20 year old Hot Springs a few years ago, it’s already time to replace another in less than 3 years! Quality went downhill! At this point, I can’t vote for anyone.
Since owning my Cal Spas amongst other brands that I wont mention lets call them (Brand X), I can say Cal Spas was the best and only choice for me. With that said the Cal Spas products far out gun the competition in every way. They are extremely innovative and have a sexy masculine look. All my friends loved it so much they bought their own. After looking online at the new Cal Spas website I am now considering buying many of the other products they offer. It looks like they are the only ones that have products for the entire backyard. I have looked at all the other manufacturer’s websites and they still do not compare. All they carry are Spas; don’t they realize customers need more than just a spa? I hope Cal Spas smashes the competition.
Cal Spas Rocks!!! I have parties almost every weekend here in Newport and I love it!
R E A L L Y?
Yes, Hater, I love my Cal Spa and Bieber Rocks. I tried 2 buy his hair after his haircut!!!
I’ve had a Cal Spas hot tub for the past 4 years and it is great, we had some great times in our tub,there is nothing better than coming home after a hard days work than getting a relaxing massage in my hot tub. I would recommend a Cal Spas hot tub to everyone. I’ts a must have in these stressful times.
As a dealer for over 25 years of various manufacturers, I have had the best luck with Cal Spas. Almost every customer that walks in my door is trading up from another manufacturer. By the way, I have checked this out probably 2-3 times this past 2 weeks. I find it funny that “Uncle Remus” is actually watching the numbers daily, that doesn’t sound much like a customer to me! My real customers have voted because they are happy with the quality of their Cal Spa.
Uncle Remus…………what spa company do you work for and more importantly, instead of monitoring the voting try to borrow a few dollars from your friends, if you have any, and go buy a life!!!!!!!!
Been recommending Hotspring spas for years. owned a Eightys Grandee and traded it in 2 years ago for a Envoy, best decision I ever made. our spa is right next to our bedroom and it’s so quiet you’d never know we have one, and service top notch.
When im chillin with my ladies, its in my hot tub. Oh yeah.
I bought a Cal Spas hot tub three years ago and I’ve never had a problem with it. It still runs and looks great. My decision to buy one was because my parents had one when I was younger. I have some great memories of hanging out with my friends in my parents Cal Spa. Go Cal Spas!
Looks like most of these comments are from “totally uninterested parties”
Yeah, right. I would not recommend this comment thread as a reputable source of info on these brands. I am admittedly biased as well. I’m familiar with all of these brands having managed resort hotels that had all but one of these spas and a few other not on the list. I will say that one of these brands was a total pain when I owned them. Customer service was good though. It had to be, the things broke weekly. They started to just send me down spare parts for the next time. The rest, all pretty high quality products, although some are now being produced in foreign countries and have seen quality drop off. I suggest you go to the individual web sites of each of these brands, talk to hot tub dealers in your area, and decide from there.
I got my spa (cal spa) 1 yr ago after watching jersey shore never really thought about one till then…n i love it!
I went on their website n now interested in makin my back yard look like their website
Just a reminder: your comments should reflect real, hands-on experience with these hot tubs. This is not a forum for name-calling, slurs, trashing or any general nastiness. You’re free to express yourselves, but do so in the manner of smart, informed consumers, and please stop any cattiness or mean-spiritedness.
love my Cal swim spa its beautiful!!!
Congrats to Cal Spas. I voted for Caldera at the behest of my dealer,and have been watching the polls..but was stunned at how Cal Spas was able to jump up over 1000 votes in a 24 hour period. As a webmaster for many companies, including my Caldera dealer, I was amazed how Cal Spa was able to game the system. I am going to study it and figure out how to make Caldera #1. In the mean time, way to go Cal! I love it when someone can beat the system!
Way to go Caldera, promote cheating! PS. I have seen every company here promote this contest on their twitter and facebook accounts, so why get mad when one company rises to the top honestly?
Seriously? One of my clients is a Caldera dealer, and I am one of their customers. I know internet polls. If you take the averages, Hot spring would come out on top due to the enormous numbers they have all over the world. Caldera would probably come in 5th or 6th at best. Does not matter really, as long as you enjoy your hot tub, and I enjoy mine. I’m just amazed that this Cal Spa company, which I am not familar with, can average 3.2 votes per minute over a 24 hour period. Good for them! Just saying that as a webmaster I think I can figure out their system…. given time.
I, find your dishonest attempt appalling. As a dealer for Cal Spas, I have sent emails and called my customers and asked they vote for this if they are happy with their spa; obviously they are. I first learned about this March 1st when Cal Spas new website was released as I am sure many others have heard about this.
As a small business owner, I can afford any spa on the market. I have owned several over the years and have never found one that remotely comes close to the quality of the Hot Spring Spa. Several of my employees would say the same.
I do not understand why it is dishonest or appalling. One must assume most voters on this site to be dealers, except for ones such as I, that were asked to via email. How would anyone know about the poll if not through a dealer? If you go by the number of dealers, Hot Spring would be number one. If you went by customers, Hot Spring would be number one. Seems that Caldera would be somewhere in the mix, but I do not know the hot tub industry enough to know. My only observation was how fast the Cal Spa company came up so fast as of yesterday and is still averaging above 2 votes per minute all 24 hours of the day. I just want to figure out how it’s done.
bought a used 1988 Hot Spring Prodigy in 1999. had it ever since. the thing ran for ever…it was bullet proof. never had a problem.Ran llike a champ and probably still running. sold it last year for $1000 (who ever thought you could sell a 22 year old hot tub for that kinda money?!) decided i wanted something that was a little more up to date. bought a cal spa
. hate it. nothing but problems and only had it one year. lesson learned. Anyone want a new cal spa…come and get it. The Cal Spa BIG CHEAP AND DEEP sales pitch is not the way to go!
Some of these comments are obviously manufacturers bashing each other. Could it possibly be Hot Springs, whom I noticed got their votes up extremely quickly, and then were at a stand still until Cal Spas started moving up in votes? Then all of a sudden they have been getting votes quickly? On my end, as a dealer of a few of the brands here, I believe it’s how well a company promotes itself; though people like Roger feel it’s more important to “game the system” to get the desired outcome. I could care less who wins, as long as it’s one of the companies that I represent! May the best man win!
Other Roger, considering you were posting comments late at night and that you work for Caldera (who isn’t doing well and is owned by the same company that owns Ho Springs) I bet you will do what you can to bash other companies here. In the end, Jacuzzi is still the best!
I’m a Hot Springs owner and an electrical contractor that installs power to Hot Springs and other brand tubs. There is not a tub on the market that is built with the quality and safety of a Hot Springs tub. As both an owner and contractor it’s the most trouble free tub on the market. In fact I charge less to hook-up a Hot Springs tub than any other brand because I NEVER have return calls due to product failure!!
My vote would have to go to Hot Spring … when you shop around you can clearly tell the difference.
The survey that followed my response is flawed: on the second page, I checked the types of stores that I use for food products and for home use products; it would not let me go beyond this page, saying that I had not checked all boxes in both categories. I tried three time to circumvent this flaw, and could not. Fix it or get off the internet.
Some strange thing happened ….calspa? Probably cracked votes…As someone said, HotSpring is a worldwide best known trade mark with the highest market share…go HotSpring…I’ ve owned two of them, Jetsetter for 14 years and Aria 3 years. Never had any problem, only satisfaction every single day
It seams hotsprings is the one blowing the most smoke here and dropping model names, I have a hot springs and have no idea what the model is and real consumers don’t pay attention to that stuff. All of you give it a rest and let us (real consumers) post real comments.
Look for your self. You just cant beat Hot Spring quality! I have a 1996 Hot Springs (I hate to jinks it) that has never had a service call! It is starting to show its age, but so is my 1996 Honda. I LOVE my spa so much I have converted several of my neighbors to Hot Springs from other lesser brands.
It is hard to understand how Cal Spa jumped up so fast. I dont know alot about the internet, but somthing funny is going on.I own a Hot Spring spa and would never own anything else.
Hot Spring are the best engineered and easiest to own spa made in the world. While Arctic has one puny filter for even the largest spa, the HSS has 5 filters that are over 300SF of filtering power. And I can clean them thoroughly in the dishwasher! The customer service rocks! Have owned 3 HSS over 25 years…and now have a really nice salt system.
Nice dealer convention you guys have got going on in here. If anyone wants to learn how to write a comment and actually sound like a genuine hot tub owner, drop me a line.
I know huh? Everyone know Arctic rocks!
I have never owned a spa but am currently in the market for one. I have a technical background and research diligently before making any major purchase.
What I have found is that the whole spa industry is unregulated. There are no independant studies to make reference to. Aside from the CEC setting standards, there are no legitimate comparsion studies. Each manufacturer makes marketing claims but provides no data to support them. If there is a study provided; a little research finds that it was sponsored/promoted by the manufacturer and therefore not objective. So if you’ve read this far, past all the dealer comments; all I can say is buyer beware….
We have internal checks in place to detect fraudulent voting activity, and in some cases the poll results shown during voting may not reflect the accurate final counts used to determine winners.
Bullfrog Spas is the best, spa its beautiful, best economic , website interested, jetpak interchangeable.
We all are consumers what really matters is the companies track record and how long they have been in business. All I care about is when it breaks…… And they all break! The company will be there to back me up. For all of you spa manufacturer employees that have posted – please leave the comments to the people that are actually voting. I love the rivalry, My MAC counted 36 times Hot Springs was mentioned, so to repay the favor I want to thank all the other guys 36 times.
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Thanks Arctic
Thanks Bullfrog
Thanks Caldera
Thanks Cal Spas
Just stopped by my local spa dealer to pick up some chemicals when I heard about the poll for best hot tub. Cal spas has my vote!
Hot Spring every time. Owned 3 in my life time and will never get another. My 4 year old proidgy cost me about $28 a month all year round. My friend down the street has brand new(less than a year old cal-spa) $110 the first month, then $135 when it got cold.
That’s funny you say that. My Cal spa costs more to run than my neighbors, but only about $20 more. Then again, I have 5X the jets he has, as well as a 7 seater rather than a 4. You really can’t talk about price unless your comparing apples to apples.
I’ve owned a Hot Spring Classic since the mid 80’s and it looks as good and works as well as when it was new. It was built to last and is super efficient cost-wise. It’s hard to imagine a better spa.
My Cal Spa is great! Just got it for Christmas. Hopefully it is as good in years to come.
I was looking for a new hot tub to my garden and i check out all the best brands at the marked in Denmark :
Sundance Spas
)
Dimension One Spas
Jacuzzi
L.A. Spas
Arctic Spas
Hydropool (I had a Hydropool my self.. with many problems)
Caldera spas
Marquis Spas
Coast Spas
And a cople of China spa ..
I tryed 5 of them irl .. and found out that a Hotspring Hot tub is the best one.. and it have the best økononic test.. and have to tell that, at the Hotspring dealer i was .. i get the best information at service .. so now there is a Hotspring Vista standing in my garden .. and its hav been the nest investment i have done in many years at all ..
))
))
Thank to Hotspring
The best spa is Artic hands down. Hotsprings is junk mine broke after 6 years. Purchased Artic and lower utilities and better therapy.
We love our bullfrog spa plus the sales staff is so helpfull even after a year, im glad i bought it
As a spa salesperson I would like to see some decent regulation in the spa industry including but not limited to: standard energy testing, jet testing, sanitising quality, water efficiency…
There are standards for appliances why not for spas? It’s a big purchase where ever you live and whatever your income $4000-40000 is a significant sum of money!
I have a Hotspring prodigy – and i have got it in Norway in 1996 – and moved it to Daenmark the same year – i have had a lot of fun and pleasure with and in that model – it have been running sins 1996 in ouer summer house wher we now are living time and ther have been no problems at all in 15 years – and it still runs with the same filters
Only cost i have had at all is a new cover replasment for 5 years ago.
Regards Christian Larsen
9370 Hals
Danmark
What a joke. I’m a cal spa hot tub owner and have had so many issues with this product I’ve almost paid for my tub twice. And I’m a perfectionist with doing all the checks correctly. Buy another product for your own good……
I never have owned a hot tub but want one. Wish I could find an honest opinion.
We own a Calspa and its been nothing but trouble. We have had it for 5 years and every year its broken. We take very good care of our tub and its covered in a Gazebo. We clean and drain every year then in the winter when we clean and fill, guess what…Its BROKEN again. The customer service at Cal Spa is HORRIBLE and they have a lot of issues. Looking online I see so many complaints about Cal Spa that I know we are not the only ones with problems. The pump has gone out several times, the control panel and circuit board has gone out twice and now we just got done setting it up again and the pump does not turn on and there is a leak in one of the hoses. For not really using this tub very much its just not a good brand and its cost us a lot in time and money to have it fixed. Every single year we have had to have someone out to replace something that shouldn’t have broken. I would stay far far away from Cal Spa. Were going to trash the tub and get a different brand that actually works.
I’ve worked in a few retailers for Spas, and sold numerous brands. While there are a ton of spas on the market, there are only a few true high end spa makers who really have their stuff together and make an efficient well built tub. The TRUE warranty, structural frame (NO METAL!, and if possible NO WOOD either!), proper full foam insulation, good quality controls (Balboa/Gecko) and possibly one of the most important; the RETAILER make up the overall quality.
With that said, after selling most of the tubs on this very skewed list and many others, if i were to buy another tub for myself it would be either a Bullfrog, Hot Springs or Dimension 1.