Best Plug And Play Hot Tub

Best Plug and Play Hot Tub to Install Anywhere in Your Home

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Hot tubs are a great way of soothing and relaxing your aching muscles after a long day of work. They also act as a means of therapy through the massaging jets of water and hot water submersion. You can still have an area of relaxation and have a full body massage in the privacy of your home or yard without waiting to get a hot tub installed. You can get the best plug-and-play hot tub, and it will serve you the purpose.

A plug & play hot tub is a portable spa that you can fill and plug into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet, and you are ready for luxury. It doesn't require special installation.

These plug-and-play hot tub reviews have some hot tub models and styles that require a typical home plug and a place to set your spa. Once your water is of the temperature you desire, it is set for you to grab the advantage. The best plug-and-play spa suits your needs and has the characteristics for full enjoyment.

1. Essential Hot Tubs Plug & Play Hot Tub (20-Jet Arbor)

Essential Hot Tubs 20-Jet Arbor Hot Tub-Gray Granite,...
  • 20 STAINLESS STEEL JETS: Relax with passive therapy or switch to...
  • SEATS 6: Contour-style seating for 6. There’s plenty of space...
  • PLUG & PLAY: Relax in minutes by plugging into any standard...
  • ALL-SEASON: 1kW/4kW(120V/240V) true all-season stainless steel...
  • MADE IN THE USA: You can take pride in knowing that your...

Essential hot tubs 20-jet arbor has a comfy ergonomic seat for 5 to 7 persons and two captain seats, so there is a lot of space to choose from. This model is the best plug-and-play hot tub to enjoy a deep therapy massage or a relaxing massage with your family or friends. We recommend you to use the captain chair seat and the lounger seat for invigorating massage and the whole body, respectively. Besides, it comes with 20 stainless jets that allow you to switch from therapy to invigorating massage jets with a touch of a button.

This Essential Hot tub model has a true all-season stainless steel Balboa heater for year-round maximum heat enjoyment. There are adjustable controls for accurate pressure setting and a heavy-duty, insulated tapered cover with locking clips to prevent unintended accidents and keep your spa ever-clean. Additionally, this spa is equipped with an ice bucket with a tray, three headrests, 15 ft. GFCI power cord, peak HP-pump, and LED-lit water columns.

You can experience relaxation in munites by plugging the spa into any standard 120V/5A GFCI outlet. This hot tub model works best on level surfaces like gravels, decks, or pavers. Although the unit has a lot of positive feedback, some users complained that the installation directions provided were vague.

Pros:

  • Easy to assemble hot tub
  • Has a heavy-duty tapered cover
  • Comes with headrests and a GFCI power cord
  • Comes with a super durable design

Cons:

  • Doesn't come with a contoured seat for comfort

2. LIFE SMART Lifesmart Spas 4 Person Plug And Play Hot Tub

LifeSmart Spas Bermuda Rock Solid Simplicity 4-Person...
  • 4-person capacity spa and steps provide an easy entry and exit...
  • Features 13 jets, 4 bucket seats, and plugs into any standard...
  • Digital topside control center for jets, temperature, and...
  • Spa steps give a finished look to any spa with 2-tone color of...
  • Extremely durable blow-molded plastic; Snaps together easily,...

For the best plug-and-play hot tub with a 4-person capacity, count on LIFE SMART plug and play hot tub. This spa is very easy to assemble and use with the push of a button. You don't require extra accessories for installation. Spa experts note that this spa has 13-hydrotherapy jets for a soothing, massaging experience. Additionally, this spa model is designed with high-grade eco-thermoplastic, energy-saving insulation, a sandstone shell, and a top-loading filter.

LIFE SMART spas come with a digital thermostat that regulates your water temperature from 40-104 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use its comfort dial to balance the air pressure and water. Furthermore, it comes with a child-safe spa cover, a safety feature that allows you to enjoy the spa with your child (recommended age limit).

This spa model also features underwater multi-color lights, which creates a spa-like environment. The LED lights allow you to enjoy a spa moment even when the area surrounding is dark. You are at liberty to switch the mood lens caps if you want. Moreover, you can you this hot tub indoors or in your backyard.

Pros:

  • Easy to assemble hot tub
  • Great hot tub for indoor and backyard use
  • Energy-efficient hot tub
  • A digital thermostat allows you to regulate the water temperature

Cons:

  • Comes in only one color

3. Hudson Bay 19 Jet Spa with Stainless Jets-6 Person

Home and Garden Spas Hudson Bay 6 Person 19 Jet Spa...
  • This item will be delivered curbside. To have the item delivered...
  • Electrical: Dedicated 110V/20Amp. 10ft Long GFCI Cord Included....
  • Digital Balboa® Controls
  • (1) Energy Rite® Pump- Low Energy Consumption- High Performance
  • White Shell with Mocha Cabinets

If you are looking for the best plug-and-play hot tub for the 6-person, count on the Hudson Bay 19-Jet model. The Hudson Bay 6 person spa comes with a lounge and upright seating for entertainment and therapeutic uses. It features LED lighting that you can switch to suit your mood and 19 adjustable jets. Furthermore, it has a treated base frame for durability and a durable acrylic mold with fiberglass insulation for heat retention.

The Hudson Bay 6person model features 110V/20Amp all-season stainless steel Balboa heater and an energy rite pump with low energy consumption for quick heating and filling. It comes with an insulated, locking lid that keeps the heat where it belongs and a 10 feet long GFCI cord.

The Hudson model works well even in cold weather. It is ideal for all-around use. Besides, it is a great choice for entertaining weekends and hydrotherapy in the evenings.

Pros:

  • A spacious durable hot tub
  • Works well even in cold weather
  • Great hot tub for entertainment

Cons:

  • Heavy to set up alone

4. Essential Hot Tubs Adelaide Plug and Play Hot Tub 30-Jet, 2020 Model

Essential Hot Tubs 30-Jet 2020 Adelaide Hot Tub, Seats...
  • Relax with passive therapy or switch to an invigorating massage...
  • Product dimensions – 74” Diameter x 34” H | Weight – 630...
  • Relax in minutes by plugging into any standard 120V/15A outlet,...
  • True all-season stainless steel Balboa heater for year-round...
  • Ergonomic seating for 5-6 with Lounger and 2 Captain’s Chairs |...

Essential Hot Tubs 30-Jet can fit up to 6 people at once. The spa's inner side can be divided into two zones, two face to face seats also referred to as Captain's Chairs. The seats provide upright or reclined body position and leg or a back jet for massaging. Moreover, the second section has more space and four bac massaging jet sets.

This model comes with adjustable jets; two LED flow controls can change the intensity of water pressure, set modes, and water treatment. One of these flow control is located in one digital command center.

The Adelaide features an innovative 1kW/4kW all-season stainless steel Balboa heater and two peak HP pump with two speeds for quick heating and filling. Water on this model spays fresh every time, thanks to the ozone water treatment system and top-load filter. Furthermore, this hot tub model comes with an insulated cover, three headrests, a convenient built-in ice bucket with a cover two, LED-lit waterfalls, and a tray for drinks and snacks.

However, the Adelaide doesn't come with a chemical dispenser in the kit. The hot tub is also heavy, so you need some friends to help you move it.

Pros:

  • Comes with extra accessories
  • Made from high-quality material
  • Great hot tub for six people at once
  • Has a tray for snacks and drinks

Cons:

  • Heavy to set up alone

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Plug and Play Hot Tubs

1. The Size and Water capacity

When shopping for a hot tub, figure out how many people will use the tub at once. Most tubs on the market can accommodate from two to seven people. Couples may go for a smaller spa to save money or spend a bit little for additional room to accommodate guests.

Conversely, the size of your hot tub will affect the water capacity directly. Small plug-and-play hot tubs hold water for 1-2 people. If you go for a five to six-person unit like the Essential 30-Jet Adelaide hot tub model, you will use as much as 300 gallons 0f water. Furthermore, you can choose a four-person tub that uses gallons of water (195 gallons), such as LIFE SMART 4-Person Plug and Play Hot Spa.

2. Accessories

The best plug-and-play hot tub should come with essential accessories, better if it comes with several ones. It reduces the cost of investing in add-on, which you might require later, such as an insulated thermal ground cloth. Some of the best models come with headrests, a thermal ground cloth, chlorine dispenser, filter cartridges, a chemical floater, and an air pad protector.

3. Power source

Most plug-and-play hot tubs like LIFE SMART 4 Person plug and play and Essential Hot tubs 30-Jet Adelaide plug and play tubs feature 110V electrical systems to maintain and keep the water heating elements, lighting, and filtration system, and water pump running.

4. Controls

The best plug-and-play hot tub should have several controls. Those with few controls restrict your bathing experience. The units on our list have an on/off control for regulating your pressure, a digital control panel for accurate pressure setting, and an ultra-modern display for temperature control and adjusting your pressure.

5. Filtration

Consider the filtration of the spa before buying it. Plug and play hot tubs with great filtration systems bring up high cleanliness standards. You deserve better; you don't have to go through the struggle of dealing with clogged filters. Some of the units on our list have reusable filters that cut down on the cost of purchasing new ones and ozone generation for cleaning your tub water.

6. Materials and insulation

Whether you plan to use your plug-and-play tub outdoors or indoors, a unit made from durable materials is worth your money. If you plan to use the tub outdoors during winter, we recommend you go for a tub with weather-resistant elements like our pick SMART LIFE 4 person plug-and-play square hot tub, which is made from high-grade materials.

7. Jets and lighting

Hot tubs have water jets ranging from 10 to 150; however, we recommend buying units with several jet options to enjoy massage hydrotherapy elements. You can get a LIFE SMART 4 Person Plug And Play Hot Tub Spa with 20 jets if you fancy a simple hot tub with less than 100 water jets.

Conversely, a spa with lights is cool. They compliment great colors to your room to improve pleasure and comfort. Some of our top pick like Essential Hot Tubs 30-Jet Adelaide have LED lights which creates a spa-like environment in your room. Besides, you can adjust the LED lights lens caps of other models such as LIFE SMART 4 Person Plug And Play Hot Tub Spa to match your preferences.

8. Water pump of the plug and play hot tubs

There are different water pumps, from multifunction to HP pumps, for channeling water into your tub. Hot tubs such as LIFE SMART 4-Person plug-and-play and other 4-Person Plug and Play Spa models have 1.5 hp pumps. Or better American Spas Hot Tub AM-418B and American Spas AM-420B models with six breaker hp pumps.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Plug and Play Hot Tub

1. Can I use my plug and play hot tub in the winter?

Yes. However, a plug-and-play model will take a much longer time to heat up than a regular hot tub model when the temperature outside is colder. The good thing with these models is that there is no plumbing involved; therefore, you don't have to worry about your tub pipes freezing.

2. My plug-and-play hot tub has a strong awful chemical smell. What is going on?

Strong smells are not usually normal. The likely reason could be poor sanitization, either from underusing or overusing chemical sanitizers.

3. Are plug-and-play hot tubs safe?

If you are a heat-sensitive person, you should be more careful when using a hot spa. High temperatures can have some effects on some people. If you hang out in a hot tub for a long time, you should take periodic breaks. Furthermore, if you are pregnant or have a heart problem, consult your doctor before using the hot tub.

4. Do I need a professional to install my plug & play hot tub?

No. One of the key advantages of plug-and-play hot spas is their simple installation that does not require professional skills. All you need is to connect them to the wiring directly hence saving your money on installation services.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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