When considering the benefits of owning a hot tub, many homeowners start by deciding whether to choose an in-ground spa or a portable hot tub. While both types of hot tubs offer wellness benefits, premium portable hot tubs may prove to be a better choice when evaluating placement, massage and energy use.
What are the design benefits of in-ground hot tubs and portable hot tubs?
Portable hot tubs can fit in a variety of settings in your yard. If you live in colder weather, a portable hot tub can be placed very close to your house. Portable hot tubs can be built into a deck or above ground, and portable hot tub equipment is built into the hot tub exterior. Portability is an advantage -- you can, with some effort, take your hot tub with you when you move.
In-ground hot tubs can be designed in different shapes and sizes, and are often attached to a pool or part of a pool setup. In-ground hot tubs can also be worked into a yard or landscape. Equipment is not built-in and is usually in a separate location and can be bulky and noisy.
Do portable hot tubs or In-ground hot tubs have better massage options?
Portable hot tubs offer many more jets and configurations, and the jets are differently sized depending on location and hydro-massage options, and adjustable. Portable hot tubs offer multiple types of ergonomic seating options, as well as varied seating sizes to fit bodies of all sizes and types.
In-ground jets are usually one size with bench seating that is not as conducive to hydro-massage. Sometimes, it can be a challenge to align your body to a jet to hit just that right spot on your back, and forget about a neck massage –that requires submerging your head below the waterline!
Are in-ground hot tubs and portable hot tubs energy efficient?
Portable hot tub filters and water care options are very advanced making water care easy, and owners can often care for their own tubs. Portable hot tubs are energy efficient and designed to run all the time. So, there’s no heat up period. They work with covers and cover lifters so can maintain temperatures and stay cleaner. Many portable hot tubs are made of acrylic, which is easier to clean and not as abrasive as materials used in in-ground hot tubs like concrete, textured surfaces, tile, and fiberglass. In-ground hot tub surfaces can also be rough on the skin and on swimsuits. Perhaps most important to consider is that in-ground hot tubs have to be heated prior to use, and don’t run all the time so are not as energy efficient, and cost more to run overall.
