Last updated: April 2026.
Hot Tub Value Guide may earn a commission when you buy through links on this site. Here’s exactly how that works, why I make it visible, and what it doesn’t change.
How I make money
Some links on this site are affiliate links. If you click through and buy from the retailer, I receive a commission from that retailer at no additional cost to you. The commission rate varies by program — usually 3% (Amazon), 5-7% (Wayfair), and similar ranges at Home Depot, Lowe’s, and specialty hot tub retailers.
On a $4,000 hot tub bought through Wayfair at 7%, that’s about $280. On a $400 inflatable through Amazon at 3%, that’s $12. Most of my realistic income comes from the mid-tier hard-shell range where commissions are meaningful.
What this changes about my reviews
Nothing.
The Hot Tub Value Score is the same eight-factor rubric for every tub. Affiliate compensation has no role in the math. If a tub deserves a 58 score on the rubric, it gets a 58, and I tell you to skip it on the same page where the affiliate link sits. That’s how the AquaRest AR-300 ended up at the bottom of the Best Plug-and-Play list — the data was clear, even though the affiliate program would pay me on every click.
I don’t have exclusive deals with any manufacturer. I’m not paid for placement, ranking, or favorable mentions. If a brand asked me to soften a review or move a model up the rankings in exchange for a sponsorship, I’d say no — and the answer would be the same if it was Strong Spas or any brand I have personal familiarity with.
What you can verify
- Every ranking page shows the eight sub-scores for each tub. You can disagree with my weighting and re-calculate yourself.
- Every page has a “Last reviewed” date that’s real, not a CMS macro.
- If a manufacturer makes a material change (warranty, price, shell construction), I re-score and update the date.
- If a tub I previously recommended develops new issues in the owner-review pool, I re-score and may downgrade it. Trust requires that I be willing to do this.
FTC disclosure
This site participates in affiliate programs including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, the Wayfair affiliate program (via CJ Affiliate), and others. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Commissions help fund the research, scoring, and writing on this site, but they do not change how I evaluate hot tubs.
Your responsibility
The information on this site is intended to help you compare hot tubs by total ownership value. It’s research and synthesis, not personalized financial or installation advice. Before buying, verify pricing, availability, warranty terms, and electrical requirements with the seller directly. Confirm that a 240v hardwired tub is something your local code, panel, and budget can support before you commit. If you have any doubt about installation, talk to a licensed electrician.
Questions
If something on this site looks wrong, conflicts with what a manufacturer told you, or seems out of date, the contact form reaches me. I read everything that comes in and update pages when something needs updating. That’s the deal.