Today there's a variety of form factors available for home spas. You can choose a lightweight plug-n-play vinyl-liner spa, a larger roto-molded spa, or a variety of traditional acrylic portable hot tubs.
Ultra Portable Vinyl-Liner Soft Spas
The lightweight spas in this class can be taken anywhere, and are very easy to set up and take down. They are ideal for people on a budget, or those who don't have a lot of space available for a larger spa.
These are vinyl liner spas featuring barrier free, open seating designs. This means the users sit almost weightlessly, on the padded bottom of the hot tub, since this form factor does not have molded seats. These spas, such as our SuperTub series, are designed for use indoors or outdoors. They're plug-n-play units, operating on standard 110-120V 15A household power outlets. No plumbing is required. Max temperature is 104º F.
With the exception of the Softub® brand which is sold in retail outlets (comparable to our SuperTub 200 & 300 soft spas) it is unlikely that you will find vinyl liner hot tubs like these in local spa stores. Because of their low cost, it is just not very profitable for retail stores to offer spas in this price class, despite favorable consumer reviews.
Roto-Molded Unicast Hot Tubs
These spas, such as our exciting LifeCast unicast spa series, are constructed with the shell and surrounding cabinet as a single piece by means of a unique, rotational molding process, also called unibody.
These hot tubs have molded seating. LIfeCast models are all plug-n-play spas which operate on standard 110-120V 15A household power outlets, or can be hard-wired for 240V operation. They feature a very efficient thermostatically-controlled heating element.
Contrary to what some retailers will tell you, spa brands such as Dream Maker which feature pump heat recovery systems instead of a dedicated heater, do not provide free heat. Their pumps must run frequently to keep the water warm, and pumps of course consume electricity. However, since this type of spa has no separate heating element, and thus fewer components, it is less expensive to manufacture. Heat recovery spas do not heat as rapidly as spas with real heating systems like LifeCast, and the temperature is hard to regulate in extremely hot or cold weather. You will not have this problem with LifeCast Spas.
There is a definite limit to the size that roto-molded spas can be made. But if the size of these spas meets your needs, their great value makes them an attractive choice. LifeCast spas are designed for indoor or outdoor use, in all climates. They are easy to maintain and service, and are very durable. No plumbing is required. Max temperature is 104º F.
Acrylic Spas
Most people buy acrylic spas because of their outstanding durability, great variety of shapes and sizes, and for their unsurpassed hydrotherapy and seating comfort.
These spas have a cast acrylic shell, supported by a frame structure, and are usually surrounded by a skirt of either cedar or simulated wood-grain plastic. They come in a wide variety of sizes, seating from two to seven persons or more.
Lounge Seat Models
The choice of lounge seat or not, is strictly a matter of personal preference. Well-engineered acrylic hot tubs, including all Belize's lounger models, are designed with enough lower torso depth to optimize the center of gravity, with the legs slightly elevated. This helps to prevent floating out of the lounger, a problem with shallower spa designs.
Acrylic spas are generally built for operation outdoors in all climates, although they can be installed indoors as well. Most acrylic spas are 220V hard wired, but Belize Oval II and Trinity models are available in either 110V or 220V. No plumbing is required. Max temperature is 104º F, as with all spas sold today.
