Embrace the Outdoors: Discovering the Best Outdoor Spas for Relaxation and Refreshment

Spending time outdoors any time of year can be invigorating and relaxing for the mind and body. If you are planning on embracing the outdoors by adding a spa to your backyard sanctuary, you’ve come to the right place.

If you are looking for the best outdoor spas for relaxation and refreshment, the good news is that you have many options. As you begin your research and shopping to discover the best outdoor spa for you, there will be a variety of factors to consider. This article will help you determine the best spa for you based on your needs and desires.

What is the difference between an indoor spa and an outdoor spa?

While there are many spa brands and models to choose from on the market, you’ll want to be clear about where you plan on placing your hot tub. That will truly make the distinction as to whether it is an indoor or an outdoor spa. Many models can be placed indoors or outdoors.

In many cases, it is not the model that is specifically an indoor spa or an outdoor spa, but rather where it is placed. If the spa is placed outdoors, some spa brands offer extreme weather packages as an add-on and other features to help protect the hot tub from the elements. This article will delve further into that as you read on.

That said, the installation of an indoor and an outdoor spa can be very different. It is important to speak with your local spa dealer about where you plan to have your spa installed. If you place a spa indoors, you’ll need to ensure you have the proper foundation, ventilation, electrical hookups, water access, and drainage.

If you have a hot tub placed outdoors, you’ll still also need to have a proper foundation, access to electrical hookups, water access, and drainage, specific for the outdoors. There are pros and cons to both indoor spas and outdoor spas. As you do your research, you’ll want to understand the aspects of each. When you are shopping in store, let your local spa dealer know that you are planning on placing your hot tub outdoors.

This way, he or she can best guide you as to what you’ll need to know and what you’ll need to have in place before delivery and installation. The more prepared you are prior to this step, the better off you’ll be as you operate and enjoy your outdoor spa for many years.

What to look for when shopping for outdoor spas

Outdoor spas can provide you with a relaxing and refreshing experience as you embrace your outdoor oasis. It can serve as a focal point of your backyard and as a nice accompaniment to a swimming pool. Many people enjoy soaking in their outdoor spa after a dip in the swimming pool. Others simply relax in their hot tub all year round.

Outdoor spas can be used in any season. During the summer, a dip in your outdoor hot tub can be a soothing way to relax after a splashing in the swimming pool. During the winter, the invigorating feeling of soaking in warm water on a cold night is indescribable. No matter the season or the time of day, taking in the beauty of nature is a wonderful way to connect with the world around you. Watch a sunset or sunrise, listen to the sounds of nature—the birds chirping or a nearby river flowing. Nature is magical—particularly from the perspective of your outdoor spa.

All year round, soaking in a hot tub can provide you with relaxation and pleasure, whether enjoying a social soak with friends and family, or perhaps taking a solo soak to ease muscle tension and soothe sore muscles after a workout.

When you are shopping for a hot tub to place outdoors, you’ll want to make sure you shop for high-quality brands that have spa models that are designed to withstand any climate, season, and weather. The elements can wreak havoc on a lesser-quality spa made with subpar materials.

Discover some of the most important factors that will determine the best outdoor spas:

Materials — The quality of both craftsmanship and materials used to create your hot tub are an important aspect of an outdoor spa. The best outdoor spas are made with durable materials throughout the spa from the shell, the cabinet, and the interior of the spa itself.

A durable acrylic shell that is stain- and scratch-resistant and cabinetry made from synthetic wood or other UV-resistant materials will be able to withstand being outdoors and exposed to the elements.

For example, Jacuzzi® hot tubs feature ProFusion™ Shells. This shell is made with the highest quality acrylic, a bonded vapor barrier and a resin composite which are layered together for ultimate durability, creating an inseparable bond that stands up to both cold and heat.

The hot tub cabinet should also be made from quality materials that help provide an extra layer of weather protection as well as heat retention. A quality cabinet can also add to the beauty of your outdoor experience.

For example, Jacuzzi® hot tubs feature ProFinish® and ProEndure™ tool-free cabinetry. These synthetic spa cabinets are made with durable, UV-resistant thermal plastic made to resemble natural wood. Jacuzzi® ProFinish® and ProEndure™ tool-free cabinetry is fade-resistant, color-fast, and virtually maintenance-free, this cabinetry is made to withstand both hot and cold temperatures.

Insulation and Energy Efficiency — As you continue to discover the best outdoor spas for relaxation and refreshment, you’ll want to look at insulation. This is a key factor in any outdoor hot tub. Multiple layers of good-quality insulation can help retain your spa water’s heat, conserve energy, protect your hot tub in any climate, and preserve the life of your spa’s equipment.

Jacuzzi® outdoor spas feature high-performance, energy-saving insulation. Every Jacuzzi® hot tub exceeds the California Energy Commission’s strict standards for spa energy consumption. The insulation in all Jacuzzi® hot tubs completely surrounds the shell and fills the cabinet, which helps keep operating costs lower, ensures quieter operation, and provides you with peace of mind in any weather.

Technology can also serve to help make your outdoor spa energy efficient. For example, many outdoor spas are equipped with simple touch-of-the-button control panels as well as applications that help you manage your hot tub’s energy efficiency through your smart device. The Jacuzzi® SmartTub® remote monitoring system and app, lets you control multiple aspects of your hot tub from your smart device. Just a few of these features include monitoring, scheduling, and adjusting energy usage. You can also use the Jacuzzi® SmartTub® remote monitoring system and app to customize your water’s temperature and adjust the lighting.

Particularly important for an outdoor spa, the Jacuzzi® SmartTub® remote monitoring system can alert users of a power outage, offers overheat and freeze protection, and can automatically alert you and your local hot tub retailer if your spa needs immediate attention.

Hot Tub Foundation — When placing your hot tub outdoors, you’ll want to make sure it’s installed on a solid foundation. There are multiple options when it comes to your spa’s foundation, including prefabricated pads, which are often made of high-density plastic, concrete, paving stones, and decks. Before having an outdoor spa installed on a deck, be sure the deck is made to support the weight of the hot tub when it is filled with water and bathers.

The foundation of your outdoor spa should be designed to withstand any climate or weather. And the best outdoor spas should feature protective barriers that can insulate the spa from the foundation. Jacuzzi® hot tubs, for example, feature a durable ProPolymer base. This polymer acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)-formed foundation is designed to protect your spa’s components from moisture and the elements, while also strengthening the structure.

Optional Upgrades for Extreme Weather — If you live in an area that has extreme weather — whether hot or cold, you’ll want to consider some optional upgrades that can help protect your outdoor spa from the elements. Outdoor or extreme weather packages will vary from brand and model. However, most luxury spa brands will offer some add-ons to help your hot tub retain heat and preserve its lifespan, regardless of the weather.

For example, many Jacuzzi® hot tub models have an extreme cold weather feature that is available as an add-on. The Extreme Cold Weather package includes an additional factory-installed layer of insulation between the frame and the siding of your Jacuzzi® hot tub. This conserves heat, even in the coldest climates. This package also includes an upgraded hot tub cover that is designed to withstand extreme climates.

Tight-Fitting Hot Tub Cover — A well-made hot tub cover is a spa owner’s secret weapon — especially if the spa will be placed outside. A tight-fitting hot tub cover can help keep dirt, debris, and foliage from dropping into your hot tub when you’re not using it. It can also help retain the heat of your spa water, which can help keep your operating costs down.

While you may think of a hot tub cover as simply another after-market accessory to purchase, it is actually one of your outdoor spa’s best lines of defense against the weather. Many Jacuzzi® hot tubs come standard with a Jacuzzi® ProLast™ cover, which locks in heat through its durable UV-stable, woven polyester outer fabric and heat-locking expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam core. This cover creates a vacuum seal with the sculpted shell to help retain heat and maintain water temperature longer, without spiking your operating costs.

Outdoor spas can enhance any backyard ambiance and add pleasure to your daily routine for years to come. When discovering the best outdoor spas for you, be sure to visit an authorized spa dealer or showroom in your area. A trusted, credible hot tub dealer can help you determine the best outdoor spa for your needs and preferences.

Visiting a hot tub dealer allows you to see and touch the various models you are interested in and even enjoy a wet test. A wet test allows you to try the spa while it is filled and operating. This is the ultimate test to discover the best outdoor spa for you.

When it comes down to it, the best outdoor spa for relaxation and refreshment is the one that best meets your needs. Each spa brand and model will offer slightly different aspects, so it’s important that you determine your list of priorities before you begin shopping for your outdoor spa.

Medical disclaimer: This information is not intended to prescribe a particular diagnosis or course of action. We are not medical professionals. Please contact your GP or other medical professional for advice if you have any concerns about your current health or well-being.