When Is The Best Time To Buy A Hot Tub in 2024?

What to Consider When Buying a Hot Tub and How to Get the Best Deal

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Planning your hot tub purchase and delivery timing can be really exciting. If you plan things right with your hot tub dealer, your new tub can be in place for your football tailgate parties, summer BBQs, winter retreats, and spring spa sessions. The timing comes down to your priorities for the purchase in the first place.

Before you get too far into your search, be sure to sit down and decide ‘Is a hot tub is worth it?’ for you. For many people, hot tubs can provide a wide range of benefits, but be sure that you are getting one for the right reasons. Let’s go through some priorities and then figure out when to buy a hot tub.

What’s Your Budget?

A new spa model costs on average between $5,000 and $15,000. The price depends on the size of the hot tub, the water features, and the hot tub manufacturer. While price is obviously a significant factor in your purchase process, consider that hot tub price should not be the leading determinant. Make sure you are getting a hot tub with the features that suit you and your family.

Here’s What You Can Do With This Information:

Pick out your ideal hot tub with all the features you want.
Check your local hot tub retailer and decide if you can afford their price.
If you cannot afford the full price, then you can look at other options.

It’s important to know why you are buying a hot tub and what purpose it will serve to suit you family’s needs and wants. Then, you can decide how to afford it.

Now, let’s look at some ways to make your hot tub purchase more affordable.

Floor Model Discounts and Minor Defects

Floor model hot tubs, as long as they have been taken care of, are a brilliant option for a deal. You might even find a discount on the exact model you set your sights on. As the sale season gets into swing, a local hot tub dealer could find themselves with excess inventory they need to move out to make room for the next season’s models.

You can also contact dealers to ask about models with minor defects. Dealer websites often have a stock of inventory they try to move through clearance sales. These may have minor defects, such as a finish blemish or an easily repairable crack; however, they may also come with a great deal.

The key to buying a floor model or defective unit successfully is to work with a reputable dealer. They can help you understand and evaluate any issues to make a smart decision.

Choose a Second-Hand or Used Model

Hot tubs have a selling season, just like most other things. You can take advantage of this to find the right hot tubs for sale from another person or one of your local spa retailers. The hot tub season begins in the autumn when new models come on the market.

You can also look for local dealers who have offered discounts to customers who will let them reclaim their old hot tub. So, someone else bought a new hot tub, the dealer took their used one, and you can get your hands on it for a deal.

When Looking at a Used Model, Keep an Eye on a Few Things for Maximum Peace of Mind:

Epic Hot Tubs | How to Prep My Home for My First Hot Tub Delivery

Look for issues that go beyond cosmetic damage. During the removal process, it’s possible for hot tubs to be damaged by the installers. Minor issues could be repaired easily, but more serious cracks and leaks might be liabilities too great to take on.
You should also be careful about taking on used models without inspecting their physical equipment, such as their water pumps and heaters. If you buy a used hot tub that constantly breaks down, you’ll suffer a great deal of frustration with a cheaper product that doesn’t work when you want it.
Newer models are enormous improvements over older tubs. As electricity costs go up, look for a well-insulated used model to keep your heating costs down. Buying a used model is a good idea, but be sure to aim for a higher-quality used model so the performance gap between your used model and newer models isn’t so large.

So, buying a used hot tub can be a brilliant choice, but you should always do your homework to get the best deal you can.

Look For the Best Finance Rates

Financing is usually available for new models all year round. Many dealers and manufacturers don’t pull their financing options at any point, so you can generally rely on them. However, there may be some introductory offers or special rates when new models come on the market.

The main benefit of financing your hot tub is avoiding a single large expense. You can use this flexibility to lower other costs, such as installation. You may find an installer who offers discounts for installations during the offseason when they are not as busy.

Pro Tips for Your Search

Savvy buyers want to find the most features for price points that match their budget. The way to do this is to know when, where, and what to look for when you’re shopping.

When to Look For the Best Deal

New hot tubs will be discounted in the fall when they are featured in introductory offers and again late the following summer when next year’s models start arriving. The winter is a great time to look for used hot tubs because lots of installations will happen in the late autumn.

Where to Look For Deals

Here’s a list of the places you can look for a nice discount on your purchase:

Brand websites
Dealer websites
Local home magazines
Coupon mailers
Radio ads
Signage in and outside stores
Billboards
Social media
Local digital bulletin boards
Manufacturer promotions

What to Look For in a Good Deal

Buying cheap doesn’t mean buying poor. So, check out these tips for things to look for when you’re searching for your best deal.

Find a model with jet configurations that matches what you want. Don’t settle for less than what you want just because you’re trying to save a few bucks.
The most important features are probably the flow of water around the tub, improved water filtration, and excellent running costs. So find the model that includes these.
Don’t be scared off by minor damage. Many hot tubs are repairable with acrylic and fiberglass kits. If a $50 repair can shave $500 off the purchase price, then it’s well worth considering .

Knowledgeable dealer staff can help you evaluate whether the small compromises you might make on a cheaper hot tub can make the purchase an excellent option for you.

The Best Time of Year to Buy a Hot Tub

Now, let’s come back to the original question. When is the best time of year to buy a hot tub?

Let’s look at each season to see how you can take advantage of what’s on offer at any point of the year.

Fall

The fall is a great time to look for deals on new models. As the chilly season sets in, many families want a new choice for their backyard. Dealers and manufacturers know this, so they offer discounts and special financing. You can take advantage of this if you’re ready to pull the trigger on a purchase.

Winter

During the winter, you can find discounts on floor models. After the holiday season finishes, dealers look around their showrooms and think about how to make space for the incoming models.

Another thing to think through is how you’ll use a hot tub. In the winter, many people benefit from hydrotherapy for muscle aches and their mental health. So, a new spa in your backyard can help you in a few different ways during the colder seasons.

Spring

Spring is a key time for people kicking off backyard renovation project. Fitting a hot tub installation into a garden makeover could be a great idea. Also, if you can find a dealer that also sells pools, they might offer package deals for installing both at the same time.

Summer

The summer isn’t the busiest time of year for hot tub purchases, but that means there are some deals available from dealers and installers looking to turn a profit during the slow months. Also, there are many new models that feature cold water hydrotherapy, meaning you can benefit from a small, cool pool in your yard during the hottest months of the year.

Pick the Right Hot Tub and Then Look For the Best Deal

Put yourself in the strongest position possible by being able to walk away. Find the model you really want and then look for when it will be available at a discount. Choosing a hot tub is a big decision that should be researched and thoroughly prepared for. If you really must buy a model immediately, then you could limit your ability to find a deal.

Whichever you choose, find a local dealer who can help you through the process. Their knowledge, experience, and connections with installers will make sure you get something more important than a good deal: a great hot tub shopping experience.

If you’re in NC, Epic Hot Tubs is your local Durham and Raleigh Hot Tub Dealer. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have and help you get the best hot tub for your family.

About The Author:

Manny Brambila

Pool & Spa Expert

Manny has been in the Pool & Spa industry for over 15 years and is considered a pool, swim spa, & hot tub expert. He has been a Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) since 2009 and worked 15 years in aquatic training and development for the largest pool chemical and customer care company. He also has been an outside consultant for the Pool and Spa industry in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles since 2018. In the past few years Manny has become Director of Operations for Epic Hot Tubs with a priority of providing customers with the most reliable information and best service possible.