American Whirlpool vs Master Spas hot tubs
Best known for: built in Arizona (American Whirlpool) and full foam, clamped manifold plumbing (Master Spas). American Whirlpool lists 22 hot tubs for 2 to 8 people, Master Spas 29 hot tubs for 3 to 8 people. Master Spas prices start at $7,295 (reported prices and list prices); American Whirlpool prices come from a dealer.
American Whirlpool
Shown: 101
Therapy seats laid out by medical specialists, on a steel frame warranted for life, wrapped in patented insulation a technician can open up and service in your backyard, all built in Arizona.
Price on request
Get the price range
Master Spas
Shown: LSX 850
A big Indiana factory that builds all of its hot tubs in the USA, puts Michael Phelps's name on its flagship, and fits a mineral cartridge to every model.
From $7,295
Get the price rangeHow they differ
- Built in Arizona
- Small models run on 120V
- Physician-designed therapy seats
- Full foam, clamped manifold plumbing
- Built in its own Indiana plant
- Copper-zinc mineral filter standard
- Partly Self-supporting shell
- Not published Clamped plumbing
- Not published Manifold-fed jets
- Yes Standard parts
- Yes Self-supporting shell
- Yes Clamped plumbing
- Yes Manifold-fed jets
- Yes Standard parts
- Price relative to premium competitors
- Dealer relationship and local service
- Strong sales and installation ratings
- Good local dealers earn praise
- Thin, mostly unfavorable owner discussion
- Parts availability and lead time on older units
- Slow dealer-handled warranty repairs
- Control panel and pump failures
Which lines compete? Tier by tier.
Each maker sorts its own series from entry to flagship; we group them the same way so you can price like against like.
- 100 Series4 models · 2–5 seats
- Getaway Spas5 models · 3–5 seats · from $7,295
- LH Series5 models · 3–7 seats · from $9,695
- 200 Series7 models · 2–7 seats
- Clarity Spas7 models · 5–7 seats · from $11,999
- 800 Series2 models · 5–6 seats
- 900 Series1 model · 8 seats
- Michael Phelps Legend Series5 models · 5–8 seats · from $19,999
Which suits whom?
American Whirlpool, if you want
- Built in Arizona
- A 2-seat tub for a small space
Master Spas, if you want
- Full foam, clamped manifold plumbing
- A tub that plugs into a regular outlet (5 models)
Fit decides more than any figure here. Sit in both in the seat you would use most (dry is fine), feel the jets on a running display tub with the back of your hand, and read both warranty cards before you sign.
What’s a good deal on either?
Pick a brand. We send you the price range, then connect you with one dealer near you for it.
The details
Keeping it hot: standby power and cost2
Standby is what a tub draws to hold its heat with the cover on and nobody in it. California tests it for every spa sold in the state. At the US average 18.19¢ per kWh (January to July 2026), the middle American Whirlpool model costs about $32 a month to keep hot and the middle Master Spas about $25 a month. In watts: 238 W (22 filings) and 191.5 W (28). Your bill also depends on your climate, how hot you keep it and how often the cover is off.
| Seats | American Whirlpool | Master Spas |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 173 W | 148 W |
| 4 | 191 W | 169.5 W |
| 5 | 249.5 W | 190.5 W |
| 6 | 242.5 W | 198 W |
| 7 | 262 W | 206.5 W |
| 8 | 350 W | 259 W |
Complaint records2
American Whirlpool. Better Business Bureau grade A+, 2 complaints in three years. Latest U.S. recall: 2018.
Master Spas. Better Business Bureau grade A+, 20 complaints in three years. ConsumerAffairs 4.1 of 5 from 1,476 reviews. Latest U.S. recall: 2019.
Complaint counts grow with the number of tubs a company sells; how it answers them tells you more than the count.
Who owns them2
American Whirlpool belongs to Centerbridge Partners. Master Spas is privately held. Each company’s history: American Whirlpool and Master Spas.
What to ask in the showroom2
- Clamped plumbing: American Whirlpool doesn't publish it. Ask: “Are the hoses on this model clamped at the barbs, or just glued?”
- Manifold-fed jets: American Whirlpool doesn't publish it. Ask: “Does each jet here get its own hose from a manifold, or are they chained?”
Every figure side by side30
Model against model1
No manufacturer pays us. How we make money
Common questions
Is American Whirlpool better than Master Spas?
Neither is better for everyone. American Whirlpool suits you if you want a 2-seat tub for a small space. Master Spas suits you if you want a tub that plugs into a regular outlet (5 models). Sit in both before you choose; dry is fine.
Which costs less, American Whirlpool or Master Spas?
Master Spas prices run $7,295 to $21,999 (reported prices and list prices). American Whirlpool doesn't post prices we can publish, so a dealer quotes them. Compare like with like: the lines that compete tier by tier are listed on this page.
Are American Whirlpool and Master Spas made by the same company?
No. American Whirlpool belongs to Centerbridge Partners; Master Spas is privately held.
Where are American Whirlpool and Master Spas hot tubs made?
American Whirlpool builds in Chandler, Arizona and Ottumwa, Iowa. Master Spas builds in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Sources
11
- California Energy Commission appliance database (spas)standby watts for American Whirlpool and Master Spas models
- American Whirlpool warranty400 Series, 800 Series and 900 Series warranty terms
- Better Business Bureau: American Whirlpoolrating and complaint count
- CPSC recall, 2018 (American Whirlpool)recall notice
- CPSC recall, 2003 (American Whirlpool)recall notice
- Ownership record: American WhirlpoolCenterbridge Partners
- Master Spas warrantyMichael Phelps Legend Series and Twilight Series warranty terms
- Better Business Bureau: Master Spasrating and complaint count
- ConsumerAffairs: Master Spasowner rating
- CPSC recall, 2019 (Master Spas)recall notice
- Ownership record: Master SpasPrivately held