Cal Spas vs Marquis hot tubs

Best known for: one maker for the whole backyard (Cal Spas) and high-flow jets rated in GPM (Marquis). Cal Spas lists 57 hot tubs for 3 to 11 people, Marquis 25 hot tubs for 3 to 7 people.

Updated October 2026By the HotTubFinder research desk

Cal Spas

Shown: Aloha PZ-614L

A big Pomona factory that packs more jets, horsepower and options into a tub for the money, builds fast, and can sell you the grill island and fire pit too.

Price on request

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Marquis

Shown: Broadway Elite

American-built therapy tubs with big, soft, high-volume jets rated in gallons per minute, plus MicroSilk skin-care bubbles and ConstantClean water care.

Price on request

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How they differ

Cal SpasMarquis

PricePrice on requestPrice on request

Lineup57 hot tubs in 7 series25 hot tubs in 4 series

Seats3 to 113 to 7

With a lounger32 of 57 models14 of 25 models

Plugs into a regular outlet5 models6 models

Known for

One maker for the whole backyard
More jets and horsepower per dollar
ATS seat with its own pump

High-flow jets rated in GPM
ConstantClean, no circulation pump
MicroSilk oxygen microbubbles

Build checks

Partly Self-supporting shell
Partly Clamped plumbing
Yes Manifold-fed jets
Partly Standard parts

Yes Self-supporting shell
Partly Clamped plumbing
Partly Manifold-fed jets
Partly Standard parts

Shell warrantyUp to 10 yearsUp to 10 years

Owners like

Strong jets
Good value for features

Older tubs last decades
Jets and seat comfort

Owners complain about

Warranty claims denied or deflected
Repeat pump and board failures

Parts back-orders
Control board and topside failures

Built inPomona, CaliforniaLas Vegas, Nevada

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.

Cal SpasMarquis

Value

Patio5 models · 3–6 seats
Patio Plus12 models · 3–6 seats

Celebrity Series6 models · 3–7 seats

Mid-range

Escape13 models · 5–6 seats
Escape Plus4 models · 6 seats
Escape X-Series13 models · 5–6 seats

Marquis Elite Series6 models · 3–7 seats

Premium

Deck2 models · 6–11 seats
Platinum8 models · 6 seats

Vector21 Series6 models · 3–7 seats

LuxuryNo Cal Spas line at this tier

Crown Series7 models · 3–7 seats

Which suits whom?

Cal Spas, if you want

One maker for the whole backyard
A lounger (32 models against 14)
Room for 11

Marquis, if you want

High-flow jets rated in GPM
A tub that plugs into a regular outlet (6 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.

Cal Spas: get the price range Marquis: get the price range

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 Cal Spas model costs about $29 a month to keep hot and the middle Marquis about $26 a month. In watts: 218 W (39 filings) and 198 W (19). Your bill also depends on your climate, how hot you keep it and how often the cover is off.

Median standby watts by seat count
Seats	Cal Spas	Marquis
3	157 W	165 W
5	242 W	186.5 W
6	218 W	208.5 W

Complaint records2

Cal Spas. Better Business Bureau grade A+, 20 complaints in three years. ConsumerAffairs 2.4 of 5 from 911 reviews. No U.S. safety recall found.

Marquis. Better Business Bureau grade A+, 1 complaint in three years. ConsumerAffairs 2.3 of 5 from 877 reviews. No U.S. safety recall found.

Complaint counts grow with the number of tubs a company sells; how it answers them tells you more than the count.

Who owns them2

Cal Spas is privately held. Marquis belongs to Monomoy Capital Partners. Each company’s history: Cal Spas and Marquis.

Every figure side by side29

Measure	Cal Spas	Marquis
Lineup
Hot tub models	57	25
Seats	3 to 1156 of 57 models list seats	3 to 7
120V plug-in models	5 models	6 models
Build checks
Checks cleared	4 of 8	4 of 8
Self-supporting shell	PartlyFoam is an upgrade, so the shell holds up unfoamed.	YesHand-rolled fiberglass shell that holds the water on its own.
Clamped plumbing	PartlyBarbed and glued joints confirmed.	PartlyGlued joints confirmed.
Manifold-fed jets	YesManifold plumbing, listed as standard on all six hot tub series.	PartlyEach seat gets its own valved feed.
Standard parts	PartlyBalboa or Gecko controls and Waterway jets, but fitting your own voids coverage.	PartlyBalboa controls, CMP and Waterway jets, under Marquis part numbers.
Compression-fitted jets	YesJet bodies bolt in with a nut and gasket, per the factory parts store.	PartlyOlder jets bolt in with a nut; current jet bodies aren't documented.
Adjustable jets	YesAlmost every jet turns to raise or lower its pressure.	YesFaces turn on and off, and Vector21 throttles by seat.
Service network	PartlyDealers handle service, but the warranty terms are unusually strict.	YesSold and serviced through independent dealers, with parts widely stocked.
American made?	YesBuilt in Pomona, California.	YesBuilt in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Standby power
Models with a California filing	39 of 57	19 of 25
Median standby	218 WMedian of 39 filings	198 WMedian of 19 filings
Median standby, 6-seat models	218 WMedian of 35	208.5 WMedian of 4
Lowest standby model	157 WKona Plus PPZ-533L	158 WNashville Elite
Jets and pumps
Jets per model	14 to 94Most jets: LaJolla PL-894L	22 to 65Most jets: Summit
Jet pumps per model	1 to 3	1 to 2
Warranty
Shell structure, top series	10 yearsPlatinum, Escape, Escape X-Series and others	10 yearsMarquis Elite Series and Crown Series
Equipment, top series	5 years	5 years
Plumbing, top series	5 years	5 years
Shell structure, entry series	5 yearsPatio and Patio Plus	5 yearsCelebrity Series
Company
Built in	Pomona, California	Las Vegas, Nevada
Founded	1978Pomona, California	1980Dallas, Oregon
Owner	Privately held	Monomoy Capital Partners
Records
BBB rating	A+Accredited	A+Not accredited
BBB complaints, 3 years	20	1Shared company profile
ConsumerAffairs	2.4 of 5911 reviews	2.3 of 5877 reviews
U.S. safety recalls	None foundCPSC recall search	None foundCPSC recall search

No manufacturer pays us. How we make money

Common questions

Is Cal Spas better than Marquis?

Neither is better for everyone. Cal Spas suits you if you want a lounger (32 models against 14) and room for 11. Marquis suits you if you want a tub that plugs into a regular outlet (6 models). Sit in both before you choose; dry is fine.

Which costs less, Cal Spas or Marquis?

Neither brand posts prices we can publish, so a dealer quotes both. Compare like with like: each brand's entry line against the other's, and flagship against flagship, as the tier list on this page shows.

Are Cal Spas and Marquis made by the same company?

No. Cal Spas is privately held; Marquis belongs to Monomoy Capital Partners.

Where are Cal Spas and Marquis hot tubs made?

Cal Spas builds in Pomona, California. Marquis builds in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sources

California Energy Commission appliance database (spas) cacertappliances.energy.ca.govstandby watts for Cal Spas and Marquis models
Cal Spas warranty calspas.comPlatinum, Escape, Escape X-Series and others warranty terms
Better Business Bureau: Cal Spas bbb.org · checked September 2026rating and complaint count
ConsumerAffairs: Cal Spas consumeraffairs.com · checked September 2026owner rating
Ownership record: Cal Spas calspas.comPrivately held
Marquis warranty marquisspas.comMarquis Elite Series and Crown Series warranty terms
Better Business Bureau: Marquis bbb.org · checked September 2026rating and complaint count
ConsumerAffairs: Marquis consumeraffairs.com · checked September 2026owner rating
Ownership record: Marquis sparetailer.comMonomoy Capital Partners
CPSC recalls cpsc.govrecall search

Get the price range On a Cal Spas or a Marquis