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Master Spas vs Sundance hot tubs

Best known for: full foam, clamped manifold plumbing (Master Spas) and Fluidix jets, no moving parts (Sundance). Master Spas lists 29 hot tubs for 3 to 8 people, Sundance 19 hot tubs for 3 to 8 people. Master Spas prices start at $7,295 (reported prices and list prices); Sundance prices come from a dealer.

Updated By the HotTubFinder research desk

Master Spas LSX 850 hot tub

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

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Sundance Spas Claremont hot tub

Sundance

Shown: Claremont

Massage jets with no moving parts, big two-stage filters and UV-C water care on every model.

Price on request

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How they differ

MeasureMaster SpasSundance
Price$7,295 to $21,999 Reported prices and list prices (MSRP)Price on request
Lineup29 hot tubs in 5 series19 hot tubs in 4 series
Seats3 to 83 to 8
With a lounger17 of 29 models11 of 19 models
Plugs into a regular outlet5 models3 models
Known for
  • Full foam, clamped manifold plumbing
  • Built in its own Indiana plant
  • Copper-zinc mineral filter standard
More
  • Fluidix jets, no moving parts
  • Two-stage MicroClean filtration
  • Steel frame, 10-year warranty
More
Build checks
  • Yes Self-supporting shell
  • Yes Clamped plumbing
  • Yes Manifold-fed jets
  • Yes Standard parts
More
  • No Self-supporting shell
  • Partly Clamped plumbing
  • Yes Manifold-fed jets
  • Partly Standard parts
More
Shell warrantyUp to 10 yearsUp to 10 years
Owners like
  • Strong sales and installation ratings
  • Good local dealers earn praise
  • Massage and jet quality
  • Solid shell and mechanicals
Owners complain about
  • Slow dealer-handled warranty repairs
  • Control panel and pump failures
More
  • Warranty claim disputes
  • Dealer service quality
More
Built inFort Wayne, IndianaMexico

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.

TierMaster SpasSundance
Value
  • Getaway Spas5 models · 3–5 seats · from $7,295
  • LH Series5 models · 3–7 seats · from $9,695
  • 680 Series5 models · 3–7 seats
Mid-range
  • Clarity Spas7 models · 5–7 seats · from $11,999
  • 780 Series5 models · 3–7 seats
Premium
Luxury
  • 980 Series2 models · 6–7 seats

Which suits whom?

Master Spas, if you want

  • Full foam, clamped manifold plumbing
  • A lounger (17 models against 11)
  • A tub that plugs into a regular outlet (5 models)

Sundance, if you want

  • Fluidix jets, no moving parts

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.

Master Spas: get the price range Sundance: 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 Master Spas model costs about $25 a month to keep hot and the middle Sundance about $21 a month. In watts: 191.5 W (28 filings) and 157 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
SeatsMaster SpasSundance
3148 W123 W
5190.5 W136 W
6198 W160 W
7206.5 W164 W
8259 W193 W
Complaint records2

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.

Sundance. Better Business Bureau grade D-, 5 complaints in three years. ConsumerAffairs 1.1 of 5 from 66 reviews. Latest U.S. recall: 2022.

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

Who owns them2

Master Spas is privately held. Sundance belongs to Investindustrial. Each company’s history: Master Spas and Sundance.

Every figure side by side30
MeasureMaster SpasSundance
Lineup
Hot tub models2919
Seats3 to 83 to 8
120V plug-in models5 models3 models
Price$9,999 to $21,999Reported prices, October 2026Price on request
Build checks
Checks cleared7 of 83 of 8
Self-supporting shellYesA fiberglass-backed shell that holds its own shape and water load.NoA base pan and a separate frame hold it up.
Clamped plumbingYesBarbed, glued and clamped on every flexible line.PartlySome joints are clamped barbs, others are glued slip fittings.
Manifold-fed jetsYesManifold plumbing, so closing one jet doesn't starve the next.YesManifold-fed.
Standard partsYesStandard Balboa and Waterway parts that independent suppliers stock.PartlyPumps and filters are standard parts; jets and boards are not.
Compression-fitted jetsYesJet bodies are held by a gasket and a back nut, so a leaking one is resealed, not cut out.PartlyMany jet bodies bolt in with a nut; the main Fluidix body isn't documented.
Adjustable jetsYesMost jets adjust by turning the face; some are fixed.YesTurn the outer dial on each jet.
Service networkPartlyOne of the biggest brands, with a large dealer network, but service is harder far from a dealer.Yes359 authorized dealers, and they do the warranty repairs.
American made?YesBuilt in Fort Wayne, Indiana.PartlyBuilt in Mexico.
Standby power
Models with a California filing28 of 2919 of 19
Median standby191.5 WMedian of 28 filings157 WMedian of 19 filings
Median standby, 6-seat models198 WMedian of 5160 WMedian of 8
Lowest standby model134 WS6108 WDover
Jets and pumps
Jets per model16 to 72Most jets: LSX 90021 to 66Most jets: Aspen
Jet pumps per model1 to 31 to 3
Warranty
Shell structure, top series10 yearsMichael Phelps Legend Series and Twilight Series10 years880 Series, 980 Series and 780 Series
Equipment, top series5 years5 years
Plumbing, top series5 years5 years
Shell structure, entry series3 yearsLH Series5 years680 Series
Company
Built inFort Wayne, IndianaMexico
Founded1996Fort Wayne, Indiana1979Costa Mesa, California
OwnerPrivately heldInvestindustrial
Records
BBB ratingA+AccreditedD-Not accredited
BBB complaints, 3 years205
ConsumerAffairs4.1 of 51,476 reviews1.1 of 566 reviews
U.S. safety recalls1 recallLatest 20191 recallLatest 2022
Model against model2

No manufacturer pays us. How we make money

Common questions

Is Master Spas better than Sundance?

Neither is better for everyone. Master Spas suits you if you want a lounger (17 models against 11) and a tub that plugs into a regular outlet (5 models). Sit in both before you choose; dry is fine.

Which costs less, Master Spas or Sundance?

Master Spas prices run $7,295 to $21,999 (reported prices and list prices). Sundance 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 Master Spas and Sundance made by the same company?

No. Master Spas is privately held; Sundance belongs to Investindustrial.

Where are Master Spas and Sundance hot tubs made?

Master Spas builds in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sundance builds in Mexico.

Sources

11
  1. California Energy Commission appliance database (spas) cacertappliances.energy.ca.govstandby watts for Master Spas and Sundance models
  2. Master Spas warranty masterspascdn.comMichael Phelps Legend Series and Twilight Series warranty terms
  3. Better Business Bureau: Master Spas bbb.org · checked September 2026rating and complaint count
  4. ConsumerAffairs: Master Spas consumeraffairs.com · checked September 2026owner rating
  5. CPSC recall, 2019 (Master Spas) cpsc.govrecall notice
  6. Ownership record: Master Spas pitchbook.comPrivately held
  7. Sundance Spas warranty sundancespas.com880 Series, 980 Series and 780 Series warranty terms
  8. Better Business Bureau: Sundance Spas bbb.org · checked September 2026rating and complaint count
  9. ConsumerAffairs: Sundance Spas consumeraffairs.com · checked September 2026owner rating
  10. CPSC recall, 2022 (Sundance) cpsc.govrecall notice
  11. Ownership record: Sundance Spas prnewswire.comInvestindustrial
Get the price range On a Master Spas or a Sundance