Hot Spring Pulse vs Flash hot tubs compared
Short answer
The Hot Spring Pulse seats 7 with no lounger in 89 x 89 in; the Flash seats 7 with no lounger in 84 x 84 in. The Pulse has 49 jets to the Flash's 41, as the maker counts them. The Pulse is $19,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026); the Flash $17,499 (maker's list price, Oct 2026).
| Measure |  Hot Spring PulseLimelight |  FlashLimelight |
|---|---|---|
| Lineup | ||
| Series | Limelight | Limelight |
| Priceas labeled under each figure | $19,999Maker's list price (MSRP), Oct 2026 | $17,499Maker's list price (MSRP), Oct 2026 |
| Size | ||
| Seats | 7 | 7 |
| Length | 89" | 84" |
| Width | 89" | 84" |
| Height | 38" | 36" |
| Water | 445 gal | 360 gal |
| Dry weight | 1,015 lb | 845 lb |
| Filled weightwater, no people | 5,950 lb | 5,070 lb |
| Jets and pumps | ||
| Jetsas the maker counts them | 49 | 41 |
| Jet pumps | 2 | 2 |
| Electrical | ||
| Voltage | 230 V | 230 V |
| Amperage | 50 amp | 50 amp |
| Breaker | 230 volt, 20A and 30A single-phase GFCI-protected circuits | 230 volt, 20A and 30A single-phase GFCI-protected circuits |
| Heaterat 240V | 4 kW | 4 kW |
| Build and water care | ||
| Insulation | FiberCor® | FiberCor® |
| Cover thickness | 4" tapered | 4" tapered |
| Shell | acrylic | acrylic |
| Cabinet | Everwood® (rigid polymer with an exterior acrylic film) | Everwood® (rigid polymer with an exterior acrylic film) |
| Filter area | 100 sq ft | 100 sq ft |
| Ozone | FreshWater® III high-output ozone system (corona discharge… | FreshWater® III high-output ozone system (corona discharge… |
| Salt system | FreshWater® Salt System (optional) | FreshWater® Salt System (optional) |
| Warranty | ||
| Shell structure | 7 years | 7 years |
| Shell surface | 5 years | 5 years |
| Equipment | 5 years | 5 years |
| Plumbing | 5 years | 5 years |
| Cabinet | 5 years | 5 years |
Verdict: The Hot Spring Pulse suits buyers who want more jets (49 against 41) and a roomier shell (89 x 89 in). The Flash suits buyers who want a lower price ($17,499 against $19,999), a smaller footprint (84 x 84 in) and a lighter load on a deck (5,070 lb filled).
No manufacturer pays us. How we make money
What is the difference between the Hot Spring Pulse and Flash?
Both seat 7. The Pulse measures 89 x 89 x 38 in and the Flash 84 x 84 x 36 in. The Pulse has 49 jets to the Flash's 41, as the maker counts them. Prices: the Pulse $19,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026), the Flash $17,499 (maker's list price, Oct 2026).
Both are Hot Spring hot tubs from the Limelight line. Every figure is the maker's own, with a dot that links the page or PDF it came from. Where the published specs differ:
Will the Pulse or the Flash fit my space and deck?
The Pulse is 89 x 89 in, about 55 sq ft and 38 in tall; filled, it weighs 5,950 lb, about 108 lb per sq ft before anyone gets in. The Flash is 84 x 84 in, about 49 sq ft and 36 in tall; filled, it weighs 5,070 lb, about 103 lb per sq ft before anyone gets in. Leave room around the tub for the cover lifter and the service panel, and have a builder check any deck for the filled weight plus people. See hot tub sizes, hot tub weight and what to put a hot tub on.
What electrical hookup do the Pulse and Flash need?
The Pulse runs on 230 V. The Flash runs on 230 V. The table lists amperage and breaker as each maker prints them. A licensed electrician sizes the circuit and the GFCI protection for the model you buy. See hot tub electrical requirements.
Do the Pulse and Flash carry the same warranty?
Hot Spring Pulse: 7 years on the shell structure, 5 years on the shell surface, 5 years on the equipment, 5 years on the plumbing and 5 years on the cabinet.
Hot Spring Flash: 7 years on the shell structure, 5 years on the shell surface, 5 years on the equipment, 5 years on the plumbing and 5 years on the cabinet.
Read the warranty card before you sign: labor after year one, travel charges, and whether coverage moves to a second owner. The hot tub warranty comparison lines up every brand.
What do the Pulse and Flash sell for?
Hot Spring lists the Pulse at $19,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026). Hot Spring lists the Flash at $17,499 (maker's list price, Oct 2026). Delivery, the pad, the electrician and the cover lifter are extra. Each model's price and where it comes from: Hot Spring Pulse price and Hot Spring Flash price.
Which costs less to run, the Pulse or the Flash?
The Flash, by 2 W on standby, about $0.27 a month. Standby is what a tub draws to hold its temperature with the cover on and nobody in it. California tests it the same way for every spa sold in the state, so it is the fairest running-cost figure we have.
The Pulse draws 211 W in California's standby test (filed at 420 gallons), about 154 kWh and $28.02 a month at the U.S. average rate. 70% of the 101 filed tubs its size draw more; their median is 222 W.
The Flash draws 209 W in California's standby test (filed at 350 gallons), about 153 kWh and $27.75 a month at the U.S. average rate. 34% of the 134 filed tubs its size draw more; their median is 197 W.
Costs use the U.S. average residential rate of 18.19¢ a kWh (January to July 2026, EIA). Your own rate, climate and how often you use the jets change the bill. Hot tub running cost works it out by state, and measured standby watts lists every filed model.
What to check in the showroom
- Sit in both, dry is fine, in the seat you would use most. On a running display tub, feel the jets with the back of your hand. Seat depth and where the jets land matter more than the count.
- Climb in and out: step height and the lounger's length suit some bodies and not others.
- Ask for each model's California Energy Commission listing and the warranty card.
The full spec sheets: Hot Spring Pulse hot tub and Hot Spring Flash hot tub.
Other model comparisons: Hot Spring Flair vs Flash and Hot Spring Rhythm vs Flash.
Still deciding? Get the price range on both.
- Hot Spring Pulse$19,999Maker's list price (MSRP)
- Hot Spring Flash$17,499Maker's list price (MSRP)
Free price range, then one dealer.
Common questions
What is the difference between the Hot Spring Pulse and Flash?
Both seat 7. The Pulse measures 89 x 89 x 38 in and the Flash 84 x 84 x 36 in. The Pulse has 49 jets to the Flash's 41, as the maker counts them. Prices: the Pulse $19,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026), the Flash $17,499 (maker's list price, Oct 2026). The table lists every published figure side by side.
Which is bigger, the Pulse or the Flash?
The Pulse: 89 x 89 in, about 55 sq ft, against 84 x 84 in, about 49 sq ft for the Flash. The Pulse holds 445 gallons and the Flash 360.
Which costs less to run, the Pulse or the Flash?
The Flash: 209 W on standby against 211 W in California's tests, about $27.75 against $28.02 a month at the U.S. average of 18.19¢ a kWh (EIA, January to July 2026). Heating fresh water and running the jets add to that.
Do the Pulse and Flash have the same warranty?
Yes, on the terms the maker publishes: shell structure 7 years, shell surface 5 years, equipment 5 years, plumbing 5 years and cabinet 5 years.
How much do the Pulse and Flash cost?
Hot Spring lists the Pulse at $19,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026). Hot Spring lists the Flash at $17,499 (maker's list price, Oct 2026). Delivery, the pad and the electrician are extra.
Sources
9
- Hot Spring Pulse product pagemaker's specifications
- Hot Spring Pulse specification sourcesize, jets and electrical
- Hot Spring Pulse specification sourcesize, jets and electrical
- Hot Spring warrantyPulse warranty terms
- Hot Spring Flash product pagemaker's specifications
- Hot Spring Flash specification sourcesize, jets and electrical
- Hot Spring Flash specification sourcesize, jets and electrical
- California Energy Commission appliance database (spas)standby watts
- EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.BU.S. average residential rate, 18.19¢ a kWh, January to July 2026