Hot Spring Rhythm vs Relay hot tubs compared
Short answer
The Hot Spring Rhythm seats 7 with no lounger in 84 x 84 in; the Relay seats 6 with a lounger in 84 x 84 in. Both are $12,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026).
| Measure |  Hot Spring RhythmHot Spot |  RelayHot Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Lineup | ||
| Series | Hot Spot | Hot Spot |
| Priceas labeled under each figure | $12,999Maker's list price (MSRP), Oct 2026 | $12,999Maker's list price (MSRP), Oct 2026 |
| Size | ||
| Seats | 7 | 6 |
| Loungers | Not published | 1 |
| Length | 84" | 84" |
| Width | 84" | 84" |
| Height | 36" | 36" |
| Water | 330 gal | 340 gal |
| Dry weight | 845 lb | 830 lb |
| Filled weightwater, no people | 4,820 lb | 4,715 lb |
| Jets and pumps | ||
| Jetsas the maker counts them | 40 | 40 |
| Jet pumps | 2 | 2 |
| Electrical | ||
| Voltage | 230 V | 230 V |
| Amperage | 50 A at 230 V | 50 A at 230 V |
| Heaterat 240V | 4 kW | 4 kW |
| Build and water care | ||
| Insulation | FiberCor® | FiberCor® |
| Cover thickness | 4" | 4" |
| Shell | acrylic and UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene)… | acrylic and UHMWPE (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene)… |
| Cabinet | simulated wood (per warranty); "advanced composites" (product… | simulated wood (per warranty); "advanced composites" (product… |
| Filter area | 65 sq ft | 65 sq ft |
| Ozone | FreshWater® III high-output ozone (corona discharge) | FreshWater® III high-output ozone (corona discharge) |
| Salt system | FreshWater® Salt System | FreshWater® Salt System |
| Warranty | ||
| Shell structure | 5 years | 5 years |
| Shell surface | 2 years | 2 years |
| Equipment | 2 years | 2 years |
| Plumbing | 2 years | 2 years |
| Cabinet | 2 years | 2 years |
Verdict: The Hot Spring Rhythm suits buyers who want room for 7 and open seating with no lounger. The Relay suits buyers who want a lounger.
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What is the difference between the Hot Spring Rhythm and Relay?
The Rhythm seats 7 and the Relay 6, and only the Relay has a lounger. They share one shell size, 84 x 84 x 36 in. Both are $12,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026).
Both are Hot Spring hot tubs from the Hot Spot 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 Rhythm or the Relay fit my space and deck?
The Rhythm is 84 x 84 in, about 49 sq ft and 36 in tall; filled, it weighs 4,820 lb, about 98 lb per sq ft before anyone gets in. The Relay is 84 x 84 in, about 49 sq ft and 36 in tall; filled, it weighs 4,715 lb, about 96 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 Rhythm and Relay need?
The Rhythm runs on 230 V. The Relay 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 Rhythm and Relay carry the same warranty?
Hot Spring Rhythm: 5 years on the shell structure, 2 years on the shell surface, 2 years on the equipment, 2 years on the plumbing and 2 years on the cabinet.
Hot Spring Relay: 5 years on the shell structure, 2 years on the shell surface, 2 years on the equipment, 2 years on the plumbing and 2 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 Rhythm and Relay sell for?
Hot Spring lists the Rhythm at $12,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026). Hot Spring lists the Relay at $12,999 (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 Rhythm price and Hot Spring Relay price.
Which costs less to run, the Rhythm or the Relay?
The Rhythm, by 7 W on standby, about $0.93 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 Rhythm draws 173 W in California's standby test (filed at 312 gallons), about 126 kWh and $22.97 a month at the U.S. average rate. 66% of the 122 filed tubs its size draw more; their median is 182.5 W.
The Relay draws 180 W in California's standby test (filed at 321 gallons), about 131 kWh and $23.90 a month at the U.S. average rate. 55% of the 120 filed tubs its size draw more; their median is 185 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.
- Lie back in the lounger, dry is fine. If your feet don't reach the end of the footwell or your head sits low, it will not suit you.
The full spec sheets: Hot Spring Rhythm hot tub and Hot Spring Relay hot tub.
Other model comparisons: Hot Spring Rhythm vs Flash, Caldera Vanto vs Hot Spring Rhythm and Hot Spring Flair vs Relay.
Still deciding? Get the price range on both.
- Hot Spring Rhythm$12,999Maker's list price (MSRP)
- Hot Spring Relay$12,999Maker's list price (MSRP)
Free price range, then one dealer.
Common questions
What is the difference between the Hot Spring Rhythm and Relay?
The Rhythm seats 7 and the Relay 6, and only the Relay has a lounger. They share one shell size, 84 x 84 x 36 in. Both are $12,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026). The table lists every published figure side by side.
Which is bigger, the Rhythm or the Relay?
They take the same floor space: 84 x 84 in, about 49 sq ft each. The Rhythm holds 330 gallons and the Relay 340.
Which costs less to run, the Rhythm or the Relay?
The Rhythm: 173 W on standby against 180 W in California's tests, about $22.97 against $23.90 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 Rhythm and Relay have the same warranty?
Yes, on the terms the maker publishes: shell structure 5 years, shell surface 2 years, equipment 2 years, plumbing 2 years and cabinet 2 years.
How much do the Rhythm and Relay cost?
Hot Spring lists the Rhythm at $12,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026). Hot Spring lists the Relay at $12,999 (maker's list price, Oct 2026). Delivery, the pad and the electrician are extra.
Sources
4
- Hot Spring Rhythm product pagemaker's specifications
- Hot Spring Relay product pagemaker's specifications
- 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