Hot tub warranties compared

On paper, Artesian Spas, Dimension One Spas and Nordic Hot Tubs: each puts a lifetime term on the shell structure. The longest term in years is 35, from PDC Spas, and no other brand goes past that. That term covers the shell itself leaking. The parts that run every day, the pumps, heater and controls, sit under equipment, where 14 of 15 brands offer 5 years on at least one model.

The bigger gaps are inside each brand. Bullfrog's Calm carries 3 years on the shell structure and 2 on equipment; its M, A and STIL series carry 10 and 5. Across all brands, 6 models carry 3 years or less on every component their card names. Compare the card for the exact series you are looking at, in the table at the bottom of this page.

A hot tub warranty is split into components, each with its own clock. Bullfrog's card is a typical example: shell structure covers the shell leaking; shell surface covers the acrylic finish cracking, blistering or peeling; equipment covers pumps, heater and controls; the cabinet line covers the panels and base.

• Shell structure: most common term 10 years (129 of 346 models).
• Shell surface: most common 7 years (120 of 328).
• Equipment: most common 5 years (161 of 346).
• Cabinet: most common 5 years (123 of 346).
• Labor: named on only 58 models, at 5 brands; most common 3 years, longest 5 (Artesian Spas).