Plug-and-play hot tubs
74 hot tubs from 14 brands are sold to run on a 120V household circuit, so there's no new 240V line to run. The trade-off is heat: the water warms more slowly.
Filters
74 hot tubs
Bullfrog Spas Calm6
- 6 seatsNo lounger
- 6′6″ × 6′6″
- 120V plug-in
$8,395–$9,695Calm Series starting prices (MSRP)
12 of 74
How does a plug-and-play hot tub work?
A 120V circuit carries a lot less power than the 240V line most hot tubs use. A 15-amp circuit tops out at 1,800 watts (120 volts x 15 amps), and the pump has to share that with the heater. So the tub has one jet pump and a small heater, 1 to 1.5 kW by Jacuzzi's figures, and it can't run the heater and the jets at full at the same time. Dream Maker's manual says its 120V heater runs only during low-speed filtering, and a 110V spa patent describes the same limit as typical.
In use, that means a long first heat and water that cools a little during a long soak with the jets on. In very cold weather the tub may not hold its set temperature with the jets running. Inflatables run on the same 120-volt supply; they are compared on inflatable hot tubs.
110V vs 220V: what changes?
- Heater: 1 to 1.5 kW on 120V, 4 to 5.5 kW on 240V (Jacuzzi).
- Heat-up: 1 to 4°F an hour on 120V (Nordic), so a 50°F rise takes about 13 to 50 hours. Jacuzzi says 8 to 12 hours to reach temperature.
- Jets and heat together: usually yes on 240V; not both at full on 120V.
- Jet pumps: Every one of the 74 plug-in tubs here has a single jet pump. The median 240V tub has 2 pumps and 5 hp of jet power, against 1.5 hp on 120V, so the jets are weaker. How we count jet power.
- Install: a 120V tub plugs into an outdoor 15- or 20-amp receptacle on its own circuit, with GFCI protection in the cord (Jacuzzi); a 240V tub is hardwired by a licensed electrician.
Breaker sizes, wire and the code rules are on the hot tub electrical requirements page. A licensed electrician sizes the circuit either way. The smallest plug-in tubs are also on the 2-person and small hot tubs list.
What to ask in the showroom
- Can this model convert to 240V later, and what does the conversion involve?
- Does the heater shut off while the jets run?
- What circuit and outlet does it need, and how far from the tub can the outlet be?
More on heaters, pumps and the rest of the equipment: hot tub features.
The details
All 74 in one table
seats, size, water, warranty
 Artesian Spas 519PSouth Seas Spas | 4 | 78 x 6030 high |
|---|---|---|
 Artesian Spas AzaleaGarden Spas | 2 | 76 x 4632 high |
 Artesian Spas CamelliaGarden Spas | 4 | 72 x 7232 high |
 Artesian Spas ForsythiaGarden Spas | 3 | 84 x 6132 high |
 Artesian Spas HibiscusGarden Spas | 2 | 76 x 5830 high |
 Artesian Spas HydrangeaGarden Spas | 4 | 78 x 7832 high |
 Artesian Spas IrisGarden Spas | 4 | 78 x 6030 high |
 Artesian Spas PlumeGarden Spas | 6 | 84 x 7834 high |
 Artesian Spas ViolaGarden Spas | 3 | 82 x 6531 high |
 Artesian Spas WisteriaGarden Spas | 6 | 84 x 8436 high |
 Bullfrog Spas Calm6Calm | 6 | 78 x 7834 high |
 Bullfrog Spas STIL5STIL | 4 | 67 x 8231 high |
 Bullfrog Spas X5LX Series | 3 | 68 x 8431 high |
 Bullfrog Spas X6RX Series | 5 | 79 x 7934 high |
 Cal Spas Aloha PZ-614LPatio | 1 | 78 x 3429 high |
 Cal Spas Balboa PZ-516LPatio | 3 | 78 x 5434 high |
 Cal Spas Hawaiian PZ-620LPatio | 5 | 78 x 7834 high |
 Cal Spas Kona PZ-519LPatio | 3 | 84 x 6434 high |
| Cal Spas Maui PZ-620BPatio | 6 | 78 x 7834 high |
 Caldera Spas AspireFantasy Series | 2 | 72 x 5329 high |
 Caldera Spas AventineVacanza Series | 2 | 64 x 6429 high |
 Caldera Spas BloomFantasy Series | 5 | 78 x 7834 high |
 Caldera Spas CelioVacanza Series | 3 | 84 x 6529 high |
 Caldera Spas EnticeFantasy Series | 4 | 78 x 7834 high |
 Caldera Spas InviteFantasy Series | 4 | 67 x 7933 high |
 Caldera Spas SplendorFantasy Series | 5 | — |
 Caldera Spas TarinoVacanza Series | 5 | 82 x 8233 high |
 Dimension One Spas Journey@home Collection | 3 | 78 x 7835 high |
 Dimension One Spas Serenade@home Collection | 3 | 83 x 6630 high |
 Hot Spring AptosFreeflow | 5 | 78 x 7833 high |
 Hot Spring AzureFreeflow | 4 | 67 x 7933 high |
 Hot Spring BeamLimelight | 4 | 80 x 8033 high |
 Hot Spring ExcursionFreeflow | 4 | 78 x 7834 high |
 Hot Spring JetsetterHighlife | 3 | 84 x 6833 high |
 Hot Spring MiniFreeflow | 2 | 72 x 5329 high |
 Hot Spring MontereyFreeflow | 5 | 78 x 7834 high |
 Hot Spring PaceHot Spot | 5 | 82 x 8233 high |
 Hot Spring StrideHot Spot | 3 | 84 x 6529 high |
 Hot Spring SXHot Spot | 3 | 72 x 7733 high |
 Hot Spring TXHot Spot | 2 | 72 x 7229 high |
 Jacuzzi J-215J-200 Collection | 3 | 69 x 8033 high |
 Jacuzzi J-225J-200 Collection | 5 | 80 x 8033 high |
 Jacuzzi J-315J-300 Collection | 3 | 66 x 7631.75 high |
 Jacuzzi J-325J-300 Collection | 5 | 84 x 7633.5 high |
 Marquis BroadwayCelebrity Series | 5 | 77 x 7736 high |
 Marquis MonacoCelebrity Series | 5 | 80 x 8036 high |
 Marquis Monaco EliteMarquis Elite Series | 5 | 80 x 8036 high |
 Marquis NashvilleCelebrity Series | 3 | 84 x 6029.5 high |
 Marquis Nashville EliteMarquis Elite Series | 3 | 84 x 6029.5 high |
| Marquis V65LVector21 Series | 3 | 84 x 6529.5 high |
 Master Spas Balance 6 CSClarity Spas | 5 | 78 x 7834 high |
 Master Spas Bar Harbor SEGetaway Spas | 5 | 86 x 8635 high |
 Master Spas L5LH Series | 3 | 78 x 6034 high |
 Master Spas Ocho Rios SEGetaway Spas | 4 | 86 x 7234 high |
 Master Spas San MiguelGetaway Series | 3 | 79 x 6932 high |
 Nordic Hot Tubs Bella MSModern Series | 2 | 83 x 3438.5 high |
 Nordic Hot Tubs Crown All-In-110VAll-In-110V Series | 6 | 84 x 8435 high |
 Nordic Hot Tubs D’Amour All-In-110VAll-In-110V Series | 2 | 84 x 7234 high |
 Nordic Hot Tubs D'Amour MSModern Series | 2 | 84 x 7234 high |
 Nordic Hot Tubs Retreat All-In-110VAll-In-110V Series | 5 | 80 x 7034 high |
 Nordic Hot Tubs Sport All-In-110VAll-In-110V Series | 5 | 78.5 x 78.535 high |
 Nordic Hot Tubs Stella All-In-110VAll-In-110V Series | 3 | 84 x 6234 high |
 Nordic Hot Tubs Warrior XLClassic Series | 6 | 84 x 8438.5 high |
 Nordic Hot Tubs Warrior XL All-In-110VAll-In-110V Series | 6 | — |
 PDC Spas TwilightLifeStyle Series | 5 | 76 x 7631 high |
 Sundance Spas Alicia680 Series | 3 | 69 x 8033 high |
 Sundance Spas Dover780 Series | 3 | 69 x 8232 high |
 Sundance Spas Prado680 Series | 5 | 80 x 8033 high |
 Vita Spa Duet100 Series | 2 | 86 x 5030 high |
 Vita Spa Image100 Series | 4-5 | 82 x 6932 high |
| Vita Spa Voeux100 Series | 4-5 | 84 x 7434 high |
 Wellis Marbella P&PCityLife | 4 | 75 x 7134 high |
 Wellis Milano P&PCityLife | 5 | 85 x 7534 high |
 Wellis Oslo P&PCityLife | 3 | 79 x 5931 high |
Do they cost more to run?
measured standby
Not on standby, by the measured figures. Plug-in tubs that seat 3 or fewer draw a median 146 W against 160 W for 240V tubs of the same seat count (25 and 22 California Energy Commission listings). At 4 or 5 seats it is 173 W against 196 W. The monthly cost at your rate is on the hot tub running cost page.
Brands that make them
14 brands
Hot Spring (11), Artesian Spas (10) and Nordic Hot Tubs (9) have the most 120V models. Most plug-in tubs are small: 33 seat 3 or fewer, 34 seat 4 or 5 and 7 seat 6 or 7.
| Hot Spring | 11 |
|---|---|
| Artesian Spas | 10 |
| Nordic Hot Tubs | 9 |
| Caldera Spas | 8 |
| Marquis | 6 |
| Cal Spas | 5 |
| Master Spas | 5 |
| Bullfrog Spas | 4 |
| Jacuzzi | 4 |
| Sundance Spas | 3 |
| Vita Spa | 3 |
| Wellis | 3 |
| Dimension One Spas | 2 |
| PDC Spas | 1 |
Common questions
Can you plug a hot tub into a regular outlet?
Only a tub built for 120V, like the 74 on this page. Jacuzzi says these spas typically need a dedicated 15 to 20 amp circuit, so plan on a GFCI outlet that serves the tub alone.
How long does a 110V hot tub take to heat?
Slowly. Jacuzzi says 8 to 12 hours to reach temperature, and Nordic says its tubs warm 1 to 4 degrees an hour. From a cold fill, a typical 240-gallon plug-in tub needs about 20 to 30 hours for a 50°F rise.
Can a plug-and-play hot tub be converted to 240V?
60 of the 74 list a 240V supply on the spec sheet. Jacuzzi's J-315, for one, runs on 15 amps at 120V or converts to 240V for full heater power. A licensed electrician sizes the new circuit.
Is 110V or 220V better for a hot tub?
240V heats faster, runs the heater and jets together and allows more and bigger jet pumps. 120V saves the cost of a new 240V line, but a 120V tub has one jet pump and a small heater, so it heats slowly and can't run the heater and the jets at full at the same time. A tub that converts lets you start on 120V and switch to 240V later.
How much does a plug-and-play hot tub cost?
28 of the 74 tubs here have a published price, from $5,499 to $17,499. Each card says what its figure is: the maker's list price (MSRP). 4 more show only a series starting range. The other 42 are priced on request by a dealer.
Sources
6
- Jacuzzi: hot tub wiring and electrical requirements120V heaters of 1 to 1.5 kW vs 4 to 5.5 kW on 240V; 8 to 12 hours to heat
- Jacuzzi J-315 product page15-amp 120V operation with a 240V conversion
- Nordic Hot Tubs FAQheating rate of 1 to 4 degrees an hour
- Dream Maker Spas owner's manual120V heater runs only while the jets are off
- US patent 9,993,387110V tubs typically don't heat while the jets run
- California Energy Commission appliance databasestandby watts for 53 of these models