How long hot tubs last

Five to twenty years by the makers' own figures. Jacuzzi narrows it to 5 to 15 years for most tubs and 15 to 20 or more for premium acrylic ones. California's Energy Commission cites an average portable spa life of about 10 years. Every other figure here comes from a company that sells hot tubs, and none says how it was measured.

A hot tub doesn't wear out all at once. Parts wear out on their own schedules, and the tub lasts until the shell or the plumbing fails, or until a repair costs more than the tub is worth to you.

Of the big parts: the cover, then the heater and pumps, then the controls. Filters, UV lamps and ozonators are replaced sooner. By the makers' figures a cover lasts 3 to 7 years, a heater 5 to 10, pumps 7 to 10 and the control system 8 to 15. Those are replaceable parts: a tub with standard parts and good service access gets them swapped and carries on.

What ends a tub is the structure. A shell that isn't self-supporting flexes a little every time someone sits down and every time the water heats and cools, until a crack opens. Hoses held on by glue alone soften in hot water for years and can slowly work loose behind the cabinet. Both are hard to fix: the damage sits behind the cabinet, often buried in foam. The hot tub buying guide explains all eight build checks.

Nobody publishes failure rates by brand, so no one can rank lifespan with a number. The two build checks that decide it are the shell and the plumbing. Marquis, Master Spas and PDC Spas pass the self-supporting shell check; Bullfrog Spas, Dimension One Spas, Sundance Spas and Wellis fail it. Master Spas passes the clamped plumbing check.

The warranty is the maker's own bet. Across the 377 tubs with a shell structure warranty on file, the median is 10 years; across the 373 with an equipment warranty, it is 3 years. Compare hot tub warranties model by model.

Ask its age first. A tub near the end of the makers' 5 to 20 year range may need a heater, pumps or a cover soon. Ask whether any of the warranty passes to you. See buying a used hot tub, and for new tubs picked on build facts, the best hot tubs. Owner complaint records by brand are on hot tub reviews and ratings.