What To Know Before Buying A Costco Hot Tub

You can buy pretty much anything at Costco, from laundry detergent to a massive barn shed — so it's not surprising that the wholesale retailer also sells a lineup of hot tubs, ranging from $500 to $9000. Choosing the perfect hot tub is no small matter. They're not cheap, and they're not exactly easy to return. Costco's lineup stacks up fairly well, but there are a couple of significant downsides to purchasing there rather than from a hot tub dealer.

There are two basic types of hot tubs: inflatable and hard shell. Inflatable tubs are much more lightweight and affordable, but hard shell tubs are more powerful and usually have more jets. If you go with an inflatable model, it's important that it has multiple layers of reinforcement to lower the risk of leaks or punctures. With hard shell models, the material matters. Vinyl and rotomolded plastic tend to be the most budget-friendly for hard shell tubs; acrylic, on the other hand, is more durable and usually pricier.

Hot tubs also vary widely in terms of size, number of jets, and features. Some are bare bones, while others come with head rests, speakers, and lights. Luxury hot tubs may offer high-end water purification systems to make the water more gentle on your skin. The more features, the more you can expect to pay. Although Costco sells models at a range of price points, most of those available are mid-range hard shell tubs above $2000. The tubs themselves sport good reviews, but buying a hot tub at Costco isn't quite as convenient as one might expect.

As of this writing, Costco sells a total of 23 hot tubs from three different brands: SaluSpa, AquaTerra Spas, and Evolution Spas. Only two are inflatable: the SaluSpa Ventura ($500), which seats up to eight people, and the SaluSpa Coronado ($500), which seats up to six. That's not much of a selection, but as inflatable options go, they're not bad. They have an unusually high number of jets (more than 100) and triple-layered walls.

The other 21 models at Costco are hard shell hot tubs that run the gamut of size, material, and features. As with most retailers, the lower-priced models (between $2000 and $5000) tend to have fewer features, and most hot tubs at Costco fall into this category. Most models are well-reviewed by customers at four or more stars.

Costco offers fair prices, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and free delivery. This delivery only goes to your front curb, though — so getting the tub to its permanent home is your responsibility, and there's no set-up or installation assistance. Costco doesn't offer an additional warranty, so you'll have to go straight to the manufacturer if something goes wrong. Also, while returning the tub is an option, that's easier said than done with a product that typically weighs several hundred pounds.

Additionally, Costco mainly carries online-only deals on hot tubs that are available to everyone (not just members). You're unable to look at the tubs in person before buying, which is a downside for such a large purchase. Going to a dealer allows you to see and sit in the various models before buying, with more customer support from purchase to installation and beyond.