The heater in a hot tub is one of the most important and integral components of the sauna experience. Maintaining desired temperatures in a hot tub is essential for a safe, comfortable and relaxing experience. Therefore, the best and most soothing hot tub experiences are made possible when the water temperature is just perfect and for that, you need an excellent heater.
Having a heavy-duty heater enables you to heat water in the hot tub relatively quickly to desired levels as well as maintain temperature according to your level of comfort.
With so many choices out there determining the best hot tub heater for your needs can become challenging. This review provides a breakdown of the 3 best hot tub heaters in terms of quality, functionality, design, and price.
The 3 Top-Rated Hot Tub Heaters
When it comes to the selection of a heater for your hot tub several factors have to be considered before a viable purchase decision can be made. These factors include customer reviews, supplier credibility, benefits, warranty, features and affordability.
This review guide narrows this list down to just the top 3 hot tub heaters and provides a breakdown of their unique strengths and weaknesses in order to ease the decision-making process.
American Standard 9075.120 Safe-T-Heater
Pros
- Helps maintain water temperature
- Easy installation
- Fairly inexpensive
- Well renowned manufacturer
- Extremely durable and long lasting
Cons
- Only compatible with American Standard Whirlpool tubs
- Can only maintain water temperature not increase it
The American Standard T-heater is designed to be fully compatible with any American Standard Whirlpool tub and is constructed using heavy-duty materials for better performance and durability.
This heater is able to maintain water temperature for long periods of time so that you can enjoy the most relaxing and soothing experience possible while having a soak. Well priced and well built this is the ideal choice for a heater if you already own an American Standard tub.
OrangeA 11KW 220V Pool Heater Thermostat Swimming Pool SPA Hot Tub Electric Water Heater Pump Assistant Digital Thermostat (11KW)
Pros
- Safety sensors to protect against unexpected situations
- Cost-effective
- Powerful output for fast heating
- Compact and durable design
- Easy to use digital control
Cons
- Heater has a 3-degree operating range
- Temperature must be manually adjusted after a power outage
The OrangeA pool heater thermostat is a multi-purpose heater that is ideal for small pools and hot tubs. Not only can it maintain water temperature but it can also increase it thanks to its powerful heating output.
Its simplistic yet functional design and construction make the OrangeA relatively easy to install and use. In terms of functionality and affordability, you would be hard pressed to find a hot tub heater that is better than the OrangeA.
The intelligent self-diagnose function is also a great feature of the OrangeA as it monitors every aspect of the heater and alerts the user if anything is out of the ordinary to avoid breakdown, errors and malfunctions.
Raypak 11Kw Electric Spa Heater 001640
Pros
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
- High-quality durable construction
- Extremely powerful and efficient heating
- Can be fitted to most hot tubs
- Conveniently placed bronze and copper housings
Cons
- A tad on the expensive side
- Heavy and quite large in size
- Manual/analog control panel
The Raypak 11K heater is ideal for customers looking for a more powerful heating system for their inground or above ground spas. The Raypak has a simple yet durable design made of high-quality components that provide years of reliability and service.
The Raypak is more expensive than the other alternatives presented on this list however, it is also much more powerful. It can heat cold water by up to 10 degrees an hour making it ideal for heating hot tubs in cold winter months. Although it is heavy and large in size it is relatively easy to install and compatible with most hot tubs and spas.
The Raypak is the ideal choice for a customer looking for a heating system that can not only maintain water temperature but also increase temperature quickly to desired comfort levels.
Things to Consider Before Purchase
Choosing the right heater for your hot tub requires careful assessment of needs and priorities. Several factors have to be considered before a purchase decision is made to ensure that you have the ideal solution possible for your heating needs.
Heating Power
Heaters in hot tubs can be used for both maintaining heat and increasing temperature when needed.
More powerful and more expensive heating solutions are able to heat water temperature faster anywhere from 3-10 degrees within an hour while less powerful heaters are meant to maintain water temperatures at desired levels even when exposed to the elements.
Safety Features
Built-in safety features can help protect the heating system from unforeseen voltage fluctuations and power outages. The best heaters have control systems that alert users when a malfunction has occurred to safeguard against expensive damages.
Material Used
Use of durable and high-quality materials like bronze and stainless steel helps improve heater’s durability and reliability. Stronger and more heat resilient materials extend the useful life of a heater and help save cost in the long-run.
Installation
When installing a heater it is recommended to hire a professional to do the installation and wiring although this can be done on your own as well by adhering to the instructions in the manual.
Warranty
What type of warranty is being offered by the manufacturer and on what terms?
The Best Hot Tub Heaters
A breakdown of the three best hot tub heaters available in the market provides insight on what would be the ideal heater for your individual needs in terms of durability, reliability, price, and functionality.
Selecting the ideal hot tub heater can often come down to two factors budget and quality. The best-engineered hot tub heaters are designed and built to last a long period of time without requiring anything in terms of maintenance and upkeep.
The 3 hot tub heaters selected on this list come from renowned manufacturers and suppliers and are competitively priced relative to features and benefits. More importantly, they have excellent reviews from end users that are a testament to their quality and credibility.