Neighbor just got a Softub....Are they any good?

[cburk0677]

Well my neighbor just got a 4 person softub installed last night. I have to admit it looks pretty cheap compared to the hotsprings spas I have looked at.

Anyways I just wanted to know if softubs were any good. What is the average cost of the 4 person softub?

I'm still set on saving for the vanguard or grandee. I'm sure my neighbors will want to come use it after they tire of their toy spa, lol.

Cburk

[Spatech_tuo]

A Softub is what it is, a no nonsense cheap less expensive portable spa. It's not It may not be the most comfortable, it takes forever awhile longer to heat (has no heater, it uses the pump heat alone and takes abotu 2 days to get there), you better not be too tall and they end up in the landfill sooner BUT they come fairly cheap so there is some value to them. Is that what you're looking for?

I bought a $30k van for my family that has everthing and the next year I bought a new $9.5k car for cheap transporation. They each had their own niche to fill. Same with the softub and a premium spa. It all depends on your wants and needs.

[cburk0677]

So how cheap do they come? Don't they still cost a couple thousand?

[Chris_H]

Let’s put it this way.  

You can get a Solana RX (four person round) from the manufacturers of Hotspring for $3,495, which is generally the same price as a Softub T-220 (four person round).  

Which one are you buying?

Edited to say: I did have a Softub in my apartment in college in Philadelphia so I am not biased to them.  However, they are way overpriced for the features.

[cburk0677]

Wow almost $3500 for the four person. That is insane. It only has 5 jets.

Anyways I'm definitely not buying a softtub. I'd rather save up for another year and get a quality tub.

Cburk

[drewstar]

nah. One website had them for $1299

http://www.spadepot.com/warehouse/smartub.htm

Does this thing have a filter?

[Chris_H]

That is not a Softub.  http://www.softub.com

[bosco0633]

I think that soft tubs are cheap looking and feel that they dont have the theraputic capacity of a full size respectable tub company.

These are luxuries and when we buy luxuries, why settle.  Just my opinion.  There are basic needs and then there are luxuries.  Now that I own a tub, I feel that a tub is a need.  funny how that is

[Mendocino101]

There is a spa that I think is similar to the Soft tub but better and at about half the price. If I can find the info I will post it but in either case it is a very temporary tub at best.

[kvnlaw]

I have to disagree with most of the comments here so far. I have personally sold Softub for 12 years and my company has been doing so for 18 years. Softub does not have the bells and whistles of some other brands but it is a good product. In Florida we have customers that range from snow birds(part time residents) to people who put them on their yachts and just about everywhere in between. We also sell Hot Spring which is a fabulous tub but there is a market for the Softub.It is well built and has a strong warranty.I personally owned a Softub for 8 years but presently own a Jetsetter. That 4 person Softub model should run somewhere between $2800-3200 depending on your location.

[dpgtech]

as mentioned above the softub is a niche spa, if your budget is 3500 and under and you don't need all the bells and whistles then they might a viable option.  but I feel personally for what they are they are expensive, you could find a good rotationally molded plastic  spa with more features  in the same price range.

[Spatech_tuo]

I have to disagree with most of the comments here so far.

I softened my repsonse a bit but in the end, it's just my opinion. I don't have anything against Softtub, it just depends on what the customer wants/needs.

[NJDave]

The softubs have become a bit pricey for what they offer. In the $2500 -3500 range which softub is in, you can purchase, a real hard sided hot tub, not soft sided.  Manufacturers such as Nordic, Free Flow and Viking, to name a few, offer tubs in the $2500-4000 range. The big difference will be a spa with comfortable seating, instead of sitting on the floor of the flat soft tub. As stated earlier, Softub has no heater, so look for initial heat up times, for fresh water at about 36-48 hours. The other brands offer 110/220 volt convertible spa equipment, with a regular heater, like top brands. With a soft sided spa you end up with 4 or 5 jets, compared to about 20 jets with Nordic, Free Flow and Viking. With a hard sided tub, look for a much longer life expectancy, especially in areas prone to cold temperatures. Dave.

[Vinny]

The softubs have become a bit pricey for what they offer. In the $2500 -3500 range which softub is in, you can purchase, a real hard sided hot tub, not soft sided.  Manufacturers such as Nordic, Free Flow and Viking, to name a few, offer tubs in the $2500-4000 range. The big difference will be a spa with comfortable seating, instead of sitting on the floor of the flat soft tub. As stated earlier, Softub has no heater, so look for initial heat up times, for fresh water at about 36-48 hours. The other brands offer 110/220 volt convertible spa equipment, with a regular heater, like top brands. With a soft sided spa you end up with 4 or 5 jets, compared to about 20 jets with Nordic, Free Flow and Viking. With a hard sided tub, look for a much longer life expectancy, especially in areas prone to cold temperatures. Dave.

Dave,

You sell Artesian, do you sell their lower line - the Promo.

I know my dealer offers them for about this price point. They certainly aren't as nice looking or have as many features as the Island, Gold or Platinum series but IMO it offers a tub to fill that $4000 niche. I know the HS dealer in Hamilton, NJ sells Icon or Weslo tubs as their low end and I would think that the Artesian tubs would be at least equivilent and may be better.

[NJDave]

Vinny,
Sure. We sell the Promo Line from Artesian Spas, with prices in the Econo Class range. Same great quality, just less pizazz. The Promo Line  offers four models, with Full Foam, 20+ Jets and deep seating for 5-6 adults. For just a few bucks more than a soft sided type spa, you get so much more quality, features and a long lasting spa for you money. Thanks, Dave.
Vin, get your snow shovel ready, we've got a big storm coming. Enjoy the tub after digging out.