110 Volt vs 220 Volt Hot Tub – Which is Best?
Hot tubs are great for relaxing and rejuvenating in the comfort of your own home. The benefits of hot water therapy are numerous, some of these being; getting better sleep, better blood circulation, healthier skin, and more. Elders can use hot water therapy to feel relief from the pain in their joints as hot water reduces inflammation of skin tissue and helps the joints to loosen up. This effect carries on even once they’re out of the hot tub and it can make them feel relief in adverse weather as well.
These days, there are different types of hot tubs available in the market. One can choose from inflatable hot tubs, spas, jacuzzis and much more. The choice is made different only by your requirement, budget, and the space you have available for the hot tub.
One major distinction that most people get confused about is whether they want to buy a 110v or a 220v hot tub. This is something that people often get puzzled over because the decision can impact your whole hot tub experience. So if you have been wondering whether you want to buy a 110c or 220v hot tub, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this write-up, we are going to take a look at the different types of bathtubs, their features, pros, and cons so that you can read up and decide which ones will be best suitable for you.
110v or 220v – Which Tub to Choose?
When you think about 110v or 220v hot tubs, you’re basically thinking about the type of power the tub would require to work in your house. If you’re thinking about choosing a hot tub, here are some things you should keep in mind.
- Ease of Installation
A 110v hot tub is a simple plug and play hot tub. All you need to do is fill it up with water and plug it in and it will start heating the water. But for a 220v hot tub, you will need to get it installed by a professional electrician after getting the necessary permits depending on the area where you live. - Portability
A typical 110v hot tub is easy to move around as these are generally small in size. As you go for larger tubs, 110v is not going to be enough to heat the water at optimum temperature. This is where you will need to choose a 220v that might be large in size and difficult to move. - Higher Efficiency
A 220v hot tub will offer higher efficiency of heating up the water. A 220v hot tub will be able to keep the water hot even if you have jets powered on. On the other hand, a 110v hot tub starts to lose heat efficiency if the jets are switched on. - Quick Heating
If you’re looking for quicker heating times then it’s advisable to choose a 220v hot tub. It can heat up an equal amount of water in half the time as a 110v hot tub. - Upgrade Ability
Certain models of 110v hot tubs can be converted to accept 220v of power. But before buying make sure that the hot tub is compatible with conversion to 220v. - Number of Jets
A 220v hot tub will have more jets as compared to a 110v hot tub. If you’re buying a tub to enjoy the benefits of hot water therapy, it’s advisable to go with a 220v hot tub. - Weather
For users living in extremely cold weather conditions, it is best to go with a 220v hot tub as it will offer a higher heating efficiency. A 110v hot tub will struggle to keep the water at an optimum temperature in cold weather conditions.
Features of 110V Hot Tubs
If you’re looking for a simple and affordable hot tub solution then you can pick from any number of 110v hot tubs available in the market. Let’s take a quick look at the features of some of these hot tubs.
- Portable
These tubs are portable in nature as in you can simply pick them and place them where you’d like. For inflatable tubs, you can deflate the hot tub and then store it away when it’s not in use. The portability is a great feature when you’re renting a place but still want to enjoy the fun of your own hot tub. - Include Basic Features
The 110v hot tubs come with a range of basic features such as timer, pool cleaners, jets, and more. If you’re on a budget but want something more than just hot water, these tubs are a great option. - Easy to Install
You can install these tubs in your house without the need of any tools. Simply inflate the tub with the pool pump, fill it with water and plug it in. There are no complex settings and you don’t need any additional tools either. - Affordable
The 110v hot tubs are affordable because they have fewer features compared to other tubs in a higher price range. If you’re looking for a basic hot tub without any fancy features, these are ideal for you. - Durable
Inflatable hot tubs are made from premium quality materials such as military-grade vinyl that adds to the durability of these tubs.
Pros of Using 110v Hot Tubs
- Perfect for small families of 2-4 people
- Easy to use in homes and spas because of plug-and-play feature
- Easy to move from place to place
- Highly functional, include timer and touch panels for controlling temperature
- Made from vinyl and other insulating materials for better heat retention
- Include a range of accessories for pool cleaning
- Many models can be upgraded to 220v
Cons of Using 110v Hot Tubs
- These take a long time to heat up the water
- Heat loss is quicker if the jets are switched on
- These hot tubs require regular maintenance and upkeep
- Inflatable hot tubs tend to lose air over time
- These hot tubs can’t keep the water hot while jets are being used at high power
Features of 220V Hot Tubs
Those are who looking for energy efficient and feature packed hot tubs that will make it a joy to sit in a hot tub in any season, the 220v hot tubs are the best. Here are the features of these hot tubs in a nutshell.
- Takes Less Time to Heat Up
A 220v hot tub has a higher powered heater which means it takes in the same amount of electricity as a 110v hot tub, but heats up the water in half the time. - Expensive
Whether you buy a hot tub that already has a 220v option or you get your 110v hot tub converted to 220v, it’s going to cost you money. - High Powered Jets
A 220v hot tub comes equipped with a range of features and high powered jets that offer a massage experience in one of these features. - Perfect for Large Groups
These hot tubs are made to accommodate more than 4-6 people. You can have parties around the hot tub where people can enter or exit the hot tub as they please. - Ideal for Temperature Maintenance
The 220v hot tubs are perfect for areas with cold weather as these can be used to maintain the temperature even when the jets are on and the top cover is off the tub. - Ideal for Colder Locations
The 220v hot tubs are perfect for places where the temperatures are often in low range. These tubs can be placed inside or outside the home and they can still work efficiently by heating up the water and keeping it hot while the tub is being used.
Pros of 220v Hot Tubs
- Quick to heat up and temperature is maintained easily too
- Ideal for large families of up to 4-6 people
- Large pumps offer better performance
- These tubs are easier to clean because of bigger filters
- Made from durable materials for long term usage
- Perfect for place with cold temperatures
- These tubs can heat water whether jets are on high or low
Cons of 220v Hot Tubs
- Require a large space for set up
- These tubs need to be installed by a professional electrician
- Installation can be costly depending on the wiring and circuit box location
- Installation of 220v hot tub might require paperwork from local authorities
- These tubs are not easy to move because of the wiring
110 vs 220 Volt Hot Tub Video Guide
FAQs
Customers often have questions regarding the features and specifications of products. Here are some of the commonly asked questions about 110v and 220v hot tubs
This is not true as the 220v hot tub draws the same amount of energy in watts for heating up the water but it does so in half the time taken by a 110v hot tub. You might see a some savings when using the 220v hot tub, but it’s nothing too significant.
It’s best to get help from a certified and professional electrician as installing the tub yourself might lead to technical problems if you overlook something. Also, depending on your state regulations, 220v connections need paperwork and approval from the local authorities and this is something that an electrician can help you get in an easy and no-hassle manner.
It really depends on your budget and usage patterns. If you’re using the hot tub for more than a few times per week, it’s always better to get a 220v hot tub. But if you’re using the hot tub once or twice a month for a relaxing soak, you can get a 110v hot tub.
There are various factors that can impact the cost of conversion of 110v into 220v. The distance of the tub from the house breaker box panel, barriers, available amperage, and other factors. You will need to call an electrician to your house and get a better estimate from him regarding the cost of such conversion.
The hot tub maintenance depends on your usage patterns. If you use the tubs a lot, you will have to spend more time on cleaning them up as the filters eventually collect all the all the impurities from the water. But in the case of a 220v hot tub, as the filter is larger in size, you can go for a longer duration between cleanups.
Conclusion
The decision of choosing a 110v or a 220v hot tub should only be governed by your needs and requirements. Both these tubs will provide you hot water for a soak but a 220v hot tub can do a better job of it if you’re used to longer soaks in cold climates. The 220v hot tub is more efficient but it costs more too.
Whether you buy a 220v hot tub or choose to get your 110v hot tub converted into a 220v, you will have to spend extra cash for both these types of tubs. Also, if you have a large family or if you like to invite friends over for hot tub parties, you’ll be better off getting a larger 220v hot tub that can keep the water hotter for a longer duration of time.
We hope this article has helped you in gaining clarity on which kind of hot tub you want to buy. For more information on hot tubs, accessories, use cases, and more, please browse through this blog. If you have any questions or queries, you can leave a comment below this article and our team will get back to you at the earliest.
