120v Vs 240v Hot Tub – What’s the Pro’s and Con’s?
Buying a 120v vs. 240v hot tub can be a difficult decision as anyone buying a hot tub for the first time is bound to get confused between the two.
Even for people who have bought a hot tub in the past, choosing between a 120v vs. 240v hot tub can be tough. There are so many conflicting opinions online that it can be difficult to make a choice between the kind of hot tub you want to buy for your house.
First, let’s take a quick look at the definition of 120v and 240v hot tubs. 120v and 240v are voltage measurements that define the lowest amount of current a hot tub is designed to handle.
Anything more than that, and the hot tub will heat up excessively and might cause a fire hazard.
But is more voltage better in the case of hot tubs? Not always. If you go for a 120v hot tub, it has several advantages as well that can be beneficial in the long run.
There are also various pros and cons of buying a 120v or a 240v hot tub and in this article, we are going to take a look at all these pros and cons. Hopefully, by the end of this article, you will be able to make an informed decision about the type of hot tub that will be ideal for your usage.
120v Hot Tubs
There are different types of 120v hot tub models available in the market and you can choose an inflatable or an acrylic one depending on your preference. There is ample choice in terms of seating capacity, the number of jets, and accessories for 120v hot tub. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons of these hot tubs.
Pros of 120v Hot Tubs
1) Easy Installation – The hot tubs that operate at 120v require minimal initial setup. You can simply plug them in the existing power supply in your house without any need to modify the power connections or the wiring of your house. Just fill the hot tub with water, plug it in, and you can soak in it once the water has reached optimum temperature.
2) Highly Portable – It is easy to move 120v hot tubs because there are no permanent power connections. Also, as most inflatable hot tubs are 120v, you can move them easily by deflating them. In case you want to use the hot tub in another location, you don’t have to arrange for separate power supply in that location.
3) Power Efficient – The 120v hot tubs are power efficient as they do not take so much power to heat the water that would make a serious impact on your power bills. If used with consideration, these hot tubs can heat water properly and keep it hot for a long time.
Cons of 120v Hot Tubs
1) Take More time to Heat the water – As these hot tubs use less power, they take more time to heat up the water. It might not impact your monthly power bills, but the slow rate of the heating means you have to plan any soaking much in advance. Usually, 120v hot tubs heat the water at the rate of 1-2 degrees F per hour.
2) Smaller Size – The size of these tubs will always be on the smaller side as the 120v power supply is not able to handle a larger volume of water that would require heating in case of a larger hot tub. At most, these hot tubs offer a seating capacity of 4-6 people. If you are looking to host hot tub parties or you want to enjoy soaking in the hot tub with family and friends, it is advisable to go for a 240v hot tub.
3) Expensive to Convert to 240v Hot Tub – In case you have bought a 120v hot tub, and you want to convert it to a 240v hot tub at a later date, the process of changing can cost you money and time. This is why you should evaluate all the factors before you make the final decision to purchase a hot tub. You will need to buy circuit, circuit breakers, and GFCI cord for the conversion.
240v Hot Tubs
If you are looking for a mix of comfort and performance, then the 240v hot tubs will suit your purpose. These hot tubs are designed to work on higher voltage, and they come with several exciting features as well. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of the 240v hot tubs.
Pros of 240v Hot Tubs
1) Quick Heating – With a 240v hot tub, you can expect speedier heating up of the water as the higher voltage is able to provide an efficient heating experience. Also, the hot tub keeps the water hotter for longer as compared to a 120v hot tub.
2) Higher Jet Count – When you buy a 240v hot tub for your house, you can get more jets in your hot tub. More jets are ideal for those who are using a hot tub for hydrotherapy or massage purposes. Along with having more jets, you can expect more powerful jet performance.
3) Allows Simultaneous Pump and Heater Operation (1) – On 110v hot tubs, you can either operate the pump or the heater. But in 240v hot tubs, you can operate both these at the same time which offers a better hot tub soaking experience.
4) Wide Range of Accessories – For 240v hot tubs, you can choose from a range of exciting accessories like Bluetooth speakers, floating pool cleaners, underwater lights, sanitizers, Ozonators and much more.
Cons of 240v Hot Tubs
1) Requires Additional Setup – A 240v hot tub requires assistance from a certified electrician for setting it up and wiring it for efficient usage. If your house has a 120v power supply, you will need specialized equipment to convert it to 240v for usage with the hot tub.
2) Difficult to Move – As the power supply for these hot tubs is fixed in place and you can’t plug them into any power outlet, these are difficult to move. Moving such a hot tub means setting up the whole electrical operation in a new place. Also, extension cords of any kind are not recommended for use with 240v hot tubs, so you have to be really mindful where you want to use them.
3) Installation costs are Higher – Installing the 240v hot tub will cost you more as compared to 120v hot tubs. You have to pay for the materials such as additional wires, GFCI outlet, and circuit boxes as well as the help of a certified electrician.
Conclusion
The choice of 120v vs. 240v hot tubs depends on your requirements from the hot tub and the kind of features or specifications you need. For both types of hot tubs, certain compromises have to be made but in the end, it’s up to you whether you want the portability of a 120v hot tub or a 240v hot tub that heats up the water quickly.
If you are a serious hot tub enthusiast and want a hot tub that will offer you more bang for the buck, it’s best to go with a 240v hot tub. But if you are getting into hot tubs as a casual hobby and don’t want to spend too much money on a hot tub, it’s better to go for a 120v hot tub that won’t make a dent in your budget.
Have you recently bought a hot tub? Did you do any research looking for a 120v or a 240v hot tub? What decisions prompted you to choose for either type of hot tub. Please let us know your thoughts in the comments.
