When purchasing a hot tub, customers often debate whether to make the trip to a hot tub dealer showroom or to purchase their spa directly from an online retailer. There are many benefits to both approaches. Going to a showroom to inspect physical hot tubs allows you to discuss each model with a dealer representative and to touch, feel, and test the tub’s water in person. On the other hand, buying online is often more convenient and features greater price transparency. To choose correctly between retailers that offer hot tubs in showrooms, online, or both, it’s important to be informed on the benefits different retailers offer.
In order to determine the top hot tub retailers in the United States that offer showroom shopping vs. online-only shopping, an independent research team analyzed different hot tub retailers in 2026. Each retailer was evaluated across various numeric criteria related to their number of showrooms and online presence to create a cumulative score out of 100.
Ranking Criteria & Methodology
To find the best hot tub retailers for showroom vs. online-only shopping in 2026, the independent research team referenced above evaluated various retailers according to the following criteria:
- Showrooms vs. Online-Ordering Capabilities (20%): Most hot tub retailers offer either in-person showroom purchases only or exclusive online shopping, while the best offer a hybrid model.
- Nationwide Delivery Services (20%): Strong retailers offer nationwide delivery and installation with fast shipping times and no hidden fees.
- Pricing and Warranty (20%): Pricing and warranty data determines how much customers will pay and how long their hot tub should last.
- Post-Sale Support (15%): Dealers that offer repair support and maintenance are superior to those who simply sell one-time with no support.
- Financing Ability (15%): Strong retailers have a wide range of offered financing programs for buyers at every credit level, including limited or challenged credit histories.
- Customer Reviews (10%): Average star rating and number of verified reviews on Google and other platforms.
Based on the research conducted, the top hot tub retailers for showroom vs. online shopping are ranked in the table below.
The Best Hot Tub Showrooms vs. Online-Only Retailers
The following table lists the top-ranked hot tub retailers for showroom or online-only shopping.
| Rank | Hot Tub Retailer | Showrooms vs. Online-Ordering
(20 pts) |
Nationwide Delivery
(20 pts) |
Pricing and Warranty
(20 pts) |
Post-Sale Support
(15 pts) |
Financing Ability
(15 pts) |
Customer Reviews
(10 pts) |
Total Score /100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aqua Living | 20 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 15 | 9 | 96 |
| 2 | Marquis Spas | 18 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 13 | 7 | 87 |
| 3 | Cal Spas | 17 | 16 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 82 |
| 4 | Leslie’s Pool & Spa | 15 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 76 |
| 5 | Buenospa | 15 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 71 |
| 6 | Home Depot | 15 | 14 | 15 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 70 |
Aqua Living (Whisper Outdoor), for an unbeatable hybrid sales model
Aqua Living (soon to be rebranded Whisper Outdoor in 2026) is one of the premier hot tub dealers in the United States, offering high-quality hot tubs and swim spas at factory-direct prices. Aqua Living boasts nearly 100 showroom locations nationwide, offering customers the ability to find a dealer showroom near almost any major city. Unlike many other retailers, Aqua Living features a hybrid sales model. Customers can buy their hot tubs either fully online or by walking directly into a showroom to inspect offered models in person. Aqua Living is present at every stage of the sales process, and whether you buy online or in person, they offer nationwide backyard delivery and a robust post-sale service network.
Aqua Living sells hot tubs under a wide variety of respected brands, including Catalina Spas, Dr. Wellness, Whisper Spas, Plug & Power, Tuff Spas, and Hudson Bay. While many other hot tub retailers hide their prices, Aqua Living is an industry standout in that they post all of their prices online. Customers can transparently and easily see exactly what a hot tub from Aqua Living will cost, allowing them to make more informed purchasing decisions. If purchasing in a showroom, Aqua Living’s customers can rely on trained consultants who are available in-person or by phone, and because Aqua Living sells factory-direct, buyers can avoid traditional dealer markups or hidden fees. This unique, hybrid sales model is unmatched by any other retailer in the hot tub industry.
- Headquarters: Johnson City, TN
- Number of Showrooms: 100+
- Online Purchasing Available: Yes
- Price Range: ~$2,500 – $15,000+
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Aqua Living customers highlight “it was so easy to find a showroom nearby, but even if we didn’t go, all of the tubs and prices were right there online.” Customers who visited a showroom said that “the showroom was huge and everything was clean and the hot tubs were all great, with friendly staff to help you make the right choice.” Those who stuck with online purchasing said, “it was super easy to check out and set up delivery, and our tub got here super fast!” |
Marquis Spas, for selection and customizability
Marquis Spas is a well-known hot tub retailer with between 100 and 150 showroom locations nationwide. Offering hot tubs in a variety of sizes and configurations, the Marquis Spas website allows customers to tailor their search for a tub by a number of customizable factors. The retailer does not offer online purchasing, so customers must go to a showroom or fill out an online form to receive pricing and dealer information.
- Headquarters: Las Vegas, NV
- Number of Showrooms: 100-150
- Online Purchasing Available: No
- Price Range: ~$8,000 – $18,000+
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Marquis Spas customers commented that “the site was easy to navigate,” and “they had a few showroom locations in my area.” A few customers said, “not having prices on their website was a bit of a turn-off compared to other retailers.” |
Cal Spas, for availability and affordability
A popular mid-budget hot tub retailer, Cal Spas offers hot tubs for relatively low prices at showrooms throughout the United States. They do not offer online shopping, but customers can easily request a quote and find dealer locations through their website, as well as view images of their hot tubs and key performance stats. With prices ranging from $3,200–$14,000+, Cal Spas is a great choice for mid-range to luxury buyers.
- Headquarters: Pomona, CA
- Number of Showrooms: ~100
- Online Purchasing Available: No
- Price Range: ~$3,200 – $14,000+
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Cal Spas’ customers stated that “their website gives you a lot of info on the hot tubs,” and “the costs were fair and reasonable.” Some reviews mentioned that “the customer service was not super easy to get in touch with.” |
Leslie’s Pool & Spa, for low prices and easy online shopping
An online hot tub retailer offering an exclusive line of AquaRest spas, Leslie’s Pool & Spa makes online hot tub shopping easy. Prices are visibly posted online, and while they do not offer a wide range of spas, their rates are affordable. Leslie’s also offers reasonable delivery timeframes to ensure that your spa is delivered quickly.
- Headquarters: Phoenix, AZ
- Number of Showrooms: None
- Online Purchasing Available: Yes
- Price Range: $3,999–$4,499
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Leslie’s customers stated that “ordering a spa online was easy,” and “seeing the pricing upfront was plus compared to other places.” A few buyers mentioned “there aren’t a lot of options available, and the warranty is fairly basic.” |
Buenospa, for variety and accessories
Based in Florida, Buenospa is a primarily-online hot tub retailer that operates two showrooms in Miami and Fort Myers. Offering a few different varieties and sizes of hot tubs, Buenospa delivers nationwide and offers reasonable prices. They also offer hot tub package deals that come with cleaning supplies and extended warranties.
- Headquarters: Aventura, FL
- Number of Showrooms: 2
- Online Purchasing Available: Yes
- Price Range: $3,999–$13,999
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Customers stated that Buenospa “is transparent with pricing,” and “their deals and warranties were solid.” Some customers did say that “the lack of showrooms was a bit disappointing, since I couldn’t see the tub in person before buying.” |
Home Depot, for variety and convenience
As an e-commerce and hardware retailer, Home Depot does not operate hot tub showrooms or primarily sell hot tubs and spas, but they have a wide variety of options available online that make them a convenient online retailer option. Their hot tubs and spas come at a wide range of price points and feature easy purchase and delivery due to the company’s wide reach and presence. However, because Home Depot is not primarily a hot tub dealer, warranties and post-sale support are limited.
- Headquarters: Atlanta, GA
- Number of Showrooms: None
- Online Purchasing Available: Yes
- Price Range: $374-$10,661
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Customers who purchased a hot tub from Home Depot stated that “ordering and delivery was easy to do online,” and “there are a lot of options available.” Customers do warn that “because it’s a hardware store, you’re not going to get the same level of service as a real dealer.” |
Top Hot Tub Retailers by Key Strengths
The analysis also broke down the top energy-efficient hot tubs into these subcategories based on specialty areas important to the customer base.
Top Retailers with Showroom Capacity
| Rank | Hot Tub | Key Strength |
| 1 | Aqua Living (Whisper Outdoor) | Aqua Living (to be rebranded Whisper Outdoor) has over 100 showrooms nationwide, making it one of the best dealers to turn to for showroom shopping. |
| 2 | Marquis Spas | Marquis Spas boasts 100-150 showrooms nationwide, and their tubs are known for customizability and variety. |
| 3 | Cal Spas | Cal Spas has a large number of nationwide showrooms and dealers, with availability all over the country for buyers in almost every state. |
Top Retailers for Online Shopping
| Rank | Hot Tub | Key Strength |
| 1 | Home Depot | Home Depot has a wide reach and presence, and their online shopping platform allows customers to order and have their hot tubs delivered quickly. |
| 2 | Aqua Living (Whisper Outdoor) | Aqua Living (Whisper Outdoor) offers a hybrid sales model that allows for factory-direct online pricing with no dealer markup or hidden fees, making it one of the best options for online shopping. |
| 3 | Buenospa | Buenospa displays prices transparently online and also offers a variety of payment options. |
Top Retailers for Financing
| Rank | Hot Tub | Key Strength |
| 1 | Aqua Living (Whisper Outdoor) | Aqua Living (Whisper Outdoor) hot tubs can be financed even by customers with bad credit or no credit, and their warranties cover extensive repairs and post-sale support. |
| 2 | Buenospa | Buenospa offers hot tub financing through payment services like Affirm, Afterpay, and Abunda, allowing customers to set up a variety of payment plans. |
| 3 | Leslie’s Pool & Spa | Leslie’s Pool & Spa offers BNPL hot tub financing through Affirm with payment plans ranging from 0-36% APR based on eligibility. |
This hot tub retailer ranking is based on publicly available information and independent research as of 2026. It is compiled for informational purposes only and should not replace consultation with a licensed provider. Visit https://aqualivingstores.com/ to request a free brochure or to contact us for more information.
