Portable spas are self-contained, meaning that all components for heating, filtrating, and running the spa are encased in the spa shell so you can easily move the spa to another location. In-ground hot tubs are exactly what they sound like: hot tubs that are built into the ground or into a landscaping structure.

In-ground tubs offer versatility of design, but they do require an extra structure or housing for all of the hot tub equipment.

Are all portable spas the same?

The “portable spa” category includes self-contained acrylic or fiberglass hot tubs, but many of these are so heavy that they may require heavy equipment and possibly a crane to move—not convenient at all! Truly portable AquaRest Spas weigh hundreds or even thousands of pounds less than traditional acrylic spas, so moving them is simple and may only require two adults and a hand truck or furniture dolly.

Why are portable spas so popular?

Portable spas can be placed very close to the house, even steps away from the door. This is essential during cold winter months when you’ll not want to walk across a patio or cold concrete to be able to plunge into the soothing warm water.

A big difference between portable and in-ground hot tubs is their hydrotherapy offerings. While in-ground tubs usually only have bench seating and a few jet options, portable hot tubs are designed to have ergonomic bucket and lounge seating that provides comfortable positions for everyone enjoying the spa. Portable hot tubs also offer more jets and jets that are arranged to provide targeted massages.

Finally, affordability is a big factor when comparing portable and in-ground hot tubs. In-ground spas require a measure of customization to ensure that they will operate properly in the setting that you choose for them. Unless you’re an experienced plumber/electrician/landscape artist, you’re probably going to have to hire all of these professionals to install your spa—on top of the cost of your hot tub. With simple plug and play portable hot tubs like AquaRest spas, all you have to do is fill them up, plug them in and enjoy. The low installation cost of AquaRest Spas is an attractive benefit for many first-time hot tub buyers.

Knowing how you will be using your hot tub will help you decide if an in-ground or a portable hot tub will best fit your needs. For most cases, though, the convenient and durable hot tubs from AquaRest Spas can meet all your relaxation, hydrotherapy, and entertainment needs in a package that is hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars less than an in-ground hot tub.