The Complete Spa Buying Guide
Compare Clearwater hot tubs, swim spas and cold plunges—then plan the right seating, features, water care and installation for your home.
Start With the Experience You Want
The right spa depends on how you plan to use it most often. Decide on your primary goal before comparing seat counts or jet totals.
Hydrotherapy
Prioritize supportive seats, body coverage, adjustable massage zones and a lounger if you prefer to recline.
Family & Entertaining
Look for open seating, a generous footwell, multiple seat depths and room to move comfortably.
Fitness & Recovery
Consider a swim spa for aquatic exercise or a cold plunge for a dedicated individual recovery routine.
Simple Ownership
Starlight plug-and-play models reduce electrical complexity and are suited to homes, cottages and rentals.
Everyday Performance
Northwest and Fourwinds balance dependable hydrotherapy, practical layouts and broad model choice.
Premium Comfort
Resort and Beachcraft add more pumps, massage coverage and premium configurations.
Compare Clearwater Collections
The comparison table can be scrolled horizontally on smaller screens.
| Collection | Best for | Pumps | Jets | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resort | Maximum hydrotherapy and premium equipment | 4 | 98–107 | Flagship luxury |
| Beachcraft | Entertaining and social wellness | 3 | 57–67* | Luxury |
| Northwest | Efficient everyday performance | 2 | 50–53 | Performance |
| Fourwinds | Classic comfort and broad size choice | 2 | 33–45 | Essential/classic |
| Starlight | Plug-and-play convenience | 1 | 20 | Accessible |
| Swim | Swimming, exercise and recovery | 3 | 29–32 | Fitness |
| Cold | Individual hot-or-cold recovery | 1 | 1 | Recovery |
*Current individual Beachcraft listings show 57–67 jets. Confirm the final model specification with your dealer.
Find Your Best-Fit Hot Tub
Compare layout, size and hydrotherapy—not jet count alone. The most comfortable spa is the one that fits your body and the way you plan to use it.
Resort Series
Maximum massage coverage and four-pump performance.
- Monaco: 5 seats, 1 lounger, 98 jets, 93″ × 93″ × 38″.
- Orlando: 6 seats, 2 loungers, 107 jets, 93″ × 93″ × 38″.
Beachcraft Series
Three-pump hydrotherapy with layouts designed for gathering.
- Tradition: 7 open seats, 67 jets, 93″ × 93″ × 38″.
- Pearl Island: 6 seats, 1 lounger, 64 jets, 93″ × 93″ × 38″.
- Myrtle Beach: 7 open seats, 61 jets, 84″ × 84″ × 38″.
- St. Andrew: 6 seats, 1 lounger, 60 jets, 84″ × 84″ × 38″.
- Entertainer: 9 seats, 1 lounger, 57 jets, 137″ × 92″ × 46″.
Northwest Series
A two-pump balance of performance, efficiency and daily comfort.
- Broadmoor: 5 seats, 1 lounger, 52 jets, 93″ × 93″ × 38″.
- Concordia: 6 open seats, 53 jets, 93″ × 93″ × 38″.
- Liberty Lake: 5 seats, 1 lounger, 51 jets, 84″ × 84″ × 38″.
- Fairview: 6 open seats, 50 jets, 84″ × 84″ × 38″.
Fourwinds Series
Classic comfort with the widest range of sizes and layouts.
- Grand Bahama: 7 open seats, 45 jets, 93″ × 93″ × 38″.
- Caribbean: 5 seats, 1 lounger, 45 jets, 93″ × 93″ × 38″.
- Kauai: 7 open seats, 45 jets, 83″ × 83″ × 38″.
- Titanium: 5 seats, 1 lounger, 45 jets, 84″ × 84″ × 38″.
- Key Largo: 6 open seats, 39 jets, 76″ × 76″ × 33″.
- Daytona Beach: 4 seats, 1 lounger, 36 jets, 76″ × 76″ × 33″.
- Trilogy: 3 seats, 1 lounger, 33 jets, 83″ × 66″ × 33″.
Starlight Series
115V plug-and-play simplicity with 20 therapy jets.
- Starlight 7N: 6 open seats, 84″ × 84″ × 33″.
- Starlight 7L: 5 seats, 1 lounger, 84″ × 84″ × 33″.
- Starlight 6N: 6 open seats, 76″ × 76″ × 33″.
- Starlight 6L: 5 seats, 1 lounger, 76″ × 76″ × 33″.
- Starlight 6R: 3 seats, 1 lounger, 76″ × 53″ × 33″.
- Starlight 5N: 5 open seats, 78″ × 66″ × 33″.
Installation note: Plug-and-play still requires a properly installed dedicated 15-amp outlet. Confirm the exact requirements before delivery.
Lounger or open seating? A lounger supports a reclined, full-body massage. Open seating typically gives groups more usable room, easier conversation and a wider range of seat depths. Wet-test both whenever possible.
Should You Choose a Swim Spa?
Choose a swim spa when you want stationary swimming, low-impact exercise, family recreation and seated hydrotherapy in one space.
XL16000
191″ × 90″ × 55″
Four seats, one lounger, 32 total jets and three pumps. Best when extra swim length and a reclined recovery seat matter.
XL14000
168″ × 90″ × 55″
Four seats, 29 total jets and three pumps. A more compact choice for fitness and family use.
Both models use three River Jets for resistance swimming. An optional exercise package adds a swim tether and row kit.
Explore Swim SpasChoosing a Cold Plunge
The Rejuvenate is a single-person, hot-or-cold recovery unit measuring approximately 83″ × 37″ × 31″.
Before buying, confirm temperature range, heating and cooling time, climate performance, electrical needs, drainage, ventilation and routine sanitation.
Explore the Cold SeriesHealth note: Cold-water immersion is not appropriate for everyone. Anyone with cardiovascular concerns or another relevant medical condition should consult a qualified healthcare professional first.
Construction, Comfort & Efficiency
E-Smart & CEC
Clearwater designs its spas around energy-efficient operation and California Energy Commission requirements.
RTB Insulation
The R-20 Reflective Thermal Barrier system is designed to retain equipment heat and protect against colder outside air.
Protected Base
A sealed floor system helps protect internal components from moisture, pests and weather.
EcoSpray Shell
An ABS-acrylic shell system reinforced in high-traffic areas without conventional fiberglass resins.
Systematic Plumbing
Curved plumbing paths are used to reduce flow resistance and back pressure.
Exterior Protection
TUFFX cabinetry and a Weathershield insulated cover are designed for durable everyday ownership.
Feature availability varies by model and production date. Confirm the final order sheet with your dealer.
Compare Water Care Options
Every spa needs regular testing, sanitation, filtration and balanced water chemistry. Supplemental systems can reduce effort, but they do not eliminate routine care.
Ozone or UV-C/Ozone
Ozone helps oxidize organic contaminants. A combined system adds UV-C treatment to support the recommended sanitation routine.
DUALL Guard Filtration
Enhanced filtration offered on selected Resort, Beachcraft, Northwest and Swim models. Confirm whether it is standard or optional.
CLEAR Water Management
CLEAR combines copper and silver ionization, UV-C, ozone oxidation, magnetic conditioning, and continuous circulation and filtration.
Filter Maintenance
Ask how many filters the model uses, how often they should be cleaned, and the local replacement cost.
Important: Magnetic conditioning supports filtration and scale management; it is not itself a sanitizer.
Installation & Ownership Costs
Measure the Full Route
- Gates, paths and tight corners
- Overhead wires, trees and rooflines
- Steps and elevation changes
- Crane access, if required
- Room to remove service panels
Prepare the Site
- Flat, level and structurally adequate foundation
- Model-specific electrical service
- Safe drainage and nearby water access
- Permanent access for service
- Local permits and code compliance
Filled spas are extremely heavy. Have decks and elevated structures evaluated by a qualified local professional. Electrical work should be completed by a licensed electrician using the exact model diagram.
Budget Beyond the Spa
Include delivery, foundation work, electrical installation, steps, handrails, cover lifter, water-care supplies, filters, electricity, annual service and eventual cover replacement. Compare complete installed prices—not just the spa price.
Warranty & Local Support
For residential hot tubs, Clearwater’s current published limited warranty lists the following coverage. Complete terms, exclusions and claim procedures apply.
Seven Years
Spa shell structure.
Three Years
Shell surface, plumbing and primary operating equipment.
One Year
Covered on-site labor, frame and bottom, lighting, audio, ozone and CLEAR systems.
Coverage applies to the original residential end-user purchaser. Swim spas and cold products may use different warranty documents. Ask who performs local service, what travel charges apply, and what labor costs remain after the first year.
Read the Limited Warranty20 Questions for Your Dealer
- Which model best fits the number and height of regular users?
- Can we wet-test this model or the same seating mold?
- Which display features are standard?
- Which options are included in the quote?
- What are the exact electrical requirements?
- What are the dry and filled weights?
- What foundation does the model require?
- Is standard delivery included?
- Could delivery require a crane or extra labor?
- Are steps, cover or cover lifter included?
- Which water-care system is included?
- What weekly and monthly maintenance is required?
- What do filters and water supplies cost?
- What happens during delivery and startup?
- Who provides local warranty service?
- Are there travel charges for service?
- Which warranty applies to this production year?
- How quickly are replacement parts available?
- What is the estimated lead time?
- What is the complete installed price?
Ready to Find Your Clearwater Spa?
Explore the full collection, talk with an authorized dealer and schedule a wet test whenever possible.