I think part of the problem here is different people use their tubs differently, are you looking for hydrotherapy, general relaxation, social environment, etc. Also there is a wide range of lounger shapes, some recline much more than others, etc. Having said all that I can say that in my 4 or 5 months of hot tub ownership I find I use the lounger less than I expected, but I do tend to use it whenever I use my tub (bought for hydrotherapy reasons, I broke my back about 4 years ago, split compression francture of L2) also I am starting to feel this is a feature first time buyers over think. On my jetsetter I even find myself sitting in the lounger backwards with the "foot jet" on my lower back.