Welcome to our forum.
New user to the forums, and I've found it very eye opening to read through so many of these threads!We are soon-to-be hot tub owners, but are still deciding on the right tub for us. I'd love to have some expert and seasoned owner opinions on the models we're looking at, as well as anything else anyone would like to add to this discussion. Five-person family, with lots of growing to do. Mom, dad, and three kids that are 7, 5, and 2. We love entertaining as well, so a 7 person tub is very appealing.We have an 8" concrete pad being poured within a week that will be 8' x 10'. Our contractor has done some work for us before, and suggested a deeper/thicker concrete pad to reduce the tendency to crack under the weight of even a large hot tub. We agree. Electrical will also be installed within a week. We know the Hot Spot comes with a box, and hopefully with some of your help we will decide on a brand before we get the box installed.The three hot tubs in question:Bullfrog X8: We like the size after our wet test. It's a big tub; noticeably bigger than the Hot Spot Rhythm that we wet tested. While we know there will obviously be incidental contact in a hot tub, with this one we feel like there will be room to stretch, even with other adult company in the tub with us. The kids have room to sit / stand / splash without being on top of us, but it's still not too deep for any of the kids, they can all touch the bottom and stand (and can all swim, and won't be unsupervised in the tub). This tub would be from Great Escape.Hot Springs Hot Spot Rhythm: We liked the jets, they feel more forceful than the jets on the Bullfrog. The kids liked the waterfall because it will spray almost across the tub. Not really a selling point for us adults, but fun for them. The tub feels smaller, and the kids are all over us. We liked the salesperson more, but that's on a more personal level because he's more our age. We're aware that these are commissioned salespeople (I worked sales before my current job), and will plan on compensating somewhat with a gift card after the sale is done, regardless of the outcome.Mira M800 NL: This is a wildcard for us. The salesperson at the second option, after some correspondence, brought up this tub as sort of a counter offer to the Bullfrog at Great Escape. The price might be comparable, and the tub is a bigger tub than the Hot Spring, so would probably feel more spacious like the X8 would. I'm concerned with the build quality of Mira, as I haven't seen much about that brand at all. We also haven't wet-tested this tub, or brand, or anything about it, so the more information any of you have for us about a Mira tub, we would appreciate it!
The key thing that I take away from your entire entry here is this statement: "We liked the jets, they feel more forceful than the jets on the Bullfrog." This is what you're buying the hot tub for. This is #1, 2, and 3 on the list of priorities. Comfort is key - Its the entire reason you're purchasing a hot tub. I understand that spacing / sizing is a form of comfort as well. But being in the showroom, doing research, and the honeymoon stage after you purchase the tub is completely different than the next 10+ years of owning a tub.