What is the best tub?
Funny, but I think you should answer some questions before I answer yours.
What kind of budget have you set aside for your purchase?
What size of spa were you hoping for?
How much space do you have for your future spa?
Will it be installed on a patio, a pad, a deck, on pavers, on an EZ pad, on bare ground, or inside your home?
How many bathers will you be accomodating?
Is your purchase for leisure use or for physical therapy?
Have you decided on what voltage requirements you will need? 120v or 240v?
Do you prefer an acrylic shell or are you interested in a Centrex shell? Are you opposed to a rotationally molded spa?
Are you more comfortable in a seated position? Or would you rather lounge?
How many jets would you like?
Is jet variety important to you?
Would you prefer top-loading filtration or in-line pressurized filtration?
What sort of warranty coverage were you hoping for?
Do you want to buy from a big box retailer, internet retailer, or a local dealer?
You get my drift- with the variables involved, I cant possibly just give you a list of manufacturer favorites as an endorsement and expect you to find the best spa for you...Everyone is different and has different expectations. Selecting your own spa is a very personal process. Dont let someone else do it for you, because they dont have to soak in it.