Ask a stranger to name a hot tub brand and they will probably say Jacuzzi. The name is so famous it became shorthand for the entire product category, the way Kleenex did for tissues. So here is a fact that surprises a lot of shoppers: the world’s best-selling hot tub brand is not Jacuzzi. It is Hot Spring Spas.
The Numbers Behind the Title
Hot Spring has sold more than 1.5 million hot tubs since 1977, more than any other brand in the world, and its spas are sold through a network of hundreds of independent dealers across North America and dozens of countries worldwide. Its manufacturer, Watkins Wellness, is the largest hot tub manufacturer on the planet, with over 1.8 million spas in backyards across the globe. Watkins is part of MASCO Corporation, a Fortune 500 company whose home brands include Delta faucets and Behr paint, which means the company standing behind your spa’s warranty has serious staying power.
Being the industry’s most famous name and being its best seller are two different achievements. Jacuzzi earned the first through history and marketing. Hot Spring earned the second one satisfied owner at a time, over nearly five decades.
Why the Best Seller Isn’t the Household Name
It comes down to how each brand won its reputation. Jacuzzi’s fame traces back to its pioneering role in jetted baths, and the name entered everyday language decades ago. Hot Spring, founded in 1977, built its position differently, by innovating relentlessly on the things hot tub owners actually live with.
Hot Spring introduced the first fully insulated hot tub with underwater lighting and top-loading filters. In 1984, it patented the Moto-Massage moving jet, still the only jet of its kind, which sweeps two streams of water up and down your back. It pioneered factory-integrated salt water sanitization, and its current FreshWater IQ system tests and doses spa water automatically so owners barely think about chemistry. Its Energy Smart system, built on freezer-grade full-foam insulation and a circulation pump that draws less power than a 40-watt bulb, made Hot Spring a consistent leader in low operating costs. The Highlife line was even redesigned in partnership with Designworks, a BMW Group company.
None of those innovations are as catchy as a famous name. All of them matter more when the spa is sitting in your backyard for the next 15 years.
What Market Leadership Means for You as a Buyer
Choosing the best-selling brand is not about bragging rights. It carries practical benefits.
Proven reliability at scale. More than a million and a half spas in service means Hot Spring’s engineering has been stress-tested in every climate on earth, from Canadian winters to Central Valley summers. Design flaws do not survive that kind of volume.
A company that will still be here. A hot tub is a 10 to 20 year purchase. Buying from the world’s largest manufacturer, backed by a Fortune 500 parent, means parts, service, and warranty support will be available for the life of your spa.
A real dealer network. Hot Spring sells through independent local dealers who deliver, install, service, and stand behind every spa. When something needs attention in year seven, you call a local business that knows you, not an anonymous call center.
Resale confidence. Best-selling brands hold their value, because the market already knows and trusts them.
The Famous Name or the Proven Leader?
Jacuzzi makes a good hot tub, and its name recognition is unmatched. But when families around the world spend their own money, they choose Hot Spring more than any other brand, and they have for years. Legendary massage, the easiest water care in the industry, and class-leading efficiency are what turned a California spa company into the global sales leader.
See what the fuss is about in person. Hot Tubs Plus is Bakersfield’s local Hot Spring dealer, right here at 4301 Yeager Way. Stop in to explore the Highlife, Limelight, and Hot Spot collections, or call us at 661-396-8827 to schedule a test soak. Come find out why the world’s number one selling hot tub earned the title.
