Soaking in a hot tub is a healthy and natural way to unwind, relieve stress, improve sleep, and even reduce pain through vascular dilation.
And, nowadays, creating a “spa spot” at home has become even easier with the advent of inexpensive inflatable hot tubs (some of them even have hydro jets).
However, this also means that any disappointment is more acute if, after buying a hot tub, you get improper assembly, a badly built product, and unhelpful customer support
In order to help you avoid a bad hot tub experience, we’ve surveyed hundreds of user ratings and quotes about hot tub brands to find out which one is giving buyers a bad experience. We found one name that kept coming up again and again — Aleko.
Aleko is a company that produces dog booths, household nets, and inflatable unicorns. And they also make jacuzzis.
On the official Aleko website, the manufacturer boasts that they are known in the US and beyond for their “galvanized steel driveway gates”. The motto of the company — “Quality Products, Affordable Prices”.
We decided to see if it really so perfect.
Our team of researchers and experts are very meticulous about choosing a hot tub. In order to understand which models are really the best, we not only test different hot tubs and study the specifications of each model, but we also consult with technical experts. Also, we are constantly monitoring consumer opinion, so in our current research, we have analyzed about 800 reviews of actual users of inflatable hot tubs.
Thus, we come to a clear and reasoned conclusion — which brands and models are the best on the market and why.
The aim of our work is not just a superficial study of consumer preferences, but also identifying the core needs and desires of hot tub users.
Our process has six main stages.
To prepare this material, we surveyed user’s opinions about a range of hot tub brands, not just Aleko. It was important for us to understand what causes consumer’s dissatisfaction and, on the more important flip side, what consumers like.
In conducting the survey, we established an interesting fact — users of hot tubs are very aware that their actual experience was very different from what they had expected when buying a product.
For example, the massage effect — a key feature of hot tubs — isn’t so much determined by the number of jets as by the direction that the bubble or water comes. Such details will be known only to someone who has studied and understood the specifics of the hot tub.
After we completed our survey, we conducted additional in-depth interviews with consumers to determine what criteria are really important for inflatable hot tub users. Then we collated the new data to find out how consumers truly view the Aleko products.
If you only choose an inflatable hot tub, then it will be helpful for you to read the views of several hundred people who have long used inflatable hot tubs. in this article, you will also find comments and tips from different experts about choosing the right model for you and the best inflatable hot tub in the market.
There are three main kinds of Aleko inflatable jacuzzi on the market.
These are the two-, four- or six-person inflatable hot tubs. Aleko used to make portable models but has now discontinued production.
Aleko’s tubs are generally delivered quite promptly, usually within a week. Another positive feature is that Aleko’s hot tubs are very easy to install. You only need to unpack the tub and inflate it. Even for their jacuzzi, you don’t need special supports. One person can easily pull the tub around the house or yard.
However, problems begin after the installation. Based on more than 150 customer
reviews, we can state that there’s 43% that you will be unsatisfied with your purchase. It’s like toss a coin (but not to your witcher): will it work or not?
– Angelo Valentino, TX
– A customer from NM
– Gwen, TX
And that’s not all. If you want to solve these problems, fix the faults, or return or exchange the hot tub, it is unlikely that Aleko’s customer service will help you. Users continually complain that they can’t get any service at all and that managers take several weeks to respond to their emails, calls, and requests, if at all.
As we noted above, Aleko’s hot tubs have problems with the heating. The heaters often malfunction, do not warm the water properly, or the hot tub’s body does not retain heat effectively.
Even worse, Aleko hot tubs sometimes give an electrical shock or have a “toxic smell that burns your eyes and nose” (so much so that even the neighbors complain about the smell).
– A customer from KS
Additionally, each of the models also has its own specific set of problems. We compared different Aleko models and the problems which users have been getting with each.
The company produces three models — two-, four- and six-person inflatable hot tub, which come in various colors and three different shapes (square, round, oval).
We have collected more than 150 reviews of the three Aleko hot tub models and analyzed what customers most often complain about. The more often the problem occurs, the more dislikes the model has.
Let’s take a closer look at what kind of reviews each model got.
Negative reviews: 52.6%
Issues:
Heater problems — 30%
Faulty inflation and leaks — 20%
Cramped hot tub — 15%
More than half of reviews for Aleko two-person hot tubs were negative and 1/3 of them were about a bad heater (users said it heats for a very long time, does not heat up to the desired temperature, quickly breaks down, frequent breakdowns).
In addition to problems with the heater, uneven inflation and leaks, users also complained that the hot tub is quite cramped. Two average-sized persons fit very tightly and there is no free space at all. Users of two-seater Aleko hot tubs got poor customer service more often than customers who bought the other two models.
– A customer from AL
– A customer from PA
Negative reviews: 31%
Issues:
Heater breakdowns — 50%
Bad inflation and leaks — 20%
Cramped hot tub — 15%
More than 50% of negative reviews about four-person hot tubs include complaints about a bad heater. In addition, users have complained that the injectors are often plugged up and are unstable. This means that the user doesn’t get the main benefits of a hot tub — relaxation and a healing massage.
Additionally, the jets in Aleko hot tubs are not particularly powerful. Aleko claims that you will get a light massage but, in practice, users complain that the effect is very weak and not at all satisfying.
– Joey, OH
– Mike, WI
Negative reviews: 37.1%
Issues:
Heater doesn’t work properly — 69.2%
Other frequent breakdowns — 23.1%
No guaranteed service — 7.7%
As you might expect, the larger six-seater hot tubs got even more negative reviews about the quality of the heater, which even in the two- and four-person models didn’t do the job well. Frequent breakdowns, such as “burned out wire”, “the entire hot tub stopped working”, “blower stopped working”, are also constant complaints from people who purchased the 6-seater Aleko hot tubs.
– Donna, VA
– Shawn, GA
Even if your Aleko hot tub works well at first, it’s not likely to work for long. More than 20% of negative reviews about products mention that the hot tub broke after several uses.
The warranty period is quite short, usually about 30 days. But several buyers said that the hot tubs failed after being used one or two times, with a maximum of six to seven. So if you do buy an Aleko hot tub, test it immediately after delivery. You should also use the hot tub at least once every five days in the first month so you can discover any faults sooner rather than later.
According to users, getting a response from Aleko’s support service is extremely problematic. And, even if you do get through, you have to wait a month for, say, a patch kit. And even their patch kits are sometimes faulty — one user got a vinyl patch with no glue included.
– A customer from MT
Users also note that the repair kit doesn’t help in some cases so they would prefer to return the product. The return policy partly depends on where you bought this product so, in the case of Aleko hot tubs, you should clarify all the details on this matter BEFORE the purchase in order to avoid exorbitant fees to send back a malfunctioning hot tub.
– Dave Mckay, BC Canada
Your only options may be to sell the tub for a quarter of the price or pay the full cost of repairs yourself.
After reading many reviews, ratings and articles about the Aleko hot tub, we identified the core expectation of the people who bought these hot tubs.
Basically, they wanted a portable spa that could be quickly installed in both the backyard and indoors. It goes without saying that they don’t expect the hot tub to malfunction. But, if that happens, they want fast repairs or a quick exchange or an easy return policy
We have analyzed the views of more than 800 people who have already bought and used an inflatable hot tub. They revealed the most important criteria for choosing an inflatable hot tub.
The two-person hot tub should be roomy , not cramped. The large six-person hot tub needs to warm quickly and remain warm during the night party or a relaxing evening.
As Aleko users have noted, Aleko tubs meet the first requirement — their hot tubs are really easy to install . But the company does not satisfy the other criteria, hence the many negative reviews. So, if you want a headache and additional problems, then, by all means, buy an Aleko hot tub. But if you want to really recover and relax through a good spa experience, you need to find a hot tub that can fulfill all your needs.
In this regard, it’s not enough to just buy a popular model. Choosing a hot tub is a rather laborious process, and in order to get the best model you need to really understand the topic. Therefore, relying on the best seller can be risky.
In order to make your choice easier, we’ve prepared a complete analysis of about 40 different models of inflatable hot tubs. We have compiled a comprehensive list of inflatable hot tubs and selected the best ones based on a complete analysis of the market, along with comments from industry experts.
When it comes to hot tubs, don’t be like Forrest Gump and his box of chocolates: know what you’re going to get. With our help, you will be able to choose a hot tub model that has been checked by hundreds of users, who have also had their hot tubs long enough to identify any flaws. So you can be assured that your chosen hot tub will become an irreplaceable source of relaxation for you.
Our choice (based on 785-plus customers reviews analysis)
Price: $$
The company that produces these hot tubs has been in the market 105 years longer than Aleko. Coleman hot tubs have long established themselves as reliable hot tubs for relaxation.
According to a survey of consumer opinions, this hot tub is roomy and equipped with comfortable and powerful jets. Additionally, the SaluSpa is simple and convenient to install.
Unlike Aleko, the Coleman model has a heater on the outside. If you need to fix the Aleko model, you have to empty the spa, dry it out, uncouple and remove the interior motor/pump, and disassemble the heater from the unit.
So even if your Coleman tub malfunctions, you will not have to spend a week fixing it.
The Coleman SaluSpa comes with lots of accessories. You get an air pad protector that helps maintain water temperature, two filter cartridges for replacement, one chemical floater to keep water germ-free, and even a repair kit for fixing minor problems.
The lid fits snugly into the hot tub and is also equipped with safety lock clips.
So you can never have to worry about the temperature of the water in the hot tub — it will always be at the right level.
Moreover, by using a timer, you can ensure that the hot tub is already warm when you’re ready to use it.
The system contains protective mechanisms that extend the life of the hot tub. These functions are automatic.
– Kelleykins, AL
Pleasurable addition to Coleman SaluSpa
For fans of extra comfort, Coleman has a model with a cushioned floor. It’s made from a soft material that keeps its shape perfectly, so you won’t slip or fall in the bathroom. You won’t think of anything but rest when you’re in a SaluSpa.
– Tifanni Wilson, SD
Price: $$$
Intex has long been producing hot tubs which ensure you don’t have to worry about anything other than your relaxation. Their models are reliable, and customer service is always available to you for any type of breakdown.
This PureSpa model is one of the most comfortable hot tubs, which makes you feel as though you’re in a portable $2-3K. spa.
More than 75% of the reviews about the model are positive.
Users note that they really like the jets of this hot tub. It’s also very easy to install and inflates in just 20 minutes.
In this model, you get 170 soothing high-powered bubble jets. The water heats at the usual speed but, more importantly for such a capacious hot tub, it retains heat very well — even during the night in the backyard, the tub’s temperature drops by only 3-5 °F.
– A customer from MT
The manufacturer has done everything possible to get the ultimate spa experience in relaxing water. Fiber-Tech interior construction offers superior structural stability so you get the ultimate comfortable spa seats surface while soaking in the tub.
Thanks to these seats (which are already included), this hot tub is suitable for persons of any height. Here you can stretch out to your full height or just sit and relax.
Also, you can use inflated headrests for an even better experience. The slip-resistant PureSpa seat allows you to sit comfortably in the spa and gives you added height with 2 different height options — 3 inches and 5.8 inches.
Extra self-care and comfort.
In addition, this model comes with a built-in hard water treatment system that makes water gentler on your skin, clothes, and the entire spa system.
– Thomas Lash, TX
Price: $$
Users rated this hot tub as very roomy. It not only has a unique streamlined shape, but it’s also longer than a regular hot tub. There’s enough space for two people, with plenty of legroom.
On average, inflatable hot tubs are heated by 1-2 °F per hour. This model can heat up to 3-4 °F per hour. So the Salu Spa not only heats up very quickly but also retains heat well. This hot tub has an insulated top cover, designed specifically for this model, which fits snugly around the tub.
The outer body of the hot tub is sheathed with dense wear-resistant material. Inside, there are two relaxation areas with soft pillows. It’s like sitting in an expensive leather chair, but with massaging hot water enveloping you as well.
Thanks to Bestway’s own I-Beam construction method, this hot tub will be puncture resistant for years. It will retain its shape and function perfectly after many uses.
Additionally, unlike Aleko, Bestway companies usually process requests from customers very quickly. If there are any problems, issues are efficiently resolved.
If it happens that the tub is damaged or punctured, the manufacturer immediately supplies the repair kit.
– Jane, CA
A not-so-obvious fact about SaluSpa Siena
SaluSpa Siena AirJet is about the only inflatable jacuzzi in which you can stretch out to your full height and not feel crowded. This tub is perfect for a tall person because the inside length is almost 80 inches.
– Russel, TX
Our life consists of joys and problems. People who make the wrong choice and buy a low-quality product pay for the fact that a problem arises in their life. Persons who have studied the opinions of experts are most likely to buy joy in their lives.
It’s not important what type of individual you are. If you read this article and make your choice, then you will have more warm and joyful memories from your roomy comfortable spa.
On the other hand, if you buy Aleko hot tubs you will experience dubious pleasures such as:
✅ Small stimulative electric shocks;
✅ Soaking in the bubbles that come from the deflating hot tub shell;
✅ Listening to “No operators are available at the moment” melody;
✅ Regular DIY stuff (you will have to do one to two-part replacements per month).
Take care of yourself and buy what you REALLY want — an opportunity to be with loved ones, get healthy and relax in the spa. Choose alternatives tested by time and thousands of users so you make the best purchase.
Generally, more than 43% of customers have had different problems with the Aleko brand. The most common issues were related to heater breakdowns, an uneven inflated spa, and air leaks. The company also received complaints because some customers received damaged hot tubs.
Yes, but it’s not common. If you buy Aleko hot tubs, you will have to deal with some issues that include small stimulative electric shocks or repairs (you will have to do one to two-part replacements per month).
List of the most important criteria (while choosing a hot tub):
– Easy to set up
– Quick heating
– Comfortable and powerful water/air circulation
* find more + examples in the article
It depends on your requirements. Do you need something budget-friendly? Or, maybe you need a spa for your pool party or self-care pampering session? Do you need a hot tub for some family time with the kids? In our recent research, we have analyzed around 800 reviews of actual users of inflatable hot tubs. To understand which models are the best, we not only tested different hot tubs and studied the specifications of each model, but we also consulted with technical experts.
One of the best models on the market is the SaluSpa Siena AirJet. It is the most spacious small hot tub and has a budget-friendly price under $500. The model is also quiet in operation and energy-efficient, enabling you to save money.
We analyzed over 850 real customer reviews and can recommend 3 reliable models.
– The Intex Pure Spa: 6-person stylish, bubble hot tub
– The Coleman SaluSpa: best value 4-person hot tub
– The SaluSpa Siena AirJet: a distinct and comfortable inflatable two-person hot tub
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