This Cal Spas review is a spec-based buyer guide, not a hands-on test. We compared the Cal Spas hot tubs in our store by seats, jets, pumps, voltage, size and price, and checked the manufacturer’s model pages where noted. The short answer: Cal Spas covers a wide price range in our catalog, from a $6,050 one-person lounger that runs on 120V to $16,000 plus Platinum models with three 6.0 BHP pumps. Value depends mostly on which series you pick.
Who Cal Spas is
According to the Cal Spas About page, the company began in 1978 at a Pomona county fair, when a local pool builder called California Acrylic Industries showed miniature pools and drew interest in hot tubs. Cal Spas says it is headquartered on a 40-acre site in Pomona, California, and that its spas are made in the USA from components sourced around the world. Its homepage lists ETL certification for the US and Canada. It also sells swim spas, cold plunge spas and Cal Flame outdoor kitchens. You can browse everything we carry on our Cal Spas brand page.
Cal Spas review: the hot tub lineup at a glance
Model codes tell you the series: PZ is Patio, PPZ is Patio Plus, EC is Escape, an X suffix is Escape X, and PL is Platinum. Specs below come from our product pages.
| Model | Series | Seats | Jets | Pumps | Voltage | Size (W x L x H) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloha PZ-614L | Patio | 1 | 14 | 1 x 2.0 BHP | 120V, convertible to 240V | 34 x 78 x 29 in | $6,050 |
| Balboa PZ-516L | Patio | 3 | 16 | 1 x 2.0 BHP | 120V, convertible to 240V | 54 x 78 x 34 in | $6,700 |
| Kona PZ-519L | Patio | 3 | 19 | 1 x 2.0 BHP | 120V, convertible to 240V | 64 x 84 x 34 in | $7,180 |
| Kona Plus PPZ-533L | Patio Plus | 4 | 33 | 6.0 + 4.0 BHP | 240V | 64 x 84 x 34 in | $8,590 |
| Pacifica Plus PPZ-743L | Patio Plus | 6 | 43 | 6.0 + 4.0 BHP | 240V | 84 x 84 x 37 in | $9,200 |
| Baja EC-749B | Escape | 6 | 49 | 2 x 6.0 BHP | 240V | 84 x 84 x 40.5 in | $10,890 |
| Avalon-X EC-867LX | Escape X | 6 | 67 | 3 x 6.0 BHP | 240V | 93 x 93 x 40.5 in | $13,360 |
| Carmel PL-893B | Platinum | 6 | 93 | 3 x 6.0 BHP | 240V | 93 x 93 x 40.5 in | $16,780 |
Notice the Kona and Kona Plus share the same footprint. For $1,410 more, the Plus version lists a fourth seat, 33 jets instead of 19, two pumps and an LED cascade waterfall, but it needs a 240V circuit.
What you get at each price tier
Patio, about $6,000 to $7,300
Small footprints, one 2.0 BHP pump, 14 to 20 jets and a High Gloss White shell. These are the only Cal Spas hot tubs in our catalog listed at 120V with the option to convert to 240V.
Patio Plus, about $6,900 to $10,200
The step up to 240V. Most models pair a 6.0 BHP and a 4.0 BHP pump, jet counts run from 24 to 52. Some C versions, such as the Avalon Plus PPZ-843LC, add what the listing calls a cool off seat.
Escape and Escape X, about $10,900 to $13,400
Deeper 40.5 inch shells, Deluxe shell colors and Vector X jets. Standard Escape models list two 6.0 BHP pumps. Several Escape X models, including the 751, 767, 851 and 867 layouts, list a third 6.0 BHP pump.
Platinum, about $14,500 to $16,800
Three 6.0 BHP pumps, 60 to 94 jets, C-Pillows, a 20 inch spillover LED waterfall, and dual ozonators listed on the spec table. The 11 foot Newporter and El Grande, swim spas and cold plunge tubs are outside this review.
Warranty terms differ by series. On the manufacturer pages we opened, the Balboa PZ-516L lists 10 years structural and 3 years each on finish, equipment and plumbing, while the Pismo PL-760B lists 10 years structural, 7 years finish, 5 years equipment, plumbing and cabinet, and 3 years on the cover. Confirm the terms that apply to your exact model before you order.
Plug and play vs 240V models in the lineup
Only the Patio series is listed at 120V. The Cal Spas page for the Hawaiian PZ-620L lists its heater at 1.0 kW on 120V and 4.0 kW on 240V, so expect slower heating on a standard outlet. Every Patio Plus, Escape and Platinum model we list is 240V only. For breaker sizing, disconnects and cold climate tradeoffs, read our 110V vs 240V hot tub guide. A licensed electrician and your local code have the final word on any hookup.
What to check before buying a Cal Spas hot tub
- Delivery path. Measure gates and turns against the listed width and height. Most 6 seat models are 84 or 93 inches square and up to 40.5 inches tall.
- Filled weight. Our Patio listings give filled weights: 1,627 lb for the Aloha, 1,528 lb for the Balboa and 2,423 lb for the Kona. For the larger models, the weight and gallon figures repeat across tubs of different heights, so ask us to confirm the filled weight for your exact model before planning the base.
- Pad. Plan a level, solid base sized to the full footprint and checked by a contractor for the filled weight.
- Jets and seats. More jets does not mean better. Our guide to how many jets a hot tub should have explains jets per seat and pump power.
Cal Spas vs competitors: American Spas in our catalog
The fairest comparison we can make is with the American Spas tubs we also sell, using only what each listing states.
- 6 seat, 240V. The American Spas AMZ745L lists 45 jets, a 6.0 and a 4.0 BHP pump, a Bluetooth sound system and 84 x 84 x 36 inches for $7,700. The Cal Spas Pacifica Plus PPZ-743L lists 43 jets, the same pump pairing and 84 x 84 x 37 inches for $9,200, with an LED cascade waterfall.
- Plug and play. The American Spas dual voltage lounger is $7,100, lists 18 jets and a 110V/15 amp plug, and notes that heater and pump do not run at the same time on 110V. Cal Spas 120V Patio models in our store run $6,050 to $7,240, with one 2.0 BHP pump.
- Warranty. The American Spas listings state 5 years structural, 2 years finish and parts, and 1 year labor and cabinet. The Cal Spas manufacturer pages above list longer terms.
Who a Cal Spas hot tub suits
Patio suits a solo soaker or couple with no 240V circuit and a tight yard. Patio Plus fits families who want more jets and two pumps without Escape pricing. Escape and Escape X suit buyers who want deeper seats and more pump power. Platinum is for the highest jet counts. For seat count and footprint planning, see our hot tub sizes guide, and for total budget including installation, see how much a hot tub costs.
Cal Spas promotes its tubs as hydrotherapy, which is a manufacturer claim. If you are pregnant, have heart or blood pressure concerns, or are managing an injury, talk to your doctor before using a hot tub.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a hands-on Cal Spas review?
No. It compares listed specs and prices from our product pages and the manufacturer’s model pages. There are no test results or star ratings here.
Which Cal Spas hot tub runs on a regular outlet?
In our catalog, the Patio series models such as the Aloha PZ-614L, Balboa PZ-516L and Kona PZ-519L are listed at 120V and can be converted to 240V. Every other Cal Spas hot tub we list needs 240V.
How does Cal Spas compare with competitors like American Spas?
At similar size and pump setup, our Cal Spas Pacifica Plus lists a higher price than the American Spas AMZ745L, and adds an LED waterfall. The Cal Spas model pages we opened list longer warranty terms than the American Spas listings.
What is the cheapest Cal Spas hot tub in your store?
The Aloha PZ-614L at $6,050, a one-person lounger with 14 jets.
Questions about a model or delivery? Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon-Fri 9AM-6PM PST. Shipping is free on orders of $999 or more, with a $200 flat rate below that. Returns follow our return and refund policy.
