Is Amazon Prime day tempting you to FINALLY pickup a set of Hot Tub steps for your spa? Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you. We’ll go over what research we did and a couple of gotchas. Buut, if you’re short on time, here’s what we’ll recommend. The Confer Plastics Multi Purpose Spa and Hot Tub Handi-Step Steps. We picked them up in gray and we’re loving them 4ish months later. Do note that the opinions in the post are 100% my own, but links are paid.
Build Hot Tub Stairs vs Buy Hot Tub Stairs
The centuries long controversy. Should you build it or should you buy it? If you’re well off, then building might have not crossed your mind. But the web’s full of DIY Hot Tub step tutorials. I seriously considered this option before going the plastic route. Let me explain why I didn’t whip out my trusty Ryobi drill.
Build Hot Tub Stairs
Pros
- They’ll have that “custom” look
- Might be cheaper
- You can make them as big or as small as you need.
- Steps will custom fit your tub. Huge pro if you have a less commonly shaped tub.
Cons
- SPLINTERS
- You’ll need pressure treated wood to prevent rot
- Might be less safe
For me, it’s the risk of splinters in my feet after relaxing that pushed me away from building a custom set of steps. Now, I know that I could finish and sand the lumber to the point where splinters might be less of a risk. But I couldn’t stand the thought of getting a splinter in my foot after I try to let loose and relax.
Can I Use Spare Lumber?
What about those scrap pieces of wood you have behind the shed or in the garage? Could you just throw those together to get by in the near term? Wood rots fairly quickly and more so if you’re in a wet location. You’d need pressure treated lumber to withstand bugs and moisture. Pressure treated lumber can be identified by it’s red tinge and slits where the chemicals are forced into the wood.
So yes, you can slap together those chunks of wood in the garage, but they’ll fall apart in a couple of months. AND you’ll probably have to wear boots while stepping into your tub.
Buying Hot Tub Stairs
Pros
- Almost immediate gratification
- You’ll save several hours of time compared to building your own steps
- Longer term more durable solution
Cons
- Cost
Yeah, you’ll probably spend more if you go down the buying premade stairs route but, imagine what a trip to the doctor for a huge splinter would cost you. I picked up my Hot Tub steps for about a hundred bucks off amazon. They came in about 2 days and setup was a breeeze.
Do You Even Need Hot Tub Steps?
No, you don’t NEEED them. But you also don’t need a hot tub. Let’s be real. Hot Tubs are for comfort and relaxation. Awkardly stepping into a tub with a midway straddle isn’t ideal or comfortable. You’ve already spent thousands getting your tub into your yard, don’t skimp out on your safety.
$100 was very worth it for me. I lived without steps for several months before picking up the ones I linked above. I still used my spa, but it was super awkard. And it was even harder to get my partner in there.
Queue our spa’s steps coming in, and I can’t imagine life without them. Do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a set from Amazon. You won’t be dissapointed.
The Confer Plastics Multi Purpose Spa and Hot Tub Handi-Step Steps
So why did we pick this set of steps vs any of the countless others on amazon?
- It’s well rated. 2k reviews and 4.5 stars. Tons of ratings means that a more accurate appraisal of the product has been made. Anybody can have their neighbor and mom review their amazon listing. These steps were some of the most rated with close to 2k reviews and 4.5 stars on Amazon. They havee to be doing something right.
- Aeshetic. Some of the other steps had hand rails and looked like they were built more for safety rather than aesthetic.
- Cost. At around $100 bucks, these steps were super effective.
The ratings also lets me prep for any downside users flag on the product. For example, a couple of folks flagged that the steps do get a little slippery when wet. This is 100% accurate, but it isn’t too bad.
Another buyer also flagged that the steps flex a bit when you stand right smack dab in the center of them. I experience the same thing, but still no cracking or issues after about 4 months later.
All in all, I’ve got to say my partner and I are happy with our recommendation and that we avoided sinking countless hours into a splinter-y set of steps. It’ll give me more time to spend on other hobbies that might not destroy my feet.