Expert’s Review: 4 Best Hot Tub Chemical Starter Kits in 2024

There’s simply no better way to relax after a hard day’s work, than sitting in a pristine hot tub steaming with bubbles of clean vapour. However, in order for it to always look and feel good, and most importantly, to work for a long time, constant care and cleaning is required. 

One of the most important factors is the proper chemical cleaning of the water. Enter the best chemical starter kits available on the market in 2023. These products will help you clean your hot tub quickly and efficiently, and properly balance the PH of the water too. 

But not all kits are alike, so choosing the one that’s right for you and your hot tub is a decision not to be taken lightly.  

In this article, we’ll dive into the market to discover what chemical starter kits should be on your shopping list, how they work, and what they should consist of — so you can make the perfect choice for you and your precious hot tub. We’ll also detail the importance and necessity of using the proper and best quality water treatments for your hot tub.

So, if you’ve been looking for a quality chemical starter kit for a while, read on to learn about all the vital ingredients required for the very best an all-in-one hot tub starter kit!

Comparison Chart of the Best Starter Kits for Hot Tub Chemicals

For a detailed analysis, our team of experts analyzed more than 20 models of starter chemical kits on the market with the best rating (4.0+) and a number of reviews (300+). We have selected the top 4 most worthy models and are ready to present them to you!

In the table below, you can see a comparison of these items. You can read a more detailed review of each starter chemistry kit below. 

Spa Essentials Bundle Package Kit	Winner in the category: the most extensive set Benefits ✓ The most complete set of all necessary chemicals ✓ The highest level of water cleaning Jump to the detailed review
SpaGuard Hot tub Chemicals Balancing Starter Kit	Winner in the category: the most reliable and easy-to-use chemical packaging Benefits ✓ The most convenient system for measuring chemicals ✓ The most comfortable package Jump to the detailed review
Ecoone Hot Tub Chemical Maintenance & Supply Kit	Winner in the category: the best balancing of water chemistry Benefits ✓ The highest level of water purification ✓ Perfectly balanced water after use of chemical preparations Jump to the detailed review
Ouster Bio Hot Tub Chemicals Watercare Kit	Winner in the category: the easiest and most user-friendly set to use Benefits ✓ The easiest to follow instructions on how to use the kit ✓ Very handy and easy to use Jump to the detailed review

What Is A Chemical Starter Kit?

So, let’s break down what a chemical starter kit is in more detail and understand when it’s best to buy a chemical starter kit and when it’s wiser to buy each chemical separately.

These kits are suitable for all types of hot tubs, including acrylic, fiberglass, concrete, and vinyl. They comprise fundamental chemicals that help maintain the safety and cleanliness of your hot tub.

To avoid any potential issues, it is important to verify that the chemical starter kit you plan to use is suitable for the particular make and model of your hot tub. Different hot tubs may have varying needs for water treatment and chemical usage.

In fact, when it’s best to buy a starter chemical kit and when to buy each chemical separately depends on your individual preferences and circumstances. 

However, if you’ve just purchased a new hot tub and don’t know what chemicals you need, a starter kit will be a convenient and cost-effective option for you. Because such a kit will contain everything you need for quality disinfection and water purification. If you are inexperienced with hot tub maintenance, this will be especially helpful.

However, if you have prior knowledge of the required chemicals and are experienced in maintaining hot tubs, you can purchase each chemical individually. Since some people may not need all of them in the kit, it depends on the quality of the water in your hot tub. However, buying a chemical kit will still cost less than buying each item individually in case you need a lot of them.

Whether you choose a starter kit or buy each chemical separately, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safe and comfortable use.

What Does A Starter Kit Usually Consist Of?

Well, we’ve sorted out what chemistry kits are and who they’re good for. Now let’s find out what such a starter kit should include.

In fact, starter kits can include a variety of chemicals, but in general, it should contain

the following basic hot tub cleaning products:

• Bromine or chlorine — those chemicals are the main ingredients for killing bacteria and other microorganisms in the water. 

• pH-regulating agents — products that help control and maintain the correct pH level in the water. A suitable pH range for water is typically between 7.2 and 7.8.
• Shock oxidizer — helps to better clean the walls of the hot tub of plaque or bacteria. It is an additional disinfectant in the water.

• Alkalinity adjusters — these chemicals help maintain the correct alkalinity level in the hot tub water. Normally, the normal alkalinity level is between 80 and 120 ppm.

These are the most basic components that a starter chemical kit should consist of. Some manufacturers also offer special stripsThese strips are specially designed for self-monitoring of the following water parameters: the amount of free chlorine, amount of total chlorine, pH level, water hardness, amount of nitrite (0...10 ppm), amount of nitrate (0...50 ppm). All these parameters are tested with a single strip in less than 45 seconds. in the kit to determine the level of contaminants in the water or the level of chemicals. 

What Do I Need To Pay Attention To When Choosing A Starter Kit?

So, now let’s summarize and highlight the top 5 factors that you should pay attention to before buying a starter chemistry kit.  

1) Components of the kit. Make sure that this kit includes all the chemicals you need. 

Here is a short list of chemicals that a starter chemistry kit should consist of:

• Chlorine or bromine sanitizer
• pH regulator
• Sanitizer
• Shock oxidizer

In this list, you can see the chemicals that are optional to use:

• Osmosis regulatorAn osmosis regulator is a special chemical used to increase the hardness of the water in the hot tub and maintain the balance of salts and minerals in the water. The chemical is also used to prevent corrosion of metal parts and devices in the hot tub
• Foam remover
• Calcium Increaser
• Clarifier
• Antiflocculant

2) The quality of the chemicals. Choose kits that contain quality-certified chemicals. To check this you can follow these steps:

✅ Check the labeling: a quality product has an appropriate label with all the necessary data (such as product name, composition, and manufacturer)

✅ Check the certifications: most manufacturers of hot tub chemicals have quality certifications. You can check for certifications with the EPA or NSF InternationalThe EPA and NSF International are organizations concerned with environmental protection and consumer safety. EPA( Environmental Protection Agency) — is an agency dedicated to protecting the environment and human health from various forms of pollution. The EPA develops and sets standards for various industries and works to improve the quality of air, water, and soil in the United States. NSF International — is an independent, nonprofit organization that represents certification and standards for the safety and quality of food, water, medical devices, and other commodity services. NSF International also conducts research and develops new standards in health and safety.

3) Instructions. Make sure that the kit contains detailed instructions that you can use to clean your hot tub yourself.

The detailed instructions should contain the following items:

📖 Information about the safe use of chemicals

📖 Detailed instructions on how to use each chemical (with detailed dosage and explanations of how to mix the substances correctly)

📖 The instructions should contain a detailed description of each chemical and what it is for

📖 Tips for taking care of your hot tub after using chemicals

📖 Information on how to properly and safely store chemicals

4) Easy to use. Choose a chemical kit that doesn’t require complicated chemical processes and procedures. Here are some tips on how to know that a chemistry set is not difficult to use:

📝 The set of hot tub chemicals should be such that the user does not need to clean the hot tub frequently and spend a minimum amount of time and effort on it (you can read the instructions to make sure)

📝 The chemical kit should contain only the most essential chemicals. 

📝 Choose a kit with detailed instructions, which will describe in detail the sequence and dosage of mixing the components

5) Good water purification. Remember that such a kit should firstly qualitatively clean the water in your hot tub and regulate the content of different chemicals in the water. Here are a few points that may help you understand that chemicals provide quality water purification: 

 💦 To ensure water quality, it is recommended that you frequently test the water using specialized test strips, especially after applying chemicals.

💦 Water should be clear, without a specific smell

💦 The water should not contain a high percentage of chemicals, you can use special test strips to check.

Detailed Reviews

Spa Essentials Bundle Package Kit — The Most Extensive Set

The most extensive set

This kit includes the following chemicals:

• Bromine Test Strips
• Bromine Tablets
• Shock EXTRA
• pH Increaser & pH Decreaser
• Calcium Hardness Increaser
• Total Alkalinity Increaser
• Stain & Scale Control
• Spa Defoamer

If you have just bought a hot tub and are looking for a kit that contains all the chemicals you need, then the starter kit Spa Essentials Bundle Package Kit will be indispensable for you to clean your hot tub. According to our research, not only does this kit clean the water the best from all kinds of contaminants, it’s very user-friendly and any newbie hot tub cleaner can figure it out! 

Let’s look at a few other benefits of this starter kit.

First, this starter kit is very easy to use, you can easily figure out all the chemicals thanks to the very detailed and detailed instructions.

Secondly, thanks to its low chlorine content, this set is very safe! This kit contains bromine, which is less aggressive in cleaning the water, has no unpleasant odor, and is not allergenic. It can effectively clean your hot tub without relying on strong chemicals. Also, since it is the most  complete set of all substances, you do not have to buy different cans additionally. 

We did a detailed study among the regular users of this chemistry set, and found that on average if you use all the chemicals (as needed to clean your hot tub), this kit will last at least 2 months! (Of course, all the chemicals are consumed differently, some chemicals will be used more often, and some less often).

Of the shortcomings, we singled out not quite convenient packaging, when using, unlike the SpaGuard Hot Tub Chemicals Balancing Starter Kit (review). 

SpaGuard Hot tub Chemicals Balancing Starter Kit — The Most Reliable and Easy-to-Use Chemical Packaging

The most reliable and easy to use chemical packaging

This kit includes the following chemicals:

• Total Alkalinity Increaser
• pH Increaser & pH Decreaser
• Calcium Increaser
• 5-Way Pool & Spa Test Strips

With SpaGuard Hot tub Chemicals Balancing Starter Kit, you will balance the water chemistry quickly as the cleaning process takes little time. Our research shows that this set helps clean water 10% faster than other chemicals. It’s a great time saver! Let’s look at other benefits of this kit in detail. 

First, unlike the Spa Essentials Kit, this set has perfectly convenient packaging that will allow you to handle the chemicals quickly and easily. Also, all the chemicals have a very handy measuring system that helps you accurately gauge the number of chemicals.

Secondly, with this kit, you can simplify the care of your hot tub. It contains almost all the necessary substances. But unlike Spa Essentials Bundle Package Kit, there is no sanitizer, and it must be purchased separately.

The disadvantages are that the instructions here are not as detailed as, in the Spa Essentials Bundle Package Kit. But despite this, each user will still be able to understand the sequence and amount of chemicals that need to be added.

Ecoone Hot Tub Chemical Maintenance & Supply Kit — The Best Balancing of Water Chemistry

The best balancing of water chemistry

This kit includes the following chemicals:

• OneShock Sanitizer tablets
• SPA Monthly water conditioner
• Filter Cleanser
• 10 pH test strips

The Ecoone Hot Tub Chemical Maintenance & Supply Kit is the perfect water purification system. After using these products, the water in your hot tub will be properly balanced and saturated with the right chemicals. 

Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of Ecoone.

First, this kit does not contain any harsh substances. With the use of this set, your skin will be in excellent condition, as the composition includes hypoallergenic substances. It even contains coconut extract, which prevents chemical burns and has a soothing effect.

Secondly, the special water conditioner (included) helps prevent foaming in your hot tub, increases the filtration effect, and saturates the water with pH components. With this set, the water in your hot tub will be crystal clear and safe (at least 80% of users stated it).

On the downside, we can point out the small volume of chemicals. Unlike the Spa Essentials Bundle Package Kit, there is quite a small amount of chemicals here. But with proper use, this set will last you for about a month.

Ouster Bio Hot Tub Chemicals Watercare Kit — The Easiest And Most User-Friendly Set To Use

The easiest and most user-friendly set to use

This kit includes the following chemicals:

• Hot Tub Restoration Cleanse 
• Conditioner and clarifier
• Hot tub cleaner

So, the advantages of the Ouster Bio Hot Tub Chemicals Watercare Kit are quite significant. This kit aids in the gentle yet highly effective cleaning of your hot tub. The chemicals in this kit help to clean stale dirt and hard-to-reach places.

Let’s take a closer look at its other benefits.

First, this kit has very detailed instructions. It describes step by step the sequence of adding certain chemicals. Each user can quickly figure out what is what and clean their hot tub.

Secondly, the special concentrated composition helps to retain the result much longer. This reduces consumption and also makes this kit very economical. Plus, the large volume of chemicals is also a distinct advantage. If we compare it with SpaGuard Hot tub Chemicals Balancing Starter Kit, then these substances will suffice for a longer period of time (about 10% longer compared to other chemicals). But it all depends on how often and how much you will use them. 

A few users mentioned the disadvantage of this set is that it will be a bit difficult for a beginner to balance the water quality, unlike the set Ecoone Hot Tub Chemical Maintenance & Supply Kit, with which it will be much easier. But as we know, everything comes with experience.

Can I Use a Starter Set of Chemicals Right After I Buy My Hot Tub?

So you have your first hot tub, what’s next? Now let’s see how to properly clean the water with a starter set of chemicals.

It is advisable to perform an initial cleaning before using your hot tub. A chemical starter kit can help with this. With it, you will be able to perform an initial water purification to remove germs, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Also, before using the hot tub, the surface of the device itself should be spotless to remove dust and dirt. The sanitizers that come in some kits will help you with this.

If you’re buying a second-hand hot tub, you’ll also need to clean the hot tub to remove any outdated dirt and bacteria. You should pay very detailed attention to the cleaning because the quality of the water and therefore your health depends on good disinfection. 

You also need to take the time and study the instructions carefully to make sure you are using all the chemicals correctly. Make sure that you understand the dosage of substances and the place in the hot tub where they should be added.

Summary

If you have a hot tub, and you do not know how to properly and most importantly safely clean it, we recommend buying a starter chemical kit. The kit includes all the most necessary preparations, such as:

✓ Bromine or chlorine sanitizer

✓ pH regulator

✓ Shock oxidizer

✓ Alkalinity adjusters

Before you buy any kit, be sure to pay attention to the availability of instructions that will help you understand all the necessary preparations. Also, all chemicals must be of high quality and safe for your health.

So, our 4 top-selected models meet all the requirements and criteria of the starter chemistry set. Let’s look at them again:

Spa Essentials Bundle Package Kit	Winner in the category The most extensive set
SpaGuard Hot tub Chemicals Balancing Starter Kit	Winner in the category The most reliable and easy-to-use chemical packaging
Ecoone Hot Tub Chemical Maintenance & Supply Kit	Winner in the category The best balancing of water chemistry
Ouster Bio Hot Tub Chemicals Watercare Kit	Winner in the category The easiest and most user-friendly set to use

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