Customer Reviews for Highlife® Vanguard

Vanguard

Highlife® Vanguard

  • 6 adults
  • 7'3" x 7'3" x 36" / 2.20m x 2.20m x .91m
  • 335 gallons / 1,275 liters
Average Customer Rating:
4.353 out of 5
4.4
 out of 
5
(232 Reviews)
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating breakdown 232 reviews
5 Stars
163
4 Stars
30
3 Stars
13
2 Stars
10
1 Star
16
Customer Reviews for Vanguard
Review 61 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
3 / 5
3 / 5

Our 6.5 year old tub leaks

Customer avatar
Pappy
from Ontario, Canada
Age:55-65
PostedJuly 12, 2023
This is our second Vangaurd. Our first was very good other than needing a replaced mother board after some time. This, our second new Vangaurd, after 6.5 years is leaking... we believe for quite some time although we thought the lowering water level was just due to something else! We love the layout of the tub, and how easy it is to maintain. We are very disappointed though that it is already leaking, and I have no idea how to repair it without incurring considerable expense.
Comfort:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Quality:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Value:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
By Customer Service Hot Spring VanessaJuly 18, 2023
Thank you for sharing your spa experience. I'm sorry to hear that it has become frustrating for you. Having a hot tub should be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. I would like to know more about the situation to assist you better.
I'm looking forward to working with you soon. hotspring_brand
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Review 62 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

Best Purchase Ever

Customer avatar
Amy28
from Resaca, GA
Age:25-34
PostedJune 23, 2023
This was one of our best purchases. It is very therapeutic and helps relieve muscle pain.
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
3 / 5
3 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Value:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
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Review 63 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
1 / 5
1 / 5

Unacceptable quality issues, fried circuit board after 8 months

Customer avatar
Dissatisfied
from TRUCKEE, CA
Age:55-65
PostedJune 23, 2023
Circuit board was fried after 8 months, faulty connector issues. Replacement circuit board not available, no idea on availability. Tub unusable.
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
1 / 5
1 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Value:  
1 / 5
1 / 5
By Customer Service Hot Spring VanessaJuly 17, 2023
I am sorry your spa experience has been frustrating. I would like to know more about your spa and service. I will contact you and work to get your spa back in working order.

Thank you for taking the time to reach out; I look forward to working with you soon.

hotspring_brand
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Review 64 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

BEST Purchase Ever!

Customer avatar
SueBSue
from Sewickley, Pa
Age:45-54
PostedJune 7, 2023
It took years for this purchase but, I’m thrilled that we decided on a Hot Springs Grandee spa. We are a family of 4 and are all on the tall side. Comfort, size and ease of cleaning is what sold me on the Grandee. We have owned this spa for just over 4 months and am the sole care taker. The spa is easy to clean and I have already drained it once. Please purchase this spa!
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
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Review 65 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

My spa

Customer avatar
Brucefos
from Twin Falls, Idaho
Age:55-65
PostedMay 22, 2023
I really do enjoy the hot tub we purchased it is the best thing to ease my back pain and tightness. I can tell when I don't use it enough, my back is worse.
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Value:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
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Review 66 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

Hot Springs-Great Feeling

Customer avatar
Whiteowl
from North Carolina
Age:55-65
User submitted photo
PostedMay 10, 2023
Our Hot Springs Vanguard is used every day. We relax, rejuvanate and enjoy a warm massage every evening and sometimnes first thing in the morning before work. This is the best investment in our health and happiness that we have made in years! Salt system is easy on the skin, jets and layout are amazing. Easy to maintain and clean- the design is owner-friendly, the support team is great. We recommend to anyone.
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
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Review 67 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
4 / 5
4 / 5

Nice,could be great

Customer avatar
Howard
from Massachusetts
Age:55-65
PostedApril 15, 2023
This tub replaced my 17 year old Vista. It’s a really nice tub but I will admit that I expected more improvements after 17 years of evolution. The 2 moto message seats are reclined too much so the user tends to float out of them. You must choose which jets are active. You cant power every seat at the same time. On the good side is the filter system and 24 hour circulation pump. Aside from those two complaints I really enjoy the tub so long as we don’t think about the price. The price of a new tub is just crazy . But given all of the above I would still pick Hot Springs for their reliability and quality over the competition. It’s a really nice tub that with a few tweaks would be a really great tub.
Comfort:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Quality:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Value:  
3 / 5
3 / 5
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Review 68 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

Spa-tacular!!!!

Customer avatar
HappyKYFamily
from Nicholasville, KY
Age:45-54
PostedMarch 15, 2023
Couldn’t be happier with our Hot Spring spa. Wonderful service technicians to help me with all of my questions when I first started using my spa and beyond. We absolutely love it!
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
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Review 69 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

A hot tub a tall man can appreciate part Deux

Customer avatar
Mountainman
from Blowing Rock, NC
Age:55-65
PostedFebruary 17, 2023
This is an update to my review of November 2022. We have had the tub now for five months and have been through one water change. Here are a few of my observations. The tub is incredibly well insulated. In December we went on a seven day trip and had the hot tub set at 100F. On the first day of the trip the weather here in the mountains deteriorated. High winds (60 mph gusts) lows of -8F and -30F with wind chill. The power went off several times, and apparently one of the spikes tripped the hot tub breakers. So the tub sat with no power for a week in high wind sub zero temperatures. When we got back I was very worried the tub was frozen, but when I opened and restarted it, it was still at 68F, with no water circulating all week. That’s amazing!!! I was having issues with water chemistry on my first fill, and seemed to be chasing it all the time. I use bromine with an ozonator. After draining and refilling the hot tub, I really took my time, accurately calculated the amount of chemicals I needed to add, adjusting first Alkalinity, followed by pH, then Hardness. It took a couple of hours, but since this refill, the water chemistry has been spot on. Now all I have to do is add 2 teaspoons of bromine after each use, and shock and clean the filters once a week. I have found that keeping the air jets off when mixing in the chemicals prevents the pH from climbing and I think that is because we have really soft water. Now for the jets, the Moto-massage has caused me to retire my foam rollers. After skiing or hiking, I just get in, and use the Moto-massage jets to roll out all my kinks. Finally, the energy use after four months has come in cheaper than expected, about $1. 75/day vs the expected $2 and we have high electric rates. In conclusion, the tub has been working extremely well, is energy efficient, and one of my best purchases ever. I’ll put in another update this summer. Hot tubs take a bit of work to maintain, but this one is well worth the effort.
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
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Review 70 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
2 / 5
2 / 5

$1200 repairs, now it LEAKS!

Customer avatar
Becky
from WA
Age:Over 65
PostedFebruary 6, 2023
Since the warranty expired I've replaced the control panel, heater, and circ pump. Now it's leaking again, which requires a trip to the shop. Last time the leak repair took the whole summer! When it was re-installed the ground wire wasn't tightened properly. Buzzed the next tech. I think that's what took out the control panel, during a freeze of course, which took out the heater. Is this just my bad luck? Or is this typical of Hot Springs hot tubs?
Comfort:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Quality:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
Value:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
By Customer Service Hot Spring VanessaMay 11, 2023
I am sorry to hear about the prolonged repairs your spa needed. Although it is not common for Hot Spring Spas, it is understandable that an 8-year-old spa may require some maintenance based on its usage and upkeep. It is never acceptable to have a leaking spa, and I would like to learn more about the issue to see how I can be of help.
Thank you for sharing your experience and taking the time to provide feedback. hotspring_brand
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Review 71 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
3 / 5
3 / 5

Lacking Customer Service

Customer avatar
Dan53
from Chandler, AZ
Age:Over 65
PostedFebruary 1, 2023
We have had the spa for a little over a month and have had trouble trying to keep the water clear. Called the service line twice but they were not able to provide much assistance.
There is also a design flaw with the spa. Honey bees are getting into the spa where the hinge is on the middle of the lid. We have taken dozens of bees out of the spa and finally we now are stuffing wash clothes into the gaps in the hinge to keep them out. This obviously makes it difficult to use the spa since the wash clothes have to be replaced after using it.
These issues were sent in an email 2 weeks ago to the desert hot tub service group and we have not had a reply.
Comfort:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Quality:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
3 / 5
3 / 5
Value:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
By Customer Service Hot Spring VanessaMay 12, 2023
I'm sorry to hear that your spa experience has been difficult and frustrating due to bees. Please know that I am here to assist you and will be in contact soon.
Regarding pests, it's important to handle them professionally as they can take refuge in any structure. To keep them out, we need to protect and maintain our spaces.
Thank you for reaching out and bringing this to my attention. I'm glad I came across your review and I look forward to working with you soon.

hotspring_brand
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Review 72 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

Best Purchase I've Ever made for Myself !

Customer avatar
Barb52
from CA
Age:Over 65
PostedJanuary 26, 2023
I've never owned a Hot Tub, and this is the best purchase I've ever made for myself.
In the last 4 years I've had full knee replacements in both knees. Recovery has been slow and I thought having a Hot tub might help ease the pain I've been suffering. It has helped so much!! I love my Hot Springs Vanguard Hot Tub!!
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
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Review 73 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
3 / 5
3 / 5

It’s okay

Customer avatar
Mike
from Coburg, OR
Age:55-65
PostedJanuary 16, 2023
I’ve had trouble keeping water balanced and clear. Using city water with good ph so I’m not sure what the issue is. I chlorinate after use according to the specs . Water is cloudy regularly.
Comfort:  
3 / 5
3 / 5
Quality:  
3 / 5
3 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
3 / 5
3 / 5
Value:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
By Customer Service Hot Spring VanessaJune 7, 2023
Water care is important, and I appreciate you reaching out to review your spa experience. It sounds like you are doing well, considering the sanitation of the water.
Cloudy water can sometimes be a result of biomatter. An oxidizer like silver or MPS will help keep your water clear.

If you require further water care assistance, please get in touch with us at 800-999-4688 ext. 8432.

Happy Hot Tubbing! hotspring_brand
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Review 74 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

Very Happy

Customer avatar
MacMurphington
from Quincy
Age:45-54
PostedJanuary 3, 2023
This is my first jacuzzi and having one at your finger tips is a blessing. We utilize our spa 3-5 times a week. The only issue we are running into is foam. The water quality seems to be spot on but we can't seem to get stop it from happening at the moment.
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Value:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
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Review 75 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

Fantastic

Customer avatar
Susan
from Clayton, NC
Age:45-54
PostedDecember 23, 2022
We made the decision to help with arthritis issues but had doubts about whether we would use the tub or if it would be a giant hassle. It has turned out to be the best thing we bought in a very long time. And we are frugal people so it was a hard choice up front but we have zero regrets. We use it all year and are in it almost every evening. It has helped my husband with arthritis and we have both slept so much better since we soak every evening. I thought I could find something I might not like about it but nope. It is wonderful relaxation and makes us feel so spoiled! The corner seats are the best!
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
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Review 76 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

The Vanguard

Customer avatar
Steamer
from Boulder, Colorado
Age:55-65
PostedDecember 21, 2022
Hot Spring Spas makes a great product! We owned a Vanguard at out previous home. It was still going after 16 years. In our new home we elected to acquire a new Vanguard. This time with the salt system that produces it’s own chlorine sanitizer. Love the new tub. With the upgraded cover they claim will last “forever.” Very happy at this point. Happy soaking! 🪷
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
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Review 77 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
2 / 5
2 / 5

received as a gift

Customer avatar
nothappy
from calif
Age:55-65
PostedDecember 11, 2022
we received this hot tub as a gift while our patio was being built and the tub was installed at a later time. the salt water system didn't last long and quit working properly and then the tub started leaking out of the bottom from the front and rear.the light's will turn on and then shut off and will not come back on. I have to shut off the power at the panel and re-set the spa to get them to work again and that is still a may-be.the massage seat's have both stopped working and one of the diverted valve's makes a clunk noise when the pump is turned on to high setting and the water pressure drop's down.this tub was built in 2015, installed in 2016. sure does have a lot of problem's for a 6 year old tub, especially for the cost of buying a new one now. the dealer went out of business and it seem's like when I get someone to come and do a repair it's nothing but excuses and a run around.i just replaced the filter's which are ridiculously priced in the area of $400.00 for 5 of them.the best thing I feel to do is cut my losses and discard this money pit and get something else.
Comfort:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Quality:  
1 / 5
1 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
1 / 5
1 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Value:  
3 / 5
3 / 5
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Review 78 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
3 / 5
3 / 5

Not entirely happy

Customer avatar
MichKurt
from Detroit, Michigan
Age:55-65
PostedDecember 9, 2022
It's a little early yet to make a determination about the energy efficiency of my spa. I've only had it a couple of months. I'll be tracking it over the winter and I'll decide then. So in the meantime I'm giving it a neutral reading of three.
The same issue with determining the value. I went with hot springs knowing full well that it was a high-end expensive unit. I I am expecting a long period of usage without any issues. I do find that the features and functions of this spa are very nice and in that respect I'm very happy with it.
My problem is my spa was delivered without the external lights working properly. The technician that showed up to fix this had no documentation and was hacking away at my insulation in order to get to the wiring harnesses. I have a few concerns here starting with the fact that something is easily tested as lighting should never leave the factory floor without proving that they are fully functional. My spa is supposed to have a light in each corner and some under under lights under the skirt and none of them work but one corner. When I discovered that the technician was hacking away at the insulation in order to get to the wiring harnesses, I stopped him. I asked him how is he going to repair this insulation. He replied he would just stuff it back in. This is not acceptable to me. One of the features of hot springs spa is their Excellent insulation and I don't want the insulation integrity ruined. I paid for the external lighting. I would like the external lighting. I think that Hot springs should take care of fixing this external lighting. However, I don't want the external lighting if it's going to ruin the integrity of my insulation and therefore give me less energy efficiency. So based on that I told the technician to stop and put things back together as best he could and then come up with a plan dealing with hot springs or some senior technicians on how they're going to repair this and restore the ability of my lights to function with out hurting my installation capability. I'm waiting for a solution from Hot springs and lifestyles hot tubs. the local vendor. It seems to me a wiring harness run from the lights on the outside of the insulation would be a solution which would cause minimal damage to the insulation. But I leave the solution to Hot springs. I just want to make sure my lights are working or I get compensated for now. Working lights and I still have a highly efficient energy wise hot tub that hot springs advertised
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
2 / 5
2 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
3 / 5
3 / 5
Value:  
3 / 5
3 / 5
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Review 79 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

The best spa!!

Customer avatar
Zman
from Ankeny, IA
Age:45-54
PostedDecember 7, 2022
The BEST spa ever! The Hot Springs store in Clive is by far the best! From the owners, sales staff, to the installation men, they are beyond amazing!! The spa is so gorgeous and works like a charm. The filtration system canNOT be beat!!!
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
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Review 80 for Vanguard
Average Rating:  
5 / 5
5 / 5

A hot tub a tall man can appreciate.

Customer avatar
Mountainman
from Blowing Rock, NC
Age:55-65
PostedNovember 30, 2022
It's been a month since receiving our Vanguard NXT hot tub. Very impressed with the quality of construction, and comfort of the spa. It is very easy to use, but we are still dialing in how to use all controls for the jets. So many options! The tub heats up incredibly fast. The manual said to expect 18 to 24 hours to come to temperature from 58 F water to 104F. Ours took like 4.5 hours. Wow! When I realized 104 F was to hot for me, I turned it down to 101F, and it took about 3 days to cool down. That's an energy efficient tub!! I'm 6 Ft 4 in tall and I can stretch out diagonally and float. Very spacious and deep. But I would say it's really a 4 to 5 person tub if you are on the tall side. 6 would be very cramped unless a few occupants were small kids. I'm a environmental engineer with a Masters degree, and I am still dialing in the water chemistry. I was given a sheet by the dealer and sent on my way. After watching a ton of videos on You Tube, I think I finally have it figured out. I have a Ozone III and Bromine set up. May look at the Silver Ion system in the future. Filters are really efficient and after a cloudy water issue on weak 2 that a good shock took care of, I think I have things settled down. Water has been crystal clear since then. We have been using our hot tub almost daily and are really enjoying it. We are older athletes (Skiers, hikers, runners, bicyclists) and we have found recovery after a hard work out is much faster after a soak. And boy do you sleep better after a soak. I would highly recommend the Vanguard tub. But expect a bit of a steep learning curve during the first couple of months to get water chemistry dialed in.
Comfort:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Quality:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of Water Care:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
Energy Efficiency:  
5 / 5
5 / 5
Value:  
4 / 5
4 / 5
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