When you buy a hot tub, you need a cover lift to go with it. At first, without the cover lifter, it won't take long to realize how difficult it is to move the heavy spa cover whenever you want to use the tub. Moreover, without the hot tub cover lifter, your enjoyment of the spa will reduce. Now you know that the best hot tub cover lifter is a must-have accessory for an amazing spa experience.
With the right hot tube cover lifter, opening and closing the spa tub is a hassle-free task you can accomplish alone. To make it easy for you to find the best hot tub cover lifter that suits your hot tub and its cover, we have this review to guide you through. Let's begin!
1. Cover Valet Spa Cover Lift (NP509)
- Under-mount cabinet design works with all spas
- Gas spring assisted for effortless spa cover removal
- Stores cover conveniently to the side of your spa. Works with...
- Adjustable – raises or lowers spa cover when stored
- Constructed of high-grade powder coated aluminum
Cover Valet NP509 cover lifter is one of the best models for people who have physical limitations. It comes with a caddy that holds the spa cover in position and lowers it to sit flush with the side of your spa. Furthermore, you can lift your hot tub cover easily and effortlessly.
This cover lifter model is designed to suit underneath your hot tub. Therefore, you will have to lift and drain the entire hot tub to mount it underneath. However, if your spa has a wooden deck, you don't have to drain the hot tub.
Cover Valet NP509 model is made with high-quality powder-coated aluminum making it sturdy for the task at hand. It works with a spa between 30 inches to 40 inches in height. Additionally, the storage options include a vertical position and an angled position to keep it out of your view.
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2. Blue Wave 8ft. Low Mount Spa Cover Lift (NP5022)
- Makes lifting your spa cover easy
- Constructed of high quality powder-coated steel
- Fits most square & rectangular spas up to 8 ft wide with radius...
- Won't rust or corrode over time
- Backed by a 1-year warranty
Blue Wave low mount spa cover lift is simple and effective. It makes lifting your hot tub cover easy and effortless. This low mount spa cover is constructed of high-quality powder-coated steel, making it sturdy for the task at hand. Furthermore, it is designed to suit most rectangular or square spa shapes up to 8 ft. wide with radius corners.
Blue Wave spa cover lift is a rocker lift that provides mechanical assistance with lifting hot tub covers. Once you have installed it properly, it operates great and makes opening and closing your hot tub a hassle-free task even with a single hand. Besides, it lets you adjust how high the hot tub cover stands when open.
Mounting this hot tub cover lifter is easy, although the provided instructions sophisticate the process instead of helping. The steel material makes it resistant to, rust so it won't corrode or rust over time. Besides, it comes with a 1-year warranty.
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3. Slider Spa Cover No-Lift Lifter With a Remover
- Hot Tub Cover Storage Solution
- Folds neatly away when not in use
- (4) Easy-slide rollers per arm
- Simple installation - fits all spa shapes (spa cover not...
- Suitable for lightweight spa covers UNDER 75 lbs.
If you are working on a tight budget, The Slider Spa Cover No-Lift is the best hot tub cover lifter for you. This model is also one of the easiest lifters to install for beginners. It comes with a simple instruction to follow, so if you are not handy with power equipment, it will take you around half an hour to install this model. Besides, it will all-mountain hardware tools required.
Every arm on this lifter model has some rollers which take the stress off of the arms. The rollers also allow you to slide the spa cover right off without stressing your joints and muscles. The back mounting brackets hold the spa cover as you relax in the hot tub. When you are done enjoying it, roll it back over to the top.
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4. UltraLift Under Mount Spa Cover Lift
- Under Mount Spa Brackets
- Fits Spas up to 109"
- Fits Radius up to 16"
- Requires 16" of clearance behind the spa.
If you have a large hot tub, count on UltraLift Under Mount spa lifter. This lifter model can be used with spa up to 109", making it the largest lift compared to other lifters on the list. It requires 16" of clearance around each edge, which is quite low for the size. Additionally, the cover lifter is designed to suit underneath your hot tub.
Therefore, you will have to lift and drain the entire hot tub to mount it underneath. However, it comes with one main advantage: You don't have to drill into the hot tub or the deck. If you don't want to use power equipment or damage the unit, count on this unit.
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5. Cover Valet CV400 Spa Cover Lifter
- Requires only 4"-6" of clearance
- Gas shock assisted for effortless spa cover removal. One person...
- Mounts to edge of spa cabinet or directly to deck
- Fits spa covers up to 8 ft
- Features a five year limited manufacturer's warranty
If you are looking for the best spa cover lifter with limited clearance, we recommend the Cover Valet CV400 model. This lifter requires between 4 inches to 6 inches of clearance on all sides, which is good enough even though it is below the minimum 12" recommended by most hot tub experts. Besides, it fits spa covers up to 8 feet.
This lifter model is gas shock-assisted, allowing you to open and close the spa cover without dropping a sweat. You can easily replace or remove the spa cover in a matter of seconds. Besides, it lets you adjust how high the hot tub cover stands when open.
Cover Valet CV400 model mounts directly right to the side of the spa cabinet or at the deck. Many people prefer this unit because you don't have to drain or lift the hot tub to install it. Besides, the instructions are easy to follow, allowing you to assemble them in less than 60 minutes.
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Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Hot Tub Cover Lifter
1. The size of the hot tub
The cover lifters are made with particular tub sizes in mind. Also, most lifters will work on hot tubs that are between 76 inches and 96 inches wide. Some are adjustable to suit the tub's height and cover thickness. Therefore, before you buy, you will need to measure your hot tub and cover dimensions, as these dimensions are vital in choosing a lift size that will work and fit well.
2. The shape of the hot tub
Hot tubs come in different shapes from oval, square, round, heart, rectangular, triangular to octagonal. Some cover lifters are compatible with straight-sided tub; others work only on round covers, while some are multipurpose and suit different shapes. Have the shape of your hot tub at the back of your mind while shopping for the cover lifter so that you can choose one that is compatible.
3. Attached lifts Vs. Detached lifts
The attached lifters are permanently installed into the hot tub and require hole drilling on the tub to mount them. Conversely, detached lifters rest underneath the tub, and the weight of the hot tub keeps them in place.
Additionally, the best hot tub lifter for you will depend on how your hot tub is installed. Whether your hot tub is installed stand-alone, on a deck, or in-ground will determine the ideal attachment method. There are side mount, back mount, bottom mount, and under-mount lifters.
4. Ease of operation of the best hot tub cover lifter
Cover lifters use a fulcrum or lever principle to help in the movement of the tub cover. Even the easiest cover rollers make it simple to open and close your tub without hassle. Nonetheless, the ease of use will differ depending on the assist mechanism a lifter provides.
A hydraulic cover lift provides an effortless experience. You fold the hot tub cover back and guide it up and back as the hydraulic arms handle the weight of the cover, making opening and closing your hot tub an easy one-hand task.
Manual pivot cover lifters have a long, metal bar that runs across the middle of the hot tub cover. They require you first to fold the tub cover in half, lift it upwards and push back. A great manual pivot ensures opening and closing a hot tub cover an easy one-hand task.
5. The thickness of the hot tub cover
Hot tub cover lifts are made to be compatible with a particular range of hot tub cover thicknesses. Therefore, ensure you double-check that the tub cover lifter you want to buy will suit the thickness of your tub cover. Some cover lifters are also adjustable and can fit a wide variety of cover thicknesses.
Hot tub covers and hot tubs come in every shape and size. Moreover, where and the surface your hot tub is placed all must be factored in when making a buying decision.
6. Folded cover position and cover storage position
Various cover lifters place the folded tub cover in different positions. Some lifters keep the hot tub cover in an upright position to offer some privacy, while others keep it completely out of the way. Ensure the folded tub cover position you prefer will fit the space you have around your hot tub. Furthermore, it is crucial to go for the cover lifter that does not place the cover in contact with the ground to scuff the floor or get dirty easily.
7. Clearance space
It is important to keep in mind the space you have around your hot tub when looking for the hot tub cover lifters. Cover lifters need space for the hot tub cover to open properly and stay off the tub. Some cover lifts need very little space, while others need as much as four feet. Furthermore, most covers lifters also require side clearance to accommodate swinging pistons and arms. Therefore, make sure you check this specification to get a cover lifter that will suit the space you have.
8. Installation requirements
Check out the installation requirements of the hot tub cover lifter you are considering to ensure you are comfortable with them. The best cover lifter is easy to install and assemble. Some tub lifters require you to drill holes into the tub cabinet, some require the use of brackets, while some recommend emptying your hot tub so you can easily slide the lifter underneath.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Hot Tub Cover Lifter
1. How do the cover lifters help?
Cover lifters help in making the opening and closing of the hot tub easier. A hot tub cover weighs about 50-70 pounds, and a good cover lifter makes it feel almost weightless and lifting it a hassle-free task for one person. The covers also help by extending the life of your cover since they reduce the need to handle the cover personally.
2. Why purchase a hot tub lifter?
A hot tub cover lifter is a must-have for your hot tub experiences to be amazing and good as they should be, and if you want, increase your cover's lifespan and protect your back from injuries. The lifter opens the hot tub cover easily and replaces it without hassle. Once you purchase and start using a hot tub cover lifter, you will wonder how you survived without one.
3. What are the benefits of hot tub covers lifter?
Hot tub covers are huge and heavy and can be awkward and hard to handle. You can either choose to wrestle with the cover while opening and closing or get another person to help. However, with a hot tub cover lifter, lifting, replacing, and moving your spa cover will be fast, easy, and without hassle, and they prevent dropping and dragging of the covers. Furthermore, using your hot tub will be more enjoyable snd you will also enjoy more years of service from the cover.
