Picking a Sundance Hot Tub Series: 980, 880, 780, 680 and Splash

Walk into a hot tub dealership with no plan and you will come out dizzy. Seats, jets, lights, covers, colors, sizes. Sundance Spas organizes its lineup into series, and that helps, because each series is a rung on the ladder. Quality Pool & Spa is the exclusive Sundance dealer in the Greater La Crosse area, and we get asked every week how to choose. Here is the way we think about it.

The ladder, from top to bottom

Sundance has been building spas for over 35 years, and the lineup runs in five steps. The 980 Series is the top of the range. Below it sit the 880 Series, the 780 Series and the 680 Series. At the entry end is the Splash Series. Our site shows the price tier of each with dollar-sign symbols, and the pattern is simple: the higher the series number, the more premium the tub and the larger the investment.

Each series has several models. The 980 Series includes the Claremont and the Kingston. The 880 Series has the widest range, with models like the Altamar, Aspen, Cameo, Capri, Marin, Optima, Maxxus and Vistamar. The 780 Series includes the Bristol, Chelsee, Dover, Hamilton and Montclair. The 680 Series includes the Alicia, Edison, McKinley, Peyton, Prado and Ramona. The Splash Series has the Berkeley, Paisley and Brook. Model years vary, so ask us what is current when you come in.

Start with who will be in the tub

Before you look at features, count heads. A tub for two people who want a quiet soak is a different purchase than a tub for a family of five that wants to share it on a Saturday night. Think about how many people will use it at once, how often, and who they are. Tall adults and small kids want different seat depths, and a seat that is great for one person can be wrong for the next.

Sundance describes its tubs as having comfortable seating, and that is worth taking seriously, because seating is the thing you will use every single time. Sit in as many tubs as you can. A seat that feels fine for thirty seconds in a showroom can feel different after thirty minutes. Pay attention to where your head rests, where your feet land, and whether you slide around.

Then think about jets

Jets are where tubs differ most. Sundance builds multi-functional jets, which means one jet can do more than one thing. More jets in more places usually means a more varied experience, and the higher series tend to offer more options. But more is not automatically better for you. If you mostly want a warm, relaxing soak, you may not need a tub with every jet pattern. If you like targeted pressure on your back or feet, look at where the jets sit and how they feel at your own height.

We do not make health claims about hot tubs, and neither should you rely on a salesperson who does. Decide on what feels good to you, and ask your own doctor if you have a medical question about using a tub.

The features that show up across the lineup

Sundance spas are known for a handful of features that you will hear about when you shop.

• Multi-functional jets that provide more than one kind of water action.
• Bluetooth connectivity, so you can play your own music through the tub.
• Comfortable seating, designed so different body types can settle in.
• An ultra-violet light for water purification, which works alongside normal water care.

Which of these comes standard on which model is something to confirm for the specific tub you are considering, because features can change from series to series and from year to year. Ask us to go through the details for the models you like. We would rather give you an accurate answer than a quick one.

Budget: decide it early and be honest about it

Set a budget before you fall for a tub. The tub itself is only part of the cost. You will also pay for delivery and setup, electrical work, a solid base to set it on, a cover, steps, and the chemicals to keep the water clean. Those details are worth asking about up front. We do not list prices on this site, so come in or call and we will talk through real numbers for the model you like.

If the top of the lineup stretches the budget, the series below it exist for a reason. A 780 or 680 tub can be a great fit for many households. The Splash Series is the most approachable way into owning a Sundance. The right tub is the one you will actually use, not the one with the longest feature list.

Placement and what comes after the purchase

A full hot tub is heavy, and it needs a level, solid base and a safe electrical supply. Think about where the tub will go, how you will get to it in a Wisconsin January, and how you will get it there in the first place. A spot near the back door beats a spot at the far end of the yard once the snow is deep.

After delivery, the work does not stop. We stock covers tailored to Sundance Spas, sell water care products, and repair equipment, plumbing and leaks. That support is a big part of why people buy a tub from a local dealer. You can see the full lineup at /sundance-spas-hot-tubs, and you can stop by 1001 12th Ave South in Onalaska or call (608) 783-4477 to talk it through.