Protecting your home spas with a cover is the best option to enhance their performance and longevity. When it comes to buying spa covers, you have two main options, soft and hard. You have to select one of them based on your budget, requirements, etc.

To figure out which one is better for you, you need to compare these two types. Let’s start comparing them so that we can have an idea about the better option among the two.

Comparing Soft and Hard Spa Covers

We will compare these two types based on different categories such as weight, material, insulation, etc. Let’s start this comparison.

Materials

It’s one of the main things you need to consider when buying spa covers. The material used for soft spa covers is basically vinyl. This material is well known due to its flexibility, durability, and water resistance. It is often supported by foam inlayer to add insulation properties.

On the other hand, hard spa covers are made of reinforced plastic. The premium version of these covers will be made of aluminum. The inner layer will be of dense foam made of extruded polystyrene. To add into its insulation, the dense foam core is encapsulated within a durable outer layer.

Weight

Soft spa covers are usually lightweight. The material used to make them is not very compact, thus their weight remains light. If you are looking for a spa cover that is easy to remove and carry, then soft covers are best for you.

Hard spa covers are made of compact materials. Therefore, these are heavy. If you don’t have to remove the cover so often then this is the right choice for you. Similarly, if you want to keep your spa covered for a long time, i.e. for the summers, hard covers are the right choice.

Insulation

The insulation of soft spa covers is mainly due to the inner foam layer only. The foam is marine grade and offers good insulation.

On the other side of the spectrum, hard spa covers use dense foam cores as insulating material. This layer is further encapsulated within an outer layer. It adds insulation abilities and gives hard covers an edge over soft covers.

Durability

The durability of soft spa covers is good but not for a long time. The weather conditions and environmental factors can damage the cover over time. So, the durability is not very remarkable.

Hard spa covers, especially those with an aluminum outer layer, are very durable. These covers can easily withstand harsh weather conditions for a relatively longer period.

Price

Price is one of the main things you need to compare before making a final call. The price difference is not very high. However, a soft cover is referred to as a more affordable option as compared to a hard one.

Final Verdict

Both hard and soft spa covers have unique specifications. The final call will be made on the basis of your requirements. If you are looking for a lightweight and affordable cover, soft covers are the right pick. Similarly, if you want to get a more durable cover, you can go with the hard one.