Are you in the market for a hot tub? Is this your first time buying one? Most people base their hot tub purchase off of size and budget. Those are two important factors, but they shouldn't be the only considerations. You'll also want to think about how comfortable the tub is and how easy it is maintain. All of those things, in addition to the tub's size, will help you decide which tub is the right one for you. Here are four features to think about as you look at different hot tubs:

The jets. What kind of hot tub experience do you prefer? Some people like powerful jets. Others like to simply relax in hot water. Consider your preferences before you commit to a hot tub. If you want constant, powerful jet action, then you'll want a tub that has a high amount of horsepower. Also, look at the number of jets per person. If the tub is full of people, a tub with more jets will ensure that each person has access to one.

Ozonator. Much like a pool, a hot tub needs regular maintenance. Lots of different contaminants can get into your tub, from natural elements to artificial things like hair spray and sunblock. Without treatment, these elements can gum up the jets and make the water dirty. Regular chemical treatments can combat these elements. However, an ozonator can make maintenance much easier.

An ozonator pumps ozone into the tub, which oxidizes and eliminates many contaminants. You'll still need to treat your tub with chemicals, but you won't need as many chemicals and you likely won't have to do it as often as you would without an ozonator.

Cover lift. When your hot tub isn't in use, you'll need to keep it covered. Most covers do a good job of protecting the hot tub. The real choice comes with how you want to remove the cover. The least expensive covers are ones that you simply lift off and set to the side. Some covers have a hinge that allows you fold the cover in half and then remove it. That makes cover storage easier, too.

More expensive covers have rolling features that require very little effort on your part. And, if your budget allows it, you may even be able to get an automatic cover that slides off with just the press of a button. Consider how much effort you want to put into removing the cover and how much room you have to store it while you're in the hot tub.

Radios and lights. These features don't have anything to do with the quality of the hot tub, but they can improve your experience. Some hot tubs have speakers with AM/FM radios. Others have jacks where you can plug in a cell phone or iPod to play music. 

You may also want to consider lights. Most hot tubs have at least a couple lights. Think about how many you want and whether you want them to be colored or have dimming capabilities.

For more information, talk to an expert at a hot tub dealer like http://dolphin-pools.com/. They can help you find the right set of features that meet your needs and budget.