Product · Bestway
Bestway San Francisco: EnergySense and Freeze Shield
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The San Francisco Smart HydroJet Pro is a square Bestway tub that seats five to seven people in about 1,180 litres. It pairs EnergySense insulated walls and cover with Freeze Shield frost protection and SmartSpa app control, which makes it a sensible choice for a household that wants to keep the tub running into the colder months.
- Freeze protection
- Freeze Shield
- Wall insulation
- EnergySense insulated walls
- Cover
- EnergySense insulated
- App control
- Yes, SmartSpa
- Lowest air temperature
- Not stated
In its favour
- Freeze Shield automatic heating is listed to protect the pump and liner from frost damage.
- EnergySense insulated walls and cover are stated to be up to 40 percent more energy efficient, according to Bestway.
- The SmartSpa app sets temperature, timer and filtration without lifting the cover.
Good to know
- About 1,180 litres of water is a lot to keep warm when the air is cold.
- The listing gives no heater rating and no lowest air temperature, so check the manual.
Our take
Editorial rating (based on the manufacturer's listing)
7.8/ 10
- Fit for the job8.0
- Features per listing9.0
- Build per description8.0
- Value compared6.0
Our assessment of the listing and product description, not a hands-on test and not a customer rating. Overall = average of the four criteria, scale 1 to 10.
Insulation and frost protection
Bestway states that the EnergySense walls and cover make the tub up to 40 percent more energy efficient than equivalent spas, a comparison against Bestway's own spas rather than an independent standard. Freeze Shield is an automatic heating feature that protects the pump and liner from frost damage, which matters when a tub stays filled through a British winter.
Internal MaxHold fabric reinforcements are listed to help the walls hold their air pressure and stay stable.
Massage and app control
HydroJet nozzles around the sidewall send streams of water at the back, while hot air bubbles rise from the floor toward the feet. The spec sheet gives 10 jets, which probably counts the HydroJet nozzles only. The SmartSpa app sets temperature, timer, filtration pump and massage from a phone.
Size and weight
The tub measures 230 by 230 by 71 cm and weighs 37.9 kg according to the listing, so it needs a flat, firm base with room to walk around it. Filling about 1,180 litres takes a while and the first heat from cold will be slow, so set it up a day before you want to use it. The heater rating is not given on the listing.
What to check before buying
Square tubs use a corner footprint well on a patio or decking, but the 230 cm side still needs clear space for the pump, the cover and a path around the tub. Check that the power supply and the base suit a tub of this weight once it is full of water, and read the manual for the lowest air temperature Bestway recommends, because the listing does not state one.
Compared with the cheaper Lay-Z-Spa models on this site, the extra money here goes on insulation, frost protection and app control rather than on more jets, so it suits owners who care most about running costs and year-round use.
Verdict
Choose the San Francisco if you want a square seven seater with insulated walls, frost protection and app control. Buyers who prefer a round shape with the same feature set should look at the Bestway Santorini, and those who want foam walls may prefer the Wave Como Eco Foam.
Compared with alternatives in: Best inflatable hot tubs for winter use
Amazon listing title: Bestway - San Francisco Smart HydroJet Pro Energy Efficiency Inflatable Spa with App Control for 5 to 7 People - 230cm x 230cm x 71cm - Grey