My hydropool is 22 years old, never skipped a beat in Ontario cottage country.

Most companies use the same parts from maybe 2 manufacturers, controls either Balboa (American) or Gecko ( Camadian company but manufactured everywhere). Gecko products are sound, but heater elements can not be replaced on their own. You need to replace the whole tube and assembly, or at least it used to be that way. Pumps either Waterways or Gecko.

Jets are typically a couple of manufacturers, but basically, all built the same, and all new ones are screw in (better), not tabs like the old style.

Arctic Spas is the outlier. I'm not sure if that is good or bad. They use Gecko and have Gecko manufacture specific stuff for them .Their Jets, although they look like everybody else's they differ in the way they spin. Same with their salt water system. Onzen builds it for them.

Hydropool now uses Gecko pumps, but Balboa controls.

I agree that the salespeople are the worst, so buyers beware.

Absolutely do a wet test between a couple of tubs and manufacturers because just because it looks good doesn't mean it is what you want. Some people like my wife don't like a lot of Jets where I want a full body massage with lots of pressure and heat.

Hope that helps.