Balboa TP700 Topside Control Review: Colour Screen, Real Buttons

Last updated: September 2026

With so many topside controls around, each with different features, it can be daunting to pick the right one for your tub. In this review I take a hands-on look at Balboa’s TP700 and its key features, so by the end you’ll know whether it’s the right panel for you.

First thoughts

The TP700 sits above the TP400 and TP600 and below the spaTouch touchscreens in Balboa’s range. It’s the middle-of-the-road option, with physical buttons and a colour screen. Cheaper panels have physical buttons with a basic LCD, and the high-end models are all touchscreen.

I much prefer buttons combined with a colour screen, certainly over the older touchscreen models. We all remember how early touchscreens behaved when even a drop of water got on them. Balboa’s newer touchscreens are much better at this, but on a hot tub, with wet hands and splashes, I still like a button that does what it says.

The TP700 I tested was connected to a test spa pack on my bench, and just using it there had me impressed.

Where it fits in Balboa’s range

Panel	Screen	Controls	Worth knowing
TP600	LCD, 4 digits plus scrolling text	6 buttons	The budget workhorse, and smaller
TP700 / TP740	2.8in colour	Physical buttons: shortcuts plus arrow keys and a centre select	Easy menus without a touchscreen
spaTouch Mini	2.8in colour touchscreen	Touch	Much smaller panel, good for DIY tubs
spaTouch 3 / 4	5in or 7in touchscreen	Touch	spaTouch 4 has WiFi built in

Sources: Balboa’s TP7 series and interfaces pages. The TP740 is part of the same TP7 series.

Retailers now list the older TP800 as discontinued, with the TP700 as its replacement, so if you had a TP800 that’s failed, this is the natural swap.

Using the Balboa TP700

While testing the TP700, a few things stood out.

Graphical user interface

The TP700 has a very intuitive and versatile interface. The home screen shows the current temperature, a heating indicator, and key details such as the heat mode, ozone status and temperature range along the top of the screen.

The “i” icon on the screen signifies a message or error. When I checked it, it showed a flow error, because this is a test pack that isn’t connected to a pump or any water. On a real tub, that’s where you’d see things like a flow or sensor warning, and it’s much easier to read than the codes on the older panels. If you do see a flow error on your tub, my FLO error guide will help.

Navigation

Navigation is very straightforward and uses physical buttons rather than a touchscreen. You use the arrow keys on the right-hand side of the panel to move between the options, and press the button in the middle to select, like an “OK” or “Enter” key.

The older models needed combinations of button presses to get to certain features. The TP700 makes it so much easier to get where you need to go, and it makes those early TPs feel like relics of the past. Changing the heat mode, for example, is just a case of scrolling to it. If you’re not sure which mode to use, see Balboa heat modes explained.

Controls

On the left of the panel you can see five buttons. There are actually six available, with one hidden under the overlay on this particular model.

Like all topsides, the TP700 can control lots of different combinations of pumps and blowers. You can have up to four jet pumps, a blower and a light, which is more than enough for most hot tubs. What each button does depends on how the spa pack is configured, and the overlay needs to match. Overlays come in versions for two, three and four jet pumps. If you’re setting up a new pack with one, see Program the Balboa BP8 spa pack using a TP700 or my general guide to configuring a Balboa spa pack.

Anything I don’t like?

Of course, no topside control is perfect. The one thing I don’t like about the TP700 is its physical size. It seems rather bulky, and it’s more prominent than it needs to be. It’s considerably bigger than earlier TPs in the range. The TP600, for example, is about two-thirds the size. If you’re cutting a hole for it in a DIY tub surround, plan for that.

Other than the size, I like this controller, and the lights around the outside edge are a very nice touch.

Compatibility

The TP700 works with Balboa’s BP-series spa packs. That includes the BP100/200, BP501/601, BP2000/2100, BP7 and BP8. Balboa’s BP8 tech sheet lists the TP700/TP740 as compatible with any software version. Balboa also lists the TP7 series among the panels that work with its Clim8zone heat pump, on BP packs that support it.

It won’t work with older Balboa VS, GS, EL or GL packs. Those need VL or ML panels. If you’re not sure what you have, see Which Balboa topside control do I need?

There’s no WiFi built into the TP700. If you want app control, add a module. See my ControlMySpa review.

Conclusion

The simplicity of the navigation is a big plus for the TP700. Compared with the other TP topsides, the intuitive navigation is one of the things I love about it.

So, to answer the burning question: would I get the TP700 for my own hot tub? The answer is a massive yes!

Where to buy the TP700

In the USA, the Balboa TP700 (without overlay) is on parts4tubs.com. In the UK, you’ll find it with the other Balboa TP and spaTouch panels on parts4tubs.co.uk, along with TP700 overlays and a BP6013G2 pack and TP700 bundle if you’re replacing the pack too.

Building your own tub? Pick the pack and panel together, and plan where the panel sits and how its cable runs back to the control room. My DIY hot tub plans include the full parts list, so you know exactly what to order.

FAQs

Is the Balboa TP700 compatible with my spa pack?

It is if you have a Balboa BP-series pack, such as a BP501, BP601, BP2000, BP2100, BP7 or BP8. It won’t work with VS, GS, EL or GL packs.

Does the TP700 come with an overlay?

Often not. Many listings are for the panel only, so order an overlay that matches your equipment (for example two jets, light and aux) at the same time.

What’s the difference between the TP600 and the TP700?

The TP600 has a basic LCD and six buttons. The TP700 has a 2.8in colour screen, arrow keys and simple menus, but it’s a physically bigger panel.

Does the TP700 have WiFi?

No. For app control you need a separate Balboa WiFi module, or a spaTouch 4, which has WiFi built in.

Can the TP700 replace a TP800?

Yes. The TP800 is now listed as discontinued, and the TP700 is the usual replacement on BP packs. You may need a different overlay and a bigger or smaller cut-out.

Got a question about the TP700 or which panel to choose? Drop it in the comments below.

Cheers,
Andi

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Hi, Andi here. I own Buildahottub.com and also write all of the articles and info pages on the site. Some years back now, I built my own hot tub but struggled to find the information I needed. So, once my tub was complete, I started this website to help others in their own pursuit of hot tub and plunge pools DIY building information.

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