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How Much Does a Swim Spa Cost in 2024?
We often get asked “How much are swim spas?”, and the answer is, it depends on what size and features you want. In this blog, we’ve made it easy to find out exactly how much the perfect swim spa will cost.
Have you been thinking about getting a new swim spa, but can’t figure out how much money you need to set aside? Well, it can be frustrating, but it should not be if you know what determines swim spa prices.
Knowing the factors that influence the price, such as the size and features, makes it easy to tell how much it will cost you to get a swim spa that suits your needs.
Therefore, whether you are a new swim spa owner or someone looking to upgrade what they currently use, this post will explain everything you need to know when choosing one and give you some handy cost estimates.
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Factors that Influence Swim Spa Cost
One of the most common questions we get as a swim spa dealer is “how much is a swim spa?”, and the answer is: it depends. Swim spa costs will largely depend on your specific needs as they are quite versatile. This versatility means that it is hard to come up with one average or blanket price for all swim spas. Several variables will influence swim spas cost. Here is an overview of the main ones:
1. Size
How big do you want your swim spa to be? Do you want something that the entire family can use or just a small and compact unit for a couple? Without considering other variables, the larger the swim spa, the more you must pay.
As you consider the size, you have to look at the overall dimensions and the swim space you get. The overall dimensions determine how much space the swim spa will take up on your property, while the swim space determines the number of people that can use it.
2. Hydrotherapy
Some swim spas will also include hydrotherapy, increasing their costs significantly. These spas make a good buy when you want something for both exercising and relaxing.
The warm water is good for hydrotherapy, but extra features like thoughtful jet placement, magnetic therapy, and a foot massage system are even better.
3. Fitness Components
Fitness components like swim jets also influence the price of a swim spa. The components ensure that the spa will be useful for pleasure and your health and wellness.
Some models will include several other components geared toward fitness, such as water weights and resistance bands, but this makes them more expensive.
4. Built-in Hot Tubs
It is not always easy to choose between inground pools and hot tubs, but a dual-zone swim spa that includes a built-in hot tub can allow you to enjoy both.
A dual-zone swim spa allows you to exercise in a pool and enjoy relaxing and unwinding time in a hot tub. Although such spas will cost far less than building inground pools and buying hot tubs separately, they are still pricier than regular spas.
A dual-zone swim spa can also be useful for those still stuck on the swim spas vs. hot tubs debate, as it also serves as both.
5. Wi-Fi Connectivity
Wi-Fi connectivity allows app management, so you to control your spa using a smartphone or tablet. The Wi-Fi model is an extra addition to the spa, and so it drives the cost up.
It is still possible to get this feature separately by installing an aftermarket Wi-Fi module if you want to keep the initial cost of your spa low.
6. Audio and Lights
Most spas will have basic lights for nighttime use, but some premium models include a highly impressive top-of-the-range LED lighting system, which typically makes them expensive.
Besides the initial cost, including these lights also leads to higher maintenance costs. These lights can increase your energy bills significantly if you use the spa a lot.
Other models will also have speakers or a built-in subwoofer to add an extra level of entertainment to your spa as you can enjoy some relaxing music when soaking. But like with lights, spas that have these expensive audio systems will cost a lot more.
So How Much Will a Swim Spa Cost?
You can expect to spend anything from $10,000 to over $50,000 on a swim spa. This massive price difference stems from the fact that they are available in different categories from low to high-end swim spas, and their features also differ among spa models and brands. One of the most common questions we get is “Is a Swim Spa Worth It?“. This always depends on your budget and goals, which only you know. So, really, the question should be “Is a Swim Spa Worth It For Me?”.
Average Swim Spa Price
Swim spa prices are lower than in-ground pool prices, but most models will cost much more than above-ground pools. The average price of a swim spa is between $10,500 and $20,000. Even if you add the delivery cost, the price will still be somewhere around this average.
However, you can still get cheap swim spas below this average, but they will lack many features. Also, if you want a premium quality swim spa, the price will be several times this but more on this in the high-end swim spa price action below.
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Low-End Swim Spa | $5,000 – $7,000 |
| Mid-Range Swim Spa | $15,000 – $25,000 |
| High-End Swim Spa | $30,000 – Over $50,000 |
Low-End Swim Spa Price
If you want a low-end swim spa and do not mind buying one of those cheap models imported from China, you can pay as little as $5,000, and the price hardly goes beyond $7,000.
Mid-Range Swim Spa Price
For a better-quality mid-range swim spa with a few extra features and a better-than-average water jet, the price range is $15,000 to $25,000.
High-End Swim Spa Price
The large high-end swim spas with amazing features such as hydrotherapy, precise water temperature adjustment, and much more will cost you at least $30,000. If the unit you buy is from a top-tier brand and includes even more advanced features, it can easily cost over $50,000.
Maintenance Costs
The initial cost of a spa is just a one-off expense, but the maintenance costs are there for as long as you own the spa. Therefore, you should not overlook this ongoing cost when deciding what to buy.
It is not easy to determine the maintenance cost before using the spa, but the following points can give you some idea.
1. Where it is made – Swim spas made in the US and Canada are typically better quality than imports from most other countries, given the strict quality and safety standards. Therefore, these spas will be cheaper to maintain and more durable.
2. Filtration system efficiency – A spa with an efficient filtration system will be cheaper and easier to maintain since you do not have to run it long to clean the water.
3. Insulation quality – A well-insulated spa will be more efficient to heat than a cheaper option with poor insulation. Since the pool will not lose a lot of the heat, it will not leave you with high energy bills.
4. Warranty cover – You should look at both the spa warranty length and what it covers. Spas that come with a warranty covering parts are cheaper to maintain since you do not have to buy any expensive parts during the coverage period.
5. Cost of chemicals – Like a traditional swimming pool, a spa will require different chemicals to keep the water clean and balanced. You will need chlorine or other disinfectants to kill contaminants, cyanuric acid to stabilize the chlorine, and other chemicals to balance pH and water hardness. The larger the spa, the more of these chemicals you need, and hence the more expensive it will be to maintain.
6. Energy costs – A spa with an energy-efficient system is always preferable as it will ensure you do not have to add hundreds of dollars to your annual energy costs.
Other Swimpool Costs
Besides the initial and maintenance costs, there are a few others that you can incur when buying a new swim spa or endless pool and using your existing one.
Upgrades
Many people prefer to add some upgrades to their endless pools to make them an even better fit for their preferences. These upgrades can include Wi-Fi, speakers, LED lights, and anything else you think will improve your overall spa experience.
Each upgrade’s cost will depend on where you buy it, but some manufacturers can provide them at a discount.
Delivery and Installation Costs
The delivery and installation costs also vary from one dealer to the other. However, you should be ready to pay more for an in-ground swim spa installation than the above-ground models that hardly require installation.
If you need to have the spa hoisted with a crane or have to lay a concrete slab before installation, you should be ready to pay more. You should budget between $2,000 and $5,000 for the swim spa installation cost.
Repair Costs
Spas are cheaper to maintain and repair than an above or in-ground swimming pool. However, like anything else, the actual costs will depend on the model and brand, given the differences in the quality and availability of parts.
Swim Spa FAQs
How much does it cost to run a swim spa?
It is hard to estimate how much it will cost to run a spa as each situation is different. However, the main costs involved are electricity, maintenance, and supplies. So how much does it cost to run a swim spa? You can expect to spend anywhere from $50 to $100 depending on where you live and how often you use the spa.
What is the biggest swim spa you can buy?
Swim spa or endless pool sizes will largely vary from one brand to the other. However, the longest ones in the market will be around 19, 20, 21, 23, and 25 feet long, depending on the brand.
How much does a swim spa weigh?
The actual weight depends on the size, so it should be obvious that a 20-foot spa will weigh more than a 10-foot one. With that in mind, a 20-foot spa will weigh around 4,000 pounds when empty and around 26,000 pounds when full of water.
How do you lift a swim spa?
A crane comes to mind when you want to lift a swim spa for installation but hiring one can be expensive, and it is also easy to damage the spa when hoisting it. An even better way to lift the spa is gradually sliding it from the trailer by using swim spa casters, poles, and a spa lift bag for support. This video explains this in more detail.
How many gallons are in a swim spa?
The number of gallons in a swim spa will depend on its dimensions. You can use the formula below to calculate the volume of water in your spa.
Volume = Length x Width x Average Water depth
Can You Really Swim In a Spa?
Yes, you can swim in a spa, and as their name suggests, they are meant for swimming and not just for relaxation. Also, they include powerful swim jets that create a resistance to hold you in place so you can do endless laps.
Is a Swim Spa Worth the Money?
Swim spas are well worth it. They will provide the perfect spot for relaxing at home, are good for exercise, and add extra ambiance to your backyard.
Can you give me swim spa installation ideas?
How and where you choose to install your swim spa will ultimately depend on your preferences, the space you are working with, and the spa type. However, there are many swim spa installation ideas you can utilize, such as stand-alone, edge of the deck, and raised deck installs.
Where to buy a swim spa?
You can buy swim spas in both physical and online stores, but the main goal should always be to get a good dealer that will give you the best experience. A good dealer like Epic Hot Tubs will take care of other things like delivery and installation to ensure you get a hassle-free experience.
Epic Hot Tubs is a team of experts that know everything about spas and will give you unbeatable service, including a free consultation call to ensure you get what suits you best at a good price.
Conclusion
A swim spa is an excellent addition to any backyard as it will not only be the perfect relaxation spot but can also help you keep fit and healthy.
The cost of buying one will largely depend on factors like the size, features, and brand. However, you should be ready to spend at least $10,000 to get a good model.
Do you still have questions about swim spa costs or anything else about swim spas?
About The Author:
Manny Brambila
Pool & Spa Expert
Manny has been in the Pool & Spa industry for over 15 years and is considered a pool, swim spa, & hot tub expert. He has been a Certified Pool & Spa Operator (CPO) since 2009 and worked 15 years in aquatic training and development for the largest pool chemical and customer care company. He also has been an outside consultant for the Pool and Spa industry in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles since 2018. In the past few years Manny has become Director of Operations for Epic Hot Tubs with a priority of providing customers with the most reliable information and best service possible.
