Hot tubs and swim spas are a great place to host parties with friends and…
Swim Spas vs Hot Tubs: The Top 3 Advantages & Disadvantages of Both
The advantages and disadvantages of swim spas and hot tubs, and the differences between the two.
Trying to decide between a swim spa vs hot tub? Wondering about hot tub vs swim spa differences or whether to choose a swim spa or hot tub? There are so many options on the market it can be difficult to make an informed decision. We’ll help you sort through what is a swim spa vs hot tub, whether a swim spa is a hot tub, and decide which one is best for you. But first, let’s cover the basics:
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Swim spa vs hot tub at a glance
$10,000–$50,000upfront
typical swim spa purchase price
$3,000–$15,000upfront
typical hot tub purchase price
12–20 ftlong
swim spas need real space and floor support
What Is a Hot Tub?
Hot tubs use hot water and massage jets to provide relaxation, comfort, and seating options. Most hot tubs are built to fit between two and six people, but there are larger hot tubs that can fit up to ten to twelve people. Find out if a hot tub is the right choice for you when considering swim spa vs hot tub options.
What Is a Swim Spa?
A swim spa is a hybrid of a swimming pool and a hot tub. It has the hot water jetted system and seating arrangement of a hot tub, but the lengthened shape and depth of a swimming pool. Swim spas use their powerful jets to create a constant current for exercise, making them a unique choice in the hot tub vs swim spa debate.
What’s The Difference Between Hot Tubs and Swim Spas?
Swim spas and hot tubs are very similar, considering the latter is a hybrid. But the differences between them both is in their:
1. Size – Swim Spas are Bigger
A hot tub does not require a large backyard or outdoor space for installation. Swim spas, however, need more space and support. So while there might be enough room or more space to fit it in indoors, the flooring might not be strong enough to support it.
2. Features
Hot tubs and swim spas have practically the same features. However, swim spas are designed for mostly exercise and fitness while hot tubs are made for relaxation.
3. Cost – Swim Spas are More Expensive than Hot Tubs
A swim spa is larger than a hot tub, which means more cost for the unit, the equipment, and the installation. The operating costs will also be higher.
4. Use
A hot tub and a swim spa are both used for healing and physiotherapy, but only a swim spa can be used for both fitness, recreation, and therapy for those who want a more active lifestyle.
5. Location – Hot Tubs are a Lot More Flexible than Swim Spas
A difference between swim spa and hot tub installations is simply size. Hot tubs are smaller and have more flexibility to find the perfect spot.
Swim Spa vs Hot Tub: A Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | Swim Spa | Hot Tub |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Exercise, swimming, and relaxation | Relaxation and hydrotherapy |
| Size | Larger (12-20 ft long) | Smaller (6-8 ft diameter) |
| Installation Space | Requires significant space and support | More flexible, fits smaller spaces |
| Cost (Initial) | $10,000 – $50,000 | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Operating Cost | Higher due to size and heating | Lower, energy-efficient designs |
| Seating | Limited, functional seating | Comfort-focused, 2-12 seats |
| Year-Round Use | Yes, heated for all seasons | Yes, heated for all seasons |
This table highlights the difference between hot tub and swim spa options, helping you quickly compare features like size, cost, and functionality in the swim spa versus hot tub decision.
Swim Spa vs Hot Tub Cost
When comparing swim spa vs hot tub cost, several factors come into play. Swim spas generally have a higher upfront cost, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on size, features, and brand. Hot tubs, on the other hand, typically cost between $3,000 and $15,000, making them a more budget-friendly option for many. Operating costs also differ: swim spas require more energy for heating and powering their strong jets, plus higher chemical usage for water maintenance. Hot tubs, while still requiring energy for jets and heating, benefit from modern insulation designs that reduce costs. For a detailed breakdown, check out our guide on swim spa installation costs and hot tub electricity usage.
Pro Insight • Epic Hot Tubs Service Team
“Buy for how you will actually use it, not how you hope to. A swim spa is a fitness purchase first, and it carries a fitness price tag. If what you really picture is a quiet soak at the end of the day, a hot tub gives you exactly that for a fraction of the upfront cost, with seats built for comfort instead of function.”
Swim Spa Hot Tub Combo Options
For those considering a swim spa hot tub combo, many swim spas offer integrated seating areas designed for relaxation, effectively combining the best of both worlds. These models feature a dedicated spa section with hydrotherapy jets separate from the swimming area, allowing you to exercise and unwind in one unit. A swim spa with hot tub functionality is ideal for users who want versatility without installing two separate systems. However, these combos may come with a higher price tag and require more space than a standalone hot tub. Explore our swim spa models to find the perfect hot tub and swim spa combination for your needs.
Top 3 Advantages of a Swim Spa
1. Fitness and Exercise
If you’re all about fitness and keeping in shape, a swim spa would provide the most benefits when choosing between swim spa or hot tub. With a swim spa, you will not be obligated to keep to a gym schedule or have to leave mid-workout because the gym is closing. Swim spas do not have closing hours and will always be in your backyard whenever you feel ready to work out.
The current the powerful jets create forms a resistance that is useful for a variety of activities. Swimmers will not have to worry about completing swim laps, but rather focus on improving their strokes as the currents keep you swimming in the same spot. The currents could also be used as an invisible treadmill to walk against and burn calories. Working out in water can help many arthritic people or people with general body aches. It is also useful to beginners who would love to learn how to swim.
After burning those calories and getting your exercise, you can finally retreat to the spa area to wrap it up with a sweet massage.
2. Family Recreation All Year Round
Traditional swimming pools are not the most fun to use at night because it gets chilly and you might freeze if you dare to use them in the winter. But with swim spas, it’s different. Swim spas are designed to work in all temperature conditions all year round. It can be a big lure to have the whole family spend some quality time in a fun and engaging environment. Children can never say no to splashing around in the water, especially if it’s not too big and not too cold. You can have them play some water games with less risk of injury and you can use the opportunity to teach them how to swim as well as some life-saving skills in a safe space.
3. Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is using water to help physical health and wellbeing. People use the swim current to create gentle muscle resistance during physiotherapy. Gentle exercise helps stimulate sore muscles while the heated water aids relaxation.
What to Consider Before Getting a Swim Spa
Before getting a swim spa, you might want to consider a few things when evaluating swim spa vs hot tub options.
First of all, how large do you want your swim spa to be? Do you have the space to install one in your backyard? While a swim spa is smaller than a regular pool, it will still require more room than a hot tub.
Second, do you have the support for your new installation? You need to be sure to properly prepare for your swim spa delivery. The larger tank requires a lot of support, making on-ground installations much better than an on-deck installation. If you want to go ahead with a deck install, a survey by a structural engineer may identify any extra support needed. Another solution to swim spa placement is to build a swim spa deck surrounding the unit for easier access.
Answering these questions will help you decide if a swim spa is worth it for you!
The Top 3 Disadvantages of a Swim Spa
1. Operating Cost
Swim spas are ideal for soaking or swimming even in chilly temperatures. The price difference between a hot tub and a swim spa is shrinking, but the operating costs of the larger pool are higher. They require more insulation, more heating, and more powerful pumps, as well as higher chemical dosages to treat the water.
2. Seating Arrangement
You may need to find a compromise when looking at swim spa models. They aren’t quite a swimming pool, but they aren’t really a hot tub, either. The seats might be functional, but not quite as luxurious as those you might find in a hot tub.
Pro Insight • Epic Hot Tubs Service Team
“Sit in the seats before you decide, and do it in both. Swim spa seating is functional, and plenty of shoppers only feel the difference between that and a sculpted hot tub lounger once they are wet. If the soak matters as much as the swim, look hard at a dual-zone model with a true spa section, or plan for a hot tub alongside.”
3. Installation is More Difficult
Swim spas can be installed in-ground, above-ground and halfway, indoors or in your backyard. But the thing is, swim spas are heavy and will become even heavier with a full water tank, therefore you have to consider the strength of your preferred platform. However, you can consult a professional to survey your patio or whatever platform you would like to hold the swim spa.
For more tips, you can read our guide on how to determine if a deck can support a hot tub.
The Top 3 Advantages of a Hot Tub
1. Relaxation
Soaking in a hot tub is the best way to unwind after a long, hectic day. The hot tub jetted massages are always spot on, easing tensed muscles that developed during the day. Hot tubs are a great way to cope with insomnia. Using a hot tub before bed can help you sleep better.
Hot tubs can also help to ease the mind and get you mentally prepared for your day. Hot tub stress relief comes from the warm water, soothing jets, and time for relaxation.
2. Family & Friends Time
After a long day of playing with toys and school, you can spend some time with your family just enjoying each other’s company as you unwind and create some concrete memories that will last a lifetime.
Hot tub parties are also a great way to bring everyone together for a good time. There is no better place than to soak in bubbly hot water and gossip with friends than a hot tub. Hot tubs create this air of comfort with installed lights, seating arrangements, and sometimes even a stereo system.
3. Health
Hot tubs are therapeutic and they also have tremendous health benefits. A soak in the hot tub with the right temperature and pressure can improve the cardiovascular system. Physiotherapists around the world also use hot tubs in their hydrotherapy routine. Hot tubs can also be extremely beneficial for people with arthritis.
What to Consider Before Buying a Hot Tub
Before getting a hot tub, you should consider how long the hot tub will last. Examine the warranty and guarantees on offer from hot tub manufacturers to get the most reliable hot tub for your money.
What purpose would you want the hot tub to accomplish? Are you into the therapeutic qualities of water rather than physical fitness? If so, then a hot tub would be the best fit for you when deciding between swim spa or hot tub.
Also, how many people would you want to fit in your hot tub? You might want to go for a bigger tub if you’re looking to host tub parties for a large group of friends or smaller for just you and your partner.
There are a lot of other things you should consider before getting a hot tub. Here’s an extensive guide on how to choose a hot tub.
As with swim spas, it is important to properly prepare for a hot tub delivery. Choose a location that will be easy to access and ensure the path is cleared beforehand.
The Top 2 Disadvantages of Hot Tubs
1. Operating Cost
The jets, heat pumps as well as other hot tub controls consume a lot of energy and therefore can bring back high-cost power bills. However, most hot tubs have improved their designs like heat insulation to prevent heat loss, making them more energy conserving and less expensive.
Check out our article to answer the question how much electricity does a hot tub use?
2. Less Novel After Time
When you first get a hot tub, you might use them every day for maximum enjoyment. After a while, you might be going for a soak once or twice a week. Later, the maintenance of keeping the hot tub can potentially become greater than the joy you get from using yours.
Can a Swim Spa be Used as a Hot Tub?
Yes, you can use a swim spa as a hot tub. Many of them feature dedicated seats so you can enjoy a relaxing time after your exercise. Their hydrotherapy jets can be a perfect choice to complement your exercise regimen. This dual functionality often makes people wonder, “Is a swim spa a hot tub?” While it shares many hot tub features, its primary design caters to both swimming and relaxation, setting it apart in the swim spa vs hot tub comparison.
Are Swim Spas Also Hot Tubs? Q&A
Are swim spas also hot tubs?
While swim spas share some features with hot tubs, such as heated water and hydrotherapy jets, they are not exactly the same. Swim spas are designed with a dual purpose: providing a space for swimming and exercise with powerful jets creating a current, alongside a relaxation area with seating similar to a hot tub. Swim spas offer more versatility, but they are not solely hot tubs, they are a hybrid solution.
What is the main difference between a swim spa and a hot tub?
The main differences are size, purpose, and price. A swim spa is larger, usually 12 to 20 feet long, and is designed mostly for swimming and exercise against a current. A hot tub is smaller, around 6 to 8 feet across, and is built for seated relaxation and hydrotherapy. Swim spas typically cost $10,000 to $50,000, while hot tubs range from about $3,000 to $15,000.
Is a swim spa or a hot tub better for exercise?
A swim spa is the better choice for exercise. Its jets create a constant current you can swim, walk, or jog against, so it works like a water treadmill that never closes. A hot tub’s jets are made for massage and relaxation rather than fitness, though both can be used for gentle hydrotherapy.
How do swim spas and hot tubs compare to a swimming pool?
A swim spa sits between the two. It offers pool-style swimming in a smaller, heated shell that stays usable all year, while a traditional pool needs far more space and sits idle in the colder months. A hot tub is the smallest and most relaxation-focused of the three options.
Is a swim spa the same as a jacuzzi?
No. Jacuzzi is a well-known hot tub brand name that many people use for any hot tub. A swim spa is longer and deeper than a jacuzzi-style hot tub and adds a swim current for exercise, while a hot tub is built purely for seated soaking and massage.
Can’t Decide between Swim Spa vs Hot Tub?
Swim spas and hot tubs are both incredible choices for private time, recreation, health, and body fitness. It’s therefore natural to have a hard time making a choice between swim spa or hot tub. We hope you have a little more clarity on where your priorities should lie and, therefore, choose what suits your lifestyle. But if, after reading this article, you’re still on the fence and still don’t know which to choose in the swim spa vs hot tub dilemma, you can speak to one of our experts for better advice and guidance.
Have questions, or want to see options in person? Stop by any of our five North Carolina showrooms and talk it through with our team: Raleigh, Durham, Sanford, Charlotte, or North Charlotte. We are open 7 days a week, no appointment needed.
Epic Hot Tubs are Your Local Experts on Swim Spas and Hot Tubs
Call 888-884-3742 or fill out the form below to get in touch with a member of our team today!
About The Author:
Richard Horvath
Hot Tub & Spa Expert
Richard has been in the hot tub & spa industry for years. As a long hot tub & swim spa owner himself, Richard has a passion for helping homeowners create their dream backyard.
