Choosing Between Swim Spa vs. Spa Pool : Which Should You Buy?

Spa pools sit well on outdoor decked areas that flow comfortably off your house – easily accessible after a game of golf, a tough day at work, or a weekend at the footy!

Our customers choose a swim spa if they have more space in their backyard and are after a hybrid of a spa and a swimming pool. 

We cover our spa pool and swim spa sizes in more detail later in the article.

Most spa pools can be placed on a concrete paving slab. Swim spas, however, are much larger, so you will need a stronger concrete slab to support the weight of the water, people swimming, and the spa itself.

Feature differences between swim spas vs spa pools

Let’s break down the key feature differences between swim spas and spa pools:

Spa pools and swim spas both offer contoured seating with multiple massage jets to target:

• Feet
• Legs
• Hips
• Lower and mid-back
• Neck and shoulders
• Hands and wrists

Modern, self-contained spas now feature multiple pumps powering full-body massage seats, surpassing the old timber hot tubs with their single jets. 

Choosing seating with jets positioned along your body ensures a comprehensive massage experience, unlike spas with just a single mid-back jet.

Here’s some more information that may help you decide on the swim spa for your lifestyle.

Cost difference between a swim spa vs spa pool

When it comes to deciding between a swim spa and a spa pool, the cost can vary quite a bit, depending on what you're looking for.

Initial Costs and Installation:
Swim spas generally cost more upfront due to their size, but they’re easier than you think to install. You can have one craned into place in about an hour.

On the flip side, spa pools are usually cheaper to buy and easier to set up, making them a great option if you're looking to keep things simple and cost-effective.

Ongoing Costs:
Running a swim spa or a spa pool will cost between $0.50 and $4 a day, depending on factors like your climate, how often you use it, and your heating setup. 

Filling up your swim spa won’t break the bank, it’s generally under $50. Just keep in mind there will be minor ongoing costs for evaporation and the occasional drain.

Energy Use:
Both spa pools and swim spas come with inbuilt heaters to keep the water warm around the clock. Adding an external heat pump can really help with efficiency, too.

Remember, swim spas use more power because they hold triple the amount of water, but they’re still cheaper to run than a traditional swimming pool with a gas or electric heater. 

Also, fewer jets or pumps can lower your power bill, but it might mean a less powerful massage or swim current. Consider this trade-off if you do decide to opt for less jets.

Maintenance:
You’ll need to regularly buy filters and chemicals to keep your spa in top shape – skipping regular spa care runs the risk of nasty bacteria growing in the water.

Investing in an ozone or UV-C sanitisation system can reduce chemical use and save you money in the long run.

Take a look at our article ‘How Expensive is it to Own a Spa’ for in-depth guidance on the true costs of owning a spa.

Installation differences of swim spas vs spa pools

Installing a spa pool or a swim spa involves more than just picking a spot and setting it down – especially if you want a beautifully landscaped area around it.

Here’s what you need to know about getting your spa pool or swim spa set up right:

Weight and Foundation:

Spa Pools: Even smaller spa pools can weigh up to 2,000kg when filled with water and bathers. For a solid foundation, you’ll need a reinforced concrete slab that’s at least 100mm thick.

Swim Spas: These beasts are heavier, with some models reaching 4,000 to 8,000kg. They require a more robust foundation, so your concrete slab should be at least 150mm thick.

Safety and Regulations:

Fencing: Check with your local council or building surveyor to see if you need fencing. Typically, spa pools need a 1,200mm high safety barrier. For swim spas, the cabinet itself might count as part of the barrier (since it’s over 100mm high), so you might only need fencing around the entry steps.

Location and Access:

Touchpad Placement: Place the spa’s touchpad near your house for easy access and control. If you’re adding a heat & cool pump, keep it close to the spa to avoid long pipe runs, which can reduce efficiency.

Cover Storage: Spa cover lifters can make it easier to handle your covers. Swim spas usually have 4-6 separate cover sections, so make sure you have a designated spot for them when not in use.

Drainage:

Overflow and Emptying: Ensure proper drainage for splashed water and when emptying your spa. Spa pools typically need to dispose of around 1,500 litres of water, while swim spas can hold 6,000 to 8,000 litres.

Learn more information about Spa Installation in Australia.

Which is Better, Swim Spa or Spa Pool?

Deciding which option is better for you comes down to weighing up your budget and your priorities:

What’s your budget?

Purchase costs of spa pools and swim spas differ massively. 

Good-quality spa pools range from $10k to $40k, and the price is mostly affected by the number of jets, build quality, and pump and heating equipment that power the spa.

Our mySplash myOasis, and myFavourite are some of the best-selling entry-level spa pools, starting around $10k plus delivery from your local Sapphire Spas showroom. 

Swim spas range in price from approx $30k-$60k and you can also find a plunge pool with less jets and pumps for around $25k. You will usually need to add delivery to these prices. 

myWatersedgePLUNGE has been built as an affordable alternative to installing a backyard swimming pool. It has minimal jets and a large open pool space for kids to splash and play in—plus, it can also be heated for year-round use. 

There are many cheap spa pools available, but it’s so important to do your homework so you know what you’re buying. 

Skipping initial costs could cost you a fortune in the long run if you need to get rid of a broken spa or wait weeks for replacement parts from overseas.

Consider:

• Number of jets for hydrotherapy benefits
• Australian-made and serviced
• Warranty periods
• Build and insulation quality
• After-sales support

 Learn more about average spa pool or swim spa running cost in Australia.

What’s your priority: relaxation, fitness, family fun?

A simple rule of thumb when you’re choosing between a spa pool and a swim spa is:

• How much space you have in your backyard
• How much space you’d like when you and your family or friends are in the water

Spa pools are designed for seated enjoyment of the multiple variations of massage seating. Swim spas allow swimming, splashing, exercise and play space within the additional pool area of these units. 

As we’ve shown above, all our spas offer a blend of these functionalities, and small children will always find a way to jump around and splash. 

The larger spa pools and swim spas will simply provide more space so that – hopefully! – you can peacefully enjoy a massage in the spa pool end while the kids play in the pool end of a larger swim spa. 

myDualzone is the ultimate hybrid of a spa pool and swim spa, seamlessly combining these two different options as two separate use zones. 

Because they can be heated, you can use Sapphire swim spas as a swimming pool all year round. Swim spas are a 24/7 exercise machine in your own backyard with a hydrotherapy massage at the other end for recovery, rehabilitation and relaxation.

If you’ve been considering buying a swimming pool but are concerned about time-consuming and costly installation and maintenance, a no-dig, easy-care swim spa solution may be right for you.

With some swim training, kids can swim strokes and hold themselves in the jet stream, but a race to ‘beat the jets’ and be the first to the swim jet end of the spa is just as much fun!

If you have a specific injury or therapeutic need, choose a spa pool with maximum massage jets, that is specially designed to alleviate muscle soreness and target specific areas. 

myRecovery, myRelaxation or myExtravagance in our ‘luxurious range’ are higher spec’d spa pools which offer seats with the most jets to target all muscle groups along your body. 

How much available space do you have?

The Sapphire range offers two-person spa pools from a 3.2m2 footprint; compact enough to fit on a patio or smaller backyard deck. 

Our 2.0x2.0m spa pools give you some extra space with 4.0m2 of pool space which is large enough for a family to enjoy; these spas will fit into most backyards and still allow landscaping and grassed areas for the kids to play. 

Here’s a snapshot of our different spa options:

And here’s a snapshot of our swim spa sizes:

Find The Perfect Spa Pool or Swim Spa

Sapphire Spas are manufactured in Victoria Australia and we welcome you to visit our manufacturing facility if it’s within your region. 

We are also proud to partner with so many pool and spa shops across Australia your local store is likely to offer the Sapphire Spas range. 

Try out a Sapphire Spa at your nearest showroom today, or call 1300 069 772 and we can help you choose the best spa for your backyard and healthy lifestyle.