best swim spas

You’ve likely made it to this page because you’re looking to purchase a swim spa, though you’re not sure where to start.

We don’t blame you for feeling a bit lost, as there are well over 40 swim spa manufacturers in the industry today, each of which claims to be the “best” around. A few of these swim spa brands have swim spas just to keep up with the crowd while others have built their entire brands around swim spas.

Today, we’ll be diving in and checking out some of the best swim spas in the industry, as well as explaining what to look for when purchasing a swim spa.

Best Swim Spa Brands

While we don’t believe there is a “best swim spa” out there, we do believe that there are some excellent swim spa brands that have features, designs, and qualities, that give them a competitive edge over other swim spa brands.

Let’s take a look at some of what we believe are the best swim spas on the market today!

Hydropool is the perfect swim spa brand for those who don’t want to have to deal with maintenance. The Aquatrainer, for example, is what the company calls a “self-cleaning” spa. This means that it can filter 100% of the water in just as little as 45 minutes. 

In terms of cost, you can expect to spend between $14,000-$42,000 on a swim spa from Hydropool. They may not be the cheapest swim spas around, though they do have quite a few cool features to offer.

Most of the Hydropool swim spas can be customized with covers, bromine or ozone filtration systems, external cabinets, internal shells, and more. The shells come in dark grey or white colors, giving them a stone look. You can even add on wood-like siding for a natural look so that your spa blends in nicely with your deck.

Overall, if you’re looking for the best swim spa customization around, Hydropool is the brand for you!

The Kingfisher, in particular, is an all-weather pool that uses additional lights to help swimmers maintain a straight path into the current. Yes, you can even go for a swim at night!

Each Arctic Spa comes with smartphone capabilities, making it easy to run your spa and adjust parameters from far away. If you want to protect your investment a bit more, you can add a fancy cover or opt for a nice stereo system. Arctic Spas have even put together several informational videos to help narrow your buying decision a bit more.

As for the sizes, you shouldn’t expect to find any large tubs in the Arctic Spas range. However, with all of the customization features, low-cost operational features, and specialist cold-climate designs, Arctic Swim Spas are definitely worth looking into!

The “Build Your Endless Pool” option on the sites allows you to customize your spa with all different types of features. They make it so easy too. You don’t need to have any prior experience with swim spa technology to find the best option. It’ll ask you questions about what type of line you want, what kind of coping system you’re after, and more!

This brand has a surprisingly large range compared to many other manufacturers on the market. Endless Pools Swim Spas have a pretty wide range in terms of sizes, moving from about 1,200 gallons to 2,400 gallons. The larger ones provide plenty of swim area square footage to please big families. You can even customize the lighting and jets!

One of the primary reasons that people purchase swim spas is so that they can swim without having to go to the pool. With the 16” propeller current design, Endless Pools have currents that are much stronger than spas that use jets. The current ends up being a bit wider than your body, allowing you to have clean and defined strokes through bubble-free water. You won’t experience swim spa exercise like this anywhere else.

If you’re looking for swim spas with great value, look no further than Endless Pools!

The Michael Phelps Swim Spa series are more so targeted at athletes and experienced swimmers for exercise applications

Master Spas has a few other lines available too, with 12 other swim spas in all. The other top swim spa line is the H2X Swim Spas Challenger Series. There are three models available in this line, perfect for those who are looking to strengthen their swimming abilities. Rather than a propeller design, these particular swim spas use airless jets. To keep up with technology demands, Master Spas has added the AquaSpeed VSP, which offers touchscreen control. Here you can toggle between 25 speed settings, as well as a number of programmable workouts. 

Beyond the top two, there are a few lower-end swim spas available for those who are on a budget. Overall, Master Spas is an excellent brand for serious swimmers and athletes of all kinds. 

One of the things we love about PDC Swim Spas is how easy the company has made it to find the best model with the right options. Whether you are looking to keep it simple without any luxury features or aiming for a more elegant touch with cascading waterfalls and such, PDC has you covered. Plus, they have 14 swim spa models to choose from, making them one of the largest manufacturers of swim spas around.

Every PDC Swim Spa can be customized with interesting features, including LED lighting and audio systems. The spas have a wide range of sizes starting at 1,700 gallons and moving all the way up to 2,700 gallons. There are plenty of jet options to choose from as well, your choice depending on whether you are looking for a serious workout or family fun.

Overall, if you’re seeking out the brand with the biggest selection of models, PDC Swim Spas is the company to look at.

Types of Swim Spas

Swim Spa Systems

Swim Spas share all of the same basic features. The major difference that you will want to look out for lies in the propulsion system.

If you look at the current market, you will see three different types of current systems built into swim spas. These current systems include:

• Propeller Systems
• Paddlewheel Systems
• Jetted Systems

Propeller systems make use of propellers to power the swim current. Paddlewheel systems power currents with a large, spinning paddlewheel. Lastly, we have jetted systems, which are probably the most common type of current system available. Swim spa models that use jetted systems create currents using powerful jet pumps that push water through swim jets (typically two jets or more).

When it really comes down to it, the type of propulsion system that you choose isn’t going to make a huge difference. What really matters is the quality of the system you choose. After all, you want a current that is strong, smooth, easy to control, and wide enough to swim in.

FAQ

Is a Swim Spa Better Than A Pool?

There are many reasons why someone might want a swim spa over a swimming pool. For starters, swim spas are much smaller than pools. Install a swim spa and you’ll have much more room in your yard for other activities if you choose.

Swim spas can be used in just about any environment as well, including indoors. Of course, you will need to consult with a structural specialist to make sure it is okay to install a pool in your home.

Swim spas, unlike pools, have active currents, which are perfect for infinite swimming routines. While they may not have the bigger swim area, you can keep swimming forever without ever hitting the end of the pool.

Lastly, swim spas cost much less than your average swimming pool. You don’t have to worry about site prep costs when purchasing a swim spa. For those who are on a tight budget, swim spas provide the experience of pools for a smaller cost. 

See the full article at our swim spa vs pool page. 

What Is the Average Cost of Swim Spa?

The average cost of a swim spa depends on a lot of things, including dimension and size, brand, and features.

On the lower end of the spectrum, you can expect to spend anywhere from $6,000 to $8,000 on a swim spa.

However, when you start getting into the realm of feature-rich models, you are looking at spending around $30,000 or more. 

So yes, swim spas aren’t necessarily cheap, though compared to the price of purchasing a pool, you save about half of the money you would end up spending. 

Plus, swim spas are heated, meaning you can use them throughout the year. 

Above Ground or In-Ground Spa?

On the other hand, in-ground spas are a bit more difficult to install. You will likely end up spending more time and money. Plus, in-ground spas pose safety risks for families with pets or young children.

Above-ground spas are more closely related to their hot tub counterparts. They sit atop the ground, similar to the way a bath would, though they are built for exercise.

One of the biggest benefits of above-ground spas is that they are incredibly easy to install. Simply find a place to put them down and you’re good to go! They are also much safer for families with children or pets, as you can’t fall into them.

On the other hand, they can be difficult to climb in and out of, especially for those who already have trouble walking as it is. Plus, they don’t integrate as seamlessly with the landscape as in-ground spas do. 

For more information, see our above ground vs inground swim spa page. 

Can You Really Swim In a Spa?

Yes! That is exactly what swim spas are made for. Swim spas come with current systems that allow owners to swim infinitely thanks to current options that push them along. You can even swim at your own pace by setting the current to your liking.

There are many swim spas that come with extra features, such as exercise bars, rowing kits, and cross-training programs! 

Is a Swim Spa Worth the Money?

There are many reasons why we believe swim spas are well worth the money.

For starters, they help create oasis-like backyards for those who like to stay active at home.

You’ll never need to take another trip down to your local pool or invest in overpriced memberships, which will save you money in the long run!

Plus, a swim spa that is worked into the environment can increase the value of a home.

If you ever decide to sell your home, it could potentially become the deciding feature that seals the deal. 

Lastly, swim spas don’t require very much maintenance, especially when compared to pools. Traditional pools require tons of energy and costly chemicals. A swim spa provides all of the benefits of a pool without the hassle of paying extra in the long run. 

See our are swim spas worth it page for more information. 

Are Swim Spas Available at Costco?

Check out our Costco Swim Spa page for availability. 

Final Verdict – Should I Get a Swim Spa?

If you haven’t ever considered getting a swim spa before, it can be quite difficult to know which type of swim spa might work best for your situation. You need to consider the type of exercise that you will be doing, the swim area that you have available, the type of swim spa current that you want, and so much more.

We hope that our swim spa guide provides a bit of a road map for you to find the best new swim spa for all of your exercise or relaxation needs. There is no “best swim spa” out there, though there are plenty of swim spas with features that make them far more desirable.

Pair those features along with your budget and size needs and you’ll be well on your way to enjoying your brand new swimming spa in no time!

The last thing we want you to do is waste your time trying to find the best prices from hot tub dealers in your local area. Instead, fill out our questionnaire below to several quotes from local dealers at once, all based on your swim spa preferences!