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Home Hot Tubs Hot Tub Reviews How Much Does a Swim Spa Cost: Is It Worth the Money? [2024]

How Much Does a Swim Spa Cost: Is It Worth the Money? [2024]

How much do swim spas cost? Is it worth the money? What budget do I need to buy a swim spa? The answers to these and other questions are in this article!
Swim Cost

A swim spa is a hybrid of a hot tub and a regular pool. From the spa it took the water heating system and the presence of massage jets, and from the pool its size. 

At first glance, it may seem that a swim spa is not big enough to swim in. They are, but they have enough space to allow you to exercise and swim in place. It is ensured by the flow of water from the jets, which you overcome and swim in place. Swim spas, unlike conventional pools, can be used all year round due to the heating elements which contact a node with the water that is pumped into it. It allows the water to be warmed both in summer and winter.

However, the question of the cost of buying and maintaining a swim spa remains open because it is very difficult to give a definite answer in one figure. So, in this article, we have taken a look at the costs of a swim spa for all budgets, how much it will cost you, and whether a swim spa is worth the money.

How Much Does a Swim Spa Cost?

Cost of a swim spa for different budgets
Cost of a swim spa for different budgets

The budget for buying a swim spa includes more than just the price. When budgeting, you should also consider the cost of shipping, installation, maintenance, and accessories. It allows you to avoid problems with insufficient funds and situations where you have bought a swim spa but it is still packed up and you cannot start using it.

The cost of the swim spa is also affected by the quality of materials, heater capacity, number of jets, size, water capacity, and brand. The latter is especially important because the markup for the brand can be up to 20% of the total cost, so the most expensive swim spa is not necessarily the best and most functional.

We have conventionally divided the swim spa market into 3 categories – low-budget, medium-budget, and high-budget. That way you can compare your budget and understand how much you need to spend on the swim spa. 

Prices for swim spas vary from $7,000 to $50,000.

Low-budget Swim Spa

Low-budget Swim Spa

Low-budget spas include pools that cost anywhere from $7,000 to $20,000. Their size may be smaller than the top models, but other elements are still different. For example, filtration systems may be less efficient and may not purify all the water in the swim spa. Because of this, you will have to spend more time and money using chemicals.

Also, the jets may be inferior to the more expensive models.Their number and power is less than the expensive swim spas. Because of this, your workouts may be less effective.

The verdict: Small-budget swim spas have one huge plus: price. In addition to having to spend 1.75-2.85 times less money to buy, installation and shipping will also cost less because of the smaller size (11-13 inches). You’ll also have less trouble dedicating space to it and 11 inches is enough to swim in place and exercise. But if you just want to save money, then be prepared to shell out more money later on for low-budget swim spa care.

Medium-budget Swim Spa

Medium-budget Swim Spa

Medium-budget swim spas cost between $20,000 and $35,000. They have the most balanced characteristics and not much price. The quality of materials and the size of the pool are bigger (11-13 inches vs 14-16 inches) and better than the budget ones. Also, this price range offers the most models.

They are also more energy-efficient since they have flexible settings for pumps, heaters, filters, and jets. They allow you to set them to turn on automatically from time to time so that they work all the time and do not consume much electricity.

Verdict: Medium-budget swim spas are the golden mean. Buying a mid-budget swim spa you can count on a Bluetooth audio system, extra seats with massage jets, filtration systems that effectively reduce the need for chemicals, and more space (14-16 inches in length). You will be able to comfortably exercise and swim with a partner. However, their maintenance can still be quite expensive and some technical features may be inferior to the high-budget models.

High-budget Swim Spa

High-budget Swim Spa

High-budget swim spas cost anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000. For this money, you get top quality, bigger sizes, and the most powerful jets. It’s tempting to say it’s a “pay once and forget about spending” type of solution. 

However, you will have to spend some money on maintenance. More top-of-the-line filtration systems clean up to 100% of the water and reduce the need to buy chemicals. They also often come with covers, repair kits, replacement filters, and other accessories. 

The manufacturer’s warranty covers most possible breakdowns and lasts longer than other swim spa segments.

Verdict: The high-budget swim spas have top features and minimize possible maintenance costs. However, you should be careful because you may end up with an overpriced model for the brand that won’t be much better than a mid-budget swim spa.

Swim Spa Additional Costs

Swim spa additional costs
Swim spa additional costs

As we said earlier, the budget for buying a swim spa consists not only of the price but also of the costs of: 

  • Shipping, 
  • Installation,
  • Maintenance, 
  • Accessories. 

It is difficult to calculate the exact costs because this is influenced by many factors – size, price of the swim spa, equipment, and so on.

We will give you an average value, so you can get a general idea of how much you need to invest in your swim spa.

Shipping and Installation

Shipping and Installation

The first thing you will encounter after buying a swim spa is delivery. If you have a trailer and personal transport, your expenses will be limited to just filling up your car. But if you don’t have a vehicle that can deliver the swim spa, you have to go to a delivery service.

Some sites offer free delivery if you buy more than a certain amount. But in most cases, you will need to arrange delivery. Be prepared to spend $100-$1,000+.

The installation will also cost you a pretty penny. You may need to level a surface or dig a hole, do the electrical work, and install a slab that is at least 6 inches thick, which will serve as the base for the swim spa. It will all cost about $1,500

Also, don’t forget that swim spas are quite large, so you may need the services of a crane. It can cost about $1,000 to rent for installation.

💰 Total:
It will cost you $2,600-$3,500 to deliver and install a swim spa.

Maintenance

Maintenance

Maintenance of a swim spa is not a one-time fee. You need to build it into your monthly budget. It includes your electric bills, chemicals, filters, and the cost of repairs.

💸Electric bills. This figure will vary greatly depending on your swim spa, so let’s take a 14’9″ pool with an automatic heating system that comes on 2-3 times a week. In that case, you will need to pay an additional $100-$200 per month.

💸Chemicals and filters. On average, you’ll need to budget an additional $15-$35 per month.

💸Repairs. You won’t need to fix your swim spa every month, but to avoid unpleasant situations, it’s best to budget about $100 more into your monthly budget. That way, if a heating element, pump, jets, or electronics fail, you can fix the problem quickly. 

💰 Total:
It will cost you $215-$335/month to maintain a swim spa.

Accessories

Accessories

The set of accessories for a swim spa is limited only to your imagination. You can buy sports equipment, a Bluetooth audio system, or even install a mirror on the floor. Below we list the most essential accessories for a swim spa in our opinion.

💸Cover. It will keep the water warm in your swim spa and keep it free from debris. Cover costs about $1,200.

💸Steps. If your swim spa is not buried in the ground, you will need steps made of hard-wearing material. Steps cost about $1,400.

💸Underwater bike. You’ll need it for effective exercise. It costs about $1,200.

💸Swim tether pack. You will need it for swimming. It will allow you to stay in one position. A swim tether pack costs about $40.

💰 Total:
A starter swim spa accessory pack will cost about $3,840.

How Much Do Swim Spas Cost Compare to Swimming Pools?

Swim Spas Cost Compare to Swimming Pools

Prices for swim spas and pools vary. On average, a swim spa will cost you $20,000-$30,000 and a pool will cost about $40,000-$50,000. It turns out that the swim spa is 1.6-2 times cheaper.

The cost of the swim spa including delivery, installation, and accessories will cost you $26,440-$37,340. Whereas, a pool with fencing will cost $40,000-$50,000. For the cost of a pool with fencing, you can buy, deliver, and install the swim spa and its accessories.

Expert Advice: Are Swim Spas Worth the Money?

Swim spas are a combination of pool and hot tub. In this way, it has absorbed the benefits of both devices and created a completely new experience both for those who just want to relax in warm water with a massage from jets, and for those who are actively engaged in sports.

  • Versatility. You can relax in the warm water, enjoy a massage from the jets, swim, and do exercises.
  • Long swimming season. Unlike swimming pools, you can use your swim spa for 12 months of the year. A swim spa can maintain water temperature even when the air temperature is less than 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Verdict: Yes, swim spas are worth the money!

Summary

Swim spa

Swim spa allows you to experience the benefits of hot tubs and swimming pools. You can use it for relaxation, swimming, massage, aqua aerobics, and whatever else you like. Everyone can choose a swim spa based on their needs and budget. 

So how much does a swim spa cost?

BudgetPrice
Low$7,000–$20,000
Mid$20,000–$35,000
High$35,000–$50,000

What about additional costs?

ShippingInstallationMaintenanceAccessories
$100-$1,000+$2,500$215-$335/month$3,840

Get a whole new user experience with the swim spa!

FAQ

💸 How much does a swim spa cost?

Prices for swim spas vary from $7,000 to $50,000. Low-budget ones will cost $7,000–$20,000, mid-budget – $20,000–$35,000, and high-budget – $35,000–$50,000.

💰 How much does it cost to maintain a swim spa?

You should pay an additional $215-$335/month for electricity, chemicals, filters, and possible repairs.

🆚 How much do swim spas cost compared to swimming pools?

On average, a swim spa will cost you $20,000-$30,000. A pool will cost about $40,000-$50,000. It turns out that the swim spa is 1.6-2 times cheaper.

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