A hot tub is built for soaking, relaxing, and hydrotherapy, and it fits in a much smaller space. A swim spa is a compact pool with a current you can swim against, so it's built for exercise as well as soaking, and it needs a bigger footprint. If your main goal is to unwind with family and friends, a hot tub is usually the better fit. If you want to swim, work out, or do both, a swim spa is worth a look. Here's how to decide for your home and your backyard.
What a Hot Tub Is Best At
A hot tub is a self contained tub of warm water with jets, seating, and a cover. It's designed around comfort. People use them to relax after a long day, ease sore muscles, and spend time with family and friends.
Hot tubs come in a range of sizes, from compact models for two or three people to larger ones with room for a group. Seating layouts and jet placement are the big differences between models, and those details are what you'll feel when you sit in one.
At The Grate Haus, we're an authorized retailer of Hydropool hot tubs, so we can walk you through the lineup. Hydropool offers its hot tubs in the Signature and Serenity collections, and each one has several models to choose from.
What a Swim Spa Is Best At
A swim spa is a long, deeper tub with a built in current that lets you swim in place or do water exercise. It's essentially a small pool and a hot tub in one, and many models have a soaking area too.
Hydropool describes its swim spas as a way to swim, soak, or play, and it offers them in several collections, including Play, Aquatic, and Executive. Models range in size, so there's room to pick the one that matches how you plan to use it.
If you enjoy swimming laps, want low impact exercise, or have kids who'd get a lot of use out of a mini pool, that's where a swim spa shines.
Side by Side: How They Compare
Main purpose. A hot tub is for soaking and relaxing. A swim spa is for swimming and exercise, with soaking as a bonus.
Size. Swim spas are much longer than hot tubs. That means more space needed in your yard.
Site preparation. Both need a solid, level base. A larger swim spa generally needs a larger pad and more planning for delivery and access.
Electrical. Both usually need a dedicated electrical circuit installed by a licensed electrician, and larger units can have bigger requirements. Ask for the specs for the model you're considering before you plan your site.
Cost. Swim spas generally cost more than hot tubs, and the long term cost includes electricity, water care, and maintenance. We can walk through the full picture for the model you're considering.
Who uses it. A hot tub suits relaxing in small groups. A swim spa suits households that want exercise, and works for families too.
Use all year. Both can be used outdoors during a Michigan winter with a good cover and a plan for the walk from your door.
Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Choose
What will you actually use it for? Be honest. If you picture quiet evening soaks, that points to a hot tub. If you picture morning swims or workouts, think swim spa.
How much space do you really have? Measure the spot, and also the path for delivery. Fences, gates, and trees can complicate things.
How many people will use it at once? Count your household, plus guests.
Where will it go? Near the house is easier to use in January. A spot far across the yard looks nice in July but can be a trek in the snow.
What's your budget, including upkeep? The price of the unit is only part of it. Think about electricity, water care, and eventual cover replacement.
Do you want to soak or swim most of the time? If it's both, some swim spas combine them, but you might still prefer a dedicated hot tub.
Michigan Winter Considerations
Both options work through our winters, but a few things make life easier. A properly fitted cover keeps heat in and snow out. A cleared and safe path between your door and the tub matters more than most people expect. And placing the unit where you can reach it comfortably in cold weather means you'll actually use it.
Hot Tub Safety Basics
Whichever you choose, a few safety rules apply. The CDC says water temperature should not be higher than 104°F, children under 5 shouldn't use hot tubs, and anyone who's pregnant should talk to a healthcare provider first. It also recommends showering before you get in, and testing your water with strips to keep disinfectant and pH in the right range. You can read more in the CDC's guidance on staying healthy in hot tubs.
How The Grate Haus Can Help
The Grate Haus has served Jackson and the surrounding area for over 20 years, and we're an authorized retailer of Hydropool hot tubs and swim spas. If we sell it, we install it, so you're working with one team from your first question to your first soak. Hydropool also states a 10 year structural guarantee on its products, and we can explain what's covered.
Stop by our showroom at 2418 W. Michigan Ave. in Jackson or call us at (517) 750-0300 to talk through your options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between a hot tub and a swim spa?
A hot tub is designed for soaking and relaxing. A swim spa is a larger tub with a built in current so you can swim or exercise in place. Swim spas need more space and usually cost more.
Which one is better for exercise?
A swim spa. It lets you swim against a current and do water workouts, which a hot tub can't do. A hot tub is better for relaxing and easing muscle tension.
Can you use a hot tub or swim spa in the winter in Michigan?
Yes. Both can be used outdoors in winter with a good cover and a safe path to the unit. Many owners say winter is their favorite time to use them.
How much space do I need?
It depends on the model. Hot tubs fit in a small area, while swim spas are much longer and need a larger pad and more room for delivery. Measure your space and your access path, and we can help you match it to a model.
Do hot tubs and swim spas need special electrical work?
Usually, yes. Both typically need a dedicated circuit installed by a licensed electrician, and larger units can have bigger requirements. We can give you the specs for the model you choose.
What temperature is safe for a hot tub?
The CDC says water temperature should not be higher than 104°F. Children under 5 shouldn't use hot tubs, and anyone who's pregnant should talk to a healthcare provider first.
Does The Grate Haus install hot tubs and swim spas?
Yes. We're an authorized retailer of Hydropool hot tubs and swim spas, and if we sell it, we install it. Stop by our showroom or call us to talk through your options.
The Grate Haus is Jackson, Michigan’s premier fireplace store and home living specialists. From fireplace sales, to hot tubs, to outdoor kitchens and grills, we are your one-stop-shop for home upgrades and living. We serve Jackson County and the surrounding areas, including Hillsdale County, Lenawee County, and Washtenaw County.