What is the Best Swim Spa to Use as a Hot Tub? Your COMPLETE GUIDE

It’s something most swim spa shoppers quickly find out about: Some swim spas are better than others functioning as hot tubs.

So if that’s your primary focus you need to find the ones that are. Which swim spas are best at being hot tubs? We will tell you right now: Sundance, Arctic and Bullfrog (we’re going to talk about Hydropool too, because we are Hydropool). But those are our three other quality picks.

Here’s something any swim spa shopper must understand. Some swim spas are better than others simply because swim spas can be used for more than one thing. There are four main reasons why people buy swim spas.

What are the main reasons to buy a swim spa?

• Fitness
• Swimming
• Recreation
• Massage/Hydrotherapy

Anyone buying a swim spa to use as a hot tub is emphasising recreation and massage/hydrotherapy, because that’s what hot tubs do best. Looking at our lineup at Hydropool, for example: the 19-foot Executive Trainer is built as an ultimate swimming machine. It’s usable as a hot tub, sure, but you’d be buying a whole lot of swimming power as opposed to a swim spa built for better hot tubbing, which would be more like our Aquatic Sport or our 13-foot AquaPlay FFP.  

In this article, we'll explore some top swim spas that excel as hot tubs, from our brand and others, and what features you should consider when making your choice. We will cover:

• What to look for in a swim spa that can work as a hot tub
• The top swim spas for hot tub use
• Other factors to consider when buying a swim spa
• Hot tub and swim spa combined units

Before we do that, we just want to acknowledge that we know it’s odd that we’re writing about our swim spas and swim spas from other companies as well. We wish there were unbiased reviews out there, but we have found there aren’t. So we created our own. What follows is our honest best effort to say what’s good out there, because we want every swim spa buyer to be happy with their purchase.

 

What makes a good swim spa that works as a hot tub?

Swim spas designed to double as hot tubs offer the best of both worlds: a place to unwind and enjoy a soothing massage after a workout, and an aquatic environment for exercise. Features such as adjustable jets, seating configurations, and ease of maintenance are essential to ensure your swim spa serves as an effective hot tub.

What are the differences between a hot tub and a swim spa?

Here’s the one that matters most. A swim spa is larger than a hot tub in all areas: wider, deeper, longer.

 

 

Hydropool hot tubs come in a similar range of sizes, but the image above shows what the industry standard is.

• An average four-five person hot tub is about this big: About 6-7 feet long, 6-7 feet wide, and 3 feet deep.
• An average swim spa is about this big: They range from 12 to 21 feet. They are about eight feet wide and about four to five feet deep.

As a result, what are we looking for when we consider swim spas as hot tubs? Any swim spa hoping to act as a hot tub is needs good hydrotherapy seats for massage and a seating area that is small enough area to feel close and intimate. That’s to overcome the larger size of the swim spa.

What else matters in a swim spa you want to use a hot tub?

• You need seating, period. Some swim spas minimize this factor to increase the swim area. Many hot tubs have loungers, and some swim spas do too. So it’s a feature you can find.
• Water temperature might appear to be an issue, but we find it isn’t usually. Although most swim spas are often set at a lower temperature, a swim spa’s water temperature can be set the same as a hot tub’s (we suggest hot tub users start out at 100F and go up or down from there).

What are the top swim spas for hot tub use?

Sundance Spas

Out in 2025, the Sundance swim spa is a leading choice for those seeking a hot tub experience. It features a 13-foot model and is the only swim spa in the world to incorporate two loungers -- although it can accommodate up to 10 people. Sunrise moved over its best elements from its hot tubs: The proprietary Fluidex jet system offers a fantastic massage experience with enhanced reliability due to its bearing-free design. Sundance hot tubs became famous for this and deservedly so.

With three powerful pumps dedicated to massage and efficient jet configurations, Sundance ensures a luxurious hot tub experience, and with its small footprint and loungers, it ensures an intimate one.

Jacuzzi

Jacuzzi is a well-regarded name in the hot tub industry and increasingly becoming one in swim spas. We’d say check out the PowerPro jets and a 13-foot Power Play model that offers exemplary massage capabilities. Its patented RX jet delivers optimal massage through a balance of air and water via 360-degree air induction.

With over 60 years of experience in refining jet technology and seating configurations, Jacuzzi guarantees comfort and effectiveness. Their latest 14-footer is designed specifically as a hot tub-related swim spa, making it a top contender for those who prioritize massage.

Bullfrog

Bullfrog's claim to fame is their unique JetPak system, which allows for high levels of customization on each seat. Each JetPak can be chosen according to personal preference, providing virtually endless configurations, and you can essentially move the seats around. First developed for hot tubs, Bullfrog kept the system when it joined the swim spa market. The ability to customize the setup is an attractive feature for those seeking a personalized experience.

Arctic
Arctic swim spas offer unmatched customization options, particularly in jetting and massage configurations, which makes the Canadian company a good choice. The Arctic Ocean model, for example, can be tailored with different packages on pumps and jets. The Legend Select series boasts 60 jets and three pumps, while the Signature series includes 40 jets and two pumps.

Hydropool

We are one of the original swim spa companies in the world, starting in the late 1990s. We’d recommend the AquaPlay 13FFP, which has seats for 9 (we sometimes refer to it as a “giant hot tub”). Bench seating allows many people to use the swim spa as a hot tub at the same time, while at 13-feet long, it actually has one of the smallest footprints of any swim spa, so it remains an intimate experience. The other model we’d suggest considering initially is the 14-foot Aquatic Sport (if you’re looking for the largest possible tank area, there’s also the Executive Sport, which has both a 16-foot and a 19-foot model). All swim spas include Hydropool’s unique Zone Therapy system, which mean your whole body receives a massage. These models put an emphasis on quality seating, full body massage and are small enough to recreate the feel of a hot tub.

What about combined hot tubs and swim spas?

Yes, there are certainly worth considering. Know as “dual temps” in the industry, these are larger models with a separate tank for a swim spa and a hot tub. Hydropool offers the following, the Aquatic Sport DTAX and the Aquatic Trainer DTAX (the main difference between the two is the swimming capability, with the Trainer offering more swimming power).

Other models we’d suggest considering include the H2X Trainer 19D, the Cal Spas SwimSpa X-Series Olympian and Wellis model Rio Grande W-Flow. Each offers a generous swim tank and an good hot tub experience.

At this price point (starting prices would be around $50,000 Cdn), it’s worth considering buying a separate swim spa and hot tub. Just to give you another option.

What are other factors to consider when buying a swim spa to use a hot tub?

Seating and Configuration

The seating arrangement in a swim spa is crucial for a satisfying hot tub experience. Bench seating and captain’s chairs in smaller models provide comfort and accommodate social settings. Jacuzzi, for example, utilizes varied seating styles and configurations to ensure both personal comfort and intimacy.

 

Good seats are a key part of a good massage in a swim spa or a hot tub (those are swim spa seats above). 

Jet System and Customization

Jets are the heart of any hot tub experience. Brands like Jacuzzi and Sundance excel here with proprietary jet technologies. Meanwhile, Bullfrog's customizable JetPak system allows users to tailor their experience to match personal preferences, ensuring fantastic massage quality. Hydropool’s Zone Therapy system ensures your entire body receives a massage.

Ease of Maintenance

No one wants a swim spa that has to be a hassle. Simplified maintenance is key to enjoying your swim spa without hassle. Features like self-cleaning systems, as seen in Hydropool models, can ease regular upkeep, allowing for more time to relax and enjoy.

What the best swim spa to use as a hot tub?

Choosing the best swim spa for hot tub use depends heavily on your personal preferences and priorities. Whether you value innovative jet systems, customizable seating, or ease of maintenance, the brands discussed offer top-notch options.

Sundance and Jacuzzi shine with quality massage technology. Bullfrog appeals to those who desire highly customizable features. Arctic offers configuration flexibility, while Hydropool provides a wellness-focused program with minimal maintenance requirements. Each offers models that recreate a small size and intimate experience of a hot tub.

Ultimately, the best swim spa for hot tub use is one that matches your lifestyle and relaxation needs, at a price you can afford.

Have a question not answered here? Don’t by shy and reach out to your local swim spa dealer.