Hydropool vs Wellis: Which Swim Spa is the Best?

Before buying a swim spa, research is usually in order. If you’re reading this article, you’re already aware that this is the kind of product where it’s best if you do some work to understand what you’re getting with any swim spa.   

Eventually, what we see at Hydropool is that people often pare things down to a couple of choices. This may be because they like the features on two sets of swim spas, or it may be because they live near retailers offering these two brands, or it may be because of word of mouth, personal experience trying the swim spas, or online reviews. 

We understand that comparisons are a big part of swim spa shopping. Hydropool has been around for more than 40 years. In that time, we have had many competitors, some who made good swim spas, and some who didn’t. We have always understood there will be competition in our industry and we welcome it, because it means that overall, people want hot tubs and swim spas. 

What we want to do with this article is compare Hydropool against one of the top European brands, which is called Wellis, in the most unbiased way we can. We sincerely hope that everyone finds a Hydropool swim spa that they want, but we do understand there are reasons why someone might prefer a Wellis model, as there are significant differences. We want to go over them here, to help you make your choice on the right hot tub for you. 

In this article we will look at:

• What is each company’s model lineup? 
• Which swim spa looks best?  
• Which is easier to maintain? 
• Which has a better swim?  
• Which has a better price?  

 

 

Hydropool vs Wellis: Model Comparison

Around since 2003, Wellis is based in Hungary and is one of Europe’s largest manufacturers. Hydropool is based in Canada and is one of its largest builders of hot tubs, having started in 1980.

How do their swim spas align? As with most brands, everyone does this a little differently. 

• Hydropool opens with AquaPlay 13FFP. Known as the “Family Fun Pool” this is close to a large hot tub, with some swim capability. Wellis doesn’t have a comparable model here, instead focusing on higher-end swim experiences. 
• Wellis has what it calls the W-Flow collection, which features the Amazon, Danube and Rio Grande W-Flow models. It roughly measures up with the Hydropool Aquatic Sport models and some of the AquaTrainers.
• Wellis also has the Turbine Collection, which again features the Amazon, Danube and Rio Grande shells, but with a stronger current creator for swimming in. These match up most closely with Hydropool’s Executive and the higher-end versions of the AquaTrainers it has on offer.

Hydropool versus Wellis: Which Looks the Best?

Both Hydropool and Wellis take a classic approach to overall design. 

• They both feature a selection of woodgrain cabinets and a focus on white or light grey in their acrylic colors. 
• There is a difference in the variety: Hydropool has more colors than cabinet selection, offering two cabinets in black and brown but three acrylic shells, with a variety of whites and greys.
• Wellis has one acrylic in sterling silver, and three cabinet colors: grey, brown and black. 

What stands out on the Wellis W-flow swim spas is that it has found a way to make its jets look like a higher-end propeller system. It is clean, unobtrusive and gleams in shiny silver, making it immediately clear you’re swimming in a purpose-driven machine. Hydropool’s jet systems are designed to blend into the rest of the unit. Wellis also puts the “hips” in the pool design more to the middle of the pool than Hydropool does, which creates a balanced look overall. 

Call this one a coin toss – chances are from 100 yards, you wouldn’t be able to tell the two apart. 

Hydropool vs Wellis: Which is Easier to Maintain? 

Across all offerings, filtration is Hydropool’s strongest area. This is the act of filtering elements out of the water. Hydropool calls its system “self-cleaning” and it is unique in that it is built off of the same method commercial pools use. Commercial, or public pools, have much stronger restrictions and regulations than hot tubs or swim spas. They come with a skimmer that cleans the water on top, as well as a floor-mounted vacuum that removes anything that falls to the bottom of the pool.

This is exactly the same system that Hydropool uses. It was originally a commercial pool company, and it adapted the same system for its swim spas. Hydropool patented the system, so it is unique to the company. On the top, Hydropool has suction placed strategically on the hips where it can catch the reflective wave of the current stream, or at the very end of the swim spa, where the water is pushed directly from the jet. Either way, it ensures the water ends up at the filter. 

For filtration, Wellis adopts a system that has become the industry standard. It involves suction on the sides, removing anything on top of the water, but without Hydropool’s bottom cleaner. Its filter is slightly smaller than Hydropool’s, at 60 square feet versus Hydropool’s 75.   

The two companies have multiple similarities in two areas:

• When it comes to water sanitation, Wellis offers a comprehensive ozone and UV system, which is similar to Hydropool. 
• Both also have steel frames for long-lasting sturdiness, which reduces warping and prevents rot.

But the two have some similarities and some differences when it comes to insulation:

• Both use a thermal blanket to insulate their swim spas. Thermal blankets provide sufficient warmth for Canadian winters because they are able to trap heat in the same way a triple-pane window does in your home. The heat from the motors remains trapped in your cabinet, warming your water rather than being wasted. 
• Hydropool does provide additional insulation in the form of 8”-10” of foam down the middle of the swim spa. Wellis does have a “Scandanavian” upgrade which increases the insulation in the cabinet to 3.5” from 2” and adds more to the floor as well. You also get an upgraded cover, which is 6” compared to the standard Wellis 4” cover. Hydropool’s cover is 5”. The extra thickness is certainly good for handling loads of snow, if you live in colder climates. 

Which is better? They are again quite similar. Hydropool does have its unique self-cleaning system, while Wellis gives you options so you can choose the level of insulation you need for where you live, whereas all of Hydropool’s swim spas are built to handle Canadian winters. If one of these appeals to you more than the other, you have your winner. 

Hydropool vs Wellis: Which has the Better Swim? 

Swim spas are mini pools, and great places to splash and play in. But for many, they are also places to work out in and swim in. So the quality of swim and how it is generated is a key aspect for many buyers. This is a key point of distinction when buying most swim spas. 

Hydropool has a basic swim system on its 13FFP swim spa, which is closer to a large hot tub in many ways than a traditional swim spa and is primarily a “family fun pool.” Its Aquatic lineup is where stronger swim experiences begin. In many ways the technology in the Aquatic line mirrors the W-Flow collection from Wellis.

Both systems run with pumps and a jet that creates current. Water collects in a manifold, where it is distributed through to the rest of the spa. The manifold manages water delivery in the current – one pump turned on is level one, two pumps is level two and so on. 

Either system works well to create a powerful swimming experience. Each can be controlled digitally, so you can set your swim speed, just like you can with a treadmill. 

Wellis introduces a propeller system on its higher-end line known as the Turbine. This is a system that sees a propeller dropped into the swim spa’s walls, which pushes out a straight stream of water at the swimmer. The swimmer swims into the current, which keeps him or her from reaching the other side. 

Propeller systems generally generate sufficient force to create a good swim, and Wellis’ system is no exception. It moves a large amount of water. 

There are two elements that are noteworthy with propeller-based systems:

• Air can often get mixed into the propeller as it churns, which can create turbulence or froth in the water, or the occasional burp, as air gets caught in the propeller as it spins.   
• The channel coming from the propeller isn’t very wide, usually less than a meter. On its website, Wellis says its width is 50-60 centimeters, or about two feet.   

On its top-of-the-line swim spas, which is the Trainer series, Hydropool has a Twin-V jet system which creates a wide, stable current that doesn’t do much more than ripple the water at the surface while still providing a strong and wide path to swim in the water. 

Hydropool also has engineered its swim spas to capture what’s called the “reflective wave” that is created in every swim spa. This is why the “hips” of the swim spa aren’t placed in the middle of the swim spa on Hydropool swim spas, even if they look a little better there. 

The wave is created from the current hitting the back wall of the swim spa – it must end somewhere.  The hips are built to capture the wave, so it doesn’t disrupt your swim:

• On the AquaTrainer, the reflective wave is sucked up by “the hips” built into the acrylic shell. 
• On the Executive line, there are no hips. Instead, the force of the current is swallowed by a large grill called the Current Collector, which then recirculates the water through the walls of the swim spa. Either way creates stability in the swim spa’s current.

Which swim is better? The choice may come down to your swimming style: if you want a wide, strong swim path or a narrower, more focused swim path. Both are quality experiences. With any swim comparison, we always urge people to try before they buy. If this category is important to you, you will want to be sure that your swim spa performs the way you want it to.  

Hydropool and Wellis: Which is Better on Price? 

Hydropool publishes its pricing on its website for its swim spas in Canadian dollars, but we couldn’t find it on Wellis’ multiple sites. There is a major factor to take into account when you ask any retailer about Hydropool or Wellis:

• Shipping: Wellis is made in Hungary and shipped around the world. But because it’s shipped from Europe, it will often have an advantage there. 
• Hydropool is made in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and as a result may have more of an advantage in North America. 

The choice on price will often come down to what you want. Wellis may have a less expensive overall price in Europe at the top end, but the Executive system has a comparable or better swim experience and comes with self-cleaning capabilities. So do you want more or to pay less? This is often the choice when buying anything, and it’s the same here.

Which Swim Spa is Best: Hydropool or Wellis?

Hydropool versus Wellis is a decision many swim spa buyers will be faced with, especially in Europe, where Wellis is based. 

The two companies have separate approaches to the marketplace. Wellis is a relative newcomer to the market, which has produced three lines of swim spas, with minimal options, and built them with robot technology in Hungary. That has allowed the company to expand rapidly. Hydropool builds its swim spas by hand, has more models to choose from in its lineup, and puts an emphasis on bespoke qualities, allowing for customization. 

Both are quality swim spas, so there is little wonder that customers end up comparing them. We wrote this article for you to get a sense of the difference between the two companies, and for you to see what is best for you. 

We always hope that people want to buy one of Hydropool’s swim spas, but we understand why they might not. Builders like Wellis offer different elements and building processes than what Hydropool does, and we want people to know as fairly as possible what they are so they can make an educated decision.

Ready to come see a swim spa and try one out? If you have any further questions about Hydropool swim spas, please contact a dealer near you.