Advice on choosing a hot tub and swim spa pool

Key advice topics

Start by deciding whether you mainly want relaxation and massage or also swimming. For massage and warm water, an outdoor hot tub is the right choice. For regular year-round swimming, a swim spa pool makes more sense — our hot tub or swim spa pool comparison will help you decide.

Selection and operation

When choosing, consider the acrylic, insulation, thermal cover, number of seats, ergonomics, jets, pumps, controls and service — find details in our buying guide and the article how to identify a high-quality acrylic hot tub. We examine operating costs in the article how much does it cost to run a hot tub and in our overview of winter operation.

Technical preparation

You will usually need a level, solid base, a properly prepared electrical connection, sufficient handling space for delivery and service access to the technology — you can find everything in our technical preparation guide. For a terrace, the load-bearing capacity must be addressed; see hot tub on a terrace.

Maintenance and service

Water care is described in the article hot tub water maintenance, an overview of equipment is available on the hot tub equipment page and service support on the service page.

Where should I start when choosing a hot tub?

Start with the number of people, intended use, location and budget. Only then should you consider a specific model and equipment.

How can I tell if a hot tub is suitable for year-round operation?

Important factors include body insulation, the thermal cover, service access, high-quality technology and correct operating settings.

When should I choose a swim spa instead of a hot tub?

A swim spa makes sense if you want to swim regularly while also having a relaxing water zone for year-round use.