Buying a swim spa is no doubt an investment, but how much does a swim spa cost? Swim spas are one of the best investments you can make for your health and home. With all the benefits of having a pool, without the price tag to match, as well as offering somewhere to exercise, swim, and relax.
What is the cost of a swim spa?
You can buy a new swim spa starting from around £10,000, and the prices go up from there depending on the features, size, and brand that you choose from. Advanced swim spas can cost upwards of £40,000 depending on features and brand.
Cost considerations include:
- Swim spa price
- Delivery
- Running costs (electricity & water)
- Maintenance & servicing costs
Choosing your brand
Brand plays a part in the price tags, but some will say that you get what you pay for, looking at brands like Jacuzzi that have been in this arena for a long time, and the Michael Phelps swim spa that has the athlete’s seal of approval.
‘Generic’ swim spa brand
There are many entry-level swim spa brands that mean you can enter the market for around £10,000. When we say entry-level, these swim spas will still do everything you need them to and more, but if you’re not too fussed about advanced features and big names, it means you can get a swim spa at a more budget friendly cost.
Jacuzzi swim spa costs
A Jacuzzi branded swim spa will cost anywhere between £22,499 and £39,499. Price will vary on model and size, as well as additional features.
Master Spa aka Micheal Phelps
If you’re buying a Master Spa or Michael Phelps swim spa, you can look to spend between £25,000 and £45,000 on your swim spa, again depending on the model and options you opt for.
Features of a swim spa
The cost of a swim spa can vary greatly, and this is largely driven by the features within the swim spa. While even the most basic of models come well equipped, there are additional bells and whistles to add with the accompanying price tag. Largely they have different features but areas to look out for are as follows.
- Single or dual zone
- Control panel options ie temperature, swim current speed, jet intensity.
- Number of seats
- Types of seats (ie do you want a lounger)
- Number of hydrotherapy jets
- LED mood Lighting
- Built in steps or ladder
- Music, bluetooth or waterproof TV
Inground or Portable Swim Spas?
Portable swim spas
They’re built like a hot tub and need to be connected to electricity in order to run. They need to be placed and positioned on a solid surface, and then filled with the water. These are a cheaper option to go for if you’re on a budget, or if you are planning on moving home in the future.
In-ground swim spas
In-ground swim spas are built into the ground of your garden, needing landscaping and excavating in order to install them. The wiring to the power supply is built in and usually housed nearby for you to control. They’re more expensive and it is a project rather than a singular purchase, but they look luxurious and offer a more refined and permanent feel.
Size matters
There is a whole world of swim spas out there with different brands and varying sizes, and it will come as no surprise that size alters the cost you will pay for your swim spa, as well as the cost of keeping it running.
If you are one or two people using the swim spa, then a 12′-14′ model will be perfect, however, if you are wanting to use the pool recreationally as well as for exercise, then a 16’ or 17’ swim spa will better suit your needs. The same goes for if you’re over 6 foot and wanting to use a swim spa, as you will need the room readily available to cater for your height and wingspan.
There are also 19′ options to consider which fall into the category of a swim tank, often with dual-zones included.
While it might be tempting to opt for a smaller swim spa to cut down on costs, the extra investment is worth it in the long term for ease of use and comfort, if a larger model is more suited to your lifestyle.
How much does it cost to run a swim spa?
You can look to spend anywhere between £150 and £400 per month on maintaining your swim spa, these can be broken down into four main areas.
| ITEM | EST MONTHLY COST |
|---|---|
| Electricity | £40 – £250 |
| Water | £5 – £10 |
| Water chemicals | £25 – £85 |
| Service (performed annually) | £41.66 |
Electricity
This is the cost to heat your swim spa. If you’re looking to cut down on your bills, it is more efficient to leave your swim spa at one temperature, which means leaving it running in between uses. This is due to the amount of water you would be heating up each time, which can really impact your electricity bills. This will also be impacted by the climate you live in, with warmer climes not having to use as much electricity to heat their swim spa. The monthly estimated electricity cost in the UK is between £40 and £250.
Water
The cost to fill your swim spa with water is one to consider, with the average swim spa holding 1900 gallons of water, which is around 7,000 litres. You will only need to drain your swim spa and replace the water every 6-12 months, but it is recommended that you refresh around a third of the water every three months to keep it fresh and in working order.
Water costs will vary depending on where you live, but will typically be between £5 and £10 per month.
Water Chemicals
Chlorine, sanitiser, and filters will be necessary costs to the ongoing use and maintenance of your swim spa. Luckily, you will be using these sparingly, so the average cost of chemicals will be around £10-£20 a month for your swim spa.
Maintenance
You will be able to run regular checks on your swim spa yourself but every 12 months or so, you will need a professional to look at your swim spa and perform a full service that will be around £500 (£41.66 per month).
A full service generally includes the following:
- Full drain
- Refill
- Filter and filter chamber cleaned
- Water shocked and balanced
- System flushed
- Inspection of cover, headrest and visual jets
- Shell and cover cleaned
- Physical electronics’ & equipment inspection
- Cabinet cleaned
- All jets removed and cleaned
- Behind jets cleaned
Working with your budget
Remember that it isn’t just the upfront cost that you have to factor in with a swim spa, and the associated costs can be anything from around £80 to £500 per month depending on your size, brand choice, and usage. Set a monthly budget so that you can keep your swim spa spending on track. Living in a colder climate might mean you’re spending more money on heating, so it might be worth investing in gadgets and accessories to insulate and warm your pool, for example.
What is the cheapest swim spa?
You can get a new swim spa from around £10,000 which is for an entry level model. This is only the initial cost, and you will have to maintain it throughout your time of owning it.
How can I reduce the costs of my swim spa?
To reduce the costs of your swim spa, there are a few options to consider; the first is choosing a smaller swim spa to minimise initial costs and running costs, but this is not always practical as a solution. If you already own a swim spa, you can reduce the water temperature within your swim spa, as well as investing in a swim spa cover and things like windbreakers for the surrounding areas to reduce the heating and associated running costs.
What is the delivery cost of a swim spa?
The typical cost for swim spa delivery is between £500 – £1000 depending on the distance from you and the retailer. Some stores offer free nationwide delivery across the UK, but you will need to check individual delivery costs with your retailer. Some companies will also charge or offer an installation service too, if this is an area that you need support with.
What else do you need to consider when buying a swim spa?
Consider the overall cost to you and your household, and look at how often you’re going to use it in order to calculate and justify the cost.
Swim spas are a great addition to any home, but using them well and often is the key to making sure you’re getting enough bubbles for your buck.
We hope that gives you an insight into the cost considerations of running a swim spa, so that you can choose the right brand and product for you.
