If you want to swim at home, whether for fun, fitness, or training purposes, but don’t have a budget or the space for a full-length pool, two alternatives you will come across are a swim spa and an endless pool.
Both are suitable for indoor and outdoor swimming and great for swimming laps and various water exercises. They also have the benefit of keeping the water at a comfortable, swimmable temperature all year round.
But what are the key differences between a Swim Spa and an Endless Pool? Is one better than the other? Which one should you get?
Before you spend thousands on an Endless Pool or a Swim Spa, let’s cut to the chase and find out their difference and the pros and cons of each to help with your purchase. Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive Swim Spa vs. Endless Pool review and buying guide, highlighting everything you need to know to pick the best option for your at-home swimming experience.
What Is a Swim Spa?
A swim spa is a hybrid that gives you the common features of a swimming pool and a hot tub. It’s a swimming pool alternative that gives you the best of both worlds—a pool for swimming and other low-impact water exercises and a spa with heated and hydro massage features all in one. Swim spas provide a complete system for swimming, workouts, therapy, and relaxation.
Swim spas have a typical rectangular hot tub shape, ranging from 10-20 feet long to 4-5 feet deep. They feature a current generator, creating a continuous water current to swim against. You can use it for your workouts or simply splash about like you would in a traditional pool. Depending on the swim spa brand or model, you’ll find hydrotherapy seating with specifically placed massage jets like in hot tubs.
Swim spas offer the versatility of indoor and outdoor installations. Another reason why swim spas are an excellent pool alternative is because they are designed for year-round use. Besides the ability to adjust the flow rate, you can also tweak the water temperature of the swim spa to your liking. Depending on the model, most swim spas allow you to adjust the temperature from 30°F to 80°F.
There are different types of swim spas to consider. Single-zone models have combined swimming and seating areas and dual-zone swim spas. As its name implies, dual-zone swim spas feature a swimming area and a separate spa section. This type of pool system is likely to be longer, usually around 20 feet or longer. However, they provide more privacy with the barrier between sections and greater versatility as each zone will likely have different temperature settings. It means you can use the spa and swimming sections at the same time.
Can a Swim Spa Be Used for Swimming?
The most straightforward answer to this is yes. Thanks to the continuous current, you can use a swim spa for swimming. Swim spas are specifically designed to produce resistance through a continuous water current, creating a perfect environment for swimming.
The built-in current is strong enough to allow you to swim in place without moving away. You won’t need a lot of room or a large pool to move around and swim laps. Their rectangular shape is spacious enough for you to perform various swimming strokes like breaststroke, backstroke, and freestyle. Depending on the brand and model, a swim spa allows you to swim unaided against the current. In some swim spas, particularly entry-level units, you might need a swimming tether or other accessories to swim properly.
But with the consistent current, you can swim laps without flip-turn stops like in a traditional swimming pool experience. Using the swim jets, you can set the water current to different levels of resistance to challenge your fitness and swimming limits.
What Is an Endless Pool?
An Endless Pool is a small, compact, and precision-engineered swimming pool where you swim in place. It’s designed for simplicity, efficiency, and performance. “Endless Pool” is actually the name for the signature swimming pool model from the brand Endless Pools.
Much like swim spas, an Endless Pool allows you to swim non-stop and long distances with the help of a continuous water current. It’s endlessly versatile, suitable for year-round swimming, can be placed indoors or outdoors, and can be installed above ground, partially in-ground, and fully in-ground.
The original Endless Pool is rectangular with a modular steel-panel construction, with the standard model having a 7×12-foot water area and 42-inch depth. It’s customizable up to a 10×16-foot area and 54-inch depth to accommodate different user heights and swimming needs and set your desired swimming temperature.
But its exclusive current technology sets the Endless Pool apart from other swim-in-place systems. Besides that, you can choose from various upgraded currents if you want to level up from fitness and fun to faster swimming and more competitive training.
How Does an Endless Pool Work?
In an Endless Pool, the secret is the machine. Endless Pools has a custom-made hydraulically-powered propulsion system that can move up to 5,000 gallons of water per minute from a generously sized 21×16-inch water outlet grill that smoothens and redirects the water. The single-propeller 5-hp current generator creates a broad, deep, and non-turbulent water current, effective for swimming and aerobic exercises for most fitness levels.
The water current produced is much wider than the body and significantly deeper than your strokes. In other words, the water moves around you, resulting in a smooth and turbulence-free current that allows you to truly swim in place. It is fully adjustable and can produce anywhere from zero to a gentle flow of water up to a racer’s pace of about 1:08 per 100 yards.
Main Difference Between a Swim Spa and Endless Pool
It can be difficult to tell the difference between a swim spa and an endless pool. Both are designed for stationary swimming. But there are a couple of key differences between the two.
Fittings
Swim spas and Endless Pools come with a whole range of fittings and hot tub accessories to enhance your training and spa experience, depending on the brand and model.
But, the main difference is that swim spas are already fitted with a propulsion or jet system and hydrotherapy seating.
On the other hand, a standard Endless Pool only comes with the basic fittings for a swim-in-place system, a current generator, and the pool itself with perimeter benches, plus a poolside water quality system. If you want, however, you can customize your Endless Pool with custom-placed hydromassage jets. Of course, that would be for an extra cost.
That said, Endless Pools has a multitude of installation and extra fitness accessories options. You can add anything from underwater treadmills, aqua bikes, and underwater LED lights to swim and floor mirrors, a row bar kit, and accessibility fittings. Of course, all of that will be for an extra cost.
Flow Current
Three types of swim current systems are jetted, propeller, and paddlewheel. You can find different swim spa models featuring any of these three current systems. But the most common are jetted swim spas. They are known for producing slightly turbulent and weak water currents and a narrow, focused swim lane, which makes swimming in place difficult.
Meanwhile, Endless Pools are propeller-driven, using one or two propellers. Their water conditioning grills are excellent additions to get that smooth, laminar flow. But besides the propulsion system, another important factor to consider is how strong the current is. To get a powerful swim from a swim spa vs. Endless Pool, one has to have powerful resistance, which is best measured in gallons per minute.
Endless Pools have a maximum flow of 5,000 gallons per minute, which is fully adjustable using a floating remote control. On the other hand, the current power for swim spas largely differs depending on the brand and model. Some jetted swim spas have a max flow of 1,100 gallons per minute, while others are even weaker at 400 gallons per minute.
With all that said, when it comes to Endless Pool vs. swim spa current, the Endless Pool is far superior. It’s explicitly optimized for swimming with its smooth, wide propeller-driven current and strong water flow. Swim spas are great for cooling off, fun, and other aquatic exercises, but they are lacking when it comes to swimming.
Aesthetics
Both swim spas and Endless Pools have plenty of customization options to fit any aesthetic. You can usually choose from different exterior finishes, tile designs and materials, vinyl liner designs, and color options to complement your style and home.
The main difference between the two is that a swim spa features a classic hot tub’s acrylic shell look while an Endless Pool looks more like a traditional backyard swimming pool, just smaller.
Choice: | Swim Spa | Endless Pool |
Installation | ❌ | ✔️ |
Social | ✔️ | ❌ |
Size | ❌ | ✔️ |
Swimming | ❌ | ✔️ |
Cost | ❌ | ✔️ |
Maintenance | — | — |
Running Cost | — | — |
What to Know Before Purchasing a Swim Spa vs. Endless Pool
Regardless of whether you’ve chosen to get a swim spa or an Endless Pool, there are a couple of features to bear in mind before making any purchase.
Installation Process
The process varies greatly depending on the type of installation you want for your pool. You can install pool systems above-ground or partially or fully in-ground, and each option has its pros and cons. In-ground pools have that seamless, built-in look, perfect especially for deeper pools. However, the cost of excavation and pouring of the concrete base can get pricey, and they can take 7-21 days to install. Also, any obstruction, like trees or fences, can significantly increase the installation cost.
Above-ground spas tend to be the more pocket-friendly option and will be ready to use in just a couple of days. They only need to sit on a solid and level surface that can hold the pool weight, usually accomplished by leveling the ground and pouring a concrete base.
Total Cost
Swim Spas and Endless Pools come at a variety of price tags, so it’s essential to check the upfront costs. It will vary greatly, depending on the quality, size, features, and add-ons.
On average, expect to spend about $8,000 to $25,000 on a quality swim spa, excluding installation, and can go up $80,000 for advanced models. On the other hand, an Endless Pool starts at $31,999.
But the cost of a swim spa or an Endless Pool doesn’t end with your initial investment. That price includes everything needed to get the spa or pool up and running. Other hidden expenses you need to factor in include the installation and electrical hook-ups.
So, before any purchase, ask what’s included in the total cost of the swim spa or Endless Pool.
- Does it include installation? If yes, what does it cover?
- How much is the delivery in your area?
- Are there start-up sanitation kits or cover included in the price?
You can check out swim spa prices at Costco to give you an idea of the pricing.
Cost to Run Per Hour
Ask for a running cost per hour or a monthly running cost estimate from swim spa manufacturers or the salesperson. The running costs of a pool system come from two things: electricity and water.
But the energy cost is one of the biggest ongoing costs for an Endless Pool or a swim spa, so factor this when deciding on your budget. The best way to reduce your long-term spa cost is to pick one that is energy efficient. When it comes to energy efficiency, one important factor to keep in mind is the insulation system. A well-insulated spa or pool will reduce your operating costs and help you get the most out of your investment.
If a Platform or Base Is Needed for Mounting
Having a suitable foundation is critical whether you plan to put it indoors or outdoors. Swim spas and Endless Pools require a flat, level surface for mounting.
Indoors, you need to ensure that the foundation can support the overall weight of the swim spa or Endless Pool. Outdoors, having a solid platform is important as the ground can move and shift, which can damage your spa or pool. Concrete and gravel foundations are usually the best options.
If Weekly Maintenance Is Necessary
The best swim spas and Endless Pools are a huge expense, so you’d want to protect that investment. Hence, routine maintenance is necessary to keep them in top condition. Find out how often they need to be cleaned. Does it need weekly maintenance? Monthly?
Maintenance is typically easier for these units than a full-sized swimming pool. Find out exactly what is involved in keeping your unit in good working condition. But how often you clean a swim spa or pool will depend on the model you have and how frequently you use it. But on average, you’ll need to test the water and add chlorine granules or regular household bleach once a week for sanitation.
Also, the filter will need rinsing every 1-2 weeks, and use an approved filter cleaner at least every month and change the water every three months. A swim spa cleaner will also help remove any dirt, oil, and gunk.
Another thing to consider is that some swim spas have a self-cleaning system with a built-in filtration system. They are excellent options if you’re looking for an easy-to-maintain spa.
Swim Spa vs. Endless Pool: FAQs
Q: Is a Swim Spa a good alternative to a pool?
A: Yes. A swim spa is a fantastic alternative to a traditional swimming pool, particularly if you are on a budget and have limited space for pool installation. It’s usable all year, easier to maintain, and has the advantage of being a part pool and part hot tub.
Q: Is an Endless Pool similar to a pool?
A: Yes. An Endless Pool is similar to a pool, but instead of swimming back and forth, you swim in place and against a current in an Endless Pool. That said, swimming in Endless Pools swim spas is more similar to open-water swimming than swimming in a lap pool, particularly because of the water current.
Q: Is an Endless Pool easy to install?
A: Yes. Endless Pools are designed for easy installation. They are fully modular and have an installation manual and video if you want to perform DIY installations.
Q: Is a Swim Spa easy to install?
A: A swim spa is quick and easy enough to install. All they really require is a solid and level surface that can support the weight of the spa with water, a garden hose to fill it up, and an electrical hook-up.
Q: Is an Endless Pool or Swim Spa more cost-efficient?
A: It largely depends on the model and build quality of the unit. For cost-efficiency, look for factors like extra insulation, a pool or spa cover, and highly efficient pumps.
Conclusion
An Endless Pool and a Swim Spa are two of the best options for getting a full swim experience without a full-size pool. Consider them like a treadmill but designed for swimming.
Now, choosing a swim spa vs. an Endless Pool depends on how you plan to use it. If you’re a casual swimmer with a goal of fitness and family fun, we suggest a swim spa. But if you’re a frequent and competitive swimmer planning on frequent and powerful swim experiences, our best pick is an Endless Pool.
And if you are an athlete, a few minutes in an outdoor vs. indoor sauna, your pick, followed by a dip in a portable cold plunge, is perfect for muscle recovery after a rigorous swimming session.
