Traditional above-ground or in-ground pools can be replaced with swim spas. They offer relaxing massage therapy seats, swim current systems, and year-round swimming in addition to allowing you to do so. But how do their prices compare to the prices of more conventional pools? Today, we’ll examine the upfront and ongoing costs of swim spas.

Depending on the features and customizations you want, swimpool purchases can cost anywhere between $7,000 and $40,000 Canadian. Although swimpools are undoubtedly expensive, year-round swimming, simple upkeep, installation flexibility, and the ability to move it with you when you move really help to make up for the initial sticker shock.

How Much Do Swim Spas Cost?

Most swim spas sold in Canada cost between $10,000 and $50,000. A $10,000 swim spa and a $50,000 swim spa are quite different from one another, as you might expect. Let’s dissect this price range in more detail to get a better idea of what you receive for your money.

Low-End Swim Spa Prices

Swim spas between $10,000 and $20,000 are generally regarded as being of low quality. These swim spas are typically built and designed with affordability in mind. The majority are constructed overseas with the cheapest materials. Most swim spas don’t use the kind of jets and pumps that are specifically made for them; instead, they use generic components that are typically found in low-cost hot tubs, which makes the swimming and massage experiences very unimpressive.

They are simply not made to effectively clean the volume of water found in swim spas; their filtration systems are also made for hot tubs. Since the filtration system must operate nonstop to purify the water, this results in high energy costs.

Mid-Range Swim Spa Prices

The majority of swim spas in Canada are in the mid-range price range, at $25,000 to $35,000 on average. These swim spas are typically produced in North America, offer a stronger warranty, and have a better overall build quality. The majority of mid-range swim spas are also constructed using tools that were created specifically for swim spas. A much better experience is provided by parts made specifically with swimming in mind, such as pumps, swim jets, and current diverters, as opposed to low-end swim spas that use hot tub parts.

High-End Swim Spa Prices

In a few areas, premium swim spas perform better than mid-range models.

• Size. In general, high-end swim spas are larger than other swim spas.
• Swimming experience. The best components are utilized to provide a stronger, wider, and smoother swimming experience than other swim spas can.
• Options. High-end swim spas also offer additional fitness and hydrotherapy options not found in other swim spas. Some swim spas also have dual temperature controls, allowing you to set one side at a temperature that’s good for swimming and the other at one that’s better for hydrotherapy.

Note: Most mid-range and high-end swim spas, with the exception of Hydropool’s Self-Cleaning swim spas, continue to use hot tub style filtration systems despite using other specialized swim spa components like pumps and jets. Despite the fact that these systems function, they are extremely inefficient and raise the amount of maintenance required to keep the water clear while also increasing energy costs.

Other Costs to Consider

However, the cost of a swim spa as a whole does not just include the purchase price. You must also take into account the swim spa’s installation costs and ongoing expenses to fully grasp its overall cost.

Swim Spa Installation Costs

Depending on how you want to install your new swim spa, the price of swim spa installation can vary considerably. For instance, it is far more affordable to install your swim spa on a concrete pad next to your home rather than burying it in the ground in the middle of your backyard and constructing a patio around it.

A straightforward above-ground swim spa installation on a concrete pad will typically cost between $400 and $500. The electrical costs are not included in this budget.

Since every situation is unique, it is more difficult to estimate the cost of more complicated swim spa installations. Nevertheless, you must make sure to plan for the concrete pad and electrical installation regardless of how you intend to install the swim spa.

Ongoing Costs

It’s crucial to think about how much the swim spa you want to purchase will cost you in the long run when making a purchase decision. In the long run, choosing a swim spa solely on the basis of price can end up costing you a lot of money if it isn’t energy efficient, especially if you plan to use it in the winter.

While you can never know exactly how much a given swim spa will cost you to run and maintain, there are a few things you can look for to help minimize these costs:

• How well does the filtration system work? The swim spa will require less energy to run when not in use the quicker the filters can clean the water.
• Swim spas produced in North America are typically more dependable than those produced elsewhere. If there is a future issue with the swim spa, the downtime will be lessened as a result of their parts’ cheaper shipping costs and quicker arrival.
• What precisely is the warranty good for? Long warranties are offered by some less expensive swim spas, but they only cover the parts while looking good on paper. You are now responsible for paying the labor, which is typically the most expensive component of repairs.
• How well-insulated is the swim spa? If you intend to use your new swim spa through the fall and winter, you should ensure that it is well insulated to save money on heating. Look for a swim spa that insulates both the outer cabinet and the water. The swim spa’s overall energy efficiency is significantly improved by the insulation surrounding the cabinet, which absorbs waste heat produced by the pumps and heater.

How Do Swim Spa Costs Compare With the Cost of Other Pools?

A typical above-ground pool costs between $5,000 and $10,000, while an inground pool will set you back at least $35,000 and frequently more than $60,000. Therefore, the majority of low to mid-range swim spas are equally priced to above-ground and in-ground pools. The total cost of purchasing and installing a swim spa is significantly less than that of an inground pool and frequently only slightly more expensive than that of an above-ground pool, depending on local bylaws (some require that both above-ground and inground pools be fenced in) and your installation plans.

Additionally, swim spa operating costs are frequently significantly less than those of a pool. Because of their smaller size, smaller pumps, and insulation, swim spas can operate, filter, and heat themselves for less than the pool pump’s ongoing operating expenses. Swim spas have become incredibly popular in recent years, and it’s no wonder when you consider their extended swimming season, massage therapy seats, and variable swim currents.

The Bottom Line

Even though installing an above-ground swim spa will be less expensive than installing an inground pool, it won’t be cheap. Of course, we’ve heard rumours of swim spas from China for $5,000 USD plus shipping, and know of “entry-level” swim spas manufactured offshore and sold in the under $10,000 USD in the U.S. If you choose one of these, you will receive little value for your money.

Budget for the price of a luxurious, Canadian-made hot tub and double it; in other words, prices between $18,000 and $40,000, depending on size, to get a high-quality swim spa with an excellent warranty that can withstand the harsh Canadian climate. (However, this still falls short of a small fiberglass swimming pool.)

Always keep in mind that the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is only a starting point for pricing. Your specific price will depend on the season, the model you’re interested in, and any manufacturer or retailer incentives.