Are you looking to install a water and wellness feature in your garden or backyard but would like some guidance on the best options to invest in? With so many options to decide between – pool or hot tub, and which type of hot tub? – we have set out the key considerations to help you make the right decision.
Decision-making process
- Know what you can afford (money and space-wise)
- Decide between a hot tub or a pool
- Discover the different types of hot tubs
- Let it sink in
Hot tub or pool
A hot tub and a pool are essentially chalk and cheese, with each one offering a unique home experience. The fundamental difference is that a hot tub promotes relaxation and therapeutic benefits, while a pool offers the ability to take a cool dip and engage in water-based exercise.
There are a number of key considerations when deciding whether a hot tub or a pool is right for your home, including how much space you’ve got in your backyard, and, of course, how much money you’re willing to invest.
Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these two very different options available on the market for you to choose between.
It is important to be aware prior to purchasing that all pools are subject to specific regulations and must be declared according to the policy set by the relevant local authority.
Advantages and disadvantages of a pool vs hot tub
Advantages
Hot tub
Deep relaxation
A calming hot water soak is one of the most beneficial ways to send your body and mind into a state of deep relaxation.
Therapeutic benefits
A hot tub comes equipped with jets that can be set to varying levels of intensity, providing a therapeutic massage that, in combination with the warm water, can ease tension in sore muscles and joints to alleviate pain, eliminate toxins, relieve headaches and improve sleep quality, as well as enhance your exercise performance by improving stretching and mobility.
Versatile year-round use
The relaxation offered by hot, bubbling water is welcome any time of year, but on sizzling hot days when you’re craving coolness, you can fill your hot tub with refreshing cold water instead.
Other benefits
A hot tub is the ideal spot for family or friend gatherings, which offers easy installation, reasonably low maintenance and is more budget-friendly than a pool.
Pool
Exercise
A pool ticks the box for all of your home exercise needs. Swimming is a highly beneficial low-impact cardio, resistance and endurance workout to lose weight, gain muscle strength, improve stamina and boost your overall level of fitness. In addition to swimming laps, you can also try water aerobics, water polo, capture-the-flag and a whole range of fun solo and group activities.
Child-friendly
Just say, “We’re getting a pool this summer!” and watch your kids’ faces. Children love spending all summer long splashing in a backyard pool, and it’s a great way for parents to support their swimming lessons.
Size
Pools are typically much larger than hot tubs, which makes them ideal for larger gatherings or for swimming laps.
Other benefits
A home pool offers endless opportunities for entertainment – think pool parties, cooling off on hot summer days, swimming practice and more.
Disadvantages
Hot tub
Size
If you have limited space in your garden or backyard, then a small two-seater hot tub in fact offers an advantage as you can place it almost anywhere. However, if you are looking for a tub that fits at least 6-8 people (standard size) or over 10 people without it being a tight squeeze that impacts comfort and personal space, you’ll need more spacious surrounds.
Limited lifespan
Hot tubs typically last less than 10 years, but choosing a higher quality model and ensuring you care for it properly can help it to go the distance and exceed this lifespan. This means that less expensive, poorly produced models combined with neglectful maintenance will result in you needing to replace your hot tub within just a few years.
Restrictions in Smoke Control Areas (UK)
In the UK, none of the wood-burning hot tub stoves has been classified as an “exempt appliance” by DEFRA so far; hence smoke emissions from the burning of wood will not comply with permitted levels in a Smoke Control Area. You should contact your local Council for further guidance if you suspect that you reside within a designated Smoke Control Area and are considering a wood-burning option.
Pool
Size
A pool simply won’t fit in a small backyard. When designing your dream pool to fit your home environment, consider how it complements the surrounding area and how you can ensure easy access and meet safety requirements. Even a small 12 x 18 feet pool needs a 17 x 20 feet installation space, for example.
Limited use
Pool use is seasonal, with higher use in warmer weather. This means you aren’t likely to be using your pool when the weather turns cold in autumn and winter. You will likely get 4-6 months of use of an unheated outdoor poor each year, generally from May to October. By heating your pool, you could have the option of using it year-round.
Costly installation
While installation costs vary widely, when doing your calculations you will need to factor in the cost of landscape, fences, decks and more.
More demanding mainteance
Pools require ongoing daily or weekly maintenance, including floor and wall cleaning, emptying the skimmer and pump baskets, testing and balancing the water, as well as seasonal preparations.
Types of hot tubs
Here at TopWoodFiredHotTubs, we are experts and enthusiasts of wood-fired hot tubs, so let’s compare the different types of hot tubs available. When selecting the right hot tub for your needs and tastes, you can select from wood-fired, electric, and electric-inflatable spas.
Comparing wood-fired, electric and inflatable hot tubs
Heating time (reaching the recommended 39°C)
Wood-fired
Wood-fired heaters are the most efficient at heating your hot tub, with an output of 20-30kW of heat in about 2-3 hours according to information from most brands.
Electric (jacuzzi)
Varies widely according to the heating system used for a particular brand or model of a hot tub. While most brands report 12-24 hours’ heating time, some models can manage full heating in only 4-8 hours if they are equipped with a more powerful heater.
Inflatable spa
This will take longer than a jacuzzi type of hot tub due to poor heat insulation. Most brands estimate a heating time of up to 24 hours, or even an excessively high 48 hours during winter.
Comfort
Wood-fired
Wood-fired hot tubs offer a spa experience that rivals any jacuzzi, with smooth liners and technological advancements.
Electric (jacuzzi)
Electric hot tubs remain the undefeated champion in terms of comfort when both sitting in the tub, as well as convenience of their controls, by simply pushing a button to change the temperature, jet intensity, lights and more.
Inflatable spa
Inflatable hot tubs do not have built-in seats and therefore are unable to compete with the other two options in terms of comfort, but they do provide a softer experience when resting against the hot tub walls or base. Plus, an inflatable hot tub offers the great advantage of simple installation and relocation of the unit.
Cost of operation
Wood-fired
15-25 kg of firewood is required to do the work of heating your hot tub and keeping it toasty. You can also search for sources of free firewood to reduce the cost.
Heating from water mains to bathing temperature tends to cost around £10-20 for a single heating.
Electric (jacuzzi)
Heaters ranging from 3 to 6 kW are typically used, but there are also models available that use between 1.5 to 18 kW.
Heating from water mains to bathing temperature tends to cost around £21-42 for a single heating (based on average electricity price in the UK of 34p/kWh).
Inflatable spa
Less powerful heaters are typically used (around 1.5-3kW), totalling approximately £24-35 for a single heating.
Price
Wood-fired
Prices range from £2,500 for a basic package up to around £7,500 for a premium-level hot tub experience.
Electric (jacuzzi)
Prices range between £4,000 and £9,000, and can even exceed £12,000 for ultimate luxury.
Inflatable spa
Most basic models start at £400 or even less, climbing to £800 for a unit of reasonable quality, increasing further to £1,200 for the highest-quality experience you can expect from an inflatable spa.
Let it sink in
It all depends on your preferences, needs and resources when it comes to choosing the desired type of hot tub or pool to install at your home. To summarise the key considerations we have explored:
- Pools will require much more space, attentive care and more costly maintenance, but they provide a generous amount of water area to enjoy all summer long.
- Hot tubs provide more therapeutic benefits and can be used all year round, as well as requiring less space to house them in your backyard.
- Wood-fired hot tubs provide the fastest heating and the least expensive operation.
- Electric hot tubs remain the undefeated champion in terms of comfort and luxury.
- Inflatable spas are the least expensive, lowest-hassle option when it comes to their purchase price, installation and relocation.
Spare some time to allow all of the information in our guide sink in before you dive into making your decision about whether to purchase a pool or a hot tub for your home. Gather your thoughts, do your calculations, read up on the rules and regulations, discuss with your family and then start browsing for what will bring you the most enjoyment and relaxation!
