By AZ Spas & Patio
Start with an ordinary week at home. Will you mostly settle into warm water after work, or will someone actually swim, water-walk, or exercise several times a week? A hot tub puts more seating and massage jets into a smaller footprint. A swim spa takes more room and planning, but adds an open lane for movement and family time. In Arizona, shade, summer water temperature, delivery access, electrical service, and the weight of the filled unit often settle the decision before the feature list does.
Hot Tub and Swim Spa Side by Side
| Feature | Hot Tub | Swim Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use | Warm soaking, conversation, and targeted massage jets | Swimming in place, water exercise, family use, and seated jets |
| Typical footprint or length | About 83 to 91 inches square among the Platinum examples below | About 177 to 232 inches long and roughly 89 inches wide among the Eros, Zelus, and Helios |
| Approximate water volume | Model-specific; confirm the selected hot tub’s current water capacity before planning the base or water care | Published sheets list about 1,884 gallons for the Eros and 2,774 gallons for the current Helios; confirm the exact model year before site planning |
| Filled-weight consideration | The Oslo page lists a 992-pound dry weight. Filled weight depends on the selected model’s water capacity and occupants, so use the current specification sheet for site planning. | Official U.S. specifications list roughly 17,052 pounds wet for the Eros and 26,345 pounds wet for the Helios. Confirm the selected Zelus model’s current specification sheet before site planning. |
| Electrical requirements | Model-specific dedicated service; examples range from 50A/220V to 60A/240V | Model-specific dedicated service; Eros is listed at 60A/240V, while Helios is listed at 50A/60A/240V |
| Seating capacity | Five to seven people among the Barcelona, Santorini, and Oslo examples | Eros: two seats; Zelus: two seats plus one lounger; Helios: four seats plus one lounger |
| Installation planning | Level engineered base, delivery path, drainage, and electrical connection | Larger engineered base, substantial filled load, equipment access, delivery or crane plan, drainage, and electrical connection |
| Best fit | Households that expect to soak and use massage seats more often than they would swim | Households that will use the extra water space for swimming, movement, or family activity |
Specifications vary by model year and configuration. Figures above come from the linked AZ Spas & Patio product pages and current Platinum Spas U.S. product information. Confirm the selected unit’s current manual and site requirements before construction or electrical work. Not sure which side of the table sounds like your household? Call or text AZ Spas & Patio at (480) 808-1010 for a free consultation.
How Hot Tubs and Swim Spas Differ
A hot tub is organized around molded seats, warm water, and jets. It suits buyers who picture using the spa after work, talking with family or friends, or enjoying water and jet pressure that may help them relax and ease sore muscles. A swim spa is longer and provides an open lane with a counter-current. Depending on the model, it may also include dedicated spa seating. That makes it useful for swimming in place, water walking, low-impact movement, play, and soaking without committing to a full-size pool. A Queen Creek family with a smaller lot may be weighing a pool against a swim spa. If the children want water time and the adults want morning exercise plus seated jets, a compact swim spa gives the space more than one job. If evenings will mostly mean a quiet soak, a hot tub keeps more of the patio open and usually calls for less site work.
A Hot Tub Is Better for Soaking and Smaller Patios
Look first at hot tubs if your routine centers on warm water, built-in seating, and massage jets. They also make sense on a compact patio or for a household that has no plans to use a swim current. These three Platinum Spas models show how much the seating layouts vary:
- Santorini: 83 x 83 x 37 inches with five seats and one lounger, a practical option when you want room for six without moving to a larger cabinet.
- Barcelona: 88 x 88 x 37 inches with three seats and two loungers, worth a look if reclined seating matters more than upright seats.
- Oslo: approximately 90.55 x 90.55 x 37.4 inches with seating for seven adults, the roomiest seating option of these three for larger households or frequent guests.
The Santorini is published at 50A/220V, while the Barcelona and Oslo are published at 60A/240V. The selected model’s installation manual and a qualified electrician should determine the final electrical plan.
A Swim Spa Gives You Room to Move
Look at swim spas when someone in the household plans to swim, walk against resistance, stretch, or use the water for low-impact movement. The open water also gives a family more room to share, but the longer shell changes the delivery route, foundation, access, and electrical plan. AZ Spas & Patio carries these Platinum swim spas:
- Eros: approximately 177 x 89 x 59 inches with two seats and a River Jet swim system. It is the shortest of these three, with a swim lane in a roughly 15-foot unit.
- Zelus: approximately 224 x 89 x 59 inches with two seats and one lounger. Its longer swim area and defined seated end split the space between movement and soaking.
- Helios: approximately 232 x 89 x 59 inches with four seats and one lounger. Its two water zones let the swim end and seated spa end run at different temperatures, so one person can swim while another soaks.
Model specifications have changed between published retailer pages and newer manufacturer sheets. Treat these figures as a starting point. Confirm the exact in-stock model, model-year documents, filled weight, and electrical diagram before approving a foundation or electrical service.
Using a Hot Tub or Swim Spa in Arizona Heat
Summer changes the routine. Many Arizona owners turn a hot tub down instead of keeping it at a winter soaking temperature. A swim spa can double as a place to cool off, although the water temperature it can hold depends on the equipment, sun exposure, cover habits, and weather. Shade makes daytime use more comfortable and protects the cover and cabinet from some UV exposure. Plan it without blocking the equipment bay. Desert dust and evaporation also mean more frequent water-level and filter checks. When monsoon winds arrive, latch the cover exactly as the manufacturer directs.
Measure the Whole Installation, Not Just the Shell
A hot tub takes less yard space, but the cabinet dimensions are only the beginning. You also need room for steps, safe walking, the open cover, and future service. A swim spa adds the challenge of moving a much longer shell into the yard. Before ordering, check:
- The exact model dimensions and required service clearances
- A level base designed for the unit’s confirmed filled weight
- Whether an existing deck needs evaluation by a qualified structural professional
- Gate widths, turns, rooflines, walls, and overhead obstructions along the delivery route
- Whether delivery will require special equipment or crane access
- Dedicated electrical service based on the selected model’s current manual
- Drainage, splash management, and access to a water source
- Shade, privacy, steps, handholds, and nighttime lighting
- Clear access to pumps, controls, filters, and other service points
- Your HOA rules and your city’s current requirements for barriers, fencing, permits, or locking covers
Requirements vary by city and property. Confirm them with your HOA and local authority before construction. Bring your measurements and access photos to the showroom for help with model dimensions, delivery planning, and setup. Use qualified local professionals for permits, structural decisions, and electrical work.
Plan for the Full Installed Cost
A swim spa is often the larger project, but the price on the unit is only part of what you will spend. Include these items in the comparison:
- Cabinet size, seating layout, jets, controls, lighting, insulation, and optional features
- The electrical panel capacity, dedicated circuit, disconnect, trenching, and electrician’s work
- A properly engineered concrete pad or other approved base
- Delivery access, special handling, and possible crane costs
- Steps, cover-handling equipment, shade, and surrounding patio work
- Water-care chemicals, filters, routine service, and water replacement
- Energy use, which varies with temperature, weather, insulation, cover condition, and use
- Eventual cover replacement and other wear items
Compare the complete installed project, not just the showroom price. AZ Spas & Patio offers delivery and setup and can discuss trade-ins or upgrades during a free consultation.
What Maintenance Looks Like
The basic chores are the same for both: test the water, adjust sanitizer and pH, clean the filters and surfaces, and use a well-fitting cover. A swim spa simply gives you more water and a larger cover to manage. Arizona dust makes regular filter checks and cover use especially useful. Follow the schedule for the model you buy instead of a generic maintenance calendar. The CDC’s home pool and hot tub water-care guidance explains why regular sanitizer and pH testing matter.
A Few Hot Tub Safety Basics
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says hot tub water should be kept at or below 104 degrees Fahrenheit. CPSC also recommends constant adult supervision around children and a locked safety cover when a spa is not in use. See the agency’s pool, spa, and hot tub safety guidance and its current drowning-prevention guidance. Pregnant people and anyone with a heart condition or another medical concern should check with their doctor before using a hot tub. The CDC’s current hot tub safety guidance also recommends physician consultation during pregnancy and reinforces the 104-degree maximum. Never leave children unsupervised around a hot tub or swim spa, and keep the cover secured when the unit is not being used.
Can You Get Both in One Unit?
Yes. A dual-zone swim spa can combine an open swim area with a separate hot-tub-style section. The Helios, for example, has separate water zones so the seated end can stay warmer while the swim end remains cooler. This arrangement can suit a household where one person wants a current for swimming while someone else wants seated jets. It also means a larger footprint, two temperature zones, and more involved electrical and site planning, so confirm the exact configuration before deciding it replaces two separate units.
What Arizona Spa Buyers Say
★★★★★ “We are in love with our dual sided swimspa we bought from AZ Spas & Patio! Debi and Russell were extremely helpful and great to work with! Hector was awesome too! Highly recommended!!” Doug Acosta, October 10, 2024 · Read the original Google review
★★★★★ “We had a great experience with AZ Spas & Patio! From start to finish, no hard selling at all and very informative. After visiting, searching and reading reviews, these guys were our #1 choice. Debi and Dena were very patient with our many, many questions. The delivery crew, Wayne and guys, were just as amazing. He explained everything! We are super happy with our purchase and the experience! We LOVE our new backyard toy!” Mo Johnson, November 3, 2022 · Read the original Google review
★★★★★ “I don’t write many reviews but here we go. If you want a jacuzzi this is the place to go. it was the easiest purchase we have ever made. Walked in told them what we were looking for picked it out filled out the paper work maybe took 30 minutes for the entire process. the next available day they brought it out hooked it up, was like 3 days later. We decide we wanted to upgrade the jacuzzi they took the old one back and brought the new one out the next morning. THANK YOU AWESOME SERVICE AND WE LOVE THE JACUZZI. The Lopez Family” Junebug 3D Printing, July 1, 2022 · Read the original Google review
Bring photos and measurements of your space to the showroom. They make it easier to check the seating, try the swim current, map the delivery route, and talk through the complete installation before you choose a model.
Questions We Hear in the Showroom
How much space do I need for a swim spa?
Start with the exact cabinet dimensions, then add room for entry steps, cover operation, safe walking space, delivery, and equipment service. The Eros is about 177 inches long, while the Helios is about 232 inches long, so the model choice can change the layout substantially.
Can I use a hot tub in the Arizona summer?
Yes. Many owners lower the set temperature during hot weather. Shade, cover care, water balance, evaporation, and the temperature the unit can maintain in direct sun should all be discussed for the specific installation.
Do swim spas need a concrete pad?
They need a level, stable base engineered for the selected model’s confirmed filled weight. Concrete is common, but the correct foundation should be determined from the manufacturer requirements and site conditions before installation.
What electrical service does a hot tub or swim spa need?
It depends on the model. The examples in this article range from 50A/220V hot tubs to swim spas requiring 60A/240V or multiple listed feeds. Use the current model manual and a qualified electrician; do not size the service from a category-wide estimate.
Is a swim spa cheaper than an in-ground pool?
It can be, but the comparison depends on the chosen unit and the complete site work for each project. Compare the spa, base, electrical work, delivery, access equipment, surrounding patio, ongoing water care, energy, and cover replacement. Ask AZ Spas & Patio for a current project-specific estimate rather than relying on a broad online range.
Related Posts
- Swim Spas Over Traditional Pools: A closer look at the tradeoffs between a swim spa and a full in-ground pool.
- How to Find a Place for a Swim Spa in Your Home: Planning tips for access, clearances, and backyard layout.
- 5 Different Swim Spa Workouts to Help You Get in Shape: Five practical ways to use the open water and current after installation.
- Essential Tips for Clean and Clear Hot Tub Water: Straightforward care tips for keeping hot tub water clean and clear.
See Both Options at Our Queen Creek Showroom
Visit AZ Spas & Patio at 23021 E Riggs Rd, Suite #104, Queen Creek, AZ 85142. Sit in the hot tubs, compare the swim space, and bring photos of your access route. Free consultations, delivery and setup, and trade-in or upgrade options are available. The showroom is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call or text (480) 808-1010, or contact AZ Spas & Patio online.
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About The Author AZ Spas & PatioThe AZ Spas & Patio team helps Arizona homeowners compare hot tubs, swim spas, cold plunges, patio furniture, and fire pits in person. The Queen Creek showroom offers free consultations, model comparisons, delivery and setup planning, and trade-in or upgrade options. AZ Spas & Patio |
