You would love to have a swimming pool in your backyard but don’t have enough space or budget? So, how can you create a personal oasis and enjoy the recreational and wellness benefits? – Plunge pools and swim spas are two appealing yet very distinct options you could consider. Both provide a range of water activities and relaxation experiences but have different purposes and bring their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these differences may help you to make an informed choice that matches your needs, space, and lifestyle.
Understanding Plunge Pools

A plunge pool is basically a small, shallow pool that is generally designed for cooling off, relaxation, and light exercise. These compact, space-efficient pools, measuring between 4 and 7 meters in length and 2 to 3 meters in width, are particularly popular in urban areas where space is limited. Originally designed as dipping pools for hotter climates, they now come with more advanced features such as jets, moulded seats, and heating options. When you buy a plunge pool you get leisure and relaxation, a way to cool off after a long stressful day.
Advantages of Plunge Pools
One of the biggest advantages of plunge pools is their compact size and lower maintenance requirements, especially compared to full-sized swimming pools. They are ideally designed for small backyards and can easily integrate into the existing landscape design, often providing an attractive focal point. The cost of installation is significantly lower and they consume less water and energy, leading to reduced maintenance expenses. Homeowners particularly like their versatility in temperature control – they can be heated in winter and kept cool in warm summers.
Plunge pools also offer therapeutic benefits. Models equipped with jets offer excellent massage benefits, providing stress relief, relieving muscle soreness, and speeding up recovery time after an injury. The option to convert them from a cold to a hot pool makes them very popular for hydrotherapy and wellness sessions. Customised configurations and a variety of designs allow homeowners to buy plunge pool that meets both their aesthetic style and wellness needs.
What Are the Limitations of Plunge Pools?
Because of their smaller size, you may not be able to enjoy lap swimming or other forms of water exercise. Typically, they are more suitable for fewer people at one time, so bigger families or those who enjoy entertaining bigger groups may not find it ideal. The initial cost, while lower compared to a full-sized pool, can be higher per square foot if you opt for all the additions and features.
What About Swim Spas?

Swim spas offer the best of both worlds. As a hybrid between traditional swimming pools and hot tubs, you can enjoy the benefits of swimming and the luxury of a spa. Swim spas typically range from 4 to 6 meters long, a couple of meters wide and up to 1.5 meters. They utilize powerful jets to create a current to swim against, providing an endless pool for workouts. They can feature advanced current systems that can be adjusted to suit different swimming abilities and workout intensities.
Advantages of Swim Spas
The main advantage of swim spas is versatility. They provide a complete aquatic exercise environment for swimming, water jogging, resistance training, and hydrotherapy. Many models have two separate areas: one for swimming and another for spa-like enjoyment, and each area can be temperature-controlled. They are usable all year as they are well-insulted and equipped with heating systems. Swim spas are easier to install than a traditional pool and can be placed either indoors or outdoors, above-ground or in-ground.
Considerations Around Swim Spas
Some of the considerations that come with swim spas are their operating costs. The initial investment can be a bit higher compared to plunge pools and the operating expenses are more significant because of energy consumption on temperature retention and jet system operation. While excellent for exercising, swimming against ‘the current’ can differ from swimming in a traditional pool. Some users may need time to adjust to swimming against currents instead of through still water. The size limits some water activities and there is not much room for simultaneous users.
Making the Right Choice for Your Needs

Deciding whether to buy a plunge pool or swim spa should be based on several key points. First, consider the intended use. If your main purpose is relaxation, refreshing yourself on a hot day or taking in a light workout within a compact space, then a plunge pool might be your best choice. If the idea is swimming for serious exercise or exercising all year round, then a swim spa is the better option.
When determining a budget, weigh the initial purchase price against the installation, operational, and maintenance costs. Plunge pools might be cheaper to install initially, but swim spas offer excellent value because of their year-round usability and exercise capabilities.
Space availability and installation requirements should also factor into your choice. Plunge pools typically allow for more options in terms of design and can be integrated nicely into existing landscaping. In comparison, swim spas, while having greater scope, can be installed in various locations due to their self-contained nature and higher portability options.
Future considerations must also factor into the equation. If you are trying to sell your home in the next couple of years, a well-designed plunge pool might add more aesthetic value to your property, while the swim spa can be moved to a new location. When it comes to families with growing children, swim spas offer long-term value.
Ultimately, choosing between a plunge pool and a swim spa should depend on aligning your needs with the unique benefits of each option.