Posted by Josh Clamp in
Buying a swim spa
on 29th April 2025
In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about swim spa sizes and dimensions.
Choosing the right size swim spa that suits both your lifestyle and your available space ensures you’ll get the most use out of it for years to come. Unlike traditional pools, swim spas are compact and easier to install, maintain, and heat, making them a convenient option for smaller spaces.
Also unlike traditional outdoor swimming pools, swim spas can be used all year round rather than just a few short months in the summer.
To get started, we’ve got a few questions that are important to keep in mind when choosing the right swim spa size and model for you.
The most important factor when choosing the best swim spa size is how much room you have available. Measuring up your garden/house will give you the information needed when choosing what size model is appropriate. It’s important to bear in mind that you will also need sufficient clearance around the swim spa for safe use, maintenance, and ventilation.
It’s important to know how many people will be using your swim spa at one time, as this will determine the amount of space you need. For example, if it’s just you and a partner using the swim spa at one time, a smaller model will suit your needs. However, if you plan on getting the entire family involved, it’s important to choose a model with enough seating and swim space to accommodate everyone.
When looking at swim spa dimensions, the height of users is important, as you’ll want to ensure there’s enough space for everyone to swim comfortably. In smaller models, taller people may find themselves bumping into the seating or step area. That’s why we always recommend wet testing in a showroom to make sure the swim spa suits your height and build. After all, the last thing you want is to be worrying about knocking into the inner swim chamber walls mid-swim.
Because swim spas have many different use cases, it’s important to choose a model that is suited to your specific needs. Most people use them for swimming, but they can also be used for different exercises, therapeutic benefits and as a swimming pool alternative.
If you’re primarily looking to use the swim spa for swimming and exercise, you’ll want to prioritise a model that is big enough for you to swim in and offers a strong consistent swim current. If it is just the swim experience you are looking for rather than jetted seating, consider also looking at swimming tank like models with just steps and no seating. This sometimes allows for a longer swim lane that will allow you to be more comfortable when swimming. It may also be worth looking for a model with an underwater treadmill, or additional rowing, cycling or resistance bands attachments. This will give you lots more exercise capabilities other than just swimming.
If you’re looking to use a swim spa for therapeutic purposes, selecting one with moulded jetted seating is highly recommended. These jets enhance the hydrotherapy experience, helping to relieve tension and promote relaxation. For an even more enjoyable experience, look out for models with LED lighting and a built-in sound system- these little extras can really elevate your home spa area.
If you have the space and the budget, dual temp swim spas are definitely worth exploring. They have two separate bodies of water, allowing you to benefit from two different temperatures at one time. This makes them much more convenient to heat, as the hot tub side holds significantly less water, meaning it heats up faster and lets you enjoy both a warm and a cool side. To get the most out of the hydrotherapy benefits, you’ll want warm water temperatures of around 36°C or higher, making the hot tub side perfect for relaxing.
If you plan on using the swim spa as a traditional swimming pool alternative, you may want to focus on looking for a single chamber model with a large body of water and more swim lane space. Single chamber swim spas should be at the top of your list so that you can use the whole unit as a swimming area. This will allow enough space for kids to play games and socialise with their friends. Many swim spas are also long enough so that you can utilise them for swimming lengths, rather than just swimming against the current. One example of this would be the WhatSwimSpa? Best Buy awarded British Hot Tubs 6.8m Turbine Seated model.
Some swim spa owners tend to drain their spa over the colder months and ‘winterise’ it if they feel that they’re not going to use it. Swim spas can be used during all seasons, but ambient temperature does make a difference when it comes to heating your spa. This means it will be less energy-efficient during the winter months, as it will have to be heated from lower baseline temperatures. This ultimately means that the larger the swim spa, the more water it holds and therefore the more expensive it will be to heat up.
If you plan on using your swim spa all-year-round, it may be beneficial to get a smaller model with less water to keep these running costs down. However, if energy costs are a concern for you, it’s a no-brainer to have an air source heat pump installed onto your swim spa. This can significantly reduce running costs and can even heat your swim spa up faster. It’s also important to check the swim spas energy-efficiency prior to making a purchase, so you’re always kept in the loop.
If you’re not particularly worried about rising energy costs over the winter months, feel free to choose any size model you like. But always look out for the WhatSwimSpa? Best Buy awarded swim spas, as these have been handpicked as some of the most reliable, energy-efficient models on the market!
One of the biggest decisions to make when choosing a swim spa is whether to go for a single or dual chamber model. For more information on the difference between single and dual chamber swim spas, head to our dedicated blog Single Vs Dual Zone Swim Spas – Ultimate Guide 2025.
A single chamber swim spa has the ‘hot tub’ seating area and swimming area contained within the same body of water. This means that they can be slightly less versatile, as you’ll most likely want a higher temperature of around 36°C+ whilst soaking in the hot tub area, in comparison to a lower temperature of around 25°C – 29°C when you’re swimming.
Swim Spas don’t have to be used as a hot tub as you can still utilise the therapy seats at a swim temperature for a post-swim cool down massage, but given that swim spas can typically heat up to 40°C, most users tend to use them as a hot tub every now and then. Single chamber swim spas are typically smaller in size and are most appropriate if you’re limited for space.
A dual-chamber model is a dual temperature swim spa, meaning you can have to different temperatures within two different bodies of water. This hosts a dedicated hot tub and swimming area, meaning you can simultaneously switch between the two without having to wait hours for the water to get to temperature if you want to increase or decrease it. Dual chamber models are typically larger in size, as they have to accommodate a big enough swim area alongside the hot tub.
The L-shaped TidalFit DTL-8 is also a great option if you don’t have the space for a conventionally shaped dual-chamber swim spa. The other option is to just purchase a single chamber swim spa and a hot tub separately, as this gives you more freedom on models and garden configuration.
If you want a shortlist of WhatSwimSpa? Best Buy awarded dual-chamber swim spas, head over to our dedicated blog Best Swim Spa Hot Tub for Every Budget.
Swim spas come in a range of different shapes and sizes, allowing you to choose the one that best suits your space and use case. Below are the most common options you’ll come across:
Most swim spas around 10-11 feet long are usually best for one or two people. You can still use them to cool off in the summer or soak in the warmth when it’s chilly, but if you’re picturing doing long, continuous swims… well, space might be a little tight.
That said, they can definitely work as a simple splash pool for kids, or just a simple way to have water in your garden without needing loads of space. And because they’re smaller swim spas, they’re often built with fewer extras like jetted seating.
Expect to spend somewhere around £10,000 to £25,000, give or take depending on the specification and any upgrades you might go for.
If you’re looking for something a bit more versatile, swim spas between 12-16 feet long tend to hit a really nice middle ground. They’re a great size for one or two people who want a proper swim area – enough space to stretch out a bit more without feeling cramped.
These models also start to offer a lot more in terms of exercise options. You’ll often find stronger airless jet systems in this range, which means smoother resistance for swimming and other workouts. They often provide a swim current that’s strong enough for resistance training, and a swim current that can be adjusted to suit different fitness levels.
Plus, if hydrotherapy is high on your list, mid-sized models usually come with upgraded massage jets, giving you a much better spa-like experience compared to the more basic, entry-level swim spas.
In terms of price, you’re generally looking at anywhere between £17,000 and £35,000 depending on the size, brand, and the kind of features you decide to go for.
Typically the 17 to 18-foot range of swim spas are some of the most premium on the market. Some 16 feet long swim spas can also come into this bracket depending on their features – so it’s worth keeping an eye on those, too.
These larger spas tend to come with all sorts of fitness-focused features – more powerful jets, bigger swim areas, and generally more space to really get your workout in. Plus, the extra depth and width just gives you more room to move around, which is a big plus if you’re working with longer strokes.
If you’re 6 feet tall or over, this will most likely be the perfect swim spa size for you.
These swim spas usually fall between £25,000 and £49,000, depending on your choice of brand and features.
The largest swim spas typically fall in the 19 to 25-foot range, and as you might expect, these are the most expensive models. They’re usually packed with features you won’t find in smaller swim spas, and you can pretty much expect everything that’s available in the other categories. However, there are also models with more basic features that are just simply built longer.
Given their size and price, most of these extra-large models will come with some really cool extras, like more advanced swim jet propulsion systems for a smoother swimming experience and therapy seats for added hydromassage benefits. Some models even include additional exercise equipment – such as rowing machines or resistance bands.
With all these upgrades, you can expect the price to be on the higher end, usually between £25,000 and £60,000, depending on the size and brand.
We find that the 14-foot swim spa size of swim spa are typically the most popular size.
This is most likely due to it’s mid-range price point, alongside being big enough to suit most bathers. Since most people don’t have the indoor space or extra space in their garden, we find that the swim spa dimensions within this range are a great fit for most homes.
After you’ve found your perfect spot, and chosen some features that will help you get the best experience out of a swim spa, request your completely FREE copy of WhatSwimSpa? Magazine to see a whole range of Best Buy Awarded swim spas from the UK’s number one swim spa buyer’s guide!
Make sure to head over to our WhatSwimSpa? Approved Brands to double check that the swim spas on your shortlist are structurally sound, and from high-quality and reliable brands.
About the author
I'm the content writer & social media manager at WhatSwimSpa? Magazine. I have worked at WhatSwimSpa? for over 2 years now, and I recently graduated with from Northumbria University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management with Marketing. My role at WhatSwimSpa? is to ensure that all swim spa lovers can easily access the highest quality and most up-to-date content, news and information from within the UK wet leisure industry.
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