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How Much Does a Hot Tub REALLY Cost You in Canada in 2025? (A Complete, Honest Analysis)

How Much for an 8-Person Hot Tub?

Best Small Swim Spas for Compact Spaces

When you're looking to add a swim spa to your property but don’t have much space to work with, it can feel like a challenge to find a model that fits both your available area and your fitness or relaxation needs. Fortunately, there are several great options available that combine compact design with the high-performance features you’d expect from larger swim spas.

At Hydropool, we understand how important it is to find a solution that works for your lifestyle. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of some of the best small swim spas for compact spaces, so you can enjoy all the benefits of a swim spa without sacrificing valuable space.

On average, small swim spas range in length from around 12 feet (3.7 m) to 15 feet (4.6 m), with various designs available to suit different needs. However, the space you have available, as well as the specific features you're looking for, can greatly influence your decision.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

How Much Is a 7-Person Hot Tub?

Discover how much a 7-person hot tub costs, with real-world pricing, feature comparisons, and models from Hydropool and other top brands.

What Is the Best 17-Foot to 19-Foot Swim Spa?

Explore the best 17-19 foot swim spas, from Hydropool to Bullfrog and Sundance, and learn which features make them ideal for large, versatile swim and therapy experiences.

What’s the Best 15–17 Foot Swim Spa?

Searching for the best 15-17 foot swim spa? Learn about the top options, from Hydropool to Master Spas and Bullfrog, to find the swim spa that suits your needs.

Best Energy Efficient Hot Tubs in 2025

When you’re considering buying a hot tub, one of the key factors on your mind is likely energy efficiency. After all, with regular use, hot tubs can consume a significant amount of energy, adding to your monthly utility bills. Fortunately, advances in technology mean that today’s hot tubs are more energy-efficient than ever before. Whether you’re using it to relax or entertain guests, it’s possible to enjoy the benefits of a hot tub without worrying too much about energy consumption.

At Hydropool, we believe that enjoying a hot tub should not come with high energy costs. We’ve designed our models with the latest energy-saving features to help keep your costs down. In this article, we’ll explore the best energy-efficient hot tubs available in 2025, including some of our own models, so you can make an informed decision.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

How Long Can You Stay in a Hot Tub?

When you’re relaxing in a hot tub, it’s easy to lose track of time as the warm water soothes your muscles and calms your mind. But how long should you stay in a hot tub for the best experience? Whether you’re a first-time user or a seasoned pro, understanding how long to stay in a hot tub is important for your safety and enjoyment. The answer can vary based on factors like water temperature, personal health, and comfort level.

In this article, we’ll explore:

How Often Should You Change Hot Tub Water?

One of the most common questions for new hot tub owners is how often to change the water.

Here’s our guide: Generally, you should change your hot tub water every three to four months or about four times a year.

Now, does everyone do this? We know they don’t. Hot tubs don’t explode or anything if you don’t change the water. We have just found this is the optimal amount of time that both keeps your water fresh and is easiest on your hot tub as well.

We have been in business for more than 45 years so we’ve learned a thing or two about working with water.

In this article, we’ll dive into best practices for hot tub water maintenance and help you learn how often to change your water. Here’s what we’ll cover:

How to Choose the Best Hot Tub for Your Home

If you’ve ever asked yourself “What is the best hot tub?” or “How do I choose the right one?” then let’s talk.

Here’s a quick answer: The only real way to answer this question is to ask: “What do you want to use the hot tub for?” Because the “best” will vary depending on your priority. 

The best hot tub for you depends on:

How to Install a Hot Tub at Home: What You Need to Know

How do I install a hot tub properly? Installation is one of the most common concerns for first-time hot tub buyers. And the answer has a couple of parts along with the understanding that you’re going to need a little bit of help. 

Here’s a quick overview: To install a hot tub at home, you’ll need a level base (like a concrete pad, reinforced patio or paving stones over compressed gravel), a nearby water source to fill it and safe electrical connections installed by a licensed electrician.

Most hot tubs arrive only requiring final placement, filling, and electrical hookup before use. Some even use a standard plug-in, which can make things even easier. 

At Hydropool, we have been in the hot tub business for more than 45 years. So here’s our take on what you need to do and be ready for:

How to Maintain a Hot Tub

There is no-such thing as a maintenance-free hot tub (even Hydropool’s self-cleaning hot tubs require a little work). But by following a few simple steps, you can ensure that your hot tub stays clean, safe and enjoyable year-round.

Looking after a hot tub shouldn’t take more than half an hour a week and if you buy a model focused on reducing maintenance, it will take much less. For most people, this is work easily figured out and as you fall into a routine using your hot tub, the maintenance will turn into a routine as well.

In this article, we’ll cover the essential aspects of hot tub maintenance, including:

How Do You Turn a Hot Tub On and Off?

You’ve just bought a hot tub—or maybe you’re getting ready to. One of the most common questions we hear at Hydropool is: How exactly do you turn a hot tub on or off? Whether it’s your first spa or you just need a refresher, this guide will help you understand the basics of hot tub operation.

Here’s the quick answer:
To turn on a hot tub, you’ll need to fill it with water, power it up at the breaker or GFCI, and use the topside control panel to start heating and jets. To turn it off, use the panel to shut down functions, then cut the power at the breaker or GFCI. Some spas also have energy-saving modes rather than full shutdowns.

In this Hydropool blog, we’ll walk you through:

What to Wear in a Hot Tub: What’s Comfortable, Safe, and Spa-Friendly?

If you're preparing for your first soak, you might be wondering: What exactly should I wear in a hot tub? It’s a good question—and one that has more to it than you might think. You want something that’s comfortable, hygienic, and won’t damage either your swimwear or your hot tub.

Let’s start with a quick answer:
Most people wear a well-rinsed swimsuit in a hot tub—ideally one that’s free of detergents, lotions, or fabric softeners. Some choose to wear older swimwear or dedicated “hot tub” clothing, while others may choose to soak nude in a private setting. Whatever you choose, comfort and cleanliness are key.

In this Hydropool blog, we’ll answer:

Can You Put a Swim Spa Inground?

Swim spas are an excellent addition to your backyard or garden, offering both the benefits of a hot tub and a pool in one. But as you consider your swim spa setup, you might be wondering: Can you put a swim spa inground? At Hydropool, this is one of the most common questions our retailers hear. This option can create a sleek, modern look and offer the convenience of a permanent installation, but there are some key considerations to keep in mind before you start digging.

In this article, we’ll cover:

What Does a Swim Spa Need to Sit On?

It is crucial to ensure that your swim spa has a proper foundation. A well-prepared base not only ensures the longevity of your investment but also guarantees safety and optimum performance.

At Hydropool Hot Tubs and Swim Spas, we are asked about swim spa bases frequently at our retail outlets. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of foundations suitable for a swim spa, why a proper foundation is essential, and actionable steps to prepare the ground for installation.

What kind of base do you need for a swim spa? At Hydropool, all of our swim spas are installed with a concrete pad. Our warranty will void without one and we don’t deliver unless a pad is in place.

Some other manufacturers will drop a swim spa at your door and let you figure it out or let you install it on other bases. We will discuss other bases in this article, but we are believers that swim spas are so heavy that they require a concrete pad to ensure a flat, stable base is not only in place but remains in place for the swim spa.

If a swim spa isn’t placed on a consistently flat surface, the accumulated water pressure will move to areas not strong enough to support it which can lead to warping, cracking, leaks and general mayhem.

Whether you are a first-time buyer or looking to upgrade your backyard swim spa with a new model, this guide will provide you with the knowledge you need to make an informed choice on what is the right approach for you.

How Do You Get a Swim Spa Delivered? Your COMPLETE Guide

If you’re considering a swim spa, one of the main aspects is figuring out how to get it into your backyard, or basement or wherever you’re putting it. In this article, we’re taking on that topic and we hope to answer all your questions on swim spa delivery.

This is a standard conversation with anyone looking at purchasing swim spas, because they are obviously large enough that they require some effort. We explain this regularly in our Hydropool stores, and that’s why we wanted to do it here, so you could easily get your questions answered.

In this article, we will cover:

How to Drain Your Swim Spa: Your COMPLETE Step-by-Step Guide

One of the essential maintenance tasks of owning a swim spa is draining the swim spa. This initially sounds like a chore, but it’s a relatively easy task that can be done in a few steps.

We are asked about draining swim spas at our Hydropool stores, most often because people are trying to find out how much work is involved in maintaining a swim spa. These are entirely reasonable and logical questions, so we wanted to explain the answers here.

By the end of this article, we’ll walk you through the steps involved in draining your swim spa. We’ll cover:

How to Move a Swim Spa

Can You Put Pool Chemicals in a Swim Spa?

One common question we get asked at our Hydropool retail outlets is: “Can you put pool chemicals in a swim spa?”

Let’s see if we can sort this one out. The answer is sometimes and only if you really know what you’re doing. Otherwise, we suggest you stick to products built specifically for your swim spa. The measurements will be accurate so you don’t have to do any calculations, you’ll honour your warranty and you’ll have an easier time of it in general. And if you get stuck, a local retailer will always be there to test your water and help you sort yourself out.

But … can you use swimming pool products? In some cases, yes. We’ll go through all of that here, as well as spelling out the issues involved with using pool chemicals.

We will cover: