What Is the Difference Between a Plunge Pool and a Spa Pool?

Quick Answer

A plunge pool is generally larger and gives you more open water for cooling off, family time, and light water activities. A spa pool is smaller and designed primarily for sitting, soaking, and enjoying hydrotherapy jets.

Is a Plunge Pool and a Spa Pool the Same Thing?

There is some crossover between the two, especially when a plunge pool includes heating, seating, and jets. If you're trying to decide between a plunge pool and a spa pool, the best place to start is with what you want to do once you're in the water. Both can be great additions to your backyard and part of your complete at-home wellness setup, but they offer a pretty different experience.

What Is a Plunge Pool?

A plunge pool sits somewhere between a traditional swimming pool and a spa pool in terms of size and how you can use it. It's compact enough to fit in backyards where a full-sized in-ground swimming pool might be too much, while still giving you plenty of open water to move around in. That makes plunge pools particularly handy for cooling off, playing with the kids, and enjoying the water.

At Alpine Spas, our plunge pools also include seating and jets, so you can settle in and relax when you aren't moving around. The Ultimate Plunge Pools Buyer's Guide is a good next read if you'd like a closer look at sizes, costs, installation, and what to consider before buying one.

What Is a Spa Pool?

A spa pool is built around sitting and soaking. Instead of a large open body of water, you'll usually find individual seats or loungers arranged around the spa, with hydrotherapy jets targeting different areas of the body.

A spa pool is a good choice if your priority is relaxing at the end of the day, enjoying warm water, or spending time sitting and chatting with your partner, family, or friends. Spa pools are also generally smaller than plunge pools, which can make them easier to fit into compact outdoor areas.

Plunge Pool vs Spa Pool

Both give you somewhere to relax and enjoy the water at home, but the experience is quite different. If you're still deciding which one would suit your backyard better, here's a quick look at how they compare.

How Much Space Do You Need for a Plunge Pool vs Spa Pool?

A spa pool usually takes up less space, so it can be a good fit for smaller patios, courtyards, and backyards. A plunge pool needs a little more space, but gives you a larger area of open water in return.

Don't forget to allow room around whichever one you choose. You'll need space to get in and out comfortably, as well as suitable access for installation and future servicing. Before deciding where yours will go, have a look at our guide to preparing your spa pool site so you know what to allow for.

Plunge Pool Or Spa Pool - Which One Should I Choose?

We recommend you choose based on what you'd miss most if you didn't have it.

If that's:

• room for the kids to play

• somewhere to cool down properly

• enough open water to move around

take a closer look at our plunge pool range.

If it's:

• sinking into a comfortable seat

• turning on the jets and enjoying a warm soak at the end of the day

a spa pool is probably going to get more use.

Still torn between the two? Contact us or come and visit one of our showrooms. We'll help you compare the options based on your backyard and how you want to use it.