Best swim spa under $30k in New Zealand 2024 (Reviews, Pros, Cons and More)

If you love swimming and enjoy spending quality time with your family, a swim spa could be a great option. Even better, they’re generally a lot cheaper and easier to look after than swimming pools.

Best swim spa under $30k

In this article, we’ve reviewed our pick of the best swim spas in New Zealand under $30k. We also cover the essential info to know when shopping for swim spas on a budget.

After reading this, you should have a good understanding of how much you need to spend on a swim spa to get value for money, and which swim spa might suit you best.

What is a swim spa?

Swim spas are a combination of a swimming pool and therapeutic spa. Swim spas are similar to spa pools, but are much larger and deeper – generally 4m–8m in length and 1.3m-1.5m in depth.

Man in a swim spa

With their powerful swim jets, they create a strong current or stream of moving water you can swim against. You could say they are like a treadmill for swimming – you ‘swim in place’, without moving forward.

Because you get all the benefits of swimming without needing a long lane to train in, swim spas are a great option for small spaces. They’re also portable and can be installed almost anywhere.

Click the button below to learn more about swim spas.

How much does a swim spa cost in New Zealand?

The prices for swim spas vary according to the quality of the brand and features you want. But as a broad guideline, you can expect to spend around $21,000 for a basic, entry-level swim spa to over $99,000 for a premium model designed for serious swim fitness.

Swim spa in a showroom

If you are on a budget and looking for a swim spa or plunge pool for fun, fitness and relaxation – you should be able to get what you need for between $20,000 to $30,000.

As a general rule of thumb, swim spas tend to cost more than plunge pools as they have additional swim jets and pumps.

Plunge pools, or swim spas without swim jets, are popular choices for those wanting more space for play while still enjoying hydrotherapy and aquafitness.

Plunge pool prices start at around $16,000 for entry-level models to up to $33,000 for more hi-tech options

How much electricity does a swim spa use?

When deciding how much to pay for a swim spa, you should also factor in the ongoing running costs. As a general rule, the cheaper the swim spa – the more you will likely pay in ongoing running costs.

Spa running cost

The cost to run a swim spa varies depending on several factors, such as, the quality of your swim spa, how often you use it, how it was installed, how it’s heated, and the outdoor temperature.

Things that influence swim spa running costs:

  • Usage. How frequently you use your swim spa greatly impacts electricity cost. The more you use your swim spa the higher your electricity costs.
  • Size. Larger swim spas consume higher electricity because they hold more heated water.
  • Climate. Since swim spas need to maintain the water hot, electricity cost is higher in colder places compared to those in warmer climates.
  • Quality. Entry-level swim spas are often poorly insulated, resulting in excessive heat loss. Because of this, the swim spa’s mechanism is forced to keep the water heated, making the electricity cost dramatically higher than better quality swim spas with greater insulation.

What’s the best swim spa under $40k?

Now you know all about swim spa prices and what to expect – it’s time to find out which are the best swim spas in your price range.

Best swim spa under $30k

Listed below, in no particular order, are our pick of the top swim spas under $40,000 in New Zealand.

Our decision is based on a range of factors including design, build, durability and reliability – and of course, our 30 years of selling and servicing many different brands of spas and swim spas.

1. Vortex™ Aquagym Max Pro+ Swim Spa Review (Price, pros, cons and more)

Vortex® Spas is one of the most popular spa brands in Australia, and is sold in more than 20 countries worldwide. They are designed in Australia and New Zealand, and manufactured in Australia and China.

Vortex® Spas is also known as the first brand to use UV sterilisation in spas and swim spas and is recognised for being a design lead, innovative company in the industry.

The Aquagym Max Pro+ is one of five in the Vortex™ swim spa range. With a spacious swim area at one end and hydrotherapy seating at the other, it ticks the boxes for swim fitness, family fun and hydrotherapy.

The Aquagym Max Pro+ is 4.49 x 2.31. It has 3 swim jets and 3 pump jets, so advanced swimmers can enjoy intense resistance swimming along with other aqua fitness workouts.

It also has three hydromassage seats and a cool down or toddler seat making it a good option for families with young children.

Vortex™ Aquagym Max Pro+ Swim Spa | Price

Price starts at $35,490 to $43,490 (NZD)

Vortex™ Aquagym Max Pro+ Swim Spa | Main Features:

  • Hydrotherapy seating for three and a cool down seat for young children.
  • Purezone AOS™ water care system delivers superior water clarity
  • HydroGlow™ cabinet and perimeter lighting for nighttime ambience
  • SpaNet™ SmartTouch™ Premium Controller, a 4.3-inch touchscreen control panel that's intuitive like a smartphone and easy to use even with wet fingers.
  • 3 x 2.5hp Jet pumps and 3 x Swim Jets which are suitable for play and more intense fitness regimes.
  • Clearlift™ compatible, allowing effortless lifting of heavy swim spa covers with a simple turn of a key.

Vortex™ Aquagym Max Pro+ Swim Spa | Pros

  • Versatility - Ideal for family use and sports enthusiasts.
  • Seating configuration - It comes with an ergonomic lounger with foot massage, neck and shoulder therapy set, a full back massage focused seat, and a child/cool down seat.
  • Jets - Up to 81 hydrotherapy jets
  • Strong Warranties - Vortex’s Permaframe™ Lifetime warranty, 10 Year Non pro Structural Warranty, 5 Year Non pro rata Acrylic surface Warranty, 5 Year Plumbing, Heater and Jet Warranty, 2 Year Pump and Equipment Warranty

Vortex™ Aquagym Max Pro+ Swim Spa | Cons

  • Less hydromassage seats than other swim spas in this price range.
  • No entry step for safe step-in and out of the spa.

2. Sun & Soul™ SOUL4500™ Swim Spa Review (Price, pros, cons and more)

Sun & Soul™ Spas was launched in 2022 and is owned by Jacuzzi®, the first makers of hot tubs. Like Jacuzzi® spas, Sun & Soul™ Spas are designed to provide comfort and relaxation to bathers.

Sun & Soul™ Spas, like Vortex™, Alpine Spas™, and Oasis Spas™, is one of many spa brands that are manufactured in China.

Click the button below to read our detailed article about Chinese made spas.

Currently, there are two retail stores in New Zealand where you can buy Sun & Soul™ Spa pools and swim spas - Poolside Marsden Cove™ in Ruakaka and Poolwerx Otargo™ in Arrowtown.

The Sun & Soul™ SOUL4500™ swim spa is designed to keep you fit and enjoy a nice warm soak with your family and friends. With its 5 seating capacity, your loved ones can feel comfy on the hydromassage seats once they get tired of swimming.

Sun & Soul™ swim spas cost between $24,490 to $29,490. The Soul4500™ is one of two swim spas produced by Sun & Soul Spas.

At 4.5m x 2.3m, it is surprisingly spacious for a lower-priced swim spa. The extra space coupled with a starting price of $24,490, makes the Soul4500™ an affordable option for larger families wanting a space for play and fitness.

Sun & Soul™ SOUL4500™ Swim Spa | Price

Price starts at $22, 490 (NZD)

Sun & Soul™ SOUL4500™ Swim Spa | Main Features

  • Hydrotherapy seating for three and two cool down seats for young children.
  • Chromotherapy Lighting for added relaxation and ambiance.
  • Automatic Water Care for clearer spa water.
  • Premium SpaNet™ controller to energy efficient spa monitoring.
  • Insulated, upturned tough base - No rot, plastic frame with lifetime guarantee
  • Non-timber frame for maximum durability.
  • 3 x 2.5hp Jet pumps and 3 x swim jets which are recommended for those wanting to play and enjoy mid to high impact aquatic workouts.

Sun & Soul™ SOUL4500™ Swim Spa | Pros

  • Versatility - Ideal for family use and fitness enthusiasts.
  • Hydrotherapy seating - It comes with a hydromassage lounger, back seat massage, lower back massage seat, dual cool down seat, and an easy step-in entry.
  • Spacious - One of the larger swim spas in this price range.
  • Strong Warranties - 10 Year Non pro Structural Warranty, 5 Year Plumbing Warranty, 2 Year Pump and Controls Warranty

Sun & Soul™ SOUL4500™ Swim Spa | Cons

  • Does not have a neck and shoulder therapy seat.
  • Offers limited shell colours. (Pear shadow, Sterling silver, Grey)

3. Alpine Spas™ Olympia Swim Spa™ Review (Price, pros, cons and more)

Alpine Spas™ is a New Zealand-owned spa retailer that started selling spas in Australia in February 2022. Alpine Spas™ has been in the industry since 2014.

Alpine Spas™ are also manufactured in China. Their swim spas range in price from $19,995 to $73,995. Other products they offer include spa pools, saunas and gazebos – which are marketed under the Alpine Spas™ and Alpine Elite™ brands.

At 480 x 228 x 137cm dimensions, Alpine Spas™ Olympia Swim Spa™ might be a good model to consider if you are looking for a spacious swim area.

If you are looking for great hydromassage for the entire family, the Hydro Swim Spa™ might be a good fit. It comes with 5 seats and generates good current suitable for recreational swimmers.

Alpine Spas™ Olympia Advanced Swim Spa™| Price

Price starts at $27,995 (NZD)

Alpine Spas™ Olympia Advanced Swim Spa™ | Main Features

  • Hydrotherapy seating for six
  • SpaNet® controller for effortless spa control and monitoring.
  • Ozone & UV Purification Systems for clear spa water.
  • Microban™ Filters for clean and healthy spa water.
  • Flood Lights/Mood Lights for party or entertainment vibe.
  • Galvanised Steel Frame for durable and non-rot frame.
  • 3 x 3hp jet pumps and 3 x swim jets that suit fun water games and mid to intense aqua fitness.

Alpine Spas™ Olympia Advanced Swim Spa™ | Pros

  • Versatility - Ideal for family use and recreational swimmers.
  • Hydrotherapy seating Offers more seats compared to other swim spas.
  • Spacious - Has a spacious swim area than many swim spas in this price range.
  • Strong Warranties - 10 Years Structural Warranty, 5 Years Acrylic Shell Warranty, 5 Years Heater & Jets Warranty, 2 Years Equipment Warranty

Alpine Spas™ Olympia Advanced Swim Spa™ | Cons

  • Slightly higher priced than some other swim spas with the same features.
  • Their official website does not tell what shell and cabinet variants are available.

4. Oasis Spas™ Aqua life 4.4M Hydro™ Swim Spa Review (Price, pros, cons and more)

Oasis Spas™ are sold in over 35 countries worldwide and are manufactured by Crystal Island™ spas in China.

Crystal Island™ manufactures good quality spas with good features and average levels of hydrotherapy.

Oasis Spas™ Aqua life 4.4M Hydro™ Swim Spa has 4400 x 2350 x 1290mm dimensions with four hydromassage seats including a recliner.

The Aqua life 4.4M Hydro™ can be another great option for your budget. It has a lounger seat for a full body hydromassage and three hydrotherapy seats which makes it ideal for small families. You can also play with its LED water level lighting and match your mood.

Oasis Spas™ Aqua life 4.4M Hydro™ Swim Spa | Price

Price starts at $31,000 (NZD)

Oasis Spas™ Aqua life 4.4M Hydro™ Swim Spa | Main Features

  • Hydrotherapy seating for four
  • Silent Water Management Pump for a more relaxing swim spa experience.
  • Ozone Water Management for crystal clear water spa.
  • LED Water Level Lighting for added ambience.
  • 2 x 3hp jet pumps and 2 x swim jets that are best for water games and low to mid impact aquatic fitness.

Oasis Spas™ Aqua life 4.4M Hydro™ Swim Spa | Pros

  • Versatility - Ideal for family use.
  • Hydrotherapy seating - It has a lounger and a stand-up massage wall.
  • Entertainment - Comes with LED water level lighting (12 colour choices)
  • Strong Warranties - Lifetime Support Australia Wide, 10 Year Warranty, Build Warranty, 2 Year Pump & Equipment Warranty

Aqua life 4.4M Hydro™ | Cons

  • Its price is slightly higher than other swim spas with the same features.
  • Product prices not available on Oasis Spas™’s official website. (Note: The price shown for Oasis Spas™ 4.4 Metre Hydro™ Swim Spa is based on Splashes Spa World™

What are the pros and cons of swim spas?

Before you commit to a swim spa, it pays to know what to expect. After all, when shopping for a big ticket item - it’s important to know both the benefits and the disadvantages before you commit to your purchase.

Swim spas pros and cons

To help with your decision-making, we’ve listed what we think are the main pros and cons of swim spas.

Pros:

  • It doesn’t require a lot of space.
  • Easy to install.
  • It generates current that you can control which traditional swimming pools often don’t have.
  • You can use them all-year round.
  • It is designed for various fitness goals.
  • It comes with spa seats, where you can relax and enjoy hydrotherapy.
  • It is portable, which means you can bring your swim spa with you should you want to move.
  • Depending on the brand and model you choose, swim spas are equipped with advanced technology to level up the fun, such as HydroGlow™ Illuminated drink holders and Perimeter lighting, SV SmartLink™ Wifi Module, SV SmartStream™ Sounds System and more.
  • Swim spas are affordable and easier to maintain than traditional swimming pools.

Cons:

  • Higher electricity bill due to its mechanism.
  • Sizes and shapes are limited.
  • Swimming artificial lengths. You can swim endlessly but stay in the same spot.
  • Swim spas are not the best choice for huge pool parties.
  • Most swim spas are designed to suit sports enthusiasts.
  • Its artificial counter flow vibe makes it challenging for people who are used to the real flow if they suddenly transition to a swim spa.
  • Compared to swim spas, swimming pools are aesthetically pleasing.

Swim Spa Buying Tips

Tip #1: Identify Your “Why”

One of the most basic but nonetheless important things to keep in mind when buying a swim spa is the reasons why you’re buying one.

Are you considering a swim spa because you want to have a pool but your yard couldn’t fit one? Or is it for fitness goals? Perhaps you need a swim spa for de-stressing and for the health benefits it offers? Or is it because you want to have the flexibility of swimming all year?

couple on a spa

Whatever your reason is, understanding why you’re buying a swim spa should be front and centre on your list of concerns. This will help you narrow down the features you need to look for. For example, if you're buying a swim spa for the sole purpose of extending your swimming season, your primary concern should be whether the swim spa is well-insulated and efficient in pumping and heating the water rather than how many jets it has.

Understanding why you’re buying a swim spa will help you avoid buying one that isn’t ideal for you.

Watch: Why I love my swim spa

Tip #2: Identify the Costs

It’s absolutely essential to have an accurate understanding of your budget. You need to determine if you can afford the purchase on your own or need to look for financing. You'll also have to consider the other costs involved such as installation, monthly water and electric use, as well as the accessories and chemicals necessary. A low-priced unit may seem appealing; however, the longer-term cost might be more expensive than you expect.

Tip #3: Identify Reputable Suppliers

The one piece of advice that's often overlooked by new buyers is to only buy a swim spa from a trusted source. This is often compromised in lieu of cheaper options.

A swim spa is a considerably large investment. So once you've made the decision to buy a swim spa, finding a reputable local swim spa dealer that is knowledgeable, that's been around for a long time, and who will answer any questions you may have should be at the top of your priority list.

Swim Spa Buying Tip #3

In addition, find a company that has great customer feedback and after-sale support. If you purchase affordable units from less reliable brands, you might end up with an unusable swim spa after a few years, whereas if you buy from a trusted supplier, your unit will more than pay for itself if it serves your fitness and health goals for decades to come.

IN SUMMARY:

These are our top picks for mid-range swim spas based on our 35 years of experience in the industry. We hope this article helped you get one step closer to finding your dream spa.

Spa World’s product pages are available to help you find information on all of our spas, swim spas, and prices. You can also download our Ultimate Spa Buyers Guide below.

We still highly recommend checking out the products personally. Buying a swim spa is a very personal experience, and you’ll never truly know what feels best until you try it.

If you have any questions, reach out to us online or visit our showrooms and we’ll be ready to assist you.

Disclaimer:

In this article we’ve used brand names not affiliated with Spa World™, Sun & Soul™ or Vortex Leisure Pty Ltd, the parent company of Spa World™ All information including pricing and product details, was accurate at the time of writing and may change without notice.

The following registered trademarks are owned by companies not affiliated in any way with Spa World™ or Vortex Leisure Pty Ltd: Alpine Spas™ trademark is owned by Alpine Spas Limited. Oasis Spas™ trademark is owned by Oasis Leisure Products Pty Ltd.

This information is not intended to prescribe a particular diagnosis or course of action. We are not medical professionals. If you have any concerns about your current health or wellbeing, please contact your GP or other medical professional for advice.

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