Jacuzzi vs Hot Tub (Differences, Cost & Features)
A hot tub can be an amazing place to relax after a day’s work, hang out with friends and family, or soothe sore muscles. Choosing the right type of hot tub starts with knowing which one is right for you. One of the most popular brands of hot tubs is Jacuzzi.
Difference Between Hot Tub and Jacuzzi
Here’s the short version if you just want the differences upfront. The main thing to remember: Jacuzzi is a brand, hot tub is the category. Everything else comes down to features and price.
| Feature | Jacuzzi | Hot Tub |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A specific brand of hot tub (plus pool and bath products) | The general category, any above-ground tub of heated water |
| Entry level price | $3,000 to $6,000 | $3,000 to $7,000 |
| Mid range price | $8,000 to $10,000 | $5,000 to $10,000 |
| Luxury price | $15,000 to $20,000 | $10,000 to $20,000 or more with custom options |
| Seating | 2 to 4 entry level, 5 to 7 in luxury models | Wide range of shapes and sizes across brands |
| Features | Brand-standard jets, seating, and options by tier | Varies by brand: TVs, sound systems, LED lights, waterfalls, jets |
| Best for | Buyers who want a known brand with predictable quality | Shoppers comparing prices and features across many brands |
Prices swing a lot based on size, shape, and extras, so get a couple of quotes before you commit. A brand name alone won’t tell you what you’re actually getting.
Hot Tub: A hot tub is an above-ground tub filled with hot water. These typically have whirlpool devices and serve as a place for people to soak. Hot tubs, also called spas, have the same definition and can be used interchangeably. Hot tubs can have many different features and amenities. Some include TVs, sound systems, LRD Lights, headrests, waterfalls, jets, and massagers, and they can be made into a plethora of different shapes and sizes.
Jacuzzi: A Jacuzzi is a BRAND of hot tub (and other similar items). The Jacuzzi brand is used on hot tubs, pool equipment and even some bath products. The company has been around so long, that it has become a common word similar to how we call things ‘thermos’,’ frisbee’ or ‘kleenex’ which are all brand names that we have used as item descriptions. When it comes to comparing hot tub sizes vs jacuzzis there is no noticeable difference from any other popular hot tub brand. What is the Difference? The difference is that a Jacuzzi is (in most cases, they do make other products as well) a hot tub, but not all hot tubs are necessarily a Jacuzzi brand.
Cost of Jacuzzi vs Hot Tub
As mentioned above, the brand name is the only real difference between a Jacuzzi and a hot tub. That means a hot tub has a much wider range of price tags than a Jacuzzi.
These costs can also vary greatly based on the size, location, shape, and features selected for both the Jacuzzi and Hot Tub. Some tubs have extra features, such as water features, extra seating, or additional jets, that raise the price. It is best to get quotes for the tubs before making the final decision. That being said, below is an overall idea of the cost breakdown of each type.
Hot Tub Price
Low Range—A standard hot tub, with minimal features and quality, will cost about $3,000 to $7,000.
Medium Range- The mid range options put the price tags at about $5,000 to $10,000, giving a large range of features and quality to the products.
High Range – Looking at the higher, more luxury options those can run anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 or even more if there are custom qualities that you are looking into.
Jacuzzi Price
Low Range – Sticking to the basics with a budget to entry level Jacuzzi you will be looking at a chunk of change about the size of $3,000 to $6,000. These usually seat about 2-4 people and the big selling point is the price tag. While the options are a bit more limited, sometime the price tag is going to sway what you can and cannot get.
Medium Range – A good mid level Jacuzzi is going to run you about $8,000 to $10,000. These types of Jacuzzis typically seat 2 to 5 people and are some of the best selling options based on offering great features while keeping a reasonable price.
High Range – The LUXURY version of Jacuzzis can from $15,000 to $20,000. These types of Jacuzzis will typically sit about 5 to 7 people and has the best features available as well as the most jets and options.
Other Popular Types of Tubs
Spa: A spa, as mentioned above, is another name for hot tub, and can be used interchangeably to describe a tub filled with hot water that is above ground. The word spa typically suggests that it has additional features such as jets or massaging features, but it doesn’t need to be classified as a spa. One difference between a spa and a hot tub is that a spa could potentially be in the ground, unlike the hot tub, which is an above-ground element.
Whirlpool bath: A whirlpool bath is a therapeutic bath that uses forceful currents of water. Since these are classified as baths, they are often used in bathrooms by one person at a time, versus in a social setting. These whirlpool baths are designed to give the user a therapeutic massage using only water and not any physical touch.
Jetted tub: A jetted tub is simply a bathtub with jets. It is another example commonly used by a single person in a bathroom. The jets provide a similar therapeutic feel as a whirlpool bath, but a bit less extreme. A jetted tub could even be a smaller tub for just feet!
Therapy tub: A therapeutic tub, also known as a therapeutic bath, is used in medical treatments and hydrotherapy. Theraputic baths relieve itching from crusts, scales, and other skin issues. This type of bath can also speed up certain types of healing, from wounds to sore muscles and joints to even menstrual pains.
Therapy tubs are often placed in clinics, medical centers, and hospitals, but in some case they can be placed in homes. They often have to be regulated by ADA and other codes in the medical field as they are used not recreationally but for therapies.
For more related content, check out our luxury bathtubs gallery.
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