What is a Whirlpool Tub: Everything you Need to Know

If you’re looking to create a luxury spa experience in your home, you might have considered getting a whirlpool tub. Just by looking at many options on the market, you could easily feel overwhelmed. To help you make the right choice, we’ve created this whirlpool tub guide with all relevant information on size, design, types, and more.

What is a whirlpool tub

A whirlpool tub is a bathtub that has self-contained water jets that help relax and massage muscles. Water or air powers the jets and are designed to massage your body for a more therapeutic soak, with an emphasis on providing you comfort. These bathtubs tend to have large water capacity and require a decent sized bathroom.

What are the features of a whirlpool tub

The primary and most important feature of a whirlpool tub is the jets. Most whirlpool tubs come equipped with at least 6-8 water jets positioned at crucial points throughout the bathtub. It allows them to hit your primary muscle groups while soothing them. The second key feature of a whirlpool bathtub is its size.

While whirlpool bathtubs are available in a wide range of styles and sizes. The commonality between all models is that they must be large enough to allow a person to sit upright while bathing. Lastly, an electric pump is required to pump water through its jets.

What are the common parts of a Hot Tub?

The primary parts of a hot tub are the jets, the water controls, and the pump. These parts are easy to identify, and learning them can help to determine which aspect you want to spend more on and customize or replace in the future should something break. Knowing the key bathtub parts can further aid in making informed decisions about upgrades and maintenance for your hot tub.

Water Jets

The primary feature of this bathtub, they are circular and usually come in sets of six. They are positioned strategically around your bathtub to help massage all your muscle groups.

Pump

A small apparatus that pumps water into the jets of your bathtub and keeps the flow of water constant

Water Control

Generally, in the form of manual knobs, there are electric versions, but the idea is that the water knobs control the speed and pressure of the jets. Some of these are tied and linked to your electric water pump.

Underwater Mood Lighting

If you want to amplify your bathing experience, consider installing underwater mood lighting. These lights can be controlled either through remote or wireless devices to give your jacuzzi experience some light intensity. The lights can be installed anywhere on your bathtub and also provide you with more illumination for safety. 

Bathtub Speakers

Speakers can bring some relaxing music to your bathing experience and are installed in your tub itself. They can be controlled by either remote or your phone, freeing up your hands to simply enjoy your bathtub. Speakers can help bring tranquility and peace to your bath or help you unwind after a long day.

Types of whirlpool tubs

Whirlpool bathtubs like standard bathtubs, come in a wide variety of styles and sizes to fit any home. Which allows whirlpool tubs to fit just about any home that desires one.

Drop-in

Perhaps one of the most common styles, drop-in bathtubs are literally “dropped in” to a carved out recess or space. This installation method allows the bathtub to be flush with its surroundings, making it visually more appealing while also saving space without sacrificing its aesthetic appeal.

Corner

A type of drop-in bathtub, corner bathtubs are designed to sit in a corner, saving bathroom space while also providing a decent sized area to bathe. Whereas most drop-in tubs are rectangular, corner bathtubs are triangular, providing a unique shape to fit into your bathroom.

Clawfoot

A more luxurious option, clawfoot bathtubs are freestanding bathtubs with all the features of a standard whirlpool tub. Freestanding bathtubs are quite large, allowing this bathtub to be freely placed in your bathroom, giving you more freedom in terms of installation.

Walk-in

Walk-in bathtubs are designed to assist the elderly and those with movement impairing disabilities. With a seat designed into the bathtub, the occupant can freely bathe while resting comfortably while the whirlpool jets help to ease and massage their joints and muscles.

Standard sizes for whirlpool tubs

Whirlpool bathtubs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. The most common whirlpool tub size would be 48×48, which is considered the small or average corner whirlpool size. The 54×54, which is a medium-large corner bathtub, 60×36 which is a popular drop-in size, and finally 72×48 which is a large, round whirlpool bathtub. For those that have smaller bathrooms, 60×36 is ideal as it is a drop-in size that is more rectangular. 48×48, 54×54, and 72×48 are all bathtubs that are round in design, meaning they will require a larger space to install.

What are the costs of a whirlpool tub?

In general, whirlpool bathtubs are quite expensive when compared to other bathtubs. A smaller sized whirlpool costs roughly $500, but the medium to large size starts at around $2,000. Whirlpool tubs can go as high as $3,000-4,000 with additional features. That is of course not factoring in the maintenance costs which include replacement parts when the jets or pump malfunction, as well as the heavy toll it takes on your water heater.

The larger your whirlpool bathtub is, the cost of maintenance and upkeep will increase, so it is essential to consider these hidden costs before purchasing a whirlpool bathtub. Our bathtub cost guide can provide you with a comprehensive understanding of these expenses and help you make a more informed decision.

Difference between a whirlpool tub and a hot tub

One common misconception of whirlpool tubs and hot tubs are people believe these are two different types of bathtubs.

However, a whirlpool bathtub and a hot tub are describing the same item. Hot tub is a brand of whirlpool bathtubs that gained popularity, but there is no virtual difference between a whirlpool bathtub and a hot tub.

Difference between whirlpool and air bath

An air bath uses air to massage and create bubbles that provide a therapeutic experience. Whirlpools use water to create jets that massage and offer a therapeutic experience. In essence, they both provide similar experiences, but air baths have fixed jet locations, whereas water baths have direct control over their powered jets.

However, since it uses air, air baths are generally much easier to clean. Whirlpool baths tend to trap foreign substances as the water is continually pushing the material in and out of it. For those looking for a more relaxed bathing experience, choose an air bath, whereas those who want more direct control and power to their experience should choose a whirlpool.

How to Care for a Whirlpool Tub

If you ignore your whirlpool tub, it will eventually back up and collect bacteria and other undesirable elements. 

To care for your whirlpool tub you will first need a cleaning solution. You can either use a commercial brand or use baking soda and vinegar. Here is how to clean your whirlpool tub: 

1. Flush the tub by running the jets without soap or additives for 10 minutes.
2. Turn off the jets and drain the water
3. Now fill the tub with hot water and use the solution or distilled white vinegar
4. Drain the tub
5. Now, scrub the tub with either baking soda or mild dish soap.
6. After, wash away the baking soda and soap and let the tub soak in warm water for at least 15 minutes. 
7. Wipe dry to prevent water stains.
8. Ensure that you run cleaner fluid through the tub at least once a month to prevent bacterial growth. 

How to choose a whirlpool tub

With so many options, you will want to choose the best whirlpool tub for your bathroom. There are certain things you should consider first before making a purchasing decision. 

Location

Think about the place where you want to put your whirlpool tub. If you’re replacing an old bathtub, it makes perfect sense to position it in the same place. However, if this is the first tub in your home, spend some time thinking about the best place for it. 

Size

Selecting the right whirlpool tub is quite similar to choosing the right bathtub for your home. First and foremost, it is important to measure your bathroom for available space. Whirlpool bathtubs tend to be quite large, so your bathtub must fit. 

Style

The next step will require you to test or try which style suits you best. Since you will be sitting inside of the bathtub, the bathtub must be comfortable to you no matter what position you are in.

Water heater’s capacity

Finally, it is crucial that you research your water heater and its maximum capacity. Understanding bathtub water capacity is essential, as whirlpool bathtubs tend to be a significant drain on your water heater and will require a large amount of water to run.

3 Easy steps in choosing a whirlpool tub:

1. Research which size bathtub is right for your home
2. Research whether your water heater can handle the size you want
3. Test out which is most comfortable for you

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions associated with owning a whirlpool tub:

Which material is best for a whirlpool tub?

Generally, you want a durable material that has excellent heat retention. When considering common bathtub materials, acrylic is the most popular choice for whirlpools as it is affordable, widely available, and easy to clean. You can opt for a high-end whirlpool made from other materials, but it may be more expensive to clean and maintain in the long run.

Can any tub be a whirlpool bathtub?

Yes, any bathtub can be a whirlpool bathtub, as long as you install the jets. This provides a great deal of flexibility when choosing your whirlpool bathtub. 

Are whirlpools still in style?

The short answer is that they are still in style since whirlpool bathtubs will generally have a niche appeal. They provide a sense of comfort that most other bathtubs would be hard-pressed to match with their powered jets. However, since they tend to be quite large and require a great deal more maintenance, they have fallen out of favor compared to more conventional bathtub designs.

The market is steering towards more space-saving styles and designs and less towards bathtubs with high water heater costs.

Whirlpool bathtubs or hot tubs make beautiful additions to any home that can support them. If you are considering them for your home, make sure you have adequate space available as well as a large enough water heater to support it. Otherwise, a traditional bathtub might be more suitable for your bathroom.

Are whirlpool baths hygienic?

Whirlpool tubs are actually easy to clean and maintain. All you need is an appropriate cleaning solution that will minimize bacteria and germs and allow you to continue enjoying your baths as you wanted to. If you haven’t purchased any product for cleaning, you can use hot soapy water and clean the sides and jets with it. 

Eric Jensen

Eric is the founder and president of Badeloft USA. He has been the president of Badeloft’s US division for over ten years and oversees all marketing and branding aspects of Badeloftusa.com.
His expertise lies in small business development, sales, and home and bathroom industry trends and information.

Contact us with any business related inquiries.