The Best 16-Foot Swim Spas for 2025

11 Minute Read

Over the past few decades, swim spas have grown in popularity as an innovative solution for homeowners who want the combined benefits and enjoyment of fitness, swimming, and hydrotherapy, but may not have the space or resources for a full-size pool.

If you’re looking for a versatile, compact alternative to traditional swimming pools, a 16-foot swim spa could be the ideal choice for you. Offering the benefits of exercise, relaxation, and socializing in a smaller, more manageable space, a swim spa is an incredible way to transform your backyard.

This article will cover what a 16-foot swim spa is, the dimensions of a 16-foot swim spa, and the breakdown of costs. It will also highlight some of the best options for 2025 from top swim spa companies like the Jacuzzi® brand and Sundance Spas®.

Article highlights:

Defining a 16-foot swim spa.
Key features of a 16-foot swim spa.
Price breakdown of a 16-foot swim spa.
Exploration of the best 16-foot swim spas for 2025.

What is a 16-foot swim spa?

A swim spa is a hybrid between a hot tub and a swimming pool. Typically designed for swimming, exercise, and hydrotherapy, a swim spa uses powerful jets to create a continuous current of water that allows you to swim turn-free laps in place, simulating the experience of swimming laps in a full-sized pool. The swim area can be completely separated from the therapy or hot tub area, giving you the option to use either space, or both simultaneously with your friends and family, depending on your needs. However, some swim spas do not feature two completely separate zones, featuring the swim and spa areas in the same space. When shopping for your dream swim spa, be sure to check out all your options when it comes to single-zone and dual-zone models.

A 16-foot swim spa refers to a swim spa that is around 16 feet in length, making it one of the more compact options available. While not as small as some 12-to-14-foot models, a 16-foot swim spa still offers a manageable size that can fit in many residential backyards. This size is ideal for those who want a serious swim workout without taking up their entire yard. A 16-foot swim spa, or larger, is ideal for swimming turn-free laps, while smaller models are better for social play and recreation.

Key features of 16-foot swim spas

When shopping for a 16-foot swim spa, it should encompass everything you need for your fitness, social swimming, and hydrotherapy needs. Important elements to seek out include:

Swim area: 16-foot swim spas typically feature a dedicated swim area with powerful jets to create a current for swimming. Some models come with adjustable jets that allow users to vary the intensity of the flow. This means you can customize your swim session to challenge your aquatic fitness goals or simply enjoy a therapeutic swim.
Hydrotherapy area: Many 16-foot swim spas also include a hot tub or hydrotherapy area at one end of the spa. This area is equipped with jets that are perfect for relaxation, massage, and soothing sore muscles after a swim workout.
Temperature control: Most swim spas come with advanced temperature control systems, which allow you to adjust the water temperature for both the swim area and the therapy area. This ensures a comfortable experience year-round, whether you’re swimming in warm water or relaxing in a hot, bubbly, and therapeutic soak.
Energy efficiency: Most premium swim spas are designed with energy efficiency in mind. Insulation, energy-efficient pumps, and other features help reduce the operational costs, making them a more sustainable option than traditional pools.
Ease of installation and maintenance: Unlike traditional pools, which often require extensive excavation and complex installation, swim spas are typically easier and quicker to have installed. Maintenance is also more straightforward, thanks to the smaller size and less complex filtration systems, particularly in those of a high-quality swim spa.

The general cost of a 16-foot swim spa

The price of a 16-foot swim spa can vary greatly depending on the brand, model, features, and installation costs. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $13,000 to $48,000 for a 16-foot swim spa. Some factors that influence swim spa costs include:

Brand and model: High-end manufacturers, such as the Jacuzzi® brand and Sundance Spas®, typically come with a premium price tag due to their reputation, quality materials, and advanced features. More budget-friendly options may have a smaller initial cost. However, they may lack some of the high-end features, such as specialized jets or advanced filtration systems, that make a premium swim spa so luxurious and enjoyable, not to mention easier to maintain.
Custom features: Additional features such as mood lighting, advanced water filtration systems, sound systems, and more can affect the price. Custom finishes and specialized materials, such as high-quality acrylic, also add to the overall cost.
Installation and site preparation: The cost of installation can vary based on location, accessibility, and any additional site preparation needed. This can include foundation work, electrical connections, and plumbing setup.

While the upfront cost of a swim spa can be significant, it is important to consider the long-term savings of purchasing a high-quality swim spa. These models typically require less maintenance and chemicals than traditional pools, and they are energy-efficient, which equates to lower ongoing costs than those of a lesser quality swim spa.

Dimensions of a 16-foot swim spa

The dimensions of a 16-foot swim spa can vary, depending on the brand and model. Falling under the medium-size swim spa category, the typical dimensions of a 16-foot swim spa are as follows:

Length: 16 feet (4.88 meters)
Width: 7 to 8 feet (2.13 to 2.44 meters)
Height: 4 to 5 feet (1.22 to 1.52 meters)

These dimensions provide a good balance between having enough space to swim comfortably and not taking up too much space in your yard. The 16-foot size is well-suited to smaller to medium-sized backyards. It is also more manageable, in terms of maintenance and heating, compared to larger models.

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Explore Swim Spas

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J-16 PowerActive™

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Top 16-Foot Swim Spas for 2025

There are many luxury brands that manufacture premium swim spas in various sizes, including 16-foot swim spas. If you’re looking for the best 16-foot swim spas for 2025, you might explore models from top brands such as Jacuzzi and Sundance Spas®.

The Jacuzzi J-16™ model, available in the Jacuzzi® PowerActive® Swim Spa Collection and the Jacuzzi® PowerPro® Collection measures approximately 185 inches long, 93 inches wide and 53 inches deep, with a swim area of 112 inches. The swim power varies per collection—it measures approximately 10.5 hp in the PowerPro® Collection, and 5 hp in the PowerActive® Collection. Each offers SteadySwim™ Buoyancy Jet, illuminated touch screen controls, Jacuzzi® exclusive Infrared and Red Light therapy, Jacuzzi® PowerPro® Massage Jets and specialty Jacuzzi® PowerPro® RX jets, illuminated waterfall, adjustable headrests, premium LED lighting, exterior lighting, and more.

The PowerPro® Swim Spa Collection is the Jacuzzi® brand’s most elite collection, featuring a powerful and fully adjustable swim current that is tailored to your speed, as well as a stabilizing buoyancy. Whether pushing your limits during a challenging water workout, or unwinding in the exclusive hydrotherapy seat with Infrared and Red Light therapy, your experience will be unmatched.

The PowerActive® Swim Spa Collection is designed for the fitness enthusiast and features spacious swim spas that provide a consistent current and a buoyancy jet to stabilize your swim. Enjoy the serenity of beautiful water combined with the benefits of Infrared and Red Light therapy, emerging from your experience feeling restored, relaxed, and reenergized.

A 16-foot swim spa is an ideal solution if you want to enjoy the benefits of swimming, hydrotherapy, and relaxation without the space requirements and maintenance demands of a full-size pool. Another pro for a 16-foot swim spa is the ample depth of many models in this size range. Those with taller statures may appreciate the extra depth when swimming or soaking. With a range of options available from premium brands, there is a swim spa for almost every budget and need.

When choosing a swim spa, it’s important to consider factors such as water current power, installation space, and additional features like hydrotherapy jets, temperature zones, and energy efficiency. By selecting a well-made, durable model from a trusted manufacturer, you’ll be able to enjoy years of swimming, relaxation, and fun. For 2025, Jacuzzi® and Sundance Spas® brands are among the top contenders to provide you with an exceptional swim spa experience that is ready when you are.

When you are ready to experience a 16-foot swim spa, visit a local authorized dealer and perform a wet test. During a wet test, you can try out the model you like when it is filled with water and operating. This is an ideal situation in which you can test the seats, depth, power of the adjustable current, and other features to ensure you choose the best swim spa for your needs.

Medical disclaimer: This information is not intended to prescribe a particular diagnosis or course of action. We are not medical professionals. Please contact your GP or other medical professional for advice if you have any concerns about your current health or well-being.

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