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What is Jacuzzi® SmartTub® and is it worth it? (Features, costs and more)

January 28, 2023

Estimated read time - 9.5 minutes



Author – Annabella Garwood, Content Manager UK, Jacuzzi Group  


Are you a hot tub or swim spa user who is always on the go? Does the thought of being able to check in on your hot tub or swim spa at any time, anywhere sound pretty appealing?


There’s plenty of hot tub apps on the market and you may be wondering what will work best for you?


In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about Jacuzzi® SmartTub® and why it could be a valuable smart system to use for your Jacuzzi® Hot Tub or Swim Spa. 

Jacuzzi® SmartTub® in hand

In this article, we’ve used brand names not affiliated with Jacuzzi Group. You can see the list of the brand owners at the bottom of this article. All information, including pricing and product details, was accurate at the time of writing (January 28, 2023) and may change without notice.


What is Jacuzzi® SmartTub®?

To put it simply, SmartTub® works as your personal hot tub or swim spa assistant.


The easiest way to visualise how SmartTub® works is to liken it to a remote control for your television, but on your smart device. 


It acts as a controller that will work the same no matter if you’re standing beside your hot tub or swim spa, in town, in another city or a completely different continent!


The system is made up of two parts - a hardware module that’s connected to the hot tub or swim spa, and a downloadable app for your smart device. 


The key to keeping it working remotely is a cellular connection. In fact, this patented feature is something you will only find with Jacuzzi® SmartTub®. 

What are the main Jacuzzi® SmartTub® features?

SmartTub® allows you to remotely set the water temperature, lighting, activate the massage jets and programme the filtration to suit your desired time and frequency.


You can also personalise your soak sessions and get an energy saving estimate with Smart Heat Mode. This is only a feature you will find on Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs.


If checking in while you're on the go is important to you, you'll receive notifications on the health of your product and solutions. This can give you peace of mind that you've got a helping hand with any trouble shooting or maintenance issues. You can also contact your spa dealer through the app if you’re out of town


SmartTub® can connect up to other smart home devices you may have, Including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri and Apple Watch.


Want to really feel like you're the boss of your product? You will have access to videos and information that will help you become a knowledgable hot tub or swim spa owner.


Learn about Smarttub® features with Adam Peaty

Learn all about SmartTub® and its features with our ambassador Adam Peaty, including:


- What you can control with SmartTub® (temperature, filtration and jets, to name a few)

- Smart Heat Mode

- Holiday mode

- How SmartTub® works differently between a hot tub or swim spa

- What devices SmartTub® is compatible with


How much does Jacuzzi® SmartTub® cost?

The SmartTub® hardware module and app is included with the purchase of any Jacuzzi® Hot Tub collection: J-200™, J-300™ and J-400 collection. It is also included with any Jacuzzi® Swim Spa from the PowerPro® and PowerActive®  Collections.


If you are looking to purchase SmartTub® as an optional upgrade for a PowerPlay™ Swim Spa, the cost to retrofit it is £399.


The cost of installation is not included. Please speak to your local Jacuzzi® retailer about installation costs.


The Jacuzzi® app is free for the first year and costs $36 USD per year following this, for both hot tub and swim spa owners. Three or five year app packages are available at a discounted cost.


*Requires subscription beginning in second year of ownership at $36 per year. Estimates are based on sensor readings and are not meant to match your utility measurements. See your local utility company for specifics.


What are key SmartTub® features I can use on a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub?

The upgrades to the existing SmartTub® system has a focus on giving more cost-saving powers to you as a hot tub owner. Here’s an overview of what these new features are - 


Personalise the times you want to soak

Utilising the new feature Smart Heat Mode, the app will calculate how much time it takes the hot tub water to reach your desired temperature on the days and times you set. When you’re not using your hot tub, the water will naturally cool, meaning you’re not going to be wasting unnecessary power. 



Cost saving ‘Holiday mode’

Although vacation mode is already an existing feature, the addition of Smart Heat Mode means you can now save up to 25% on standby costs.



Energy usage data

If you like to have your finger on the pulse of what energy you’re using daily, weekly or monthly, you can find out what kWh your hot tub is using. You’ll also be able to keep an eye on off-peak and peak energy costs. 


Real life data from the SmartTub® app has shown that Jacuzzi® hot tubs use up to 6kWh on average per day at an average temperature of up to 38C to enjoy their hot tub. To put that into perspective, it is only about the same as a family of 4 taking a 10 minute shower a day.*



To learn more about the features and benefits of using this smart system, head to the SmartTub® page on our website.

*All C temperatures are rounded to the nearest whole degree. Please note, this information was taken over 2 years from UK Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs connected to SmartTub® energy monitoring. The data shown is the median measure and based on the sample size shown. 

Can I buy Jacuzzi® SmartTub® if I already own a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub or Swim Spa?

Yes, if you think SmartTub® could be a great upgrade for your Jacuzzi® Hot Tub or Swim Spa that you already own, the hardware module can still be installed and the app downloaded to your smart device.


Can I add Jacuzzi® SmartTub® to a non-Jacuzzi® Hot Tub or Swim Spa?

SmartTub® is only available and compatible with Jacuzzi® Hot Tubs and Swim Spas. 

Adam Peaty using Jacuzzi® SmartTub® in swim spa

What are key SmartTub® features I can use on a Jacuzzi® Swim Spa?

SmartTub® is now available for Jacuzzi® Swim Spas. Although Smart Heat Mode and Vacation Mode are not compatible with swim spas, it does have some other unique features. These include -


New - 'Workout' mode - This includes 6 training videos that utilise the PowerTone™ fitness kit of PowerToe™ Bells, a Swing Trainer and Resistance Fins.


New - Control the intensity of your swim - Select a swim mode from 1 to 5, depending if you're wanting a gentle or vigorous swim.


New - Pumps and lighting control - Depending on the swim spa model, you can control up to 4 water pumps and 2 sets of lights. (Internal and external lighting)


New - Monitor off-peak and peak energy costs - You can adjust your settings so for example, you're only running filtration cycles when energy will cost you the least.



There are many features on SmartTub® such as the patented 3G cellular connection and the ability to control the filtration, heating, jets, locks and lights that are still compatible for use on swim spas.

How can Jacuzzi SmartTub® save me money?

There’s several ways SmartTub® can help you save you money.


As a hot tub owner:

If keeping a careful eye on your power bills is important to you, the Smart Heat Mode feature’s ability to calculate the time it takes for your hot tub (factoring in size, shape, insulation type) to heat to your desired temperature means it will cool down when you’re not using it. This means you’re not paying to keep your hot tub at your soak temperature when you don’t need it to. 


Vacation mode - Allows your hot tub to take a holiday while maintaining a lower temperature and carrying out necessary filtration cycles to keep the water clean and clear. 


Energy usage updates - Gives you transparency on how much kWh your hot tub is using and the ability to keep an eye on off-peak and peak energy costs. 


As a swim spa owner:

Real-time energy monitoring - Allows you to track off-peak and peak energy costs. This means you can time when you want to for example run filtration cycles, switch on lights, activate the jets, when energy will cost you the least.


Remote control of main swim spa features - If you are on the go and want to lower the water temperature, switch off lights, tweak filtration cycle settings, to name a few, these features that all require energy can be controlled from anywhere with a cellular connection. You can control levels of energy usage at your convenience.

Using Jacuzzi® SmartTub® on holiday

Can I use Jacuzzi® SmartTub® when I’m on holiday?

Absolutely! If you use SmartTub® for a Jacuzzi® Hot Tub, ‘vacation mode’ is designed specifically for this. 



You are effectively placing your hot tub on pause. By pause, the hot tub will still be running at a lower temperature and will continue with the necessary filtration cycles so your hot tub will be ready for you to use again when you switch off Vacation mode and set your next scheduled soak. 


If you want to check in on your hot tub or swim spa while you’re away, you can through the ability to monitor it remotely through SmartTub®. If you have cellular connection on your smart device, you can still carry out all the necessary functions such as setting temperature, changing lights, filtration cycles and receive important notifications.


For complete peace of mind, you’ll also receive any important alerts you need to know about while you’re away.

How can Jacuzzi® SmartTub® make me use my hot tub in a more energy efficient way?

There are many features, mentioned above, that will help and train you to use your hot tub in the most energy efficient manner.

These include 



Smart Heat Mode - Scheduling the times you want your hot tub to be ready to use means you’re reducing unnecessary energy usage when the cover is back on your hot tub. 


Vacation mode - Keep your hot tub ticking along at a lower temperature and set necessary filtration cycles to run that are less frequent than you would have if you were at home.


Program filtration cycles - The time of day and how often hot tub filtrations run can have an impact on running costs. By combining the use of SmartTub® features such as Smart Heat Mode and energy usage reports, you can set the filtration cycles when you want them to run.


Energy usage updates - If you like to get specific about how much energy your hot tub is using, you can open up the energy usage graph. This data will allow you to monitor the kWh you’re using and to track off-peak and peak energy costs.

Holding phone with Jacuzzi® SmartTub®

Is Jacuzzi® SmartTub® for a hot tub right for me?

We live in a world of apps and smart devices so it’s normal to think a bit deeper about how many more you want to add to your life. 


If you’re a spontaneous hot tub user, don’t mind paying varying power bills, don’t read into energy usage data and are almost always at home, maybe SmartTub® isn’t a top priority system or hot tub upgrade for you. 


On the other hand, if you like the thought of, or naturally find yourself in a routine when it comes to using your hot tub, then features such as Smart Heat Mode will make using your hot tub easier, and will be a cost saving too. 


If you treat your hot tub like other household items such as heaters, fans, lights etc and keep an eye on your energy usage, then the SmartTub® app will provide you with all the information you need so you’re not kept in the dark on your hot tub running costs.  


Also, if you’re always on the go, whether it’s vacation or frequently spend time away from home, then the ability to connect to cellular service and check in on your hot tub or place on vacation mode will always give you peace of mind that your hot tub is functioning well. Smart notifications will alert you to what’s wrong and how to resolve the issue.


Is Jacuzzi® SmartTub® for a swim spa right for me?

When it comes to SmartTub® for a swim spa, if remote monitoring, receiving important notifications while you're away, using a 'workout' mode for fitness and keeping an eye on off-peak and peak energy costs matters to you, then SmartTub® could be an ideal smart system for you.


If you are always local, prefer to use your swim spa for fun rather than activating the swim jets all the time, and feel you have all the control you need when you're at home, using the control panel, then you may not place SmartTub® at the top of your priority list.

Jacuzzi® Hot Tub with lights at night

Summary

Transparency, easy to use and control at your fingertips are some of the takeouts you may have after reading this article. Hopefully you have a greater understanding of what SmartTub® is, how it works and if it’s an app you want to keep renewing, or purchase the upgrade with your hot tub. 


If you’re interested in purchasing Jacuzzi® SmartTub®, head to Jacuzzi® Shop for more details. 

Keen to continue the conversation with a hot tub expert? Click the button below to make contact with your nearest Jacuzzi® Hot Tub dealer. 

Disclaimer: The following registered trademarks are owned by companies not affiliated in any way with Jacuzzi Group.


Alexa, and all related marks are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Siri is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. Google Assistant™ is a trademark owned by owned by Google LLC.


Affiliations: Jacuzzi® is a registered trademark of Jacuzzi Group. All rights reserved.