The Pros and Cons of an Inground Pool and Hot Tub Combo
Published March 17, 2025
Do you love the comfort of a hot tub and the fun of a swimming pool? An inground pool and hot tub combo gives you the best of both in one backyard setup. It’s a relaxing and stylish way to enjoy both warm soaking and cool swimming in one place.
Combining a pool and hot tub, also known as a spillover spa, has become popular with homeowners. Whether considering a small inground pool hot tub combo or a larger design, this setup lets you move easily between the pool and spa without leaving the water.
Knowing the pros and cons before starting your inground pool hot tub combo construction plans is important. This guide will help you decide if this combo is the right fit for your home, your budget, and your lifestyle.
What Is an Inground Pool Hot Tub Combo?
An inground pool hot tub combo, or spa pool combo, is a backyard setup that blends a swimming pool and hot tub in one connected design. It’s a great way to enjoy relaxation and recreation in the same space.
This setup is popular for homeowners who want the comfort of a spa and the fun of a pool in one compact layout. Whether you choose a small inground pool hot tub combo or a larger model, it can boost your lifestyle and property value.
Here’s how a typical combo is designed:
- Design: The hot tub is usually built next to the pool, either level with it or slightly raised. Some include a spillover feature, where water flows from the hot tub into the pool, adding a nice waterfall effect.
- Functionality: With warm water and jet therapy, the hot tub section is made for comfort and stress relief. The pool section is perfect for swimming, light exercise, or cooling off.
- Heating Systems: Most combos use a shared or separate heating system. This lets you control the water temperature in the pool and spa separately, depending on your needs.
- Cost and Installation: An inground pool hot tub combo costs are usually higher than a standard pool or hot tub alone. The added materials, plumbing, and design work make the installation more complex. Even a small inground pool hot tub combo may require extra planning and budget.
Before moving forward, talk to a trusted local contractor to help you decide the best design and understand the full inground pool hot tub combo cost for your backyard setup.
Inground Pool vs. Hot Tub: What’s the Difference?
A discussion requires basic knowledge about separating swimming pools and hot tubs.
An inground pool develops a permanent position by sinking directly into the ground of your backyard. Both homeowners and professionals choose this type of swimming pool frequently because it exists in four distinct construction materials: concrete, vinyl, plaster, or fiberglass.
The installation costs of creating a pool within the ground exceed the costs of building a basic above-ground swimming pool or a small plunge pool. The absence of heating systems in cold weather makes pool maintenance troublesome for users.
A hot tub primarily uses a compact heated pool designed for therapeutic water activities and stress management. The additional comfort features of hot tubs include massage jets and bubblers.
Inside a hot tub pool combination unit, swimming features exist within a single setting, yet these components produce independent functions. You should use pools for swimming; people prefer hot tubs for comfort.
Touching hot tubs occupy limited spaces above ground, but swimming pools need installation below the earth surface. The modern trend among homeowners involves acquiring compact hot tubs that combine swimming pool elements with hot tub facilities.
Advantages of an Inground Pool Hot Tub Combo
Here are some key reasons why a small inground pool hot tub combo or larger setup can be a smart addition to your backyard:
1. No need for separate water testing
Since the pool and hot tub share the same water system, you won’t need to test and balance each separately. This makes water care easier and saves time.
2. Great for social gatherings
Whether a party or a casual weekend with friends, a combo setup allows people to enjoy both spaces, some guests can swim while others relax in the hot tub, making it a fun and social environment.
3. Adds value to your home
A well-designed inground pool hot tub combo increases your home’s value and appeal. It offers luxury and convenience, often more affordable than installing a separate pool and hot tub. Even a small inground pool hot tub combo can be a strong selling point.
4. Easy transition between hot and cold water
You can swim in the cooler pool, then relax in the warm hot tub—all in one place. This setup is ideal for relaxing muscles after a swim without leaving the water.
5. Saves space in your yard
A small inground pool, hot tub combo, or inground plunge pool hot tub combo is perfect if you have limited space. Instead of building two separate units, you can combine both in a single design, which helps maximize your outdoor area.
Cons of Having an Inground Pool Hot Tub Combo
Installing hot tubs near inground pools provides various advantages, although specific drawbacks exist for both small combinations and large systems. The main challenges appear when building a hot tub connected to an inground pool.
1. More complex to install
The building process of an inground pool hot tub combo requires custom construction during the pool construction activities. Custom-made inground pool hot tubs increase construction length, installation expenses, and labor costs. Construction of a hot tub pool combination begins with customization during the building phase of your pool construction project.
2. Higher cost to operate and maintain
To heat hot tubs requires more electrical power than heating pools. The power costs increase when the spa maintains a comfortable temperature under such operational conditions. The full price of an inground pool hot tub combo depends heavily on this feature.
3. Limited use during colder months
The pool exposed to outside elements faces freezing dangers whenever the heating equipment stops functioning because of winter weather. The chilly climates of specific regions render combined small in-ground pool hot tub systems impractical except for those who install independent hot tub shelters.
4. Shared pump systems may cause problems
In most combo designs, the shared pump is a common element for hot tub and pool operation. System access to hot tub and pool can be interrupted during a pump failure until it gets fixed.
5. Chemical and water temperature differences
The required chemical concentrations between pools and hot tubs differ. Water passage between the pools disrupts water stability levels. The chemical requirements for hot tubs differ from pool chlorine standards, therefore combining water between these systems might result in skin discomfort or bacterial infections. Regular water flow between these units can gradually increase maintenance and operational expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the pros and cons of a hot tub?
Hot tubs help you relax, ease sore muscles, and reduce stress. The downside is they need regular cleaning and can increase your energy bills.
2. How does a hot tub pool combo work?
An inground pool, hot tub combo usually shares the same water system. Depending on how it’s built, you can heat and use the hot tub separately or with the pool.
3. What is the most common problem with a hot tub?
The most common issue is keeping the water clean and balanced. Poor water care can lead to cloudy water or equipment problems.
4. Should I add a hot tub to my pool?
Adding a hot tub can be a smart choice if you want year-round relaxation and extra value for your backyard. Just consider your budget and space first.
5. Do hot tubs and pools use the same chlorine?
Both use chlorine to clean the water, but hot tubs usually need stronger control due to higher temperatures.
Should You Get an Inground Pool Hot Tub Combo?
Constructing an inground pool with hot tub features depends on your financial status, property area, and willingness to do routine maintenance. The choice of simple facilities leads to better convenience when your pool stands individual from your hot tub.
A small inground pool, hot tub combo, or an inground plunge pool hot tub combo represents an excellent investment if you desire combined hot spa relaxations with cool water swimming in a single unit. The combination of pool and hot tub brings luxury and raises your property value while establishing relaxation in your backyard.
Assess your plans with your usage frequency because the combined cost of an inground pool and hot tub will impact your decision. An outdoor combo between swimming pool and hot tub will transform your backyard into an exclusive relaxation zone if your lifestyle allows it.
Hire Boca’s Favorite Pool Builders
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About The Author
Hello! I am Corinne, a graduate of Riverside College. My career has evolved into focusing on writing, where I deliver high-quality and meticulously researched content. I have a proven track record of developing helpful articles that engage a wide variety of readers.
