Swim spas are one of the most searched backyard purchases in Minnesota — and one of the least transparently priced. Most dealers either hide the number entirely or bury it in a form wall. We’re going to answer it directly, because a buyer who understands the price range before they visit is a better conversation for everyone.
The honest one-line answer: swim spas start where premium hot tubs end, and overlap with where inground pools begin. That range is wider than most buyers expect — and more reasonable than most buyers fear.
Swim Spa Price Ranges at MinnSpas
These are real current sale prices from our inventory — not sticker prices, not estimates. MinnSpas carries TidalFit and Aquatic AquaSwim swim spas across four performance tiers.
| Tier | Sale Price Range | Models | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact Fitness | $26,000–$32,000 | TidalFit EP-12 Active, AquaSwim 512B, AquaSwim 13ft | Fitness, family fun, smaller backyards |
| Mid-Size Performance | $30,000–$40,000 | EP-12 ActivePlus Bench, EP-12 ActivePlus Quad, Core Swimmer 14, EP-14 Bench, EP-14 WaVS, AquaSwim 16ft | Serious swimming, fitness, family use year-round |
| Premium Performance | $39,000–$45,000 | TidalFit Pro EP-15 WaVS | Competitive swim training, serious lap swimming, variable speed current |
| Dual Temp | $51,000–$57,000 | DT-19, DTL-6, DT-21, DTL-8 | Separate swim zone + dedicated hot tub end — the most popular configuration once buyers understand their options |
Where does a swim spa fit in the broader backyard water picture? Premium hot tubs max out around $18,000–$20,000. Entry-level inground pools in Minnesota start around $38,000–$60,000 installed — and a complete ready-to-swim project runs $60,000–$100,000+. A swim spa occupies the space in between, and unlike a pool, it works every month of the year.
Looking for a Lower Entry Point? Refurbished Swim Spas.
MinnSpas occasionally acquires and rebuilds refurbished swim spas — mechanically rebuilt, tested, and backed by warranty, not just cleaned and resold. When available, refurbished swim spas represent the lowest entry point into swim spa ownership and move quickly. Most sell before they’re ever listed publicly.
Looking for something specific? Join the Refurbished Spa Priority List
What’s Included in the Swim Spa Price?
The sale price on a swim spa covers the unit, the cover, and basic startup equipment. It does not cover everything you need to own one. Here’s what to budget beyond the unit price:
Electrical Installation
All full-size swim spas require a dedicated 240-volt, 60-amp GFCI-protected circuit installed by a licensed electrician. In Minnesota, expect $500–$1,200 depending on panel distance, wire run, and whether a sub-panel is needed. MinnSpas coordinates with trusted Minnesota-licensed electricians as part of the setup planning process — this is not something you figure out after delivery.
Site Preparation
A swim spa is significantly larger and heavier than a hot tub. A filled 14-foot swim spa can weigh 15,000–20,000 lbs. Your installation surface needs to handle that load. Options:
- Reinforced concrete pad — most common, most durable. Budget $1,500–$3,500 depending on size and site prep.
- Engineered deck section — possible but requires structural evaluation before delivery.
- Existing concrete (garage slab, driveway extension) — may work depending on thickness and condition. Verify before delivery.
Delivery and Crane Placement
Swim spa deliveries almost always require crane service due to size and weight. A standard crane placement in the Twin Cities runs $800–$1,500 depending on lift complexity and access. MinnSpas coordinates delivery through trusted crane operators — we review your site before the truck is ever scheduled.
The True Installed Cost
| Item | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Swim spa unit (sale price) | $26,000–$57,000 |
| Electrical installation | $500–$1,200 |
| Concrete pad (if needed) | $1,500–$3,500 |
| Crane delivery and placement | $800–$1,500 |
| Startup chemicals | $100–$200 |
| Total installed — compact fitness swim spa | $29,000–$36,000 |
| Total installed — dual temp swim spa | $54,000–$62,000 |
Swim Spa vs. Inground Pool — The Real Cost Comparison
The most common question we hear after a buyer sees a swim spa price is: “Could I just build a pool for that?” It’s a fair question. Here’s the honest comparison for Minnesota specifically.
Minnesota inground pools start at $38,000–$60,000 installed for a basic vinyl liner pool. A complete ready-to-swim project — including concrete decking, required safety fencing, electrical work, landscaping repair, and quality equipment — runs $60,000–$100,000+. And that’s before the first season of use.
Then there’s the season. A Minnesota pool without heating is usable roughly 3–4 months per year. With a gas heater or heat pump you might extend that to 5–7 months — at significant ongoing cost. The pool then sits unused, winterized, and accumulating maintenance costs for the remaining 5–7 months.
A properly insulated swim spa operates 12 months a year in Minnesota. Not theoretically — actually. Minnesota homeowners use their swim spas in January. That changes the math entirely.
For a full operating cost comparison, see: How Much Does It Cost to Run a Swim Spa in Minnesota?
What Drives Swim Spa Price Differences?
Current System
Jet-based current systems are less expensive to manufacture. Propeller / WaVS-based systems (like TidalFit’s EP-14 WaVS and EP-15 Pro) generate a smoother, wider, more natural swimming current — and cost more. For serious lap swimmers and fitness training, the variable-speed current system is the right tool. For family fun and casual fitness use, a quality jet system delivers real value at a lower price point.
Dual Temperature Zones
A dual-temp swim spa has a separate hot tub end with its own independent heating system, maintained at a different temperature than the swim zone. This is the configuration most buyers end up wanting once they understand what’s available — and it’s the biggest single price jump in the lineup, moving from the $35,000–$40,000 range into the $51,000–$57,000 range. Almost everyone who scores high on both Fun and Hot Tub in our qualification process ends up here.
Size
Swim spas range from 12 feet (EP-12) to 21 feet (DT-21). Longer models allow a more natural swim stroke and more seating capacity. Every foot of length adds cost — in the unit price, the pad, and the crane lift. If your primary use is fitness and you have a smaller yard, a 12–14 foot model delivers most of the benefit at significantly lower cost.
Cold-Climate Construction
Full-foam insulation, composite framing, and quality cover systems are non-negotiable for Minnesota year-round use. All TidalFit and AquaSwim models MinnSpas carries are built to cold-climate specifications. This is an area where buying cheaper costs more over time — a unit with inadequate insulation will cost significantly more to operate and may struggle to maintain temperature during a January cold snap.
Is a Swim Spa Worth It in Minnesota?
The honest answer depends on how you’ll use it. A swim spa earns its price when it replaces two or three things you’d otherwise pay for separately — a pool alternative for family water time, a hot tub for relaxation and hydrotherapy, and a fitness tool for year-round aquatic exercise.
When buyers tell us they want all three — and want to use it year-round — a swim spa is almost always the right answer. When a buyer primarily wants a hot tub for two people with no interest in swimming or fitness, a premium hot tub at half the price delivers more of what they actually want.
The Find My Swim Spa tool takes about two minutes and helps you figure out which side of that line you’re on — before you spend time in a showroom or on a phone call.
Why Buy a Swim Spa from a Local Minnesota Dealer?
- Site assessment before delivery — access, pad, and electrical reviewed in advance
- Crane coordination for safe placement
- Minnesota-licensed electrician referrals
- Startup walkthrough and water care training on delivery day
- Year-round local service and warranty support
- Real answers to real questions — including the price
Browse all swim spa models at MinnSpas →