A Mississauga maker that sells its hot tubs as self-cleaning, with a floor vacuum, skimmer and pressure filter that clean all the water every few minutes. It also builds high-flow swim spas.
Holds upCanadian-built in MississaugaHydropool has made hot tubs since 1980 and builds its hot tubs and swim spas in Mississauga, Ontario.Details
The pitchHydropool has made hot tubs since 1980 and builds its hot tubs and swim spas in Mississauga, Ontario.
Our takeJacuzzi's 2017 purchase announcement places Hydropool's headquarters and manufacturing in Mississauga, and Sunrise production moved into the same plant from 2023.
Who else has it: Arctic Spas (Alberta) and Beachcomber (British Columbia) also build in Canada, and sister brand Sunrise Spas now shares Hydropool's plant.
Often said, not trueRival knock: a Canadian-built tub means scarce parts in the U.S. The Signature runs a Gecko in.YE control pack, PureWater is a Balboa Wavetec UV unit, and U.S. parts stores list Hydropool pumps, boards and topsides. The thinner point is service coverage: Hydropool counts nearly 400 retailers worldwide.
Partly trueOnly HydropoolPatented self-cleaning systemA top skimmer, a floor-level vacuum and a filter placed after the pump push all the water through the filter…1 catchDetails
The pitchA top skimmer, a floor-level vacuum and a filter placed after the pump push all the water through the filter every 10 to 15 minutes, so debris doesn't settle on the floor.
Offered on: Signature hot tubs; Aquatic and Executive swim spas (not Serenity hot tubs or the Play swim spa)
Our takeThe floor suction and pressure filtration are real and patented, but Hydropool concedes owners still add chemicals, clean filters and drain. Its own pages give both 10 and 15 minutes for a full turnover, and no independent test measures the benefit.
Who else has it: Hydropool holds US 8,128,813, which covers a drain basin molded where the floor meets the wall, with suction under a flush perforated cover; it runs to 2029. No other brand sells a tub as self-cleaning.
The catchThe pressure filter after the pump needs regular hands-on care: clean it every 2 to 4 weeks, and each time put the tub in standby, open an air-bleed valve and bleed trapped air again after reinstalling. Hydropool's 2025 Signature manual gives that interval and procedure and suggests keeping a spare cartridge. The 75 sq ft OEM cartridge sells for $109.95 and lasts 12 to 18 months. $109.95 per 75 sq ft cartridge (PRC75 / 4520030), replaced every 12 to 18 months
Partly trueFew othersV-Twin swim jetsTwo wide V-Twin jets push more than 1,400 gallons a minute, which Hydropool calls the smoothest, most even…Details
The pitchTwo wide V-Twin jets push more than 1,400 gallons a minute, which Hydropool calls the smoothest, most even current of any swim spa.
Offered on: Aquatic (AquaSport, AquaTrainer) and Executive swim spas
Our takeThe jet design is patented, but the claim of the highest water volume in the industry fails against rivals' published figures: Endless Pools claims up to 5,000 gallons a minute and puts Master Spas' Wave XP Pro near 2,000. All of these numbers are maker claims.
Who else has it: Hydropool patented its rectangular nozzle-and-diffuser swim jet (US 10,688,505, to 2038). Jetted swim currents are common (Master Spas' Michael Phelps line, Jacuzzi's swim spas), and Endless Pools uses a propeller instead.
The catchThe pressure filter after the pump needs regular hands-on care: clean it every 2 to 4 weeks, and each time put the tub in standby, open an air-bleed valve and bleed trapped air again after reinstalling.
More of what Hydropool says about itself3
Partly trueFew othersBuilt-in underwater treadmillThe Executive Trainer adds an underwater treadmill that tracks speed, distance and calories, which Hydropool…Details
The pitchThe Executive Trainer adds an underwater treadmill that tracks speed, distance and calories, which Hydropool bills as a swim-spa first.
Offered on: Executive Trainer 16EX and 19EX
Our takeThe treadmill is real, but Hydropool's 'first' claim conflicts with the Endless Pools claim, and neither maker dates its launch. It's limited to the top-priced Executive Trainer models.
Who else has it: Endless Pools Fitness Systems also offers a built-in treadmill, and a 2016 magazine feature called it the only swim spa with one.
Partly truePureWater ozone and UVThe PureWater cell doses the water with ozone and then strong UV light, creating hydroxyl radicals that…1 catchDetails
The pitchThe PureWater cell doses the water with ozone and then strong UV light, creating hydroxyl radicals that Hydropool says remove 99% of contaminants and cut chemical use by more than half.
Offered on: Standard on Signature, Aquatic and Executive; optional on Serenity and AquaPlay
Our takeAdvanced oxidation is a real process, but the 99% and 50% figures are Hydropool's own, and chlorine is still needed. It's standard on Signature and the Aquatic and Executive swim spas, but a $600 to $800 option on Serenity.
Who else has it: Similar advanced-oxidation units are sold by Bullfrog (Premium AOP by Clear Comfort), Artesian (Diamond AOP) and PDC (EverPure2), and sister brand Jacuzzi's ClearRay also pairs UV with ozone.
The catchThe UV lamp and the check valve both have to be replaced every year, and the system carries only a 1-year guarantee. Hydropool's manual says the UV-C lamp must be replaced every 12 months and the check valve annually, and that sanitizer is still required; its guarantee puts UV and ozone systems in the 1-year bucket. A comparable Balboa 7 W Wavetec lamp sells for about $108 to $130. $107.77 to $129.56 per comparable Balboa 7 W lamp (54877), replaced yearly; Hydropool lists its own bulb (5535147) without a price
Partly trueServiceable thermal-blanket insulationInstead of burying the plumbing in foam, Hydropool wraps it in reflective thermal blankets that keep pump…1 catchDetails
The pitchInstead of burying the plumbing in foam, Hydropool wraps it in reflective thermal blankets that keep pump heat in the cabinet and leave every fitting reachable.
Our takeThe access benefit is real, but Hydropool UK's R14 to R16 rating for its foil blanket comes with no test method, and we found no standby-watt figures. California fined Hydropool $65,000 in 2018 for selling spas not listed in the state's efficiency database.
Who else has it: PDC (TemperLok), Arctic Spas (perimeter foam with Heat Lock) and Vita Spa (Northern Exposure) also skip full foam and reuse pump heat.
The catchNo standby figure backs the top-in-the-world efficiency claim, and California fined Hydropool for selling spas that hadn't been tested and certified. Hydropool's Signature page and UK distributor claim top standby performance and R14 to R16 foil insulation without giving watts or a test method. The California Energy Commission settled with Hydropool for $65,000 in 2018 over spas sold in 2015-16 without testing and certification.
What rivals and critics say3
Self-cleaning is a sales gimmick; you still add chemicals and clean filters, and a faster turnover is the only real difference.Our check: Hydropool agrees owners still add chemicals, clean filters and drain. But the patented floor-level suction and post-pump pressure filter are a design difference beyond turnover; what neither side has is an independent test of the benefit.
Hydropool uses cheap reflective insulation that fails in cold climates, thin shells held up by cradles, and the cheapest build quality around.Our check: The insulation choice is real: reflective blankets plus foam only at the lip, not full foam. No standby-watt test was found to settle cold-weather cost, and the shell and build claims come with no measurements; Hydropool's warranty guide covers the shell structure for 10 years.
Hydropool is now owned by a private-equity investor.Our check: True: Jacuzzi bought Hydropool in 2017, and Investindustrial has owned Jacuzzi since 2019. Hydropool says it still runs independently, its longtime management now leads the group's hot tub brands, and we found no build changes tied to the sale.
Self-cleaning cuts upkeepAn owner-review roundup says reviewers credit the self-cleaning system with roughly halving maintenance; the figure mirrors Hydropool's own marketing.
Jets and insulationAn owner-review roundup reports reviewers praising the jets and insulation.
What they complain about
Leaks and costly serviceAn owner-review roundup lists leaks and third-party service providers charging above-market rates among common complaints.
Poor communicationAn owner-review roundup cites poor communication and customer service, with complaints rising in 2020 amid pandemic supply delays.
Complaint records: BBB, recalls and review sites3
Better Business Bureau
Grade B-, not accredited, 4 complaints in 3 years. Checked Sep 23, 2026.
ConsumerAffairs
No ConsumerAffairs review page
U.S. and Canada recalls
Apr 1, 2008Gecko Alliance recalled about 1,670 spa controls on 2002 to 2004 Hydropool Serenity tubs; controls could overheat, a fire hazard.
A BBB letter grade rates how a company handles complaints, not how happy owners are, and complaint counts grow with the number of tubs a company sells.
How the 2 published BBB complaints endedChecked Sep 23, 2026
1 Resolvedthe customer accepted the company's answer
0 Answeredthe company replied; the customer didn't confirm it was fixed
0 Unresolvedthe company replied; the customer said it wasn't fixed
1 Unansweredthe company never replied
The company replied to 1 of 2. BBB counts 4 in three years but publishes 2; the rest aren't shown. A complaint count means more next to how big the company is.
How it’s built. In plain words.
What decides whether a tub lasts is mostly hidden under the shell. Here is what Hydropool publishes about it, and where it publishes nothing, we say so.
Not publishedSelf-supporting shellHydropool doesn't publish this. Ask the dealer to show you.
Not publishedClamped plumbingHydropool doesn't publish this. Ask the dealer to show you.
Not publishedManifold-fed jetsHydropool doesn't publish this. Ask the dealer to show you.
How it's kept hotInsulationNot full foam: poly film barrier, reflective HydroWise thermal blankets, 2 lb closed-cell foam at the lip, and a sealed cabinet.
Every figure on the page also carries its own source dot. Specs come from Hydropool's own documents.
What’s a good deal on a Hydropool swim spa?
Tell us which swim spas you like. We send you the price range, then introduce you to one Hydropool dealer near you, who reaches out knowing what you expect to pay.
