400 OS
18′ · paddlewheel current
11′ 9″ of open water
Price on request
SwimEx swim spas
A Massachusetts maker of installed fiberglass current pools, sold factory direct on its paddlewheel current, deep configurable water and a balsa-cored shell.
8 models in six series, 18′ to 21′ 3″ long.
Length
18′–21′ 3″
Water
2,600–7,700gal
Current
Propeller or paddlewheel
1 propeller · 7 paddlewheel
Hot tub side
None
Price
On request
Ask for the price range
400 Series
500 Series
600 Series
800 Series
1000 Series
Triton
What owners report
Themes from owner reviews and forum threads, each linked to where it was posted. People with a problem are the most likely to post.
What owners praise1
Durable shell and a straight, even current1 source
In a Houzz thread asking for unbiased swim spa reviews (a reply from roughly 2022), a participant who wasn't an owner named the durability of SwimEx's fiberglass shells and the straight-line flow of its current as its real strengths. One voice, and not an owner. Search-engine summaries of the same thread (seen September 27, 2026) put a remark that the SwimEx current is too loud and turbulent at moderate to high speeds right beside this praise, apparently from the same reply. We couldn't confirm it at the source, so it isn't counted as a complaint.
What owners complain about2
Expensive once installed2 sources
No finished sides for above-ground installs1 source
A Houzz participant who appeared to work in the trade said SwimEx pools don't come with the exterior siding other brands include, because most are installed in-ground, so an above-ground install needs custom skirting and steps built to code. The same person said an above-ground install is still worth it for later access to the machinery. One voice, about 2022.
Owner reports as of September 2026.
What SwimEx is known for
What salespeople lead with, checked against SwimEx’s own documents and public records. Of these seven, three hold up, three are partly true and one is mostly marketing.
Partly trueOnly SwimExA paddlewheel current, not jets or a propellerThe catch: The flow and width claims are untested, and the current is shallow on some models
The pitchSwimEx sells its paddlewheel as the smoothest, deepest and widest current on the market: water drawn to the rear and pushed back through tunnels as a pool-width 'wall of water' up to 30 in deep, at up to 25,000 gallons a minute, with 100 speeds.
Offered on: 400 OS, 480 S, 500 OS, 500 S, 600 S, 800 S, 1000 S (the Triton uses a propeller)
Our takeThe mechanism, the 18-30 in current depths and the 100 speeds are published per model. 'Smoothest' and 'widest' are SwimEx's words with no measurement, the 25,000 gpm figure has no test method, and no current width is printed. One Houzz participant who researched swim spas (not an owner) called the current's straight-line flow a real strength; the same reply is also quoted as calling the current loud and turbulent at moderate to high speeds, though we couldn't confirm that part at the source.
Why it mattersA wide, deep, even current lets you swim a normal stroke without being pushed off line.
Who else has it: SwimEx calls it industry-exclusive, and no other brand in our research describes a paddlewheel; the rest use jets or a propeller, or don't name the mechanism. SwimEx's own Triton uses a propeller.
The catchThe flow and width claims are untested, and the current is shallow on some models. SwimEx gives no test for 25,000 gpm and no width figure beyond 'pool-width'. The current is only 18 in deep on the 400 OS and 500 Series against 28-30 in on the bigger models, and on the 1000 S it runs down one side of the pool only. SwimEx has no showrooms but can often arrange a visit to an owner's pool.
Holds upFew othersA boat-built fiberglass shell with no linerThe catch: A 30-year claim on a 10-year warranty
The pitchEvery SwimEx is a free-standing shell of fiberglass and resin on both sides of a balsa-wood core, finished in gelcoat, which SwimEx says is built like a luxury yacht, needs no liner and lasts 30 years or more.
Our takeThe construction is described on the Construction page and 2021 comparison sheet, and the installation guides confirm the pool carries itself (pit walls take no load). SwimEx posts owner stories of pools from 1987, 1990 and 2005 still in use, though those are its own selections.
Why it mattersA shell that holds its own shape with nothing to rot or rust is the core of a pool you keep for decades.
Who else has it: Every other brand we researched that names its shell uses acrylic, on steel, wood or composite frames where a frame is published; a cored fiberglass vessel is SwimEx-only among them.
Holds upFew othersDeep water and depths you can chooseThe catch: Deep, but the water is short: 11'9" on six models
The pitchStandard water runs 42 to 66 in (72 inches in the 1000 S's deepest standard section), with 12 or 24 in deep wells (to 84 in on the 600 S), a second floor level on the 800 S and three depths on the 1000 S, plus running pads, step-up areas and an optional underwater treadmill for non-weight-bearing exercise.
Our takeEvery depth is printed as water depth on the 2026 sheets and pages, separately from shell height.
Why it mattersDepth decides whether tall swimmers clear the floor and whether you can run or exercise without touching bottom.
Who else has it: Most swim spas hold water in the 40s to about 51 in (Master Spas' own range); SwimEx's 60-66 in standard depths and deep wells go well past that.
The catchDeep, but the water is short: 11'9" on six models. The 400 OS, 480 S, 500 OS, 500 S, 600 S and 800 S all have an 11'9" x 6'3" water surface inside an 18-19 ft shell, and on the 500 Series and 600 S the running pad and front step sit inside it. Only the 1000 S (14 x 10 ft) and Triton (14'4" x 6'7", with two rear seats) are longer. Lie out with your arms overhead before you buy.
Partly trueFew othersA direct electric drive, no hydraulicsThe catch: The motor itself is covered for 2 years
The pitchAn industrial electric gearmotor turns the paddlewheel (or the Triton's propeller) on a variable-speed controller, and SwimEx says its motors run for decades, unlike a hydraulic drive whose underwater motor needs replacing.
Our takeThe drive design and upkeep are published: yearly bearing grease, and no gearbox oil changes on units shipped after February 2011. 'Motors over 30 years old' is SwimEx's anecdote, and the 7.5 hp option is the upgrade path for faster water.
Why it mattersThe drive is the part that wears; a simple one with published upkeep is cheaper to keep running.
Who else has it: Endless Pools' propeller models use a hydraulic power unit; SwimEx's drive is an electric gearmotor mounted at the rear under the decking.
The catchThe motor itself is covered for 2 years. SwimEx warrants the motor for 2 years and the paddlewheel or propeller for 5. The gearmotor, controller and paddlewheel are ordered through SwimEx's customer service in Massachusetts, and the Triton's own sheet and 2026 guide disagree on its motor (5 hp against 7.5 hp).
Show 3 more selling points
Holds upFew othersGoes indoors, outdoors, in the ground or on a roof
The pitchSwimEx says its free-standing pools can go indoors or out, above ground, partly or fully in-ground, even on a rooftop by crane, and five models come in four sections (eight on the 480 S, 500 S and 600 S) to get through tight access.
Our takeThe 2026 installation guides give pit sizes, slab loads, ceiling heights and delivery rules model by model.
Why it mattersSectional delivery can put a real current pool in a basement or existing room that a one-piece spa could never reach.
Who else has it: No other brand we researched describes a sectional shell; SwimEx builds four- and eight-piece versions for tight access.
Partly trueBuilt in Massachusetts, sold factory directThe catch: No showrooms and no published service network
The pitchEvery pool is made in Fall River, Massachusetts, by a privately held company founded in 1986 and sold direct, with design engineers helping on layouts and CAD drawings.
Our takeThe origin and direct sales are stated plainly. What factory direct means for repairs in your yard isn't: SwimEx names no local service network.
Why it mattersBuying from the factory means one source for design help, parts and answers.
Who else has it: Several swim spa makers build in the US; selling residential pools factory direct with in-house design support is less common.
Mostly marketingCheap to heat and easy to house indoorsThe catch: A thin blanket on a big body of water
The pitchSwimEx says the insulated shell holds water temperature, cutting costs and doing away with big dehumidification systems, and estimates about 809 kWh a month for typical home use.
Our takeThe 809 kWh figure is SwimEx's own estimate with assumptions but no test, there is no standby energy listing, the shell's R-value isn't published, and the standard cover is an R 3.2 floating blanket.
Why it mattersHeating and dehumidifying an indoor pool can cost more than the pool over its life.
Who else has it: Every swim spa maker sells efficiency; SwimEx argues it from a small water surface and a cored shell rather than foam.
SwimEx on the ten things we checkThe current, room to swim, the frame, site prep, service and the warranty
How SwimEx stands
The buying guideThe ten checks from our swim spa buying guide, answered from what SwimEx publishes and from public filings. Tap a row for the detail.
- 3 yes
- 7 partly
- 0 no
- 0 not published
Swim currentA paddlewheel current on seven of eight models and a propeller on the Triton, both…Yes
The paddlewheel sits at the rear, pulls water back and pushes it forward again through tunnels (under a false bottom floor on the 400 Series), so the flow comes at you across the whole width of the pool. SwimEx puts the current's depth at 18 in (400 OS, 500 Series), 28 in (480 S, 600 S) and 30 in (800 S, 1000 S). A 5 hp motor is standard, 7.5 hp on the 800 S and 1000 S and optional on the 400, 500 and 600 models; the Triton lists no 7.5 hp option. You change speed with air buttons at the front and stop it with a bar at the back. On the 1000 S the current runs down one side only. The Triton's propeller feeds two return channels outside the swim area. SwimEx's 'up to 25,000 gallons per minute' has no test method behind it.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗
Room to swimSwimEx publishes the water surface and water depth for every model, which few…Partly
Six models share an 11'9" x 6'3" water surface inside an 18 to 19 foot shell; the paddlewheel housing and return tunnels take the rest. The Triton's water is 14'4" x 6'7" with two seats at the rear, and the 1000 S's is 14' x 10' with the current down one side. Depth is published separately: 42 in (400 OS), 48 in (480 S), 50 in (500 Series, Triton), 60 in (600 S), 66 in (800 S), and sections of 48, 60 and 72 in on the 1000 S. Deep wells (up to 84 in) and 2 ft extensions are options. The 500 Series seats sit in side channels, out of the lane.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗
Frame and shellEvery SwimEx is a free-standing fiberglass shell with a balsa-wood core, built like…Yes
SwimEx lays fiberglass and resin on both sides of a balsa-wood core under a gelcoat surface and says the shell stands and supports itself, so pit walls around an in-ground install only hold back soil. There's no acrylic skin, no steel or wood frame to rust or rot, and no liner. Five models come in four pieces, assembled on site or at the factory (eight-piece versions of the 480 S, 500 S and 600 S suit tight access); the 400 OS, 500 OS and Triton are one piece. SwimEx doesn't publish laminate thickness or core thickness, and a balsa core depends on staying dry, so ask how the core is sealed at fittings.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗
Site prepSwimEx publishes a full site guide for each model: a level concrete slab rated for…Yes
Filled weights run from 25,000 lb (400 OS, 500 Series) to 70,000 lb (1000 S), and the slab has to be level within 1/4 in under the pool. In-ground pits are 20 x 12 ft on most models and 25 x 18 ft for the 1000 S, from 56 to 92.5 in deep, with a sump or floor drain. Indoors above ground you need 10 ft of clear ceiling (12 ft for the 1000 S). The pool comes on a flatbed or 18-wheeler and the owner arranges the forklift, crane or lull. Power is three GFCI breakers (drive, heater, filter pump) in a sub-panel you supply: 105 A on most models by SwimEx's figures, 130 A on the 800 S by adding up its listed breakers, and 180 A on the 1000 S. Decking, pit, slab, electrical and plumbing are all yours to build.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗
Running costHeat is held by the balsa-cored shell and a thin floating blanket rather than foam…Partly
SwimEx sells the cored shell as insulated but publishes no R-value for it. The standard cover is a 3/16 in floating foam blanket rated R 3.2, and it's an option on the Triton. For typical use (filter pump 8 hours a day, an hour of swimming) SwimEx estimates about 809 kWh a month, brand-wide. There's no California standby listing, because SwimEx pools aren't portable spas. Indoors, SwimEx says keep the room within 2 to 5 degrees of the water and exhaust the air outside; it quotes 4 to 5 lb of evaporation an hour. Heaters are 5.5 kW on most models (11 kW recommended for some outdoor installs), 11 kW on the 800 S and 18 kW on the 1000 S; gas and propane heaters are options.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗
Dual zoneNo SwimEx is dual-zone or dual-temperature: every model is one body of water with…Partly
The flat-floor 400 OS, 480 S and 800 S and the 600 S are swim-only; the 500 Series adds four molded side seats and the Triton two rear seats, all in the same water. The heater can reach 104°F, but SwimEx recommends 78 to 82°F for exercise and the low 90s for arthritis, so you pick one temperature. Optional jets (up to 12 on a 2 hp pump) add massage, not a separate hot tub. SwimEx sells plunge pools separately.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗
Service accessSwimEx designs for access: in-ground pools need a 3 x 3 ft hatch (or panels above…Partly
The filter pump, cartridge filter and heater are standard Pentair and Coates pool parts any pool technician can source. The paddlewheel, its gearmotor and the controller are SwimEx parts, ordered from SwimEx's customer service. Upkeep is light and published: grease the paddlewheel bearings once a year, clean and wax the gelcoat, replace the filter cartridge; gearbox oil changes aren't needed on units shipped after February 2011, and the Triton's propeller has a shear pin. SwimEx says owners still run 30-year-old motors. Plan the pit with lights, a GFCI outlet, a sump and a small dehumidifier, as SwimEx asks.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗
Warranty termsSwimEx lists 10 years on structure, 5 on the gelcoat and the paddlewheel or…Partly
These three terms appear on SwimEx's Our Difference and Construction pages and in its 2021 comparison sheet, and they apply to the whole line. Nothing says whether labor or travel is covered, whether the warranty moves with the house, or who pays to dig out or crane a pool whose structure fails. Heater, filter pump and filter are Pentair and Coates parts with no SwimEx term published. Ask SwimEx for the written warranty before you sign.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗
Cover and lifterThe standard cover is a light floating thermal blanket (R 3.2), not a safety cover…Partly
The 5 lb blanket floats on the water and keeps heat and evaporation down, but it won't keep a child or pet out. For that SwimEx sells a rigid vinyl hard-top cover in four sections and a manual security cover; it doesn't sell automatic covers but will point you to a dealer who fits track-mounted ones, and its features page shows a lockable End 2 End cover. On the Triton even the blanket is an option. The 1000 S options list no hard-top cover.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗
Service and originEvery SwimEx is built in Fall River, Massachusetts, and sold factory direct with no…Partly
SwimEx has been making pools in Fall River since 1986 and is privately held and run by the founder's family. It sells direct: no showrooms, though it can often arrange a visit to a nearby owner's pool. Customer support is live Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 Eastern. Installation is by your own contractors or SwimEx's partner installation company, and repairs likely fall to a local pool technician using SwimEx parts, since SwimEx names no service network. The common equipment is stock Pentair and Coates hardware; the paddlewheel drive parts ship from Massachusetts.
What this means, and how to check it →swimex.com ↗swimex.com ↗