Hot Tub vs Plunge Pool – Which Should You Build in 2026?

Right, this is one of those questions that lands in my inbox on an almost daily basis. Hot tub or plunge pool – which one should you build? And the honest answer is that there is no definitive right or wrong. It really does come down to personal preference and your own circumstances. But in this post I’m going to break down the key differences between the two so that by the end of it, you’ll have a much clearer idea of which direction is right for you.

You can also find me on my socials;

Size

The first and most obvious difference is size. A plunge pool tends to be larger than a hot tub. That’s not always the case, but as a rule of thumb, if you’re comparing the two side by side, the plunge pool is going to take up more space. So if you’re working with a tighter footprint, that’s an important consideration from the outset.

How You’re Going to Use It

This is probably the most important question of all, and it’s where the two really start to diverge.

A hot tub is heated – we’re talking 38 to 40 degrees Celsius, or 102 to 104 Fahrenheit. That means you can use it all year round, regardless of what the weather is doing outside. In fact, there’s nothing better than sitting in a hot tub in the middle of winter. That’s the whole point.

A plunge pool, on the other hand, tends not to be heated to the same temperatures. It’s more of a pool for relaxing and cooling off – think spring through to summer and into autumn. In a warmer climate, it’s going to get a lot more use. In a cooler climate, it’s a more seasonal piece of kit.

I’ll be straight with you – I actually use my own hot tub as a plunge pool for the one or two days a year that the UK actually gets decent hot weather! I just turn the heating off, keep the jets ticking over gently, and it’s a great way to cool down. So there is a degree of flexibility there if you build a hot tub – you can always use it cold. A plunge pool heated to hot tub temperatures is a different matter entirely and a much bigger undertaking.

The Plumbing

This is where things get really interesting, and it’s where the two setups differ significantly in terms of complexity and cost.

A plunge pool plumbing setup is relatively straightforward. You’ve got your bottom drains and a skimmer pulling water into the front of the pump. From there, it goes through a filter, potentially a heater, and then back into the pool. It’s essentially a swimming pool setup, but on a smaller scale. Clean, simple, effective.

A hot tub is a different beast altogether. Yes, you still need that filtration and heating circuit – but on top of that, you’ve got a completely separate system for your jets. And as regular readers of this blog will know, I talk about this a lot. You’re looking at a maximum of around 16 jets per pump, so depending on your design you may well need multiple jet pumps. You can also add an air blower into the mix, which mixes air into the water inside the gunite bodies to give you that classic hot tub jet feel. There’s a lot more going on, which means more parts, more plumbing, more expense, and more to potentially go wrong down the line.

Cost

Following on from that – a hot tub is going to cost more to build than a plunge pool, generally speaking. The plumbing is more complex, the equipment list is longer, and if you’re going for a quality heating solution like an air source heat pump or a gas heater, you’re looking at costs that can run into the thousands of dollars or pounds before you’ve even started on the build itself. A plunge pool keeps things simpler and therefore more affordable.

So Which Should You Build in 2026?

This is the bit where I’m going to sit firmly on the fence, because the honest answer is that it entirely depends on you. Here are the three questions I’d encourage you to ask yourself:

How do you want to use it? If you want something you can use all year round for relaxation and hydrotherapy, a hot tub is the answer. If you’re in a warmer climate and primarily want something to cool off in and enjoy during the warmer months, a plunge pool makes a lot of sense.

What space do you have? If space is tight, a hot tub is typically the more compact option. Plunge pools are flexible in terms of sizing, but they do tend to require a larger footprint.

What’s your budget? Be honest with yourself here. A hot tub requires more parts, more plumbing, and more equipment. If you’re working to a tighter budget, a plunge pool is the more cost-effective route.

Whatever you decide, I’m here to help. I’ve got plans, parts, and all the information you need over at buildahottub.com. And of course, if you need hot tub or pool parts for your build, check out my stores below.

Can I Help You?

If I can help you in any way I would love to hear from you. You can get in touch using the form below.

Thanks - Andi

 

Hi, Andi here. I own Buildahottub.com and also write all of the articles and info pages on the site. Some years back now, I built my own hot tub but struggled to find the information I needed. So, once my tub was complete, I started this website to help others in their own pursuit of hot tub and plunge pools DIY building information.

Fast forward to 2025, I've helped over 1400+ DIY customers just like you all over the world build hot tubs and pools. Have a good look around the site, there are lots of resources here. Please do get in touch if I can help you. - Cheers, Andi