Balboa BP8 Review: Is This the Best Replacement Hot Tub Spa Pack?

Last updated: September 2026

If you don’t know your BP8s from your BP501s, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. In this review I look at the Balboa BP8 spa pack: what it is, why you should consider it, its features, and how to configure it.

First, a note for readers in North America. The BP8 is Balboa’s European pack (230V, 50Hz). The North American equivalent is the BP7, and you can watch my BP7 review on YouTube. If you’re in the UK or Europe, this article is for you.

Why the BP8?

One of the best things about the Balboa BP8 is that it’s been designed as a replacement spa pack. Balboa’s retrofit kit page says it can replace nearly any existing Balboa system when it’s matched with a TP or spaTouch panel. That includes the older VS, GS and EL-era packs and most existing BP packs.

Because it’s a BP-series pack in a similar box, swapping it in for an older BP is usually straightforward. Coming from a GS or VS, you’ll also be changing the topside, and probably some plugs and the mounting, but it opens up the whole modern range of panels and accessories.

A note on the BP2000/BP2100: on the BP8, only pump 1 can be two-speed. If your tub has a second two-speed pump, the BP8 won’t run it properly, so replace it like for like with a BP2100 (Europe) or BP2000 (North America). According to Balboa, these can run up to three two-speed pumps.

Specs, load and features

Balboa BP8 (G3381)
Pumps	Up to 3: pump 1 two-speed, pumps 2 and 3 single-speed
Blower / circulation pump	1 blower, 1 circulation pump (filters and polling)
Heater	3.0kW (at 240V)
Supply	230V single phase, 16A or 32A (20A/40A max breaker), or 230V three phase 16A. 50/60Hz detected automatically
Setups	18, printed inside the lid
Heat pump	Direct Clim8zone control (with a spaTouch 3 v3.2+ or spaTouch 2 v2.36+)
WiFi	Connection for a Balboa WiFi module (ControlMySpa)
Extras	bba Bluetooth audio support, optional splitter for a second panel

Source: Balboa’s BP8 tech sheet.

In terms of load, three pumps and a blower is more than enough for the average hot tub. If you need more, look at the BP2100.

The feature I love: direct Clim8zone control

The BP8 has a feature I really like. You can connect a Balboa Clim8zone heat pump directly to the spa pack, and the pack then controls it.

Why does that matter? If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that when you retrofit an air source heat pump, it usually works off water flow. When the circulation pump runs, water goes through the heat pump, it senses the flow and switches itself on, and it heats to its own thermostat. That means it can run whenever water is moving, including filter cycles and purge cycles, and it and the pack’s own heater can end up working against each other.

With the Clim8zone integrated, the spa pack switches the heat pump on and off itself, so the whole system works as one. That’s simpler, and it lets the cheap-to-run heat pump do the heating instead of the electric element. Kudos to Balboa for this.

If you have a different heat pump, you can still get good results. See How to control a heat pump with any hot tub spa pack, and my guide to air source heat pumps for hot tubs and how to choose the right air source heat pump. For what a heat pump did to my own running costs, see how I cut my hot tub running costs by 66%.

WiFi

Like the rest of the BP range, the BP8 supports WiFi through Balboa’s ControlMySpa system. You add a module, or use a spaTouch 4 panel with WiFi built in. My ControlMySpa review covers the options.

BP8 vs BP7 vs BP2100

	BP8	BP7	BP2100 / BP2000
Market	UK/Europe	North America	BP2100 Europe, BP2000 North America
Pumps	Up to 3 (pump 1 two-speed)	Up to 4	Up to 3, all can be two-speed
Heater	3kW	4.0kW or 5.5kW at 240V	Varies by model
Setups	18	32	Varies by model
Best for	Replacing most BP and GS packs in Europe	Replacing most packs in the USA and Canada	Tubs with more than one two-speed pump

Sources: Balboa’s BP7 tech sheet, BP8 tech sheet and BP2000/2100 page.

If you’re weighing up the BP8 against the Vian Power kit, which shares the same 18-setup table, see my Vian Power spa pack review.

Configuration

Configuring a BP8 has a few catches, but nothing you can’t handle.

Topside controls

Here’s what Balboa’s BP8 tech sheet lists as compatible:

• spaTouch 3: any version (3.2 or later for Clim8zone heat pump support)
• spaTouch 2: any version (2.19 or later for ChromaZone 3, 2.36 or later for Clim8zone)
• Icon spaTouch and Menued spaTouch: any version (newer versions needed for full bba audio integration)
• TP900 and TP800: version 3.1 and later
• TP700/TP740: any version
• TP600: version 2.7 and later
• TP500: any version, but only in setups with at most one other item (pump 2 or blower) as well as pump 1
• TP400T/TP400W CE: version 2.7 and later (don’t use the US versions)
• TP200T/TP200W: any version

The TP900 and the TP400/TP200 panels aren’t supported in every setup, so check the tech sheet for your configuration.

In short, any current TP or spaTouch panel will work. With older TP panels, there’s a software version to check. Newer panels such as the spaTouch 4 and spaTouch Mini aren’t on that list, but they’re sold as compatible with Balboa BP packs. Check with the supplier if you’re pairing one with a heat pump. My guide Which Balboa topside control do I need? goes through the options, and I’ve reviewed the TP700 and spaTouch Mini.

Setting the configuration

The chances of the BP8 arriving set up for your exact equipment are very slim. Don’t worry, that’s completely normal.

The key to configuring a BP8 is the inside of the lid. You’ll find the circuit diagram and all sorts of other information there. The table below shows the 18 hardware setups you can choose from.

Find the row that matches your equipment, then set that setup number from the topside. For example, a circulation pump, a single-speed jet pump and a single-speed blower is setup 13. You’ll also need to set the DIP switches to match your supply (16A or 32A). I go through it step by step, with my video, in how to configure a Balboa spa pack, and there’s a TP700-specific walkthrough in Program the Balboa BP8 using a TP700.

Plugs

The BP8 uses AMP connectors for the pumps and blower. If you’re coming from an older system, you may need to rewire those plugs. It’s very straightforward, and it brings your hot tub’s wiring up to date with the latest connectors. See Hot tub wiring explained and Demystifying spa pack wiring diagrams.

Safety: isolate the power before you open the pack. The supply to the pack must be installed by a qualified electrician, on a dedicated circuit with a 30mA Type A RCD. In the UK that’s notifiable work under Part P.

Common mistakes when fitting a BP8

• Not changing the setup number, so the buttons don’t match or a pump never runs.
• Setting the DIP switches for 32A on a 16A supply, which leads to trips or overloaded cables. Match the switches to the circuit your electrician installed.
• Two two-speed pumps. The BP8 can’t run a second two-speed pump. Use a BP2100.
• Reusing an old panel with old software, or a VL panel from a GS pack, which won’t work at all.
• Expecting the heat pump to be controlled without a panel on the right firmware.

The best replacement spa pack?

There’s no doubt the BP8 is a versatile spa pack. It’s flexible in how much equipment it can run, and the direct connection to the Clim8zone is very cool. But the cherry on top is that it can replace almost every Balboa BP and GS pack out there.

Just remember: the BP7 is the model for the USA and Canada, and if you have two two-speed pumps you’ll need a BP2100 (or BP2000 in North America). For everything else, the BP8 is great bang for your buck.

Where to buy

In the UK, the Balboa BP8 spa pack is on parts4tubs.co.uk. It comes with the 3kW heater, and the topside and WiFi module are sold separately. In the USA, parts4tubs.com has BP7 packs and retrofit kits, such as the BP7 5.5kW with TP600 retrofit kit. For more help choosing, see how to select a replacement spa pack.

Building a tub from scratch? My DIY hot tub plans include the full equipment and parts list, so you know which pack, pumps and heater you need before you start.

FAQs

Is the Balboa BP8 available in the USA?

No. The BP8 is Balboa’s European pack. In North America, the equivalent is the BP7.

Can a BP8 replace my GS spa pack?

Yes. Balboa sells the BP8 to replace VS, GS and EL-era systems. You’ll need a TP or spaTouch topside (your old VL panel won’t work), and you’ll probably need to change some plugs and configure the pack.

How many pumps can a BP8 run?

Up to three pumps, with pump 1 two-speed and pumps 2 and 3 single-speed, plus a blower and a circulation pump.

Does the BP8 come with a topside?

Usually not, although some retrofit kits bundle one. It works with the TP range and spaTouch panels. Check the software version on older panels.

Can the BP8 run on a 16A supply?

Yes. It can be set up for 16A or 32A single phase, or three phase. On 16A, the heater won’t run at the same time as the pumps on high speed. Set the DIP switches to match your circuit.

Got a question about the BP8 or which pack you need? Drop it in the comments below.

Cheers,
Andi

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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.

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