What's the Best Number of Spa Jets?

spa-jets-3up

When we bought our first hot tub, I think it had 12 spa jets - and at the time that was a lot! Fast forward 30 years, and you can find spas with over 100 Jets! Is that too many?

It's not just the number of spa jets that makes a spa awesome, it's more than that. The type of spa jets, their location, and how adjustable they are - and how powerful the jet pump is, all play a role.

Type of Spa Jets

spa-with-many-spa-jets

Some spa jets are non-adjustable, where other jets can be pointed or positioned in many directions with a swivel eyeball. Larger spa jets have multiple nozzles and may also rotate or swirl, and be mixed with air to add more oomph to the water flow. The nicer spa jets are fully adjustable, and can be closed easily by turning the outside bezel or ring, finished in soft rubber, chrome or stainless steel.

Location of Spa Jets

bank-of-spa-jets

Where the spa jets are located may be important for your particular aches and pains. Powerful floor jets are nice for a good foot massage, and calf jets, neck jets are also nice to have. But, do you really need so many spa jets? Think about the areas of your body where you would like to target, and let your pain be your guide, I suppose. Air Jets are usually small holes for air only (no water), and shouldn't be called spa jets, technically.

Spa Jet Adjustments

4-spa-jets-blasting

If you run water through too many jets as one time, the amount of water coming out of each jet is reduced. And since you probably don't fill every seat in your spa, you want to be able to turn off spa jets that are not being used, which increases water flow to the jets that are open. Some spas will allow you to control different spa jet banks, or 'sets of jets', by turning a large knob, or should at least allow you to close off individual spa jets that are not needed.

Jet Pump Power

spa-with-too-many-spa-jets

Spa jets don't increase the water flow, the amount of flow is entirely dependent on the spa jet pump. A 4hp spa pump will produce a lot more flow than a 2hp spa pump, in most cases. But any size pump has to split all the water flow among all of the jets. For a theoretical example, say your spa jet pump is pumping 100 gallons per minute, and let's say that you have 100 jets - that's only 1 gallon every minute from each jet, if they were all open at the same time. So, a hot tub with twice as many jets may need a pump that's twice as large, if you plan to fill all the seats in the spa.

So when shopping for a new spa, remember it's not just the number of jets that matter. Consider the types of spa jets used, their location, how adjustable the spa jets are, and the size of the spa jet pump - they all play a role!

Recommended Products

Leslie's Spa Maintenance Kit

Spa Chemicals

inflatable hot tub

Inflatable Spas

hot tub cover

Custom Covers



JUMP IN WITH US ON SOCIAL!
Facebook  Twitter X  YouTube  Instagram
Leslie’s makes every effort to provide accurate recommendations based upon current ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011 (R2022) standards, but codes and regulations change, and Leslie’s assumes no liability for any omissions or errors in this article or the outcome of any project. You must always exercise reasonable caution, carefully read the label on all products, follow all product directions, follow any current codes and regulations that may apply, and consult with a licensed professional if in doubt about any procedures. Leslie’s assumes no legal responsibility for your reliance or interpretation of the data contained herein, and makes no representations or warranties of any kind concerning the quality, safety, or suitability of the information, whether express or implied, including, without limitation, any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.