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Air Tub vs Whirlpool with Jets

13 years ago

I have no experience with either and am very confused as to: Ease of cleaning,manufacturer, durability. Any comments you have for things for me to look for would be appreciated.

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Comments (5)

cookie08
13 years ago
Choosing a Whirlpool Or Air Jet Tub

Here is a link that might be useful: Tubz Lady Advice
trinintybay
Original Author
13 years ago
Cookie 08 - Great site for explanations! Thanks so much.
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Dreambuilder - I went through many of the same thoughts as you. I do prefer the feel of water jets over an air bath. I seriously considered a Sanijet but had concerns after reading of another GWer having to replace motors... after having leaks! (in my install detecting leaks would be difficult). Then I saw one in person and was put off by what looks exactly like a drip tray underneath the tub. The Sanijet person I was working with denied it was a drip tray but couldn't give me a satisfactory reason why it existed. So I turned to investigating the ozone methods of disinfection several whirlpool tub manufacturers have implemented. I decided to go with a Neptune whirlpooltub. Their ozone disinfection begins after the tub is emptied and the ozone is injected directly into the tubes... unlike most manufacturers who inject the ozone into the bath water to be pulled through by the running jets. I'm a nerd and read several ozone studies before making my decision. I will also use a product that claims to prevent a biofilm from forming. Not as easy to confirm this will work due to the proprietary compounds in the various products. But I know it is possible, given the right ingredients. I did consult with the inventor of the product I chose and he sent me some of his data as well as confirm there wouldn't be a problem combining it with ozone. Now, I can't tell you if I made the right choices yet... my bathtub has been sitting in my living room because the bathroom reno was delayed - hopefully a mid February start at this point! Whether you ultimately choose a whirlpool or an air tub, if you can, try to sit in a number of tubs to find what fits you best. I'm lucky to live within an hour's drive from a tub showroom that boasts to have over 400 on the floor! While there I also discovered that with my hard well water keeping air injectors open and de-calcified could be a chore. Good luck!
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We have an Aquatics Infinity - which is both air and jetted. At first I wanted just air - had a Jacuzzi in 1992 in another house that after not using it for months had those "black specks" come out of the pipes from lack of use. (Talk about sceeve!!!!!)Told DH no way were we getting another jetted tub. But DH has a super bad back. The air just was going to do it for him. And they've improved the jetted tubs in 15 yrs. with the air flush after the tub is off the clear the lines. So we really shopped and priced them out. Yes - it's noisy - it's a motor. But you know what? That part doesn't bother me. It has enough power in the jets to hit DH in the spots that he needs, I get the bubbles that I want - and we're both happy. And we can put in bubble bath stuff too. (Minimum amounts or it's like the tv episodes where it overflows with bubbles). Good luck
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I decided early on that if I had to choose, it would be jets. I'm no more worried about cleaning the modern style jet tubs than I would be about standing water in the drain pipes in the rest of the house. But the reason I wanted water jetted is that I have very specific back problems (resulting in constant sprains) and I find the forceful water movement helps with the muscle spasms that accompany the sprains. In the end, though, I didn't have to choose. We found a floor model Jason with BOTH air and water jets and compromised only a little (a couple of inches) in terms of overall design and space. For a mere $500 more than the Jacuzzi water jetted tub with heater that we were looking at, at Lowe's, we got BOTH the air jets and the water jets. I'm excited about the air jets because I won't have to fill the tub as much to use them, and they do feel delightful when I've experienced them at the store. Ours has two settings (low and high) for the air, and I've heard that the higher setting really is invigorating. So...maybe...you can have both?
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We are installing a Jacuzzi brand tub as I write this. A friend suggested it and my family went for it (I'm not convinced). Here are some thoughts I've had: 1. A whirlpool tub is always made of plastic and will scratch, eventually, some day. Cleaning plastic is an art form. Apparently liquid bleach takes out a surprising amount of the grime that gets stuck on it. We'll see. 2. Jacuzzi says that "all" other brands do not drain all the water out of the pipes when you drain the tub, and that causes problems with sanitation. Still Jacuzzi sells a cleaner kit to clean out their pipes. Hmmmm? 3. The pump and heater take up plenty of space in the tub footprint leaving a much smaller-than-you-might-think place for your body and/or feet (if showering) to go. With the space reduced, you might need a bigger tub than you have room for to be comfortable in it.
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michema5
13 years ago
Thanks for the link, Cookie08. Very good basic info. I'm in the same boat as you, trinintybay. I didn't even know where to begin with this choice. I still wish there was a way to try them out. I have a Jacuzzi whirlpool tub in my current house. I like the power of the jets when I have a backache, etc., but they are really loud. I wonder if I might like something more relaxing? The combo is probably the way to go, but don't think that will be in my budget.

I'm as confused as you! Sorry not so much help!
monicakm_gw
13 years ago
I chose air over water jetted for a few reasons. The number one reason was all the negative feedback from people here about their whirlpool tubs. Hardly anyone uses them (and I MEAN hardly anyone!). Main reason seems to be the cleanliness factor, or the lack of. The maintenance is more than most are willing to do and you still get "gunk" in the lines and blow out into your bathwater. Repairs and possibility of leaks was another concern voiced here and other websites. The other factors were personal. I needed a more all over massage than direct pressure. I do have a bad back but also have Fibro Myalgia so as nice as a forceful jet of water hitting my lower back might be, I'm pretty sure the tenderness of my skin and tissue couldn't handle it. I have body-wide pain and need an all over massage. I knew I wouldn't always be able to maintain a whirlpool like I should and didn't want to worry about leaks, more parts to go bad and black gunk spewing into my clean bath water. I use my air jets EVERY night! Is it loud. Yes. I don't hear the motor, I hear the rushing of the air thru the tubes and the bubbling water. I don't think it's any louder than a whirlpool but in a couple months, I stopped hearing it. Just as you stop hearing traffic if you've moved to a busy street, or airplanes if you've moved close to the airport, or a train...

Monica
mm22
13 years ago
I was between an airtub and just a soaking tub because of the cleaning issues and I don't like the way the jets make you feel "itchy" where they hit your skin... went with BainUltra Amma with chromotherapy after a lot of research, unfortunately it is sitting in my bedroom right now waiting on sheetrock and tile so I can't let you know how it is... I would say if you like putting anything in the water (bath salts, bubbles) stay away from jets.

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