Decoding Horsepower

Shopping for a new hot tub but feeling confused by horsepower ratings, pump counts, and specs that don’t seem to add up? You’re not alone. Horsepower is one of the most misunderstood parts of hot tub shopping—and manufacturers don’t always make it easier.

This guide breaks down what horsepower actually means, how to compare pumps correctly, and how to choose the right setup for the performance you want.

What You’ll Learn

How much horsepower is ideal for a hot tub
How many pumps you actually need
The difference between breakdown and continuous horsepower
Why horsepower numbers can be misleading
How to evaluate real‑world jet performance

Breakdown vs. Continuous Horsepower

Horsepower (hp) is one of the first specs shoppers notice—and one of the most confusing. Every hot tub pump has two horsepower ratings:

Breakdown (or “Peak”) Horsepower

The momentary horsepower output during the first 1/10th of a second when the pump starts
Always the higher number
Often used in marketing because it looks impressive

Continuous Duty Horsepower

The true, sustained horsepower while the pump is running
The number that actually determines jet pressure and performance

Many manufacturers only publish the breakdown number, which makes one tub look more powerful than another—even when it isn’t.

Number Comparison

Some manufactures only list a tubs horsepower as a single number (breakdown HP).

Example #1

Example #2

In this example we see both HP breakdown per pump and the more important Continuous Duty Number

If you only compare the big numbers, the Viking looks stronger. But continuous HP tells the real story—and the Grandee provides the more transparent spec.

Why This Is Confusing

Manufacturers aren’t necessarily misleading you—they’re simply highlighting the number that makes their product look competitive. But without knowing the continuous HP, you can’t accurately compare one hot tub to another.
If a brand doesn’t list continuous HP, ask for it. If they can’t provide it, that’s a red flag potential low preformance

Does Horsepower Really Matter?

Yes… and no.

Horsepower is only one part of the performance equation. A hot tub’s jet pressure depends on:

Number of jets (more jets = divided water flow)
Plumbing diameter (larger lines require more HP)
Number of manifolds
Number of 90° fittings
Pump design and efficiency
Overall plumbing layout

A well‑engineered hot tub with a lower‑HP pump can outperform a poorly designed tub with “bigger numbers.”

I’ve seen single‑pump spas outperform multi‑pump tubs simply because the plumbing system was designed better.

How Many Pumps Do You Need?

More pumps don’t automatically mean better performance. What matters is:

How the pumps are assigned to jet zones
Whether each pump is properly sized
How efficiently the plumbing delivers water

The best way to judge performance is simple:

🛁 Do a Wet Test

Put your hand in front of the jets—or better yet, soak in the tub.

You’ll instantly feel the difference between weak, balanced, and overly aggressive systems

Conclusion

Horsepower numbers can be misleading if you don’t know what they represent. Continuous HP—not breakdown HP—is the true measure of pump performance. But even then, horsepower is only one piece of the puzzle.

Jet count, plumbing design, pump efficiency, and overall engineering matter just as much—if not more.

The right hot tub for you may not have the biggest numbers. It’s about finding the perfect balance of comfort, pressure, and design.

👉 Next Steps

Ready to find the hot tub that fits your needs?

Visit a showroom and feel the jet pressure for yourself
Ask for continuous HP ratings—not just breakdown numbers
Schedule a wet test to compare tubs in real time
Focus on comfort, performance, and design—not just specs
Your ideal hot tub isn’t the one with the biggest horsepower—it’s the one that feels the best.

Decoding Horsepower