TL;DR: A jacuzzi bath and a whirlpool bath are the same thing: Jacuzzi® is a brand name that became the everyday word for any bath with built-in massaging water jets.
- A whirlpool bath (or whirlpool bathtub) pumps the bath water through jets in the sides, back and foot end.
- An air or spa bath is different: it blows air through small holes in the base for a gentler, fizzing feel.
- A hot tub stays full, heated and filtered, and usually lives outside. A jacuzzi bath is filled and drained like any bath.
- A bathtub jacuzzi mat is a cheap add-on that blows bubbles into an ordinary bath. It doesn't give a jet massage.
- Our whirlpool baths are Carron baths with a C-Lenda jet system fitted at the factory.
Yes, a jacuzzi bath is a whirlpool bath. Whether you search for a jacuzzi bath, a jacuzzi bathtub or a bathtub jacuzzi, you almost always mean the same thing: a bath with jets built into it that massage you while you soak. The name "jacuzzi" simply stuck.
This guide explains where the name comes from, what a whirlpool bath actually does, and how it compares with the other things people call a jacuzzi.
Why are whirlpool baths called jacuzzi baths?
Whirlpool baths are called jacuzzi baths because Jacuzzi was the company that made them famous. According to Jacuzzi's own history, Candido Jacuzzi developed a hydrotherapy pump in the 1940s to help his son, who had rheumatoid arthritis, and the company went on to launch what it calls the world's first bath with integrated whirlpool jets in 1968.
The brand became so well known that, like Hoover for vacuum cleaners, its name turned into the everyday word for the product. Jacuzzi® is still a registered trademark, though, so strictly speaking only baths made by Jacuzzi are Jacuzzi baths. That is why we call ours whirlpool baths. They are Carron baths fitted with a C-Lenda whirlpool system, and they do the same job.
What is a whirlpool bath?
A whirlpool bath is a bath with a pump that draws water in through a suction fitting, mixes it with air and pushes it back out through jets in the bath. The result is a massaging stream of water aimed at your back, sides and feet, while the rest of the bath feels like a normal soak.
On the Carron baths we supply, the C-Lenda system comes in six set-ups:
- 6 jets: six side jets, with pneumatic (System 1) or electronic (System 4) controls.
- 16 jets: six side, six back and four foot jets, with pneumatic (System 2) or electronic (System 5) controls.
- 16 jets with a light: as above, plus a chromotherapy light (Systems 3 and 6).
The jets sit flush with the bath and have stainless steel surrounds, so the bath looks clean and simple when the system is off. The suction fitting is flush too, with fast-acting protection against hair and body entrapment.
Whirlpool bath vs air spa bath
A whirlpool bath moves water and an air spa bath moves air. People use "spa bath" for both, so it is worth checking which one you are looking at.
| Whirlpool bath | Air (spa) bath | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | A pump recirculates bath water through jets | A blower pushes air through small holes, usually in the base |
| How it feels | A stronger, targeted massage on back, sides and feet | A gentler, all-over fizz of bubbles |
| Bath products | Use bubble bath sparingly; low-foaming oils are best | Check the manufacturer's advice |
| Cleaning | Pipework needs a regular cleaning cycle | Many have a purge or drying cycle |
If you want to feel the jets working on your shoulders and lower back, a whirlpool bath is the one to choose. All the systems we supply are whirlpool systems.
Is a jacuzzi bath the same as a hot tub?
No, a jacuzzi bath is not a hot tub. A hot tub stays full of water that it heats and filters itself, is usually shared by several people and normally sits in the garden. A jacuzzi bath is filled from your taps for each bath and drained afterwards, just like an ordinary bath. Jacuzzi® also makes hot tubs, which is why the two get mixed up.
What is a bathtub jacuzzi mat?
A bathtub jacuzzi mat is a bubble mat that sits on the bottom of an ordinary bath and blows air through small holes, connected to a blower outside the bath. You may also see them sold as bath spa mats or bubble spa mats.
They are a cheap way to try a bubbling bath, but they give a gentle fizz rather than the targeted massage of real jets, and the blower unit sits next to the bath. If you use one, make sure it is made for bathroom use and follow its safety instructions carefully. If you find you love it, a proper whirlpool bath is the next step.
Which baths can have a whirlpool system?
Most Carron baths can have a whirlpool system, as long as it is fitted at the Carron factory. The bath is made in Carronite, Carron's stronger, more rigid reinforced acrylic, and the Carronite upgrade is free when you add a whirlpool system. Carron says only systems fitted at its factory (or by its approved whirlpool partner) are covered by its warranty, so it is not something to add to a bath later.
That covers a wide range of shapes, including:
- Straight single and double ended baths, such as the Urban single ended bath with whirlpool.
- Shower baths, such as the Delta shower bath with whirlpool.
- Corner baths, such as the Tranquility corner bath with whirlpool.
- A freestanding option, the Celsius freestanding bath with whirlpool. Read more in our freestanding jacuzzi bath guide.
See every option in our whirlpool baths collection, or read what a jacuzzi bath costs and whether a jacuzzi bath is worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Is a jacuzzi bath the same as a whirlpool bath?
Yes. "Jacuzzi bath" is the everyday name for a whirlpool bath, taken from the Jacuzzi® brand. Both mean a bath with built-in water jets.
Is a whirlpool bathtub the same as a spa bath?
Not always. Some people use "spa bath" for a whirlpool bath, but it often means an air bath, which blows bubbles through the base instead of pumping water through jets.
Can I turn my existing bath into a jacuzzi bath?
Not properly. A whirlpool system is built into the bath at the factory, and Carron's warranty only covers systems it fits there. A bubble mat is the only add-on for an existing bath.
Does a jacuzzi bath need electricity?
Yes. The pump needs its own electrical supply, installed by a qualified electrician, and you need access to the pump for servicing, usually through a removable bath panel.
Talk it through with us
Not sure whether a whirlpool bath suits your bathroom? Every project starts with a free one-to-one consultation and a clear, itemised quote. Visit our showroom at 32 Manor Park Rd, Birmingham B36 0DJ (Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm), call 0121 794 2553 or book your free consultation online.