Whirlpools and Air Baths

Comparison

Courtesy of MTI Whirlpools

Air baths have an array of outlets.

Both whirlpools and air baths have hydrotherapy benefits, which can include muscle relaxation and stress relief. But whirlpools and air baths do not function exactly the same. The key difference between the two is how air is used:

Courtesy of MTI Whirlpools

A whirlpool jet.

• Whirlpool jets release heated air pressure and water, and can provide targeted hydrotherapy. Whirlpools usually have between 5 and 10 water jets.

• Air bath jets release heated air only. Still water fills the tub, and then hot air is shot into the water. Air baths are sometimes called bubble massagers, and they can have over 100 jets.

There are also whirlpool and air bath combination tubs, which produce both the targeted pressure of a whirlpool and the soft massaging bubbles of an air bath.

Materials
Most whirlpools and air baths are made from acrylic, because acrylic units offer the most options when it comes to shape and size. Whirlpools are also available in cast iron, although these units only come in standard, rectangular shapes. Air baths are not available in cast iron, as air baths usually have 100 or more jets in them, and drilling that many holes into cast iron is cost prohibitive.