Wood Fired Hot Tubs vs Electric Spas: A practical guide for homes and cabins

Both wood fired hot tubs and electric spas can be brilliant. They just suit different ways of living, in the same way that wood stoves compare to electric heating. The experience is fundamentally different, and so is the way they’re used. 

This guide is designed to help you choose the option that fits your property, climate, and tolerance for hands on effort. It is not about declaring one “better”. Not all wood fired tubs are built the same, and design choices and materials can completely change the ownership experience. 

Quick answer

Which is better, wood fired or electric?

It depends on how often you will use it, where you live, how spontaneous you want soaking to be, and how much you enjoy the ritual of heating and tending water care. 

At a glance comparison

How each system works

Wood fired hot tubs

A wood fired hot tub uses a firebox or stove to heat water. Because the heat is generated by a live fire, heating tends to be session based. That means you plan a soak, light the fire, heat the water, then enjoy it.

Where design really matters is heat retention and durability. The tub body, insulation, lid coverage, and how the firebox transfers heat all affect how much wood you burn, how long the heat lasts, and how predictable the whole process feels. 

A common assumption is that wood fired tubs require constant fuss. Some do. But some modern designs change that experience by using materials and construction methods that reduce issues like swelling, shrinking, or long term leakage. For example, aluminium bodied designs can remove structural movement that traditional timber tubs are prone to over years of wet and dry cycles. 

Electric hot tubs or spas

An electric spa uses a heater, pumps, and filtration to maintain water temperature and cleanliness. You set a target temperature and the system cycles to keep it there. Most electric hot tubs and spas circulate water regularly, which helps sanitation and clarity. Some electric hot tubs like the AlumiTub Electric also have temperature timer settings to adjust the temperature for key times of use, and conserve energy when it won't be used. 

Electric spas are built for consistency. The trade off is that you are usually managing more components over time, and you typically pay for ongoing energy use even if you soak less often in a particular month. 

Installation and setup considerations

Power and site requirements

Electric spas generally need reliable power. Depending on the model, they may require a specific voltage and a properly installed circuit. This can be easy in a typical residential setting and much harder at a remote cabin or off grid site.

Wood fired tubs avoid that dependency. You still need thoughtful siting, especially around clearances, ventilation, and safe use, but electricity is not the core requirement.

Access and delivery

Delivery access is a practical reality many buyers underestimate.

Some properties can accommodate a crane and a heavy spa. Others cannot. If your tub needs to go down a tight path, onto a dock, around a cabin, or to a lakeside spot, weight and portability matter.

This is one area where construction can change the equation. For example, AlumiTubs are designed to be rolled into place on their side and delivered pre assembled, which can reduce the need for heavy equipment on difficult sites. 

Exposure, moisture, and freeze thaw cycles

In cold climates, repeated freeze thaw cycles and constant moisture exposure can be tough on many materials.

Traditional timber tubs can be sensitive to these cycles over long ownership periods, especially if they rely on the wood itself to hold water tight. In contrast, aluminium bodied tubs avoid rot and structural movement, which shifts the long term maintenance profile.

Heating time, readiness, and daily use

This is where most owners either fall in love with their choice or quietly regret it.

Wood fired: planned sessions and ritual

Wood fired soaking tends to be intentional. You are lighting a fire, checking the water temperature, and investing time upfront.

Some people genuinely love this. It slows you down. It becomes a rhythm. Like building a campfire, the process is part of the pleasure.

Other people find it limiting, especially if they want quick weekday soaks or if their schedule is unpredictable.

Electric: spontaneous and consistent

Electric spas are built for short notice soaking. If you want to finish work, step outside, and be in hot water ten minutes later, electric convenience is hard to beat.

The trade off is that the system is always working in the background to keep the water ready, which affects running costs and long term maintenance unless you have a system like the AlumiTub Electric which offers timer based heat settings to conserve energy when it won't be in use. 

Energy use and running costs over time

Running costs for hot tubs are one of those topics where the honest answer is: it depends. The helpful answer is: it depends on a few big factors you can actually measure. Use the examples below as a starting point, then plug in your local energy and firewood prices using the quick formulas underneath.

These are examples for North America, not guarantees. Real costs vary widely based on electricity rate, climate, tub size, insulation quality, cover use, set temperature, filtration schedule, and local firewood prices.

Indicative monthly cost ranges

These are typical North America ranges, not guarnatees. Real costs vary widely based on electricity rate, climate, tub size, insulation quality, cover use, set temperature, filtration schedule, and local firewood prices.

 

Two important realities often get missed:

1. Electric tubs have a baseline cost even when you are not soaking much. Looking for a tub with timer-based settings like the AlumiTub Electric will reduce consumption when not in use. 
   
   

2. Wood fired tubs cost nothing when unused, but cost time and effort when you do use them and depending on whether you have cheap, dry wood on site.

If you soak nearly every day, the cost gap often narrows. In that scenario, the real difference becomes lifestyle fit, not just dollars.

If you want a more accurate number than any table can give, use this:

Electric spa estimate

• Monthly cost ≈ monthly kWh used × your electricity price per kWh

Wood fired estimate

• Monthly cost ≈ (wood used per heat up × sessions per month × your wood price) + sanitation and testing

• If you run a filtration pump, add the pump electricity cost using the electric formula above

Maintenance, water care, and longevity

Water care is not optional

Whether you choose wood fired or electric, you need a sanitation plan. That might include filtration, chemicals, regular water changes, and consistent cleaning habits.

Electric spas usually make filtration straightforward because circulation is built in.

Wood fired tubs vary more. Some owners drain and refill frequently. Others use filtration and sanitation systems, depending on the design.

Structural longevity

Over long term ownership, where you live and what the tub is made from matters as much as how you maintain it.

Traditional wood tubs can require ongoing attention to stave condition and sealing over the years. Some owners are happy to do this. Others find it becomes a background worry.

Modern construction approaches can remove that category of maintenance. For example, AlumiTubs use a marine grade aluminium interior with riveted construction inspired by aircraft methodology, which is designed to avoid rot, warping, and long term leakage from structural movement. 

This is not about “maintenance free”. It is about which type of maintenance you are signing up for.

Safety and comfort considerations

A few practical points that apply to most buyers:

• Hot surfaces and supervision matter, especially around children

• Smoke and ventilation matter for wood fired models, especially near neighbours

• Water hygiene matters for everyone, regardless of heating type

• Noise can be a comfort issue in residential settings, especially at night

• Privacy and sight lines often matter more than people expect once the novelty fades

Experience and lifestyle fit

This is the section most comparison guides skip, but it is usually the deciding factor.

Wood fired: pace, ritual, and togetherness

Wood fired soaking tends to feel elemental. You are outside, fire is involved, steam rises, and the process naturally creates togetherness. Many owners describe it as similar to gathering around a campfire. 

If you enjoy the idea of lighting a fire and slowing the evening down, wood fired can feel deeply satisfying.

Electric: consistency, quiet, and convenience

Electric soaking is more about frequency and ease. If your ideal pattern is short, regular soaks, electric makes that realistic.

Some modern electric cedar tub designs aim to preserve the quiet, nature first feel while still giving you consistent temperature and filtration. For example, AlumiTubs emphasise a restrained soaking experience without the sensory noise that some owners associate with conventional spas.

Best use cases for each option

Wood fired is often a great fit if you have:

• A weekend cabin or seasonal property

• Limited power, off grid living, or unreliable winter electricity

• A desire for ritual and planned sessions

• A remote or hard to access site where portability matters

• A lifestyle that suits longer, slower soaks

Electric is often a great fit if you have:

• A primary residence where you want frequent short soaks

• A predictable weekly routine and a desire for spontaneity

• A higher density setting where smoke is not ideal

• Reliable year round electricity

• A preference for set temperature consistency

Hybrid systems sit in the middle

Some owners want the wood fired experience, but also want water kept clean and protected between sessions, or want to soak during seasonal fire restrictions. Hybrid hot tubs exist for that reason.

For example, AlumiTubs’ modular heating philosophy is designed so a tub can evolve with your property and regulations over time, rather than locking you into one heating approach forever.

Which is right for you?

If you want a clear decision, ask yourself:

• How often will you realistically use it in winter and in summer

• Do you value spontaneity or ritual more

• Is your power reliable year round

• Are you comfortable with hands on upkeep

• Do you enjoy tending a fire

• How exposed is your site to wind and snow

• Do you want something you will keep for decades, or something you are happy to replace sooner

The right answer is the one you will actually use.

Frequency of use is the biggest satisfaction driver.

Final thought

A wood fired hot tub can be a weekend ritual that pulls people outside, slows time down, and becomes a gathering place. An electric spa can be a reliable, everyday wellness habit that is always ready when life is busy.

Both can be excellent. The best choice is the one that matches your reality, not just your ideal.