Air-Jet Vs. Water-Jet Tubs

Massage

• Air-jet and water-jet tubs may look the same, with both types providing a refreshing, water-massaging experience. Water-jet tubs provide a more vigorous, concentrated massage that can target specific areas of the body, however. A professional physical therapist will typically use a water-jet tub for hydrotherapy. Water is drawn into a pump and forced through jets on the sides and ends of the tub. Air-jet tubs provide a subtler, more encompassing, soothing massage. These tubs use air jets to shoot millions of tiny bubbles through the water.

Cleaning

• Air-jet tubs are equipped with an automatic blow-drying function. This feature eliminates extra moisture from the channels after they are shut off, effectively ridding the system of all moisture. These tubs don't require additional cleaning, but Home and Stone's website recommends regular cleaning of a water-jet tub every two or three weeks with a jet-tub cleaner, following the manufacturer's instructions.

Safety

• An air-jet tub's system is designed to blow air without using suction. This eliminates the possibility of long hair getting caught up in a suction fitting and pulling a child under the water. Conversely, a whirlpool or water-jet tub circulates the water in the tub, sucking the water in and shooting it out through its jets. Also, a parent can fill an air-jet tub with only a couple of inches of water without damaging the system, whereas a water-jet tub often requires more than a few inches of water to operate properly.

Considerations

• Air-jet tubs are typically noisier and tend to splash more water during operation than water-jet tubs. You can't use bath salts or oils with water-jet tubs, however, because they can clog the pumping system. Aromatherapy products, such as bubble bath, sea salts and scented oils can be used in an air-jet tub without harming the operating system.