Hohmann transfer compared with a slow spiral

For $u=\sqrt{r_1/r_0}>1$, the sum of the two Hohmann transfer impulse magnitudes minus the integrated thrust per mass in a quasi-circular spiral transfer isIt is negative because $(u+1{)}^2<2(u^2+1)$ is equivalent to $(u-1{)}^2>0$. Thus the Hohmann transfer uses less ideal total impulse for any strictly outward pair of coplanar circular orbits. This comparison does not optimize over all other transfer families.