Is the Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge Pro Worth the Price? My Hands-on Review

Cold water immersion is a core pillar of my routine and has become one of the most powerful tools I use to enhance both my mental and physical health. But to fully maximize the benefits, having the right setup is crucial. 

After years of owning and experimenting with different tubs and chillers, the Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge Pro has become my go-to option. In this review, I’ll explain why I think it’s one of the best cold plunging setups money can buy (and a great option for most people looking to add a plunge to their home). 

Here are my key takeaways after testing the Plunge Pro for six weeks.

• Has powerful cooling capability that can chill water down to 33 degrees, and can make ice. I have never owned a unit that can actually make ice, and I absolutely love how such cold water feels on my skin.
• Has low ongoing maintenance requirements thanks to a built-in filtration system that uses a sediment filter, ozone, and UV light to keep the water fresh.
• Features an integrated design with the pump, chiller and tub all combined into one sleek unit. That’s a major aesthetic upgrade from all the other plunges I own (which come with standalone chiller units).
• The chiller runs much more quietly than the standalone chillers I own. Considering that our outside dining table is in close proximity to our plunge area, that’s a major plus.
• The Plunge Pro isn’t cheap, but its performance and durability justify the cost for serious cold plungers.

My Cold Plunging Journey

Cold plunging has been part of my health routine for years, and I’ve experimented with various cold plunge tubs on the market. While most of them got the job done, many lack valuable features — especially when it comes to cooling performance and ease of use. 

So when I first heard about the Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro and its ability to make ice and chill water down to 33°F, I knew I had to give it a try.

Here’s the thing: most of the cold plunges I own (currently, five of them, with a sixth on the way) can chill the water down to between 37 and 39 degrees. That’s plenty cold to get most (if not all) the benefits of cold water immersion. However, the warmer the water is, the longer you have to stay in the tub to allow your core temperature to drop. In other words, you can save some time by jumping into 33 degree water as opposed to 39 degree water. And while that may not be a big deal for many people, I have a hectic schedule and appreciate the time savings.

On the flip side, if you’re new to cold plunging and can’t handle water below 50 degrees, it doesn’t matter how cold the tub can get – at least, not initially. However, you get used to the cold water relatively quickly and will likely be able to jump into ice water within just a few weeks. 

I’ve also noticed a slightly elevated feeling of reward after getting out of a tub full of ice as opposed to cold water that’s just a few degrees warmer. The higher the perceived reward, the more likely you are to keep plunging. That’s a factor you might not have thought about but it’s an important one nonetheless.

Specs and Performance

Let’s get into the nuts and bolts of the Cold Plunge Pro:

• Tub size: Has an incredibly durable 150-gallon stainless steel tub that also looks sleek and modern. By comparison, this is about 50% larger than most other cold plunges I’ve owned, which tend to be about 100 gallons. It’s also an aesthetic upgrade from the usual plastic or even acrylic tubs you see.
• Cooling power: The system’s real standout feature is the copper cooling coils on the underside of the tub, which chill the water without needing to run it through an external chiller (like most other systems). In other words, it essentially functions as a giant cooler for your water (which is more efficient than constantly pumping the water and re-cooling it).
• Filtration system: With a sediment filter, ozone sanitation system and UV light treatment, you don’t need to worry much about water maintenance. This system keeps the water clean, reducing the need for constant draining and refilling.

I’ve had setups in the past where the water would turn cloudy after a few uses, and I’d be stuck draining and refilling the tub far too often (or would have to use chemical, albeit non-toxic, water treatment solutions). The Sun Home Plunge Pro has seriously cut down on that hassle.

However, it’s worth pointing out that the ozone and UV water sanitation systems do not run continuously. That’s because the Plunge Pro can’t make ice and filter (and sanitize) water at the same time. In other words, the water pump doesn’t run while the chiller makes ice (unless you manually push the sanitation button on the touchscreen).

After my first few weeks of testing the system, I haven’t seen that to be an issue as far as water quality is concerned. Still, I’d prefer if it could do both things at the same time. (I’ll talk more about the practical limitations of that later in the article.) 

What I Love About the Shun Home Cold Plunge Pro

Design

One of the first things I noticed is how everything is contained in one sleek unit. Other cold plunges often come with a separate chiller that takes up more space and requires visible plumbing. With the Plunge Pro, it’s all built together. The LED lighting also adds a nice touch, especially when plunging at night. The soft glow gives the experience a calming, almost meditative atmosphere.

Mobility

Another big win for this tub is that it’s on wheels. I’ve tested plenty of cold plunge tubs over the years, and none have had this feature. Being able to roll it to a new spot with ease is a game-changer, especially if you’re someone who likes to rearrange their workout or wellness space. Considering how many cold plunges and saunas I review on an ongoing basis, being able to move the unit to make space for another gadget is a game-changer because I don’t have to drain the tub first.

Quiet Operation

Some of the earlier cold plunges I tested came with noisy separate chillers that were a bit of a distraction, especially while enjoying dinner with the family at the nearby dining table. With the Plunge Pro, you can barely hear it running, which makes the whole experience far more peaceful.

Cooling Power

Even during the hottest summer months, this plunge has no problem keeping the water at 33°F. Technically, I have set the chiller to 28°F to make ice and to keep the remaining water at around the freezing point (33°F). Once the unit has made a thick layer of ice on the bottom and all four walls, it starts a thawing cycle, during which the water temperature may rise to about 36°F. After that, the freezing cycle kicks in again. All of that works flawlessly even when the ambient temperature reaches over 100°F.

Intuitive Controls

The Plunge Pro features an integrated touchscreen interface on the upper-right corner of the tub, and it’s super easy to navigate. You can adjust the temperature, run a cleaning cycle, or tweak the LED lighting with just a few taps. It’s very user-friendly, even for those who aren’t tech-savvy.

However, what I like most about this touchscreen is that it’s perfectly readable even in bright daylight. I complained about the low brightness of the touchscreen on the TheraFrost chiller (see my review of that tub for more info) and I’m happy to report the Cold Plunge Pro doesn’t have that issue.

Spacious Tub

I’m six feet tall and have fairly broad shoulders. At 150 gallons, the tub is spacious enough even for someone my size. I can fully submerge without feeling cramped, which is essential when I want to immerse myself neck to toe for the maximum duration.

The Downsides

Of course, no product is perfect, and there are a few downsides to consider with the Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro.

Ice-Making vs. Filtration

One quirk that might annoy some users is that the unit can’t make ice and filter the water at the same time. The filtration system runs continuously when the water is above 37°F, but once you dip below that, you’ll need to wait for the water to warm up (between ice making and thawing cycles) or manually hit the sanitation button. 

The reason why the water filtration system doesn’t work while ice is being made is to protect the pump, because the water inlet may freeze over. I understand that limitation but have seen other brands with more expensive products that allow both functions to occur simultaneously.

Ozone and UV Sanitation

Besides the non-continuous water filtration, the bigger issue is the lack of continuous ozone sanitation. In other words, ozone and UV are only active when you manually press the sanitation button on the touchscreen. When you do, a 15-minute sanitation cycle kicks in. 

I only plunge five times a week on average, and running the sanitation cycle after getting out of the tub (and sometimes randomly during the day when I walk by the tub) is more than enough to keep the water sanitary. However, if you were to use the Plunge Pro in a commercial setting or with a large family that involved back-to-back plunges, I’m not convinced the manual sanitation cycle would cut it. 

I’d prefer if the ozone sanitation ran continuously, and the UV sanitation based on a predefined schedule (maybe 15 minutes every hour). Considering that the replaceable UV bulb has a lifespan of 2,000 hours, I wouldn’t want it to run 24/7.

No Scheduling Feature

Another thing I would’ve liked to see is a scheduling feature. You can’t set the plunge to turn on or off at specific times, so if you want it ready in the morning, you’ll need to leave it running 24/7 or use an external timer. While the chiller only activates when the water temperature increases by five degrees, a scheduling option would help prolong the life of the pump, which is rated for 20,000 hours.

It’s not a big deal, but if you generate your own electricity using solar power (like we do) and run the house on batteries overnight, turning off the entire unit between 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. (when nobody is plunging) would likely save a few kilowatts.

Additional Considerations

Wi-Fi and EMFs

The Cold Plunge Pro doesn’t have a WiFi or Bluetooth radio or mobile app. Some might find the lack of Wi-Fi a downside, but personally, I’m OK with it. The lack of a mobile app means fewer EMFs around the house (I try to limit EMF exposure), and since I rarely change the temperature settings, the lack of an app to accomplish that task doesn’t bother me. If I need to, I prefer walking over to the unit to adjust settings manually.

What would be a nice upgrade, however, is the ability to schedule the sanitation cycle to run at recurring intervals, so I don’t have to do it manually every single time.

Tub Size

At 150 gallons, the tub is roomy for most people. But if you’re on the taller side (like I am), full submersion (including the head) can be a little tight. I often have to bend my knees to fully submerge my head. That’s not a big deal but a minor inconvenience considering how much I love submerging my head right after getting into the tub. Doing so provides additional stimulation to the vagus nerve and triggers the gasping reflex (which I barely feel anymore when submerging myself only to my neck).

I should also mention that the Plunge Pro comes with a stepstool to make getting into and out of the tub easier, especially if you’re not as tall as I am. However, you have to be careful to not step too far to the edge of the stool because it can flip over and hurt your ankle. I would prefer if Sun Home offered a stool with a wider base on the bottom to prevent it from flipping over so easily.

Pricing

The Sun Hon Saunas Cold Plunge Pro comes in at $9,100, which is definitely on the higher end of cold plunges. However, when you consider the all-in-one design, powerful cooling system, and integrated filtration, it’s worth the investment for anyone serious about cold water therapy.

Shop Cold Plunge Pro

If you’re considering a purchase, use code MKUMMER200 for $200 off. 

For comparison, the only other ice bath I’ve ever tried that makes ice is the Morozko Forge, which retails for $14,000.

Final Verdict: The Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge Pro is the best ice bath I’ve owned so far

While it’s not without its minor flaws, the Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge Pro has quickly become my favorite cold plunge tub. From the ability to chill the water to freezing temperatures to its sleek design and low maintenance, it has everything I need for daily cold plunging. 

If you’re serious about cold water therapy and can justify the price, this tub is worth every penny.

That’s my review of the Cold Plunge Pro. If you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help. You can also check out my cold-plunge buying guide to learn about how to choose the right tub, and my list of the best cold plunges for options at a variety of price points.

Michael Kummer

Michael Kummer is a healthy living enthusiast and CrossFit athlete whose goal is to help people achieve optimal health by bridging the gap between ancestral living and the demands of modern society.