Cold plunging has been a regular part of my wellness routine since I took my first ice bath at a biohacking conference in 2021. Since then, I’ve installed numerous cold plunge tubs in my home spa (we currently have six), testing them for comfort, temperature, and a range of other factors.
This article lists my top picks based on first-hand experience. The table below offers a quick summary of key attributes, but you can click the links to jump to a more detailed review of each tub.
| Plunge | My Rating | Lowest Temp | Water Capacity | Length x Width x Height | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TheraFrost | Best overall | 37 degrees | 101 gallons | 60 x 30 x 27 | $4,998 |
| The Plunge | Best design | 39 degrees | 75 gallons | 67 x 32.5 x 24 | $4,990 |
| The Plunge All-In | Best cold/hot combo | 37 degrees | 100 gallons | 76.75 x 31.5 x 28.75 | $8,490 |
| Morozko | Coldest | 33 degrees | 90 gallons | 81.87 x 31.25 x 29.25 | $8,900 |
| Ice Pod Pro | Cheapest worth buying | Chiller not included | 106 gallons | 32 (Diameter) x 30 (Height) | $150 |
| Inergize | Best for small spaces | 37 degrees | 80 gallons | 51 x 27.5 x 30 | $3,990 |
| Ice Barrel 500 | Best upright or sitting plunge | Chiller not included | 94 gallons | 57.6 x 30.7 x 42.1 | $1,499 |
At the end of the article, I’ll also briefly touch on the pros and cons of a DIY ice bath (and why I decided against going that route), as well as what to consider when buying a cold plunge.
If you’re looking for general information about ice bathing, you can learn more in my in-depth article on cold plunging benefits.
Best Overall: TheraFrost
Pros
- Wi-Fi-enabled chiller and ozone-based sanitation system.
- Has a relatively small footprint, but big enough inner dimensions to accommodate tall people.
- Folds down to the size of a backpack, making it easy to carry.
Cons
- The cost is comparable to higher-end (non-inflatable) plunges.
- The chiller is bulky and takes up a significant amount of space.
- Not as slick-looking as some of the other plunges available.
Out of the six cold plunges I currently have set up on my patio/in my backyard, the TheraFrost is the one I use the most.
It has incredible cooling and filtration performance, a relatively small footprint, and is reasonably portable. I also like that the chiller is Wi-Fi-enabled and can support predefined schedules, so I can automatically turn the chiller on and off based on my preferences. (That saves energy and increases the longevity of the sediment filter.)
Speaking of water filtration, TheraFrost leverages ozone to keep the water clean and sanitary for months, significantly reducing the ongoing maintenance requirement. I typically test the water quality using test strips every two weeks, and replace the water every six months.
Regarding cooling performance, TheraFrost can chill the water to 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius). The only cold plunge tub I’ve tried that gets colder is the one from Morozko Forge (see below for more information).
One of the features unique to TheraFrost is its ability to restructure water, which some studies have shown can influence protein folding and decrease inflammation.
Therasage (the company behind TheraFrost) makes the tub (and its lid) out of industrial-grade airplane rubber, which inflates in seconds and provides insulating properties that keep the water cold even when the chiller isn’t running.
Another advantage of having an inflatable tub is that you can store it in a carrying bag and take it with you when deflated. The chiller is relatively bulky but has four wheels that make it easy to move it around or load it in your trunk or a truck bed.
While TheraFrost is not the cheapest ice bath tub on the market, I think its combination of performance and convenience makes it worth the investment.
To learn more about TheraFrost and how I use it as part of my wellness routine, read my in-depth TheraFrost review.
TheraFrost retails for $4,988, but if you use my discount code MKUMMER, you can knock 10% off the purchase price.
Best Design: The Plunge
Pros
- Sleek, premium design that looks great in almost any environment.
- Good cooling performance and outstanding filtration.
- Made by one of the most reputable companies in the industry.
Cons
- While the acrylic design looks great, it’s very heavy and difficult to move.
- May not be long enough for very tall plungers.
The aptly-named Plunge was the first ice bath I ever owned, and it’s still one of my favorites, thanks in large part to its best-in-class filtration and sanitization system, which leverages a clever combination of a sediment filter (to physically trap debris and particles) and ozone treatment (to kill viruses, bacteria and other pathogens).
I also appreciate The Plunge’s sleek design, which is something that’s often overlooked by cold plunge manufacturers who are (rightly) more focus on performance. The Plunge looks like a high-end acrylic bathtub, and it looks great in almost any indoor or outdoor setting.
Regarding cooling performance, The Plunge can chill water to 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4° Celsius), which — while not the coldest option available (see the Morozko Forge, discussed later in this article) — is plenty cold enough to reap all the benefits of cold plunging.
It’s worth noting that the company behind The Plunge offers several versions of the tub, including two different sizes. If you’re six feet or taller, I recommend the Plunge XL to ensure you can submerge your entire body in cold water without having your shoulders, knees or feet stick out.
Additionally, you can choose between several different chillers, including one that offers better cooling performance (The Plunge Pro). And you can add an optional heater to any of the company’s models, allowing you to switch between a cold plunge and a hot tub.
I own the regular Plunge but wish I had gotten the XL version. (Unfortunately, it wasn’t available when I placed my order.)
I also recently had the chance to visit Plunge’s Sacramento headquarters to try out some of their new products, including the Plunge Evolve XL (see the photos of me in the new tub below).
The Evolve XL has an in-house designed chiller that cools the water down to 37 degrees and which matches the aesthetic style of the tub itself. It also boasts super quiet operation, easy filter changing (because the filter housing is part of the chiller), and a design that makes it easy to recline (which helps you relax).
One thing that sets Plunge apart from other companies is that they offer free white glove delivery to most states, and the shipping carrier takes back all packaging material (so you don’t have to worry about disposing of it).
To learn more about this tub and why I love it, check out my in-depth Plunge tub review.
The Plunge starts at $4,990 (the Evolve XL is $6,990), but if you use my discount code MK you can knock $150 off your purchase price.
Best Hot & Cold Combo Tub: The Plunge All-In
Pros
- Can be used as a cold plunge and a hot tub.
- Powerful water filtration.
- Fantastic cooling speed (10-12 degrees per hour).
- Smartphone connectivity.
- Integrated cooling and filtration system (no external chiller required).
Cons
- Much more expensive than plunges that use an external chiller.
- The extended warranty costs extra.
Released in 2023, the Plunge All-In functions as both a cold plunge and a hot tub, with the ability to heat the water up to 104 degrees.
On the cold plunging side, it features a fully-integrated chiller and filtration system, similar to the one built into the Morozko Ice Bath (see the “coldest” section below for more on the Morozko).
The advantages of an integrated system (as opposed to a separate chiller) are better cooling performance, a smaller footprint and simplified maintenance.
For example, the Plunge All-In can cool the water down to 37 degrees Fahrenheit (two degrees colder than the standard Plunge model), and replacing sediment filters is super convenient thanks to an easy access filter cover on the side of the tub.
The Plunge All-In features also features the roomiest interior of any option on this list (even larger than the Plunge XL), which should provide enough space for even the tallest plungers. Plus, the tub features smartphone connectivity, making it easy to control the plunge so it’s ready when you are.
The Plunge All-In retails for $9,590, and you can get $150 off by using the promo code MK during checkout.
If you don’t care about the hot tub feature but like the larger interior and integrated chiller, you can get the cold-only Plunge All-In for $600 less, before the discount.
Coldest: Morozko Ice Bath
Pros
- Best cooling performance available.
- Good filtration performance.
- Slick design.
- Made in the USA.
Cons
- Very expensive.
- Difficult to install and move.
I first exposed my entire body to ice-cold water at a Biohacking conference back in 2021. Morozko Forge was exhibiting at that show and brought their ice bath for attendees to try. I had no idea what to expect, but remember I went through the five stages of grief in the two and a half minutes I stayed in the literally ice-cold water.
To put in perspective just how cold it was: I was sitting on a block of ice forming on the bottom of the 16-gauge stainless steel tub. To this day, I have yet to come across another cold plunge tub that can cool the water down to the freezing point. That’s what puts Morozko Forge in a class of its own.
The reason why Morozko Forge offers such incredible cooling performance is because they designed a fully-integrated refrigeration system (instead of using a third-party “chiller box”).
Unfortunately, that cooling performance, paired with the stainless steel tub and wooden accents, makes the Morozko Ice Bath one of the most expensive options on the market.
The tub is also relatively bulky, making it potentially difficult to fit through narrow door openings. And it’s almost impossible to move it around after installation.
As far as the filtration system is concerned, Morozko Forge uses a combination of microfiltration and ozone disinfection to keep the water clean and sanitary for extended periods.
I truly appreciate the design and materials used for this cold plunge tub, as well as the fact that it’s hand-made in the United States by a small business. If you have an outdoor spa area, an appreciation for natural materials, the necessary budget, and are seeking best-in-class cooling performance, the Morozko Ice Bath is for you.
For everyone else, this cold plunge tub — which starts at $8,900 — is likely beyond what you want to spend on an ice bath. The Morozko Ice Bath Pro, which offers even better cooling performance (for high-volume use) and a five-year warranty, sets you back $19,900.
Cheapest Worth Buying: Ice Pod Pro
Pros
- Very inexpensive.
- Ultra-portable.
- Small footprint.
Cons
- The optional chiller doesn’t filter the water.
- Flimsy in comparison to higher-priced options.
If you want to make cold plunging a regular part of your routine but don’t have the budget to shell out thousands of dollars, the Ice Pod Pro from The Pod Company might be your best bet.
Made from lightweight, insulated and UV-resistant materials, the Ice Pro Pro is ultra-portable and easy to use. When fully inflated, the tub holds about 79 gallons (300 liters) of water and ice, and it’s large enough to fit people up to six and a half feet tall. I’m six feet tall, and I fit comfortably in the relatively small tub.
While the tub has an insulating middle layer wedged between the durable outer peach skin fabric and the waterproof PVC plastic layer, don’t expect the water inside to remain cold for extended periods — especially when using the tub in warmer climates.
What’s neat about the Ice Pod Pro is that you can use it with an ice maker (the most cost-effective way if you don’t plunge daily) or with an optional chiller. Technically, you can hook up any third-party chiller, but the company also sells a standard and pro chiller for $999 and $1,499, respectively.
The downside to those chillers is that they don’t filter the water, unlike some of the more expensive options that come with the cold plunges listed above.
The Ice Pod Pro retails for just $149. For $40 more, you can get an insulated cover, a floating thermometer and an extended warranty.
If you want to spend even less, you can opt for the standard Ice Pod, which has less insulation and no UV-resistant fabric. Frankly, I’d spend 40 extra bucks to get the Pro version, even if you’re a beginner.
Make sure to use my discount code mkummer to get $10 off your purchase.
Best For Small Spaces: Inergize Cold Plunge
Pros
- Small footprint makes it ideal for garages and patios.
- Excellent cooling and filtration performance.
- Minimal maintenance requirements.
Cons
- Low-quality touchscreen that’s hard to use in direct sunlight.
- Interior dimensions may be too small for some people.
- Relatively high price for an inflatable plunge.
The Inergize is an inflatable cold plunge tub specifically designed for use in relatively small spaces like garages and patios. In fact, it’s 9 inches shorter, and 2.5 inches narrower, than its closest competitor the TheraFrost, while offering almost identical chilling and filtration performance. It’s also $1,000 cheaper.
Of course, the sacrifice you make for that smaller footprint is some level of comfort. I’m six feet tall and can sit in the Inergize comfortably, but I can’t scoot back far enough to submerge my head, and I think that if I were much taller I would feel cramped. At that point, there would be no real advantage over a barrel-style plunge (like the Ice Barrel 300 or the Ice Pod Pro), which give you an even smaller footprint in exchange for having to stand or squat.
Learn more about my experience in my Inergize cold plunge review, and if you decide to buy it, be sure to use code MICHAELKUMMER at checkout to get $150 off the purchase price.
Best Upright or Sitting Tub: Ice Barrel 500
Pros
- The built-in seat offers a compromise between traditional and barrel-style tubs.
- Has excellent insulation that holds water temperature for days.
- Has connections to add a third-part chiller and filtration system.
Cons
- The design is great if you want to sit, but it limits the ways you can position your body.
- Has a bigger footprint than the company’s barrel-style models.
- The shallow depth makes it difficult to submerge your head.
The original Ice Barrel (now called the Ice Barrel 400) was the second cold plunge I added to our home spa and the one I used to set my personal cold plunging record of 15 minutes (thanks to a memory card running out of space during the recording of my Ice Barrel video review).
But while the 400’s barrel-style design offered the benefit of allowing for a standing plunge (or a squatting plunge, depending on how tall you are), the high sidewalls made getting in and out difficult. Plus, there was no way to add a third-party chiller and filtration system, which meant constantly adding ice and frequently changing the water.
The company’s latest model, the Ice Barrel 500, corrects for those shortcomings by moving away from a barrel style design in favor of a hybrid design that falls somewhere between a traditional tub and an upright plunge.
As shown in the photos below, the 500 has two built-in outer steps that make getting in and out easy, as well as a built-in step on the inside that double as a seat.
After a few weeks of testing the 500, here are some of my key takeaways:
- The fully insulated body (and lid) can maintain the water’s temperature for days. This is a big improvement over previous Ice Barrel models, which were not insulated and would warm up significantly after a few hours.
- Attaching a third-party chiller/filtration system was fast and easy.
- The integrated steps make getting in and out of the tub a breeze, which in turn makes this a great option regardless of your age, body type or any mobility limitations.
- The 500 requires more floor space than prior models and is $300 more expensive.
For reference, here are the stock photos of each of the three designs currently offered by Ice Barrel, to show the differences:
To summarize the differences:
- Ice Barrel 300: Relatively short and wide, requires squatting.
- Ice Barrel 400: Allows for standing (depending on heigh).
- Ice Barrel 500: Has an integrated seat.
Overall, I appreciate the 500 for its ease of use, excellent insulation and chiller connectivity.
If you’d like to purchase the Ice Barrel, make sure to use my discount code MKUMMER for $150 off.
Other Cold Plunge Tubs to Consider
There are countless cold plunge tubs on the market that might be as good or better than the ones I talk about in this article. However, while I haven’t had a chance to test all of them, I noticed many products on the market that appear to be carbon copies of the better-known brands.
Most of the lower-end tubs you can find on Amazon are made in China, and I wouldn’t necessarily trust their quality and customer support if something breaks and you need a replacement part.
That said, there are reputable companies out there that make excellent products, including cold plunge pools I haven’t had a chance to test yet. Here is a list of products I’d feel comfortable recommending based on my experience with other products from the same company or feedback from friends and family:
- Redwood Outdoors: We own a six-person barrel sauna made by Redwood Outdoors and I have nothing but good things to say about that company. As a result, I wouldn’t hesitate to invest in one of the company’s cold plunge tubs.
- Renu Therapy: The Renu Therapy Cold Stoic is another excellent option for adding a cold plunge tub to your home spa. Starting at just under $10K, Renu Therapy’s tubs are pricey but made using high-quality and customizable materials.
- Polar Monkeys: Polar Monkeys offers various cold plunge tubs, including steel, insulated and inflatable options. The tubs range from $2,790 to $12,900 and all include a heating and cooling chiller with a built-in filtration system.
What to Consider Before Buying a Cold Plunge Tub
The cold plunge market has exploded over the past few years, making finding an affordable option that meets your needs easier than ever.
However, you should consider several essential factors before purchasing a tub (or trying to build one yourself out of an old chest freezer or rain barrel).
My article on the key factors to consider when buying a cold plunge covers this topic in detail, but here’s a brief overview of the main things to keep in mind.
Chiller or Ice Maker
If your cold plunge doesn’t come with a chiller to keep the water at the desired temperature, you have to invest in an ice maker that can produce about 100 pounds of ice per day. Then, you need to be willing to move the ice into the tub, and wait for it to cool the water down.
If making and pouring ice into your cold plunge doesn’t sound enticing, the more convenient option is choosing a tub with a chiller that keeps the water cold 24/7 (or as long as you keep it turned on).
Choosing between a chiller and an ice maker depends on your budget and plunging frequency. An ice maker is likely more affordable, and could work if you only plan on plunging once or twice a week. Otherwise, for more regular use, I recommend a chiller.
Chiller Performance
If you plan on using your cold plunge in a commercial or athletic context (like in a gym or a sports club), it’s vital to pick a chiller that can handle back-to-back plunges.
When a person gets into an ice bath, their body heat warms the water by a few degrees. As a result, your chiller must be powerful enough to prevent the temperature from creeping up and thus reducing the plunge’s health benefits for subsequent users.
If you opt for an ice maker instead of a chiller, make sure your ice maker can produce hundreds of pounds of ice daily to keep the water cold for all plungers.
If you use your cold plunge at home, you won’t have to worry about getting the highest-performing chiller. Even when we had two or three people plunge in our tubs back-to-back, the water temperature never increased more than three or four degrees Fahrenheit above the baseline.
As I explained in my article about the health benefits of ice baths, that slightly higher water temperature isn’t likely to significantly impact the tub’s effectiveness.
Water Filtration
Most chillers also filter the water to keep it clean and sanitary for extended periods. Many higher-end cold plunge tubs, including some mentioned in this review, leverage ozone, ultraviolet light and sediment filters (or a combination thereof) to keep the water clean for months, thus reducing the ongoing maintenance effort.
Without water filtration, you’ll have to replace the water every few days to every few weeks, depending on what water temperature you maintain and how often you plunge. That can get expensive, especially if your home is connected to a municipal sewer system. It’s also a huge pain that may discourage you from using your tub.
Portability
If you plan on moving your cold plunge around, or if you intend on bringing it with you on camping trips, a portable tub is the way to go. While I never planned on moving my tubs around, I did end up having to relocate them on several occasions, and I appreciated that some tubs made that task easier than others.
Pros and Cons of a DIY Ice Bath
There are several alternatives to purchasing a cold plunge tub, including the following:
- Repurposing a rain barrel, trash can or stock tank.
- Adding ice to a regular bathtub.
- Retrofitting an old chest freezer.
The advantage of a DIY ice bath is that the initial investment is relatively low (and often, zero). For example, filling your bathtub with cold water and adding ice doesn’t cost much, especially if you already own an ice maker. The same is true if you have an old rain barrel or stock tank you can repurpose.
The main problem with such DIY ice baths is that you have to add fresh ice before every plunge and frequently change the water. Even if you own an ice maker, that can get expensive if your home is connected to a public sewer, because you get charged for every gallon of water — even if that water doesn’t end up in the sewer.
If your house has a septic tank, you only pay for water, which dramatically reduces the total cost of your water consumption.
To avoid having to add fresh ice before every plunge, some people have converted an old chest freezer into a cold plunge tub. The advantage of that approach is that the freezer keeps the water cold, thus negating the need for ice. However, you’ll still have to change the water once a week or so to keep it sanitary, since freezers don’t have any water filtration capabilities.
Additionally, there is a risk of electric shock if you forget to unplug the freezer before each plunge.
For me, the downsides of DIY ice baths outweigh their pros, which is why I decided to stick with cold plunge tubs that don’t require an ice maker or constant water changes. In other words, I decided to pay for more convenience and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cold water therapy offers a wide variety of health benefits, including improved mental resilience, optimal immune function, increased blood flow, reduced muscle soreness and improved muscle recovery, to name a few. For a complete list and the scientific evidence, check out my in-depth article on the benefits of cold water immersion.
Taking cold showers is an excellent way to get used to cold temperatures and to reap some, but not all, of the benefits ice baths offer. If you’ve never taken a cold shower, it will likely require dedication and mental effort. However, you get used to cold showers relatively quickly and will experience diminishing returns when it comes to mental health benefits. That said, studies have shown that even regular cold showers can help boost the immune system and make you more resilient to infections.
Depending on how small your available space is, I’d consider the Ice Barrel 300 (35.5 inches wide) or the Ice Pod Pro (32 inches wide) combined with a chiller, which (depending on the model) might double your space requirements. If you already have an ice maker nearby, you can use the mentioned tub dimensions to figure out which option fits best.
The next bigger option would be the TheraFrost, which requires approximately 60 x 30 inches of space, plus room for the chiller. While larger than the Ice Barrel and the Ice Pod Pro, TheraFrost should fit on even small patios while offering all the included chiller’s temperature control and water sanitation benefits.
Depending on your budget, the best inflatable cold plunges I tested are the TheraFrost and the Ice Pod Pro. The former is relatively pricey but comes with a premium foldable tub, a higher-performance chiller, and a filtration system that leverages ozone sanitation and a 5-micron filter. You can easily inflate TheraFrost using the included electric or manual air pump.
The Ice Pod Pro is a low-cost option that doesn’t include a chiller but can be connected to one. Filling either tub is easy using a regular garden hose. If you don’t have a whole-house water filtration system (like we do) and a lead-free garden hose (most garden hoses contain lead), I recommend attaching a simple charcoal filter to the end of your garden hose to fill the tub.
Most traditional sauna/cold plunge protocols start and end with sauna bathing. In other words, you’d spend some time in the sauna before cooling off in a cold plunge and returning to the sauna. You can cycle back and forth several times and decide how you want to end the cycle.
If I combine sauna bathing with cold plunging in the morning, I usually end the cycle with a cold plunge, so I feel invigorated for the rest of the day. If I do the same in the evening, I end with the sauna to not negatively impact my sleep and to feel more relaxed.
How often you have to change the water of your home cold plunge depends on several factors, including whether or not you have a chiller with a built-in filtration system, the quality of your tap water, the average water temperature, environmental factors (e.g., pollen or dust in the air), and how often you plunge.
As a rule of thumb, I recommend changing the water every few weeks if you keep the water cold but don’t have a filtration system (e.g., if you add ice daily or have a chiller without a filter). If you allow the water to heat up to ambient temperatures and don’t have a filtration system, I recommend changing the water every few days, but if you have a chiller/filter combo and you let the chiller run all the time, you can get away with changing the water every six months or so.
The best way to figure out whether you must change the water is to test it using test strips, such as the ones I use. Additionally, you can leverage non-toxic (chlorine and bromine-free) water treatment options to keep the water clean for longer.
As discussed in my article about the benefits of ice baths, cold plunging can activate brown adipose tissue and cause shivering, both encouraging the body to burn fat for energy and helping with weight loss. However, it’s worth noting that losing unwanted weight is the byproduct of a healthy lifestyle, including an appropriate diet, quality sleep, proper stress management and regular exercise. I doubt you’ll reach your weight loss goals by using cold water immersion while simultaneously ignoring the key principles of a healthy lifestyle.
When you expose yourself to ice-cold water, your blood vessels constrict, which leads to temporarily reduced blood flow, inflammation and reduced pain.
However, it’s worth mentioning that cold exposure is often counterproductive to speeding up the healing process, which requires increased blood flow so that nutrients can reach the affected tissue.
That’s one of the reasons why I apply heat (often in the form of red light therapy) after a bee sting or other causes of acute inflammation.
Final Thoughts: The Best Cold Plunge Tub Depends On Your Space, Budget and Plunging Frequency
Cold water immersion gained popularity with Wim Hof (aka the Ice Man) when he demonstrated the amazing health benefits of cold therapy. I’ve been plunging for two years and have noticed significant changes in my immunity and resilience (not to mention my ability to thrive in extremely cold temperatures).
I attribute those improvements to regular cold exposure, which acts as a hormetic stressor along the lines of “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
If you have never taken a cold plunge, I highly recommend considering cold water immersion a regular part of your routine. You can even start today by taking a cold shower while you think about which cold plunge tub would work best in your situation.
If you have any questions or concerns about the health benefits of cold plunging or any of the tubs mentioned in this article, just leave a comment below!
Michael 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.
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