Morozko Forge Cold Plunge Review: Is It Worth the Investment?

My introduction to cold plunging came in 2021 at a Biohacking conference in Orlando, where I took my first ice bath in a Morozko Forge cold plunge tub. The experience of sitting on a block of ice at the bottom of a stainless steel tub, submerged in 33-degree water until my limbs went numb, was invigorating enough that I decided then and there to make cold plunging a regular part of my life.

However, the Morozko unit was out of my budget at the time, so I opted for a more affordable model from Plunge brand. Since then, I’ve owned over a dozen cold plunges, ranging from budget options at $150 to high-end models costing $10,000. But I never forgot that first experience with Morozko.

In August 2024, I had the opportunity to visit the Morozko Forge headquarters in Phoenix. I wanted to take a closer look at what sets their cold plunges apart from the other top models I’ve tested. During my visit, I also tried their new upright plunge to see how it stacks up against their classic design.

In this review, I’ll share everything I learned during my visit and explain why I believe Morozko’s cold plunges are worth their premium price.

Key Takeaways

If you’re short on time, here are the most important things to know:

• Morozko’s cold plunges can make ice and filter water at the same time. No other cold plunge I’ve tried has this capability.
• The continuous ozone sanitation system eliminates the need for additional water treatments, ensuring pristine water quality.
• The cooling system, developed in-house, is powerful, quiet, and requires minimal maintenance. In fact, it’s robust enough to turn the water into a solid block of ice.
• The stainless steel tub is fully grounded, providing added safety and health benefits. The overall build quality is unmatched — these plunges are built like tanks.
• Morozko offers industry-leading customer support and a comprehensive warranty. If anything breaks, they’ve got you covered.
• Morozko is one of the most expensive cold plunge options on the market. The exceptional performance, quality and support make it worth the money if you can afford it, but this is a premium product for people who are willing to make a significant investment in their health. 

Form Factor and Models

Morozko started with a classic bathtub-style design, but has since expanded their lineup to include three different models:

1. Original Morozko Forge: This is their OG model, featuring an oval tub design. It offers the same high-quality water filtration system as their other models, but with 25% less cooling performance. It’s still an excellent choice for home users who want a reliable, powerful cold plunge.
2. Morozko Ice Bath: This is their flagship model. It’s a rectangular stainless steel tub that comes in three sizes (60″, 66″ and 72″). It’s the model I first tried in 2021, and it remains one of the most effective and durable cold plunges on the market.
3. Morozko Ice Plunge: The newest addition to the lineup, the Ice Plunge, has an upright design that requires less floor space while holding 30% more water than the classic tubs. This model is perfect for those who need a compact yet powerful cold plunge.

The Ice Bath and Ice Plunge are both available for home and commercial use. The commercial versions come with a more powerful refrigeration and filtration system and a five-year comprehensive warranty, making them ideal for settings with frequent back-to-back plunges.

Chiller Performance

When it comes to cold plunges, the chiller is the heart of the system, and Morozko has taken a unique approach to chilling the water. Most cold plunge manufacturers rely on external chillers that pump water out of the tub, cool it, and then pump it back in — an approach that often leads to uneven cooling and places a heavy burden on the water pump (which can reduce the overall cooling efficiency).

Morozko’s approach is different. They use coiled copper pipes strategically placed underneath and on the sides of the stainless steel tub to cool the water, much like a chest freezer. This design allows the tub to reach and maintain temperatures that can turn the water into solid ice. The cooling performance is truly top-notch (better than any other chiller I’ve tested).

An added benefit of this design is that the water pump’s only job is to filter the water and treat it with ozone, which means the horsepower of the pump doesn’t impact the system’s cooling performance. This results in a quieter and more efficient system overall.

One of the standout features of Morozko’s system is its ability to make ice and filter the water simultaneously. Most cold plunges on the market can either make ice or filter the water, but not both at the same time. This limitation forces those systems to cycle back and forth between making ice and thawing it, which can negatively affect water quality over time and may require the use of chemical treatments.

During my visit to Morozko’s headquarters, I saw firsthand the effort that goes into designing their chiller units. They’ve managed to create a system that’s not only powerful but also easy to maintain. For example, the magnetic side panels that enclose the chiller make filter changes a breeze (see the photo below for an example).

Another feature is that once you’ve turned some of the water into ice, you can turn off the chiller and still maintain a 33 degree water temperature until the ice melts. Thanks to the tub’s excellent insulation, you can enjoy ice-cold water for several days without having to run the chiller constantly. 

Of course, I recommend running the chiller for at least two hours daily to filter and sanitize the water, but this feature can significantly extend the lifespan of certain components, such as the water pump, which typically needs replacement after 20,000 to 30,000 hours of runtime.

Maintenance

Maintaining a Morozko Forge plunge is surprisingly straightforward. The primary task is replacing the sediment filter every couple of weeks, depending on how frequently you plunge. Thanks to the magnetic side panels, this task takes less than two minutes. Additionally, you may need to clean the lint catch inside the tub occasionally and replace the water every few months (again, depending on usage).

Compared to other cold plunges I’ve owned, the maintenance required for Morozko’s units is minimal, which is a testament to their thoughtful design.

Water Sanitation

Water quality is crucial when you’re regularly immersing yourself in a cold plunge. Most chillers I’ve owned include a combination of sediment filtration and ozone sanitation to keep the water clean. Morozko Forge takes this to the next level with a continuous ozone generator that ensures exceptional water quality.

Unlike other systems that treat the water with ozone intermittently (e.g., three minutes per hour), Morozko’s ozone generator runs continuously. This constant treatment eliminates the need for additional water treatment solutions, which I had become accustomed to with other plunges.

It’s worth noting that Morozko uses different sanitation systems for their residential and commercial models. The commercial tubs come with two ozone generators and an additional outlet to improve water sanitation in high-frequency plunging environments. For typical home use, the single ozone generator in the residential models is more than sufficient.

Build Quality

Morozko’s cold plunges are built to last using high-quality materials such as cedar and Meranti plywood — materials typically reserved for shipbuilding. The tub itself is made from 16-gauge stainless steel, making it incredibly durable. The 60-inch residential tub (without a lid) weighs in at a hefty 310 pounds, a testament to its solid construction.

During my visit to Morozko’s facility, I witnessed the craftsmanship that goes into each unit. The attention to detail is impressive, from the precision welding of the stainless steel to the careful assembly of the wooden frame. If you take care of your Morozko tub and reapply tung oil to the wood every couple of years, it’s likely to last a lifetime.

Of course, certain internal components, like the water pump, have a limited lifespan and may need replacement eventually. But the frame and tub are built to endure.

Ergonomics and Space Requirements

Morozko offers two primary form factors: the traditional tub design and the upright plunge. Each has its own advantages depending on your needs and preferences.

The tub design allows for full-body submersion, including your head, which I find particularly beneficial for triggering the fight-or-flight response and learning to stay calm under stress. The ability to slide down into the water and immerse your entire body is a unique and powerful experience.

However, if you’re new to cold water immersion, the idea of lying back in the tub might feel too risky, especially if the tub is large enough that your feet don’t touch the end. This sensation of floating can make some people feel out of control.

That’s where the Ice Plunge comes in. With a bench inside, you can sit upright, which offers a greater sense of control and stability. Getting out is as simple as standing up, which can be reassuring if you’re still getting accustomed to plunging.

The upright design does make it a bit more challenging to submerge your head; you’ll need to lean forward rather than slide back. But the tradeoff is a more compact footprint. 

The Ice Plunge has a 40×32 inch footprint, compared to the 32×82-92 inch footprint of the more traditional Ice Bath. This difference in space requirements is significant and could be a deciding factor depending on your available space.

Consumer vs. Commercial Models

All Morozko models, except the Original Forge with the oval tub, are available in both residential and commercial versions. The primary differences between these offerings lie in the filtration and cooling performance, and the included warranty.

For instance, the commercial models feature two ozone generators working in tandem to maintain water quality in high-frequency environments, such as gyms or wellness centers. They also come with a five-year comprehensive warranty, compared to the three-year warranty offered with the residential models.

If you plan to use your cold plunge multiple times a day or in a setting with multiple users, the commercial model is worth the extra investment.

Price and Value

As I mentioned earlier, Morozko’s cold plunges aren’t cheap. The original Morozko Forge starts at $9,900. The Ice Bath begins at $13,900 for the residential model and $21,900 for the commercial version, and the Ice Plunge costs $17,900. 

These prices might seem steep, especially when compared to cheaper options on the market. But you’re paying for exceptional quality, performance, and support.

Consider this: you could spend $5,000 on an inflatable tub with a chiller made in China, only to find yourself struggling with poor performance and a lack of replacement parts when it breaks down in a couple of years. Or, you could invest in a Morozko Forge, knowing you’re getting the best cold plunge available, made in the USA, with top-tier support.

That said, I understand that not everyone has the budget for a Morozko Forge plunge. I can’t afford one myself at this time, and I don’t know many people in my circle who can. But if you do have the funds and are serious about improving your health and well-being through cold water immersion, a Morozko Forge is worth every penny.

Shop Morozko Forge

If you decide to make the investment, use my affiliate code KUMMER500 to save $500 on your purchase. Not only will you get a discount, but you’ll also be supporting my work (and who knows, maybe one day I’ll be able to afford my own Morozko Forge!).

Warranty

Morozko stands out not only for the quality of its cold plunges but also for the comprehensive warranty that accompanies their products. Unlike many other cold plunge manufacturers that offer limited warranties, Morozko provides a robust three-year warranty on consumer models and a five-year warranty on most commercial models. This warranty covers nearly every aspect of the plunge, ensuring that any manufacturing defects or issues are promptly addressed.

One of the key differentiators of Morozko’s warranty is the 72-hour on-site service guarantee for their pro models. This means that if anything goes wrong, a Morozko technician will be at your location within 72 hours to fix the problem, minimizing downtime and ensuring that your plunge remains in optimal condition. This level of service is particularly valuable for commercial users who depend on the reliability of their equipment.

Final Verdict: Is the Morozko Forge Plunge Worth It?

Morozko Forge has set the gold standard for cold plunges, offering a level of performance, durability, and attention to detail that’s unmatched in the market. Whether you’re looking for the full submersion experience of the traditional tub or the compact, controlled environment of the Ice Plunge, Morozko has a model that fits your needs. Their innovative cooling system, continuous ozone sanitation, and robust build quality make these plunges a solid long-term investment in your health and well-being.

Yes, the price tag is significant. But if you’re committed to leveraging the health benefits of cold water immersion and want the best-in-class product, this is the way to go.

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.