The Very Best Cold Plunge Tubs To Boost Recovery And Well-Being

Dimensions: 34 x 78 x 33 inches | Weight: 345 pounds | Volume: 150 gallons | Material: Stainless steel

For those who want to take the purest, most potent cold plunge possible, the Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro is here for the steel-hearted. You’ll find Olympians and professional athletes from the NBA, NFL, NHL and more gritting their teeth in this tub in the name of making a rapid recovery. That’s because the Cold Plunge Pro features an internal ice generator capable of cooling water down to literal freezing temperatures and then industrial-grade stainless steel insulation to keep it there. Be forewarned that there’s no way to adjust the temperature on this tub; it’s 32 degrees or bust. With that in mind, users should exercise extra caution around timing and adapting to the cold. Start with short bursts and don’t put stoicism above safety. Treat this powerhouse of a cold plunge tub with respect.

Given a gradual introduction, though, the Cold Plunge Pro promises a true ice cold experience. And since summoning the will to step into such frigid water takes enough effort, you’ll appreciate passing off all sanitation duties to the built-in circulation pump, 20 micron filter and UV chamber. Nice touches like a headrest to cut the discomfort, wheels that turn moving this 345-pound behemoth into a one-person job and LED lighting for all-hours use make the Cold Plunge Pro feel approachable despite its intensity.

This cold plunge tub gets our vote for the best overall option because it doesn’t leave any room for excuses that make it hard to start and sustain the habit. The Cold Plunge Pro does every bit of work for you, from presetting the temperature to keeping itself clean to resisting rust and withstanding harsh weather conditions. There’s nothing left to justify your avoidance of the discomfort. This tub will hold you accountable to starting and sustaining your ice bath aspirations. All you ever have to do is get in, grin and bear it.

Pros:

• Maintains a true 32 degrees
• Durable enough to withstand any weather conditions for year-round outdoor use
• Whisper-Chill technology keeps the generator nearly silent
• Self-cleaning and sanitizing

Cons:

• No temperature control
• Expensive

Dimensions: 32 x 27 inches | Weight: 8 pounds | Volume: 79 gallons | Material: Nylon

When I found the Ice Pod during my initial research on the best cold plunge tubs, I thought I’d clicked on an accessory instead of the actual tub, because every other option I’d seen thus far came close to four figures. But no—the Ice Pod really does cost just over $100. Don’t expect all the bells and whistles that premium ice baths offer, like automatic chillers, integrated filters and space to sprawl out. But those fancy features aren’t pre-requisites. The Ice Pod encapsulates the essentials of cold plunging in a way that won’t drain your bank account or attempt to glamorize the experience. It’s just you versus the water.

All you really need to take an ice bath is right there in the name: ice and a bath. But there are downsides to DIYing it, like lugging big bags of ice through the house only for it all to melt within minutes and being restricted to the confines of your bathroom. Ice Pod elevates the experience just enough to make cold plunging more palatable. Insulated walls retain ice for 24 hours, though some users have seen the Ice Pod keep their water cold for several days in a row. When not in use, the Pod collapses to take up less space than an empty air mattress. A few pumps of air and four detachable legs take it from flat to ready for action in about five minutes. If you don’t want to take it apart after every plunge, though, you can trust the UV-resistant nylon material to keep this tub going strong between uses without needing to be stored safely away. The base model comes with a lid, pump, patches in case of any abrasions and a 3-foot drain hose.

You save thousands compared to other cold plunge tubs by providing your own ice, guestimating the temperature and cleaning the Pod yourself every three to five uses. For those willing to put in a little extra labor, that’s well worth the vast price difference. But feel free to make your life a little easier by tacking on accessories like the Chiller, Water Maintenance Pack, Ice Block or Brick, Water Circulation Jet, Floating Thermometer and Ultra Insulated Cover for less than most all-in-one premium tubs. Choose your own adventure (and price) with the Ice Pod.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Space-saving and highly portable
• Compatible with automatic water chiller and filter
• Insulates ice for up to 24 hours

Cons:

• Base model requires fresh ice for every plunge

Dimensions: 59 x 32 x 27 inches | Weight: 21.5 pounds | Volume: 135 gallons | Material: Drop-stitch PVC

It’s hard to put the hurts-so-good nature of a cold plunge into words. But with the Cryospring Portable Ice Bath, you don’t have to. Let your friends and family experience it for themselves, and keep up your regular ice bath routine at the same time. This tub folds down into a backpack no bigger than a ski boot bag. You might have to leave the chiller component at home, but the tub itself goes wherever your shoulders care to carry it. This is an especially compelling feature for those who struggle to “get back on track” with their habits after time away from their home setups and creature comforts. This way, there’s no need to get out of the habit in the first place.

No matter where you pitch it, though, this tub doesn’t seem portable until the time comes to pack it up. You’d never guess that the hollow walls are filled with nothing but air based on how sturdy they are. Plungers of all sizes can put their full weight into them without making a dent. You’ll appreciate the rigidity when your body recoils from the cold as soon as the water touches your skin; the ability to securely support yourself on the sides as you climb in and out takes some of the edge off.

The chiller brings the water temperature down as low as 37 degrees, or as high as 107 if you want to turn the Cryospring into a personal hot tub or experiment with contrast therapy. Set the temperature anywhere in that range from your phone to make sure it’s ready by the time you’re stripped down so you don’t lose your nerve. If you’re not going far, wheels and handles on the 80-pound chiller make bringing along the whole set feasible. The tub also connects to any chiller if there’s one where you’re headed. Even on its own, though, the Cryospring works far better than your typical hotel bathtub.

Pros:

• Backpack carry system
• Cold and hot water capability
• On-demand remote temperature control via mobile app
• Large enough to fit two adults

Cons:

• Separate chiller is hard to transport

Dimensions: 74.8 x 27.6 x 25.2 inches | Weight: 15.5 pounds | Volume: 95 gallons | Material: Drop-stitch PVC

Sun Home already won us over with the Cold Plunge Pro, which still reigns as the best cold plunge tub on the market. The brand’s inflatable model might not have quite the same awe-factor as the sleek and formidable Pro, but that’s not the point. This version takes an entirely different approach to cold plunging that gives it standalone merit. While the Pro remains fixed at an intense 32 degrees no matter what anyone has to say about it, Sun Home’s Portable Cold Plunge allows users to control the temperature down to the degree from 37 degrees up through 104.

This isn’t the only tub on this list to offer a wide range of temperatures, both cold and hot, but it has a serious leg up on other models with this capability due to how quickly the temperature changes. The Cryospring, for example, takes roughly 60 minutes to go up or down by just a couple degrees while this one does the same within 20. That’s no small matter when, like me just last week, you get fully prepared to plunge during a reprieve between meetings only to realize that you forgot to preset the temperature. With any other model, I would have been SOL for hours. But with the Sun Home Inflatable Cold Plunge, I had time to bring it down to the right temperature range before duty called me back to my desk. The thick insulation also helped in this case because the water never warmed up too much from the day before anyway. From then on, though, I made sure to take advantage of the chiller’s 24-hour pre-set feature so I wouldn’t cut things so close next time. I like to schedule it in the app to chill in time for a lunch hour plunge and heat up for a relaxing bath before bed. Both the quick turnaround and the timer make this tub scatterbrain-proof. 

Either way, once it’s ready for action, the Sun Home Portable Cold Plunge creates a more comfortable ice (or hot) bath experience than you’d expect, and for reasons you wouldn’t expect. This tub is longer in length and shorter in height than others. These dimensions make it possible for anyone to stretch their legs out—a surprisingly pleasant perk given how cold water temporarily stiffens your joints—and drape their arms over the sides while seated. I appreciate the way this position gives me just enough control over my posture in the tub to ward off the initial wave of cold-induced panic. 

Pros:

• Cold and hot capability
• Military-grade material for extreme durability
• Fast temperature adjustments
• Comfortable low and long design

Cons:

• Chiller can get a bit loud

Dimensions: 51 x 27.5 x 30 inches | Weight: 25 pounds | Volume: 80 gallons | Material: Drop-stitch PVC

From a metrics standpoint, the Inergize Cold + Hot Plunge Tub doesn’t differ much its other inflatable peers. Similar weight, similar capacity, similar material and construction methods, similar temperature range and remote controllability…To be honest, the lineup does start to look a little repetitive. But the Inergize tub still manages to stake a claim in this increasingly saturated market where configuration is concerned. Setup is a serious breeze. Once you get the hang of it, this tub inflates or deflates in about five to ten total minutes. That’s a big selling point for those who want to start a cold plunging routine but can’t justify setting aside a permanent space for it. If you can’t keep your tub inflated between uses, the Inergize Cold + Hot Plunge Tub will save you time so you’re more likely to pull it out on a regular basis. Even a few minutes on either side adds up.

The Inergize tub also takes a unique approach to sizing. All the aforementioned tubs have opted for one of two extremes: long and lean, like a traditional bathtub, or high and round, like a barrel. This one targets the middle ground with an oval yet short and deep shape. That’s another win for the Inergize in terms of space savings, since its small footprint doesn’t take up as much surface area as other options.

In terms of user experience, though, the design is pretty polarizing. The depth of this tub allows plungers on the tall side to fully immerse themselves in the water without carving out the space for a longer tub. Its high walls also support the neck and back no matter your size or position in the tub. However, users on the shorter side may find themselves feeling constricted by the depth of the water and height of the siding. Consider your relationship with claustrophobia, especially given the spike of anxiety that often comes with the first few seconds of cold exposure, before choosing the Inergize.

Pros:

• Compact size to fit in a variety of spaces
• Fast and easy inflation
• Cold and hot capability

Cons:

• Some may find the dimensions constricting

Dimensions: 76.8 x 31.5 x 28.8 inches | Weight: 270 pounds | Volume: 100 gallons | Material: Acrylic and fiberglass

Premium isn’t all about price. Yes, the Plunge All-In tub does cost a pretty penny more than other cold plunge tubs. But you’re paying for more than just power here. The person who picks a Plunge tub is likely looking for an all-encompassing experience. The health benefits of plunging don’t come from cold exposure alone. There’s power in putting time and energy into an act of self-care that feels special.

The Plunge elevates your everyday ice bath into something straight out of a spa. It starts with appearance. Looks might not be the main motivator behind your cold plunge tub purchase but for something that occupies up so much space, it’s certainly a factor. Most other cold plunge tubs aren’t exactly easy on the eyes. Plunge, on the other hand, doesn’t sacrifice fashion for function. Think of the All-In as the Mac of cold plunge tubs. Sleek white fiberglass walls house all of the nuts and bolts so everything is contained in one aesthetically pleasing package. It’s more like a piece of nice furniture than a tool.

There’s a functional benefit to this tub’s luxe design. You’ll want to show it off, not hide it away, which means you’re more likely to place your Plunge somewhere that’s easily noticeable and accessible. That alone ups your odds of sticking to a regular cold pl