14 Best Cold Plunge Tubs, Tested by Experts (2024)

The Plunge, formerly called the Cold Plunge, is our top pick for the best cold plunge tub on the market right now because it’s spacious, does not require plumbing, uses standard 110-volt power, and can be used indoors or outdoors. 

Coop Mitchell, GGR founder and home gym equipment expert, enjoyed his testing experience and notes, “Honestly, if you plan on taking consistent ice baths, this is by far the ideal option, even though it has a costly price point.” 

Coop thinks this is the ideal option because the chiller can cool water down to 37 degrees. There is no need to go out for ice every time you want to take an ice bath. 

The other things you can expect include: 

• A cell phone holder so you can practice your Wim Hof Method breathwork 
• No plumbing required: It’s designed to be self contained once you fill it from a garden hose or other water source 
• Circular filtration to keep water quality top notch since you don’t need to have new water coming in 
• An ozone sanitation system which is an oxidizer⁵ that breaks down common water contaminants 
• A 20 micron filter pulls out hair, skin cells, and other debris out of the water 
• An insulated cover and fully insulated tub to keep water cool and regulate energy usage 

As a bonus, it also works for tall people. “I was able to lay down in it comfortably,” says Anthony O’Reilly, GGR performance editor and certified personal trainer.

You can read more about our hands-on experience with the original model in the Plunge review. 

It’s about 150 pounds dry and 1,000 pounds when filled with water. Although it’s not the heaviest we’ve tested, we still like the fact Cold Plunge provides you with free in-home delivery. 

The Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro comes with a few more bells and whistles than the average cold tub, such as a larger footprint that’s perfect for people of all heights.

The solid tub is also most likely to last a lifetime thanks to its mostly metal construction, earning it a 5 out of 5 for durability. “This will never lose its shape,” certified personal trainer and lead reviewer of Garage Gym Reviews Everything Lindsay Scheele says. “It is very strong.”

A built-in chiller provides a fast cooldown process that can bring water down to 32 degrees in just a matter of minutes. Having an integrated chiller saves on space, and generally is more efficient than external chillers, as Lindsay can personally attest. “There was literal ice everywhere in the tub and hot damn that water is cold,” she says.

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While the design looks sleek, the all-in-one integration will be heavier—345 pounds, to be exact.

“It took three of us to move this out of the crate into the position we wanted it for testing,” Lindsay says. “Unless you have a freight elevator that can take you to the second floor, I would not recommend that this goes anywhere else besides ground level.”

One cool bonus feature we like is the underwater light for a true spa-like feel or for use at night. We have more details in Lindsay’s Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro review.

The Nordic Wave Viking ice bath tub features a vertical design, which is different from the many bathtub-like plunges we’ve tested and researched. The vertical design allows you to sit in an upright position versus reclining or lying down. Some folks prefer the sitting position during a cold plunge because you’re not exactly relaxing in chilling waters. Ultimately, it’s a personal preference.  

It comes standard with the tub, lid, chiller, and a step stool for dropping into the vertical tub. 

But, certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele says you’re more upright in this tub than in other vertical cold plunges. She gave it a 4.5 out of 5 for durability, saying in our Nordic Wave Cold Plunge review, “It feels very high-end.”

The Viking has a 95-gallon water capacity and can accommodate folks over 6 feet tall. The vertical tub has 2-inch insulation and a heavy, insulated lid to keep the temperature regulated while not in use. 

It’s worth noting that specs below list the overall footprint, which includes the chiller and step stool. The tub alone is 36 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 41 inches tall. It weighs 60 pounds, the tub cover weighs 16 pounds, and the chiller weighs an additional 55 pounds. 

Plus, it comes in three different colors: Charcoal Gray, Arctic White, Slate Blue to fit with your style. 

The Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 can heat and cool, if you want it to. It has the ability to heat and cool a temperature range that goes from 39 degrees to 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’d rather stick with just cooling, the price drops from $4,380 to $3,990 which is a $390 difference. 

Certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele says one of her favorite features is the slightly angled back, which allowed her to fully stretch and enjoy her cold plunge. “It feels more comfortable to lean back and relax into,” she says, rating the tub’s ergonomics a 4 out of 5. She deducted one point because she believes taller people might struggle being able to lay down (the website states it can fit people up to 6 feet, 2 inches tall). “But I think most people will fit this just fine.”

Lindsay also points out the tub feels sturdy despite its lightweight nature—it’s only 110 pounds when not filled. “For being as light weight as it was I think this was a sturdy tub,” she says, rating the durability a 5 out of 5. “There wasn’t any sort of wobble or give to the tub and it felt solid when it was on the ground.”

One thing expert product tester Jake Herod points out about his experience with the Polar Monkeys is the fact the 0.8 horsepower motor is going to take up a decent amount of space in addition to the tub. However, he did like the fact the drain port has two options: You can either drain the tub by unscrewing that cap or you can attach your garden hose to the drain outlet and drain away from the tub and chiller. 

We tested all three cold plunge models offered by this company in our full Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge review.

The Cold Pod costs under $200, making it a great option for people who are looking to get into cold water exposure therapy without breaking the bank. We’ve noticed that the price fluctuates a bit on Amazon, but it tends to stay under the $200 price point.

This is more of an old-school plunge in that there’s no temperature control. How much ice you put into it depends on where you are—someone in northern Montana, for example, will need less ice than someone in the southwest.

Certified personal trainer and expert product tester Lindsay Scheele used it at out Springfield, MO headquarters and agrees it’s good for beginners. “If you are on a budget and half to have a cold tub, get this one,” she says, rating the value a 4 out of 5.

When dry, it weighs under 10 pounds and can be easily transported to a friend’s house so they too can fall in love with it. The company claims it can comfortably support people up to 6 feet, 7 inches tall and some customer reviews support that claim—though our personal experience says otherwise.

“We had Nathan, who’s 6-foot, 2-inches, get into the tub when it wasn’t filled and he took up the entire space and had a hard time getting out of the tub because it was so small,” Lindsay says.

She also warns it might not hold its shape as well as more expensive cold tubs. We have even more details on Lindsay’s plunge experience in The Cold Pod review.

Yes, we’re recommending an inflatable cold plunge tub for outdoor use because, in the words of Garage Gym Reviews Everything Lead Reviewer Lindsay Scheele, the Sun Home Cold Plunge “is one of the most durable” inflatable tubs we’ve tested.

“So far we have had multiple people in and out of the tub, kept water in it for over two weeks and have had no issues with the tub keepings it shape,” Lindsay says, rating the durability a 4 out of 5. “When I compare the outer shell of this inflatable tub to others we have received, I’d place money on this one lasting the longest.”

The tub is made of military-grade drop stitch, which is an ultra-durable material used in inflatable objects to add puncture resistance and help it keep its shape. Though its mighty, the inflatable tub is lightweight and can be brought to anywhere you’re looking to take a dip. The chiller is a bit heftier at 88 pounds, but Lindsay says it’s easy enough for most people to move on their own.

We’ve had testers of all heights try out this tub and everyone has been able to lay down in it comfortably, which is enough to earn it a 5 out of 5 on ergonomics. “It says it can fit people up to 6 feet, 8 inches, and I believe it,” Lindsay says. “I think that two shorter people or one tall person could easily use this tub.”

Lindsay’s one criticism is the draining process because the valve sits a few inches above the bottom of the tub. “There will still be water at the bottom of it and you will need to tip up the tub and dump the rest,” she says. “This is fine for outdoors, but if you have the tub inside it does make things a little more complicated.”

You can get her full thoughts in our Sun Home Cold Plunge review.

The Cold Life Plunge may look too heavy to bring on the road, but at 80 pounds and only 43 inches tall (and 33 inches in diameter) it’s easy enough for most people to hoist into a truck or SUV and bring on the road—it might fit in some sedans, depending on your trunk space. Furthermore, as long as you’re not using a chiller it can be used without electricity.

We picked this over an inflatable model because this is more durable—the exterior is made of aerospace-grade aluminum. “There are no weird seams or pieces that felt compromised,” says expert product tester and certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele. “It looks like one big unit that wont break on you, even when someone lays all their weight onto the sides of the tub as they get into the tub.” She rates the overall durability a 4 out of 5.

Lindsay adds that this is an intuitive cold plunge that can be set up without an instruction booklet. “The tub is already one piece, the stool is one piece and the chiller is one piece,” she says. “You just need to attach the hose to the chiller and the unit, but it was really easy to do.”

Although it’s less than four feet tall, Lindsay notes that it feels very spacious once submerged. “I think people who are larger and taller will be really comfortable using this tub,” she says, rating the ergonomics a 4 out of 5. “You can’t fully extend your legs, but it does feel really spacious and big. You need to sit upright and will be in more of a crunched up position, but I like that. Some people might want more of a horizontal position.”

Unfortunately, what you see is what you pretty much get with Cold Life. There are no extra conveniences like a phone holder or seat, and it’s pretty expensive when compared to other vertical tubs. Our Cold Life Plunge review has our full thoughts.

The Redwood Outdoors Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub is an aesthetically pleasing vertical tank that will fit snugly in a small place. While it could certainly be used indoors, it’s ideal for outdoor use because it does not require power and doesn’t take up a whole lot of room in your yard or on your deck. 

The interior is a plastic liner fitted to the spruce wood exterior. You’ll have to assemble the exterior spruce barrel portion, but the liner comes fully assembled. Additionally, our tester Jake, who has used the Outdoor Alaskan, says, “It has a built-in seat, which is an added perk.” 

The dry weight of the Alaskan is 250 pounds with a 130-gallon capacity. That means with the tank filled, this vertical tub weighs over 1,300 pounds. It also has an easy-to-use drainage system with a relief valve near the bottom of the tank. 

It’s also worth noting that the base price reflects the cost of the tub only, which means you’ll have to bring your own ice to drastically drop the water temperature. The cover is inclided, but the cold plunge chiller unit will cost you an additional $2,899. 

You can read about our hands-on experience in our Redwood Outdoor Alaskan Cold Plunge review.

Although the Ice Barrel 400 has a smaller footprint than other cold plunge tubs we’ve tested, it’s still a viable option for tall folks up to 6 feet and 6 inches and has a 300-pound weight capacity. 

It does not require electricity and can be used indoors or outdoors. It’s also made from recycled low density polyethylene materials and it’s non-toxic, BPA-free, and non-porous. 

It’s much lighter than other ice baths on the market, weighing in at 55 pounds when empty and 930 pounds when full with the 105-gallon capacity. The downside to the smaller and lighter design is the fact it still needs ice to achieve really cold temperatures. 

Because it’s not equipped with electricity and a chiller, Coop Mitchell, the founder of Garage Gym Reviews who has personally used the Ice Barrel, says “It’s practical for someone who wants to take ice baths and doesn’t mind using actual ice. Plus, it’s not double walled for insulation.”

That said, Coop does like the fact that the Ice Barrel can be stored outside and puts you in a great position during use. For anyone who prefers the seated position versus the reclined position, the barrel shape will be in your favor. 

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Read more about Coop’s thoughts in the Ice Barrel review, or you can check out the video review done by Garage Gym Reviews Everything lead reviewer and certified personal trainer Lindsay Scheele.

The Hydragun Supertub may be your ideal choice if you want a cold plunge tub indoors. We like that it has a 60-gallon water capacity and is made from military-grade marine vinyl. 

GGR expert tester and certified personal trainer, Lindsay Scheele says the Supertub is surprisingly supportive and gave it a 4.5-out-of-5-star rating for durability and construction. “You can put your body weight on the edge when getting in and out, which is not always possible with inflatable tubs,” she says. 

During the testing process at GGR HQ our team filled, drained, and moved the Supertub multiple times. “It has held up to our wear and tear, holds its shape, and supports your weight if you want to lean back or on the tub,” Lindsay explains in our Hydragun Supertub Cold Plunge review. 

When shopping for the Supertub, you’ll have the choice between a 0.8 or 0.6-horsepower chiller. If you’re using the Supertub indoors (or outdoors in a moderate climate) you’ll be fine to select the smaller 0.6-horsepower chiller. Both chillers have filtration systems and commercial-grade ozone generators to keep the water quality pristine. 

Keep in mind the tub size is the same regardless of the chiller size you select. If you go with the  smaller chiller, you’ll end up saving about $1,000. The Supertub with the 0.6-horsepower chiller is priced at $3,000. However the brand has a $400 shipping fee regardless of which size chiller you buy.

While Lindsay wasn’t a huge fan of the costly shipping fee, she says the Supertub has a more affordable price than many other tubs she’s tested and reviewed. She also notes the cost includes the insulated cover (which competitors do not always include) and a non-slip mat you can place on the ground. For price and overall value, Lindsay scored the Hyrdragun Supertub 4 out of 5 stars. 

Lindsay’s main callout on the Supertub is the tubing from the chiller to the inflatable tub created quite a bit of condensation. GGR HQ is not a climate-controlled warehouse with dehumidification, so using this inside your home may not produce as much condensation as Lindsay experienced. 

The Plunge Air is an inflatable cold plunge if you’re thinking about carting your tub around from your house to the gym or from a friend’s house to the lake house. 

It can be inflated in 15 minutes with the complementary hand pump that comes with the tub. It’s also fairly easy to drain, deflate, and pack up in the backpack that comes with the tub, too. The dry weight is 28 pounds and it has a 105-gallon water capacity. 

GGR Head of Content and certified personal trainer Nicole Davis says, “The seams are strong, it doesn’t require re-inflating a few times a week, and the hoses are also better quality. Our assembly and testing teams both think this is the most durable inflatable tub we have.”

The base price of $1,190 reflects the tub and soft cover and doesn’t include the chiller system. If you’re interested in regulating the temperature with a more sophisticated system than just adding ice, you’ll have the ability to purchase the brand’s chiller system for an additional $2,300. 

Overall, Nicole and one of our other testers enjoyed the Cold Plunge Air and gave it a 4.25 out of 5 rating. “Compared to a non-inflatable cold tub, this is definitely more compact,” Nicole says. “It’s not as long as many of those, so that’s a consideration if you’re taller.”

Nicole said the inflatable tub was “bowing a little in the middle,” though that might be due to water being in it for a few days, which is not a good idea if you’re going for this type of cold plunge.

For more, check out our Plunge Evolve Series review.

The Inergize Cold and Hot Plunge Tub is pretty much as customizable as it gets: It’s both foldable for on-the-go use and sturdy for staying at home. Plus you can heat, cool, and even use the app to control the temperature remotely with the powerful cooling unit.

Lindsay Scheele, lead product reviewer for Garage Gym Reviews Everything, used the Inergize and timed the process of inflating and deflating. With the air pump that comes with the Inergize tub, it took her team about 10 minutes to inflate and fill the tub (about 60 to 70 gallons).

The temperature regulation system can bring water down to 37 degrees or up to 107 degrees. For reference, the average setting for a traditional hot tub is 104 degrees. Lindsay notes that condensation may appear when changing water temperatures. “We have seen a lot of condensation forming around under the chiller, the tub itself, and coming off the hoses,” she says.

Although it’s inflatable, the tub still feels sturdy. “This tub holds its shape very well,” Lindsay says, rating the durability and construction a 4 out of 5. “Several of us have tested this tub, and it has held up like a champion.”

Its materials are made to support people up to 200 pounds, though there are attachments for people who weigh a little more. The company claims it can support people up to 6 feet, 4 inches tall but one of our taller testers says that might not be entirely accurate.

“I had to bend my knees in order to fit, but I felt as comfortable as one can during my experience,” says certified personal trainer and expert product tester Lindsay Scheele.

Want to learn more? Read our full Inergize Cold Plunge Tub review to see how it stacks up to the competition.

If you’re looking for premium cold plunge features without paying a premium price tag, then consider the Nordik Recovery Ice Bath. This inflatable tub is made with military-grade PVC and can allegedly withstand the weight of a car (they don’t say which kind) and still work, and it can accommodate users from 4 feet, 1 inches to 6 feet, 7 inches—all while costing around $500.

Granted, that budget-friendly price tag is just for the tub itself but it’s still more affordable than most other inflatable tub options we’ve researched and tested. It’s still a great deal even if you include the standard or premium chillers, which can bring the water down to 37 degrees Fahrenheit. The premium chiller can heat the water to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing it to be used as a hot tub to further increase its value.

On top of that, both chiller options are rated for outdoor use so you can leave them outside even if it’s a little rainy. The premium version is the only one with a filter, so the extra price might be worth it to ensure the water is clear of contaminants.

We have the Nordik Recovery Ice Bath at our testing headquarters, though we haven’t had a chance to get acquainted with it yet.

Customer reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with people raving about the quick setup time and comfort of the tub. There’s an included pump and a 30-day trial, and you can choose between a black or brown exterior.

If you’re someone who wants to experience an ice bath, but you’d rather not spend thousands of dollars on fancy cooling systems or use your own bathtub, you may just need a good-old-fashion DIY option. 

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If that’s the case, why not pick up a Tuff Stuff oversized stock tank from Tractor Supply? (As you might know from Coop’s infamous suggestions, some of the best home gym flooring options also come from Tractor Supply.)

GGR head of content and USA Weightlifting L-1 coach, Kate Meier has personally used the stock tank method, keeping the Tuff Stuff tank outside her large home gym where her entire weightlifting team trains. The tub can fit two grown adults, as long as they don’t mind being in close quarters with each other.

While a stock tank does not offer temperature control, it has similar functionality as The Ice Barrel just without a protective cover. 

“We fill the tub with hose water and throw in bags of ice or a collection of frozen water bottles we keep in the gym freezer,” Kate says in our Tuff Stock Tank review. “To keep the tub sanitary between uses, we put Epsom salt in the water and cover it with a tarp. However, we still drain it after just a few plunges.”

The Tuff Stuff tank is made from sturdy low-density polyethylene (which holds up to UV rays, heat, and cold) and has a plug for easy drainage. All for just over $100.