Cold Life Plunge Review (2024): The Larger-Than-Life Ice Bath

The best cold plunge tubs come in all shapes and sizes. Some are easy to lay down in; others let you stretch your legs out; and some have you seated vertically.

As a rather large weightlifter and Olympian, I’m always a little nervous about vertical cold plunges. They can often be on the smaller side, with water capacities under 100 gallons. They’ll work for most people, but probably not for me.

However, GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele, ISSA-CPT, got to try out the Cold Life Plunge recently, and she’s assured me that this can fit larger athletes like me. The Cold Life also claims that this will fit people up to 6 feet 9 inches tall…that should work for me.

But is it the right pick for everyone? We’ll explore who this ice bath is right for in our Cold Life Plunge review.

Professional Reviewers in Recovery Equipment

Since taking our deep dive into recovery tools like ice baths and home saunas, the folks at Garage Gym Reviews has tested quite a few cold plunge tubs—18 and counting. With our team of certified personal trainers, lifting coaches, and competitive athletes, we also have the expertise to know what to look for in top brands in the field of recovery.

Lindsay Scheele, the face of GGR Everything, tried out the Cold Life Plunge. Along with using it for a cold water immersion session, she looked at other aspects of the ice bath, rating each one on a scale from 1 to 5:

• Footprint and portability
• Delivery and setup
• Construction and durability
• Ergonomics and conveniences
• Draining and cleaning
• Overall value

Cold Life Plunge

Cold Life Plunge

GGR Score: 4

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Product Highlights

• Vertical cold plunge tub
• Cools down to 37 degrees Fahrenheit
• WiFi temperature control
• Tub and step ladder available in black or white
• Comes with lid
• Made in the USA

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Powerful filter removes sediment for a clean tub
• Compact
• Step stool and tub available in black or white
• WiFi-enabled temperature control
• UV light disinfection

Cons

• Expensive

Bottom Line

The Cold Life Plunge is a sleek vertical tub that immerses the user in waters as cold as 37 degrees Fahrenheit and is super simple to set up and use, according to our expert product testers.

A Quick Look at The Cold Life Plunge

The Cold Life is a relatively new company, started in 2022 in an attempt to create a vertical cold plunge tub that provided insulation and cleanliness within one tub. Using inspiration from popular tumbler mugs, they designed the Cold Life Plunge, which is manufactured in the USA—specifically in Miami, Florida.

This type of biohacking product is a vertical cylinder that you sit in. The big barrel has a 43-inch height and comes with a stepping stool to help users climb in and out of it. The Cold Life Plunge has a chiller that can regulate the water temperature to as low as 37 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, it has a double filtration system, including a 150-micron filter.

Before You Buy

• The Cold Life Plunge tub can be bought separately from the Pro Curve Chiller. However, the additional chiller is only $3,000 more, and is currently marked down further in a bundle deal. Unless you plan to use a DIY cold plunge chiller, this sale price is the better value option in my opinion, as the tub’s regular price alone is $4,000. 
• In addition to accessories like a UV lid and weatherproof mat, you can purchase a custom logo that The Cold Life will print onto the outside of your cold tub.
• If you’re not sure about cleaning or maintaining the water in your ice bath, The Cold Life offers a 6-month maintenance system—with or without chlorine—for around $200.

Is The Cold Life Plunge Worth It?

While this isn’t as pricey as high-end cold plunge tubs like the Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro, this is still an expensive piece of recovery equipment, costing about $7,000 with the chiller. That cost might simply put it outside of some customers’ price ranges. A better alternative for a vertical tub could be the Ice Barrel at $1,200—but you’ll have to use bags of ice for chilling that cold plunge.

Even at the larger price point, this ice bath still brings a lot of value, leading Lindsay to rate the value a 4 out of 5. “I was surprised by the cost of the tub when I first saw its price. It looks really sharp and is the biggest vertical tub that I’ve ever tried out,” Lindsay says. Her one gripe, however, is that the chiller doesn’t have a heat function as well. “If this tub could also do a hot function I would rate it even higher,” she adds.

Still, since it’s suitable for indoor and outdoor use and a large, comfortable vertical tub, this is a fantastic choice for people who prefer being seated while doing cold therapy.

Cold Life Plunge Specs

Using the Cold Life Plunge 

GGR Everything lead reviewer Lindsay Scheele, ISSA-CPT, tested out the Cold Life Plunge for a 4-minute session. The water temperature started at 65 degrees and it took 10 minutes to reach the desired temperature of 55 degrees. The tub held the temperature very well.

RELATED: How To Cold Plunge

At 5 feet and 4 inches tall, Lindsay felt that this was the largest vertical cold plunge she had tested. Despite it being almost oversized for her, she had no problem climbing in or out of the cold tub. However, she does mention that the size could be a hindrance to some people. “Because of its large vertical design, you may want to avoid this if you have trouble hoisting yourself up with your upper body,” Lindsay warns.

Let’s look at Lindsay’s plunge experience and how the cold plunge performed during the rest of her cold water therapy session.

Footprint and Portability

Although this cold plunge is big, the vertical design keeps the ice bath relatively compact, with a diameter of 33 inches. Like most cold plunge tubs, once you fill the tank up, the weight won’t allow it to maneuver anymore, so make sure you know where you want the ice bath first.

The Cold Life Plunge is still fairly hefty when dry, with a weight of 78 pounds. That’s heavier than some inflatable ice baths, which can weigh as little as 30 pounds when empty. Because of the Cold Life Plunge’s weight and larger size, it’ll be a challenge to maneuver even when empty, earning it a 3 out of 5. However, the tub should move easily enough with the help of a friend.

RELATED: Tru Grit Cold Tub Review

Durability and Construction

Lindsay rates the durability and construction of the Cold Life Plunge a 5 out of 5. It’s made of thick aluminum, which holds its shape extremely well while in use. “There wasn’t any budging at all,” Lindsay explains. “It was very sturdy, and I had no problem resting all of my weight on the sides while dropping down into the water.” She expects this tub to last a long time, especially compared to other tubs she has tested. 

Ergonomics and Conveniences

While a spacious cold tub, the Cold Life Plunge only gets a 4 out of 5 from Lindsay, mainly due to its lack of frills in ergonomics. “While it is spacious and should be comfy for larger people, I didn’t feel like there was a comfortable place to lean your head back or rest your arms,” Lindsay adds.

The largest convenience the cold plunge has is the chiller. The chiller can cool down the water to your desired cold temperature, and features a hose filter to help with cleaning the water. 

Along with the chiller, the tub comes with a stepping stool, which Lindsay said looked like it was straight from a child’s playhouse. To make the stool more appealing, you can select the step color (although the choice is between white and black).

RELATED: Ice Bath Vs Cold Shower

Along with the included conveniences, there are optional extras as well, such as a UV lid, a weatherproof mat, and a skimmer net. Lindsay rates the options and conveniences a 4.5 out of 5, docking a bit of the score for not having mobile access to control the temperature.  

Draining and Cleaning

The Cold Life recommends checking your cold tub’s water daily for quick cleanings or skimming out debris. It also encourages the use of testing strips every few days to guarantee your water levels are correct.

Using harsh cleaning agents can void your 1-year warranty, so the Cold Life Plunge offers chlorine and chlorine-free maintenance kits. If you’re not sure what kind of cleaners to use, I’d go ahead and purchase a maintenance kit for about $200, which will last you for 6 months.

The company also suggests draining the tub on a quarterly basis, but you may need to change the frequency depending on how often you’re cold plunging. There’s a spout at the bottom of the barrel where you can drain the tub. You can attach a hose to it and drain the water through it, although Lindsay warns you may need an adapter for certain hoses. She rates the draining and cleaning a 4 out of 5.

Cold Life Plunge vs Nordic Wave

Nordic Wave

Nordic Wave Viking Cold Plunge

GGR Score: 4.1

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Product Highlights

• Vertical cold plunge tank
• 95-gallon capacity 
• Temperatures down to 38 degrees
• Chiller and filtration system
• Includes lid and step stool

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Three color options
• Upright sitting position
• 2”-thick insulation
• Aesthetic design

Cons

• Expensive
• Requires 120-volt power

Bottom Line

The Viking Cold Plunge from Nordic Wave is a vertical cold tub option that allows you to sit in an upright position. It also comes with a chiller and filtration system. Between the 0.75 horsepower chiller and the 2-inch-thick insulated walls, you can regulate temperatures of the 95-gallon tank as low as 38 degrees Fahrenheit.

Another popular (and larger) vertical cold plunge tub is the Nordic Wave, although its size still pales in comparison to the Cold Life Plunge. The Nordic Wave has a water capacity of 95 gallons. While the Cold Life Plunge doesn’t disclose its water capacity, we estimate it to be around 110 gallons, which is a substantial difference.

Another stark difference is the level of the warranty. The Cold Life Plunge has a 1-year warranty, which isn’t ideal for such an expensive piece of equipment. On the other hand, the Nordic Wave provides a 5-year warranty on the tub, and a 2-year warranty on the chiller. 

If you want a bit more protection against manufacturing defects, the Nordic Wave is the way to go. However, for larger athletes, the Cold Life Plunge will provide a roomier experience, and may be worth the extra cost when compared to the Nordic Wave. Neither one has a chiller that also heats. If you want a cold plunge that can convert into a hot tub, you’ll need to shop around for different chillers and heaters.

You can read more about this comparable vertical tub in our in-depth Nordic Wave Cold Plunge review.

Customer Experience 

The American-made Cold Life Plunge includes a 1-year warranty; for cold plunge tubs, we usually like to see a multi-year warranty. Additionally, they offer 30-day returns, but there is an automatic 10% restocking fee—plus you’re responsible for shipping costs. Because these aren’t the strongest policies we’ve seen from other recovery companies, Lindsay rates the policies a 3 out of 5.

The Cold Life has a pretty expansive FAQ section, which includes setup videos, manuals, and frequently asked questions. There are multiple ways to contact the company on their website—phone, email, and a live chat function. Lindsay contacted the company, and in her experience, she says, “They took two days to reach back out to me, but they were incredibly helpful and knowledgeable when they did.” She rates the customer service a 3.5 out of 5.

Ordering and Assembling the Cold Life Plunge

Sorry, Amazon users; you can only purchase the Cold Life Plunge directly from their website. Fortunately, shipping is free and included in your purchase. The website does warn customers that the cold plunge tub currently has a lead time of 6 to 8 weeks, so be ready to wait a bit for your ice bath. Financing options are available through Bread Pay, and the cold plunge tub is also HSA- and FSA-eligible.

The Cold Life Plunge comes in three parts: the tub, the chiller, and the stepping stool. The only assembly is connecting those three main parts, which Lindsay says is very intuitive. “There are instructions to connect everything, but it’s so easy, most people probably don’t need the instructions,” she says. She rates the delivery and setup a perfect 5 out of 5.

Customer Reviews

At the time of this writing, there is only one solitary review for the Cold Life Plunge. The customer rated it 5 stars. The reviewer is very happy with the results, saying that it “fits great on my balcony, [is] easy to get into and looks even better than pictures.”

We prefer to have more reviews on a product to see what the community thinks of it. As more reviews come in on the cold plunge, we’ll be sure to update this section.

Final Verdict of Our Cold Life Plunge Review

The Cold Life Plunge is a sturdy, durable, vertical cold plunge tub that is spacious enough for larger athletes. While still priced lower than premium cold plunges, the ice bath has a hefty price tag, approaching $7,000 with a chiller. Some may prefer the bathtub layout of other cold tubs (like The Cold Plunge). However, if you enjoy being vertical and sitting for your cold therapy, this is an excellent, high-end choice for larger people.

Full Rating

The Cold Life Plunge

The Cold Life Plunge is a sleek vertical tub that immerses the user in waters as cold as 37 degrees Fahrenheit and is super simple to set up and use, according to our expert product testers.

Product Brand: Cold Life

Product Currency: $

Product Price: 3995.00

Product In-Stock: InStock

Editor's Rating:
4

Cold Life Plunge: FAQs

References

1. Herrera, E., Sandoval, M. C., Camargo, D. M., & Salvini, T. F. (2010). Motor and sensory nerve conduction are affected differently by ice pack, ice massage, and cold water immersion. Physical therapy, 90(4), 581–591. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20090131
2. Srámek, P., Simecková, M., Janský, L., Savlíková, J., & Vybíral, S. (2000). Human physiological responses to immersion into water of different temperatures. European journal of applied physiology, 81(5), 436–442. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004210050065
3. Kox, M., van Eijk, L. T., Zwaag, J., van den Wildenberg, J., Sweep, F. C., van der Hoeven, J. G., & Pickkers, P. (2014). Voluntary activation of the sympathetic nervous system and attenuation of the innate immune response in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 111(20), 7379–7384. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1322174111 

Caine Wilkes, OLY, CNC, USAW-L1

Caine Wilkes is an Olympian, placing 9th in weightlifting at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. A former gym owner, he also has more than 15 years of experience coaching other athletes in weightlifting, CrossFit, and functional fitness.

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