Top 5 Best Ice Baths of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
(Ice baths available in United States)
By Emily Johnson
Last updated on Jan 25, 2024
Summary: We tested the top 5 most popular ice baths from reputable brands, so you don’t have to. Cold therapy has become very popular recently, for it's many science-backed health benefits. Whether you're an athlete seeking faster and better recovery, or just a regular person wanting to reap all the health benefits, cold plunging is for you! Benefits include muscle recovery, mood enhancement, improved sleep, stress relief among many other benefits.
We researched and spent several weeks testing five indoor and outdoor cold plunge tubs at home. We evaluated the tubs based on how easy set up was, how easy they were to use, what they looked like, and how much they cost. After using all of them, we found that we felt the same physically, so our recommendation is based on the best value for money.
We paid full price for all the ice baths below, and do not receive a kickback from any of them.
We rate the ice baths based on 15+ factors, but mainly the quality, ease of use, maintenance, if they are weather resistant, warranty, customer reviews and more.
We looked at price vs value, and determined which one gives you the best experience without breaking the bank.
THE ICE POD + CHILLER
THE ICE POD + CHILLER
The Ice Pod
The Pod Chiller
included: Ice Bath, Water chiller & 20-micron filtration
Free shipping. 24 months warranty. Easy returns.
Value for money score
4.8/5
Our Top Pick: The Ice Pod (from $99)
The Ice Pod comes with or without a chiller, with the chiller your water can be kept at temperatures down to 39°F (3°C), with continuous flow and 20-micron filtration for sparkling clean water. Save money, time, and hassle - no more ice needed. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, it's energy-efficient and quiet. This is by far the best value for money option out there, as other plunges with the same features are at least 5x the price of this setup.
Power Usage
The IcePod & Pod Chiller won't break the bank or hike up energy bills. It uses the same technology as your home fridge/freezer, which is very economical, expect no more than $0.5-$0.7 per day in electricity usage.
Pros
- Thick insulation with sub zero technology
- High strength UV-resistant nylon fabric
- Fits people up to 6ft7 (or 300lbs) comfortably
- Free from BPA, phthalates & any other harmful chemical traces
- Up to 24 month warranty, 100 days return policy, 30 days test trial
- Best Priced Chiller & Ice Bath Combo starting at less than $1,000
- 20-micron filtration and cooling down to 39°F (3°C)
- Fully Portable & easy to set-up
- 6000+ 5-star rewiews
Cons
- Only available for customers in the USA (for now)
The Bottom Line
This is a great product if you are looking to get the best value for a high quality ice bath, without spending $5000+ for similar ice bath with the same features and cooling options. You can buy it with the chiller and never have to buy ice again, or get the most affordable option without the chiller from just $99 (we then recommend getting the ice bricks they offer to make ice in your home freezer). The installation process is easy and straightforward, and takes just 10 minutes. Additionally, they have A+ customer support and live chat available for any issues or questions. This is the no-brainer option for us, considering both the highest quality, safe & durable materials with a premium feel, while being the most affordable option that competes with ice baths priced 5 times higher. It also arrived surprisingly fast, just 3 days after we placed the order. The Ice Pod is space efficient, affordable & easy to set-up. If you want to do ice bathing right, we highly recommend this #1 editor’s pick. Click shop now above to learn more about The Ice Pod.
This is a great product if you are looking to get the best value for a high quality ice bath, without spending $5000+ for similar ice bath with the same features and cooling options. You can buy it with the chiller and never have to buy ice again, or get the most affordable option without the chiller from just $99 (we then recommend getting the ice bricks they offer to make ice in your home freezer). The installation process is easy and straightforward, and takes just 10 minutes.
Additionally, they have A+ customer support and live chat available for any issues or questions. This is the no-brainer option for us, considering both the highest quality, safe & durable materials with a premium feel, while being the most affordable option that competes with ice baths priced 5 times higher. It also arrived surprisingly fast, just 3 days after we placed the order.
The Ice Pod is space efficient, affordable & easy to set-up. If you want to do ice bathing right, we highly recommend this #1 editor’s pick. Click shop now above to learn more about The Ice Pod.
STOCK TANK
STOCK TANK
Stock Tank
Stock Tank
Included: Stock Tank
Value for money score
3.2/5
Pros
- Affordable initial purchase price
- Durable, designed for outdoor use
- Good option if you live in cold climate
Cons
- Almost zero insulation, can only be used in winter
- No built-in filtration or water treatment, water gets extremely dirty
- Highest ongoing costs for ice or cooling
- Requires effort for setup, maintain, and control temperature
- Not specifically designed for ice baths - limited warranty if any
The Bottom Line
While stock tanks present a budget-friendly entry point into the world of ice baths, they fall short on delivering a comprehensive and hassle-free cold therapy experience. The necessity for DIY modifications, ongoing maintenance, and the industrial aesthetic might detract from the overall value, especially when compared to specialized ice bath solutions designed for ease of use, comfort, and efficiency. In the realm of therapeutic ice baths, investing in a product that's specifically tailored for this purpose can significantly enhance the experience, justify the expense, and ensure a more satisfying and effective cold therapy session.
THE PLUNGE
THE PLUNGE
The Plunge
The Plunge
Included: Plunge Tub + Cover + Cell Phone Holder
Value for money score
2.7/5
Pros
- Free curbside delivery
- Includes a phone holder
- Sleek design
- Free from BPA, phthalates & any other harmful chemical traces
Cons
- Bigger sized, you need to have a large space available for the tub
- Long and more complicated setup time, heavy and not moveable
- Extremely high price point starting at $4,990, this is out of most peoples price range
- Includes delivery at home, but does not include the set-up itself
- Limited warranty, not all defects and issues covered
- Small selection of accessories & lots of maintenance required
The Bottom Line
If you have the space and are willing to spend almost $5,000 this is an option. You need to be willing to invest financially and commit a larger space for this ice bath. It does count with a high quality tub and good cooling system so you won’t need to wait for the water to reach the desired temperature. However, we did not love this option as it requires some serious space, care and is challenging to move if needed. The price point was the main drawdown of this option, comparing it to our first pick, we do not see the justification to spend 5 times more money for this option.
ICE BARREL 400
ICE BARREL 400
Ice Barrel 400
Ice Barrel 400
Included: Ice Barrel + Lid
Value for money score
2.3/5
Pros
- Effective upright design
- Free from BPA, phthalates & any other harmful chemical traces
Cons
- Doesn’t include a Chiller
- Extremely expensive, even without a chiller
- Not easily portable as it’s not compact, expensive to ship
- Lacks professional insulation, will not stay cold over time
- Bulky and not comfortable to use for some, you need to stand while plunging
The Bottom Line
If you are specifically looking for a barrel design, this might be your best option. It does not come with a chiller and is one of the most expensive ice bath without a chiller on the list. Bare in mind you will still need to buy ice or a chiller on top of the listed $1000+ price. However, at nearly $1,200, we were disappointed that this option is actually not fully insulated, since it’s just plastic that, while thick, does not insulate the water like some of the other options. The value provided does not justify the extremely high price point in our opinion. We would recommend getting the Ice Pod + chiller instead which includes a chiller, has insulation, all at a lower price than this barrel-only option.
GENERIC ICE BATH
GENERIC ICE BATH
Generic Ice Bath
Generic Ice Bath
Included: Ice Bath
Value for money score
1.8/5
Pros
- Cheapest price point
Cons
- Cheap plastics containing BPA & Phthalates
- May ship from China, long shipping time
- Small size where you can't fit comfortably
- Poor quality material, deterioates & and leaks after a few uses
- No warranty coverage or support
- No chiller compatible
The Bottom Line
If you are just looking for a cheap ice bath, and don’t care about the materials, shipping time and warranty you can go for a generic ice bath brand and use it while it lasts. We tested 3 of these options from Amazon, and was severely disappointed. One of them took 3 weeks to arrive, and the other came with a severe plastic and chemical smell. All 3 started leaking after just 1-2 weeks of use. Lastly, our test person was 6ft2, and could barely fit in any of these tubs, the shoulders and arms were not able to be fully submerged. These 3 options were deceivingly similar to our #1 Choice (The Ice Pod), but around $10 cheaper. It is now clear to us though, that these similar looking tubs are simply poor quality knockoffs, and not worth the time and money. After further research we found that The Ice Pod was the original Ice bath of this kind, so it all made more sense why the lower price point is in this case, matches the lower quality and experience.
If you are just looking for a cheap ice bath, and don’t care about the materials, shipping time and warranty you can go for a generic ice bath brand and use it while it lasts. We tested 3 of these options from Amazon, and was severely disappointed. One of them took 3 weeks to arrive, and the other came with a severe plastic and chemical smell. All 3 started leaking after just 1-2 weeks of use. Lastly, our test person was 6ft2, and could barely fit in any of these tubs, the shoulders and arms were not able to be fully submerged.
These 3 options were deceivingly similar to our #1 Choice (The Ice Pod), but around $10 cheaper. It is now clear to us though, that these similar looking tubs are simply poor quality knockoffs, and not worth the time and money. After further research we found that The Ice Pod was the original Ice bath of this kind, so it all made more sense why the lower price point is in this case, matches the lower quality and experience.
TOP CHOICE 2024
TOP CHOICE 2024
Why The Ice Pod is Our Number One Choice: The #1 Affordable Pod + Chiller for Ice Baths
The Ice Pod
The Pod Chiller
included: Ice Bath, Water chiller & 20-micron filtration
Free shipping. 24 months warranty. Easy returns.
Value for money score
4.8/5
Our Top Pick: The Ice Pod (from $99)
The Ice Pod comes with or without a chiller, with the chiller your water can be kept at temperatures down to 39°F (3°C), with continuous flow and 20-micron filtration for sparkling clean water. Save money, time, and hassle - no more ice needed. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, it's energy-efficient and quiet. This is by far the best value for money option out there, as other plunges with the same features are at least 5x the price of this setup.
Power Usage
The IcePod & Pod Chiller won't break the bank or hike up energy bills. It uses the same technology as your home fridge/freezer, which is very economical, expect no more than $0.5-$0.7 per day in electricity usage.
Pros
- Thick insulation with sub zero technology
- High strength UV-resistant nylon fabric
- Fits people up to 6ft7 (or 300lbs) comfortably
- Free from BPA, phthalates & any other harmful chemical traces
- Up to 24 month warranty, 100 days return policy, 30 days test trial
- Best Priced Chiller & Ice Bath Combo starting at less than $1,000
- 20-micron filtration and cooling down to 39°F (3°C)
- Fully Portable & easy to set-up
- 6000+ 5-star rewiews
Cons
- Only available for customers in the USA (for now)
The Bottom Line
This is a great product if you are looking to get the best value for a high quality ice bath, without spending $5000+ for similar ice bath with the same features and cooling options. You can buy it with the chiller and never have to buy ice again, or get the most affordable option without the chiller from just $99 (we then recommend getting the ice bricks they offer to make ice in your home freezer). The installation process is easy and straightforward, and takes just 10 minutes. Additionally, they have A+ customer support and live chat available for any issues or questions. This is the no-brainer option for us, considering both the highest quality, safe & durable materials with a premium feel, while being the most affordable option that competes with ice baths priced 5 times higher. It also arrived surprisingly fast, just 3 days after we placed the order. The Ice Pod is space efficient, affordable & easy to set-up. If you want to do ice bathing right, we highly recommend this #1 editor’s pick. Click shop now above to learn more about The Ice Pod.
This is a great product if you are looking to get the best value for a high quality ice bath, without spending $5000+ for similar ice bath with the same features and cooling options. You can buy it with the chiller and never have to buy ice again, or get the most affordable option without the chiller from just $99 (we then recommend getting the ice bricks they offer to make ice in your home freezer). The installation process is easy and straightforward, and takes just 10 minutes.
Additionally, they have A+ customer support and live chat available for any issues or questions. This is the no-brainer option for us, considering both the highest quality, safe & durable materials with a premium feel, while being the most affordable option that competes with ice baths priced 5 times higher. It also arrived surprisingly fast, just 3 days after we placed the order.
The Ice Pod is space efficient, affordable & easy to set-up. If you want to do ice bathing right, we highly recommend this #1 editor’s pick. Click shop now above to learn more about The Ice Pod.
How The Ice Pod Works
Introducing the Pod & Water Chiller for Ice Bath! Say goodbye to ice and hassle! This solution cools water to 39°F (3°C), with continuous flow and 20-micron filtration. Save money, time, and hassle with no more ice needed. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, it's energy-efficient and quiet.
We recommend adding 15-40lbs (7-18kg) of ice to the Ice Pod per session depending on the initial water temperature. The amount of ice needed highly depends on your tap water temperature, the climate you live in, and how cold you desire it to be. If you live in colder climates, adding ice may not even be needed.
They also offer an XXL Ice Block which makes huge 3lb. ice blocks in your home freezer that will last significantly longer than regular cubed ice.
Since the pod is insulated it will keep the water cold for longer, and you may therefore not have to add as much ice after the first time.
Diameter: 32 inches (80cm)
Height: 30 inches (75cm)
Weight: 9 lb (4 kg)
Capacity: 105 gal (400L)
Suitable for heights up to 6′7 foot (2.05m) and fits people weighing up to 250-320lbs (115kg - 150kg) comfortably.
To keep the water clean for long periods of time, they recommend getting their Water Maintenance Pack
This Pack includes 2 months supply of a custom formulated disinfectant & cleanser you need to have perfect clean and clear water.
Using these products, you'll likely not have to change your water for weeks to months.
If you don't use sanitizer in your ice bath, we recommend changing the water once per week or every 3-5 sessions.
Yes! The Ice Pod includes a waterproof cover to keep the water clean.
They recommend also adding the Insulated Lid for extra insulation so your water stays cold for longer
To get the health benefits, you'll need to stay in cold water below 59º fahrenheit (15°C) for three to eight minutes.Cold water therapy works best with the right combination of time and temperature. Each individual is different and some people can tolerate lower temperatures.
No! The Power usage of our top picked chiller is only 280 watt, which is comparable to the freezer/fridge in your home.
Example of power usage: at 77°F (25°C) room temperature, and chiller temperature set at 46°F (8°C) will consume around 1.4-1.8 kWh per day (every 24 hours). With todays average kWh in the USA that equals to just around $0.6 per day in electricity cost to run the Chiller 24/7.(These are estimates and can vary depending on the climate and temperatures where you live).
They say they get this one a lot, but the answer is surprisingly simple. The core mission at The Pod Company is to make healthy and wellness tools accessible for everyone, so you don’t have to sell your kidney to be able to afford a premium ice bath.
Their water chiller is priced lower than our competitors, actually up to 5 times lower, which they can do because they developed it from scratch, using components from chest freezers, which are already mass produced and therefore much more affordable than the ice bath industry.
By ordering very large stock quantities, streamline the production process and much more, they can offer this extremely low and attractive price point which really revolutionises the ice bath industry.
Their water chiller is a high-quality and an affordable option for your ice bath needs, without the huge markup most other brands put on their ice baths.