We spent 15 hours in freezing cold water to find the best cold plunge tubs of 2024

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Cold plunging is popular among athletes, but it's easy enough for anyone to do and offers benefits beyond muscle recovery. According to Andrew Jagim, Ph.D., director of sports medicine research at Mayo Clinic Health System, submerging yourself in cold water for just a few minutes increases adrenaline and dopamine, which leads to a burst in energy and alertness. The best cold plunge tubs deliver these benefits in the comfort of your home. 

I talked to four experts and tested eight units to find the best cold plunge tubs across various budgets and needs. The Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge leads the way as our top recommendation overall because it's large enough for two people, heats and cools, portable, and features app connectivity. For those new to the benefits of cold plunge and looking to try it at home without spending thousands, the $130 Cold Pod Ice Bath Tub is our budget pick because it doesn't require much space and is easy to use, though you'll have to provide your own ice.

Our picks of the top-rated cold plunge tubs

Best overall: Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge - See at Sun Home Saunas

Best budget: The Cold Pod Ice Bath Tub - See at Amazon

Best hot and cold: Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 - See at Polar Monkeys

Best for tall people: Ice Barrel 500 - See at Ice Barrel

Best splurge: Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge Pro - See at Sun Home Saunas

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Best overall

The Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge is the best cold plunge tub I tested because of its roomy size, ease of use, and temperature range. It was the tub I kept gravitating back to following testing. 

I was apprehensive about an inflatable cold plunge tub after testing inflatable hot tubs and being disappointed with how easily they sprung leaks. However, the Sun Home Cold Plunge is made with military-grade materials and drop-stitched to resist leaks and punctures. After two months of use, the tub hasn't shown any signs of wear or leakage. Plus, since it's inflatable, it's easier to transport than most high-end plunge tubs. When empty, the tub only weighs about 15 pounds, and if you leave behind the 88-pound chiller, the tub can work as an ice bath.

This is the only tub I tested that could comfortably fit two people. My wife and I are larger than average. We cranked it to the 104-degree maximum and enjoyed a relaxing hot tub experience together. When we were done, I found the one-horsepower chiller brought the temp back down at an impressive 10 degrees per hour.

Setup took about 45 minutes, including 10 minutes to inflate the tub with the included hand pump. I considered installing the Cold Plunge indoors, but the directions said the floor must be able to support 3,000 pounds, which is odd considering it would weigh less than half that full. 

I installed the Cold Plunge on my porch, protecting it from the elements. The chiller should remain covered and not be used when ambient temperatures are below 40 degrees. The instructions had steps for filling the tub with water before and after connecting the chiller. After turns out to be the correct answer. Though, don't turn the chiller on until the tub is full.

The Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge connects to the Tuya Smart app (Android and iOS), which was easy to navigate. I like that I could start the tub chilling from anywhere. The chiller took about an hour to reach my preferred temperature of 50 degrees. After plunging, you're supposed to let it run for a little while to filter the water, and I liked that I could set a timer in the app to turn the chiller off.

Overall, this is the best cold plunge I've tested, and I look forward to using it long-term.

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Best budget

The Cold Pod Ice Bath Tub balances affordability and durability. It's a simplistic design — a barrel tub that holds water and can be chilled with ice — for those who want to try cold plunging without investing thousands of dollars. 

The tub features layers of nylon, insulating foam, and thin PVC. It's pliable enough to fold up and fit into the included carry bag, making this a simple, lightweight portable solution. The tub gets some stability from the six PVC supports that fit around the tub's exterior. As part of the setup, you blow up the rim of the unit using the included hand pump. The setup took five minutes plus another five minutes to fill with water.

Despite the foam and the cover, the insulation was lacking. After a soak at 58 degrees, I let the tub sit with the cover on for 24 hours, at which point the temperature registered 74 degrees. If you plan on using the tub regularly, you'll need a source for large quantities of ice. I found it usually took about 40 pounds of ice to drop the temp 10 degrees.

The Cold Pod is marketed to fit individuals up to 6-foot-7-inches. I think that might be a stretch. With my legs bent, I could submerge just up to my neck. Taller individuals might have trouble fitting their shoulders under the water.

While the Cold Pod didn't experience any leaks during my testing, I have durability concerns based on testing a virtually identical tub, the Savage Ice Baths Portable Cold Plunge Tub. After only a couple of uses, the Savage Ice Bath tore along the seam at the base. The included leak repair kit didn't help. Fortunately, Savage Ice Baths quickly sent a replacement tub.

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Best hot and cold

What sets the Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 apart from the other tubs is the attractive and comfortable design. The tub is gently sloped, which felt more ergonomic to me. It also comes in five designs, including artist-designed wraps.

The powerful one-horsepower chiller has a range of 37 to 102 degrees, though I found it reached 104 degrees, making it the best hot and cold plunge tub. In my tests, it seemed to adjust the temperature by about 15 degrees per hour, whether increasing or decreasing it.

The Brainpod 2.0 uses the same app as the Sun Home Saunas plunge, the Tuya Smart app. The functionality is also the same, including scheduling and changing the temperature from anywhere.

The setup is a bit more involved, as the tub weighs 110 pounds empty. At first, I didn't attach the hoses tight enough, and it leaked, but that was easily remedied using pliers. 

As a 6-foot-tall fella, I had trouble getting into the Brainpod 2.0 up to my neck. Taller folks may want to opt for the XL version, which is $700 more but sometimes marked down to the same price as the standard.

I also tested the Polar Monkeys Cyber Plunge, which uses the same chiller as the Brainpod 2.0. It's completely stainless steel and felt a little roomier than the Brainpod 2.0. I recommend it, though it costs $1,100 more and weighs 180 pounds empty, which made the setup a little harder.

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Best for tall people

I really enjoyed testing the Ice Barrel 500. It's made in the USA of recycled materials, including hard plastic sandwiching a thick layer of polyurethane foam insulation. The steps and an internal seat are built into the tub, and the included lid does an excellent job of insulating the water, even when in direct sunlight. I measured a temperature increase of three degrees over 24 hours during the sweltering summer heat. 

Best of all, the roomy interior can fit people up to seven feet tall. I really liked that I could comfortably sit in it and try different positions. In the two months I've had it in my garden, it hasn't shown any wear. This is a heavy-duty tub. Ice Barrel stands behind it with a lifetime warranty.

The setup was intuitive. Just put it where you want it, install the drain plug at the bottom of the tub, and fill it up. The Ice Barrel 500 is heavy at 115 pounds, so get a friend to help you move it, and don't plan on transporting it often. My wife and I set it up in five minutes and filled it in another 15.

Since this is essentially just a barrel, you'll need to use ice or some other method to cool the water. Ice Barrel just launched a compatible chiller for $3,000, but the current shipping time is over four months. It also offers molds for creating large ice blocks, which might be a good long-term solution if you have a chest freezer.

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Best splurge

The Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge Pro was definitely the fanciest unit I tested. The chiller is incorporated into the tub's construction and reaches the lowest temperature (27 degrees). It even produces ice. To do this, you set the chiller to 26 until the sides and bottom of the tub collect as much as you want, then turn on the defrost function. This heats the stainless-steel tub walls to dislodge the ice, which then floats to the top.

The one-horsepower chiller does its job well. Decreasing the temperature from 55 to 45 takes less than half an hour. From 55 to ice-making is less than three hours. At this price point, I was surprised that the Cold Plunge Pro doesn't heat. It also lacks app connectivity. You control it exclusively with the on-unit color touchscreen. 

The roomy tub is built to last and is ideal for taller individuals. The interior lights cycle through colors to produce a fun ambiance. I liked the feel of the stainless steel and felt comfortable plunging, thanks to the headrest. 

The Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge Pro arrived in a crate, which took several minutes and a crowbar to open. While it has casters, the tub weighs about 345 pounds empty, so installing it is an undertaking. I needed the help of three friends and a dolly to move it where we wanted it. But, once it was in place and the packaging was removed, setup was a breeze. Just close the drain, fill the tub with water, and plug it in.

Thanks to its durable construction and weather resistance, the Cold Plunge Pro is the best outdoor cold plunge we tested. Plus, it's luxurious enough to not look out of place in an executive's or pro athlete's home, which, at its $9,000+ price, may be the target customer base.

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A note on the Plunge

The Plunge is probably the most well-known cold plunge tub among residential users. I tried my best to test it, but each step of the process hit a snag. Of the eight tubs I called in, the Plunge was the last to arrive, taking over two months.

When I tried to set it up, the hose connections were for a different chiller, so Plunge sent out a technician to replace the hoses. Then, once I filled it with water, turned on the jets, and connected the chiller, I found the tub was missing the thermostat. Plus, the chiller wasn't chilling the water. 

To be fair, Plunge sent me a refurbished model. You may not have the same experience with a brand-new tub. I'll be sure to update this guide as we figure out the Plunge. But as it stands now, I can't say I sufficiently tested it, so it's just a footnote in this guide.

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What to look for in a cold plunge tub

When shopping for a cold plunge tub, your budget will likely be the biggest decider of what features you can live without. If you're new to cold plunging, I recommend starting with a basic setup to first see if it's a habit you'll get into. Here are the main decisions you'll have to make when looking for a cold plunge tub.

Chiller or no chiller: A chiller gives you precise control over the water's temperature, but it adds thousands of dollars tothe tub's cost. Without a chiller, you're left to figure out how to get the water cold. The water out of your hose may be cold enough. If not, you'll need a lot of ice, which can be expensive and a hassle. Depending on how often you plan to use it, or how much maintenance you're up for each time you want to take a plunge, splurging for a unit with a chiller could make all the difference, 

Inside or outside: If you use your unit inside, you'll need a spot that can support 1,000 pounds, as the tubs often weigh more than that full and occupied. If you want to use it outside, make sure you have a level foundation. If you live in an area where it freezes in the winter, you may want to empty the plunge and turn it off, as many can't handle freezing temps.

Heating: You may want to use your cold plunge tub as a personal hot tub, too. Many models feature chillers that can be used for both hot and cold water. The hot and cold chillers usually only cost a few hundred dollars more than cold-only chillers and may be worth it for the flexibility, though it takes several hours to go from hot to cold and back.

Size: If you're taller, you'll have a harder time finding a cold plunge tub that accommodates you. Look for the tub's maximum height and maybe subtract an inch or two, as I've noticed manufacturers tend to embellish. The tub's size is also important when thinking about where you want to place your tub. We provide the exterior dimensions for the tubs in our guide. If using a chiller, make sure you leave at least a foot or two in each direction to allow for airflow.

Portability: When on vacation, I missed my cold plunge tub. If you're in the daily habit and a cold shower or bath won't cut it, look for a cold plunge tub that's easily portable. Most chillers weigh 60+ pounds and are harder to transport, so you may need a model that relies on ice for cold water.

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How we test cold plunge tubs

In addition to testing eight cold plunge tubs, I interviewed four experts to find the best cold plunge tubs. Based on my experience, the most important factors to consider are temperature range and accuracy, comfort, and ease of maintenance.

Setup: I set up each of the cold plunge tubs without professional help, though for the larger units, I needed a hand from friends. I noted how easy the instructions were to follow, whether I needed special tools, how long installation took, and how hassle-free the delivery process was. I also looked at whether in-home delivery was available and whether there were special requirements for where the tub could be installed.

Temperature range and accuracy: I used a floating water thermometer to check the chillers' maximum and minimum temperatures. The chillers' built-in thermometers were mostly accurate, and they could achieve their stated maximums and minimums. I also measured the tubs' temperature change after 24 hours of no chilling to see how well-insulated they were.

Comfort: I used each cold plunge tub multiple times, submerging myself up to the chin. I noted what made the tub comfortable or uncomfortable to sit in. Units that offered a comfortable place for me to rest my head and neck got bonus points. Ones that were too small for my six-foot frame lost points. Additionally, I had friends and family ranging in height from 4-foot-8 to 6-foot-5 try the tubs, so I could speak to the size range.

Long-term use: When water sits in a tub for a long time, it gets gross. The tubs had different methods of dealing with this. I maintained each tub according to the manufacturer's instructions and evaluated what made upkeep simple or difficult. I also watched closely for any durability concerns. Depending on use and water treatments, like filtration, you'll want to replace the water in your tub at least once a month.

Portability: Not everyone will want to move their cold plunge tub frequently, but for those who do, I assessed how portable each tub was. The cheaper models were the easiest to transport, while the more expensive models were clearly designed to be left in one spot. Our top pick, the inflatable Sun Home Saunas Cold Plunge, fell in the middle. 

Extras: Features like app connectivity, chiller scheduling, heating, lighting, and more earned a tub extra points. 

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Cold plunge tub FAQs

How do cold plunge tubs work?

There are two types of cold plunge tubs: with and without chillers. The non-chiller models are often called ice baths. Ice is added to the water to cool it down. 

According to Michael Vu, RN, owner of Nurovana, a cold plunge tub company, cold plunge tubs with chillers take a constant stream of water from the bottom of the tub, run it through the chiller, then reintroduce it to the tub. The chiller also has several filters, including ozone and UV, to keep the water clean.

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What temperature should the water be in my cold plunge tub?

"I think a good starting point would be starting at 60 degrees Fahrenheit and then slowly just bringing that down lower and lower as you become more comfortable with it," said Nick Fraher, co-founder of Aquavoss, a cold plunge tub manufacturer.

Andrew Jagim, Ph.D., director of sports medicine research at Mayo Clinic Health System, said it depends on the duration. When the water is in the 40s, he recommends less than two minutes. Above that, you can submerge for longer. "There does also seem to be somewhat of a tolerance type of effect to it as well," he added. As you plunge more often, you will need longer times or lower temperatures to get the same effects.

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How often should you change the water of the cold plunge tub? 

"So you should replace about every four weeks or so, but it really depends on your temperature and where you're located," said Vu. Cold prevents natural bacteria growth, so when it's colder outside, you don't need to change the water quite as often.

Other factors that can affect how often you need to change the water are how often you use the tub and how strong the filtration system is. You can use water test strips and spa chemicals to keep the water clean.

I preferred to stay chemical-free and just changed the water when it started to get cloudy.

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What are the health benefits of a cold plunge tub?

Jagim praised its anti-inflammatory benefits. "It can reduce some of the markers of muscle soreness, muscle damage, which usually manifests as kind of pain and discomfort to the consumer or the athlete."

"It does also seem to have some kind of more mental or cognitive benefits from using it where when you expose yourself to really cold water or cold air in any sense, you kind of get this short-term increase in dopamine and adrenaline, which can sometimes help that person feel more alert, more awake, more energetic," Jagim added.

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How long should you cold plunge?

"The standard in the cold plunge industry is 11 minutes per week," said Vu. "You can split it by three minutes a day, five minutes here, whatever it may be. But as long as you get the temperature for that 11 minutes under 60 degrees, you will see most of the benefits."

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Is it OK to use a cold plunge every day?

"For just the general population, I think it's fine," Jagim said. "But, if someone was a high level athlete and asked me that question of should they do it every day after their run, I would say probably not."

Jagim's reasoning was that daily use compromises improvements in muscle growth due to the decreased blood flow.

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Who should not use a cold plunge? 

"The ones maybe at risk for cardiac conditions or events," Jagim said. "People that may already have blood flow disorders; Raynaud's disease is one that would likely not respond well at all to cold tubs or cold plunging." 

"If you're doing this outside, I think everyone should just be a little bit more cautious in the wintertime just because of the environmental conditions and the risks that could be associated with that," Jagim added.