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Cold plunge therapy, aka freezing your balls off for health benefits, used to be plain weird. Now, it’s a health craze that all sorts of people—Liver King, Wim Hof, Lebron James, Joe Rogan, and even Oprah—are on board with.
And no, we don’t literally mean freezing off your balls. But the benefits of cold plunge therapy for your whole body have been found to promote blood flow, improve immunity, manage pain, and decrease cortisol levels, among others.
The gateway into this very regimen often involves turning your shower temperature all the way down and standing under a teeth-chatteringly cold stream for up to two minutes. And while a cold shower sounds mildly torturous, we assure you that submerging into an ice bath is actually less so.
The highlights of cold plunging and best cold plunge tubs for the job, below.
- Best Overall: Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro ($8,599)
- Best for Small Spaces: Ice Barrel 400 ($1,200)
- Best Hot/Cold Hybrid: Aleko Natural Pine Hot Tub and Cold Plunge Tub ($3,229)
- Sleekest Design: Polar Monkeys The Portal ($2,690)
- Best Indoor/Outdoor: The Cold Plunge ($4,990)
- Most Customizable: Renu Therapy Cold Stoic ($9,700)
- Best Budget Option: Muro Portable Inflatable Bath Tub ($80)
- Best Portable Option: The Cold Pod Ice Bath ($120)
- Best for Tall People: Ice Barrel 500 ($1,500)
- Best DIY Option: Rubbermaid 100 Gallon Structural Foam Stock Tank ($140)
What Are the Benefits of a Cold Plunge Tub?
Using a cold plunge tub falls under the catch-all term cold water therapy which encompasses ice bathing, cold plunging, and cold showering. The list of claimed cold water therapy benefits is long, but the science-backed benefits include (1, 2, 3):
- Relieves muscle soreness
- Improves mood
- Supports better sleep
- Boosts immune system
- Reduces inflammation
- Speeds up metabolism
- Increases testosterone
It’s worth noting that of all the cold water therapy options, a cold plunge tub might be your best bet. Cold plunge tubs excel in temperature control and full body immersion—two important factors that are tough to master in a shower or a classic DIY ice bath that can make your cold water therapy session more effective.
Ready to graduate from an ice shower to a cold plunge tub? We’ve rounded up a handful of options—from bougie to basic—that get the job done.
RECOVER FASTER
What to Look for When Buying a Cold Plunge Tub for Your Home
Size
Cold plunge tubs aren’t one-size fits all, which can be an especially annoying thing to find out after you’ve already purchased one and filled it with water. Make sure to check the size of the entire footprint when deciding where you want it placed in your home.
Most cold plunges on the market can fit a human of average weight and height, but if you’re gifted in the brawn or height department, you’ll want to take a closer look at the interior capacity to ensure you’ll fit comfortably inside for the three or so minutes you’ll be submerged every day. Models like the Ice Barrel 500 are specifically designed for those up to 7 feet tall.
Filtration
If you’d prefer to set it and forget it, rather than manually filling and draining your cold plunge tub on a regular cadence, you might want to opt for a design with built-in filtration. Although a bit more expensive than your typical cold plunge, these models will ensure that you never have to drain and refill for clean water at all times. Models like Sun Home’s Cold Plunge Pro and The Cold Plunge come with built-in filtration systems.
Temperature Range
The cold plunge benefits are aplenty, from recovery to mood-boosting to burning fat, but to reap the benefits, you need to ensure you’re plunging at the right temperature and for the right amount of time. The general consensus for a safe cold plunge is anywhere from four minutes to 20 minutes in water between 50 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit. If you think 50 degrees is nothing, it’s probably colder than you realize. Start with a few minutes, and build up over a few weeks as you get more acclimated to the temperature.
The Best Cold Plunge Tubs
Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro
Best Overall
If you want to recover like your favorite athletes, Sun Home’s Cold Plunge Pro better be at the top of your list. As the trusted recovery tool for NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB, UFC, and Olympic athletes, according to the brand, it creates truly icy conditions (it actually generates ice) for maximum recovery benefits. It can be programmed to reach freezing temperatures, unlike many ice baths which can’t be programmed at all. Plus, it’s self-cleaning, sturdy, portable (thanks to wheels), and rated for outdoor use—its exterior is made of military-grade materials that can withstand even the harshest environments, which earns it the top spot on our list.
Coldest temperature: 32 degrees Fahrenheit
Water capacity: 150 gallons
Dimensions: 78” L x 34” W x 33” H
Material: industrial-grade stainless steel tub with tough, durable outer coating
Ice Barrel 400
Best for Small Spaces
It may look like nothing, but it tops many best cold plunge tub lists on the Internet, thanks to its no-fuss, and quite literal, design. This barrel is lightweight and portable, so you can move it from the privacy of your garage to the back deck if you so choose. It’s designed for most body types to sit fully submerged in ice-cold water (there’s also a wider, shorter model), which stays ice-cold thanks to the sturdy lid and protective UV cover. It even comes with a non-slip step-stool which makes getting in and out the easiest part of the endeavor.
Coldest temperature: 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Water capacity: 105 gallons
Dimensions: 31” W x 42” H
Material: Low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE)
Aleko Natural Pine Hot Tub and Cold Plunge Tub
Best Hot/Cold Hybrid
If you’re looking for something more versatile, this dual hot/cold plunge tub is where it’s at. It’s made of solid pine and 422 gallons of water, which is enough for four to five people to enjoy the cold plunge benefits at the same time. If nothing else, this cold plunge tub is aesthetically pleasing, so it might make you want to use it more often.
Coldest temperature: Not disclosed
Water capacity: 422 Gallons
Dimensions: 35.4″L x 70.9″W x 88″H
Material: Pine wood and stainless steel
Polar Monkeys The Portal
Sleekest Design
Based on looks, this cold plunge tub is at the top of our list. Like the previous option, this one can be bought as a cold plunge/hot tub hybrid for an extra $600. It can also be customized in four-foot or six-foot lengths, which might be necessary to sit comfortably if you’re a very tall dude. This cold plunge tub is also the first on our list that uses water-chilling technology, rather than just being a vessel to dump ice into. This means that water is chilled and ready for a quick dunk any time of day, without worrying about refilling it.
Coldest temperature: 39 degrees Fahrenheit
Water capacity: 100-125 gallons
Dimensions: 48”-60” L x 24” W x 24” H
Material: Galvanized steel
The Cold Plunge
Best Indoor/Outdoor
Convenience is king, and the Plunge delivers in spades. This aesthetically pleasing cold plunge tub can be placed indoors or out and is fully outfitted with powerful cooling, filtration, and sanitation capabilities for a “plug and plunge” experience (the brand’s words, not ours). All you have to do: fill the Plunge up with a hose, turn it on, set your temperature (which goes down to 39F), and climb in. It’s fully insulated, equipped with an underwater light, and doesn’t require any plumbing hookups. If you’ve already committed to cold exposure a few times per week, this cold plunge tub is a worthwhile investment.
Coldest temperature: 39 degrees Fahrenheit
Water capacity: 75 gallons
Dimensions: 67” L x 31.5” W x 24” H
Material: Acrylic and fiberglass with a reinforced metal base
Renu Therapy Cold Stoic
Most Customizable
When it comes to customization, the Renu Therapy Cold Stoic reigns supreme. Choose a color for the base, wood grain for the deck, and whether or not to add a spa light package. Technology-wise, it features an always cold and clean system that makes adding cold plunge therapy a simple daily practice whenever you need a quick pick-me-up. Its programmable thermostat allows total control of the temperature whether it’s indoors or out, and it’s good looks don’t hurt either.
Coldest temperature: 36 degrees Fahrenheit
Water capacity: 80 gallons
Dimensions: 64” L x 33” W x 34.25″ H
Material: Titanium, wood, four-layer insulating technology
The Cold Pod Ice Bath
Best Portable Option
Weighing in at just nine pounds (without water), the Cold Pod Ice Bath is the ideal on-the-go cold plunge solution. It’s designed for use both indoors and outdoors thanks to its multi-layer design and removable lid that keeps the cold in for extended periods. It’s recommended that you drain, rinse, and replace the water at least every four weeks—the Easy Flow Drainage System makes this a quick and easy process. Its cylindrical design works for most body types and can accommodate heights up to 6’7.
Coldest temperature: 50 degrees Fahrenheit
Water capacity: 116 gallons
Dimensions: 35.5”L x 35.5” W x 30” H
Material: PVC inner layer, nylon outer layer, Pearl Foam middle layer
Ice Barrel 500
Best for Tall People
Ice Barrel’s newest product, the Ice Barrel 500 maintains the same reputation for cold plunge excellence as the 300 and 400 models, but what makes it different from the others? Two reasons: It has built-in steps for easy entry and an internal seat and generous interior space allowing you to fully submerge up to your neck for maximum benefit. It’s big enough to fit nearly all body types up to seven feet tall, making it the perfect choice for athletes and people of larger stature.
Coldest temperature: 40 degrees Fahrenheit
Water capacity: 94 gallons
Dimensions: 57.6” L x 30.7” W x 42.1” H (fits most body types up to 7’)
Material: Low linear density polyethylene (LLDPE)
Muro Portable Inflatable Bath Tub
Best Budget Option
No, you don’t have to drop three Gs to get the benefits of a cold plunge tub. This Amazon blow-up tub gets the job done without any bells and whistles—though it does come with a seat cushion to make the whole experience that much more enjoyable. Not to mention, it can be folded and stored away when not in use, if you don’t mind refilling it when you want to hop in for some cold therapy. While it’s certainly not the most convenient, it’s a great entry point for those thinking about investing in a cold plunge tub.
Coldest temperature: 50 degrees Fahrenheit
Water capacity: 90 gallons
Dimensions: 29.5″ L x 29.5″ W x 29.5″ H
Material: PVC
Rubbermaid 100 Gallon Structural Foam Stock Tank
Best DIY Option
Love the idea of having a cold plunge tub at the ready, but don’t want to commit to a self-filtering version yet? A Hone Community member created a DIY cold plunge tub with this stock tank. Just fill it with a hose, toss in a case of frozen water bottles, and climb in. Frozen water bottles don’t melt as quickly as ice cubes and can be put back in the freezer for the next session. Genius.
Coldest temperature: Not disclosed
Water capacity: 100 gallons
Dimensions: 53” L x 31” W x 25” H
Material: Structural foam
- Scientific Evidence-Based Effects of Hydrotherapy on Various Systems of the Body.
- Effects of Cool-Down Exercise and Cold-Water Immersion Therapy on Basic Fitness and Sport-Specific Skills among Korean College Soccer Players.
- Effects of cold water immersion after exercise on fatigue recovery and exercise performance–meta analysis.
