Cold Plunge: The Best Ice Bath Tubs in 2024 For Cold Therapy Recovery At Home
A daily cold plunge is the biggest exercise recovery biohack - we tried every ice bath tub we could find for cold water therapy at home
Best Ice Bath Tub For Cold Plunge in 2024
An ice bath tub offers an effective way to create cold water exposure in a controlled environment for exercise recovery.
Finding the best ice bath tubs for cold plunge at home or for commercial use is no longer a challenge with loads of cold plunge tubs hitting the recovery space.
Lately, you’ve probably seen cold plunge tub pop up on your Instagram or TikTok feed featuring an ice filled barrel or tepid cold plunge pool with stoic faced (or not) plunger trying to stay a little longer. Joe Rogan admits to frequently using ice bath for recovery and recently spoke with Andrew Huberman about the benefits of cold plunge.
The best athletes and biohackers have been using cold water exposure, ice baths, cold plunge, cold therapy, cold water immersion (or whatever you want to call it) for decades to get the benefits of faster recovery, improving sleep, mental health, reducing muscle aches, pains and swelling, norepinephrine and dopamine release, weight loss and a host of other benefits. Cold plunge is ideal to recover from running, marathons, adventure racing, HIIT, team sports, cycling, weightlifting or even from a hard day at work.
The truth is, an ice bath tub is an investment in a holistic practice that can be done every day and produce dramatic changes in health and can even be used to help manage chronic pain and autoimmunity.
Depending on your budget, there is a purpose built ice bath tub like the PlusLife, Ice Barrel, Cold Plunge, Odin Ice Bath, Blue Cube, Morozko Forge, Edge Theory Labs, Brass Monkeys or Polar Monkeys that range in functionality, with some requiring ice to chill each cold plunge and others having the luxury of their own built in chiller units for setting a custom temperature to the degree.
There’s also the portable inflatable, budget options for ice bath tubs like the Peakn Ice Bath Australia, Muro on Amazon, ICool Sport or Pride on The Line portable plunge pools which you can buy online. A lot of handy people even try converting a chest freezer into an ice bath tub as a suitable alternative for cold plunge at home.
In this article, I will show you the 10 best ice bath tubs to buy online in 2024, what to look for when buying a cold plunge tub and the benefits of ice baths. After reading this, I am confident you will have the right information to go out and buy your own home ice bath setup whether you are looking for a portable ice bath, cold plunge pool or something more fixed like an ice bath tub with built-in cooler or chiller unit.
The Best Ice Bath Tub - Our Top Picks
Best Overall Ice Bath: Ice Barrel
Use discount code GURU for $150 off at checkout
The Ice Barrel is the overall best ice bath tub for cold plunge at home due to its purpose built upright position, durable shape and design and simplicity of the Ice Barrel makes it a no-brainer for cold therapy setup at home. Simply add ice and water to this ice barrel and leave the lid on while the temperature gets to your desired level for cold therapy. The Ice Barrel is much lighter than it looks, super simple to set up, easy to use, easy to drain and can be left filled for multiple uses before refreshing making it perfect for athletes to use for post-game or competition cold therapy. Ice barrel offers a limited lifetime warranty too.
Best Pro: Cold Plunge Ice Bath
Use code GURU for $150 discount at checkout
As far as commercial spaces like gyms and wellness spaces goes, the Cold Plunge Pro is a premium ice bath tub for sure. This ice bath option is one that comes with a high price tag but a huge benefit for long term use and design aesthetic for a high end home or gym. The Cold Plunge uses powerful cooling, filtration, and sanitation to give you cold, clean water whenever you want it, making it far superior to an ice bath or chest freezer. The Plunge is acrylic and safe for indoor or outdoor use and installation is basically ‘plug-and-plunge’. Fill your Plunge up with a hose, turn it on, set your temp (down to 39F) and you're all set. Cold Plunge comes in standard a few different models including the Plunge, XL and PRO version which allows for both cold and hot plunge pool.
Best Ice Bath Australia: Ritual Original Dual Ice Bath Tub
Use code RECOVERYGURU for $150 discount at checkout
The Ritual Original Dual Plunge Tub is the best ice bath tub Australia for sale with both hot and cold capability. The Ritual Ice Bath has the temperature range of 3C - 42C all controlled by a powerful 1.5HP WIFI chiller unit, giving you cold or hot plunge on demand for a price of $8490. The Ritual Plunge is one of the latest ice baths Australia and features a stainless steel interior, powder coated metal exterior and Alder wood timber panelling for a stylish finish for indoor and outdoor use.
Best Ice Bath Design: Odin Ice Baths
Use code RECOVERYGURU for $250 discount at checkout
The Odin range of ice bath tubs are like no other cold plunge tub we have seen. The Odin has the best ice bath tub design on the market. These cold plunge tubs are hand crafted in Australia and finished with 100% Western Red Cedar with a stainless steel interior and no external piping visible. With the Odin you can really push your limits by plunging at temperatures as low as 0°C (32°F). They have a 12 week turn around for Australian buyers and slightly longer for international.
Read full Odin Ice Bath review
Best Ice Bath Tub: PlusLife Ice Bath Tub
Use code GURU for $150 discount at checkout
Sick of buying ice for your cold plunge? This is the best ice bath Australia that doesn’t require ice and has a built-in chiller unit with UV and particle filtration that keeps your ice bath ready to use whenever you want cold therapy after training. Filling the gap for cold plunge Australia, the PlusLife is an Australian made and designed ice bath that chills to an icy 2.5 degrees Celsius and offers free delivery around Australia.
Best Portable Ice Bath: Easy Plunge Inflatable Ice Bath
There’s tonnes of these, but the Ritual Easy Plunge is the best we’ve seen, with multi layer PVC and Pearl cotton material for extra strength.. This simple portable inflatable ice bath includes inflatable lid, pump, cover and carry bag with full black clean design. This is the ideal budget ice bath Australia and weighs only 3.5kg. It’s size is 75cmx75cm and fits a solo average sized adult male inside. At $149 it is an affordable ice bath option - just add ice and water!
Best Metal Ice Bath: Polar Monkeys Portal Ice Bath Tub
The Polar Monkeys Portal Ice Bath Tub is the best metal ice bath tub. Polar Monkeys have a range of cold plunge tubs with built in chiller units and the Portal is the bare model ice bath at $2590 with a 1HP Eco Plus Chiller unit. These ice baths have an 8-week production and delivery time and can be bought with a limited addition artwork for an additional $300. The Portal Ice bath comes in 4ft or 6ft size options.
Read our full Polar Monkeys Portal Ice Bath review
Best Chest Freezer Ice Bath: Haier 319L Chest Freezer
To make an ice bath using a chest freezer, the Haier Chest Freezer is one of the better options we have come across. The benefit of using a chest freezer for an ice bath is that you can have readily available ice cold water whenever it is recovery time. The Haier 319L has an adjustable temperature control and is am eco-friendly freezer for energy consumption. There are a few modifications you can make to create the best solution for your chest freezer ice bath at home, including adding some timber panelling, and even plugging into a timer to have the freezer only run at times when you will need it cold. Ensure you unplug your freezer whenever you cold plunge to be safe!
Best Inflatable Ice Bath: Peakn Ice Bath
Looking for a cheap inflatable ice bath Australia? Based out of Fremantle, Western Australia, Peakn Ice bath’s are the brain child of Bryan Raeburn and Constantina Liondos. They both felt there was an opportunity in the market for a portable inflatable ice bath that was ergonomically designed for comfort whilst ice bathing if there is such a thing. This is the best cheap ice bath option designed and made in Australia and is made from high strength four layered design PVC material and can better resist punctures. This ice bath tub would allow you to easily inflate in minutes using a pump and pack away to a compact size for storage.
Best Durable: Rubbermaid Stock Tank
Not a purpose built ice bath tub per se, but nonetheless this stock tank, which would be available at somewhere like a hardware store or on Amazon is an affordable, hardy, durable and reasonably cheap option for cold plunge at home. Taking up to 1300L or 300 gallons of water, the Rubbermaid stock tank is large enough for an adult to climb into and fully immerse the body and is also not too hard to climb into. Not insulated like some other options but features an easy drainage fitting for emptying the ice bath tub.
Best Commercial Ice Bath: Revel Glacier Duo Premium Ice Bath
Revel has recently introduced an ice bath tub range which is a great variant for gyms and wellness spaces which offers size large enough for two people to fit comfortably in the tub. The Glacier duo is made from thermally treated timber and features a 5 year warranty on the tub and 1 year warranty on the chiller. The is one of the best value commercial ice bath tubs we’ve seen.
Best Collapsible: Infant Shining Portable Collapsible Bath Tub
This is a unique collapsible, portable ice bath that can fold away really flat for storage but is super durable and sturdy when erected. The Infant shining ice bath is suitable for adults and is rated for use for 130kgs. This ice tub option for home comes with a lid to fully enclose the body inside the ice bath and retain the cold temperature for longer to allow multiple people to cold plunge. Also features a drain pipe and is made from environmentally friendly material, complete with a 12 month warranty.
Best Steel: Blue Cube Mini-Me Ice Bath
Use code GURU for $500 discount at checkout
This Blue Cube Ice Bath Tub is what dreams are made of but the price is not for the faint hearted at roughly $15999USD for the Blue Cube Mini-Me Ice Bath. Nonetheless this bulletproof ice bath was recently featured on a Joe Rogan podcast featuring Andrew Huberman and is made from 14 gauge stainless steel, comes with a 5-10 year warranty, weighs roughly 350 pounds, gets down to a chilly 36F or 2C with no ice involved, a 1hp cooling motor and features an Ozone and Micron filter for crisp clean icy cold water whenever you feel like a cold plunge! This luxury ice tub drains in less than 20 minutes and refills in less than 15 minutes with pumps that create constant water flow to break the thermal barrier on the skin for intense cold plunge.
Read our full Blue Cube Ice Bath review
What Are The Benefits Of Cold Plunge?
What is a cold plunge?
What is a cold plunge and what are the benefits of ice baths and cold therapy for recovery? Taking an ice bath following a hard workout is proven to help you recover faster among other benefits. Wim Hof has been a pioneer of using breathing mixed with cold water immersion (CWI) as a means to control the body, fight off illness and reduce inflammation.
Because of Wim Hof, the research and evidence surrounding the benefits of ice baths and the overall benefits of cold water immersion have been brought to the public eye and given much more attention.
Read Also: The Way Of The Iceman by Wim Hof
Physiologically, cold plunge creates a constriction of the blood vessels and decreases metabolic activity, which in turn reduces swelling and tissue breakdown. Upon leaving the cold water, the tissues warm and blood flow returns which assists lymphatic drainage and removing byproducts particularly those associated with increased exertion from exercise.
Taking an ice bath for as little as two minutes is also shown to release norepinephrine from the sympathetic nervous system and hormones like dopamine that contribute to a positive mood and can help with anxiety and depression.
The main proven benefits of ice baths are:
Decreased muscle soreness or DOMS
Increased perceived recovery
Boost metabolism
Increased resilience
Reduced pain levels
Mood improvements
Relaxation and reduced heart rate
Faster recovery from intense cardio
Reduced inflammation
Stronger immune function
Better sleep quality
Why Use Ice Baths For Recovery?
When to take an ice bath
Pain Management
Getting into a cold plunge pool for cold water immersion reduces pain by desensitizing nerves and reducing swelling.
Inflammation
Inflammation occurs at specific sites within the body, for example an injury, or can be systemic. Cold therapy reduces localized inflammation from exercise and injuries by reducing edema. Systemic inflammation is usually identified through blood samples and identification of specific hormone markers. Cold therapy reduces systemic inflammation through changes in hormones due to stimulation of the Vagus nerve complex.
Depression and Anxiety
Cold therapy can help alleviate depression and anxiety. Research indicates that people with depressive symptoms typically have inflammatory markers and cold therapy significantly improves both the systemic inflammation and depression and anxiety symptoms. Cold therapy is a non-pharmaceutical supporting therapy. Norepinephrine release from a cold plunge session of just 2 minutes in 10 degrees Celsius, has been shown to increase by about 350% in a study of healthy adult males.
Related Article: The 5 Best Infrared Sauna Blankets In 2024
What this means is that takeoff an ice bath has an astounding affect on the nervous system and can significantly alter your bodily state from one of stress to one of calm and relaxation post ice bath.
Mood and Brain Function
Cold therapy activates hormonal responses in healthy people as well those suffering from chronic diseases such as depression, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. This reduces whole-body inflammation and has antioxidant effects. Cold exposure, like that achieved from ice bathing, releases huge amounts of norepinephrine, dopamine and adrenaline, which can have very positive downstream benefits to mental health including lowering symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Heart Rate Variability
Heart Rate Variability is an indicator of physical and psychological stress. Cold therapy reduces stress and improves exercise recovery times as shown by improved heart rate variability.
Vasoconstriction
Cold therapy initiates vasoconstriction of blood vessels in the skin and extremities, which aids in reducing muscle pain, fatigue, and swelling. Cold therapy initiated vasoconstriction may be a preventative measure against dementia including Alzheimer’s Disease.
The idea of ice bathing or cold water immersion is to have reasonable short bouts of full body exposure to the cold water following exercise or whilst practicing the Wim Hof breathing method in conjunction with cold therapy. But, using an ice bath post exercise isn’t always a good idea.
Related Article: Sauna Vs. Ice Bath: Which Is Better For Exercise Recovery?
When to avoid ice baths
The athletic community is somewhat divided or undecided on ice baths after exercise. The effects of ice baths on exercise performance and recovery depends on what kind of exercise is involved.
A researcher found that, “large reductions and/or blunting of the desired results from strength training such as increasing strength and muscle mass, and cellular improvements within the muscle. This was most likely a result of the cold water negatively interfering with the natural protein and cellular responses that happen in the muscle after each strength session.”
The takeaway: Ice baths should not be used after strength training, but they are effective for recovery following endurance exercises.
How To Choose The Right Ice Bath Tub
Choosing the best ice bath tub
There are a bunch of options for the best ice bath tub for home use. Be aware of the cheap inflatable versions that are made of cheap plastic and not purpose built for adults to be climbing in and out of regularly - they will tear and break easily and they are generally a waste of money. In saying that there are some hardy inflatable options for ice baths that can be deflated and packed away nicely to take up minimal space when not in use.
The next level up would be a solid tub for an ice bath made from hard plastic, Acrylic or stainless steel. The Ice Barrel is the most popular ice bath tub in this style but there also a whole range of quality Ice Barrel alternatives to choose from. A little higher in price and a little less economical for storage, but will last much longer and can withstand a bit more weight and rough handling which we think is essential for an ice bath that will be used on a regular basis for cold water immersion at home.
These are generally made from heavy-duty plastic and can be left outside usually with a drain hole at the bottom which is perfect for ease of empty and refill. Something solid and made from recycled plastic, like the Ice Barrel, is hard wearing and can be left outside without getting damaged although it is recommended to at least cover using the insulated cover included.
The highest tier of ice bath - the ‘Gucci’ variety - would be the purpose built premium spa type ice baths. Prices for an ice bath that is plumbed in and can potentially fit a few people will be very expensive, sometimes ranging over $7000 from what we have seen.
Buying one of these ice baths online would entail a large initial investment but you would also save on having to use ice cubes to chill your ice bath as these generally come with an in-built electric cooler/chiller unit. Cold plunge pools or bath tubs like The Plunge Cold Plunge, PlusLife Ice Bath or Odin Ice Bath offer high quality solutions to at-home or commercial options for constantly chilled cold plunge for frequent users.
To choose the best ice bath tub that’s right for your particular space and budget to buy for home we look at the following features:
Price
What is your budget for buying an ice bath tub online? Are you looking for a cheap ice bath or a premium ice bath that can be set up as a long term permanent fixture? Ice baths and purpose built ice baths can range massively in price from about $100 for a cheap inflatable ice bath to upwards of $7000 for an ice bath with attached water chilling ability and premium timber exteriors. Then there’s the gold standard of luxury ice bath, Cold Plunge - which you won’t get for much spare change from $10000!
If you are looking for an ice bath made in Australia with a beautiful timber finish, you could opt for the Odin Ice Bath, which has its base model ice bath for sale at $6990 plus shipping at the time of writing this ($250 off with code RECOVERYGURU at checkout). There is also another new ice bath for sale in Australia with both hot and cold ability which is the Ritual Dual Plunge Tub which go for an icy $7690 which is inclusive of shipping within Australia.
When choosing an ice bath, budget is a massive factor. The Easy Plunge ice bath sit at a reasonable $149AUD which is lower range price for an ice bath that requires ice and water added for each session. If money wasn't an issue, of course we would always choose a premium option like the Cold Plunge Ice Bath but you are looking at a $5000USD initial investment (plus shipping and setup costs) for this ice bath tub option. If you are looking for an ice bath tub Australia, the closest Cold Plunge alternative is the PlusLife Ice Bath Tub which is priced at $7300 using our code GURU.
The best mid range priced ice bath is the Ice Barrel for $999 however keep in mind you need to continually buy ice for this option. There are also now loads of options for more sturdy inflatable drop stitch style ice bath with chillers like the Edge Theory Labs ice bath.
What is worth noting with choosing the more budget ice bath options is that you will have ongoing costs of buying ice cubes each time you want to use the ice bath for cold therapy which can add up if you are doing multiple cold therapy sessions per week. Over time, this can mean the slightly more expensive ice bath options that use an electric cooling system will save you money in the long run.
Cold plunge vs. Ice Barrel for cold plunge
Size
When looking for the best ice bath for home it is important to measure up the space you intend to use for cold plunge and pick the right ice bath tub to suit the available space. We have seen some pretty creative ice bath setups and indeed if you buy the right ice bath it is possible to set it up in the shower space at home, on a deck, in the backyard or in the garage.
When considering the size of the ice bath, are you looking for a single or multiple person setup? The majority of the inflatable ice baths we have seen are around 1200mm x 1000mm x 680mm and take roughly 200L of water with 3-4 bags of ice to cool it. The more premium ice baths you are looking at a size of about 1700mm x 930mm x 680mm and the addition of a 110V electric pump unit for cooling the water. It is worth considering whether the space taken up by the ice bath can be permanently sacrificed or should be portable.
Portability
Are you looking for an ice bath that is a permanent fixture that is plumbed in, are you looking for an inflatable ice bath that can be packed away for space saving or are you looking for a solid ice bath that is light but rigid and can be moved around?
A portable ice bath is essential for setting up for a cold plunge at home but there are definitely different levels of portability to choose from in your ice bath. Generally, the more portable the ice bath - like the inflatable type - the less solid the structure. This portability also coincides with the price of an ice bath.
Design
The Odin Ice Bath Australia
There are a number of ice bath designs which entail upright tubs or horizontal type ice baths. Do you want to stand up in your cold plunge or lay down like a traditional bath? This is a personal preference and you may not know which you prefer unless you have tried both designs. As a reference, the entire RG team prefers to stand in an upright cold plunge tub like the Ice Barrel rather then laying flat in an ice bath tub like the Plunge for example.
Many people are also converting a chest freezer into an ice bath with a few easy modifications. This is a more cost effective way to have a ice bath with chilled water ready but you need to buy a few extra products to make a chest freezer ice bath suitable for cold plunge.
Warranty
The warranty provided with your ice bath will generally reflect the complexity of its design. All ice baths will come with the standard 12 month warranty with purchase, however some of the more expensive ice baths for home with cooling units that require professional installation should come with between 3-5 years warranty.
I would not personally recommend purchasing a self cooling ice bath tub that does not come with a warranty over 12 months as I have seen this go bad.
The Best Ice Bath Tubs of 2024 - Guide and Reviews
Ice bath tub comparison
After sifting through handfuls of potential ice baths for sale online and testing a large portion of these ice tubs ourselves we can confidently say there are only a small number of ice baths currently available that we would be happy to spend money on. Based on the factors we mentioned earlier in the article and to seriously upgrade your science based recovery regime, below we have the 10 best ice bath tubs for cold plunge at home.
Best Pro: Cold Plunge Ice Bath
Price: $4990+
Warranty: 3 years or 5 years model dependant
Size: 1 person
Type: Bath Acrylic
Use code GURU for $150 discount at checkout
The Plunge ice bath really is a game changer for an ice bath setup for a high traffic cold plunge tub like in a gym, wellness space or for frequent use at home. Cold Plunge and sauna is fast becoming a common offering for the more high class or boutique gyms like DEUCE in Los Angeles or Chocolate Box Gym in Australia. While many plungers have opted to transform a chest freezer into an ice bath, The Plunge is actually the ideal, safe, purpose built option for this with powerful cooling, filtration and sanitation to provide cold, clean water whenever you feel like an ice bath at home or to provide as a unique offering to clients for recovery after workouts.
The Cold Plunge is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use which means it can be setup in a purpose built indoor recovery/wellness space or setup in the yard in an outdoor space.
The Plunge measures about 68cm in depth, 170cm long and 110cm wide so fits a large adult very easily. The Cold Plunge itself is made up of an acrylic tub with the plumbing attached to the back of the tub and a chiller with a circulation pump and water sanitation feature. It weighs quite a bit, at 70 kgs or 150 lbs when empty or close to 450kgs or 1000lbs when filled with water so we would recommend installing the plunge over a solid platform that can withstand the weight.
Cold Plunge XL Pro
Is the PLUNGE Cold Plunge worth the money? For starters, when you buy a Plunge, there is no need to ever buy bags of ice to chill your cold plunge sessions ever again.
The premium ice bath comes with a premium price tag, however we have tested the Plunge over the last few months and if you have the budget to set up one of the Plunge options at home it is so worth it.
When buying an ice bath it is important to remember that if you are buying an ice bath tub with no cooling feature, the cost of cooling your ice bath to a suitable temperature for cold therapy will be ongoing unless you have an ice machine that can pump out enough ice to fill the ice bath.
Read our full Cold Plunge Review here
The Plunge has some pretty cool features that make it worthy of the price. The Plunge is practically plug-and-plunge meaning installation involves plugging it into a standard wall socket and filling the Plunge with water and waiting for it to cool to the set temperature.
The Plunge can get down to a chilly 39F or 3.8C which hits the mark for even the bravest of cold plungers. We generally have our ice bath temperature at a bearable 9-10 degrees celsius but once you are conditioned it is definitely beneficial to set it a little lower for even greater metabolic benefits.
Besides the main hardware, the Cold Plunge comes with some accessories that all add to the value you are getting when you buy one.
The Plunge includes a spare micron filter, an insulated cover to place over the tub when not in use, a skimmer to scrape of debris, a charcoal filter to attach to a standard garden hose to fill the Plunge with clean water, a cell phone holder to play music, podcasts or a guided meditation while you plunge.
Plunge also has a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you aren’t 100% satisfied with your plunge, you have 30 days to return it for a full refund which gives you plenty of confidence to buy one online.
Overall, there are some obvious perks of spending a bit more on your home ice bath setup but the Cold Plunge is mainly for serious cold plungers or even as a cold plunge ice bath for commercial spaces like gyms.
Best Overall: Ice Barrel
Price: $1199USD
Warranty: 12 months
Size: 1 person
Type: Upright Tub
Use code GURU for $150 discount at checkout
The Ice Barrel is our top pick for overall best ice bath for home and is a cold therapy recovery tool that offers an easy way to bring ice baths to your routine. I honestly think the Ice Barrel is one of key contributors to the dawning the of the ice bathing movement, and one of the earliest to market a purpose built ice bath tub which can be used by anyone.
Update September 2024: The Ice Barrel can now be purchased in the Ice Barrel 300 or the Ice Barrel 400. These are both the same price, with Ice Barrel 400 being the traditional/original Ice Barrel design, wheres the Ice Barrel 300 is a little shorter and wider. It also offers a fully insulated design and a quick connector if you want to connect in your chiller unit to set up automated filtration to your Ice Barrel.
The Ice Barrel CEO’s mission is “to share the power of cold therapy with anyone who needs to hit the reset button”. It is true that a very high percentage of the population suffers from poor quality of life due to injury, stress, anxiety, poor sleep, low energy, and depression.
Much like Wim Hof and a huge community of biohackers and athletes globally, we see cold plunge practice as a remedy for both rapid muscle recovery from exercise as well as assisting to improve quality of life through mood enhancement, improving sleep, reducing pain, increasing endorphins, and helping to lower stress and anxiety.
Read our full Ice Barrel Review here
What do you get when you buy an Ice Barrel? The Ice Barrel is portable, durable, moderately compact and is purpose built for cold therapy for athletes and comes with the 105 gallon recycled polyethylene barrel, barrel lid, anti-tip barrel stand, UV protective cover and step stool for climbing in and out of the Barrel. Get yourself an ice machine to cut down the cost of refilling the Ice Barrel with ice.
The Ice Barrel suits the majority of body sizes and shapes with a desirable upright position, which we favour in our ice baths over the horizontal bath style option. Choose from either the black colour or desert tan colour ice bath, both of which are recycled material and ship within about 10-14 days in the US according to Ice Barrel website and most Ice Barrel reviews.
Ice Barrel measurements
What are the measurements of the Ice Barrel? The Ice Barrel does look pretty large so we were sceptical whether it would actually fit in our outdoor space that we usually setup our ice bath at home.
If you are wondering whether you will have the space for the Ice Barrel at home the measurements are as follows:
Height: 106cm (42 inches)
Width: 78cm (31 inches)
Opening: 63cm (25 inches)
Weight empty: 24kg (55 lbs.)
Weight full: 340kgs approx (750 lbs.)
Shop the new model Ice Barrel 300 online at Ice Barrel
To create the best ice bath experience for cold plunge therapy using the Ice Barrel we like to take quite a consistent approach and set the conditions up to a similar level each time. At home, we set the Ice Barrel up on a grass area next to the deck to make it easier to climb into the barrel. As the Ice Barrel weighs roughly 340kgs when it is full of water we recommend setting it up on a reinforced surface or solid piece of ground that can handle the weight of the full barrel plus your body weight.
Ice Barrel 300 vs 400
Fill the Ice Barrel with water from a garden hose or tank and add roughly 4-6 bags of ice depending how cold you like to have your ice bath. As a rough guide, when two people are using the Ice Barrel for a protocol of two minutes in two minutes out for three to five rounds through, you will require 5 bags of ice to get the Ice Barrel down close to ten degrees Celsius.
We generally set ours at 9-10 degrees celsius, measuring with a floating water temperature gauge. Add in some epsom salts if you please and let those muscles soak in the icy goodness for an accumulated time of at least 10 minutes.
Best Portable: Easy Plunge Portable Ice Bath
Price: $149AUD
Warranty: 12 months
Size: 1 person
Type: Upright Inflatable Tub
Buy the Easy Plunge Portable Inflatable Ice Bath now
Ritual Recovery is a brand all about optimal human recovery - promoting the fact that we have a natural in-built intelligence known as homeostasis. The Ritual Easy Plunge portable inflatable ice bath is born out of our love for ice baths, how they make you feel, and how well you sleep after a cold plunge.
The base blocks of optimal recovery are sleep, nutrition and mental state, the next level is training program and the top level is recovery modalities. The Easy Plunge offers a budget cold plunge option to have at home and setup up and pack down with minimal effort, cost or hassle.
This portable Ice Bath Australia is reasonably priced at $149AUD with free shipping in Australia on orders over $150 and includes a 12 month warranty. It is made from a multi layer high strength PVC and Pearl cotton meaning it is much stronger than a lot of other inflatable ice baths out there. It includes a pump for inflation as well as 6 support support poles, inflatable lid, cover, carry bag and repair kit.
The Easy Plunge ice bath is 3.5kg and packs down to an extremely minimal size when deflated and folded up, making it an ideal ice bath for athletes and sporting teams to take on away games or competitions to have cold water exposure post race/event. The size and ease of construction also makes the Easy Plunge ice bath perfect for a small home recovery setup. We recommend grabbing an ice machine to help cut down the cost of buying ice bags each time you cold plunge.
The Easy Plunge measures 80cm high x 75cm wide and requires a small pump (included) to fill with air and is cooled with roughly 5 bags of ice depending on how cold you would like to get your cold plunge session to. The ice bath takes about 10 minutes to completely fill and can even be set up under the shower or filled straight from the garden hose in the backyard.
Best Metal: Polar Monkeys Portal Ice Bath Tub
Price: $2590
Warranty: one year warranty
Size: 1 person
Type: Oblong Steel ice bath with chiller unit
The Polar Monkeys Portal is the best metal ice bath tub. The Portal Ice Bath is the base model of the Polar Monkeys ice baths and costs $2590, including the built-in chiller unit and water filtration system.
The Polar Monkeys ice baths come in White, Black or limited edition artwork designs which can be added for an additional $300. The Portal Ice Bath is a steel ice bath and comes with an inlet and outlet valve which allows for water to be added and removed from the tub for filtration and cleaning. This ice bath features a HP Eco Plus Chiller which runs at 1HP and can cool the full tub of water to 3-5 degrees C overnight or in a couple of hours for cold plunge on demand.
The Polar Monkeys cold plunge tub comes in two sizes: 4ft and 6ft. The 4ft ice bath weighs 46lbs and the 6ft ice bath weighs 63lbs which is quite light when empty. As the Portal is a steel ice bath tub, it will produce condensation from the cold water and is only a suitable ice bath to set up in a wet area that has suitable drainage like an outdoor space or large tiled bathroom area.
What we love about the Polar Monkeys Portal Ice Bath is the oblong shape, which allows plenty of space for the body to stretch out in the tub and the arms to rest over the edges of the ice bath. Many people like to hold onto the edges of the ice bath during cold plunge, particularly if you experience intense pain in the hands and feet from the cold, so the Portal allows the arms to rest on the edges if that is the position you prefer.
Polar Monkeys have a number of other Ice bath tubs in their range like the Inflatable option or the Brainpod which cost $3990 and $4500 respectively, if you have the budget for a more premium cold plunge.
Best Chest Freezer: Haier 319L Freezer
Price: $1000AUD
Warranty: 2 years/12 year compressor warranty
Size: 1 person
Type: Chest Freezer
A chest freezer is a fantastic option for an ice bath as it gives you the ability to have ice cold water for cold water therapy any time you need it. As opposed to other ice bath options on our list of best ice bath tubs that require you to add ice to cool the water each time you want to cold plunge, a chest freezer can be set at the desired temperature and left filled with water. It can also be set on a timer to turn on and chill the water for a time that you usually do your recovery ice baths.
Read Also: How To Make Chest Freezer Ice Bath At Home
There are loads of chest freezers available but the Haier 319L is the best we have seen to convert to an ice bath for recovery. The Haier has the following specifications that make it the perfect size for cold water immersion:
Depth 745mm
Height855mm
Width 1055mm
It is important to note that when using a chest freezer for ice baths there are a few modifications you can make to increase the suitability of the chest freezer for cold plunge.
We would recommend sealing all of the internal edges and corners with a waterproof sealant to avoid leaking and water damage, adding in a timer to avoid wasting power with the freezer always on, integrating a water filter into the freezer to minimise the need to refill with water as often and you could also line the outside with timber for a more aesthetically designed ice bath for home.
When using a chest freezer for ice bath we always ensure we unplug the freezer at the wall each time we use it just for added electrical safety!
Best in Australia: PlusLife Ice Bath Tub
Price: $5950AUD
Warranty: 12 months
Size: 1 person
Type: Bath Tub with Chiller
Use code GURU for $250 discount at checkout
Buy the PlusLife Ice Bath Tub online
The PlusLife Ice Bath is the best ice bath with a chiller or cooling unit so that you never have to buy ice cubes for your cold plunge again. The PlusLife ice bath is a real plug and plunge style cold plunge in Australia and requires no extra setup steps to start cold therapy at home or in the gym.
We have been searching for an Australian version of an almost exclusively US market for an ice bath with chiller units for a while now and this is it! The PlusLife can be chilled down to an icey 2.5 degrees celsius and will stay there for quite a while efficiently when you make proper use of the hard top cover provided.
You may be wondering if you still need to change out the water after each cold plunge and the answer is, no. The PlusLife ice bath features UV and particle filtration system that allows continual use of the ice bath for extended time. Its filters can last up to six months, or shorter if you use it often. On their website, PlusLife recommends replacing the filter as needed based on usage level and to take showers prior to using the ice bath tub to extend the life of the filter and keep the tub cleaner for longer.
What we also love about PlusLife is that the product is designed and handcrafted out of Sydney and they offer free delivery inside Australia with a 12 month warranty. The PlusLife Ice Bath Tub is the perfect ice bath setup for home with the ability to be setup outdoors or indoors, also making it suitable for gyms and commercial spaces.
If you are sizing up your space to fit a potential ice bath tub option, the PlusLife ice bath dimensions are:
174cm (L) x 79cm (W) x 58cm (H)
Chiller Dimensions: 42cm x 45cm x 42cm
Despite the high price, the PlusLife Ice Bath is a premium product and competes with many of the other chilled unit ice baths that are difficult to ship to Australia without blowing out cost. This custom made design is far safer than converting a chest freezer into an ice bath as many people do, and also comes with a cool 30 day money back guarantee on your purchase.
PlusLife has also recently added a Commercial Ice Bath to their product range which can comfortably fit two people and operates on both Hot and Cold function for heated Spa or cold plunge depending on your requirements.
Best Design: Odin Ice Bath
Price: $6900AUD
Warranty: 5 years
Size: 1/2 person depending on model
Type: Tub Brushed Stainless w/ Cedar
Odin Ice Baths are simply incredible from aesthetic sense as well as in a functionality and performance sense, with the best ice bath design on the market. Odin Ice Baths are one of the very few ice baths that we have seen with the capability to reach true zero degrees celsius. The Odin has 3 different sizes each with a ‘home’ or ‘pro’ model making them a perfect option for both cold plunge at home or for a commercial ice bath option too.
Buy Odin online using code RECOVERYGURU
Odin Ice Bath was created by Jonathan who battles cystic fibrosis, a terminal illness that made the early years of his life a constant battle. During this battle with illness, Jono learnt a lot about the effects of both nature and nurture on health. Just as diet affects your overall health, so to do the things you do daily and the environment you place your body in every day.
Being alive to create Odin 34 years is a testament to a true focus on health and adaptability. In the process Jono discovered Wim Hof and the power of using cold exposure, the breath and movement as a combination to help bulletproof the mind and body and so began the quest for the best ice bath tubs to facilitate his cold plunge practice.
Each Odin Ice Bath is made by hand in Australia and includes a 316 Brushed Stainless steel interior tub with a 100% Western Red Cedar panel exterior which gives the Odin an incredible finish that can be used inside and out in a broad range of spaces.
What we love about the Odin, apart from the Australia make and design, is that they have created their ice bath tubs with all of the pipe work hidden inside the tub to increase the design feel of the ice bath and also improve the cooling efficiency of the chiller unit.
The Odin Ice Bath is a true plug-and-plunge setup and can be plugged straight into a standard 10amp wall socket, costing about the same as a chest freezer to run and producing roughly the same noise too. The Odin cold plunge can simply be filled using a standard garden hose and emptied using the drain valve. Note that the Odin is not completely waterproof and is more suited to inside use and is not designed to have water spill over the edges.
Model wise, the Odin Ice baths come in the Odin Original which you can get for $6650 when you use RECOVERYGURU, the Odin XL which is designed for a tall person, the ODIN Dual which is designed for two people, the Odin Pro which is designed for a commercial gym or wellness space ($8200), the Odin XL Pro ($9200) and the Odin Dual Pro ($10200).
Although the price of the Odin Ice Bath is thousands of dollars, it is worth considering the craftsmanship that has gone into each individual tub as well as the electric chiller unit that it comes with, meaning you can have a beautiful timber cold plunge tub that gives you down to zero degree temperature whenever you want it.
Best Durable: Rubbermaid Stock Tank
Price: $220AUD
Warranty: 12 months
Size: 1 person
Type: Tub Hard Plastic
Buy the Rubbermaid Stock Tank on Amazon
The Rubbermaid Stock Tank is not a purpose built ice bath tub however it is definitely built for purpose! An ice bath setup for home can be made by a wide variety of tubs to be honest and the stock tank fits the bill for an affordable and highly durable option for cold plunge at home.
Why did we choose the stock tank as the best durable ice bath? The Rubbermaid is made highly weatherproof being an item that is generally supposed to be set up outdoors and be able to withstand all weather conditions and rough treatment.
The Ice Barrel is of course the purpose built and designed version of this style of tub made with cold plunge in mind. The Rubbermaid Stock Tank features a durable structural foam construction and the tank’s seamless construction prevents leaking and cracking, even in extreme weather making the perfect option for an ice bath tub that you don’t mind leaving setup outside for long periods exposed to the elements.
The stock tank design makes it easy to drain post ice bath session with a convenient, oversized 1-½ inch drain plug. The stock tanks come in a number of sizes to suit your height and size requirements but we would recommend the 150 gallon tank as the most suitable for home ice baths. The length is roughly 147cm or 58” which is enough for an average adult to completely stretch out their legs in a seated position. The depth of the 150 gallon stock tank is about 63cm or 25” which is enough to get the water level up around the shoulder when the tank is completely filled with water.
For an extra spacious stock tank for ice baths you could also choose the 300 gallon option, this would just entail a much larger amount of water and much more ice to cool the water to an appropriate temperature which is an added cost each plunge session. One thing to consider if the stock tank is going to be your next home ice bath tub, you will want to invest in a suitable step for ease of climbing in and out of the ice bath as it is a little high especially once the effects of cold water exposure take control of the limbs.
Best Inflatable: Peakn Ice Bath
Price: $93AUD
Warranty: 12 months
Size: 2 person
Type: Inflatable Plastic
Buy the Peakn Ice Bath on Amazon
What we love most about the Peakn Ice Bath is that it is based out of Australia. The Peakn inflatable ice bath was the brainchild of an Australian couple who saw an opportunity in creating an inflatable, durable ice bath designed specifically for cold plunge.
The Peakn is super cheap and costs $89 AUD at the time of writing this article, with the option of four payments of about $22 AUD via Afterpay.
The Peakn Ice Bath is made from a high strength, four layered PVC materila so it can be bashed around a little and will resist puncture. Because the Peakn ice bath is inflatable plastic it packs down to an extremely minimal size when deflated and folded up, weighing only 2.4kg, making it a highly desirable ice bath for home that requires minimal space to setup and minimal space for storage when not in use. We have been sliding our Peakn ice bath under the laundry tub when we aren’t using it to give you an idea of its packed size.
The Peakn Ice Bath measures 1200mm x 1000mm x 680mm and requires an electric pump to fill with air and is cooled with roughly 5 bags of ice depending on how cold you would like to get your cold plunge session to. The ice bath is filled with about 200L of water which can come directly from a standard garden hose straight into the ice bath. The Peakn ice bath also comes with a hose that can be fitted to drain away the water after use into a suitable location.
If you are someone who avoids plastic products, this ice bath option is probably not for you as this is not quite the most environmentally sustainable ice bath option. If you are looking for the best ice bath with a sustainable design you would be looking at a much higher budget.
Best Collabsible: Infant Shining Portable Collapsible Bath Tub
Price: $15999USD
Warranty: 5 year warranty
Size: 1 person
Type: Stainless steel interior, timber exterior
This is a unique collapsible, portable ice bath tub that can fold away really flat for storage but is super durable and sturdy when erected. The Infant shining ice bath is suitable for adults and is rated for use for 130kgs. This ice tub option for home comes with a lid to fully enclose the body inside the ice bath and retain the cold temperature for longer to allow multiple people to cold plunge. It also features a drain pipe and is made from environmentally friendly material, complete with a 12 month warranty.
There are a variety of these types of bath tub style cold plunge tubs that collapse into a thin structure that can be slid away for storage. The rubber in these collapsible cold plunge tubs can take both hot a cold water and will not warp. To fill one of these tubs with water, it takes about 250L and requires about 5-6 bags of ice to get the water to a good temperature for an ice bath.
Best Steel: Blue Cube Mini-Me Ice Bath
Price: $17999USD
Warranty: 12 months
Size: 1 person
Type: Stainless steel bath tub with chiller
Use discount code GURU for $250 off at checkout
Shop Blue Cube Cold Plunge Tubs
The Blue Cube Ice Baths are absolute boss cold plunge tubs in our eyes. They are one of the only fully American made ice bath tubs which look seriously amazing in their finish and design. As far as a proper cold plunge tub goes these are definitely the best steel ice bath, with a stainless steel interior and a gorgeous varnished timber exterior making them look like a pice of art.
Blue Cube have been making ice baths for years now, and the Blue Cube Mini-Me Ice Bath has the ability to cool between 30F - 60F, without the need for any ice or setup procedures. At $15,000 USD, the Mini-Me is the smallest and cheapest ice bath option from Blue Cube, which is a big investment, but also includes a solid 5 year warranty and a 30 money back guarantee.
Update November 2023: The Blue Cube brand has improved their range and now include the CoreChill range, which is a multi-speed flow rate ice bath with a 304 stainless steel tub and multiple colour options for the powder coated exterior including completely custom colour.
The Blue Cube runs on about as much energy as a small household refrigerator and has been designed to be able to run 24/7 to have a cold plunge whenever is needed. The Blue Cube features a really good quality 20 micron water filter and ozone sanitation which gives the benefit of a chemical free filtration system.
The size of the Blue Cube Mini-Me is 80” x 39.5” x 22” and the internal tub is suited to someone about my height which is 5’11” or 180cm. The Blue Cube do have other ice bath models that are bigger and more suited for commercial use with a huge 2HP chiller unit that is ideal for gyms and wellness spaces. In fact, the Blue Cube Ice Baths have been featured a few times by the likes of Joe Rogan, Jocko Willink and other high profile people. Be prepared though, these ice baths can go all the way up to $33,999 USD!
Ice Bath Tub Frequently Asked Questions
Credit: Ice Barrel
Does cold therapy actually work?
Yes, cold therapy works! The scientific research behind the benefits of cold water immersion is strong. Cold water therapy is practiced by millions of people around the world because of the proven results and efficacy that cold water immersion/cold plunge offers for health, wellness, recovery, sleep and performance. World class athletes and performers, like UFC Fighter Conor McGregor and personalities like Joe Rogan use Ice Baths regularly to recover from intense training sessions and perform better.
How long should you stay in an ice bath for?
The recommended time you should accumulate in an ice bath is 10-15 minutes. This should be broken up into 1-5 minute cold plunge sessions and can be spread over the course of one week. This doesn’t seem like much but it is enough to activate the beneficial shock proteins, create blood vessel constriction, metabolic changes, HR changes that follow extreme cold exposure. The research indicates that 11 minutes of exposure per week is enough to achieve the benefits of ice baths.
There are many different ice bath protocols and if you are new to cold plunge a good place to start could be 1 minute intervals followed by 1 minute warm down, repeating 5-10 times.
Others recommend a 10-10-10 protocol which involves 10 minutes of cold exposure, then 10 minutes out of the ice bath, finishing with 10 minutes back in the ice. Work your way up and build your tolerance!
How much ice should you put in an ice bath?
The amount of ice needed to chill an ice bath for cold plunge is dependant on your level of cold exposure experience and tolerance. Most experienced cold plungers aim for a temperature of about 5-12 degrees Celsius or 41F-53F for optimal results. As a general rule of thumb, aim for a 3:1 ratio of water it ice in your ice bath tub. This ratio covers off on a simple measurement regardless of ice bath tub size.
The amount of ice required will obviously depend on how many people are getting in and out of the ice bath and how long in total you wish to provide ice cold temperatures for cold plunge before the water starts to get too warm for the benefits.
If more than 3 people are using the ice bath, as a rule of thumb the water should be topped up with an extra bag of ice every 2-3 rotations of a 2 minute cold plunge because in our personal experience the water starts becoming warmer from body heat roughly at this point.
Cold shower vs ice bath
ice bath vs cold shower
A cold shower is definitely enough to give some sort of cold exposure on the skin. We do recommend full body exposure though which is not really achieved by the flow of water in a shower. But, if the shower is all you have, crank on the cold and stay under there for at least 2 minutes at a time. The general rule of thumb for knowing whether the cold water you are exposing yourself to is cold enough for getting any benefit is that it should be a mental challeng for you to stay in the water or under the shower and produce some degree of ‘shock’ to the body. Cold water on the face, chest and head is the aim in the shower to get the best results.
What temperature should you get an ice bath to?
The ideal temperature for an ice bath for cold therapy is 5-15 degrees celsius. With an ice bath fitting with its own cooling system this temperature can usually be set on a digital dial. If using an inflatable or portable ice bath, 3-6 bags of 5kg ice is usually enough to cool down an adult sized ice tub and used between 2-3 people until the ice melts and the temperature rises beyond suitable for cold therapy. You could always install an ice machine at home next to your ice bath to have a regular supply of ice to cool the ice bath.
Should you submerge your hands and feet in an ice bath?
It is not essential to submerge hands and feet during a cold plunge session. Personally, I think you are missing out on a lot of the benefits of mental training if hands and feet stay above the surface during an ice bath. Yes, hands and feet can be the most painful areas during cold exposure and many people report that they simply must leave hands and feet out to endure an ice bath.
Some plungers have reported that they wear booties and gloves during cold plunge which is obviously all personal preference. Something worth considering is that we have some really noteworthy thermostats for regulating our body temperature which are located on the palms of the hands and base of the feet. When you submerge hands and feet in a cold plunge session, you may be achieving a much greater physiological response in terms of shock proteins and brown fat production, however there is not yet enough science to confirm this.
Can ice baths improve mental health?
There is evidence to suggest that the release of norepinephrine, in amounts of over 300% from base levels, as well as boosts in dopamine caused by cold water exposure from ice baths can have a very positive benefit on mental health and could even be a way to reduce anxiety and depression.
Although ice baths should not replace medications for mental health conditions, there have been studies that have exposed individuals to cold plunge and they have (not in all cases) concluded the study without the need for pharmaceuticals for their mental health. Cold plunge is a very safe way to provide ongoing boosts to your overall mood and encourage positive mindset and resilience training that can lead to better decisions, less impulsivity and better emotional control.
Is ice bathing safe?
Cold therapy and ice bathing in general is considered safe however it can affect people with cardiovascular and other health issues in a negative way, be aware of the dangers of cold exposure. Cold exposure should never be done alone and should always be done in a controlled environment with the ability to leave the cold environment easily and safely.
If you understand your limits and do cold plunge or cold exposure therapy in a controlled, timed and measured practice the body is more than capable of tolerating and thriving from exposure to cold water.
If you have any underlying health conditions we recommend consulting your doctor prior to engaging in ice baths at home. Prolonged exposure to the cold can cause hypothermia, shock and unconsciousness and other cold temperature related illnesses so it is important to ease into your cold plunge routine and start with an experienced person.
Final Word On Best Ice Bath Tub For Cold Plunge
The best ice bath tub is a bath or tub that is a good mix of durability, portability and reasonable price. At the end of the day, we want our ice bath to cool the water enough to make it suitable for cold therapy.
Personally, I think the best ice bath tub for most people is going to be the Cold Plunge, for the reasons of not requiring any ice for each ice bath session. Particularly for those looking for an ice bath tub Australia, the best acrylic style bathtub would be the the PlusLife while the nicest timber finished and popular tub would be the Ritual Recovery Warrior.
For those with a smaller budget, the best ice bath tub would be the Ice Barrel, which offers requires adding ice to each cold plunge session.
Despite there being countless inflatable pools that look suitable to use for cold plunge, we recommend opting for one of the ice baths on our list or something that is specifically designed for use for cold water immersion at home.
When it comes to cold plunge, don’t underestimate the power of incremental progress in conditioning yourself to cold water. Push yourself to stay and breathe through the mental challenge of cold plunge and find the cold plunge protocol that works for you.
As always, please do your own research and check out as many ice bath reviews as you can on the available products out there. We have given you our top 10 best ice baths for home but there are many more options out there - we just aim to make the buying online process easier for you. If you new to ice bathing and are unsure about whether it is suitable for you, definitely get yourself ticked off by a medical professional and do your own research too.
As Wim Hof says, “Just breathe!”.
