Take the Best Cold Plunges with These 7 Ice Bath Tubs

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If you’ve been on the fitness side of the internet long enough, chances are you’ve already heard about the benefits of ice baths. Often dreaded by those unacquainted with the experience, ice baths are actually an invaluable tool for getting the most out of your post-run recovery. While plunging into ice-cold water isn’t the most pleasant sensation at first, ice baths are a rather effective means of boosting circulation, decreasing inflammation, and helping your muscles recover more quickly—and you’ll acclimate pretty quickly once you start a routine.

With a quality ice bath tub, you can transform the way you recover, which will ultimately translate to more time doing the workouts you love—or love to hate. And if you want to invest in one that goes beyond simply holding ice water, keep reading to check out our favorites that can turn your cold plunge into a headache-free experience.

For more great recovery tools, check out our picks for the best foam rollers, back massagers, and foot massagers.

The Best Ice Bath Tubs

• Best Overall: Ice Barrel Ice Bath Tub

• Best Value: Polar Recovery Portable Ice Bath Tub

• Most Durable: Rubbermaid Structural Foam Stock Tank

• Best Premium: Renu Therapy Cold Stoic Ice Bath Tub

• Sleekest Design: Cold Plunge Ice Bath Tub

Why Should You Get an Ice Bath Tub?

To get to the bottom of what makes ice baths work, Runner’s World news editor Andrew Dawson talked to Robert Gillanders, D.P.T., a physical therapist and spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association, about how our bodies’ responses to the intense cold benefit us and our fitness.

According to Gillanders, an ice bath works by temporarily constricting the blood vessels in your muscles, which serves two purposes: First, it reduces inflammation immediately, and second, it forces your metabolic waste-filled blood to move through your system more efficiently.

Once you step out of the frigid water, fresh, waste-free blood rushes back into your muscles, helping the recovery process run more smoothly in the long term. Ice baths are also said to have a positive impact on the central nervous system, which can help improve sleep, another occasionally overlooked facet of recovery.

But the unfortunate reality for many of us, especially apartment dwellers, is that you likely don’t have a bath tub big enough to submerge your entire body without spilling over or errantly kicking the faucet (if you even have a tub at all). The average home bath tub tends to range from 40 to 80 gallons, whereas a dedicated ice bath either has more volume (100+ gallons) or at least stands taller, allowing you to dip your shoulders in without your knees poking out on the other side.

As you move up in price, proper ice bath tubs can also take a lot of the guesswork out of controlling your water temperature. Many are insulated, which keeps the water in an ideal zone for longer, and some even cool your water without adding ice at all. Some can also fold up or deflate for easy storage, and others look right at home as a piece of backyard furniture—no cover necessary.

Types of Ice Bath Tubs

There are lots of ice bath tub options on the market. On the more affordable side, you can get an inflatable or folding tub. These are great for travel or using at home and are generally pretty comfortable to sit in, but they tend to fail faster than solid tubs, and you have to refill them for virtually every use.

For something more permanent, look to solid tubs. These are a bit more expensive, but they can pretty much last a lifetime. They are usually made from heavy-duty plastic that can withstand the elements, and even though you still have to change the water from time to time, they drain more easily than the inflatables.

At the upper end of the price range, there are spa models. These can be very expensive—sometimes costing upwards of $10,000. These are much more permanent fixtures and are a great investment if you’re an avid ice bath-er. Most spa-style models come with filters, which means that you won’t have to change the water once your tub is filled, and most can accommodate both ice baths and hot ones.

How We Selected

The internet, in all its vastness, has a boatload of options for ice bath tubs, but only a few are up to our standards for setup, size, durability, portability, draining capabilities, and how it all relates to the price tag. We researched the key specs of dozens of top-performing tubs from all points on the price spectrum, we consulted other expert reviewers online, and we narrowed it down to these seven tubs that we think are well worth your money, your time, and the frigid temps you’ll experience when you slip inside.

Ice Bath Tub

While the design of this tub is unassuming, it’s deceptively large—holding up to 105 gallons—and incredibly durable. It comes with a cover, lid, stand, and steps that help you get in, and it has extra-thick insulated walls to ensure that it stays cold.

It’s easy to maintain, too: Simply drain and replace the water every four weeks or so, and add ice as needed to cool it down to your desired temperature.

This tub won’t pop or break, and it’s made from polyurethane that can hold up against the elements all year long. Its small footprint also makes storage a breeze compared to other solid tubs.

Portable Ice Bath Tub

If you’re looking for a stripped-down folding ice bath tub that you can take anywhere, this option from Polar Recovery is a good first place to look. The whole tub weighs less than seven pounds, and it’s still big enough to soak most people up to their shoulders.

The tub’s inner lining is a durable PVC that you’ll have a hard time puncturing, and it even comes with a cover to keep bugs, dirt, and other nasties out of your water if you don’t feel like draining it after every use.

Structural Foam Stock Tank, 150-Gallons

While this isn’t technically an ice tub, if you’re looking for something affordable, durable, and large, this stock tub will certainly do the job. This model is 150 gallons, but there are sizes as big as 300 gallons if you want room for two.

This tank is seamless, easy to clean, and easy to drain, and while it’s not insulated like some other options, it is super durable—after all, it’s made for livestock, so it’s built to stay outside for years. It’s also not the comfiest experience, but neither are ice baths, frankly.

The Cold Stoic Ice Bath

If you’re an endurance athlete who logs loads of miles every week, you may want to invest in an ice bath tub that's a bit more permanent. While the Cold Stoic is certainly on the pricey end of the spectrum, it is beautifully and durably made, and won't be an eyesore on your back porch.

It’s safe for both indoor and outdoor use, and it has a temperature-control system that allows you to get the bath just right with the touch of a button.

The tub’s exterior is also customizable—you can choose the type of wood and the base color used in the model you purchase. You even have the option of adding a light for an additional $320 if you want better visibility for nighttime plunges.

Ice Bath Tub

Another premium pick, the Plunge gives you a spa-like experience in your very own yard. The sleek design fits in with any aesthetic, and it is safe for use both indoors and out. It was designed with ease of use in mind, so it is truly a “plug-and-plunge” experience.

Once you fill the tub with water, simply turn it on, set the temperature—which can go as low as 39 degrees Fahrenheit—and it is ready to use. And unlike a fill-and-dump tub, you won’t have to change the water since it goes through a filtration cycle with every use.

Foldable Ice Bath Tub

This tub is foldable, portable, and great for storing when not in use. It can also be used as not only an ice bath, but as a warm water bath as well; it even has insulation to help retain your desired temperature. It uses PVC piping to help give it rigidity so it won’t bend or tip over, and it has a drain near the bottom that can help you empty the water quickly.

Inflatable Ice Bath Tub with Electric Air Pump

This tub may be large when all blown-up, but when it comes time to put it away, it deflates to fit easily in a drawer, sit on a shelf, or get tucked under a bed. The PVC plastic outer layer makes this tub resistant to punctures and tears, allowing you to put it wherever you want outside without worry.

This tub has a backrest for a proper lounging position, and because it’s a blow-up design, it has some extra cushioning compared to sturdier tubs. It also has a cup holder, which is great for staying hydrated after a hard workout.

Just make sure to budget some extra time to drain this model—some reviewers say it takes up to 15 minutes.

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