These Cold Plunge Tubs for Recovery Really Work

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From cold showers to ice baths to cryotherapy, the benefits of the cold have been proven time and time again. The latest trend? Taking a polar plunge! But before you get discouraged by the idea of bracing the chilly water, the best cold plunge tubs could do a lot more for your health than you think.

A cold plunge, also known as cold water immersion, is exactly what it sounds like: A brief dip into an ice bath. But unlike the long, relaxing baths you take for self-care purposes, cold plunges are quick, therapeutic dips in ice water, per Cleveland Clinic.

Meet the Experts: Frank Lipman, M.D., chief medical officer of THE WELL; Ashley Rhines, expert from Woodhouse Spa Denver; Samuel Whiting, director of performance at Edge Theory Labs.

But you don’t necessarily have to dip into freezing water to reap the benefits—the optimal temperature for a cold plunge tub completely depends on what someone’s goal is, says Samuel Whiting, director of performance at Edge Theory Labs. “Contrary to what many people think, even 50°F to 60°F can provide the desired therapeutic effects while ensuring that the cold water immersion experience is safe and effective. However, some people may prefer slightly colder temperatures into the 30s °F depending on personal preference and the specific therapeutic goals they aim to achieve.” It’s essential to listen to your body, gradually adapt, and adjust your temperatures according to individual comfort and tolerance levels over time, Whiting explains.

Our top picks

Ready to take the plunge? Keep scrolling to see our top cold plunge tub picks to fit your every need.

From cold showers to ice baths to cryotherapy, the benefits of the cold have been proven time and time again. The latest trend? Taking a polar plunge! But before you get discouraged by the idea of braving the chilly water, the best cold plunge tubs could do a lot more for your health than you think.

A cold plunge, also known as cold water immersion, is exactly what it sounds like: A brief dip into an ice bath. But unlike the long, relaxing baths you take for self-care purposes, cold plunges are quick, therapeutic dips in ice water, per Cleveland Clinic.

Meet the Experts: Frank Lipman, M.D., chief medical officer of THE WELL; Ashley Rhines, expert from Woodhouse Spa Denver; Samuel Whiting, director of performance at Edge Theory Labs.

But you don’t necessarily have to dip into freezing water to reap the benefits—the optimal temperature for a cold plunge tub completely depends on what someone’s goal is, says Samuel Whiting, director of performance at Edge Theory Labs. “Contrary to what many people think, even 50°F to 60°F can provide the desired therapeutic effects while ensuring that the cold water immersion experience is safe and effective. However, some people may prefer slightly colder temperatures into the 30s depending on personal preference and the specific therapeutic goals they aim to achieve.” It’s essential to listen to your body, gradually adapt, and adjust your temperatures according to individual comfort and tolerance levels over time, Whiting explains.

Our top picks

Ready to take the plunge? Keep scrolling to see our top cold plunge tub picks to fit your every need.

The Plunge

Taking the top spot, this pick from Plunge has every bell and whistle you could ever need. It’s adaptable for indoor and outdoor use and it can be chilled down to 39°F and heated back up to 103°F for a hot tub moment. It’s also made for easy maintenance: It comes with an insulated spa cover, skimmer net, and a hose filter, and with powerful filtration, your tub water can last up to six months. There’s a cell phone holder too!

One reviewer on the brand’s website wrote, “The Plunge was a year-end gift for the house. I was hesitant at first, but LOVE everything about it. The setup was easy, the maintenance seems pretty straightforward, and using it is simple. I feel better every day.”

Ice Bath Tub

If you’re still testing the waters and you’re hesitant to make a real investment in your cold plunge experience, this pick might be right for you. This tub features a five layered insulation system—so even though it doesn’t come with its own chiller, it’ll keep your ice bath plenty cold. The inflatable, portable design makes it easy to move around your outdoor space with ease and it comes with a protective lid to keep out debris.

One Amazon customer wrote, “I stumbled upon this ice tub after looking around everywhere and couldn’t be happier with my purchase. It’s the perfect size and easy to assemble. Well worth the price point especially for the quality.”

Ice Bath Tub for Athletes

If you’re new to cold therapy, this pick is beginner-friendly and won’t break the bank. This tub is made with a PVC inner liner, a nylon outer layer, and a middle insulation of pearl foam and features an insulating lid to keep the water from losing that chill. There’s a drain tap for easy breakdown, as well as padding around the ring of the ice bath to provide added comfort. And at an affordable price, it’s a great choice for first timers.

One satisfied Amazon reviewer wrote, “This ice bath has really impressed me. It is easy to set up, easy to take down, it holds the water temperature great, and it’s comfortable, too!”

The Edge Tub Elite

If you want the best of both hot and cold worlds, this tub cools water down from ambient temperatures to 37°F or heats it up to 104°F in less than 3 hours. This pick also has easy set up with no tools required. Plus, the two-step filtration system and non-chlorine based sanitizer keeps the water pure and continually cycles in fresh, clean water, so maintenance is a breeze. Bonus: The wifi enabled chiller allows you to control temperatures remotely and conveniently from your smartphone.

One Edge Theory customer said, “This product just doesn’t get any better! It’s simple to set up and maintain, and the temperature controls make it easy to get the benefits of cold water immersion. I’m so happy with this purchase.”

The Cold Stoic Classic

Now this pick is for the people who are ready to invest in luxury cold plunges all-year long. This tub from celebrity-loved brand Renu Therapy upgrades your ice bath into a spa-like experience. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, you can choose from several base colors and fine deck woods for a chic, custom design. It also features an advanced chiller and filtration system that’s both energy-efficient and whisper-quiet. So while the price tag is steep, it’s worth the splurge if you want the best.

One verified customer wrote, “We were so excited to receive our Renu cold plunge and quickly became addicted! Best investment out there. We considered other units, but they looked like bathtubs. The Renu blends into our backyard aesthetic, is easy to use and a great investment!”

Portable Ice Bath

If portability is your highest priority, look no further. This cold plunge tub folds down to fit in a backpack and inflates in only two minutes! The triple-layer cushioned bottom makes this tub durable enough for outdoor use, and the air-gap insulating body and locking lid keep your ice bath colder for longer. And when you’re ready to go iceless, you can easily upgrade to one of the brand’s Wi-Fi enabled smart chillers for a versatile cold to hot plunge system just a tap away.

One verified customer from the brand wrote that this tub “has been absolutely fantastic! It’s plenty big enough and it’s VERY sturdy. I did not purchase the “chiller/filter” because I wanted to make sure I would actually use the “tub” first before investing in the chiller. I have to say that the experience has been awesome so far. If you are looking to give this a try, this is absolutely the way to go.”

The Ice Pod

If you or your partner is taller than six feet, it can be difficult to gauge which tub will be a comfortable fit. This brand claims that this tub will fit people up to 6’9” tall, which makes it one of the more accommodating picks for height that we found in our research. Plus, even at a lower price point than most other options, this tub still keeps temps cold for up to 24 hours. And if you want to go iceless, you can easily add a chiller to this tub for more convenience and easy set up.

One happy customer wrote, “The POD is easy to set up, easy to maintain and won’t break the bank if you can’t commit. Take the plunge, you won’t regret it.”

The Viking

This tub is perfect for small spaces, both indoor and outdoor. The Viking from Nordic Wave also features an ozone generator and filtration system as well as a powerful chiller with an adjustable thermostat. Bonus: you can choose from a selection of aesthetically-pleasing colors to look beautiful in any space.

One verified customer wrote, “I didn’t want the look of a rectangular tub in my backyard. The Viking is both aesthetically pleasing, and more functional when entering/exiting compared to a conventional tub style cold plunge. It also takes up a smaller footprint and I was able to place it where a traditional tub shape wouldn’t have fit and, in my opinion, would not look good.”

Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub

Made with Scandinavian Thermowood, the cold tub looks beautiful and doesn’t absorb water quickly—so it’ll last years. The circular tub is fairly compact and it comes with a matching step stool to complete the look (unfortunately, the matching cover will cost you a little extra). It’s fully assembled before delivery, so there’s no set-up required!

One reviewer from the brand’s website wrote, “Bought the Alaskan cold plunge and it is awesome! Couldn’t be happier with this purchase.”

SaluSpa Inflatable Hot Tub Spa

Cold plunges are more fun with friends! If you want to share your plunge experience with your partner or your pals, this tub that fits up to four people is a great option. This pick can be used as a hot tub (up to 104°F) or a cold tub, and it has 120 built-in air jets for a spa-level experience. The only catch is that this choice involves a bit more set-up than our other selections, but the included auto-pump does make it easier to assemble.

One Amazon customer wrote, “So, I wasn’t really expecting a great deal out of this product—seriously, an INFLATABLE spa?!?!? How good is this thing going to be, really? Well, it’s AWESOME. Hands down, the coolest thing I’ve bought for less than $500.”

How to choose the best cold plunge tub

When shopping for a cold plunge tub, there are several factors to consider. Here are some things to keep in mind before you make your purchase:

Size: If you or someone in your household is a taller person, be sure to check the maximum height that a tub will fit. Also, if you’d prefer to have a tub that’s big enough to share, look for options that allow for more than one user to enjoy a cold plunge at once.

Maintenance: Maintenance considerations are crucial, so if you don’t want to have to constantly drain and refill the water and clean the tub each week, select a tub that offers self-cleaning and self-purifying functions to minimize the amount of maintenance required, says Whiting. There are many sanitation method choices, but top-performing tubs use ozone filtration and UV light to sanitize, says Ashley Rhines, expert from Woodhouse Spa Denver. “Ozone is more affordable, but UV is low maintenance,” she notes. Additionally, Rhines adds that you will definitely want an insulated cover, especially if you plan to keep your tub outside.

Portability: Are you ok with setting up your tub in one spot permanently? Or do you want the flexibility to move the tub around your house, yard, balcony or garage with ease, and take it with you on the go? If you are renting, plan to move in the future, or simply might need to move your tub around, flexibility and ease of portability can make your life infinitely easier, says Whiting.

Power: Horsepower (HP) measures a cold tub’s motor power for efficient water cooling, says Whiting. “Tubs with 0.8 HP or higher cool water effectively and sustain lower temperatures without needing to add ice, even against factors like body heat or warm weather. Conversely, lower HP tubs need more time to cool and may struggle to maintain colder temperatures, possibly requiring ice for desired results.” Note: this is only a factor if you opt to purchase a cold plunge that comes with a chiller, as opposed to an ice bath.

Customer service: While most cold tub companies don’t want to admit it, sometimes challenges or malfunctions may arise, especially with units equipped with external chillers, says Whiting. “While many companies may overlook this aspect, ensuring access to reliable and responsive customer support can make all the difference in resolving issues promptly and ensuring the optimal performance of your tub in the long run.”

Cold plunge health benefits

Cold plunges, or cold water immersion, may provide various health benefits, says Whiting, including: “increased energy and mental wellbeing, boosted metabolic rate and burning body fat, reduced muscle soreness, decreased inflammation, improved sleep quality, strengthened immune function, faster recovery and improved circulation.”

The brief doses of temperature stress you’re exposing yourself to in a cold plunge can stimulate your cells’ ability to repair themselves, promoting autophagy—the body’s self-cleaning system, explains Frank Lipman, M.D., chief medical officer of THE WELL. “Regular, short uses of cold therapy can help make this process more efficient and robust, helping to counter the natural wear and tear of aging.” Short exposure to cold temperatures in a cold plunge can also stimulate longevity gene pathways, increase mitochondria production and help tamp down inflammation, Dr. Lipman notes.

Who are cold plunges good for?

Having a cold plunge tub at home can be beneficial for athletes looking to incorporate cold immersion into a frequent recovery protocol, but it’s also useful for everyday individuals living a healthy lifestyle (getting good sleep, eating a nutritious diet, consistently incorporating movement into their day) who are looking for additional ways to support anti-aging and longevity, says Dr. Lipman.

Who shouldn’t try cold plunges?

While this is a trending modality for good health, it’s not for everyone, says Rhines. “If you have had a history of heart disease, Raynaud’s Syndrome, oversensitive blood vessels, or lack of nerve sensation and numbness, this therapy is not recommended.”

People with known cardiac or pulmonary disease, hypertension; pregnant people; and individuals with diabetes should also avoid cold plunges, adds Dr. Lipman. If you have any other pre-existing medical conditions, it’s a good idea to consult with your physician prior to taking an ice bath.

How to start using a cold plunge tub

First, always consult a doctor before beginning any new therapy, says Rhines. “Before purchasing a cold plunge tub, it would be wise to begin slowly—first start with a 30 second cold blast in the shower a couple times a week, working your way up to 3 minutes. Then if well tolerated, graduate to a cold bath for 3 to 5 minutes, one to two times a week.” If you begin feeling the benefits, then you can feel confident that purchasing a therapy tub is worthwhile for you, Rhines explains.

Once you have a cold plunge tub of your own, keep in mind that the tub will need to be drained and refilled once or twice a month, says Rhines, “and it’s recommended to enter after showering to keep your tub cleaner.”

How we chose the best cold plunge tubs

We consulted with wellness experts Frank Lipman, M.D., chief medical officer of THE WELL; Ashley Rhines, expert at Woodhouse Spa Denver; and Samuel Whiting, director of performance at Edge Theory Labs. We also poured over countless reviews from verified customers to ensure we chose cold plunge tubs that were vetted by real people just like you.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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