If you have been on the wellness side of the internet lately, you have likely heard of cold plunging. Let’s take a look at the best cold plunge and ice baths.
Cold plunge and ice baths have gained momentum thanks to Tiktok and internationally-recognized faces like Joe Rogan and Wim Hof, a Dutch health guru who uses cold water exposure as a part of his wellness regimen.
However, cold plunging has been around for centuries despite its newfound fame.
Cold water therapy was used in Ancient Greece to treat injuries, wounds, skin conditions, and illnesses.
In the Roman Empire, gladiators used cold therapy to soothe their sore muscles after the battle.
Today, cold plunging and ice baths can provide various physical and psychological benefits, which we will cover in the following section.
Are Cold Plunges Good for You?
There are numerous reported cold plunge benefits for health.
First, cold plunges might burn fat and help with weight loss.
Several studies indicate that submerging yourself in cold water can transform white adipose tissue (WAT) into brown adipose tissue (BAT) in the body.
In other words, it transforms fat-storing tissue into fat-burning tissue, thus encouraging the body to burn more fat.
Some research shows that increased brown adipose tissue in the body can burn an additional 500 calories daily.
However, it is unclear how soon these effects will take place. It might take up to 60 hours of regular cold exposure for the body to increase its BAT levels. (Source)
In addition, cold plunges might help treat mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression.
Research indicates that cold water exposure can reduce stress levels by lowering one’s heart rate.
Another study determined that exposing the body to cold temperatures via showers and ice baths can effectively alleviate symptoms of depression. (Source)
This notion that cold exposure can treat depression was popularized by Wim Hof, a Dutch motivational speaker and athlete known for plunging himself into extremely cold temperatures.
Using the wisdom obtained from his personal life and athletic endeavors, he created the Wim Hof method, a practice that integrates breath work and cold exposure as an alternative solution to anxiety and depression.
Cold plunges can provide various health benefits, from jolting you awake and helping you recover to boosting your dopamine and norepinephrine levels.
Immersion in cold water can also increase the body's production of leukocytes, which helps fight sickness.
In other words, exposure to cold water can fight off disease and build the immune system.
So, yes, it’s safe to say that cold plunges are good for you.
But don’t just take our word for it; try it out yourself with some of the best cold plunges and ice baths on the market.
Best Cold Plunge & Ice Baths
- Best Overall: The Cold Plunge
- Best For Small Spaces: The Ice Barrel
- Quickest Flow Rate: Blue Cube Bath
- Most Portable: The Portal
- Best-Looking: Odin Original
Best Overall: The Cold Plunge
The Cold Plunge, created by the brand Plunge, offers the most value of all the tub options out there.
Not only is it simple to set up and use, this versatile cold plunge tub includes an array of high-quality features.
The Cold Plunge Pros and Cons
Here are some reasons why The Cold Plunge may or may not be right for you:
Pros
- It comes in standard and XL sizes.
- It provides a cooling only and cooling and heating option.
- The tub’s temperature goes down to 39 degrees.
- It includes an insulated cover to keep the tub cold.
- It can be used indoors and outdoors.
- The water lasts up to 6 months with proper maintenance.
- It includes circular filtration and ozone sanitation.
Cons
- It is expensive.
- It requires technology to use.
- It is not as portable as other options.
- It is quite bulky, making it inconvenient for people who live in tight spaces.
Pricing
Starting at 4,990 USD
Who It’s For
The Cold Plunge is for people who are serious about cold plunging and are planning to use it often.
How It's Different
What makes The Cold Plunge different is its high-quality features.
Just filling the tank once can provide months of excellent cold water therapy.
This product can offer ample benefits for years with its durability and built-in filtration.
Best For Small Spaces: The Ice Barrel
With The Ice Barrel, you can easily integrate cold plunging into your everyday routine.
This portable and durable barrel is simple to use.
All you have to do is fill it with water and ice, then climb in.
When you are done, you can neatly tuck the barrel out of sight with its compact structure.
The Ice Barrel Pros and Cons
Here are some reasons why The Ice Barrel may or may not be right for you:
Pros
- It has an easy-to-use drainage system.
- It is compact and easy to move around.
- It includes a protective UV lid cover.
- It includes a step stool so users can safely get in and out of the barrel.
Cons
- It requires frequent refills.
- While The Ice Barrel’s small size makes it perfect for small spaces, it may not be the most convenient for everyday use. One downside of The Ice Barrel is that it does not insulate as well as other cold plunge options on our list. This means you would have to refill it every few days (and provide your own ice each time).
- You manually control the temperature.
- The Ice Barrel does not have a temperature setting, which means you manually control the temperature.
Pricing
1,200 USD
Who It’s For
The Ice Barrel is for anyone who wants to add ice plunging to their wellness routine.
It is especially good for people who live in small spaces or are often on the move.
How It's Different
What makes The Ice Barrel different is its versatility.
Its compact size makes it easy to move around and store in tight spaces.
In addition, you can customize your cold plunge experience. Users can manually add ice and water to decide how cold they want their ice bath to be.
Users can also decide how much of their body they want to be submerged by standing or kneeling.
Quickest Flow Rate: Blue Cube Bath
Despite its high price tag, The Blue Cube Bath offers a commercial-quality ice bath in the comfort of your own backyard.
Blue Cube Bath Pros and Cons
Here are some reasons why The Blue Cube Bath may or may not be right for you:
Pros
- It has a quick flow rate.
- Its temperature drops to 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It provides chemical-free filtration.
- It includes an insulated spa cover.
- It runs 24/7 for instant use.
Cons
- It is very expensive.
- It takes up a lot of space.
Pricing
Starting at 15,000 USD
Who It’s For
The Blue Cube Bath is for people who want their cold plunging practice to be an immersive, luxury experience.
How It's Different
The Blue Cube Bath's luxury appearance and extremely quick flow rate make it different.
It can be a great addition to someone’s home spa or gym.
Most Portable: The Portal
Its portability and price point make The Portal by Polar Monkeys a great plunge tub option.
With its practical build and useful features, this cold plunge tub is a no-brainer for people looking for a cost-effective option.
The Portal Pros and Cons
Here are some reasons why The Portal by Polar Monkeys may or may not be right for you:
Pros
- It is 120 pounds without water, making moving it possible.
- It offers both a cooling only and cooling and heating option.
- It has a wide temperature range, from 36 to 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It includes a drainage system.
- It contains a filtration system, so your water stays cleaner for longer.
Cons
- It is difficult to store.
- While The Portal is portable (no pun intended), the dimensions are comparable to a bathtub.
- This size makes it difficult to stow away if you live in a smaller space.
Pricing
Starting at 2,690 USD
Who It’s For
The Portal is good for financially-savvy people looking to add cold plunging to their routine.
With its built-in filtration system, people who choose The Portal can go for months without having to drain their water.
Its 6-foot length makes it suitable for most body types.
How It's Different
What makes The Portal different is the fact it provides almost all the same benefits as our other cold plunge tub options at nearly half the cost.
Best-Looking: Odin Original
The Odin Original, created by the brand Odin, provides a beautifully designed plunge tub with high-quality features.
With its red cedar wood and sleek design, this cold plunge tub can make your ice bath experience look and feel good.
Odin Original Pros and Cons
Here are some reasons why Odin Original may or may not be right for you:
Pros
- Its stainless steel interior allows the tub to reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
- It includes automatic filtration and sanitation.
- It can fit people up to 6’2” tall.
- It is made of red cedar wood, making it a beautiful addition to any home.
- Its plug-in features make it easy to set up and use.
- It can be left on 24/7 for instant use.
Cons
- Although beautiful, the design is quite large.
- So if you live in a small space, this might not be the best option for you.
- The Odin Original needs to be plugged in to work.
- This means you need an outdoor space near an outlet.
Pricing
Starting at 6,900 USD
Who It’s For
The Odin Original is for people who want their cold plunge tub to be a beautiful addition to their home.
How It's Different
The Odin Original is the only plug-in ice bath made of cedar in the world.
It is also the only option on this list that reaches 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are looking for a cold plunge tub that can challenge you, the Odin Original might be the right fit.
Best Cold Plunges and Ice Baths FAQs
What are ice plunges?
An ice plunge is a practice of submerging yourself in cold water with temperatures at or under 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can do an ice plunge in a cold shower, cold water tank, or in nature by dipping yourself into a cold body of water.
While ice plunges have been brought to the public eye recently thanks to Tiktok and motivational speakers like Wim Hof, the practice dates back centuries.
Moreover, it can provide an array of health benefits, from boosting energy and supporting active recovery to treating anxiety and depression.
What are cold plunge tubs?
Cold plunge pools/tubs are tubs that you fill with cold water to submerge yourself in.
On average, the size of a cold plunge tub is comparable to a hot tub, but sizes can vary.
Once a tool used almost exclusively by athletes, cold plunge tubs are now becoming more accessible and popular for personal use.
For optimal benefits, it is best for the water to be 50 degrees Fahrenheit or below.
What should I look for in a cold plunge tub?
There are a few things to consider when looking for a cold plunge tub.
First, you want to look for a tub that you will be comfortable in. (Well, as comfortable as one can be in an ice bath). Select a cold plunge tub that gives you enough space to sit without having to go cross-legged or hold yourself in an uncomfortable position.
Next, you want to choose a cold plunge tub that makes your ice plunging process simple. Selecting a cold plunge tub with a permanent cooling system will save you from having to turn to the hose or the grocery store for bags of ice every time you feel like taking a dunk.
Speaking of useful features, you should opt for a cold plunge tub that provides a range of temperatures. This allows you to lower your tub temperatures as you progress in your practice.
Depending on where you keep your cold plunge tub, a durable cover that keeps your tub cool might save you time, energy, and money.
When it comes to building a new habit, the less hassle the process is, the more likely you will stick to it.
This is why selecting a cold plunge tub that is comfortable and easy to set up and use is crucial.
What are the benefits of ice plunging?
Ice plunging provides various potential physical and mental benefits.
Ice plunging can be not just a physical reset but a psychological one too, as it is associated with increased dopamine and norepinephrine levels.
In addition, both research and personal anecdotes have revealed that ice plunging can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.
When your body is exposed to cold temperatures, the body increases leukocyte production, which are cells that fight disease.
So ice plunging might potentially stimulate the immune system.
Lastly, ice plunging might aid weight loss due to its ability to transform fat-storing tissue into fat-burning tissue.
Best Cold Plunges and Ice Baths: Summing Things Up
Cold therapy is not just for gladiators and athletes anymore.
If you are looking to boost your energy levels and mood, enhance your immune system, or optimize your weight loss journey, investing in a cold plunge tub might be the right choice for you.
From tubs that can fit in tight spaces to tubs you can take with you on the go, the options on our list can help you achieve your physical and mental health goals.