Our Experts Tested and Rated the Top Cold Plunges Plunges of 2024
Looking for the best value for your money? See what our experts have to say below.
All plunges we tested are sold & available in the United States.
By Chaim Davionson
Last updated on Novmber 11 2024
This review takes a close look at the top-rated ice bath plunges of 2024 from trusted brands, uncovering which ones offer the best value for your money.
- All the models we tested are readily available in the USA, and our team of experts conducted in-depth evaluations across 15+ criteria. We assessed key aspects like construction quality, ease of installation, cooling efficiency, filtration systems, warranties, and more. To help you decide, we also assigned each plunge a score based on overall value, ultimately naming a top pick.
- Cold therapy is experiencing a surge in popularity due to its well-documented health benefits. Whether you’re an athlete aiming to speed up recovery or simply someone looking to harness its advantages, cold plunging is a great choice!
- The benefits are vast and include faster muscle recovery, boosted mood and energy levels, better sleep, reduced stress, aid in weight management, relief from chronic pain, and more.
For transparency, we purchased every ice bath in this review at full price and do not earn commissions from any of the brands featured.
1
The Oaker Tub
Oaker Cold Plunge
from $1,999
Highlights: Free US shipping. 12 months warranty. Try it risk free for 30 days. Easy returns
Value for money score
4.8/5
Our Top Pick: The Oaker Cold Plunge ($1,999)
When we came across Oaker Spa, we were impressed by their clear yet all-encompassing product range, designed with meticulous attention to quality and detail. Their offerings include both standard and extended-length ice baths for added comfort, a professional-grade chiller, and a range of practical accessories. Uniquely, for just $1,999 you can invest in a complete ice bath setup with a chiller—an exceptional value in this industry.
Smart Wi-Fi & App Control IPX4 All-Weather Resilient Dynamic constant temperature 3x faster cooling then others Accommodates individuals up to 6'9" or 400 lbs comfortably Over 8,700 five-star reviews Made with high-strength, UV-resistant nylon fabric Free from BPA, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals Includes a 12-month warranty, 30-day return policy, and 30-day trial periodAdvanced 20-micron filtration system, with cooling down to 37°F (3°C)
Only available for customers in the USA (for now) Might not look as aesthetic as the wood ice bath - $10k ice bath below, but ask yourself if the $8,000 extra price tag is worth it for you. The Bottom Line
This setup delivers unmatched value, outperforming competitors that cost five times as much. Our experts confidently recommend it for everyone, from beginners to seasoned users. Even if your budget surpasses $5,000, we firmly believe that the premium prices of similar products fail to offer any meaningful advantages. With exceptional quality and performance at a fraction of the cost, this option stands as the smart choice for anyone serious about cold therapy.
2
THE PLUNGE
The Plunge
$5000-$8,990
Rating
4.1/5
Our Top Pick: The IcePod + Pod Chiller ($999)
The Plunge does exactly what it’s supposed to, delivering a solid ice bath experience, with cold and clean water. This would be an excellent choice, but the $5000+ price point is hard for our experts to justify. After testing another ice bath priced around $2,1000 that offer similar cooling performance and features (our #1 pick in this article specifically), it’s tough to see a reasonable explanation why anyone would splurge on this one for the same cold water and performance.
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Sure, the design is indeed sleek, and it may have a few extra bells and whistles, but in terms of value for money, there’s really no reason to spend five times more for a plunge that doesn’t stand out enough to warrant the hefty price tag. At the end of the day you get the same clean and cold water here as you do with our $2,199 option we tested.
Includes a phone holder Sleek design Free from BPA, phthalates & any other harmful chemical traces
Extremely expensive starting at $5,000, this is out of most peoples price range Long and complicated setup time, heavy and not moveable, arrive by truck and need 3-4 people to move it
Includes delivery at home, but does not include the set-up itself
Limited warranty, not all defects and issues covered
Small selection of accessories & lots of maintenance required
The Bottom Line
If you have the space and are willing to spend almost $5,000 this is an option. You need to be willing to invest financially and commit a larger space for this ice bath. It does count with a high quality tub and good cooling system so you won’t need to wait for the water to reach the desired temperature. However, we did not love this option as it requires some serious space, care and is challenging to move if needed. The price point was the main drawdown of this option, comparing it to our first pick, we do not see the justification to spend 5 times more money for this option.
3
Top Luxury Cold Plunge
Timber Cold Plunge
$3,699
Highlights: Premium Thermo Pine Wood with a polished finish and a durable pre-installed hard plastic liner for unmatched quality. Compact yet spacious design, offering a refreshing and eco-friendly experience.
Value for money score
4.8/5
Our Top Pick: The Oaker Cold Plunge ($2,199)
When we came across Oaker Spa, we were impressed by their clear yet all-encompassing product range, designed with meticulous attention to quality and detail. Their offerings include both standard and extended-length ice baths for added comfort, a professional-grade chiller, and a range of practical accessories. Uniquely, for just $2,199, you can invest in a complete ice bath setup with a chiller—an exceptional value in this industry.
Premium Thermo Pine Wood with a polished, elegant finish. Fully assembled and ready for use upon delivery. Durable hard plastic liner for long-lasting performance. Durable hard plastic liner for long-lasting performance. 3x faster cooling than other cold plunges. Comfortable pre-installed bench for enhanced relaxation. Spacious 130-gallon capacity for a refreshing solo plunge.
3-4 week lead time on the more expensive side of the market The Bottom Line
Combining premium craftsmanship, advanced technology, and superior performance, this cold plunge offers the perfect blend of luxury and functionality, making it the ultimate choice for those seeking a top-tier, refreshing, and rejuvenating experience.
4
ICE BARREL 400
Ice Barrel 400
$1,199.00
Included: Ice Barrel + Lid (no chiller)
Value for money score
2.3/5
Effective upright design Free from BPA, phthalates & any other harmful chemical traces Doesn’t include a Chiller Extremely expensive, even without a chiller Not easily portable as it’s not compact, expensive to ship Lacks professional insulation, will not stay cold over time Bulky and not comfortable to use for some, you need to stand while plunging.
The Bottom Line
If you are specifically looking for a barrel design, this might be your best option. It does not come with a chiller and is one of the most expensive ice bath without a chiller on the list. Bare in mind you will still need to buy ice or a chiller on top of the listed $1199 price. However, at nearly $1,200, we were disappointed that this option is actually not fully insulated, since it’s just plastic that, while thick, does not insulate the water like some of the other options. The value provided does not justify the extremely high price point in our opinion. For the same price of this barrel, other companies offer the full setup with tub+chiller, which would be our recommendation if your budget is around $1000
5
DIY Ice Bath
DIY Ice Bath
$500 - $2000
Do it yourself plunge such as a DIY chest freezer ice bath.
Value/ease score
1.8/5
Our Top Pick: The IcePod + Pod Chiller ($999)
Cheaper than the $5000 ice baths fun DIY project
Extreme safety hazard, electric shock from freezer and external water pumps are a serious risk. Requires professional plumbing and electrical skills, + many hours required to build.Br/>
doesn't look aesthetic or presentable at your home. lot's of maintenance needed and no filtration. TOP CHOICE 2024
Our experts awards the best value ice bath: Oaker Spa
Oaker Spa Cold Plunge
From $1,999
Highlights: Free US shipping. 12 months warranty. Try it risk free for 30 days. Easy returns
Value for money score
4.8/5
Our Top Pick: Oaker Spa Cold Plunge
When we first came across Oaker Spa, we were impressed with their simple yet complete product range, and attention to detail+quality to say the least. They offer both a standard and long ice bath (for extra comfort), a high performance chiller and a wide range of accessories. From just $1,999 you are sorted with an ice bath + chiller, which is completely unheard of in the ice bath industry.
The chiller
The chiller ensures that your water is always exactly the temperature you desire (down to 37°F), and your water will remain sparkling clean too with it’s continuous flow and 20-micron filtration. (no more hassle with buying ice).
It’s rated both for indoor and outdoor use, highly energy-efficient and quiet (same energy and noice level as a fridge).
But you’re probably thinking;
This sounds too good to be true, what’s the catch? We thought the same, and was actually hesitant to order this one, but after seeing their ads everywhere, researching them a bit more, being assured with their 12 month warranty, and seeing their 1200+ 5-star reviews on Trustpilot, we took the chance.
3 months of testing later
After 3 months of testing this plunge daily, we can confidently say that this ice bath set up is the perfect rig for 99% of Americans. It delivers the same ice cold and clean water consistently, as the comparable $4500+ ice baths. The build quality is impressive and their warranty + satisfaction guarantee seems to hold up based on our own experience and from online reviews. The Chiller we received had a small scratch/dent in the paint that it likely got during transport (no even their fault), so we called their support phone and immediately got a sincere apology, and they promptly sent us a new chiller unit – This is how any company should treat their customers.
Pros
- Smart Wi-Fi & App Control
- IPX4 All-Weather Resilient
- Dynamic constant temperature
- 3x faster cooling then others
- Over 8,700 five-star reviews
- Made with high-strength, UV-resistant nylon fabric
- Advanced 20-micron filtration system, with cooling down to 37°F (3°C)
- Setup under 25 minutes
- Thick, 5-layer insulation with sub-zero technology for optimal cooling
Only available for customers in the USA (for now) Might not look as aesthetic as the wood ice bath - $10k ice bath below, but ask yourself if the $8,000 extra price tag is worth it for you.