Practicing daily cold water therapy is one of the best healthy habits you can have. Cold water therapy or “cold plunging” is the practice of submersing yourself in very cold water, typically below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, for an extended period of time. Cold plunging has been shown to increase your energy levels, reduce inflammation, boost your mood, improve sleep, and so much more. Cold plunging is like a cheat code for improved health and wellness.
Practicing cold water therapy on a daily basis requires some effort though. You either have to constantly be filling an ice tub with water or need to make the investment into a cold water chiller. There are a lot of different options out there for cold plunge tubs. To make it easy for you I created a list of the best cold plunge tubs on the market based on my research.
Best Overall Cold Plunge Tub
The best cold plunge tub on the market is without question the Plunge cold tub. Plunge is a state-of-the-art beautifully designed cold tub. The Plunge features a tub that is almost 3 feet wide, about 5 and a half feet long, and 2 feet high. With a lot of other options, you might have to constantly be refilling your cold plunge tub with new water and ice but with The Cold Plunge that is a thing of the past. The Cold Plunge comes with a very effective water chiller and filtration system that will keep your tub filled with cold clean water all the time without any additional effort on your part. If you are serious about cold plunging and want the best, most durable, cold plunge tub on the market then this is the tub for you. Plus, as a bonus, I have an exclusive discount code for my friends and family: MARC150 which will get you $150 off your purchase when you use the link below.
Best DIY Cold Plunge Tub
If you are looking to save money you might want to try a “do it yourself” (DIY) cold tub option. Purchasing a cold plunge tub that has a chiller can be expensive so if you are new to the practice you starting with a do-it-yourself option is a good way to test the waters. If you have a bathtub that is definitely one place you can start. If you don’t own a bathtub or it is too small to submerge your whole body, then purchasing a Rubbermaid tub is a very affordable and easy option for a do-it-yourself plunge. Simply set this up in your backyard or wherever you have access to a hose, get enough ice to make it cold, and hop in!
Best Wooden Cold Plunge Tub
If you are looking for a unique rustic design then check out the ALEKO Natural Pine Hot & Cold Plunge tub. This tub is really cool becuase it will align nicely with a lot of different outdoor furntiture. Additionally, it is a very versatile tub as it can be used as a hot tub or cold tub. The downside to this tub is is still requires ice as there is no chiller unit so that is quite inconvient compared to premium tubs like The Cold Plunge. However, the tub is a pretty great value considering the versatility.
Best Affordable Cold Plunge Tub
If you don’t have $5k plus to spend on a cold plunge but still want a quality unit that will last the The Portal by Polar Monkey is a solid choice. The Portal is 2 feet wide, 4 ft long, and 2 feet tall so it has some room but is definitely not as spacious as The Cold Plunge. This unit does come with a cold chiller though which separates it from wooden or DIY options. Having the cold chiller is great because you then don’t have to be making trips to the local store to purchase ice. Getting access to ice is many times the hardest part about cold plunge set up so having a chiller is a game changer. At $2,840 this unit is about half the cost of the premium options but still gets the job done.
Best Portable Cold Plunge Tub
For those who already have cold plunging built into their daily routine and can’t go a day without it you should definitely invest in a portable unit. The Expore Fitness portable ice bath is a nice choice for those seeking a cold tub you take on the go. It goes for around $145 on Amazon and is large enough to fit your whole body in the tub. In one of their images they even show two females in the tub so the average sized person should definitely have enough space to plunge solo.
Cold Plunge Tub Frequently Asked Questions?
What is a cold plunge?
Cold plunging is a somehwhat new term that is used to describe the practice of cold water immersion or cold water therapy. Cold water immersion is a practice that has been around for thousands of years. There have been records of Ancient Greeks, Romans, and Chinese philosophers and physicians who would partake in this practice. Athletes are commonly known for regularly taking cold baths for recovery. Recently it has become more popular thanks to people like Wim Hof who has turned cold plunging into a movement.
How long should I cold plunge?
On average I would recommend cold plunging for 3 to 5 minutes but it really depends on tolerance. If you are new, start with 30 seconds and work your way up. Always practice caution when cold plunging. Don’t get the water below freezing levels and I would advise keeping sessions below 10 minutes.
How often should I cold plunge?
This is totally up to you but I recommend cold plunging everyday. It’s a great way to start off your day and give you a natural energy boost rather than drinking a ton of caffeine.
How to keep cold plunge water clean?
The best way to keep your cold plunge tub clean is by purchasing a tub that has a built in filtration system such as The Cold Plunge. If you have another type of tub then you simply will want to empty the water in the tub regularly and fill it with fresh clean water. You may also need to scrub your tub down every once in a while with a clean sponge and some dish soap and rinse it out thoroughly with warm water before filling it back up.
How to warm up after cold plunge?
When exiting the cold tub you want to first dry yourself off with a fresh clean towel. From there I recommend getting our of your wet bathing suit and putting on some clean socks, unerwear, sweatpants, and a hoodie. Let your body get back to it’s normal temperature state before starting other activities.
What are the best discounts for cold plunge tubs?
You can find the best cold plunge dicounts on my cold plunge discount codes page!
