Last updated: April 24th, 2025
The Best Cold Plunges in 2025, Tested, Rated, and Reviewed
Words by
Naomi Azulay
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Published on: Apr 29, 2024
We tested the most talked-about cold plunges in real-world conditions—our garages, patios, and recovery setups—to find out which ones make daily use, cleaning, and setup feel doable.
Cold plunging has quickly become one of the most essential tools in the wellness and recovery world. What started as a trend is now part of daily routines for athletes, high-performers, and everyday people looking to feel better, recover faster, and sharpen their focus.
The hard part isn’t deciding if you want one—it’s knowing which one won’t become a regret purchase.
So our team tested the most popular cold plunges and looked at what really matters: ease of use, maintenance, portability, pricing, HSA/FSA eligibility, and how each one fits into a busy lifestyle.
Here’s what we found—and which cold plunges are truly worth your time, space, and investment. Below is a quick look at our top picks.
Featured Product
Polar Monkeys
Brainpod 2.0
From $8,790.00
Cold Plunge
Polar Monkeys
The Plunge
Ice Barrel
Blue Cube
Odin Ice Bath
Best For
Best overall
Best design + performance
Best budget
Best for serious athletes
Best durability
Starting Price
$8,790.00
$6,990
$1,200
$6,000+
$4,800
HSA/FSA Eligible
Best Overall: Polar Monkeys
High performance, low maintenance, and solid value—our top recommendation for most buyers.
Why we recommend it: Polar Monkeys strikes the perfect balance. It’s durable, easy to set up, filters water automatically, and cools fast—all without the sky-high price tag. Unlike other plunges we tested, this one didn’t require constant tweaking or troubleshooting.
Price: From $8,790.00
Size: Compact enough for most patios, garages, or indoor recovery spaces
Ease of use: Plug-and-play setup, simple controls
Maintenance: Ozone filtration keeps things clean with minimal effort
Portability: Easier to move than most fully built units
HSA/FSA Eligible: ✅ Yes
What sets it apart: Beyond being incredibly functional, Polar Monkeys also looks great. The bold, industrial-cool design adds an edge to your recovery space, whether it's a backyard, gym, or garage.
About Polar Monkeys: Polar Monkeys is a fast-growing player in the cold therapy space, known for combining reliable performance with bold industrial-style design. The brand has earned a loyal following for offering a plug-and-plunge experience without excessive costs, and they’ve built a reputation around strong customer service and easy maintenance systems.
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Best Design + Performance: Plunge
A high-end option with fast cooling and solid tech—but at a higher cost.
Why we recommend it: If you’re someone who appreciates both function and form, Plunge delivers. The fast cooling, sleek design, and built-in sanitation system make it one of the most luxurious plunges we tested.
Price: From $4,990
Size: Larger footprint—check your space before buying
Ease of use: Intuitive interface, fast chill time
Maintenance: Easy-to-access filtration
Portability: Not ideal for frequent moves
HSA/FSA Eligible: ✅ Yes
What sets it apart: Unlike most plunges that feel purely functional, The Plunge feels like a statement piece. Beyond just cooling water, it elevates your recovery setup aesthetically. The only issue we encountered? Delivery and setup took a little longer than expected, but once installed, it worked flawlessly.
About The Plunge: The Plunge was one of the first companies to bring a sleek, spa-like cold plunge to the mainstream market, quickly becoming a favorite among pro athletes and influencers. The brand is known for delivering performance and visual appeal in one impressive package.
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Best Budget Option: Ice Barrel
An affordable entry point if you’re willing to add your own ice
Why we recommend it: No tech, no electricity—just a compact, upright tub that gets the job done. Ice Barrel is the most approachable way to try cold plunging without committing to a chiller system.
Price: Around $1,200
Size: Compact and vertical—fits in small outdoor spaces
Ease of use: Fill with water, add ice, plunge
Maintenance: Needs manual emptying and cleaning
Portability: Lightweight and easy to move
HSA/FSA Eligible: ❌ No
What sets it apart: The Ice Barrel is ideal for anyone curious about cold therapy but hesitant to spend thousands. The only thing we missed was the ability to lounge—it’s a sit-up, not a stretch-out kind of plunge. But for the price, it’s hard to beat.
About Ice Barrel: This brand focuses on simplicity and accessibility. Its straightforward, low-tech approach makes cold exposure more attainable for everyday users without a huge investment.
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Best for Serious Athletes: BlueCube
Top-tier recovery tech for high-performance users and sports facilities.
Why we recommend it: If you’re going all-in on recovery, BlueCube is worth considering. The chilling power is unmatched, and the medical-grade components set it apart.
Price: $6,000+
Size: Large so it requires a dedicated space
Ease of use: Digital controls, automated cleaning
Portability: Extremely heavy, best for permanent setup
HSA/FSA Eligible: ✅ Yes
What sets it apart: Unlike other units, BlueCube feels like it was built for a pro sports facility, because it pretty much was. Beyond its powerful performance, it’s whisper-quiet and requires minimal upkeep. The only downside is the steep price—but for elite recovery, it delivers.
About BlueCube: A premium name in cold therapy, BlueCube caters to serious athletes and high-volume recovery centers. It’s trusted by sports teams and training facilities for a reason.
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Best for Durability: Odin Ice Bath
Handcrafted design with powerful performance, but higher maintenance.
Why we recommend it: Odin is one of the most unique-looking plunges out there—handcrafted cedar and stainless steel with the performance to back it up. It’s durable, powerful, and has a spa-like vibe, but it does require more hands-on maintenance.
Price: Around $4,800
Size: Large and bulky
Ease of use: Requires more setup and monitoring
Maintenance: Higher upkeep than plug-and-play tubs
Portability: Very difficult to move once installed
HSA/FSA Eligible: ❌ No
What sets it apart: Beyond the performance, Odin is simply beautiful. It’s the kind of plunge you build a recovery space around. But unlike sleeker options, it’s more of a long-term commitment. The only issue we faced was that the wood exterior needs regular care if you keep it outdoors.
About Odin: Based in Australia, Odin combines handcrafted materials with commercial-grade cooling. Their tubs bring a spa-like presence to a category that’s often purely functional.
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What to Consider Before You Buy a Cold Plunge
Measure before you buy, some plunges are bulky and permanent.
Ice vs. chiller: Do you want convenience or a lower price point?
Choose something you’ll actually use consistently.
Some are easy to relocate; others, not so much.
Self-cleaning systems save time and effort in the long run.
The best plunge is the one that fits your life and your wallet.
Final Thoughts
There’s no shortage of options out there, but not all cold plunges are created equal. For most people, Polar Monkeys offers the best balance of performance, ease, aesthetics, and value. But depending on your budget and goals, one of the others may be a better fit.
The key is finding a plunge that works for your routine—not just your recovery goals, but your space, lifestyle, and time. We hope this guide helps you find the one for you.