This cold plunge tub buying guide walks through the decisions that matter before you spend anywhere from about $1,000 to more than $13,000: which type of tub, whether you need a chiller, how big the tub should be, what it costs to run and where it can go. Every product, price and spec below comes from our own product pages, and we note where a manufacturer does not publish a number. If you already know you are choosing between an inflatable tub and a chilled one, our inflatable ice bath vs cold plunge with chiller comparison goes deeper on that single decision.
A note on health and safety first
Cold water immersion is a real physical stress. Tub makers describe benefits such as recovery, circulation and energy; treat those as manufacturer claims, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor before you start, especially if you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, Raynaud’s, are pregnant or take medication. Start with short, less cold sessions, never plunge alone or after drinking alcohol, and get out if you feel numb, dizzy or confused. Keep a cover on the tub when it is not in use, particularly around children and pets.
Cold plunge tub buying guide: the five types
Most home cold plunges fall into one of five groups. The biggest differences are how the water gets cold, where the tub can live and the total price once you add a chiller.
| Type | Example we carry | How it gets cold | Listed price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable ice bath | Tru Grit Fitness Inflatable Ice Bath | Ice | $999 | Beginners, renters, travel |
| Cedar tub, add a chiller | Dundalk Baltic and Polar Plunge Tubs | Ice or a separate chiller | $2,554.50 and $3,444 (tub only) | Sauna owners, outdoor setups |
| Cedar-clad stainless plunge | Dundalk The Flow | Chiller in a built-in compartment | From $6,184 | A finished, furniture-like look |
| All-in-one hot and cold tub | 69 in. Cold Plunge and Hot Tub with built-in KPlunge chiller | Built-in chiller and heater | $7,999 | Daily plungers who also want warm soaks |
| Dual-zone spa | Cal Spas Dual Zone Cold Plunge Spa DZChill | Separate chilled side | $13,140 | Households who want a full hot tub too |
Prices are as listed on our product pages at the time of writing and can change.
1. Inflatable ice bath
The Tru Grit Fitness Inflatable Ice Bath measures 60 x 30 x 37 inches, inflates in 2 to 5 minutes with the included double action pump and rolls into a backpack. The complete kit weighs 38 lb and includes the tub, pump, mat, backpack and a repair kit. It is the cheapest way to find out whether you will plunge regularly. The trade-off is ice: without a chiller, you buy or make ice for every session.
2. Cedar tubs you pair with a chiller
Dundalk LeisureCraft makes two Canadian cedar tubs that work with ice or an electric chiller:
- Baltic Cold Plunge Tub: Eastern White Cedar with an HDPE plastic liner and stainless steel bands. Holds up to 150 gallons and ships assembled. $2,554.50.
- Polar Plunge Tub: 71 x 33 x 25 inches outside, 190 gallons, with angled sides for easier entry and a choice of 304 stainless steel or white HDPE interior. Includes a drain that connects to a garden hose; a roll-up cover is optional. Listed with a 5 year residential warranty. $3,444.
These make sense if you already own or plan a sauna, since they are designed as sauna companions, and if you like the idea of starting with ice and adding a chiller later.
3. The Flow: a cedar-clad stainless plunge
The Flow Cold Plunge pairs a stainless steel tub with cedar cladding and hides the chiller in a compartment inside the outer shell. It ships fully assembled and needs only a chiller and cover connection before use. The listing does not publish interior dimensions or gallons, and it is not explicit about whether a chiller is included at the listed price, so call us to confirm before you order.
4. All-in-one hot and cold tub
The 69 in. All-in-One Cold Plunge and Hot Tub has a built-in KPlunge chiller and heater that the maker lists from 37°F to 104°F. It adds WiFi app control, an ozone generator, a replaceable filter, two jets and Bluetooth speakers. The exterior is 69 x 39 x 30 inches, it is listed for indoor or outdoor use, and it is backed by KPlunge’s limited lifetime warranty. $7,999.
5. Dual-zone cold plunge spa
The Cal Spas Dual Zone Cold Plunge Spa DZChill is a hot tub and cold plunge in one shell: 93 x 93 x 34 inches, a 130 gallon chill side listed down to 39°F and a 250 gallon spa side up to 104°F. It weighs 900 lb dry and 4,071 lb filled, runs on 220V and has a 120V chiller with 24/7 circulation. It needs a permanent pad that can carry that load. $13,140.
Cold plunge tub with chiller: how to choose the chiller
A chiller circulates tub water through a refrigeration unit and holds a set temperature, so you skip the ice. Here is how the standalone units we carry compare, using each maker’s listed specs.
| Chiller | Listed range | Power and size | Extras | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penguin Cold Therapy Chiller | Low 40s°F, high 30s°F in optimal conditions | 3/4 HP, 7,500 BTU/hr; 110 to 120V, 450 W, 3.9 A; 17 x 15 x 13 in, 49 lb | Built-in pump, filter kit, 10 ft GFCI cord, 56 dBA | 1 year | $2,641 |
| Coldture Water Chiller | 37°F to 105°F | Not listed | WiFi control, self-priming pump, step filtration; outdoor use down to 14°F air | 1 year | $3,824 |
| KPlunge 3/4 HP Chiller and Heater | 38°F to 104°F | 3/4 HP; 18.5 x 13.8 x 20.9 in | WiFi app, ozone, filter, ETL certified | Limited lifetime | $2,999 |
| KPlunge 1 HP Chiller and Heater | 38°F to 104°F | 1 HP; 21.3 x 15.7 x 21.7 in | WiFi app, ozone, filter, ETL certified | Limited lifetime | $3,499 |
What to look for in a chiller
- Capacity for your tub and climate. A bigger tub, a hot garage or direct sun all make a chiller work harder. Compare horsepower and BTU ratings, and if a maker lists a maximum tub size, stay under it. If you are unsure, send us your tub size and location and we will check with the manufacturer.
- Heating. The Coldture and KPlunge units also heat, which lets you use one tub for warm soaks. The Penguin only cools.
- Winter use. Penguin says to disconnect and drain it in freezing conditions. Coldture lists outdoor use down to 14°F air temperature. If your tub is outdoors year-round in a cold climate, this matters.
- Water care. Ozone and filtration (KPlunge) or a filter kit (Penguin) reduce how often you change water. Cold water also slows bacterial growth, as Penguin notes, but it does not replace sanitation.
- Compatibility. Dundalk says the Polar tub works with Penguin or Coldture chillers. KPlunge says its chillers are designed for KPlunge tubs but work with any tub with a standard inlet and outlet.
Real costs: upfront and ongoing
The sticker price of the tub is rarely the full cost. Here is what the setups above add up to using our listed prices.
| Setup | Upfront (listed prices) | Ongoing costs to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Inflatable ice bath | $999 | Ice for every session; water changes |
| Baltic tub + Penguin chiller | $5,195.50 | Electricity, filters, water changes |
| Polar tub + Penguin chiller | $6,085 | Electricity, filters, water changes; optional cover |
| Polar tub + Coldture chiller | $7,268 | Electricity, filters, water changes; optional cover |
| All-in-one hot and cold tub | $7,999 | Electricity, filter, sanitizer |
| Cal Spas DZChill dual-zone spa | $13,140 | Electricity for spa and chiller, a 220V circuit, a pad, spa chemicals |
For running costs, Penguin publishes an estimate: about $18 to $28 a month at $0.12 per kWh, with the compressor and fan only running as needed. Your cost will differ with your electricity rate, climate, how often the lid is off and your set temperature. Other makers on this list do not publish a running-cost figure.
Shipping from us is free by freight on orders of $999 or more, so every setup above ships free. Budget separately for any electrical work, a level pad or floor reinforcement, and delivery access to your backyard or basement.
Best cold plunge tub for home: matching the tub to your situation
You want to try it first
Start with the inflatable ice bath. If you plunge consistently for a few months, you can move up to a chilled tub knowing it will get used.
You own a sauna or are planning one
The Baltic or Polar cedar tubs are built as sauna companions and look the part outdoors. Our home sauna buying guide covers the heat side of contrast routines.
You plunge daily and hate buying ice
Pair a tub with a chiller, or choose the all-in-one tub if you also want warm soaks from the same unit.
You want a hot tub too
The Cal Spas DZChill gives you both in one shell, but check the 220V requirement and the filled weight of 4,071 lb before you order.
Cold plunge for a tall person: sizing tips
Most makers publish outside dimensions, not the interior, so measure carefully and allow for wall thickness.
- Length decides whether you sit or recline. The Polar is 71 inches long outside, the all-in-one tub 69 inches and the inflatable 60 inches. Taller users usually sit upright with knees bent in shorter tubs.
- Depth decides whether your shoulders go under. The inflatable is listed at 37 inches high; the Polar is 25 inches high outside with angled sides; the all-in-one tub is 30 inches. Sitting height matters as much as overall height.
- Width matters for broad shoulders. The Polar is 33 inches wide outside, the inflatable 30 and the all-in-one tub 39.
- Volume affects the chiller. Bigger tubs hold more water to cool: the Baltic holds up to 150 gallons and the Polar 190.
If you are over about 6 feet 2 inches, call us with your height and we will help compare interior dimensions from the manufacturers’ spec sheets.
Placement, power and water
- Floor load. Water weighs about 8.3 lb per gallon, so a 190 gallon tub carries well over 1,500 lb of water before the tub and you. Indoors, check with a contractor before placing a large tub on an upper floor.
- Power. The Penguin runs on standard 110 to 120V and comes with a 10 ft GFCI cord. The DZChill spa needs 220V. Have a licensed electrician check your circuit, and keep all connections to code around water.
- Drainage. The Polar’s drain connects to a garden hose. Plan where the water goes, especially indoors.
- Shade and a cover. Sun and an open lid make any chiller work harder. A cover also keeps debris out.
- Delivery path. Measure gates, doors and stairs against the tub’s outside dimensions.
Building a recovery corner
Many buyers add a cold plunge to an existing home gym. If you are planning the rest of the space, start with our home gym buying guide and how much space you need for a garage gym. Tight on height? Read squat racks for low ceilings, compare power racks, squat racks and half racks or see the best folding wall-mount squat racks. For conditioning and gear, see is a curved treadmill worth it and our guide to Olympic barbell types. For passive recovery, our massage chair buying guide covers what to look for.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cold plunge tub for home use?
It depends on how often you will use it. For occasional use or a first try, the $999 inflatable ice bath is the lowest risk. For daily use, a tub with a chiller, such as the Polar with a Penguin or Coldture, or the all-in-one tub, saves you from buying ice.
Do I need a chiller for a cold plunge?
No, but without one you add ice every session and the water warms toward the air temperature between uses. A chiller holds a set temperature so the tub is ready whenever you are.
How much does it cost to run a cold plunge chiller?
Penguin estimates $18 to $28 a month at $0.12 per kWh for its chiller. Your cost depends on your electricity rate, climate, lid use and set temperature.
Can a cold plunge go indoors?
Yes, if the floor can carry the filled weight, you have safe power and a way to drain it. The all-in-one tub and the KPlunge chillers are listed for indoor or outdoor use.
What size cold plunge does a tall person need?
Look for a long tub, like the 71 inch Polar, and check interior depth so your shoulders can go under while seated. Call us for interior dimensions before you buy.
Questions about a specific setup? Call 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST, or browse the Dundalk LeisureCraft range. Returns follow our return and refund policy.
