Cold Plunge Buyer's Guide: Chilled vs. Ice Bath vs. DIY

Short answer: There are three ways to set up a cold plunge: fill a tub and add ice, use a tub with a built-in chiller, or add a standalone chiller to a tub you already own. Ice is the cheapest way to start. A chiller costs more up front but holds a set temperature, filters the water and saves you from buying ice. DIY builds that mix water and electricity carry real safety risks. We carry cold plunge equipment from more than a dozen brands, from $799 to $13,649.

Last reviewed: September 2026. Prices as of September 2026. Educational only, not medical advice. See our disclaimer.

The three setups

*Prices as of September 2026. Check each listing for current pricing. See every product in Every Cold Plunge and Cryotherapy Product We Carry.

Ice: the low-cost start

Fill a tub, add ice and get in. It is the simplest way to find out whether you like cold plunging. The trade-offs are ongoing ice cost and effort, and a temperature that is hard to hold steady. Ice also does nothing to keep the water clean, so you still need a plan for water care. See water care.

Chilled: the set-and-forget option

A chiller circulates the water and holds it at the temperature you choose. The Coldture Ice Bath Water Chiller Pro cools up to 100 gallons down to 37°F and includes UV filtration and a digital control panel. The Coldture Barrel bundle pairs an upright barrel with a chiller that cools to 37°F and heats up to 105°F, so one unit covers cold and warm sessions. The Dreampod Ice Bath with Chiller uses a ¾ HP chiller in a full system. You set the temperature, so a chiller that can reach 37°F does not mean you should start there. See our beginner guidance in the Cold Plunge and Cryotherapy Guide and chillers explained.

DIY: read this before you try it

People convert stock tanks or chest freezers into plunges. Any setup that combines water, a pump and mains electricity needs proper ground-fault protection and careful wiring, and the results are not tested for this use. If you go this route, consult a licensed electrician. A purpose-built system removes that risk.

What to compare

• Lowest temperature and control. Can you set it precisely?
• Capacity match. Is the chiller rated for your tub's volume?
• Filtration. Look for filtration and sanitation such as UV or ozone.
• Heating. Some units also heat, which enables contrast sessions.
• Portability and footprint. Inflatable tubs pack away, while barrels stand upright and save floor space.
• Power and placement. Check the electrical needs and think about drainage, floor load and indoor or outdoor use.
• Warranty and support. Ask who services the chiller.

Running costs

Ice setups cost you ice each session. Chilled setups cost electricity, replacement filters or UV parts and sanitizer, plus periodic water changes. Ask the manufacturer for typical power draw and maintenance intervals. See cold plunge cost.

Safety

• Cold water triggers a cold shock response. Talk to your doctor first if you have a heart or circulation condition, high blood pressure or Raynaud's syndrome, or if you are pregnant.
• Do not plunge alone when you are new to it, and never after alcohol.
• Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or medical condition. Results vary.

Browse Coldture, Dreampod, Penguin Chillers, Cryospring and Dynamic Cold Therapy, or talk to our team.