Here you will find the most in-depth Blue Cube Ice Bath review on the internet. To navigate this article with max efficiency use the table of contents to jump around!
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Cameron Allen
Blue Cube Baths Review
BlueCube is one of the top manufacturers of cold tubs in the market. It has an ever-expanding fanbase, which includes Joe Rogan. The world’s most famous podcaster, mixed martial artist, and the voice of the UFC has praised the brand and uses a tub customized for him. In this article we take a closer look at the Blue Cube Baths.
Rogan loves to talk about cold exposure therapy, and on an episode of the JRE, he praised his Malibu ice bath for its water circulation system. Rogan said that it made it seem like he was in a “stream, ” making the ice bath experience more challenging and advantageous.
That being said, the following takes a look at Blue Cube Baths and what they have to offer:
Commercial Grade Cold Plunge in Residential Packaging
Commercial-grade cold tubs are the pinnacle of cold exposure solutions. This is because they provide more cooling power than your regular ice bath tub, plus a wider range of temperatures to choose from. It doesn’t matter how hot it is outside, they’ll get the job done regardless.
With Blue Cube Baths, you’ll be able to bring this high-end experience to the comfort of your own home. The company designs its tubs to bring you the ice bath experience of a lifetime, all without having to worry about a lack of performance or reliability.
The brand’s website states that each of its tub options can be used for all sorts of settings such as “individual, family, group use, or professional,”. Because they use high-quality parts and maintenance and cleaning are easy, you can comfortably use them across a variety of different settings — including professional facilities.
Looking for a premier cold plunging experience? Look no further than Bluecube! With the highest flowrate and most powerful chiller on the market, Bluecube completely separates itself from every cold plunge out. Use code 'GrapplersGraveyard' for a $250 discount on your purchase.
Pros of BlueCube Baths
1) High Flow Rate and Circulation
For one, they offer arguably the world’s highest flow rate of cold water, which means that there’s better circulation to help you experience the true temperature.
The high flow rate and the constant circulation will make the process a bigger challenge. This is because you won’t be able to escape the cold and regulate your body’s temperature so easily.
Blue Cube offers an excellent article on why high flow rates matter for your ice bath that you can read here (source).
Essentially what it comes down to is that when you go into cold water you build a thermal layer inside that keeps you warm. Think of this as a thin layer of right above your skin emitting from your body, this thermal layer reduces the effectiveness of deliberate cold exposure so it is very important to break that. The problem with most other Ice Baths is that there is little to no flow rate.
How can you tell if a cold plunge tub has a low flow rate?
Low flow rates are not powerful enough to break the thermal barrier. You can tell that a cold plunge does not have a high enough flow rate by simply moving your arms and legs while plunging. If you feel a drastic change in intensity from doing so, then the flow rate is not enough to break the thermal barrier. If you try to move around you will feel the cold more aggressively.
The main benefit of high-flow ice baths and cold plunges is that they break your thermal barrier. This means your body is forced to work harder per second to stay warm. With high flow, you body is forced to work much harder meaning more stress, more adaptation, and more health benefits in less time!!
2) Brilliant Design and Accessibility
Then comes the ergonomic design which provides you with proper back support and enough room to not resort to the fetal position. There’s plenty of exposure offered to the water in the tub and most users will be able to submerge themselves completely.
This thing basically looks like a giant a/c unit! It comes in various sizes and models that all vary in price!
Getting in and out is also easy as the setup is built for easy accessibility. In fact, the Malibu 66 series (owned by Rogan) can fit people up to 6’5″ tall, and weigh more than 275 pounds. Hence, people of all shapes and sizes can take a dip and embark on a healthy lifestyle. they don’t have a clunky a/c unit sitting by the side (since it is essentially built-in) so if you are a small business owner looking to hold the right aesthetic inside your wellness shop, blue cube might offer the most flexibility here.
3) Fully Assembled
The setup is also pretty easy since the tub arrives completely assembled. According to BlueCube Baths, all you have to do is “fill it up, plug it in, set temp, [and] plunge”. You won’t have to spend hours figuring out everything and setting it up with your own ice. it is important to note the electrical requirements of the tub. You will need a 120 V 20 Amp GFCI dedicated outlet which are super cheap to purchase and can be found right on Amazon.
4) Easy to Clean
It is also easy to use thanks to its fast temperature drops and the bottom drain valve that allows you to drain the water after usage in a quick fashion. Note that all the company’s ice bath tub options are easy to clean.
Blue Cube ice baths boast a chemical-free filtration system, including a 20-micron filter and ozone system. This ensures that the water remains clean and clear, maintaining hygiene standards during usage.
5) Personalization Offered
A cool feature is that you can customize the tub unit by having “your business, favorite team, family crest, [or] favorite slogan” engraved on it.
Miscellaneous
Other than that, the brand gives you goodies such as 24/7 operational abilities and a lot of efficiency. The aftersales is great as well since you get a 5-year great warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Cons of BlueCube Baths
1) High Ticket Price
The price of a Bluecube does make it a bit inaccessible to most people. The cheapest model that is available is roughly $16,000. There are financing options available for this cold plunge device and it seems to start as low at $429/month. This tub is great for both residential use and commercial use but because the price is so steep we almost think that only people who are going to be running a business should buy it.
Unless you are willing and able to buy this cold plunge outright or have the means to finance it, you may be out of the market. It is no question that BlueCube is the best high-grade cold plunging device we have reviewed to date, it is just reserved for a specific group of people.
2) Lead time
Lead times for receiving your cold plunge are always long and it seems that BlueCube is no different.
Which Model is Right For me?
There are 5 options that you have to choose from so before we answer the question let’s first look at all the options that you have going with Blue Cube:
BlueMod - Modular System
Dimensions: 60″ Tub: (LWH) 60″ x 24″ x 22″ | 66″ Tub: (LWH) 66″ x 24″ x 22″ | 72″ Tub: (LWH) 72″ x 24″ x 22″
Electrical Requirement: 120 V 20 Amp GFCI Dedicated Outlet
Who it is probably for: The modular system comes with a tub and a separate cooling unit. Directly from the website you have the choice to buy one, two, or three, when bought in bulk you get a cheaper price per unit. The single 60″ stainless steel tub starts at $15,000, while the 72″ starts at $21,000. These tubs are probably best for established businesses with the need to cater to a good amount of people at a time. Even if you are early in your businesses life span, it is best to categorize these tubs for the business owner.
use code 'GrapplersGraveyard' for $250 off
Blue Cube BlueMod Review
Summary:
The BlueMod is the only system that cold plunge creases that has the chilling unit separated from the tub itself. This option is best for those that want cold plunging to be an everyday practice for not just themself but for others as well. If you are part of a sports team’s training staff, run a small business, run a hotel, or want your family to join in on the fun of cold plunging this device is a great option.
There are three models you can choose from. You can have one, two, or three tubs all be connected to one chiller and choose from three sizes 60″ tub, 66″ tub, or 72″ tub.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- A great option for commercial use
- Multi-tub configuration
- Freedom to design your ideal cold plunge setup
- Adjustable high-flow rate
- Fast and reliable temperature control
Cons
- Does not ship till the fall of 2023
- Still an expensive device
- Long lead time
Mini-Me
Dimensions: (LWH) 48″ x 24″ x 22″
Electrical Requirement: 120 V 20 Amp GFCI Dedicated Outlet
Who it is probably for: The mini-me is pretty much explained right in the name. This cold plunge device is a bit on the smaller side but is perfect for personal, family, or small-community use. This is still an exceptionally high-quality, self-contained unit. The price of this unit is $18,000.
Blue Cube Mini Me Review
Summary:
The Blue Cube Mini Me is the cheapest Blue Cube model and is still more than enough cold plunge power for even the most conditioned cold water junkies. First, even though it is the cheapest it is still sitting at $15,000, which definitely rules people out. When you actually see the design and quality of the cold plunge device itself you see where the money goes.
The filtration system on this cold plunge uses a 20-micron filter and ozone generator which keeps the water super clean without having to use chemicals. It makes sense that this model is the smallest model made by Blue Cube but its size should not fool you, this device keeps up with the rest.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Powerful chilling unit
- Great for families and small communities
- Up to 35 continuous cold plunges
- Long warranty period
- Adjustable high-flow rate
- Fast and reliable temperature control
- 5-year standard warranty on the exterior
Cons
- Still an expensive device
- Long lead time
- Not a device for taller people or people who like space
- No filter replacements
CoreChill
Dimensions: (LWH) 60″ x 24″ x 22″
Electrical Requirement: 120 V 20 Amp GFCI Dedicated Outlet
Who it is probably for: The CoreChill is a tub that is taking pre-orders right now and is set to release in the fall of 2023. there are 4 colors you can pick from (black, white, blue, or grey) but you have the option of completely customizing the color. This tub comes in a fully closed-off system and is probably best for people that want a custom tank. The price of this unit is $15,000.
Two purchase options: Pay in full or 50% deposit. Use code 'GrapplersGraveyard' for $250 off
Blue Cube Core Chill Review
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adjustable high-flow rate
- Fast and reliable temperature control
- The highest flow rate on the market (river rated)
- Stainless steel design
Cons
- Does not ship till the fall of 2023
- Still an expensive device
- Long lead time
in-Line (54 & 60)
Dimensions:
(LWH) 95″ x 39″ x 29″ (Total for 60)
(LWH) 60″ x 24″ x 22″ (Tub for 60)
(LWH) 89″ x 39″ x 29″ (Total for 54)
(LWH) 54″ x 24″ x 22″ (Tub for 54)
Electrical Requirement: 120 V 20 Amp GFCI Dedicated Outlet
Who it is probably for: The in-line tubs are tubs that BlueCube offers with the option to customize the trim and framing. With these options, you have the option to go with hickory wenge and padauk, teak deck, or teak solid. Again this is an aesthetic difference, nothing really for performance. The 54 & 60 are different based on the sizing. These tubs range from $22,000 to $34,000.
Two payment options. In full or 50% deposit. Use code 'GrapplersGraveyard' for $250 off
Blue Cube In-Line Review
Summary:
The In-Line models from Blue Cube are another enclosed system created by Blue Cube. This cold plunge tub features a 20 micron filter and ozone filtration system meaning that it is super easy to keep the water clean and clear. this cold plunge device can be put outside or inside but if you decide to go outside be sure to put it in the shade. If you do not adhere to this and your cold plunge breaks the warranty is invalidated.
The BlueCube plugs into a standard 120 V outlet and uses 20 amps of regular power use. It works hard to bring down the water temperature but is extremely efficient at keeping that temperature.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adjustable high-flow rate
- Fast and reliable temperature control
- Powerful cooling unit
- Cools to 36° – 70°
- Nice wood finish
Cons
- Still an expensive device
- Long lead time
- Tub only goes to 60″ or 54″
Malibu
Dimensions:
Malibu 66 (total): (LWH) 73″ x 49″ x 29″
Malibu 72 (total): (LWH) 79″ x 49″ x 29″
Malibu 66: (LWH) 66″ x 24″ x 22″
Malibu 72: (LWH) 72″ x 24″ x 22″
Electrical Requirement: 120 V 20 Amp GFCI Dedicated Outlet
Who it is probably for: The Malibu also comes in two different sizes, the 66″ and the 72″. This plunge device is a little wider than the rest of the devices on the list. It comes with the option of choosing from multiple wood finishes much like the in-line model. This model is probably more for personal users but is still marketed as a commercial-grade cold plunge device. Prices for this model start at $25,000.
Looking for a premier cold plunging experience? Look no further than Bluecube! With the highest flowrate and most powerful chiller on the market, Bluecube completely separates itself from every cold plunge out. Use code 'GrapplersGraveyard' for a $250 discount on your purchase.
Blue Cube Malibu 66 Review
Summary:
The Malibu 66 is said to be the cold plunge device that Joe Rogan uses from this company. This is probably the most universal of all the cold plunges that are offered by BlueCube. It is their most popular device to date. This device comes with the ability to customize the wood finish with the option to choose from hickory, wenge, teak, or padauk decks and trims. This is an enclosed cold plunge device that can comfortably fit anyone up to 6’6″ and 275 lbs!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adjustable high-flow rate
- Fast and reliable temperature control
- Beautiful wood finish
- Chemical-free filtration system with a 10-micron filter and ozone system
- For commercial and residential use cases
Cons
- Still an expensive device
- Long lead time
What Makes the Blue Cube Stand Out?
After reviewing almost all the major cold plunge devices on the market it is clear to us that Blue Cube holds the spot at number one for a number of reasons. The price kind of tells the story for itself since their cheapest model is $14,000 but actually looking at the specs and features on these devices will justify what they have going on.
All Blue Cube devices come with a water chiller that starts at 1 HP but has some devices that can go as high as 1.5 HP making them the highest-powered cold plunges on the market. The biggest factor for cold plunging that many seem to be overlooking (or not really talking about) is flow rate.
The whole point of getting into cold plunging is to reap the health benefits that are associated with the practice, the only way you can truly do that is by making sure the device you have pushes those limits and gives you what you are looking for: a real challenge.
The higher the flow rate of the water you submerge yourself in, the more benefits you are able to reap because you are able to break through the thermal layer.
All devices from Blue Cube come with an adjustable flow rate system so you can change the intensity of the practice or work your way up to being able to withstand its full capabilities. Each cold plunge device has the capability of running 24/7 and has an amazing chemical-free filtration system.
But…
Let’s be real here. Blue Cube is not for everyone… Its entry-level system costs a lot of money. For those that don’t want to fork over the cash to buy it outright, you od have the option to finance the device and pay over time.
BlueCube is the Only Commercial Capable Cold Plunge
The power of the chilling unit really matters for a number of reasons. The following things happen when you have a high-powered chilling unit:
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Water decreases in temperature faster
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When one person gets out of the water after a plunge the water heats up a couple of degrees due to their body trying to preserve itself, high powered chillers bring that water temperature range back down much faster so the loss is not too drastic and you can cater to more people within a given time frame
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Cools the water to a lower overall temperature
Blue Cube Flow Rate
Blue Cube Cold plunge devices have the highest flow rates for cold plunging devices on the market. Joe Rogan uses this cold plunge device and he describes the water as being much like a river with how much the water is moving.
The importance of this aspect should not be overlooked. We have an article dedicated to what flow rates are and why they are important when deciding to add cold plunging to your routine here.
What do you get with a Blue Cube Ice Bath?
Many people would ask is the Blue Cube Ice bath worth it for the price? When you buy a cold plunge device from Blue Cube here is what you get:
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An American-made cold plunge tub with a timber finish and stainless steel inner
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The most powerful, built-in chiller unit on the market right now
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5-year warranty
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30-day money-back guarantee
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Insulated spa cover
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Live video support
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The highest ( and only adjustable) flow rate cold plunge on the market
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Bragging rights to your friends
Blue Cube Warranty
The warranty provided by Blue Cube for their ice baths is some of the best warranty of any offered. This is a big consideration and justifies the price a little more too. The great thing about Blue Cube is that you can give them a call and specifically ask them what the warranty does and does not cover if you want to be extra cautious.
From the website, we see that the warranty covers both the external structure and the chiller unit of the tub, which will give you some peace of mind. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on their tubs, but a 10% restocking fee if you end up sending back the device.
Why I Turned to Cold Exposure
There are many reasons why cold exposure therapy is making the rounds. A major one is that it has spread on social media like wildfire, plus there are many A-list celebrities and influencers (Joe Rogan included), along with media articles actively endorsing it.
Due to this, many have gone on to read the science-backed benefits of cold plunging. The whole cold plunge process looks difficult but it has countless benefits that improve your overall and mental health, reducing stress. This is why it was a no-brainer for me to opt for it.
Zero Downtime, Easy Maintenance, and Serviceability
A big advantage of the world’s best ice baths is how seamless the ice bath experience is. Take BlueCube for example; there’s a lack of downtime thanks to the reliability and durability offered by the company.
This is one of the reasons why its baths can be used in professional facilities. Even spas are now seeing the rise of cold exposure therapy solutions. They are considered to be the perfect complement to saunas.
Simple maintenance is required for Blue Cube ice baths to function properly. The company recommends that you “replace filters once per month” and the cold water “at least once per month”, if you use the tub individually, daily.
If you use it in a commercial setting, you’ll have to “replace filters 2-3 times per week”, and drain the water around ”twice per week”. Remember, the cleaner the users are, the lesser the need to replace the filters and water regularly.
Along with the replacement of filters and water, BlueCube recommends that you “rub down [the] deck and exterior of the ice bath in tung oil” every six months. This is because of the upscale wood that’s used on the cold tub unit – this act helps keep it in mint condition.
List of Cold Plunging Benefits
The following is a group of the various benefits offered by cold plunging:
1) Increased Energy
It is known that like saunas found in spas, cold exposure therapy has many benefits, whether you’re a professional athlete or not. For example, it helps you become more energetic and increases focus thanks to the additional secretion of the norepinephrine hormone.
2) Improved Muscle Recovery
Furthermore, taking cold plunges constricts your blood vessels, which dilate after you’re done. This improves the flow of oxygenated blood (helps alleviate muscle soreness and pain), and your cardiovascular system. This makes cold plunging ideal after a strenuous workout (but recent studies show that it is even better before workouts).
3) Enhanced Immunity and Metabolism
Ice baths also enhance the working of your immune system by improving the blood and plasma concentrations – helping you fend off diseases better. They also improve your metabolism so that you digest your food better and lose fat as well.
4) Added Resilience
Cold plunges also make your body more resilient with time thanks to hormesis. Take them regularly, and your body will be used to cold temperatures. The BlueCube ice baths are even better in this regard thanks to the extra high flow rate of water.
5) Better Stress Management
You can also expect cold exposure to make you more calm and help you sleep better. It can be used as a form of treatment for insomnia. This is a website that embraces themselves the hard things in life and uses them to make us better people. Jiu-jitsu and cold plunging share this trait in common. We believe that all that embrace the lessons from martial arts outside of their life in things like cold plunging only make themselves more of a weapon to the outside world!
Ice Baths in Mainstream Media: A Hype or Renaissance?
Ice baths have received quite a bit of coverage from the world’s top media outlets. This has usually been positive with the media sources detailing its wide range of benefits. Discussions regarding ice baths have been going on for a couple of years now.
If we are to rely on mainstream media, we can consider ice baths to be a part of the Renaissance for therapy. You can check out this decade-old article in the NY Times and more discussing the pros of ice baths and how athletes use them – backed by science of course.
Thanks to the growing trend of cold exposure therapy on social media such as Tiktok, we’ve seen even more extensive coverage of the therapy by big media outlets. These include pieces from PBS, Financial Times, etc.
Pretty much every story written agrees with its benefits as they’re backed by science. As a result, we could see cold plunges become more popular like the sauna.
FAQS:
There are numerous questions asked online regarding cold plunges. The following answers some of the most frequently asked ones:
Q: What does an ice bathtub do?
As you’d expect, an ice bathtub is full of cold water, waiting for you to jump into it. You’ll immerse your body in it and experience the low-temperature water. Due to this, you’ll build up quite a bit of resilience and some of your body’s systems will improve.
The ice bath will also help your muscles recover quicker and fight against any sort of body pain or inflammation. Its other advantages include but aren’t limited to weight loss, mood relaxation, and countering insomnia and anxiety.
Q: How cold is an ice bathtub?
Ice baths are usually in the range of 50-60 Fahrenheit. There are several ranges given by experts about the recommended temperature of the water in a cold tub. Most of them say that it should be 50-60°F, while some believe that 45-52°F is a better set of numbers for it.
In the case of BlueCube Ice Baths, the operating temperature lies in the range of 36- 60°F. When you turn on the system, it cools at a rate of 11-13°F degrees per hour. The company claims that the cooling system uses “less [energy] than a small refrigerator”.
Q: Does the cold plunge tub improve my immunity?
Yes, cold plunges help improve your body’s immune system. These stimulate it, making it work better and this has been observed in studies – those who take cold plunges are less prone to bacterial infections — improving their wellness.
The reason is that cold water helps stimulate the leukocytes (white blood cells) – these are effective in countering diseases and sicknesses. It also helps detox the body and improve the concentrations of blood and plasma – both of which benefit the immune system as well.
Q: How low should my ice bathtub temperature be?
A tub full of cold water should be able to stimulate your body and bring about all the benefits – muscle recovery, relaxation, increased resilience, and more – without freezing completely. The freezing point of water is 32°F, which should be the absolute minimum temperature.
Meanwhile, the maximum temperature should be around 60°F, at which the cold water still has its advantages. Most tubs offer a range of 36-60°F, meaning that you can easily pick the optimal temperature for the tub unit.
