Cameron Allen
Cold plunges, or cold water immersion, is a new practice that is taking the health and wellness industry by storm. There have been many benefits to be found in getting deliberate cold exposure on a consistent basis. However, the practice is an investment. Whether you plan on buying your own tub or plan on just going to a wellness center, we answer the question of why cold plunges are so expensive in the following paragraphs!
How Much Do Cold Plunges Tubs Cost?
Cold plunges are a relatively expensive habit to be picking up but the good thing about adding it to your routine is the health benefits that you get to reap on a consistent basis. It is important to know both eh benefits and the risks associated before you go off and make a decision.
At the end of the day, most good cold plunge devices are going to cost you anywhere between $1,200 to $5,000. Now, just because the ticket price is that does not mean that you end up paying that price right up front, most companies have a buy now pay later program where you can finance the best tubs on the market for a fairly affordable price.
Cold water immersion is a game-changing add-on to anyone’s routine. If you are looking to get your body to peak performance you be able to do so by adding some cold exposure to your routine.
Find the top rated cold plunges here. In depth reviews and commentary on the best cold plunge devices on the market. Find exclusive discounts and much more.
Why Are Cold Plunges So Expensive?
Cold Plunges are expensive because of the material that is used to make the device, the high-powered cooling machines that come with tubs, the weight, and the design. The features of the cold plunge devices only get better the more expensive you get but at a certain level, they all pretty much do the same things.
The production process for just one cold plunge requires a lot of manual labor which also contributes to the cost of the devices. Typically the people who are able to downright afford the cold plunge devices run some kind of business, are professional athletes, or have a well-off career. If this is not you, no need to worry, there are options out there for you to still cold plunge.
If you cannot outright afford a cold plunge or cannot afford the financing of one you can always go to a local business that has a tub that you can use. Obviously, you would have to pay their fees but it is a good way to add the practice to your daily routine.
Things to Consider Before Buying Your Own Cold Plunge Tub
There are many things to consider when looking to buy a cold plunge device. Whether you are a business owner, a sports team, or just a health enthusiast you should be asking the following questions before making the purchase:
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How many people are planning on using the device?
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Which cold plunge tubs are the best for my needs?
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How much are you willing to invest?
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Understand the risks and benefits of cold plunging
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Do you plan on moving around a lot? If so, portable options might be best for you.
We have reviewed all the best ice baths on the market and have created a list of them that can be found here (source). One thing that we will say is to pay attention to the flow rates and horsepower of the cold plunge chillers.
Many reviews that we have checked over do not touch on the subject and we believe those two things to be a big part of the decision-making process. If you are going to cold plunge, you want to make sure your chiller can 1) handle a good amount of people using it 2) cool fast and 3) penetrates the thermal layer that gets built up.
Can I use my bathtub for an ice bath?
Yes, you most certainly can but the amount of ice you will have to get to make it cold enough to see benefits may end up costing you a good amount of money. We lean on the side of not having to go and make a trip to get ice to experience cold plunging. For us personally, that would create a sense of friction that would make us not want to take the practice seriously, we would rather have a chilling unit that we can switch on and just go.
We are all for going the DIY route if that is up your alley but we value our time and would rather pay for the convenience of an already-assembled system.
Our top picks for the best cold tubs of 2023
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Best Overall Cold Plunge: Plunge Tub (review)
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Most Luxurious Cold Plunge: Malibu 66 Blue Cube (review)
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Best Designed Tub: Odin Cold Plunge (review)
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Best Budget Option: Ice Barrel (review)
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Most Affordable Cold Plunge: Ice Tub
We have carefully examined and reviewed the top cold plunge companies in the world and came to the following conclusion; cold plunging is truly accessible to most people with all budget ranges. For those who are causally trying to get into the practice without forking over an arm and a leg, Ice Tub or the Ice Barrel is the best option.
For both of these devices (depending on the version you go with) they will not come with chilling units and you will have to fill them with ice.
Best budget-friendly cold plunge tub. *Does not come with ice or a chiller*
Best Budget Cold Plunge: Ice Barrel
The Ice Barrel is for those that are looking to take the practice a bit more seriously than only investing a couple of hundred dollars as you would on the Nurecover. The Ice barrel comes with a ton of awesome features and specs that can be found and outlined in detail in our review.
What it comes down to is this, if you are looking for the best entry-level device that simply gets the job done and does not mind going and getting some ice form time to time, the ice barrel is for you.
After reading our articles on horsepower and flow rate be sure to look into the Ice Barrel 300 model. This new model comes with a chiller that eliminates the need to add ice!
The Ice Barrel 300 is a sleek, fully insulated cold therapy tool that makes it easy to bring ice baths to your routine. Compact and lightweight, the Ice Barrel 300 is simple to use whether you’re using ice or a chiller. Save up to $300 using code 'Grapplersgraveyard' at checkout
- Chiller compatible
- Great Entry Cold Plunge
- Portable and easy to move (without water)
- Just Add Ice
- Does not come with a chiller
- Have to add ice
Best Bargain Cold Plunge: Polar Monkeys
We reviewed the Polar Monkeys cold plunge recently and loved what we saw. We loved it so much we gave them the best bargain cold plunge award!
If we had to rank this cold plunge we would say this is one step above the ice barrel and gets you closest to the high-powered devices like Inergize, BlueCube, or even the Plunge. Check out our review on Polar Monkeys ice bath t see if this is the right option for you!
Experience the future of cold plunging with the Brainpod 2.0. This state-of-the-art fully insulated plunge tub redefines your chilling experience, harnessing robust cooling, filtration, and sanitation mechanisms to provide crystal-clear, ice-free, and perfectly chilled water at your convenience. Versatile for indoor and outdoor settings and embark on a life-transforming journey.
Final Thoughts on Cost of Cold Plunges
In conclusion, the high cost of cold plunges is due to several factors, including the use of high-quality materials, specialized production processes, complex installation requirements, and demand. Despite the cost of the devices, more and more people are getting cold plunge tubs and reaping the benefits of getting cold exposure on a daily basis. With cold plunging, you can expect to receive both mental and physical benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you wear in a cold tub?
For men, you should wear athletic shorts, an athletic (optional) shirt, and underwear. For women, you can wear what you would wear if you were planning on swimming, athletic shorts, or athletic shirts (optional)! Do what ever is ost comfortable for you and be sure to bring a towel you plan on plunging in someone else’s device!
How big of a tub do I need for a cold plunge?
Each plunge tub is different and it is important to look at the dimensions that are going to suit your needs. We have breakdowns of all kinds of tubs with their added dimensions.
Is a cold plunge worth the money?
If you have the disposable income to make and justify the purchase cold plunging is worth it. Adding this practice to our routine has given us a new sense of focus and helps us recover from hard training days.
What is the cheapest way to cold plunge?
The cheapest way to cold plunge is to find a free natural source of water to dunk in every day when the water temperature sits between 39 – 55 degrees Fahrenheit. If that is not an option for you, the Nurcover is also a good option.
Find the top rated cold plunges here. In depth reviews and commentary on the best cold plunge devices on the market. Find exclusive discounts and much more.
