Best Ice Bath To Cold Plunge At Home In 2024 (Tested & Reviewed)

Ice baths have gained immense popularity in recent years. Taking an ice bath is not just for athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and those looking for a quick recovery after an intense workout. The rise to popularity of The Wim Hof Method has brought the benefits of cold exposure to the masses.

While the benefits of ice baths are well-known and have been scientifically proven to reduce muscle soreness, inflammation, and promote faster recovery, many people have turned to ice baths to lose weight, improve mental health and even strengthen their immune systems. In this article, as well as listing the best ice bath brands, we will discuss the benefits of ice baths, how to do it, what temperature to use, how long to stay in, and how frequently to take ice baths.

What Is The Best Ice Bath Tub For Home?

Here is our list of the best ice bath brands you can buy for your home, including the best portable ice bath for those who need to pack it away afterwards or take it travelling.

If you are serious about making ice baths a regular part of your wellness routine, you might want to consider getting yourself a Lumi Recovery PRO ice bath. From my experience, I can tell you they are incredible. The ice bath is made from super high-quality, durable materials and will not let you down. It’s the ultimate bit of kit for the ice bath enthusiast. It is large enough to fit two people for a social session, or for one person to comfortably enjoy a nice, spacious dip. I’m 6’1″ and I had plenty of room.

What’s really great about the PRO version is the ability to hook it up to the Lumi Thermo CT1 chiller/heater. This optional enhancement truly takes ice bath experiences to the next level. With its fine particulate filter and Ozone water treatment, it ensures that your water remains immaculate, providing an optimal and hygienic environment. What sets it apart is its incredible temperature control, maintaining a steady frosty temperature of 3°C (37°F). That’s seriously cold!

And what’s more, the CT1 offers the remarkable ability to transform your ice bath into a hot tub. With a simple adjustment, you can raise the water temperature to a toasty 42°C (107.6°F). It’s like having your own personal polar plunge and hot spring experience, all conveniently wrapped into one innovative device. You can even control it with an app on your phone, so you can easily get it to your desired temperature before you’ve even ventured outside! Amazing!

And Lumi is an excellent company to deal with, so you’ve got no worries when it comes to customer service. Overall, we thought this was a fantastic product, with the chiller priced at excellent value for money compared to others on the market.

Read our full review of the Lumi Recovery Pro here.

Key Features:

Recovery PRO

• Ultra Durable Fibreglass Reinforced Skin-Friendly PVC.
• Hardened-Wall and Insulated Construction.
• Packs into carry bag (included).
• High Pressure Structure – 8 PSI / 0.55 Bar.
• 480 litre capacity.
• Sized for up to 2 People – 160(L) x 85(W) x 65(H) cm.

Thermo CT1 Chiller (Optional extra)

• Cools the Water Down to 3°C (37°F).
• Warms the Water up to 42°C (107.6°F).
• Particle Water Filter.
• Internal Ozone Water Treatment Unit.
• Portable All-in-one contained unit.
• Plug and Play – Self-priming circulation pump.
• WiFi-enabled Temperature Remote Control System.
• Indoor and outdoor use (-10°C/14°F).
• Safety Shutoff.
• Industrial-grade Components.

Typical Price: £695.00

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When it comes to investing in a premium ice bath, the Emperor Ice Bath stands out as a top contender, offering a blend of traditional and modern design. Its oval shape, accommodating people up to 7 feet tall comfortably, makes it a one-size-fits-all solution.

One of its standout features is the level of customisation it offers. Owners can choose their water fill line, timber finishes, and interior colours, tailoring the bath to their preferences. The bath’s exterior, made from carbonised spruce with organic epoxy resin varnish, ensures durability and anti-corrosion properties, promising a lifespan of over 20 years.

The Emperor Ice Bath is engineered for comfort and convenience. It comes with a soft-edged timber top lip, a matching lid, and a built-in drain tap. The hard and durable interior, made from food-grade polypropylene, is easy to clean and hygienic. Plus, the bath has an integrated seat which also functions as a step, facilitating relaxation and easy entry.

The ultra-quiet cooler unit has a colour LCD touchscreen and is also WiFi enabled so you can control it through the app. It can cool the water down to a frosty 2°C and you can even add an optional heater to warm the water to 43°C to act as a hot tub too. The built-in filtration system keeps the water clean and the addition of the ozone option means you won’t need chemicals.

Adding to the luxurious experience are the lighting options. Owners can choose between stainless steel white LED lights or a multi-colour (RGB) LED system, creating the perfect mood for their ice bath sessions.

Emperor doesn’t stop at just the basics. Optional features include a built-in external drawer and even a timber shelf with a smartphone holder slot for those Instagram selfies or to keep an eye on your phone’s stopwatch for timed sessions. The bath also comes with a well-insulated lid, ensuring water cleanliness and insulation.

Unlike some products on the market, the Emperor Ice Bath has a smart internal design, eliminating inaccessible voids. Its three extra-wide stainless steel belts provide additional strength.

Its thoughtful features, durability, and ease of use make it a compelling choice. If you’re in search of an ice bath that combines functionality, style, and longevity, the Emperor Bespoke Ice Bath is an investment well worth considering.

Key Features

Bath:

• Handcrafted Timber Construction: Traditional yet modern design.
• Oval Shape: Accommodates individuals up to 7 feet tall comfortably.
• Custom Water Fill Line: Tailor the bath to your preferences.
• Durable Exterior: Carbonised spruce with organic epoxy resin varnish.
• Interior Options: Food-grade polypropylene in various colours.
• Integrated Seat and Step: Facilitates relaxation and easy entry.
• Thoughtful Extras: Options for built-in drawer and smartphone holder shelf.
• Smart Insulation: Extra thick timber and dense thermal insulation ensure energy efficiency.

Chiller:

• Temperature Range: Cools water down to 2°C (37°F) and (optionally) up to 43°C (109°F).
• Water Filtration: Particle water filter and (optional) internal ozone water treatment unit.
• All-in-One Unit: Portable, self-contained, plug-and-play system.
• WiFi-enabled Control: Easily adjust settings with the remote control system.
• Colour LCD Touch Screen: For easy manual adjustments.
• Versatile Use: Suitable for indoor and outdoor environments (-5°C/14°F).
• Low Noise Output: About the same as a domestic fridge when operating.
• Industrial-grade Components: Ensures durability and reliable performance.
• Flexible Placement: Customise where your chiller attaches to the bath.

Read our full review of the Emperor Ice Bath here.

Typical Price: £3,895.00

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Here’s an ice bath brand that are beginning to dominate the recovery space. Not only are their ice baths exceptional, they have a great range of other recovery products too, such as portable saunas, massage guns and even a cupping device. Nurecover really can be your one-stop shop for recovery products.

Their PodXL ice bath has a massive 750-litre capacity, making it one of the largest portable ice baths on the market. You’ll fit comfortably in here, even if you’re 8 feet tall! With 5 layers of insulation it does a great job of keeping the water cool.

What’s impressive about Nurecover is the thought that goes into the extras that you can get with the ice bath. The insulating lid and weatherproof cover are great, and the free thermometer is an excellent bonus. You’ll even receive a free eBook on cold therapy. But the Pro Bundle includes a 196 ice cube tray (genius and so convenient), an absorbent mat, a water cushion and a pro air pump too. The ice cube tray alone is a game-changer! These added extras make all the difference, so it’s well worth paying a little more for the pro bundle.

Key Features

• Dimensions: 110cm diameter and 80cm height.
• Ample Capacity: Up to 750 litres.
• Lightweight: Only 3.5kg when empty for easy transportation.
• Height Compatibility: Suitable for individuals up to 8′ (2.5m tall).
• Superior Insulation: Features 5 layers thermal insulated TPE.

Typical Price: £159.00

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We were really impressed with Ice Tank. If you’re looking for maximum convenience when it comes to ice baths, we think we’ve found it. Ice Tank offer this ultra-portable pod-style ice bath with a chiller, so you don’t even need to add ice! Now you can take your ice bath with you wherever you go, and enjoy a chilly 4°C session, even if you’re travelling. The chiller itself is quite heavy, so it’s not something you’ll pack for a flight. But if you’re in the car, it’s compact enough to bring along.

If you are short on space, or prefer the option of being able to pack away your ice bath, the Ice Tank is a really great choice. It takes minutes to set up and take down, and the chiller can cool 25°C water down to 4°C in 4-5 hours, so you won’t need to wait long for an icy dip. And the small 80cm diameter means it won’t take up a lot of space.

If you want portability but refuse to compromise on maximum performance, the Ice Tank might just be the perfect choice for you. Getting your ice bath down to 4°C is not easy without a chiller, so this is the ultimate solution for those who want that extra edge without sacrificing flexibility and convenience. And with the added bonus of keeping the water clean with its UV filtration system, you won’t be replacing water all the time or adding chemicals to keep away bacteria.

Overall, we thought the Ice Tank was a brilliant product. They also have some great Pro versions that are just as portable.

Typical Price: £1,450.00

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Not everyone has the room, or the budget for the Recovery PRO, so I wanted to share my experience with the Lumi Recovery Pod MAX Ice Bath. Let me start by saying, this pod-style ice bath is impressive!

First off, the increased size of the Recovery Pod MAX, compared to most other pod ice baths, provides ample space for a more comfortable and immersive session, without taking up a ton of extra room. The 100 litres of extra capacity allow for better submergence and a more comprehensive cooling effect.

In terms of construction, you can tell the Recovery Pod MAX is built to last. The support legs are stable and durable, and the materials used are of high quality. The Rip-stop Polyester fabric, strengthened external layer and UV-resistant, skin-friendly PVC inner lining ensure longevity and a comfortable experience.

With its 90cm diameter and 75cm height, the pod accommodates individuals up to 6’7″ (2m tall), catering to a wide range of users. It’s portable and easy to set up with the included hand pump and drain hose. The added transparent repair patches offer reassurance for any unforeseen situations.

The included extras further enhance the overall experience. The Lumi Dry Bag is a convenient addition for storing or transporting wet belongings. The All-Weather Cover provides protection from the elements, making outdoor usage a breeze. The Thermo lid and Thermometer offer additional convenience and monitoring capabilities. The 5x layers of thermal insulated TPE protection in the pod’s skin are extremely effective. This advanced insulation technology keeps the water consistently cold, maintaining the desired temperature throughout your recovery session.

I was thrilled to find that the Recovery Pod MAX worked perfectly with regular cold tap water. You don’t even need to add ice! The pod ensures the water temperature stays at a refreshing 15°C degrees or below, creating an optimal environment for effective cold water therapy.

Overall, the Lumi Recovery Pod MAX Ice Bath is a remarkable investment for anyone seeking effective and immersive cold water therapy. Its larger size, superior insulation, and included extras make it a standout option in the market. Personally, I’ve found it to be an essential tool for my routine, and I highly recommend it to fellow enthusiasts.

Key Features:

• Dimensions: Compact 90cm diameter and 75cm height.
• Ample Capacity: Up to 420 litres.
• Lightweight: Only 3.5kg when empty for easy transportation.
• Height Compatibility: Suitable for individuals up to 6’7″ (2m tall).
• Superior Insulation: Features 5 layers of 10mm thermal insulated TPE.
• Robust Exterior: Reinforced with rip-stop Polyester fabric.
• Skin-Friendly Interior: UV resistant PVC inner lining that’s gentle on the skin.

Typical Price: £145.00

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Icey-Tek are not an ice bath company, but their cool boxes are the best around. And one of their cool boxes is the perfect size for an ice bath, so they decided to market it as such. They’ve even added hose attachments for draining and filling, which means you can purchase a separate chiller device and attach it directly. Icey-Tek have their own chiller device coming soon that will attach to the ice bath.

As you can imagine, the commercial grade insulation is unbeatable, maintaining temperatures brilliantly. The double insulated lid (74mm of PU foam) is fully removable. It is secured using 8 x ultra-tough Southco premium rubber latches and a foam seal. The man pictured is 6’1″ and fits comfortably, so there’s plenty of room for most people.

When you’re not using it as an ice bath, it can function as a cool box for BBQs, parties and events. For those into fishing or hunting, it’s a brilliant piece of kit to keep everything fresh. You can also purchase a cushion for the lid to make it into a bench seat.

Typical Price: £674.99

As one of the most popular ice bath brands in the UK, The Cold Pod has been a game-changer for many cold therapy enthusiasts.

The Cold Pod has a decent 320-litre capacity, which makes it roomy enough to fit in comfortably, even for a 6″ plus man, but it only takes up a relatively small footprint and is easy to pack away into a small space for storage or transportation.. We liked the inflatable comfort ring at the top and the handy lid makes it really easy to keep the water clean. Of course, if your water stays nice and clean, all you need to do is add ice to the existing water and you’re ready to go, which is great. Convenience is a big factor in keeping these kinds of habits up, so the fact that it’s so easy is a real bonus.

We were surprised at just how good the Cold Pod is at keeping the water cold, especially between uses. The high quality of materials and 4-layer design certainly does the trick, and it feels like a really sturdy product, especially considering how portable it is. It is also really easy to drain with the built-in drainage tap and hose attachment.

The Cold Pod is the best ice bath of this size you can buy. It is affordable, and if your budget can’t stretch to one of the more pro ice baths, or you need something more portable, The Cold Pod is the way to go.

Key Features:

• Portable design
• 4-Layer insulation
• Inflatable comfort ring
• Drainage tap & hose
• Drawstring 4-layer lid

Typical Price: £149.99

This Suffolk based company specialise in these weatherproof metal stock tanks, which can be used for all sorts of purposes, such as ice baths, hot tubs, paddling pools and even as planters. I’m intrigued to try out their wood-fired hot tub kit! The tanks look great and will make you feel really in touch with the elements. They have a raw, back-to-basics feel to them, which is very appealing.

They are fully customisable and are great for integrating into a garden project, transforming your outdoor space.

Tub Tanks offer tanks in a huge range of sizes and shapes. They even offer kits that come with WiFi-enabled chiller/heater devices that can cool the water down to 5°C and can warm up to 40°C.

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Typical Price: From £260

How to set up an ice bath

Firstly, fill your chosen ice bath with a few bags of ice and add cold water. The amount of ice and water required depends on the size of the bathtub, but aim to fill it up enough so you can submerge your shoulders. Ideally, the water temperature should be below 15 degrees Celsius (60 Fahrenheit), although experienced ice-bathers will go as low as 3 degrees Celsius (37.5 Fahrenheit). You should always use an ice bath thermometer (like this one) to make sure the water is at the temperature you want. Make sure the ice is evenly distributed, so that the temperature of the water is consistent.

Before getting into the ice bath, make sure you have a towel and warm clothes ready, or a changing robe, for after the bath. Get into the tub slowly, and submerge your body up to your waistline, then gradually lower yourself in up to your neck. If you are new to ice baths, start with just a few minutes and gradually increase the time as your body adapts to the cold temperature.

What are the benefits of ice baths?

Ice baths offer a range of benefits that make them an excellent choice for athletes and anyone looking to recover faster after a workout. Here are some of the benefits of ice baths:

Reduced muscle soreness

Ice baths have been shown to reduce muscle soreness and stiffness. The cold temperature reduces inflammation, which is a major contributor to muscle soreness.

Faster recovery

Ice baths help to speed up the recovery process after an intense workout. By reducing inflammation and promoting blood flow, ice baths help the body to heal faster and get back to peak performance.

Increased circulation

The cold temperature of an ice bath can cause blood vessels to constrict, which promotes blood flow. Increased circulation helps to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, which aids in the recovery process.

Improved immunity

Some studies have shown that cold exposure can boost the immune system. An ice bath is a great way to give your immune system a boost and stay healthy.

The feel-good factor: Ice baths for mental well-being

In addition to the physical benefits, ice baths also have a feel-good factor that can help boost your mood and mental wellbeing. When you are exposed to cold water, your body releases a rush of endorphins, which are natural painkillers that can produce a sense of euphoria and relaxation.

Additionally, ice baths can also stimulate the release of dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward. When dopamine is released, it can create a sense of happiness and satisfaction, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety.

Other brain chemicals that may be released during an ice bath include adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are hormones that are associated with the fight or flight response. These hormones can help to boost energy and alertness, which can help to enhance your focus and concentration.

Overall, ice baths can help to create a sense of calm and relaxation while also promoting a natural sense of happiness and wellbeing. This makes them an excellent way to enhance your mental and emotional health while also improving your physical recovery after intense physical activity.