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The thought of willingly submerging yourself in frigid water for an ice bath may sound miserable or utterly refreshing. No matter which mindset you're in, the discomfort of a cold plunge comes with overflowing benefits. Seriously.

“Ice baths are a form of cryotherapy and involve exposing the body to extremely cold temperatures as a way of therapy,” says Neil Paulvin, DO, a New York-based family medicine physician, who is also certified in osteopathic manipulation, anti-aging, and regenerative medicine. “Being immersed in cold water stimulates leukocytes, the white blood cells that help fight off sicknesses, and ice baths may help increase dopamine, decrease inflammation, calm down the nervous system, and improve sleep,” he explains.

Meet the Experts: Neil Paulvin, DO, is a New York-based family medicine physician, who is also certified in osteopathic manipulation, anti-aging, and regenerative medicine. Louis Chandler, CPT, is a certified personal trainer and Alo Wellness Club head trainer at Alo Moves.

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And, it's easier than you think to create your own cold plunge experience at home with a dedicated ice bath tub. There are tons of tubs on the market, but you want to be mindful of size, shape, temperature regulation, drainage, and filtration, says Louis Chandler, CPT, Alo Wellness Club head trainer. Finding one that checks all your boxes is totally worth it, he adds.

If you're ready to take the plunge, peruse the top tubs right here:

What To Look For When Shopping For An Ice Bath

Size: Ice baths come in a variety of sizes and dimensions, so it’s important to consider your available space, says Chandler. The shape of the tub also influences how easy or difficult it is to access. A tall tub means you need to step up high to get in. Think about whether you want to sit upright or stretch out, too.

Price: Some cold plunges are a serious investment, so be realistic with your budget and find an option that best suits you, says Dr. Paulvin. It’s also worth noting that some ice baths use electricity, so take into consideration an add-on to your electrical bill.

Drainage: Look for a bath with an accessible drainage spot. Some baths have a drain at the top, which can be harder to use, says Chandler. Drains toward the bottom of the bath will be easier to manage, and self-draining tubs will save you time, he adds.

Warranty: Even the highest quality tubs can have issues, so be sure to find a bath with an appropriate warranty. This comes in clutch especially for those on the higher price point.

Features: Tubs with built-in filtration and temperature control systems can make your plunging experience smoother, says Chandler. “While they can be pricey, [built-in filtration systems and temperature control systems] make maintenance and usage much easier and are well-worth the investment.” (Grab this floating thermometer to keep tabs on chilly temps in any model.)

Type: Some ice baths are made for indoor use, others are best for outside, and many are versatile enough for indoor/outdoor plunging. Whether you want your tub indoors or outside, make sure the ice bath is accessible and hookups for water or electricity are available in your preferred location.

Whether you’re looking for a cold plunge for health benefits, a fitness boost, or to improve your overall mood, an at-home ice bath is the perfect addition to your wellness routine. Read on for the expert-approved ice bath tubs that earned rave reviews.



Ice Bath Tub

Solo dips in your ice bath should always be comfortable, and the IceBox tub is just that. Made with a five-layer installation and a quick drain valve, this plunge only takes minutes to assemble and clean up. Oh, and it’s fully collapsible so you can keep up your plunge routine anywhere.

Rave review: “I absolutely loved the ice bath tub! The icy water was refreshing and revitalizing, and it helped soothe my muscles and joints. The sensation was invigorating, leaving me feeling rejuvenated and ready to take on the day. I'll definitely make this a regular part of my post-workout routine. I couldn't be happier with my purchase of this product!” —Leyla

Shop Now Ice Bath Tub amazon.com $119.99

The Plunge

If you’re looking for a worthy investment, Dr. Paulvin swears by The Plunge. “This is a favorite of mine because it’s self-cleaning, fills up the water supply with a connected hose, has a filtration system, and there’s an easy temperature control system,” he explains. It’s pricey, but totally worth the spend if you’re committed to your ice bath routine.

Rave review: “I couldn’t be happiest with my Plunge. Super easy setup, seamless operation, and nice looking. I use it almost every day, sometimes more than once a day.” —James

Shop Now The Plunge plunge.com $4990.00

Bathtub

Tight on space? No prob. Dr. Paulvin says the Ice Barrel Bathtub is an excellent cold plunge option. “It’s a stand-up tub that is shaped like a barrel and comes packaged with steps to help you hop in,” he explains. The Ice Barrel is also extremely sturdy and can hold up to 105 gallons of water. Just be mindful that you need to fill it up with water and ice each time you go in.

Rave review: “I was a bit skeptical on the value of this thing due to the hype of ice baths, but let me say, it lives up to the hype! My husband and I like to workout and getting in this thing is a welcome release making recovery much more efficient.” —Taylor

Shop Now Bathtub amazon.com $1199.97

Ice Bath Spa

Curious to try a cold plunge without breaking the bank? G Ganen ice bath is a great choice at well under $100. The inflatable tub is portable, freestanding, and great for indoor or outdoor use. Another perk? It includes an arm and neck rest for peak comfort.

Rave review: “As a sport player it's really comfortable to get into the ice bucket to relax after each practice. This ice bucket is just perfect for me to use and its value it’s worth the price.” —QQ

Shop Now Ice Bath Spa amazon.com $59.99

Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub

There’s something ultra-luxe about this Scandinavian spruce thermowood tub. It pairs perfectly with a sauna to replicate the Finnish tradition of hot-cold therapy.

The design is sleek and functional solo, too. Made with an internal wooden bench, wooden steps, hard plastic liner, and a 130-gallon capacity, you can expect premium cold plunges on the daily.

Rave review: “Great price for a great product. Love our new tub and look forward to using it more and more.” —Michelle

Shop Now Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub redwoodoutdoors.com $1999.00

Legacy Tub

The Edge Theory Labs Legacy Tub is as sleek as it comes. With a sturdy inflatable design, the bath is built for portability and use indoors or outdoors. It also comes with a state-of-the-art filtration and sanitation system so the water stays clean and ready to use 24/7.

Rave review: “I have shopped around for cold plunges for over 6 months. I finally decided to pull the trigger on the Edge tub. It's a winner all around! Not only is it portable and has a super powerful chiller, but it also does hot and cold! Ended up being a no-brainer. I 100% recommend this tub.” —Bethany

Shop Now Legacy Tub edgetheorylabs.com $4490.00

Viking Cold Plunge

The Viking is a modern cold plunge designed with a multi-stage sanitation and filtration system, for constant, clean, cold water ready when you are. The tub also features two-inch foam insulated walls to lower energy cost and eliminate any “sweating” to keep your plunge extra chilled. Not to mention, the vertical design is great for space optimization.

Rave review: “Great purchase, customer service has been outstanding! Product is solid and plunging definitely puts extra pep in your step. No regrets.” —Janae

Shop Now Viking Cold Plunge thenordicwave.com $5999.00

Ice Bath

“This is the Escalade of ice baths,” says Dr. Paulvin. “It does everything but give you a massage, and features microfiltration, a luxe cedar frame, fans, and digital temperature controller,” she explains. Plus, it even makes its own ice and comes in a variety of different colors to match your decor.

Rave review: “These ice baths are legit! We've had ours for 2 years and LOVE it! This company is as solid as it gets.” —Mindy

Shop Now Ice Bath morozkoforge.com $12850.00

FAQ

How long should you stay in a cold plunge tub?

For optimal results, Dr. Paulvin recommends cold plunging three to four minutes at a time, for a total of about 11 minutes per week. So, to maximize the benefits, aim for three to five days a week.

However, if you have nerve issues, back pain, heart and lung difficulties, or open wounds, you should avoid cold plunges, notes Dr. Paulvin.

You should also build up the frequency and duration of ice baths, he adds. “Listen to your body and don’t force it to last longer than what it's able to.”

What temperature should an ice bath be?

Ideally, you should immerse yourself shoulders down in temperatures between 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, says Dr. Paulvin. “I recommend starting at 60 degrees and working your way down to colder temperatures, keeping in mind that you want to initiate shivering,” he explains. “Practicing breathwork before entering the bath and during the bath can help you withstand the cold temperatures for a longer period of time,” he adds.

That said, colder is not always better. “The main idea behind cold plunges is to increase hormesis, or stress to the body, and while research shows that hormesis increases at colder temperatures, there aren’t any specific benefits at certain temperatures,” says Dr. Paulvin. In fact, most people develop tolerance to colder temperatures as they increase the frequency and duration, so there’s no need to plummet the thermostat, he adds.

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How We Chose The Best Ice Bath Tubs

For the past two months, Women’s Health editors, including our fitness editor Jennifer Nied reviewed the bestselling, most popular, and top-rated ice bath tubs. Our team consulted a certified personal trainer and family medicine physician, and then evaluated thousands of customer reviews and ratings to narrow down the best 8 tubs for a wide range of preferences and budgets.

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