Best cold plunge 2024: Jump Menu
Cold plunging became hugely popular during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down. The idea is that a few minutes in ice water are said to improve recovery from sports, boost the mind, and improve your immune system.
However, unless you live on a frozen lake it's not easy to reap these benefits. A good cold plunge tub, however, makes it easy to cool off at home.
I've written about outdoor water features like the best hot tubs for years, so I pored over thousands of cold plunges and whittled it down to six simple choices.
Best cold plunges 2024
The best cold plunge overall
After working my way through hundreds of these, I think this simple cold plunge from the brand Plunge is your best bet. It's relatively cheap at $150 and has everything a beginner needs to get started. It works with ice but unlike lots of other pop-up ice baths, you can also add a chiller down the line if you think it would be easier than adding ice.
The best cold plunge with a chiller
Though they're expensive, a chiller will let you set a precise temperature for your cold plunge, down to the very degree. It also cycles the water to keep it clean and cool. This model is great because it's long, so you can lie down in the plunge, but it's also rated for both outdoor and indoor use, so it's a great option for a home gym.
The best budget cold plunge
This isn't the best cold plunge in the world, but it's the best value I've seen. Not only do you get an 84-gallon cold plunge, but you also get a pump to blow up the neck rest, a thermometer, ten reusable ice blocks, a storage case, and even two bags of Epsom salts to further aid your recovery.
The best wooden cold plunge
Most cold plunges live out in the yard, and if you've nailed your garden design you may not want an ugly plastic tub sitting on your deck. This wooden tub is perfect for integrating into more rustic and traditional garden styles. It has a seat on the inside and can also be adapted to a chiller.
Best for DIY
Hear me out with this one. If you know anything about farming you know that this is a stock tank for feeding livestock, which sounds a little gross. However, if you're on a budget this is really all you need. It holds 100 gallons of water and it's easy to drain and clean. A lot of the 5-star reviews on that page are from people using this as a cold plunge. If it sounds crazy but works, it isn't crazy at all.
The best large cold plunge
This large cold plunge is great if you're above 6" or want to stretch out. It's 47 inches long, so you can sit with your legs stretched out rather than awkwardly hugging your knees above the water line.
Cold plunge FAQs
Do cold plunges actually work?
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It's hard to say categorically that cold plunges work. Many users will attest that they ease sore muscles, boost dopamine, and improve your immune system.
However, according to Healthline, a lot of the research into the phenomenon uses small sample sizes and and many are funded by sports equipment companies. It's hard to come up with a good control for ice baths, and much of the research is skewed because participants in sports science experiments already tend to be fit.
There are also concerns if you're older or have a heart condition. Exposure to cold water rapidly raises your heart rate, which can cause harmful arrhythmia. There's also the risk of freezer burn if you make the sides of your tub too cold. You should discuss cold plunging with a doctor before you invest to make sure that it's safe.
But while I don't think it's possible to make any bold claims about health benefits for certain, I can say first-hand that cold plunges at least feel great. I used to play a lot of student rugby and my coaches used to make us cold plunge after heavy training sessions or matches. It's very far from scientific, and I'd never claim that it does anything to your dopamine or immune system, or helps recovery long-term. However, I've found that a cold plunge after intense training is great for alleviating the sensation of muscle soreness, and feels especially good if you've trained in the heat.
Do I need a chiller?
I advise against buying a chiller. Chillers are expensive and you get the exact same result with cheap ice from the store, or homemade from an icebox. A chiller is easier to use, and you can set the temperature to the degree, but I don't think this feature is worth hundreds of dollars. You'd have to be very dedicated to cold plunging to get any benefit from a chiller.
How I chose these cold plunges
Cold plunges are actually pretty simple products, so I found cold plunges that offer the most features for the lowest price possible. I've covered yard equipment and pools for years, and used my usual technique of working my way through every option on all of the major retailers as well as more niche cold plunge specialists. I eliminated everything that was too expensive or claimed unrealistic features to make this handpicked list.
For more sports recovery help, take a look at our guide to the best hot tubs or our deep dive into hot tubs vs saunas.
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