Cold water therapy has been popular among athletes and the biohacker community for years (we're looking at you Huberman).

But as predicted in our 2023 wellness forecast, the longevity practice is quickly becoming mainstream as more people become aware of the health benefits of cold water exposure—like improved stress resilience, muscle recovery, and mood.

While you could hop in a cold shower, the best cold plunge tubs and ice baths keep water at the ideal temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, tubs keep water moving to prevent a thermal barrier from forming (i.e. the key to your most effective plunge).

Our tester spent two months testing out the Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 before declaring it the best thing she's done for her health. Available in four designs, the acrylic tub offers ample space to spread while keeping your heart under water.

We love how light the acrylic tub is when not in use (100 pounds empty), which makes set-up a breeze. Using the 0.8HP chiller is equally straightforward, and our tester was impressed by how quickly the chiller cooled water down to their desired temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit—less than 20 minutes.

What's more, our tester opted to turn the tub off between uses and found the tub's insulated walls and included cover helped keep the water cool despite the hot Nashville sun. While the tub doesn't really fit those over 6'2", our 5'2" tester has ample room to sprawl while keeping her chest fully submerged.

What makes Polar Monkeys worth the splurge? Read our full review of the Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0.

You can thank Plunge for leading the charge in creating cold plunge tubs with a price point under $5,000. First seen on Shark Tank, the Plunge initially offered a single model, but has since expanded their lineup.

Our tester had the chance to test out three Plunge models at once: the Plunge Air ($4,490), the original Plunge ($4,490), and the Plunge Pop-Up ($150). Among these three, she found the Air to be the brand's most comfortable tub due to the softer material and slanted edge.

While the original design is also slanted, the angle is less aggressive so she found her body floating slightly. That being said, our team also spent a month testing out the original Plunge.

We loved that the company offers free in-home delivery and a variety of add-ons and features—including the Plunge Evolve XL that's perfect for commercial use. Regardless of setup, you'll only need a standard 110V outlet and can rely on the ozone sanitizer to help keep water fresh with some maintenance required. And yes, all Plunge tubs chill to 37 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is the Plunge worth $5,000+? Find out in our full review of the Plunge Tub.

Even though Inergize's ultra portable design packs down into a duffel that's similar in size to about a 105L hiking pack, it's still one of the best options on the market.

We found the inflatable tub was surprisingly sturdy (despite attracting a good bit of dust and pollen). Unlike the tub, the 0.8HP chiller isn't very portable at 65 pounds, but it's powerful enough to cools water down to 37 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 5 hours aka 309 gallons per hour flow rate.

The heating component is a recent addition to the Inergize tub, which warms water to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Our tester found the warming component was a lot slower than the cooling option (but still a worthwhile perk).

Every Inergize tub ships free and comes with quick connect hoses, a hand debris net, a micron filter, and two covers (a fabric and inflatable one). When deflated, the tub only weighs 25 pounds.

Although you'll only need one person to complete the installation, expect to put in a little legwork—or should we say armwork—to inflate the tub with the included hand pump. Our tester found it took less than 5 minutes to get both the tub and lid inflated.

The next-big-thing in the cold plunge world isn't actually cooling water down; it's heating H2O up for hydrotherapy. But where most brands will charge you up to $1,000 to add a heating component, Sun Home Saunas portable unit has an external chiller that also heats water up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

One of the most durable inflatable cold plunge tubs we've tested, the xl_bath is made with a military grade drop stitch technology and fits up to two people. Each tub also comes with a 1HP smart-chiller, which is the same power as the Plunge's Pro Chiller and almost double the speed of tubs like Renu.

Along with a built-in circulation pump to keep water moving (and your thermal barrier down), the chiller also has a 20 micron filter for debris and a built-in ozone sanitation system.

While the tub and chiller were packaged very well, there's no in-home delivery or setup option. Our testers had to drag both boxes through the house and noted they were extremely heavy. They chose to put the tub on their back porch where it's stood the test of time.

When first starting the chiller, it took about 8 hours to get the water to our desired temperature (55 degrees Fahrenheit) in Texas during the wintertime. But after set-up and using it daily, the chiller doesn’t take nearly as long.

Pro tip: The Sun Home Portable Ice Bath is the longest option on our list at 76.8 inches long. Per the brand, it's long enough to fit those up to 6’8” fully submerged. Our testers are 5’7” and 5’11”, which means they both easily has enough space in the tub.

The Ice Barrel is the ultimate cold plunge tub for someone who wants to elevate their ice bath experience from a regular bathtub, but who doesn't want to commit to the maintenance of a glorified mini pool.

You simply fill the container with ice and water—that's all! The upright position is ideal for a quick dunk without laying horizontal, and the sturdy, non-toxic materials never feel cheap per our tester.

Plus, it comes with a tiny step stool to let you enter the 55-pound barrel as gracefully as possible (well as smooth as someone entering an ice bath can really be).

Our tester loved that the Ice Barrel was small enough to tuck into the corner of the garage. Pro tip: Add epsom salts for even more ice bath benefits. The biggest downside of this (or any) ice bath? You're going to have to pay at least $10 for ice with every refill (though the insulated tub keeps water cool for up to three days).

If you're on the taller side, stick with the Ice Barrel 400, which has a longer design that's best for taller folks (and can hold those up to 300 pounds).

If you're shorter or rounder, check out the new design: the Ice Barrel 300. Its larger opening is better suited to heavier folks.

Renu's lineup of stylish cold plunge tubs is a luxury investment for those who care about aesthetics.

Available in a range of minimalist base and deck colors, the sleek tub is handcrafted in California with a mission to be "always cold and clean." The Cold Stoic 2.0 not only has a larger water tank, but it's actually one of the longest tanks on our list.

Powerful enough to cool water to 36° Fahrenheit, the Cold Stoic 2.0 is fitted with a thermostat to easily control the temperature of your water. This insulated design then keeps water temperatures below 60° Fahrenheit for up to 24 hours once the tub is turned off.

Cold plunge tubs can't go any cooler than 39° Fahrenheit because the water needs to stay in liquid form for the external chiller—unless you're talking about Odin's Ice Bath.

The design has copper coils wrapped around the tub to cool the water down using a refrigerator compressor (so water can actually turn into ice without breaking the chiller).

While the brand also makes a traditional cold plunge design for $1500 cheaper—which won't require a refrigeration expert to install—we think this specialty ice bath design is worth the extra investment for those who want the water to get as cold as possible. Just note: Only the Plunge pool comes with a free optional heating element (up to 107°F).

Recommended by biohacker Joe Rogan, the Morozko Forge Ice Bath chills waters down to 33 degrees Fahrenheit. More importantly, the ice bath is designed with a high flow rate, which means the water circulates and moves.

Not only does this mimic the natural feel of a body of water, but it makes every plunge more effective by preventing your body's thermal barrier. Whether you want to use the tub indoors or outdoors, the sleek design keeps water fresh with micro-filtration and ozone disinfection.

Another investment option, the Morozko Force is meant to to last. It's constructed with a durable cedar frame with ground fault circuit interrupt (GFCI) protection for improved safety. Available in three sizes, its largest option rivals the length of the Renu THerapy.

The Morozko Cold Plunge tub comes in three sizes available with either a 60-inch, 66-inch, or 72-inch length.

The 72-inch is similar to the Renu Therapy option, which fits those up to 6 foot 7 inches tall.

The Ice Pod Pro is a newer launch—and the affordable design fills a gap in the market for those who still want a high quality product but don't want to spend a fortune on a luxurious tub.

The portable pod is similar to many budget options, with a plastic legs around the tub and an inflated rim. However the actual materials differ from many affordable options thanks to a focus on quality.

The inner lining is made from a BPA-free waterproof lining, the insulation layer has sub-zero cooling technology, and the durable exterior is UV resistant.

Cold Plunge vs Ice Bath

You might think ice baths and cold plunge tubs are the same—but there are small nuances that make each different. An ice bath is exactly as it sounds; a bath of ice water. Cold plunge tubs use an external chiller to cool water down to 37.5 °F, no ice necessary.

The benefit of the latter is that you can often determine the exact temperature of the water, which should be less than 10°C," per cold therapy expert Mark Harper, M.D., Ph.D. (Note: 10°C is 50°F.)

Why are cold plunge tubs better than ice baths?

We recommend cold plunge tubs over ice baths. When water is pushed in and out of an external chiller, like with a cold plunge tub, it creates a natural circulation of water.

If you're skeptical about subjecting your body to freezing temperatures in the name of wellness, know there's actually some compelling evidence in its favor.

"In simple terms, regular use will reduce inflammation and the body's reaction to stress. Putting your face—it doesn't even have to be the whole head—in will have an almost immediate effect," explains Harper. 

The are many proven benefits of an ice bath—and a few potential benefits of taking a cold plunge that still need to be explored further. Weight loss falls into the latter category.

A study published in Scientific Reports found stem cells subjected to cold temperatures formed brown fat that can increase calorie burn1.

Research on mice shows similar results of brown fat activating in cold temperatures2. Data also suggests that ongoing cold exposure can help convert white fat into metabolically healthy beige or brown fat3.

As functional medicine expert, Laura DeCesaris previously told mindbodygreen, "More data needs to be seen as to possible long-term metabolic impacts of cold immersion over time."

Experts previously told mindbodygreen that people with high blood pressure should skip cryotherapy.

Cold water causes your blood vessels to constrict, which increases heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.

For metabolic, energy, and mental health benefits, regularly soaking in a cold plunge tub can be an excellent way to invigorate the system and support overall well-being. If you're in the market to invest in your health, our top tested picks are the Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 for a stationary pick or Inergize Health for a portable design.