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Is The Inergize Cold Plunge Tub Worth $4k — My Honest Review

Braelyn Wood
Author:
September 24, 2024
Braelyn Wood
mbg Deputy Commerce Editor
By Braelyn Wood
mbg Deputy Commerce Editor
Braelyn Wood is the Deputy Commerce Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.S. in journalism from Northwestern University, along with a certificate in marketing.
inergize cold plunge tub set up in backyard
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative
September 24, 2024
We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links.
Tester takeaways:
  • I set up the Inergize Health Cold Plunge Tub in my backyard for five months to test its durability, quality, and overall efficiency for keeping water cool.
  • Setup takes less than 10 minutes. The inflatable tub feels sturdy; it doesn't bend against your body weight, and I never worried about the tub popping or ripping.
  • I'm 5'4" and feel like the tub could fit someone up to 6 feet tall before it felt too small. I was able to fully extend my legs when seated.
  • The Inergize has a chiller that's just as powerful as the Plunge Tub + optional heating for less than $4,000. The chiller is better for cooling than heating (but I liked having the option).
  • The chiller's flow rate is 309 gallons per hour. It keeps the water cool, but it's not the most powerful option on the market.
  • The inflatable tub isn't the most aesthetic option. The gray material does stain when outdoors—and the texture picks up grime and grit.

The endorphin rush that followed my very first cold plunge turned me into a cold water therapy convert—and I began researching ways to get 24/7 access to a cold plunge tub. But as an apartment dweller with a limited budget, I quickly realized the bathtub-sized pools taking over my social media didn't make sense for my lifestyle (or cement backyard).

Inergize Health offered the perfect solution. Designed for portability, the inflatable cold plunge tub takes less than 15 minutes to set up, with a powerful chiller that rivals the horsepower of industry leaders like the Plunge. What's more, it costs less than $4,000.

If you're debating whether the Inergize Cold Plunge Tub is worth it, I've got you covered. I set up the portable plunge tub in my backyard for the last year to test the tub's durability, construction, and efficiency during the summer and winter months.

Inergize Cold Plunge Tub

$3,990
Save $150 on your order with code MBG.
inergize health cold plunge tub with person

What is Inergize Health?

While Plunge leads the charge for permanent cold plunge tubs, Inergize Health was an early innovator in the portable cold plunge tub space. The brand's signature product is the Inergize Health Ultra-Portable Cold Plunge Tub, which pairs an inflatable tub with an external chiller.

When purchasing from Inergize, you have the choice to buy the tub and chiller together or individually. This allows you to pair the powerful 0.8 hot and cold chiller with the brand's tub or third-party tub. (The latter is useful for people who purchased an ice bath but found they preferred an automated chiller over spending $70 on ice for every session.)

When not in use, the compact tub folds into a large duffel similar in size to a 60L backpacking bag (or about the same size as a medium roller bag). I opted to keep my tub permanently inflated during the last year to see how well it stood against the elements.

Inergize tub next to chiller with hose adding water
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative
Inergize Cold Plunge Tub highlights:
  • Tub dimensions: 51 x 27.5 x 30 in
  • Chiller: 0.8 HP with hot & cold capabilities
  • Holds: 80 gallons of water
  • Weight: 25 pounds empty; 800 pounds filled
  • Electric: 120V/60hz power supply on a 15A circuit
  • Warranty: 1-year chiller (6-month commercial)
  • Tub material: Drop-stitch polyester
  • Temperature range: 37 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit

Inergize Cold Plunge Tub

$3,990
Save $150 on your order with code MBG.
inergize health cold plunge tub with person

What's included with your Inergize Cold Plunge Tub

When you purchase the Inergize Cold + Hot Plunge Tub, you'll receive the inflatable tub, insulated cover, dual-action hand pump, and a sanitizer kit for the four months of water treatment. Your order also comes with a backpack to store the tub and a hand skimmer net to tackle debris.

The chiller arrives in a separate plywood box with two blue garden hoses and an extra hose extender. The additional hose allows you to extend either of the blue garden hoses to ensure the setup accommodates your space. The brand recommends keeping the plywood box for transport down the line.

Inergize Cold Plunge Tub box with chiller
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

Setting up the Inergize Cold Plunge Tub

The entire setup process took me less than 10 minutes, and I found filling the 80-gallon tub with water was actually the longest part of the setup process. I received a used plunge, so my tub didn't come with any instructions. However, I found the brand's video instructions offered useful guidance.

I expected inflating the tub to be a tiny workout, but it actually took me less than three minutes to inflate the tub and less than 90 seconds to inflate the lid. The inflated tub only weighed 25 pounds when empty, so I could easily move it around my backyard to find the perfect spot.

Inergize Cold Plunge Tub deflated next to lid on patio ground
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

Setup requirements include finding a spot with access to a 120V/60hzh power supply on a 15A circuit. This meant I had to keep my tub close to my apartment windows, as I needed to plug it in indoors. Additionally, I paid close attention to the 800-pound weight requirement for a filled tub.

It's worth noting the chiller is not waterproof but rather splashproof with an IPX4 rating. Therefore the brand recommends keeping it in the shade or under shelter; I opted to move my chiller in and out of the apartment to ensure its longevity. After all, the chiller is the most expensive part of any cold plunge tub!

Connecting the hoses between the chiller and tub was equally intuitive. The only piece that caused some confusion was the tiny debris catcher on the chiller's "out" outlet, which almost makes the attachment look like it's meant for a shower pipe rather than a hose.

Summary

While you need to pay attention to electricity requirements and weight limits, I think most people could set this tub up completely solo. If I was worried about space in my backyard, I wouldn't mind having to go through the setup process on a weekly or even bi-weekly basis.

What you need to know about the chiller

A quality chiller is integral to a good cold plunge tub process—and tubs typically come equipped with a chiller with between 0.6 and 1.0 HP. Inergize falls right into the middle at 0.8 HP, which is powerful enough to cool water from 65 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit in about five hours.

Inergize Chiller unboxed next to crate
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

Heat vs. cooling

Inergize's 1,800-watt chiller offers both heating and cooling capabilities. This extends the tub's water temperature range from 37 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

Truthfully, warming up the tub seemed to take way longer than the chiller, which I think was likely due to the lower outdoor temperatures. For example, increasing the water temperature by 5 degrees from 42 to 47 degrees Fahrenheit took about two hours.

That being said, many brands charge extra for a heater—including Plunge—which makes this free inclusion feel like a steal.

Inergize Chiller screen close up
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

Smart app connection

Bypass the stress of trying to jump between two temperature extremes with the chiller's smart app, Tunya. The app connects the chiller to Wi-Fi, so you can easily change the temperature without touching the chiller's buttons or create schedules that suit your recovery routine.

Because I moved my chiller in and out of my apartment, I didn't have to worry about an increase in electricity costs. If I had outdoor access to electricity, I would have opted to keep the chiller plugged in instead of using the app's routine functions to turn it off overnight.

Flow rate

As a frequent plunger, I know the importance of a good flow rate to prevent your body from creating a thermal barrier. The Inergize has a flow rate of 309 gallons per hour, which is average for a portable cold plunge tub. (FYI, luxury plunge tubs like those from Renu Therapy have a flow rate of up to 2,500 liters per hour.)

This means the water filters through the chiller up to five times per hour.

Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

Summary

I love that the chiller offers both hot and cooling capabilities, but I think the chilling process is more efficient than the warming one. The chiller's horsepower is on par with high-end brands, and I love that it connects with to Wi-Fi for optimized routines.

What you need to know about the inflatable tub

The most surprising part of this inflatable tub is how durable it feels. Its double-stitch polyester reminds me of an inflatable paddle board or heavy-duty nylon backpack. Before the tub arrived, I was worried about a rogue rock puncturing the material—now that's the least of my worries!

My next shock was the tub's compact footprint. The base is smaller than the bathtub in my apartment at 4 feet, 3 inches long, yet the 2.5-foot walls make the tub feel exponentially larger.

My only complaint? I've noticed the tub has started to hold onto grime and grit in the texture surface. I try to wipe it down regularly, but the material stains easier than others, like porcelain.

ienergize tub deflated next to hand up
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

When sitting in the tub at a 90-degree angle, my feet grazed the other end of the tub and my heart was fully underwater. I'm about 5 feet, 5 inches tall, so I do struggle to see someone over 6 feet fitting into the tub as comfortably as me.

On the flip side, I found the walls were just about at my max height to hop into the tub. I think anyone shorter might need a small stepstool to make entering the tub slightly easier.

Compared to the inflatable tubs from Sun Home Sauna and Energy Labs, I do think the Inergize's base is more compact. If you need to take up even less space, you might want to consider the Ice Pod Pro or Ice Barrel (though both are ice baths rather than plunge tubs).

Inergize Cold Plunge Tub Inflated with pump next to it but empty
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

My experience testing the Inergize Tub + Chiller

My cold plunge journey started with submerging myself in water at 32 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes. Initially I used the Inergize Tub to follow the same protocol before reading more about the different temperature suggestions for women when cold plunging. I decided to keep my 6-minute protocol but increased my water temperature to about 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

I found the tub did a phenomenal job of maintaining this temperature when not plugged in. I attribute this to a combination of double-insulated walls and cold winter temperatures.

After plunging in the tub regularly, I was left with a few key takeaways:

  • The chiller is super quiet with a max noise level of 60 decibels or a normal conversation—I never worried about annoying my neighbors.
  • The tub edges are surprisingly sturdy; they don't bend when you're climbing into the tub and hold up your body when relaxing.
  • I wished there was a headrest or similar accessories to make the tub feel more luxurious, but it showcases that the Inergize is a great value option—no money is wasted on unnecessary accessories.
  • The water never felt dirty or slimy when I kept up maintenance, and I was surprised how clean it felt for sitting in a New York City backyard.
  • You can't tell the tub has a high flow rate like you can with high-end options, but I never felt like the water warmed up around my body.
Inergize health tub with test (woman) in water submerged over chest
Image by Braelyn Wood / mbg creative

Maintaining the Inergize Cold Plunge Tub

Water upkeep is a necessary evil of any cold plunge tub—and it's essential to ensuring you're not plunging in dirty water. Although the chiller has a built-in section for the micron filter, you'll still need to treat the water regularly.

You don't need to be an experienced pool boy to keep up with maintenance on the Inergize. The brand's curated maintenance kits walk you through all the steps, including six replacement water filters, test strips, oxidizer, and sanitizer.

When setting up the tub, you'll need to balance the water and then test it every two weeks. The filter should be replaced monthly.

I loved that the brand opted for a chlorine- and bromine-free solution; I know that the EPA-regulated sanitizer is killing bacteria, but I don't reek of chlorine post-plunge.

How much does the Inergize Cold Plunge Tub cost?

An Inergize Cold + Hot Plunge Tub costs $4,490, but the brand often offers discounts. The tub is available for just $3,990 at the time of publishing.

Optional financing is available via Afterpay on orders at checkout.

Inergize warranty, shipping & returns

Every Inergize tub comes with a one-year warranty for at-home use or a six-month warranty for commercial use.

The tub ships free to those within the continental United States, though you can work with the brand for international shipping. Currently, there is no lead time for an order, which means your tub will ship the next day.

Purchasers have up to 30 days to return their tub in the original packaging, but there is a 30% restocking and handling fee. As a result, we recommend having full confidence in your order before placing it.

Comparing Inergize to competitors

ModelPriceSizeColdest temperatureLocationSet-Up
Inergize Cold Plunge Tub$479051" L x 27.5" H x 30" D37°FIndoor & outdoor0.8 HP Chiller
The Plunge$499067" L x 24" H x 42" D39°FIndoor & outdoor1/4 HP or 1 HP Chiller
Sun Home Saunas Portable Cold Plunge$439976.8" L x 27.6" W x 25.2" H37°FIndoor & outdoor1HP Smart Chiller
Renu Therapy Cold Stoic$970064" L x 34" H x 33" D39°FIndoor & outdoor1/4 HP Chiller

The takeaway

If you're ready to invest in a cold plunge tub but don't want to sacrifice limited real estate in your home, the Inergize Cold + Hot Plunge Tub is your perfect solution. While I wish the flow rate was higher and found the heating element to be average, I was impressed by the tub's portability, durability, and spaciousness. Plus the smart app connection adds extra points for making this tub feel modern and high-tech.

I'd recommend Inergize to anyone who wants to unlock the benefits of cold water therapy and wants the best value for their money. That being said, place your order only once you're certain you plan to keep the Inergize, due to the 30% restocking fee.

Inergize Cold Plunge Tub

$3,990
Save $150 on your order with code MBG.
inergize health cold plunge tub with person

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