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Summary
Avoid low-quality cold plunges that cut corners on durability and safety.
Look for certified chillers to ensure legal use, safety and longevity.
Consider key features like filtration, durability, temperature range, sanitation, aesthetics and warranty before buying.
There are pros and cons of different plunge styles, from inflatable to luxury cold plunges.
The best all-around cold plunge tub is the Onyx Cold Plunge.
Cold Plunge Red Flags: What to Watch Out for When Buying a Cold Plunge
Non-Certified Cold Plunge Chillers
Many cold plunge companies sell non-certified chillers that do not meet North American legal/safety standards like UL, ETL, or CSA certification. This poses major risks, including:
Potential Legal Issues | Uncertified chillers are illegal to use in most cases and can result in shutdowns, fines, and liability costs/damages.
Electrocution Hazards | due to improper grounding, inferior parts, etc.…
Higher Failure Rates | leads to breakdowns and costly replacements.
If your budget supports a cold plunge chiller, always choose a certified chiller to ensure long-term safety and compliance. The cheapest chillers are often uncertified because corners were cut to reduce cost, but they end up costing more than premium chillers in the long run due the previously mentioned issues.
Low-Quality & Durability Issues
A cold plunge tub is an investment, so durability matters, as it determines the lifetime of usability. Avoid options made from thin plastic, tear-prone fabrics, or other weak materials, as they may:
Crack under cold temperatures or rip with edges that come in contact.
Break down faster and can leak over time, causing costly damage.
Have poor insulation, requiring more energy to stay cold.
Cold Plunge Marketing Gimmicks to Avoid
When shopping for a cold plunge tub, it's easy to get caught up in flashy marketing. Some brands use misleading buzzwords to make their product sound better than it really is. Here are some common marketing gimmicks to watch out for:
Portable Ice Baths
The term "portable" is often misleading. While some inflatable or foldable tubs are lightweight and easy to move, they are impractical to move due to water draining, drying, and refilling time, not to mention the weight and bulk of a chiller. In reality, buying a couple bags for a bath tub is much easier than transporting a cold plunge and chiller, most of the time.
Space-Grade or Military-Grade Materials
Some companies claim their cold plunges are made from "space-grade materials", implying they use cutting-edge, NASA-level technology. In reality, this is usually just high-density plastic or simple fabric materials used in basic construction—not anything developed for space travel. Instead of falling for the hype, focus on materials that actually matter, like steel or cedar.
Zero Maintenance Required
There is no such thing as a completely maintenance-free cold plunge. Any tub with water needs filtration, cleaning, and occasional draining to prevent bacteria and algae buildup, no matter how robust the filtration & sanitization system. If a company claims their cold plunge requires zero maintenance, they are hiding the reality that you will still need to change filters, clean the tub, and use sanitizers like ozone or chlorine.
What to Look for When Buying a Cold Plunge Tub
Filtering & Sanitization
A good filtration & sanitization system greatly reduces residue, bacteria and mold buildup, which means you need to drain and clean your tub far less often. Although all cold plunge tubs should be drained and cleaner periodically, a good filtration and sanitation setup will drastically reduce the frequency. Look for features like:
Built-in filter to remove debris (leaves, lint, etc.) that could break down in the tub.
Ozone or UV sanitization to clean and kill bacteria.
Water circulation to minimize bacteria buildup and stagnant water issues, like mosquitos.
Durability & Build Quality
If you’re spending any significant amount of money on a cold plunge, you surely want to get enough lifetime from that plunge to justify the cost. Some major durability factors that can drastically expand the lifetime of your cold plunge are:
Durable Materials like stainless or galvanized steel, for long-lasting performance. Avoid cheap materials like what’s found in fabric and inflatable tubs, or expect to replace the tub much, much sooner.
Durable coatings can prevent leaks, cracks, mold, and even skin irritation that can occur from some materials at extremely low temperatures. For example, uncoated stock tanks can result in a burn-like effect on the skin when exposed to skin at low temperatures.
Certified Chillers are critical if you want to maximize the lifespan of your cold plunge system. If you choose a chiller that is not certified, to save a few dollars, expect to end up spending more when you need to replace the chiller sooner. Either from legal shutdown demands or chiller malfunction.
Temperature Control
If you're looking to hit your cold therapy goals within a busy/active lifestyle it’s important that you select a cold plunge system that maintains ideal temperature (32°F - 39°F / 0°C - 4°C) 24/7, as long as your budget allows it. If not, you’ll need to plan ahead for each plunge by buying or making ice, then adding it to the plunge a while before submerging, to allow the water time to cool. This makes an already difficult activity more time-intensive, thus more challenging to fit into a busy schedule.
For the same reasons, a cold plunge system without temperature control is very impractical for commercial applications with multiple daily uses.
So if you can afford it, high-quality cold plunge chilling systems are ideal. Beware of cheaper models, especially those with HP lower than ¾ HP, as they often struggle to maintain consistent low temperatures, which defeats the purpose of buying a cold plunge chiller in the first place.
Hot & Cold Functionality
A huge bonus is a cold plunge chiller that also functions as a hot tub heater. If you want the ability to switch between cold therapy and heat therapy, look for models with built-in heating capabilities. This can also help keep the chilling system from freezing if temperatures drop below freezing, if the chiller supports automatic switching from cold to hot.
Price & Warranty Considerations
A good cold plunge isn’t cheap, but price should correlate with build quality and features. As such, you should definitely look for brands offering at least a 1-year warranty if you’re not purchasing a budget-oriented setup.
Size, Space & Capacity
Before choosing a plunge setup, consider the limitations of your space like doorway clearance sizes, ground levelness, and nearby drainage options, before buying. The absolute smallest tub you want is a 100L (26 gal), which will require you to kneel or squat. For more comfortable plunging where you can fully extend, consider plunges with > 300L (80 gal). If you want to have more than one occupant at a time, you should look for something around 500L (132 gal) or larger.
Maintenance Requirements
Low-maintenance cold plunges have self-cleaning features, such as automatic filters and ozone and/or UV purification. Consider how often your cold plunge will be used and how often you are willing to clean and maintain your plunge. If you're operating the plunge in a commercial environment, self cleaning systems are critical. If your plunge will only get a few uses each week and you plan to use chemicals for water treatment, manual cleaning might be more feasible.
Versatility
Some cold plunge chillers can also heat, which not only allows you to use your plunge as a hot tub, but usually offers operation capabilities below freezing. If your plunge is going to be outside in areas where temperatures drop below freezing, heating capability is critical. With that said, make sure your chiller has an automatic heating function that turns on when temperatures drop below 0 and that it can also operate in the ambient temperatures (surrounding air temperature) of your environment. Additionally, if you might need to move the plunge from its original position (moving, renovations, etc.), you should consider a cold plunge suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, so you’re not boxed in.
The Best Cold Plunge by Type & Style
There are several tiered classifications of cold plunges, depending on their features and price. If we metaphorically compare cold plunge systems to vehicles, an ice bath would be a bicycle, an inflatable cold plunge might be a Toyota, a premium cold plunge might be a Tesla, and a luxury cold plunge would be a supercar, like a Bentley. Here are our ratings by category:
Best Ice Bath
If you’re not purchasing a chilling system (manually adding ice to a plunge tub), here are your best options:
Best Cheap Ice Bath:
Fabric & Frame Tubs. If budget is your primary concern, the cheapest ice bath option is a fabric & frame, pop-up tub. There are MANY different suppliers of this style, but they’re all pretty much the same. So, your best bet is to look for the cheapest option on Amazon or AliExpress and you shouldn’t have to spend much more than $100. Keep in mind that these options lack durability, & require a lot of extra maintenance and operation time, since water is stagnant, not self cleaning, and ice is manually added each time.
Best-Value Ice Bath:
If you don't need the absolute cheapest ice bath, the best value is one that balances aesthetics, durability, price, ease of use and versatility. Based on these factors, the best valued ice bath is the Onyx Ice Bath, without the optional chiller. This model is extremely durable, since it's made from steel. Plus, the non-toxic, food grade coating prevents skin irritation. This ice bath is also very versatile. It can be used both indoors or outdoors and a chiller can always be added later, to make it a full cold plunge system. The Onyx ice bath is also suitable for both home and commercial locations. It comes in at a price just slightly higher than inflatable tubs, while having far superior aesthetics that you can be proud of.
Avoid:
Inflatable plunges are marketed as high quality, but at the end of the day they’re still blow-up products that are prone to cut, tears, and deflation. We don't recommend this option as you can get a much higher quality ice bath for basically the same price.
Stock Tanks. Although stock tanks are a better option than inflatable ice baths, versions with uncoated metal can also cause skin irritation (especially in cold weather) and tend to have sloppy, unaesthetic finish, since they are built as farming equipment. Metal tanks can be a great option, but we highly recommend a model with a coating that protects against skin irritation and is food-grade, so there is no chemical leeching to water. Avoid options that are coated with toxic materials!
Best Premium Cold Plunge System
Next, let's consider the best premium cold plunge. Premium cold plunges are classified as cold systems that come with built-in temperature control & filtration/sanitization (a chiller), but a price point that is still accessible to a significant portion of the market (unlike luxury cold plunges, which are only accessible to a very small portion). If you’re able to afford the additional benefits of a chilling system/premium plunge, we recommend… The Onyx Cold Plunge + Chiller.
Yes, it's the same recommendation as the budget plunge, but with a chiller & filtration/sanitization system included. We’re biased, but we were simply unable to find a cold plunge on the market that offers the same features & benefits of this system, without a much higher price tag.
For a price as low as $3,980 CAD (about $2700 USD - 2/5/25), which is actually less costly than the best inflatable option, you can get a premium plunge with all of the major benefits, as follows:
🔥/🧊 Heating + Chilling: 3° - 42°C temperature control (cold plunge tub or hot tub),
✨ Built-in Filter & Ozone Sanitation: Automatic filtering & ozone sanitation for optimal water cleanliness & minimal maintenance/upkeep.
🔌 Chiller Certification: GFCI, 120 Volt plug (surge protection)
💎 Quality Materials/Durability: Superior durability & weatherproofing with a galvanized steel cold plunge tub, coated in a black protective layer (rustproof, chemical resistant, and non-toxic). for maximum product lifetime.
❄️/☀️ Outdoor & Indoor Safe: Durable and weatherproof for indoor or outdoor use.
🌀 Built-in Filter & Pump: Maintain crystal-clear water with minimal draining and cleaning.
📲 WIFI control: Control chiller anytime, anywhere, with the iOS and Android apps.
📏 Large Sizes:
Medium: 100-gallon tub (~ 4' x 2' x 2') - Fits people up to 6'3, but most suitable for people < 6'0.
Large: 170-gallon tub (~ 6' x 2' x 2') - Fits people up to 7', but most suitable for people < 6'6
So if you’re looking for the best cold plume system for the money, consider an Onyx Cold Plunge System.
Best Luxury Cold Plunge Systems
If budget is no object, there are some luxury systems that have the whole package, from temperature control to safety certification. In our opinion, the best luxury cold plunge is the Morozko Pro, which comes with all of the bells and whistles, not to mention a very aesthetic design.
However, with a price tag of over $20,000 USD, the Morozko Pro isn’t realistic for most cold plungers. If you’re instead looking for a luxury model with better value (benefits:price), this Cedar Cold Plunge offers almost all of the same features, for a fraction of the price. While it might not be the ‘Bentley’ of cold plunges, it’s more like a Porsche. Luxury models are great for settings like a spa, resort, or a luxurious personal setup.
Best Cold Plunge Overall
Since it has already won the title of best cold plunge in ⅔ other categories, it is probably no surprise that our suggestion for the best cold plunge overall is the Onyx Cold Plunge System.
Whether you're looking for a home cold plunge, a commercial cold plunge for high-traffic use, a versatile system that works both indoors and outdoors, or a dual hot-and-cold plunge for contrast therapy, the Onyx has it all at an unbeatable price-point.
This Canadian-engineered cold plunge was built with practicality, longevity, and convenience in mind—ensuring that it works for any setting while maintaining optimal temperature control and water cleanliness with minimal effort.
🏡 Home & Commercial Ready
Unlike cheap inflatable or plastic tubs, the Onyx balances durability and design, making it ideal as both a cold plunge for home an a commercial cold plunge. Whether you’re an athlete recovering from workouts at home or a gym owner providing members with the best recovery tools, this plunge is built to last. Its steel-coated construction with a non-toxic protective coating ensures it can withstand daily use, even in commercial settings, without leeching harmful chemicals or irritating the skin.
🌦️ Built for Indoors & Outdoors
The Onyx is weatherproof and rust-resistant, allowing it to be set up indoors in a home gym or wellness room, or placed outside year-round. The industrial-strength coating prevents corrosion, scratches, and UV damage, so you never have to worry about outdoor exposure. No matter where you place it, the Onyx will perform.
❄️🔥 Hot & Cold Therapy in One System
Why settle for just a cold plunge when you can get both? The Onyx features adjustable temperature control from 3°C to 42°C (37°F - 107°F), meaning you can use it for both cold therapy and heat therapy. This dual-functionality makes it an even smarter investment, allowing you to use it as a cold plunge for recovery in the summer and a heated soak for relaxation in the winter.
🌀 Low-Maintenance & Easy to Use
Unlike standard ice baths that require frequent draining and cleaning, the Onyx minimizes maintenance with built-in filtration and sanitization. This means your water stays cleaner for longer, requiring less upkeep while ensuring a hygienic plunging experience every time. Plus, with WIFI-enabled controls, you can adjust the temperature from your phone for ultimate convenience.
So, If you’re looking for the best cold plunge that works in almost any setting, the Onyx Cold Plunge stands out as the top choice. Whether you’re a home user biohacker, an athlete, a wellness center, or another business owner, the Onyx Cold Plunge is the ultimate all-in-one solution for maximizing recovery and relaxation, at an unbeatable value.
Conclusion
Finding the best cold plunge tub means considering safety, durability, features, and price. Overall, the Canuck Onyx Cold Plunge stands out as the best balance of these features & price. If you’re serious about cold therapy, invest in a high-quality, certified, and durable plunge tub that meets your needs.
For more information, visit CanuckCold.com.
FAQ - Best Cold Plunge Tub
Q: Are cold plunge tubs worth it?
A: Yes! Cold plunge tubs help with muscle recovery, circulation, and mental resilience. Many athletes, biohackers and wellness enthusiasts swear by them.
Q: How cold should a cold plunge be?
A: The best cold plunges reach between 32°F and 39°F for maximum benefits.
Q: What’s better: an ice bath or a cold plunge?
A: Cold plunge tubs are more convenient because they cool & clean water automatically, whereas ice baths require buying and adding ice manually.