The right cold plunge tub depends on three things: how often you plunge, where it will sit, and whether you want to cool it with ice or a chiller. Before you compare brands, decide on the shape (upright barrel or lay-flat), check the filled weight your base must carry, and plan for water care. In our range, cedar tubs start at $2,554.50 for the compact Baltic and go to $8,336 for the Flow with a hidden chiller bay.
This buying guide walks through each choice, then compares every tub we sell with real sizes and prices.
How will you use your cold plunge tub?
Start with your routine, not the product photo. How often you plunge, how many people use the tub and whether it sits indoors or outdoors decide almost everything else.
- A few times a month: a simple tub with ice is enough.
- Most mornings: plan for a chiller, a cover and a filter routine.
- Shared by two or more: a larger tub, and more attention to water care.
- Outdoors: sun, rain, leaves and winter all matter, so plan the spot and the cover.
Which shape: upright barrel, lay-flat tub or inflatable?
An upright barrel saves floor space and you sit in it up to the shoulders. In contrast, a lay-flat tub lets you stretch out for full-body immersion. Inflatables cost less and pack away, so they suit temporary setups.
- Upright barrel: the Baltic is 37.5 inches round and holds 132 US gallons.
- Lay-flat tub: the Polar is 71 inches long with angled sides for easier entry, and holds 190 US gallons.
- Inflatable: we do not sell inflatable tubs. Our range is built for a permanent spot.
Comfort matters more than most buyers expect. If a tub is hard to get into, you will use it less, so check the height of the edge and the inside length against your own size.
Ice or chiller: how will you keep it cold?
Ice is cheap to start and needs no equipment, but you buy and carry it for every session. A chiller holds a set temperature around the clock, so the tub is ready whenever you are. However, it adds a purchase, a power connection and a machine to maintain.
All the cedar tubs we sell work with ice and accept a chiller later. Moreover, the chiller is always sold separately and carries its own warranty. Read cold plunge tub with or without a chiller for the full comparison.
What about filtration and water care?
Cold water still needs care. Body oils, skin cells and leaves build up, so the water turns cloudy without a filter routine, a cover and regular water changes. A chiller cools the water but does not clean it.
- Keep a cover on the tub between sessions.
- Rinse off before you get in.
- Follow the filter and water-care schedule in your chiller or filter manual.
- Plan an easy way to drain: the Polar comes with a garden-hose drain.
Our cold plunge tub care guide covers cleaning and winter use step by step.
Which material lasts outdoors?
Most home tubs use stainless steel, plastic liners or wood on the outside. However, each feels different and needs different care, so match the material to your spot and your budget.
- Solid cedar outside: our tubs use Eastern White Cedar, which resists moisture and rot naturally and matches Canadian Timber saunas.
- HDPE plastic liner: the Baltic has a 3/8-inch HDPE liner, hand-welded and leak-tested; the Polar comes with a white HDPE liner in its lower-priced version.
- Stainless steel: the Polar is also available with a 304 stainless steel liner, and the Flow has a stainless steel tub inside its cedar cabinet.
For a side-by-side look at the three cedar tubs, read Baltic vs Polar vs Flow.
Where will it sit, and what does it weigh full?
A filled tub is very heavy, so the base matters more than the tub. Water weighs about 8.3 lbs per US gallon. As a result, the water alone in a Baltic weighs roughly 1,100 lbs, and in a Polar roughly 1,580 lbs, before you add the tub and a person.
- Base: solid and level. The Polar needs a level base of at least 34 by 72 inches.
- Deck: have the structure checked for the filled weight first.
- Spot: shade helps in summer, and a short path from the house helps in winter.
- Power: only needed for a chiller. Check the chiller's electrical spec and plan an outdoor-rated outlet or circuit.
See how much space you need for a cold plunge for footprints and bases.
Cold plunge tubs we sell, compared
| Tub | Shape | Water | Liner or tub | Delivery | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltic | Upright barrel, 37.5" round | 132 US gal | HDPE | Fully assembled | $2,554.50 |
| Polar | Lay-flat, 71" x 32.25" | 190 US gal | HDPE or 304 stainless | Crated, about 402 lbs | $3,444 or $6,428 |
| Flow | Cedar cabinet with chiller bay | see product page | Stainless steel tub | Fully assembled, about 575 lbs | $7,850 or $8,336 |
| Sweaty Yeti Plunge Max | Insulated plunge room, 8' x 17' | see product page | Tub with integrated chiller and heater | Set in place by the delivery crew | from $44,400 |
The Baltic, Polar and Flow are made by Dundalk LeisureCraft in Ontario, ship free curbside in the lower 48 and carry a 5-year residential limited manufacturer warranty that excludes the chiller. Sweaty Yeti prices are starting prices, with options and delivery quoted separately.
What does a cold plunge tub cost in total?
Look beyond the tub price. For example, add a chiller if you want one, a cover, filters, the base, an electrician for the chiller circuit, and ongoing water and power. On the other hand, ice costs nothing to set up but adds up with every session.
- Lowest entry: the Baltic at $2,554.50, with ice.
- Full-length on a budget: the Polar HDPE at $3,444, chiller later.
- Hidden equipment: the Flow from $7,850 plus a compatible chiller.
- A room of its own: the Sweaty Yeti Plunge Max from $44,400.
Planning a sauna too?
Many buyers pair a cold plunge with an outdoor sauna. If that is your plan, then choose both together, so the base, power and path work for both. The Canadian Timber tubs match the Canadian Timber saunas in cedar, and the Sweaty Yeti Sauna Plunge puts both in one building. Read sauna and cold plunge setup.
Curious where the outdoors keeps water cold on its own? See our cold-plunge-ready states study.
Cold plunge tub buying checklist
- Decide how often, how many people and where.
- Pick the shape: upright barrel or lay-flat.
- Choose ice now or a chiller, now or later.
- Plan the cover, filter routine and drain.
- Check the base for the filled weight.
- Plan power if you add a chiller.
- Add up the total cost and read the warranty.
Cold plunge tub FAQ
What is the best cold plunge tub for home?
In the end, the best tub is the one you will use. For small decks, the Baltic; for full-length immersion, the Polar; for a finished look next to a sauna, the Flow.
Do I need plumbing for a cold plunge tub?
Not for our cedar tubs. You fill them with a garden hose, and the Polar includes a garden-hose drain.
Can I use a cold plunge tub without a chiller?
Yes. All our cedar tubs work with ice, and you can add a chiller later.
How cold should the water be?
That is a personal choice within your chiller's range. If you have a health condition, talk to your doctor before you start cold plunging.
What is the difference between a cold plunge and an ice bath?
An ice bath is any tub cooled with ice; a cold plunge usually means a dedicated tub, often with a chiller. Read what is a cold plunge.
Find your cold plunge tub
Browse the cold plunge collection, or call +1 (307) 309-8328 with your space and power details. We will suggest a tub and, if you want one, a matching chiller.