A cold plunge is a tub of cold water, usually somewhere between 40 and 60°F, that you sit in up to your shoulders for a few minutes. The term covers everything from a bathtub filled with ice to a cedar tub with its own chiller. So the useful question is which kind fits your yard, your budget and how often you plan to use it.
This guide explains the four common setups, what each one costs at Domaform, and how a cold plunge differs from an ice bath.
What is a cold plunge?
A cold plunge is a short, full-body soak in cold water. Most people sit in it for one to a few minutes, then get out and warm up. Many owners pair it with a sauna and move between hot and cold, a habit that comes from Nordic bathing culture.
The word "plunge" describes the act. However, it is also the name for the tub itself. When people shop for a cold plunge, they usually mean a dedicated tub that stays outside and holds water for weeks, not a bathtub they fill every time.
Cold water is a real stress on the body. Therefore, talk to your doctor before you start, especially if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure. Never plunge alone, and keep early sessions short.
Cold plunge vs ice bath: the difference
The two terms often mean the same thing. In practice, though, they describe two different setups:
- Ice bath: any container that you fill with water and bags of ice before each session. The water starts cold and then warms up as the ice melts. You drain it afterwards. Ice baths are a common recovery routine in sports.
- Cold plunge: a purpose-built tub that stays filled. It either uses ice the same way, or a chiller that cools and filters the water and holds a set temperature every day.
In short, an ice bath is a ritual you prepare each time. A cold plunge is a piece of equipment that is ready when you are.
| Bathtub with ice | Cedar tub with ice | Tub with chiller | Plunge room | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | Drifts up as ice melts | Drifts up as ice melts | Holds a set temperature | Holds a set temperature |
| Prep before each use | Fill, add ice, drain | Add ice | None | None |
| Where it goes | Indoors | Patio, deck, yard | Patio, deck, yard | Own building in the yard |
| Price at Domaform | Not sold | From $2,554.50 | From $7,850 plus chiller | From $44,400 |
Bathtub with ice: the free way to try it
If you only want to find out whether you like cold water, start with your bathtub. First, run the cold tap. Then add ice until the water feels as cold as you want. Afterwards, drain the tub.
This costs nothing but ice. On the other hand, most bathtubs are too short to cover your shoulders, and the water warms up quickly. Because you buy ice for every session, it also gets tedious if you plunge several times a week. That is why a dedicated tub makes sense once cold water becomes a habit.
Cedar cold plunge tubs with ice
A cedar plunge tub is the step up from the bathtub. It stays outside, it is deep enough for a full-body soak, and you cool it with ice or with cold weather. You can add a chiller later on both of the tubs below.
- The Baltic Plunge Tub ($2,554.50) is an upright cedar barrel. It holds 132 US gallons and measures 37.5 inches across and 43.75 inches high. It ships fully assembled, so you can fill it on delivery day.
- The Polar Plunge Tub is a longer tub that lets you lie back. It holds 190 US gallons and measures 71 by 32.25 inches. It costs $3,444 with a white plastic liner or $6,428 with a 304 stainless steel liner.
Both are solid Eastern White Cedar, made in Canada by Dundalk LeisureCraft, with a 5-year residential limited warranty. Freight to your curb in the lower 48 is included. Because the Baltic sits upright, it fits on a smaller deck. The Polar, in contrast, suits people who want to stretch out.
Cold plunge tubs with a chiller
A chiller is a small cooling unit that circulates the water, filters it and holds the temperature you set. As a result, there is no ice to buy and no waiting. This setup suits people who plunge most days.
The Flow Cold Plunge is built for it. It has a stainless steel tub and a cedar surround with a hidden compartment for the chiller, so you see furniture instead of a machine. It costs $7,850 in knotty cedar or $8,336 in clear cedar. The chiller is not included. Instead, you choose a compatible unit, such as the Coldture Chiller Pro, and we help you pick one.
A chiller needs a power outlet near the tub. Before you order, check the chiller's electrical needs with an electrician. For more detail, read cold plunge tub with or without a chiller.
A cold plunge room
At the top end, a plunge can have its own insulated building. The Sweaty Yeti Plunge Max is an 8 by 17 foot room with a deep tub, an integrated chiller and heater, and space for a second tub. It starts at $44,400, built to order in Utah and set in place by the delivery crew. Options and delivery beyond 250 miles are quoted separately.
A room makes sense if you want to plunge in any weather, or if clients or family will use it every day.
Indoor or outdoor cold plunge?
Our cedar plunges are built for the outdoors, often right next to the sauna. Even so, a compact tub can work indoors if the floor carries the weight. Water weighs about 8.3 pounds per gallon. That means a filled Baltic weighs about 1,200 pounds, and a filled Polar close to 2,000 pounds. Therefore, ask a contractor before you put either one on an upper floor or a wooden deck.
Outdoors, a level base and some shade help the most. A cover keeps leaves out and slows warming in summer. See how much space a cold plunge needs and cold plunge tub care.
Cold plunge and sauna together
Many people buy a plunge because they already have a sauna, or the other way around. The routine is simple: heat up in the sauna, cool down in the plunge, rest, and repeat a few rounds. Our cedar tubs match the Canadian Timber saunas in wood and style. To plan both at once, read sauna and cold plunge setup or browse the sauna and cold plunge collection.
Which cold plunge should you buy?
- Choose a bathtub with ice if you only want to try cold water a few times.
- Choose the Baltic if you have a small deck and want the lowest entry price for a real plunge.
- Choose the Polar if you want to lie back in a longer tub, with ice now and a chiller later.
- Choose the Flow if you plunge most days and want a set temperature without equipment in sight.
- Choose the Plunge Max if you want a year-round plunge room for several people.
Cold plunge FAQ
What is a cold plunge?
A cold plunge is a short soak in cold water up to the shoulders, usually in a dedicated tub that stays filled.
Is a cold plunge the same as an ice bath?
Mostly, yes. An ice bath is filled with ice for each session. A cold plunge is a permanent tub, often with a chiller that holds a set temperature.
How cold is a cold plunge?
Many owners keep the water somewhere between 40 and 60°F. Start warmer and shorter, and ask your doctor what is safe for you.
How much does a cold plunge cost?
At Domaform, cedar plunge tubs start at $2,554.50 for the Baltic. The Flow with a chiller compartment starts at $7,850 without the chiller. A Sweaty Yeti plunge room starts at $44,400.
Can I use a bathtub as a cold plunge?
Yes, for a trial. Fill it with cold water and ice, then drain it afterwards. Most bathtubs are too short for a full plunge, though.
Do I need a chiller?
No. The Baltic and Polar work with ice or cold weather. A chiller saves the ice and holds the temperature, so it suits daily use.
Find your cold plunge
Compare every model in our cold plunge collection, or read the cold plunge tub buying guide and the Baltic, Polar and Flow comparison. Questions about size, base or chillers? Call us at +1 (307) 309-8328 and we will help you choose.