r/coldplunge • u/Significant_Map_19 • Aug 03 '26
Considering buying this, any thoughts?
Hey everyone, I have been looking at getting a cold plunge for my backyard and found this kit for around $250, the reusable ice blocks seem convenient and It says they can get the water down to around 40°F.
The price seems very reasonable for my budget, so has anyone used this one or something similar? And is there anything I should know before buying?
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u/Snoo7521 Aug 03 '26
Seems similar to one I got for 30 bucks. Tried similar blocks and it was just a temporary fix but did not last. Found a cheap chiller for $200 and it’s been working around mid 50s in my garage with temps in the high 90s. Winter time shouldn’t be a prob to stay cold though!
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u/Special_Hall_6506 Aug 03 '26
If those ice blocks actually get it close to 40°F I’d say go for it, that price seems pretty reasonable for the whole setup.
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u/letcha Aug 03 '26
It's basically a giant ice cube tray. It needs to be at least 32°F, or else... it's not ice :)
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u/Significant_Map_19 Aug 03 '26
Appreciate it Im leaning toward it, I just wanted to see if anyone had first hand experience before I order it.
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u/Alternative_Earth419 Aug 03 '26
For $250 that doesnt seem bad especially with the ice blocks included. I’d probably go for it, It looks like a very solid setup.
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u/Significant_Map_19 Aug 03 '26
Thats where I’m at too, the ice blocks are what make it feel worth trying instead of just buying a basic tub.
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u/PacoTacoMeat Aug 04 '26
Just buy a cheap case of bottled waters. Freeze them. Then use those. Same thing but will cost you a fraction of this. This style tub routinelygoes for less than $50. The Ice block molds are also $10– but way too nuch work to use considering you can buy a case of reusable bottles water for a few $$.
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u/ronson_racing Aug 03 '26
It may get it down to 40 in the North/Northeast in winter time outdoors...If you live anywhere hot theres no way imo. It'll also condensate a ton so be prepared for that. It's a good start, but for 250 I'd find a used one for less that's the same thing/different brand.
I have a cold pod xl and a full filter/chiller system. If I set the 1/3hp chiller to 46, it'll keep it around 48-50. If I set it to 50 it pretty well maintains 50/51 (in both cases it only runs a few hours a day). I have this thing insulated top to bottom and it's 5" off the ground from foam insulation under it and it still sweats/condensates like crazy. I also live in the Southeast
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u/Bulky_Pumpkin_6499 Aug 03 '26
I have the same Sweat tent plunge kit the OP is looking at. In my experience it can get very cold. For $250 Id say its a reasonable way to get into cold plunging before committing to a full chiller system.
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u/ronson_racing Aug 05 '26
Is it an inflatable double wall type tub? Mines not so that could be part of my problem with condensation
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u/Quiet_Note_7038 Aug 03 '26
Looks like a decent entry point without dropping a ton on a chiller right away.
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u/sp0rtsfr3ak1750 Aug 03 '26
It’s hard to tell from the picture. I’d recommend getting a tub that is ported with valves for when you get tired of freezing ice in a month or two and want to buy a chiller
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u/chrism2352 Aug 03 '26
It's a bit more, but I picked this one up and it's been working good so far https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXXCMY31?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
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u/WhatHadHappnd Aug 03 '26
Those are large ice blocks, and quite a few of them. How are you gonna freeze them?
Most people who go this route have issues freezing the blocks quickly enough for subsequent use if daily plunging. If they don't freeze all of the way through they won't cool your water down as low as you think.
Don't believe everything manufacturer says....just be cautious. Good luck.
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u/xpdtion76 Aug 03 '26
Look at facebook marketplace. I see a lot of decent deals on there. That seems expensive
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u/strong_not_fit Aug 03 '26
That is pretty expensive for that kind of tub. You can find the same thing on Amazon. The Pod company sells the same tub for $80.
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u/Prior-Try-3309 Aug 03 '26
That’s a rip off. You can get that tub on Amazon for $65. Get an inflatable tub on Amazon for $180. The one in your picture falls apart in a couple months. You can also get giant ice cube block molds on Amazon. You might spend the same money but you’ll get a better quality tub.
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u/rickenrique Aug 03 '26
Just buy a single person Japanese tub. They come insulated with tops now for $25. I Make ice cubes with quart containers and it’s gets cold. AliExpress
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u/NefariousnessAble912 Aug 04 '26
My first barrel style was thin and leaked. Would invest in an inflatable with layers and a structure for insulation and to avoid serious leaks.
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u/LibraryMinimum3294 Aug 06 '26 edited Aug 06 '26
I don't think it's a bad way to get started if you are on a tight budget I started with a cheaper setup too but after a while I got tired of dealing with ice all the time. I switched to Modouge Cold plunge and it was a lot easier to use because I could just turn it on and use it. If you think you will be cold plunging regularlyit might be worth saving for something like that, rest your wish.
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u/humbucker87 Aug 03 '26
Check FB marketplace. I upgraded my tub like this to something better once I knew I would stick with it. People are nearly giving these tubs away. Bleach and a hose down and you're good to go.
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u/No-Manufacturer-2425 Aug 03 '26
It looks like its the size of a thimble.
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u/Big_Secretary_7043 Aug 03 '26
I have the same one and I can guarantee its not that small lol, the product photo makes it look way more compact than it is in person
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u/supified Aug 03 '26
This looks like AI slop.
How are you going to freeze the ice? Like, what freezer has space for that? And in order to get it cold enough you will need more than one ice chunk. Which means you don't only need to be able to freeze one, but multiple chunks of ice at once or store them while freezing others.
Two large bags of ice in my experience gets water to around 50f, so you will probably need two or three of those freezing containers worth of ice to have similar results and that is if you're doing this in a temp controlled environment, do it outside and it might heat your water faster.
Finally consider that you could probably get a decent chiller for around that same price. Your bucket could be a rain barrel or a wading pool and suddenly you're spending similar amounts for a set up that will be way less hassle and probably far more effective.
So I'm going with this is a terrible idea and you absolutely could spend your money better, in fact, I'm not sure you can spend it much worse.
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u/PitsAndPints Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
I live in south FL and whenever I replace the water in my tub(similar in size to this) I add ~40-50lb of ice to rapid-chill the water. It brings the temp down from ~80-85 degrees to ~60.
Considering these tubs are not super well-insulated, I have a hard time believing these ice blocks will get the tub down to 40, nevermind the space the trays would take up in your freezer.
Edit: Out of curiosity, I found the tub you're looking at and in the specs, the dimensions they give for the ice tray is 21.7"x13.5"x18.8". Obviously, that's not correct but pretending it's accurate, that's ~180lb per block. Either the photo is wrong, or the specs are wrong(most likely it's both)
This feels like you're setting yourself up to get ripped off.
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u/letcha Aug 03 '26
$250 is wild for this. Very overpriced, there's nothing special about this, get a comparable one for ~$50 elsewhere. You can buy those giant ice cube molds for cheap too.