The Best Cold Plunges for Athletes (2025)
- Compression Athlete
- Apr 10
- 7 min read
Boost muscle recovery for your entire body with quick and effective cold therapy.
There’s a good chance that when you first saw someone plunge their body into freezing cold ice water after a workout you thought to yourself: Why in the world are they doing that?
But after gaining an understanding of how cold therapy works and noticing your favorite athletes also using this method, those thoughts might have turned to: Should I try this out for myself?
If you’re a committed athlete that doesn’t like to be bogged down with muscle pain, DOMS, and stiff joints the short answer is absolutely.
Through exposure to cold temperatures, cold therapy constricts your blood vessels in the applied area to relieve pain and reduce swelling and inflammation.
Athletes that incorporate cold therapy into their recovery routines noticeably reduce muscle soreness and feel fresher from one workout or competition to the next.
Here, we’ve put together a list of the best ice baths and cold plunges for athletes in 2025.
Athletes use cold therapy to reduce inflammation and boost muscle recovery.
If you follow any of your favorite professional athletes on social media, you’ve likely seen them submerged in an ice bath after a workout or game, touting the importance of recovery.
But ice baths and cold plunges aren’t just for professional athletes.
Nowadays, athletes and active individuals of any stripe and sport can benefit from incorporating cold therapy into their muscle recovery routines.
Ice baths and cold plunges reduce inflammation and other pain symptoms by narrowing (vasoconstricting) your blood vessels and shifting lactic acid away from your muscles.
In other words, cold therapy helps to repair your muscles faster from one workout to the next.
It’s hard to think of an athlete that wouldn’t benefit from using cold therapy, as submerging in an ice bath or cold plunge can target every sore muscle on your body at the same time and help to maintain peak athletic performance.
Many athletes use cold therapy to help them stay on track with personal fitness goals, whether this is training for a marathon, crushing workouts at the gym, or any other personal best you’re chasing.
Note: Featured products are independently selected and reviewed by Compression Athlete. If you purchase through our links, we may earn commission.
1. Ice Barrel 500
The Ice Barrel 500 features an upright, spacious, and fully insulated design with built-in steps for easy entry/exit and a texturized seat for a comfortable upright seated position.
This cold plunge comes with an insulated UV resistant lid and a UV and water-resistant cover (available add-on options include a chiller and maintenance kit).
Shop at Ice Barrel: Ice Barrel 500
The Ice Barrel 500 holds up to 94 gallons, allows for submergence up to your neck for full-body benefits, and uses a thick polyurethane foam insulation to keep your water cold for longer (especially in warm weather conditions).
This cold plunge is made in the USA with recycled materials and comes with an impressive lifetime warranty.
Why We Like It: Far and away the most durable and accessible cold plunge out there. Ice Barrel has mastered cold plunge convenience, comfort, and effectiveness with this one.
2. Ice Barrel 300
The Ice Barrel 300 features a sleek and fully insulated design with a small seat inside for maintaining a comfortable upright position (and full immersion).
This cold plunge has an extra durable design, can be used indoors and outdoors, and is easy to step in and out of.
Shop at Ice Barrel: Ice Barrel 300
The Ice Barrel 300 is compact, lightweight, and has polyurethane foam insulation in both the body and lid to keep colder longer.
This cold plunge has a UV and water-resistant cover, can accommodate users up to 6’2 in height, and is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Why We Like It: Same durability but in an extra compact design that makes it easy to move around and use anywhere.
3. Cryospring Cold + Hot Plunge System
The Cryospring Cold + Hot Plunge System features an insulating drop-stitch inflatable tub with a triple-layer EVA cushioned bottom and locking lid.
This cold plunge is designed for both cold and hot plunges with 37°F to 107°F temperature adjustability.
Shop at Cryospring: Cryospring Cold + Hot Plunge System
Cryospring’s Cold + Hot Plunge System utilizes a dual-stage water microfiltration system and an automated ozone generator for natural sanitation.
This cold plunge has a Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Chiller with iOS/Android app control and a 1-year warranty (30-day money back guarantee).
Why We Like It: Provides all the features you need for easy and effective cold therapy with a durable design, cushioned bottom, and a smart chiller with app control.
4. Cryospring Portable Ice Bath
The Cryospring Portable Ice Bath is a portable tub with a comfortable and durable drop-stitch construction and triple-layer cushioned bottom.
This cold plunge inflates in 2 minutes and conveniently stores in a duffle-style backpack.
Shop at Cryospring: Cryospring Portable Ice Bath
Cryospring’s Portable Ice Bath features all-weather indoor and outdoor performance with a stainless steel water inlet/outlet and easy garden hose drainage.
This ice bath utilizes an air-gap insulating body and comes with a 1 year warranty (30-day money back guarantee).
Why We Like It: As far as portable ice baths go, you’ll find that this one is the most durable, easy to inflate, comfortable to use, and convenient to store.
5. Inergize Cold + Hot Plunge Tub
The Inergize Cold + Hot Plunge Tub features a comfortable full-body immersion experience in a compact and convenient 4.3 ft tub.
This cold plunge tub utilizes a 3-stage sanitation system that ensures crystal-clear water with minimal maintenance.
Shop at Inergize: Inergize Cold + Hot Plunge Tub
Inergize’s Cold + Hot Plunge Tub utilizes an app-controlled chiller that cools to 37°F and heats to 105°F.
This cold plunge tub has military-grade durability suited for both indoor and outdoor use and an insulating cover with a lockable code system for a debris-free, child safe setup.
Why We Like It: For those that want a compact yet effective cold plunge design with full-body immersion and an app-controlled chiller.
6. Sun Home Cold Plunge
The Sun Home Cold Plunge features a spacious full body tub with an extra durable design that’s perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
This cold plunge can go cold (down to 37.5°F) or hot (up to 104°F) in just a few minutes with an energy efficient motor.
Shop at Sun Home: Sun Home Cold Plunge
Sun Home’s Cold Plunge utilizes easy-drain technology, as well as a built-in sanitization system and circulation pump.
This cold plunge doesn’t require any plumbing, has a convenient mobile app you can control from anywhere, and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Why We Like It: This is a great option for those that want a little extra length from their cold plunge for comfortable full body immersion.
7. Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro
The Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro features an energy-efficient chiller with Whisper-Chill technology for a quiet operation.
This cold plunge doesn’t require any plumbing and has a contemporary aesthetic in a durable design that’s fit for both indoor and outdoor use.
Shop at Sun Home: Sun Home Cold Plunge Pro
Sun Home’s Cold Plunge Pro utilizes interior LED lighting for night-time use and a built-in sanitization system and circulation pump.
This cold plunge comes with a 1-year warranty and is a trusted recovery tool of the NBA, NFL, MLB, UFC, and Team USA Olympics.
Why We Like It: The Rolls-Royce of cold plunges with a stainless steel construction, Whisper-Chill technology, LED lighting, and just about everything else you could ever want in a cold plunge.
Our Cold Plunge Top Picks: Side by Side Comparison
Here, you can see how our top cold plunge picks compare to one another.
We’ve highlighted some of the key features that we find most helpful when it comes to deciding on an ice bath or cold plunge, so you can see how these options stack up.
Of course, the basic features of the product, such as its dimensions and price will help determine if it’s going to fit properly in your designated spot and meet your budgetary needs.
While additional features, such as whether it comes with a chiller, cover, and warranty, among other features, will help you narrow in what kind of cold plunge experience you’re looking for.
Product | Dimensions | Price | Chiller | Warranty (Years) |
57.6 x 30.7 x 42.1 in | $1,700 | Optional | Lifetime | |
35.5 x 30.5 in | $1,200 | Optional | Lifetime | |
58 x 32 x 27 in | $4,990 | Yes | 1 | |
59 x 32 x 27 in | $799 | Optional | 1 | |
51 x 27.5 x 30 in | $2,790 | Optional | 1 | |
76.8 x 27.6 x 25.2 in | $4,699 | Yes | 1 | |
78 x 34 x 33 in | $10,399 | Yes | 1 |
Chillers add convenience but also add to the price tag.
Chillers are used to cool the water in your cold plunge to a designated temperature.
And you’ll find that adding one to your cold plunge definitely adds convenience to your preparation and precision to your water temperature.
However, keep in mind that adding a chiller is going to add to your overall cost.
Some athletes might feel they need this customization and convenience in order to get the most out of their cold plunge, while others may prefer the classic “add ice and go” routine.
Make sure your cold plunge has a cover.
Having a cover (or lid) for your cold plunge can help you carry out a few important roles.
For starters, keeping your cold plunge covered up when not in use will help ensure it stays clean and free of debris.
It can also serve as an important safety feature, which is especially important if your cold plunge is accessible to young children or pets.
Additionally, the cover serves as an insulation seal, keeping the cold water cold.
All of the ice baths and cold plunges featured on our list above come with covers.
Always choose a cold plunge with a warranty.
We always look for products that come with warranties as a mark of quality and commitment to making sure you get great value for your money.
All the ice baths and cold plunges on our list come with a warranty.
That being said, some warranty durations are longer than others.
Go with the duration that feels right in relation to your investment and expectations for the product.
Learn everything you need to know about implementing cold therapy into your routine with our complete guide.
And if you’re looking for a more targeted approach to cold therapy, check out our picks for the top cold compression sleeves and braces.
