The best inflatable cold plunge tubs
An inflatable cold plunge is sold in two forms: a pod with an inflatable top ring, or a drop-stitch tub with rigid air walls. What to buy and what to check.
Tubs in this guide
- The Pod Company Ice Pod ProUnder $300See it on Amazon
- The Cold Pod StandardUnder $300See it on Amazon
The short answer
“Inflatable cold plunge” covers two different tubs. One is a soft pod with an inflatable top ring. The other is a drop-stitch tub whose walls inflate hard, like a paddleboard. The pods are cheap and proven. We have not found a drop-stitch tub whose stated capacity survives a sum, so we have no pick there yet.
Tubs in this guide
- The Pod Company Ice Pod ProUnder $300See it on Amazon
- The Cold Pod StandardUnder $300See it on Amazon
Two kinds of inflatable cold plunge tub
Shops use “inflatable” for both, and they behave differently. If you are not set on an inflatable, our pick of the best cold plunge tubs covers every type.
| Pod with an inflatable ring | Drop-stitch tub | |
|---|---|---|
| What inflates | Only the top ring. Legs hold the walls up | The whole wall and floor, to 8–10 psi |
| Shape | Round, upright | Oval, lay-down |
| Walls | Thin fabric and foam | About 3 in of air between two skins |
| Weight empty | 6–11 lb | About 30 lb |
| What fails | The ring deflates, the spigot breaks | Air leaks at seams and valves |
The inflatable ice baths we would buy
Both are ring-type pods.
The Pod Company Ice Pod Pro
An upright pod with two valves for a chiller and a two-year warranty. An owner on r/coldplunge says the earlier version’s top ring was prone to leaking and sagging, and that the updated one is better. The maker replaced his under warranty.
The Cold Pod Standard
A smaller pod at 85 gallons and 7.7 lb, with an insulated cover and a hand pump in the box. On Trustpilot, three of the maker’s nine reviews describe the top ring deflating, and the company points to a one-year warranty.
Why we have no drop-stitch pick yet
We looked at two and could not recommend either on the figures given.
The VEVOR 216 gallon tub states 216 gallons, outer dimensions of 59.1 × 31.5 × 29.9 in, and walls 3.1 in thick. A solid box of that outer size holds 241 gallons. Take the walls and floor off and the inside comes to about 155 gallons at most. The stated capacity cannot be what you can fill.
The JUGRFIT 121 gallon tub, sold with a chiller, passes that test: a box of its outer size holds about 176 gallons, so 121 inside the walls is plausible. But its listing states the chiller’s wattage three different ways.
Inflatable against the other types
An inflatable suits you if
You want low cost, easy storage and quick setup, and you accept replacing it in a year or two.
Choose a rigid tub if
It will live outdoors in the sun, or you want it to last. Owners who upgraded say a rigid, insulated barrel holds its temperature where an inflatable leaks it.
The types are compared on the tubs page, and our picks across all of them are in the best cold plunge tubs.
Can you use a chiller with an inflatable ice bath?
Yes, if the tub has inlet and outlet ports. The Ice Pod Pro does. One owner on r/coldplunge advises checking the port size: tubs with 3/4 in ports take standard plumbing and a stronger pump.
An inflatable gains heat fast, so the chiller works harder. Our picks are in the best cold plunge chillers.
How to fix an air leak
A ring that goes soft overnight has a slow leak. Owners report them at the valve cap and along the top seam. Makers include repair patches, and The Pod Company lists a repair kit in the box. Find the leak with soapy water, dry the area, and patch it with the tub deflated. If the leak is at a seam and the tub is in warranty, ask for a replacement before you patch.
Common questions
What is the best inflatable cold plunge tub?
Of the ring-type pods, The Pod Company’s Ice Pod Pro, for its chiller valves and two-year warranty. We have no drop-stitch pick, because the two we checked had figures that did not hold up.
Are blow up cold plunge tubs any good?
For starting out, yes. They are cheap and they work on ice. Owners say they insulate poorly and that the inflatable parts are the first to fail, so expect a season or two.
How long does an inflatable ice bath take to set up?
Minutes. You fit the legs, inflate the top ring with the hand pump and fill it. Filling takes longest: 100 gallons from a garden hose is the slow part.
Do inflatable cold plunges hold their temperature?
Poorly. Owners report ice melting within an hour in summer in an unwrapped pod. An insulation wrap, a lid and shade make a large difference.