Ice Barrel vs Cold Plunge: Which is Better?
If you’ve done any amount of shopping for cold plunges, you’ve surely come across both The Plunge and the Ice Barrel, two prominent players in the ice bath marketplace. Before making a significant investment in either, it’s crucial to do your homework and make shrewd comparisons between any two (or more) cold plunge units, in order to make long and satisfying use of your eventual purchase. Below we discuss the ins and outs of both The Plunge and the Ice Barrel, so you can make a more informed decision.
Design
One of the very first things to consider when looking at the Ice Barrel vs Plunge brand cold plunge is the design of both. The Ice Barrel, of course, is a vertical plunge in the shape of a barrel. The Plunge, on the other hand, is a horizontal rectangular unit for cold water immersion therapy. They are both designed to be used as a one-person at a time experience, and are most likely to be used in a home setting, although you may occasionally find either of them in a health and fitness venue.
Construction
The Plunge Construction
The Plunge is constructed of acrylic and fiberglass, and has a reinforced metal base. It is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The Plunge All-In is also indoor/outdoor. The Pro XL model is recommended for outdoor use. The Plunge Pro XL is roomier than the base model.
Ice Barrel Construction
The Ice Barrel is made from recycled plastic material. It is both durable and lightweight, and has polyurethane foam insulation. The Ice Barrel can fit through standard doorways, and thus can be used indoors, as long as the flooring it is on can handle 700 lbs (weight of the Ice Barrel when completely full of water). The Ice Barrel 300 weighs 61 lbs, and the Ice Barrel 400 weighs only 55 lbs.
Set Up
The Plunge Set Up
The Plunge takes about 20 minutes to set up, and has easy to follow video and printed instructions. The Pro XL unit takes 20 minutes as well. The Plunge All-In requires no set up to whatsoever. The different Plunge units are between 150 and 270 lbs, and thus quite a bit more difficult to move when desired in comparison to the Ice Barrel.
Ice Barrel Set Up
The Ice Barrel only requires being placed in the upright position, and for the Ice Barrel 400 to have it’s step stool in place to make the climb inside. The Ice Barrel is quite a bit easier than The Plunge to maneuver and change locations.
Entry and Exit of the Ice Barrel and Plunge Cold Plunge
Getting in The Plunge
Entering The Plunge is very straightforward. You effortlessly lift your feet over the side of the unit one at a time, and while lowering yourself inside, place your hands on either side of the cold plunge to brace yourself, and sit in it in a semi-reclined position to cover your body from neck, shoulders, or upper chest (depending on your physical build and/or preference) to feet in the chilled water.
Ice Barrel Entry
Entry into the Ice Barrel is a little bit trickier. It is meant to be a real-life “plunge” experience, meaning it isn’t really designed to wade your way into it gently and slowly. With the Ice Barrel 400 (for big and tall folks – up to 6’ 6” and 300 lbs), you’ll use a step stool to make your entry, lower yourself into the barrel, and stay in an upright position fully immersed during your ice bath. With the Ice Barrel 300, depending upon how long your legs are, you may or may not find it awkward to work your way into the barrel because you’ll have to swing one leg over and balance yourself while you swing the other leg over and lower yourself in. It does have a seat for you to sit on, though.
Chilling
Keeping the Ice Barrel Cold
While both versions of the Ice Barrel have great insulation and construction, there isn’t an option (yet) of cooling the water. Depending upon the season, you’ll need to add ice (or frozen water bottles) each time you plunge, or buy a chiller from another company. Keep in mind that continual filling with ice in hotter climates can get quite pricey. It does have quick connect ports for a chiller, thankfully.
Keeping The Plunge Cold
The Plunge, on the other hand, is a complete setup that includes a chiller, and it also filters and sanitizes your water to boot. You just fill it up with water, make some simple connections, and plug it into a regular 110v outlet. That’s it! The Plunge and The Plunge Pro XL both have chiller units that sit exterior to the cold plunge, while the Plunge All-In has built-in plumbing, so the chiller is interior. The original Plunge and Plunge Pro XL can get to as low as 39-degrees, while the Plunge All-In can go as low as 37-degrees. It’s worth mentioning that a heater can optionally be added to each of the three Plunge units (an additional $600 upgrade), so they can be used as hot tubs as well. The speed at which the original Plunge chills is between 2 and 4 degrees per hour, while the Pro unit cools three times quicker. The All-In unit cools 30% faster. The chiller for The Plunge original model is rated at ¼ horse power, while the Pro XL and All-In have 1 horse power chillers.
Plunge Pricing vs Ice Barrel Pricing
You’ll find quite a bit of difference in the pricing between these two types of cold plunges. A lot of it has to do with the materials and the technology involved. Although, you will be paying a little bit of a premium as well for The Plunge brand because it has more notoriety having been one of the first movers in the space and having been featured on the television show Shark Tank.
Ice Barrel Cost
If you are more of a beginner, or not as dedicated to the “sport” of cold water immersion therapy, you might want to consider the Ice Barrel, as it is much less expensive at the $1,199.00 price point. Good news – you can actually save $120 off of that listed price with our exclusive discount IBTREVIEWS (apply the coupon code on the checkout page of the Ice Barrel website). Easy financing is available for the Ice Barrel.
The Plunge Cost
For those who want to make it a regular routine, and can fork out thousands of dollars for the conveniences and luxury that The Plunge offers (including underwater lighting, cell phone holder accessory, power cooling, and super filtration), you might be fine paying the price of either $5,990 for The Plunge, $6,990 for the Plunge Pro XL, or $8,990 for The Plunge All-In. Tack on an extra $600 if heating is desired. You can actually also save $150 with our exclusive discount code ICEBATHTUBREVIEWS (apply this code on the checkout page of the Plunge website). Easy financing is available for The Plunge.
The Plunge and Ice Barrel Warranties and Return Policies
Returning The Plunge
Returns for The Plunge must be initiated within 30 days. The customer is responsible for return shipping, and there is an additional 15% restocking fee. It needs to be returned in its original packaging.
Returning the Ice Barrel
You can return the Ice Barrel for a refund within 30 days, with 30% of the price deducted for shipping/restocking fees. Original packaging must be used.
Ice Barrel Warranty
The Ice Barrel comes with a limited lifetime warranty. If it cracks, or has material defects, the company will repair or replace it at their discretion. Any shipping fees associated with repair or replacement are the responsibility of the customer. Any cosmetic damage, normal wear and tear, or misuse or abuse will not be the responsibility of the company. Also, anything resulting from the neglect of regular maintenance of the Ice Barrel is not coverable by the warranty.
The Plunge Warranty
Plunge products and component parts are free of material and workmanship defects for the following periods of time: one year for the shell structure, one year for equipment and controls, and one year for plumbing components. Plunge will repair or replace at their discretion. Parts and labor are at the company’s expense; however, you may be assessed reasonable repairman travel mileage charges. Also, if the Plunge needs to be taken to a repair facility for repair and reinstalled, the cost of removal and reinstallation responsibility falls upon the Plunge owner.
Conclusion
We hope this has been a useful guide, and that you are now more prepared to make an informed decision based upon your lifestyle and needs for cold water immersion therapy at home. Between the two very high quality choices above, much of it will depend upon your budget. Don’t forget to use the coupon codes provided, so that you can save a little bit of money on your purchase!
