Cold plunge with a chiller vs an ice bath: is it worth it?
You can get cold water two ways: fill a tub and dump in ice, or buy a tub with a chiller that keeps the water cold for you. One is cheap to start; the other is easy to keep doing.
Image: Canuck Cold Plunges.
The short answer
| If you… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Want to try cold plunging a few times before spending much | Ice bath |
| Plan to plunge most days | Chiller |
| Want the same temperature every time | Chiller |
| Want to use the tub as a warm soak too | Chiller (the ones below also heat) |
What daily use looks like
Ice bath: before each session you buy or make ice, carry it to the tub, wait for it to melt down to temperature and change the water often. The temperature drifts as the ice melts, so every session is a little different.
Cold plunge with chiller: you set a temperature in an app and the chiller holds it. A filter and ozone sanitation keep the water clean between changes, so you can step in whenever you want.
Side by side
| Ice bath | Tub + chiller | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low: a tub or stock tank | About C$3,249–C$6,499 for a bundle* |
| Ongoing cost | Ice for every session | Electricity on a standard 120V plug |
| Temperature | Changes as the ice melts | Set and held, 37–104°F* |
| Water quality | Change it often | Built-in filter and ozone* |
| Effort per session | High | Lift the lid |
*Canuck Cold Plunges bundles with the Pro 1 HP chiller, sale prices in CAD as listed on October 12, 2026.
Before you buy a chiller
- Power: the bundles above use a 120V plug with GFCI protection. For outdoor use, have an electrician check the outlet.
- Space: leave room for the chiller next to the tub and a short hose run.
- Returns and duties: check the return window and, if it ships from Canada, ask about import duties before you order.
Our take
An ice bath is a fine way to find out whether you like cold plunging. If you're doing it more than a couple of times a week, the daily ice run gets old quickly, and a chiller makes the habit easy to keep.
Compare the three chiller bundles
Want heat too? See infrared vs traditional saunas.