I’m no Wim Hof. I am the kind of person who reaches for a hot water bottle during the summer and packs jumpers on tropical holidays because hotel air conditioning is too chilly – so the fact that I have become a convert to cold water immersion surprises even me.
Although it may be seen as a wellness fad now, cold plunging – also known as cold therapy – has long been used by athletes. Everyone from Formula 1 racing star Lewis Hamilton to Lioness Ella Toone dips into ice baths to speed up recovery. Not just the preserve of spas and gyms, the best ice baths allow you to test the waters at home.
A study also showed that it can help calm the nervous system, while Hailey Bieber says cold plunging has supported her “a lot with anxiety and overall mood.” I now do it whenever I get the opportunity, because spending three to four minutes submerged in icy water leaves me with a thrilling post-plunge rush – circulation surging, a clearer mind and a general burst of energy that sets me up for the day.
"When you expose the body to cold water, you are challenging the nervous system, circulation and metabolism all at once," explains longevity expert and biohacker Gary Brecka. "The main benefits are improved resilience, better stress regulation, increased dopamine and alertness, reduced inflammation, better recovery, and support for metabolic health through the activation of brown fat."
Best ice baths at a glance
Best overall – KOVE elite ice bath: £299, Kove-designs.com
Best budget buy – Groov-e portable recovery cold plunge tub: £49.99, Amazon.co.uk
Best two-person tub – MyoMaster myofreeze: £449, Myomaster.com
Best for durability – Outdoor Outlet hydrobarrel 350 ice bath barrel: £319, Outdooroutlet.co.uk
Best luxury tub – Monk cocoon: £2,629, Discovermonk.com
It can also teach the body and brain how to stay calm under stress. “When you can control your breath in an ice bath, you are training your nervous system to respond rather than react,” he adds.
If you are tempted to try cold plunging, Gary recommends starting with 30 seconds to one minute, then building to the ideal of three to six minutes. Anything more can increase stress on the body.
“Once you're in, resist the urge to gasp. Inhale for four seconds and exhale for six to eight," he says. Temperature-wise, Gary advises somewhere around 8 to 12°C. "It should feel cold enough to create a physiological response, but not so extreme that you cannot control your breath,” he shares.
Is cold plunging suitable for everyone? The whole point of cold exposure is to create a stress response – the question is whether that is beneficial or too much for you at that time. “If you are new to cold water therapy or a woman in midlife, start with cold showers,” advises Gary.
“Pay attention to how you feel afterwards. If you feel calm, clear and energised, that is a good sign. If you feel wired, depleted or anxious, that is a signal from your body to pull back." As with any new wellness practice, consult your GP first, especially if you have any underlying health conditions such as high blood pressure or heart conditions.
I put five models to the test to find the best ice baths on the market.
How I tested
I tested every ice bath for at least one week. I assessed each one for ease of set-up, sturdiness, comfort, temperature maintenance and design. I also consulted Gary Brecka – longevity expert and founder of The Ultimate Human – who has been practising cold water immersion for more than five years, for his advice on temperature, timing and technique.
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KOVE elite ice bath
★★★★★
Best: Ice bath overall
What we love: Comfortable reclined design, available in two colours (black or white), and includes lid, pump repair kit and carry bag, plus fast delivery
Take note: Inflatable, which is less permanent than hard-shell alternatives
I had this tub inflated in around 15 minutes using the included pump, and filled in about 20 minutes with a garden hose and bucket of ice. Unlike upright barrels or oval ice baths, its sculpted interior lets you recline for a more comfortable, supportive plunge, which is useful for those who like longer sessions.
It is just under 1.5 metres long, so there is plenty of room to stretch out, and it fits users up to 6ft 9in. The reinforced drop-stitch material is really solid and holds its shape – there is no risk of squishy, sagging sides like you get with a paddling pool. It comes with an insulated lid that kept the water extremely cold for several days without the need for a chiller, and there are two integrated stainless-steel connectors if you want to pair it with one further down the line.
The outlet valve drains water out quickly too. Compared to the MyoFreeze, it's lighter and easier to move. I also appreciated the subtle branding – the discreet logo gives it a clean finish, and it's available in white as well as black, with a repair kit and carry bag included.
Buy now £299.00, Kove-designs.com
Groov-e portable recovery cold plunge tub
★★★☆☆
Best: Budget buy
What we love: The most affordable on this list, collapsible for easy storage, five-layer thermal insulation, and a pump included
Take note: Not chiller compatible, and less suited to taller users
If you are new to cold water therapy or hesitant to spend a large amount, this sub-£50 cold plunge tub is a great place to start. Out of the box, it looks pretty flimsy, but it felt surprisingly sturdy once filled with water, with the eight support legs creating a stable frame.
Feature-wise, it offers five-layer thermal insulation that keeps the water chilled for around a day, although it needed an ice top-up by day two. It isn't compatible with a chiller, so you will need a good supply of ice on hand to keep it cool.
I was also pleased to find an inflatable lid and a small cushion included. Setting it up wasn't entirely plain sailing, as the included pump kept detaching while inflating the top ring. The 265 litre capacity is also on the smaller side, so taller users may find it a bit snug. On the plus side, it was quick to fill, easy to wipe clean, and it collapses down neatly if you're short on space.
Buy now £49.99, Amazon.co.uk
Monk cocoon
★★★★★
Best: Luxury contrast therapy tub
What we love: Heats and cools with contrast therapy capability, Monk app with guided breathwork and coaching, integrates with Whoop and Oura, and Ozone and two-stage filtration for clean water
Take note: The most expensive on this list, Monk’s chiller is sold separately, which adds to overall cost, and longer delivery time (end of September 2026)
This ice bath is as elegant as it is functional. It has a curved, hard-shell frame in a neutral shade and subtle gold trim that blends beautifully into a garden or indoor space. The brand delivers and sets it up for you – mine was up and running in under 20 minutes. It's roomy enough for users up to 6 ft 9 in (Anthony Joshua has one in his home and he is 6 ft 6 in, so space is not an issue).
It can be paired with Monk’s Shiver Pro chiller, which goes from a brisk 3°C all the way up to a soothing 40°C. I was impressed with this flexibility; it was great to start the morning with a cold plunge and have the option of winding down in the evening with a hot soak. The chiller has a built-in filtration system that keeps the water bacteria- and algae-free between uses.
Another great feature is that it can be used alongside the Monk app, which acts like a cold therapy coach offering guided plunges and breathwork – brilliant for getting you through those first brutal seconds. You can sync it with a Whoop or Oura ring too, to track the impact on your HRV, heart rate and sleep over time.
At more than £2,000, it is definitely an investment, but if you are after a super stylish and sturdy tub that can be used for contrast therapy, this is a top pick. Plus, the brand offers a full refund if you don't feel the benefits after 60 days.
Buy now £2629.00, Discovermonk.com
Outdoor Outlet hydrobarrel 350 ice bath barrel
★★★★☆
Best: For durability
What we love: Medical-grade LLDPE construction with 25-year lifespan, 5-year warranty, screw-tap set-up, no tools required, chiller compatible for future upgrades, quick drainage, and good customer service
Take note: Upright position is less comfortable than reclined alternatives, and may need a step to get in
If you're after a no-frills ice bath that is built to last, this barrel-style is worth considering. Made from medical-grade, BPA-free linear low-density polyethene (LLDPE) – a material that is oil and toxin-resistant with a 25-year lifespan – it is one of the most durable options I tested.
I like the rustic wood-effect finish, which blends well against my garden fence. Set-up is simple too: you just screw in the tap and fill with a hose. Its 350-litre capacity is spacious – I'm 5ft 7in and had full immersion with plenty of room to move, but it can fit users up to 6ft 7in. I found that it used less water than some of the other baths on this list, and it is chiller-compatible, although the water stayed cool for two days without ice top-ups.
Compared to the inflatable options, it feels sturdier and more permanent. The main downside is comfort – you won't be able to lie back like you can in the KOVE Elite or MyoFreeze, but I actually prefer sitting upright during cold immersion, so this suited me fine. An optional seat is available to purchase if you want extra support, and as the barrel is pretty tall, I'd recommend buying the matching step (£79.99, Outdooroutlet.co.uk) for easy access. It’s also worth noting that when I called customer service with a few questions, the team were very helpful and knowledgeable.
Buy now £319.00, Outdooroutlet.co.uk
MyoMaster myofreeze
★★★★☆
Best: For plunging with a partner
What we love: Large enough for two people, available in two colours (black and grey), rigid fibreglass-reinforced PVC construction, fast set-up, and 60-day money-back guarantee
Take note: Chiller sold separately, and largest inflatable on this list
This ice tub is the most spacious inflatable we tested, with enough room to fit two people. Its 170cm length and 600 litre capacity gave me more than enough space to stretch my legs out, and I even managed a plunge alongside a friend. The skin-safe PVC lining is reinforced with fibreglass, and the frame feels very sturdy.
Despite the size, it took under 15 minutes to inflate using the provided pump and about half an hour to fill with water. The drawn-on fill line was handy too. When hooked up to the MyoChill chiller, it drops temperatures down to 0.5°C. The all-weather lid does a great job keeping dirt and insects out, so you can leave it outdoors year-round.
The integrated hosepipe connectors make emptying it easy too. Compared to the KOVE Elite, its rectangular build means you're sitting upright rather than reclining, and you will need enough space to house it. Style-wise, the large prominent logo on the front and lid and bulky shape give it a more masculine feel. But if you want a large tub with the option to plunge with a partner, it's a great choice. It comes with a one-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee for peace of mind.
Buy now £449.00, Myomaster.com
What is the best ice bath?
If you want a balance of performance and comfort without overspending, the KOVE elite ice bath is my top pick. Its £299 price tag feels justified for what you get – the durability of a far pricier tub and a reclined design that makes plunging more comfortable. Having the option to add a chiller later is a bonus too.
If you have the cash to spare, the Monk cocoon is in a league of its own – a real investment piece. Being able to switch between hot and cold, combined with app tracking and guided plunges, makes it the ultimate contrast therapy option for serious cold plungers.
Why trust me?
Anjana is an award-winning freelance journalist who has been contributing to the Standard since 2016, writing across beauty, wellness and parenting for our Shopping section and several other publications. She regularly attends major health and wellness conferences and interviews leading doctors, scientists and experts. A cold water therapy convert for three years, she has built her tolerance from 30 seconds to just over four minutes.
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