Disclosure: we make the HomePlunge H3 and Bella. Prices for other products come from each maker's own page, listed under Sources, so you can check our work.
What is the cost of a home ice bath setup?
A home ice bath costs anywhere from the price of a few bags of ice to $5,000 or more, depending on how you keep the water cold.
Filling the bathtub you already own with ice costs only the ice, but you buy it every session and the water warms as it melts. A chiller that turns your bathtub into a cold plunge costs about $1,400 to $3,000 up front and little to run. A standalone cold plunge tub with its own chiller usually starts around $5,000. If you plan to plunge several times a week, a bathtub chiller is usually the lowest total cost, because it ends the ice runs without adding a second tub to your home.
HomePlunge won a CES Innovation Award, the first cold plunge to do so, was a TIME Best Inventions 2025 special mention, and Garage Gym Reviews named it Best Indoor Cold Plunge. Customers rate it 4.95 stars.
Home Ice Bath Setup Costs Compared
| Setup | Up-front cost | Ongoing cost | How cold | Extra space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your bathtub with bagged ice | $0 | Ice for every session | Depends on how much ice; warms as it melts | None |
| HomePlunge Bella on your bathtub | $1,999 ($2,499 list) | Electricity and a weekly refill | Holds as low as 41°F | 16 x 14.5 x 17 in beside the tub |
| HomePlunge H3 on your bathtub | $2,999 ($3,499 list) | Electricity and a weekly refill | Holds as low as 34°F | 18.5 x 16.5 x 20.5 in, on wheels |
| General-purpose chiller (for example TURBRO FrostCore F85 or Penguin Cold Therapy Chiller) | $1,399 to $2,099.99 | Electricity, water, filters per the maker | Rated to 36 to 37°F | Beside the tub; some kits need fittings through the tub wall |
| Standalone cold plunge tub with chiller | Usually $5,000 and up | Electricity, water, sanitizer and filters per the maker | Varies by model | A second tub and its chiller |
HomePlunge prices are current list and sale prices on thehomeplunge.com. Other chiller prices are from each maker's page, checked October 9, 2026. Prices change often, so verify before you buy.
What Each Setup Really Costs
Ice in your bathtub
Ice is the cheapest way to try cold water once or twice. The cost is in repetition: every session needs fresh ice, and the water starts warming the moment it goes in, so the temperature you plunge at changes from one day to the next. For an occasional plunge it is fine. For a habit, the ice runs and the uneven temperature are usually what make people stop.
A chiller on the bathtub you already own
This is the setup HomePlunge was built for. The chiller sits beside the tub, the hose arm rests over the edge, and it plugs into a standard outlet. There is no plumbing, no drilling and no ice. You set a temperature and the water holds there, so every plunge is the same.
The HomePlunge Bella ($1,999) is the compact option and holds as low as 41°F. The HomePlunge H3 ($2,999) goes colder, to 34°F, cools faster and rolls on wheels. Both use a reusable filter, so there are no cartridges to buy.
A standalone cold plunge tub
A standalone tub makes sense if you want a dedicated spot, often outdoors or in a garage, and have the floor space for a second tub. It is the most expensive route, and you also budget for the space it takes and the upkeep its maker recommends. Some chillers made for standalone tubs also work only with that brand's tub.
Costs People Forget to Budget
- Electricity. Multiply the chiller's draw in kilowatts by the hours it runs and your rate. For example, a chiller drawing about 1 kW for one hour a day at $0.17 per kWh comes to roughly $5 a month. Your cost depends on your rate, the room temperature and how cold you set the water. See our cold plunge electricity cost guide.
- Water. With HomePlunge you drain and refill the tub once a week. That is one bathtub of water a week.
- Filters and chemicals. The HomePlunge filter is reusable: rinse it every 4 to 6 weeks. There are no replacement filters and no sanitizer to buy. Standalone tubs often need both.
- Installation. None for HomePlunge. Some general-purpose chiller kits use fittings through the tub wall, and standalone tubs may need a dedicated spot and drainage.
- Accessories. Optional, but useful: the HomePlunge Insulator tub cover ($99 to $125) keeps the water clean and holds the cold, the Bath Stone mat ($59.99) dries itself after you step out, and the Drip Pan ($29.99) catches water during filter rinses.
Ways to Pay Less
- HSA or FSA. HomePlunge is HSA/FSA eligible through Truemed, so you can pay with pre-tax dollars if you qualify.
- 0% APR financing. Available through Affirm and Shop Pay Installments, subject to eligibility.
- Use the tub you have. A bathtub chiller avoids paying for a second tub, which is most of the price of a standalone setup.
Which Setup Fits You
Plunging a few times a month: ice in your bathtub is enough. Plunging several times a week, with a bathtub at home: a bathtub chiller costs less over time than buying ice and gives you the same temperature every session. No bathtub, or you want an outdoor setup: a standalone tub is the right tool. For setup steps, see our at home cold plunge setup guide, and to compare chillers side by side, see the best cold plunge chiller guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a home ice bath setup cost?
From the cost of ice to $5,000 or more. Ice in your bathtub costs only the ice, every session. A chiller that turns your bathtub into a cold plunge costs about $1,400 to $3,000 up front; HomePlunge Bella is $1,999 and HomePlunge H3 is $2,999. Standalone cold plunge tubs with chillers usually start around $5,000.
Is a chiller cheaper than buying ice?
For a regular habit, usually yes over time. Ice is a cost every session, while a chiller is a one-time purchase with low running costs: electricity and a weekly water refill. A chiller also holds the same temperature every time.
How much does it cost to run a cold plunge chiller each month?
Multiply the chiller's draw in kilowatts by the hours it runs and your electricity rate. A chiller drawing about 1 kW for one hour a day at $0.17 per kWh comes to roughly $5 a month. Room temperature and your target temperature change the number.
Do I need a plumber to set up a cold plunge at home?
Not with HomePlunge. It plugs into a standard outlet and the hose arm rests over the edge of your bathtub, so there is nothing to drill or connect.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for a cold plunge?
HomePlunge is HSA/FSA eligible through Truemed. For other brands, check with the seller.
Sources
- HomePlunge H3: https://www.thehomeplunge.com/products/cold-plunge
- HomePlunge Bella: https://www.thehomeplunge.com/products/homeplunge-bella
- TURBRO FrostCore F85: https://turbro.com/products/frostcore-ice-bath-water-chiller-for-cold-plunge
- Penguin Cold Therapy Chiller and kit: https://penguinchillers.com/products/cold-therapy-chiller-1
