For recovery

The number matters more than the shock.

If you came here for recovery, the useful part of the research is not that colder is better. It is that the trials which found anything at all were holding a specific temperature for a specific length of time.

A 2016 meta-analysis in Sports Medicine pooled nine randomised trials covering 169 participants and looked at cold water immersion after exercise. Its conclusion was about dose: water between 11 and 15°C, which is 52 to 59°F, for 11 to 15 minutes is where the pooled results were strongest.

Two things you should know before that number does any work on you. The effect on muscle soreness was small, on the order of 5 percent. And the authors rated the average trial quality low, mean PEDro score 4.2, and wrote that higher-quality studies are needed.

Machado et al., Sports Medicine, 2016. doi.org/10.1007/s40279-015-0431-7. Research on cold water immersion generally, not on any product.

52 to 59°F is a setting. It is not something ice does.

That range is warmer than most people assume, and warmer than either HomePlunge model has to run at. Which is the point. The hard part of following any protocol is not getting cold once. It is arriving at the same temperature tomorrow, and the day after, without thinking about it.

Bags of ice

The temperature is whatever that day's ice happens to give you.
It keeps drifting the entire time you are sitting in it.
You cannot repeat a session you never measured.
Every session starts with a trip to buy more.

A chiller on your tub

You set a number and the unit holds it.
Tomorrow's session is the same as today's.
The H3 goes down to 34°F, Bella to 41°F, so any protocol temperature is in range.
You schedule it in the app and walk into a cold tub.

20 to 30°F an hourThe H3's chill rate. About 45 to 60 minutes to plunge temperature in an average tub, and it cools tubs up to 200 gallons.

Set it and leave itBoth models schedule from the Tuya app, so the tub is ready when you are rather than when you remember.

Under $10 a monthRunning an hour a day, every day. It only draws power when it needs to hold temperature.

TIME Best Inventions 2025, special mention

Best Indoor Cold Plunge, Garage Gym Reviews Also partnered with MLBPA and PAC4.95 out of 5

Two minutes on why this exists.

From the founder. Captions are on screen, so it plays fine with the sound off.

How does HomePlunge compare?

Feature	HomePlunge	The Plunge™	Ice Barrel™	DIY Ice Bath
Fits any bathtub	Yes	No	No	No
No ice required	Yes	Yes	No	No
Precise temperature control	Yes	Yes	No	No
Portability	Yes	No	No	No
Low maintenance	Yes	No	No	No
Upkeep fees	No	Yes	Yes	Yes

Based on a selection of products in the cold plunge market. The Plunge™ and Ice Barrel™ are trademarks of their respective owners. HomePlunge is not affiliated with these brands. Information accurate as of August 2025.

Shipping to Australia? HomePlunge is sold and supported there by our Australian partner. See where to buy in Australia.

The Summer Sale: $500 off, plus an extra 10% with code RESTOCK

Ends September 14. One use per customer.

HomePlunge H3 The coldest of the two, ready inside an hour. Ships by September 15.

Regular price$3,499

Summer Sale−$500

Code RESTOCK, 10% off−$299.90

Your price$2,699.10

Or about $83/mo over 36 months at 0% APR

HomePlunge Bella The smaller footprint. Set it the night before. In stock, ships now.

Regular price$2,499

Summer Sale−$500

Code RESTOCK, 10% off−$199.90

Your price$1,799.10

Or about $55/mo over 36 months at 0% APR

See both models Watch the film first

Free U.S. shipping. 0% APR financing available through Affirm and Shop Pay Installments, subject to eligibility. HSA and FSA eligible through Truemed. One year warranty included, with up to three additional years available through SureBright. Support is US-based, at info@thehomeplunge.com. Rated 4.95 out of 5 across 94 verified reviews.