Image: Plunge ChillPlunge Chill Pod + 1/3 HP Chiller
- Down to 39°F
- 92 gal upright tub
- 1/3 HP chiller
- Nylon tub
All 4 picks at a glance
| # | Image | Pick | Score | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Image: Plunge Chill | Cheapest chiller setupPlunge Chill Pod + 1/3 HP Chiller | 7.2Spec Score | $569 | Check price (paid link) |
| 2 | Plunge Chill | Best for stretching outPlunge Chill Max + 1/3 HP Chiller | 7.2Spec Score | $659 | Check price (paid link) |
| 3 | Plunge Chill | Round tub with a stepPlunge Chill XXL + 1/3 HP Chiller | 7.2Spec Score | $899 | Check price (paid link) |
| 4 | Plunge Chill | Thickest tub wallsPlunge Chill Pro Tub + 1/3 HP Chiller | 6.0Spec Score | $999 | Check price (paid link) |
On this page
Short answer: under $1,000, every chiller-equipped plunge we found is a Plunge Chill kit pairing the same 1/3 HP (600W) chiller, rated down to 39°F, with a different soft-sided tub. Get the Pod ($569) if price matters most, the Max ($659) if you want to stretch your legs out, the XXL ($899) for a round tub with a step, or the Pro Tub ($999) for the thickest-walled tub.
Prices and specs come from Plunge Chill’s product pages, checked Oct 14, 2026, during its “Recovery Season” sale (no code needed; no end date posted). We haven’t tested these in person. We don’t make health claims; if you have a medical condition, ask your doctor before cold-water immersion.
Comparison table
| Kit | Price* | Chiller | Min temp | Tub | Capacity | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plunge Chill Pod | $569 sale; comp. $1,199 | 1/3 HP (600W) | 39°F | Upright nylon tub | 92 gal | 1 person, upright |
| Plunge Chill Max | $659 sale; comp. $1,399 | 1/3 HP (600W) | 39°F | Long nylon & PVC tub, 47" × 25.5" × 25.5" | 148 gal | Extended plunge |
| Plunge Chill XXL | $899 sale; comp. $1,799 | 1/3 HP (600W) | 39°F | Round fiberglass + PVC tub with step, 35.4" dia × 31.5" H | 120 gal | 1 person, upright |
| Plunge Chill Pro Tub | $999 sale; comp. $2,099 | 1/3 HP (600W) | 39°F | Oval PVC tub, 7 cm insulation, 59" × 31.5" × 29.5" | See note | 1 up to 6'9", or 2 smaller users |
*Prices on plungechill.com on Oct 14, 2026. Plunge Chill’s cooling figure for this chiller is for 66 gallons: 75°F to 50°F in 8–10 hours, 75°F to 45°F in 12–14 hours. Bigger tubs will cool more slowly. Plunge Chill doesn’t publish the electrical requirements on these pages. Sources below.
The picks
Image: Plunge ChillThe lowest price we found for a plunge that cools itself. You get a 600W chiller with a built-in pump and filter, rated to 39°F, and a 92-gallon upright nylon tub. You sit upright with your knees bent, and it’s the smallest tub here. The product page lists a 2-year warranty and a 30-day trial.
Same chiller with a long 47" × 25.5" × 25.5" tub, nylon outside and PVC inside, so you can lie back with your legs extended. It holds 148 gallons, more than twice the 66 gallons Plunge Chill’s cooling times are based on, so expect a slower cool-down, especially in warm weather. $90 more than the Pod.
A round fiberglass-and-PVC tub, 35.4" across and 31.5" tall, holding 120 gallons, with a step included. Plunge Chill says the tub weighs 31 lbs. It uses the same 1/3 HP chiller, so it cools more slowly than the 1 HP kits.
An oval 59" × 31.5" × 29.5" tub made of what Plunge Chill calls military-grade PVC, with 7 cm of insulation. Plunge Chill says it fits one adult up to 6'9" or two smaller users. Its capacity is unclear: the spec list says it “holds up to 66 gallons comfortably,” but the comparison chart on the same page shows 200 gallons. Ask Plunge Chill before you order if gallons matter to you.
Other options under $1,000 (no paid links)
- Ice-only tubs. A tub with no chiller costs less up front, but you have to buy ice for every cold session. Plunge Chill sells ice-only tubs on its own (from $79 on Oct 14), and we earn the same commission on those as on the kits. We didn’t make one a pick because they don’t cool themselves.
- Chiller only. If you already have a tub, Plunge Chill’s 1/3 HP chiller alone was $499 on Oct 14. Check that your tub’s fittings match before you buy.
- Rigid premium tubs. Ice Barrel’s 94-gallon rigid barrel costs $1,749.99 without a chiller, so it’s over this budget. We compare it on our under $2,000 page. Rigid tubs that come with a chiller usually cost several thousand dollars.
- Want faster cooling? Plunge Chill’s 1 HP kits start at $1,399. See our Plunge Chill review.
What you give up under $1,000
- Cooling power. Every kit here uses the 1/3 HP chiller. Plunge Chill rates it for 66 gallons, and three of these tubs hold more.
- A rigid shell. These are soft-sided or inflatable tubs. Use the cover, and keep pets and sharp objects away.
- Published electrical specs. Confirm the outlet with Plunge Chill, and use a GFCI outlet outdoors.
- Floor load. Water weighs about 8.3 lbs per gallon, so 148 gallons is roughly 1,230 lbs before a person gets in.
- Sources (accessed Oct 14, 2026):
- Plunge Chill Pod kit: https://plungechill.com/products/cold-plunge-chiller-with-tub
- Plunge Chill Max kit: https://plungechill.com/products/cold-plunge-chiller-tub-max
- Plunge Chill XXL kit: https://plungechill.com/products/cold-plunge-chiller-tub-xxl
- Plunge Chill Pro Tub kit: https://plungechill.com/products/cold-plunge-chiller-pro-tub
- Plunge Chill catalog prices (chiller only, ice-only tubs): https://plungechill.com/collections/all
- Ice Barrel rigid barrel (tub only): https://icebarrel.com/products/ice-barrel-500