Image: Plunge ChillPlunge Chill 1HP Plus
- Down to 36°F
- 120 gal round tub
- 1 HP chiller
- Inflatable PVC tub
All 3 picks at a glance
| # | Image | Pick | Score | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Image: Plunge Chill | Best under $2,000 for one personPlunge Chill 1HP Plus | 7.5Spec Score | $1,399 | Check price (paid link) |
| 2 |  Image: Plunge Chill | Best for two peoplePlunge Chill 1HP Pro | 7.5Spec Score | $1,499 | Check price (paid link) |
| 3 |  Image: Plunge Chill | Cheapest chiller setupPlunge Chill Pod + 1/3 HP Chiller | 7.2Spec Score | $569 | Check price (paid link) |
On this page
Short answer: under $2,000, the only way to get a chiller (cold water without buying ice) from the brands we track is a budget kit with a soft-sided or inflatable tub. The Plunge Chill 1HP Plus ($1,399 on sale) is our pick for one person; the 1HP Pro ($1,499) for two; the Pod kit ($569) if price matters most. If you want a rigid, premium tub at this budget, the Ice Barrel 500 ($1,749.99) is one, but it has no chiller: you cool it with ice.
Specs and prices come from each brand’s product page, checked Oct 9, 2026. 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
| Model | Price* | Cooling | Min temp | Water | Tub | Fits | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plunge Chill 1HP Plus | $1,399 sale; comp. $3,548 | 1 HP chiller (2,600W) | 36°F | 120 gal | Round, inflatable PVC + fiberglass, lockable lid | 1 person up to 6'9" | 2 years |
| Plunge Chill 1HP Pro | $1,499 sale; comp. $3,468 | 1 HP chiller (2,600W) | 36°F | 200 gal | Oval, inflatable PVC + fiberglass, 59" × 31.5" × 29.5" | 2 people, or 1 up to 6'9" | 2 years |
| Plunge Chill Pod + 1/3 HP Chiller | $569 sale; comp. $1,199 | 1/3 HP chiller (600W) | 39°F | 92 gal | Upright, nylon, 9 lbs | 1 person (upright) | 2 years |
| Ice Barrel 500 (tub only) | $1,749.99 | None: add ice | Depends on ice | 94 gal | Rigid insulated barrel, built-in steps and seat | Up to 6'9" | Limited lifetime (barrel) |
*Prices on each brand’s product page on Oct 9, 2026. Plunge Chill prices were “Recovery Season” sale prices. Plunge Chill doesn’t publish the chillers’ electrical requirements on these product pages. Sources below.
The picks
Image: Plunge ChillA 1 HP (2,600W) chiller rated down to 36°F with a deep, round 120-gallon insulated tub, a lockable lid and a step stool. Plunge Chill says it cools 110 gallons from 80°F to 40°F in about 8 hours (roughly 5°F per hour), and the tub fits one person up to 6'9" upright. The tub is inflatable, not a rigid shell, which is how the price stays this low. 2-year warranty and a 30-day trial.
Image: Plunge ChillSame 1 HP chiller, longer oval tub: 200 gallons and room for two, or one tall person stretched out. Plunge Chill’s cooling figure is for 110 gallons, so a full 200-gallon tub will take noticeably longer to get cold. $100 more than the Plus.
Image: Plunge ChillA 600W chiller with a built-in pump and filter, rated to 39°F, plus a 92-gallon upright nylon tub. Honest caveat: Plunge Chill’s cooling figures are for 66 gallons (75°F to 50°F in 8–10 hours), so in a full tub or warm weather expect slower cooling. A starter kit, not a replacement for the 1 HP units.
The ice-only alternative: Ice Barrel 500
If you’d rather have a rigid tub that feels permanent, the Ice Barrel 500 sells on its own for $1,749.99. It holds 94 gallons, seats you upright with built-in steps and a seat, fits people up to 6'9", and the barrel carries a limited lifetime warranty. There’s no chiller in that price, so every cold session means adding ice (or cold winter water). Ice Barrel’s own chiller bundle is $5,749.98, well over this budget.
See the Ice Barrel 500 (tub only) · See the Ice Barrel 500 chiller bundle
What you give up under $2,000
- A rigid tub. The chiller kits use inflatable or soft-sided tubs. Keep pets and sharp objects away and use the lid.
- Cooling speed. About 5°F per hour on paper for the 1 HP kits, versus 8–10°F per hour that Plunge lists for its Pro Chiller. See Plunge Chill vs Plunge.
- Published electrical specs. Confirm the outlet and circuit with Plunge Chill before buying, and use a GFCI outlet outdoors.
- Floor load. 120 gallons of water is about 1,000 lbs; 200 gallons is about 1,670 lbs.
Budget above $2,000? Compare all 7 cold plunges with a chiller, or read our full Plunge Chill review.
- Sources (accessed Oct 9, 2026):
- Plunge Chill 1HP Chiller + Tub (Plus): https://plungechill.com/products/1hp-cold-plunge-chiller-tub-plus
- Plunge Chill 1HP Chiller + Tub (Pro): https://plungechill.com/products/1hp-cold-plunge-chiller-tub-pro
- Plunge Chill Cold Plunge Tub with Chiller (Pod): https://plungechill.com/products/cold-plunge-chiller-with-tub
- Ice Barrel 500 (tub only, price): https://icebarrel.com/products/ice-barrel-500
- Ice Barrel 500 Bundle (capacity, fit, warranty, bundle price): https://icebarrel.com/products/ice-barrel-500-bundle
- The Plunge (Pro Chiller cooling rate): https://plunge.com/products/plunge