Cold Plunge Cost: Tub, Chiller & Setup Prices (2026)
How much does a cold plunge cost? About $900 to $13,650 at Selected Comfort. Most people spend $4,800 to $8,100 on an insulated tub with a matched chiller, and the chiller, not the tub, is what decides the bill.
Our top picks for 2026
Shop all cold plunges →
Golden Designs Inflatable Cold Plunge$899 tub · $4,799 with chillerBest for beginners, renters and tight budgets
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Cold Plunge 304 Stainless Steel$3,699 tub · $7,599 with chillerBest value for daily plungers
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Quick answer
- A tub alone costs $900 to $7,000; with a chiller, most setups come to $4,800 to $11,400.
- A standalone chiller is about $3,100, the single biggest cost after the tub.
- Daily ice runs close to $180 a month, so a chiller pays for itself in about two years.
- Expect roughly $200 to $400 a year in electricity, plus filters.
Cold plunge prices at a glance
A cold plunge costs about $900 for an inflatable tub on ice and up to about $13,650 for a premium all-in-one. In between, a tub with a matched chiller costs $4,800 to $11,400, depending on material and length.
| Setup | Typical price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Inflatable tub only | About $900 | Insulated portable tub; use ice or add a chiller later |
| Inflatable + chiller | About $4,800–$5,300 | Same tub with a matched 0.8 or 1.0 HP chiller |
| Cedar or PVC-lined tub + chiller | About $6,400–$10,400 | Cedar or steel cabinet, PVC liner, safety cover |
| Stainless steel tub + chiller | About $7,600–$11,400 | 304 or nano-coated steel interior, up to 55" long |
| Premium all-in-one | About $9,650–$13,650 | Medical Saunas Frozen series, cooling built in |
Swipe the table sideways on mobile. Prices from Selected Comfort listings as of October 2026; sale prices change, so check the product page before you set a budget.
I'd budget around the middle of that range. People compare tubs, but the chiller, setup and running costs decide the bill, so my usual advice is an insulated tub with a matched chiller. At Selected Comfort, we sell Golden Designs and Medical Saunas plunges, and every price in this guide comes from our cold plunge collection.
What does each type of tub cost?
Tub cost depends on material, length and finish: about $900 for inflatable, $2,500 to $6,000 for cedar and barrel tubs, $3,700 to $7,000 for stainless steel, and $9,650 to $13,650 for a premium all-in-one. Any Golden Designs tub can be bought alone ("Just the Tub") or with a chiller.
Inflatable: about $900
If you rent, or don't know yet whether you'll stick with it, start with the Golden Designs Inflatable Cold Plunge. It's 52" long, made from insulated drop-stitch PVC, and comes with a latching cover, mat, pump and carry bag.
Cedar and barrel tubs: about $2,500 to $6,000
The Oval Barrel Tub Cold Plunge 50P is our most affordable rigid tub, and it sits low, so stepping in is easier. For around $3,100, the Cold Plunge Dynamic Therapy adds a PVC liner, a built-in seat and a cedar step. The Cold Plunge Tub CUBOID wraps a 50" PVC interior in a steel cabinet.
Golden Designs Cold Plunge Dynamic Therapy$3,099 tub · $6,999 with 0.8 HP chiller
A cedar tub with a PVC liner, built-in seat and step, for buyers who want wood without the premium price.
View productStainless steel: about $3,700 to $7,000
Stainless makes sense when the tub is staying put, and the Cold Plunge 304 Stainless Steel is our best value. Length is the reason to spend more: the 304 NanoCoated Stainless Steel tub is 50" long and the Cold Plunge Tub XL is 55". Stuck between soft and rigid? Our inflatable vs stainless steel cold plunge guide helps.
Premium all-in-one: about $9,650 to $13,650
The Medical Saunas range, from the Frozen 1 up to the Frozen 9, is built to look like furniture. Higher models add a bar counter and steps on the Frozen 2 or a steam generator on the Frozen 3. None of it makes the water colder; you're paying for the finish.
How much does a cold plunge chiller cost?
A standalone chiller costs about $3,100, and adding a matched 0.8 or 1.0 HP chiller to a Golden Designs tub adds $3,900 to $4,400. For daily plungers, it pays for itself in about two years compared with buying ice.
Our standalone Golden Designs Cold Therapy Chiller Standard Edition 1.0 has a 1.0 HP compressor, holds 37°F to 85°F in plunges up to 150 gallons, and cools 1 to 3°F every 20 minutes. Filtration, ozone and app control are built in, and it plugs into an ordinary 110V outlet.
The chillers bundled with tubs are a different series from the standalone unit, so call us and we'll check the fit before you order.
Golden Designs Cold Therapy Chiller Standard Edition 1.0$3,099
Adds steady 37°F to 85°F water to a tub you already own, with filtration and app control built in.
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Quick math: chiller vs ice
Two 10 lb bags of ice a day at roughly $3 each is about $180 a month, or $2,200 a year. Plunge daily and a chiller pays you back in about two years, with the same temperature every time.
When I'd skip the chiller: you're new and watching your budget, you'll plunge now and then, or ice or naturally cold water is easy to get. Once you're in most days, buy it.
What setup costs do buyers miss?
What catches people out usually isn't the tub. It's delivery, power, a level base, shade and drainage, so work through these before ordering.
- Delivery: shipping is free, but ask what it covers and how you'll get a heavy tub into place.
- Power: line up a 110V GFCI outlet nearby. If you don't have one, an electrician can fit one.
- A level base: a full tub is heavy, so use a ground floor, garage slab or patio.
- Shade: the chiller is rated for indoor use and covered outdoor spots only.
- Drainage: plan where the hose runs when you empty it.
Avoid
Never run a chiller off an extension cord. Plug it straight into a GFCI outlet, and budget for an electrician if the nearest one is too far away.
On the plus side, every Golden Designs tub ships with a child-safety cover, and most rigid ones include a step.
What does a cold plunge cost to run?
Expect about $16 to $33 a month in electricity, or roughly $200 to $400 a year, plus filters. Heat, sun and an uncovered tub push it up.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration puts the average 2026 residential rate at about 18.2 cents per kWh. If your chiller draws roughly 1 kW and runs 3 to 6 hours a day, that's 90 to 180 kWh a month. Treat it as a rough guide.
- Filters and water: a spare filter comes with the chiller, and your manual says when to swap it. With filtration running, many owners change the water every few weeks.
- Cover: keeping it on saves the chiller work and lowers your power bill.
- Warranty: Golden Designs tubs and chillers have a one-year warranty; our warranty policy has details.
What will you spend in the first year?
Year one costs about $3,100 for an inflatable on daily ice, $5,000 to $5,700 for an inflatable with a chiller, and $7,800 to $8,500 for a 304 stainless tub with a chiller.
| Setup | Upfront | Year-one running (est.) | Year-one total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inflatable + daily ice | ~$900 | ~$2,200 ice | ~$3,100 |
| Inflatable + chiller | ~$4,800–$5,300 | ~$200–$400 | ~$5,000–$5,700 |
| 304 stainless + chiller | ~$7,600–$8,100 | ~$200–$400 | ~$7,800–$8,500 |
| Frozen 2 all-in-one | ~$10,650 | Power and filters | ~$10,900+ |
Swipe the table sideways on mobile. Estimates based on Selected Comfort prices and average 2026 U.S. electricity rates, October 2026.
Ice is cheaper in year one. Keep buying it, and by the end of year two you've spent about what a chiller costs.
Cold plunge cost for seniors
For seniors, safe entry matters more than the cheapest tub, so budget for a low or stepped tub and a chiller that lets you start at a milder temperature.
- The inflatable is 28" tall, and the Oval Barrel 50P sits low.
- Most of the rigid tubs include a step.
- A chiller lets you begin at 55 to 60°F and go colder gradually.
Golden Designs Oval Barrel Tub Cold Plunge 50P$2,499 tub · $6,399 with 0.8 HP chiller
Our most affordable rigid tub, and its low height makes stepping in easier.
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Check with your doctor
Please talk to your doctor before you start cold plunging, especially if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure.
We can't take HSA or FSA payments right now, but financing is available on most orders.
The bottom line
Your cold plunge budget depends on how often you'll get in. If you're curious but not committed, spend around $900 on the inflatable and use ice. If you'll plunge most days, a tub and chiller at $4,800 to $8,100 pays you back within about two years.
Kitting out a home gym or adding a plunge next to a home sauna? Look at the Frozen series. You can also compare models in our best cold plunge tub for home guide, or see every cold plunge for sale.
Not sure which cold plunge fits your budget?
Send us your space and budget and we'll suggest a setup. Financing is available on most orders.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cold plunge cost?
At Selected Comfort, a cold plunge costs between about $900 and $13,650. A tub with a chiller usually costs $4,800 to $11,400, and most people spend $4,800 to $8,100.
How much does a cold plunge chiller cost?
Our standalone Golden Designs chiller costs around $3,100. Ordering a 0.8 or 1.0 HP chiller with a Golden Designs tub adds $3,900 to $4,400 to the tub price.
Is a chiller cheaper than ice?
If you plunge daily, yes. Ice runs about $180 a month, or $2,200 a year, so a chiller pays for itself in roughly two years and keeps the water at the same temperature every time.
How much does it cost to run a cold plunge?
Roughly $16 to $33 a month for electricity at average 2026 U.S. rates, plus filters. Your climate, sun exposure, power rate and whether you keep the cover on will shift it.
What is the cheapest cold plunge for home use?
The Golden Designs Inflatable Cold Plunge, at about $900, filled with ice. It's insulated and comes with a cover, mat and pump, and a chiller can be added later.
Do you need an electrician to install a cold plunge?
Only if you don't have a 110V GFCI outlet near the tub. The chiller plugs into an ordinary GFCI outlet, but it should never run off an extension cord, so an electrician can fit one if needed.
Can you finance a cold plunge?
Yes. Selected Comfort offers financing on most orders. We can't take HSA or FSA payments right now.
Sources
- U.S. Energy Information Administration: Short-Term Energy Outlook, Electricity
- Product prices and specs: Selected Comfort listings for Golden Designs (Dynamic Cold Therapy) and Medical Saunas, October 2026.