5 Best Water Chillers for Ice Baths: Ditch the Ice Bags

The Penguin Chillers Cold Therapy Chiller easily stands out from the rest and is our top recommendation—especially for those in the United States with tubs under 150 gallons. This unit offers powerful cooling with several key advantages:

• Performance: Equipped with a 3/4HP (7500 BTU/hour) compressor, this chiller efficiently cools your ice bath down to 37°F in ideal conditions.
• Durability: Its weatherproof design ensures longevity and reliable operation in various environments.
• Convenience: The built-in water pump eliminates the need for additional equipment purchases.
• Versatility: Compatible with stock tanks or cold plunges featuring 3/4″ ports. If you have 1″ ports you’ll need to source adapters, which can be found at any hardware store..
• Cost-Efficiency: Operating costs range from $18-28 per month when run continuously, making it an economical long-term solution.

Penguin’s USA-based manufacturing and support offer significant benefits. In case of issues like shipping damage or warranty claims, you can expect prompt assistance and quick replacements if necessary. This contrasts with many competitors that rely on overseas manufacturing, potentially leading to delays in support and replacements.

While the Penguin Chillers Cold Therapy Chiller doesn’t include ozone or UV-light options, these can be added separately with minimal cost and effort. For users seeking a reliable, powerful chiller backed by responsive customer support, this model is an excellent choice.

For those with DIY skills and smaller ice bath setups of 100 gallons or less, the Penguin Chiller 1/2HP High Efficiency water chiller offers an excellent, cost-effective solution. This unit provides a balance of performance and value for the hands-on user.

• Performance: With 5,750 BTU/hr cooling capacity, this chiller can bring your ice bath temperature down to the low 40s Fahrenheit under ideal conditions.
• Cost-Effectiveness: This model offers a more budget-friendly option for those willing to manage some aspects of the setup themselves.
• Compatibility: The chiller features 1″ NPT inlet/outlet ports (female threaded PVC), allowing for easy integration with standard plumbing components.
• Noise Level: Operating at 56 dB, this unit maintains a relatively quiet operation.

While this chiller doesn’t include a built-in pump, it’s compatible with external pumps. We recommend pairing it with a Danner Mag 1200GPH water pump, which can be used either inline or submerged in your tub.

This unit is also not weatherproof, and the exterior must remain dry. Users need to ensure proper placement and protection from water exposure during installation and use.

Overall, the Penguin 1/2HP HE water chiller is perfect for DIY-inclined users seeking a powerful yet cost-effective solution for smaller ice bath setups, provided proper care is taken in its installation and protection from moisture.

The Ice Barrel Water Chiller is the priciest option on our list made by one of the biggest cold plunge tub brands in the space. It offers additional features for those willing to invest more in their ice bath setup.

• Cooling Capacity: The 1/2 HP system can cool water to 37°F, even in ambient temperatures up to 120°F. While only 1/2HP it has additional tech and sensors to help achieve additional cooling at less power.
• Durability: IP67-rated waterproof components provide protection against dust and water, making the chiller suitable for outdoor use.
• Smart Features: Wi-Fi connectivity allows remote control and scheduling via the Ice Barrel App. The chiller’s sensors adjust power based on ambient conditions and weather data, improving energy efficiency.
• Ease of Use: Quick-connect hoses simplify setup. Smart notifications alert users about maintenance needs, such as filter cleaning or replacement.
• Weight: At 67 pounds, it’s heavier than some alternatives, which may affect portability.

The Ice Barrel Water Chiller’s advanced features, such as smart controls, mobile app, and sensors may benefit those who prioritize customization and convenience in their ice bath routine. However, these additional features come at a higher price point, making it our recommended “splurge” option for those with a larger budget.

This chiller is currently on backorder and can take up to 4 months to ship.

The RevX 1.5HP Water Chiller is designed for those needing a little more power for their setups, particularly in hotter climates or commercial settings. The brand itself has exploded over recent months because they offer a fantastic chiller and great after-sale support.

• Temperature & Power: Cools water down to 34°F and heats up to 104°F. Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. This is a large 1.5HP model, but still uses a standard US 110V power outlet.
• Control: Removable digital control panel with a 12ft extension cable for convenient operation. Has a auto restart and temperature memory after power failures.
• Connectivity: Comes with fittings for 1-inch hard PVC pipe or 1-inch flexible tubing.
• Filtration: This chiller doesn’t provide any filtration, however for the price and power of this machine, it’s well worth figuring out how to set up your own inline filter or ozone. Its not too expensive and fairly easy to do.

Overall, the the RevX 1.5HP Water Chiller offers high capacity cooling in a compact and powerful package. It may not have all the bells and whistles of more “tech advanced” units, but you can’t argue with the price and peace of mind of purchasing from a brand known to treat their customers right.

Currently out of stock, however backorders are accepted but may not ship for up to a month.

The Kalm 1HP Water Chiller is great for those needing extra power, particularly those dealing with high ambient temperatures or less-insulated tubs.

• Cooling and Heating Capacity: This chiller can cool water down to 37°F or heat it up to 105°F, allowing for both cold and warm water therapy. It’s suitable for indoor and outdoor use, with an antifreeze feature for cold weather operation.
• Power: The 1HP system provides ample cooling power for most tubs, making it effective even in challenging conditions.
• Ease of Use: Setup is straightforward and the chiller comes with 2/3 and 3/4″ quick-connectors and hoses. The user-friendly interface, Wi-Fi connectivity, and mobile app compatibility (iOS & Android) bring a pleasant simplicity to use.
• Water Quality: An integrated ozone disinfection system and external 20-micron filtration help maintain water cleanliness, potentially extending the time between water changes.
• Built-in Pump: The seamless water circulation system helps maintain consistent temperatures throughout the tub.
• Alternative Model: A “Model B” variant is available at the same price, offering identical features in a more compact design with a 5″ filter.

It’s worth noting that while the chiller itself is great, the brand’s customer support has been reported as lacking. Purchasing through a third-party retailer (like Plunge Junkies) is recommended for potentially better after-sales support.

Overall, the Kalm’s combination of power and additional features make it suitable for users needing a high-performance solution, particularly in challenging environments or for those desiring both cold and warm therapy options.