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Answer me this: What do Joe Rogan, Chris Hemsworth, Lady Gaga, and Kim Kardashian all have in common? Besides being mega-celebrities in their own right, they all can’t stop clamoring about the benefits of ice bath tubs or cold plunges.
Ice baths have skyrocketed in popularity over the last year or two with the promise of aiding muscle recovery, reducing inflammation, and boosting overall health and well-being. The only problem? The ones the Stars promote are super nice at a super high price.
Fortunately, I have good news! There’s an ultra-affordable alternative available from the Pod Company called The IcePod. The Ice Pod is a portable, easily collapsible, full-immersion indoor or outdoor cold plunge tub for those who are on a budget.
In this review, I’ll tell you everything there is to know about the Ice Pod, including why I think it’s the perfect portal of entry for those wanting to try cold plunges. I’ll also tell you all about my experience with it, how it performs, and everything else you might want to know.
Let’s take the plunge!
Why You Can Trust Us?
As Editor-in-Chief, my objective has always been to write authentic and helpful content. This unsponsored review is the culmination of over 6 months of hands-on experience with the Ice Pod.
The IcePod: What is it?
I first stumbled upon the Ice Pod this past summer as I was researching inexpensive cold plunge alternatives to review. I had never heard of the Pod Company, but the sub $200 price tag caught my attention and I immediately ordered one.
I’m not always so compulsive, but with a 30-day refund period (must be unused) and backed by a standard 6-month warranty, I figured why not. If I didn’t care for it, I could always ship it back, right?
Now that I’ve had the chance to use it for a while, I gotta tell ya, I’ve fallen in love.
Ice Pod Specs
| Dimensions: | Diameter: 32 inches (80cm) Height: 29 inches (72cm) |
| Weight: | 7 lbs (empty) up to 600+ lbs (full of water) |
| Capacity: | 79 gallons |
| Suitable Height: | Individuals up to 6’9″ |
| Warranty: | 6 months standard. Up to 2 extended years for a small fee. |
| Insulated: | Yes |
About The Ice Pod
While The Ice Pod portable ice bath may be basic in design, it’s the simplicity of it that has me sold. From the unboxing and setup to filling and takedown, The Ice Pod is a very uncomplicated and straightforward cold plunge.
From the moment it arrived to me hopping in for the first time, the entire setup process took no more than 30 minutes. 20 of those minutes were waiting for the water to fill up and perhaps a minute more to get the nerve to jump in.
But that’s why I think the Ice Pod appeals to so many people, it’s a convenient and easy option to cold plunge without much hassle. Other competing products on the market are either way too expensive or require way too much maintenance.
PROS
- Very lightweight and portable
- Setup is a breeze
- Takes up a minimal amount of space
- Upgraded versions and accessories are available
- Pre-attached drain spout for easy draining
CONS
- Initial quality is more than acceptable but does show signs of aging after a few months.
- Requires a significant amount of ice to maintain the desired temperature
- Must be refilled after several uses
What’s Included in the Box?
- 1x Ice Pod
- 1x Hand pump
- 1x Cover lid
- 1x Drainage hose
- 1x 6 months full warranty (extendable)
- 1x Free home delivery
The Difference Between Ice Pod 2.0 and Ice Pod Pro
Now The Ice Pod is available in Standard and PRO versions. Compared to the Standard version, the PRO version adds double the amount of insulation (requiring less ice) and is made of slightly better UV-protected material. Otherwise, they’re nearly identical in overall specs.
A PRO bundle is also available which includes an insulated lid, thermometer, and extended 1-year warranty. In retrospect, I think that is probably the best option of the three.
My Ice Pod Experience After 6 Months
I first purchased the Ice Pod in the summer of 2023. I’ve now been using it for well over 6 months and to this day give it high praise when someone asks me about it.
During the week, I typically hop in 3-5 times mid-afternoon. I know some people like the alarming surge of cold plunging first thing in the morning, but that’s just not my thing.
Jumping into uncomfortably cold water is like a double shot of espresso when the afternoon slump sets in. For me, it’s invigorating and energizes my mind to finish off the rest of the work day.
If I had to make a list of the things that make me more productive, a daily cold plunge would handily make the list. For as cheap as it is price-wise, the Ice Pod has been an invaluable investment.
How Long Does the Ice Pod Stay Cold?
I see people ask this question all the time: How long will the Ice Pod stay cold?
There are several different factors that will determine how long the water stays cold, but the top offender is ambient heat. If the outside ambient temperature is high, without question it will be much more difficult to cool and maintain a consistent, icy temperature.
Here’s a real-world example.
When my Ice Pod was first delivered, I set it up in my garage. Now this was during peak summer, so the ambient temperature was around 90 degrees.
Using my hose, I filled it with water. Using a thermometer the water read 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Not much reprieve from the stifling heat.
I then added 20 lbs of ice, bringing the water temperature down to 71 degrees. With the Ice Pod sitting inside, away from the direct heat of the sun, the water temperature rose to 74.8 degrees after 24 hours had passed.
So what does that mean for the average consumer? Although the Ice Pod is insulated, you will need to consistently add ice, especially in the hot summer heat.
Related: Want to alternate ice with heat? Try a sauna blanket!
Construction
The Ice Pod is made with a 3-ply construction. The outside is a soft durable fabric, the middle layer consists of pearl insulation, and the inside lining is white PVC for waterproofing.
Contrary to what you might believe, there is no framing to hold it upright. Rather PVC pipes are inserted into sleeves around the outside walls. When filled, the outward pressure of the water makes the walls fairly rigid.
That design works but it’s inherently flawed. For instance, if you’re sitting down inside and you’re trying to stand up, you don’t want to grab the walls because they can collapse. I find that if I get on my knees first and then stand up, I avoid any potential catastrophes.
Long-Term Durability
To maximize its potential lifespan, I always keep my Ice Pod out of direct sunlight. I’m also extra cautious entering and exiting the pod to avoid any extra stress on the materials. For those reasons, I believe it’s holding up better than I initially anticipated.
Minus some fading of the exterior covering and some markings on the interior lining, my ice bath is looking pretty good considering how much I use it.
In terms of long-term durability, your miles may vary. I’d say it is if you’re careful, keep it away from anything remotely sharp, and out of direct sunlight, it should hold up for you over time.
This is just a suggestion, but I would opt for the extended warranty at checkout for added peace of mind.
Maintenance
As refreshing as it is, there’s a dark side to owning a cold plunge that rarely comes up until about a week or so after ownership. That is, keeping it clean.
You see, without any sort of filtration or sanitation, your crystal clear pristine water will turn into a murky bog almost overnight.
Even if you shower off beforehand, body oils and miscellaneous debris are guaranteed to muck up your water. And for that, you’ll need to invest in some forms of sanitation. If you don’t, plan on draining, cleaning, and refilling your Ice Pod at least once every 7-10 days.
I go into a lot of detail on how to keep your cold plunge clean in the video below. Be sure to give it a watch because it will save you a lot of time and frustration.
How the Ice Pod Compares to Alternatives
As I mentioned, there are plenty of ice bath options available. Some are more premium and expensive and others appear to be direct copycats. If you’re shopping around, and weighing your options, here are a few comparisons to consider.
The Ice Pod vs The Plunge
The Plunge is probably one of the best well-known, premium cold plunges available today. While pretty awesome in its own right, it will set you back about $5k. With a built-in cooling system, fancy lights, and a phone holder, it’s a luxury.
Do I think the Ice Pod is even in the same league? Not a chance. Any reasonable person should know that at $120, the Ice Pod will not compare. But fundamentally, if all you care about is getting icy cold, you can’t beat it.
One of the reasons I chose the Ice Pod is because I don’t have the space for a built-in ice bath tub. And if I did, I still don’t think I would want to mess with the long-term responsibilities of owning a dedicated unit.
The Ice Pod, unlike the Plunge, can be set up and collapsed in a matter of minutes wherever and whenever I want.
Ice Pod vs. Nurecover
You might have noticed, but there are a lot of portable pod-style ice baths on the market right now. Like massage guns from a few years back, you’ve got your popular name brands and then about 100 copy-cats on Amazon that follow.
Let’s take Nurecover for example. Likely due to some strategic marking, their company brand is huge right now. And of course, they say their cold plunge is the best, with the best features, yada yada.
How much of that is true? Well, from our experience, the Ice Pod vs. Nurecover are nearly indistinguishable and comparable in almost every way.
Ice Pod vs. LifePro Allevachill
We’ve also had the opportunity to try out the Allevachill from LifePro. Again, physically, it’s almost the same as the Ice Pod.
Placed side-by-side, you’d have a hard time telling the two apart. In other words, they’re both solid choices and I recommend them both.
However, there is one differentiator you might want to be made aware of. The LifePro Allevachill, like all of their products, comes with a Lifetime Warranty. For a product that will surely fail (eventually), that little detail might be worth knowing.
Optional Accessories Worth Considering
Ice Pod Water Chiller
Perhaps the most exciting accessory available is the Ice Pod Water Chiller.
The water chiller is an external electrical cooling pump that will circulate and chill the water without the need for adding ice. Essentially, it offers the same experience as the premium ice baths available at a much more affordable price.
The Pod Company sells two different water chillers, a 1/3 HP and a 1/2 HP version. They’ll run you either $999 or $1499 respectively.
Using the Ice Pod with Chiller is the absolute best experience overall. It sure beats running to the store for ice every other day, which cost would add up over time. But a grand is a grand. That’s not throwaway money by any means.
If you’re interested, I put together a water chiller DIY tutorial. It’s currently one of our most popular posts and it’s really easy to follow. Best of all, it will save you about $500 over the chiller from The Pod Company.
IcePod Ultra Insulated Cover Set
If the chiller is too cost-prohibitive for you at this time, the all-new insulated cover is worth a look.
As mentioned, heat is the #1 enemy of the IcePod and this insulated cover is the perfect solution. Made of 1/2″ insulation, the wrap-around cover keeps your IcePod cold much longer. Not only that, but it prevents condensation build-up on the exterior which is very common in the hot summer months.
Ordering and Delivery
The shopping experience for me has been great. Navigating their website, perusing the products, and checking out is seamless. Any promo code like ours, RECOVATECH (get $10 off), is easily applied.
Besides a debit/credit card, you can use ShopPay, Google Pay, or Meta Pay.
Thankfully, all Ice Pods come with free standard delivery.
The Ice Pod Review: Final Verdict
So at the end of the day, is the Ice Pod worth buying?
Put it this way, if you’ve never tried an ice bath or you only do it on an infrequent basis, The Ice Pod cold plunge is the perfect portal of entry. Alternatively, if you are someone who would like to take your ice bath with you on the go, buy it. You’ll love it.
Taken at face value and understanding its limitations, I would not hesitate to recommend the Ice Pod. It’s priced right and in my book, it’s worth it. Based on the other online customer reviews, I’m not alone in saying that either. Minus a few complaints, feedback is overwhelmingly positive.
The Ice Pod
Get $10 off with promo code RECOVATECH applied at checkout.
The Ice Pod
Summary
The Ice Pod is incredibly simple to set up, it’s made of quality materials and comes in at a really great price. If you’re looking to get in on the cold plunge craze, the Ice Pod is the way to go.
FAQ’s
How Much Ice Do I Need To Add?
13-26 lbs of ice is recommended depending on how cold you want the water. That also might vary depending on the ambient outside temperature.
What Is The Recommended Water Temperature For An Ice Bath?
55-59 degrees Fahrenheit is the general recommendation. It’s best to start out warmer and adjust the temperature as you become more acclimated. Although you can go colder, more risks of hypothermia and other health-related problems become more likely.
How Often Do I Need To Clean The Portable Ice Bath?
If you want to keep the water clean for a longer period of time, add 1 pound of salt to a full pod. With salt added, water can stay in the pod for 2-4 weeks. With no salt added, clean the unit after every 3-5 plunges.
The Ice Pod Setup Instructions
Step 1: Pre-Inspection
When the Ice Pod arrives, take all of the items out of the box and make sure everything is there. Inspect the outside of the pod for any potential holes.
Step 2: Assembly
Start by attaching the included o-ring to the outside of the drain plug. Then screw on the drain faucet, making sure it’s screwed on tight. Then, slide the included PVC pipes into the sleeves of the outside covering.
Step 3: Inflate
Using the included pump, fill the external ring up with air. Once you’ve found a suitable location, one that can withstand up to 700 lbs of weight, proceed to fill the Ice Pod. Only fill it 3/4 of the way to the top. Water will displace once you get in.
Step 4: Add Ice
Once it’s full of water, add 2-3 bags of ice. Use a thermometer and add more or less ice depending on how cold you want it. Enjoy the freeze.
Article Updated January 31, 2024, to reflect the latest information about the Ice Pod
Editor-In-Chief at Recovatech. Dr. Ben is a board-certified Doctor of Chiropractic with over 10 years of clinical experience. He specializes in structural and neurological imbalances with an emphasis on functional movement patterns, exercise performance, and muscle recovery. He has been the team chiropractor for professional baseball and soccer organizations, as well as collegiate athletes. In his personal life, he’s always been driven when it comes to athletics and personal performance.