Cold Plunge With a Chiller vs Without: What to Know Before You Buy
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A cold plunge is a tub of cold water you step into, often between sauna rounds. The big buying decision is how the water gets cold. You can fill a tub and add ice, or you can buy a tub with a chiller that holds the temperature for you. This guide explains the difference and what to plan for: power, the pad, winter and delivery. It also compares the chiller packages we sell.
The short answer
- Without a chiller, you cool the water with bags of ice. The temperature drifts with the weather and with how much ice you add, and the water needs changing more often.
- With a chiller, you set a temperature and the unit holds it. On the SaunaLife packages the unit is a chiller/heater, so it can warm the water too.
Our storefront sells cold plunges as complete chiller packages only: the SaunaLife S1NC, SaunaLife S1BC, SaunaLife S2NC and SaunaLife S2BC from SaunaLife, and the Kohler x Remedy Place Ice Bath. Each one includes its chiller, so you don’t need to buy a second one.
How a cold plunge works without a chiller
An ice-only tub is simple: fill it with a hose, add ice, get in. The trade-offs show up over time. Each session starts with a trip for ice. On a warm day the water warms up quickly, and on a hot afternoon it may not get as cold as you want. Water that isn’t filtered or circulated usually needs draining and refilling more often. For an occasional plunge that can be fine. If you plan to use it most days, ice becomes a routine chore.
What a chiller adds
A chiller is a refrigeration unit that circulates the tub’s water and cools it to your setting. You pick a temperature, and it holds it between sessions without ice.
- SaunaLife packages: the S1 tubs come with the FDC-1A chiller/heater and the S2 tubs with the AP-1 chiller/heater. Both can run the water cold or warm. The tubs have 3/4" NPT chiller connections and a 1" drain.
- Kohler x Remedy Place Ice Bath: the chiller is built into the cabinet. Kohler’s spec sheet lists 39°F to 104°F, and the package includes an insulated cover with child-protective locks, a skimmer net and a 30-micron filter.
The chiller packages we sell
| Package | Capacity | Chiller | Outside size | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SaunaLife S1NC | 1 person, 124 gal | FDC-1A chiller/heater | About 40" across × 41.3" tall | Natural Thermo-Pine |
| SaunaLife S1BC | 1 person, 124 gal | FDC-1A chiller/heater | About 40" across × 41.3" tall | Factory-painted black Thermo-Pine |
| SaunaLife S2NC | 2 people, 200 gal | AP-1 chiller/heater | About 74.4" × 46" × 41" tall | Natural Thermo-Pine |
| SaunaLife S2BC | 2 people, 200 gal | AP-1 chiller/heater | About 74.4" × 46" × 41" tall | Factory-painted black Thermo-Pine |
| Kohler x Remedy Place Ice Bath | 85 gal, 18" water depth | Built-in, 39–104°F | 79-1/8" × 41-7/16" | Burnt Umber |
The SaunaLife tubs are handcrafted in Northern Europe. They ship fully assembled, with a grey contoured fiberglass liner and matching Thermo-Pine stairs, and SaunaLife lists them for outdoor use. The lid is not included. The Kohler Ice Bath uses an Avonite Flex bath with high-pressure laminate panels, and Kohler lists it for freestanding indoor or outdoor use. Browse them all in cold plunges.
Power: plan the circuit before delivery
A chiller needs a proper electrical supply, and the requirements differ by package.
- Kohler Ice Bath: Kohler’s spec sheet lists 120 V, 20 A, 60 Hz on a Class A GFCI circuit.
- SaunaLife FDC-1A and AP-1: a licensed electrician wires the chiller on a dedicated circuit from its nameplate. We don’t publish amp ratings we haven’t verified.
Outdoors, ask your electrician about wet-location wiring and local code before the tub arrives.
The pad: level, strong and drained
Water is heavy. SaunaLife lists the S2 package at about 2,021 lb when filled. Its install manual asks for a level, stable base at least three inches above the surrounding ground. It recommends concrete blocks or strips on compacted gravel, with geotextile underneath to stop weeds. An existing terrace or paving works too, as long as the tub still sits three inches above the surface.
Kohler’s spec sheet lists a minimum floor load of 59.9 lb/ft² for the Ice Bath. It also calls for a level floor that can handle condensation and wet feet, with clearance on all four sides so the shroud can come off for service. If you’re pouring a new pad, email hello@selfcaresaunas.com first and we’ll send the right documents.
Winter and water care
A chiller doesn’t make a tub freeze-proof. SaunaLife’s install manual says to drain the tub and chiller before a freeze and leave the drain open, because frozen water can crack liners and damage the machine. For the Kohler Ice Bath, follow Kohler’s outdoor installation guide. Filters, sanitizer and water changes vary by unit, so keep the manual handy. Kohler sells filter and water-care accessories for the Ice Bath separately.
Delivery and warranty
Cold plunge tubs are oversize items. They ship by freight, not by the free ground parcel offer, which covers eligible parcel items over $75. The freight cost shows at checkout or is confirmed with you at order confirmation. The SaunaLife tubs arrive fully assembled, so check the delivery path to your pad before you order, and inspect the delivery and note any visible damage on the receipt.
SaunaLife’s limited warranty covers workmanship defects for two years in residential use, for the original retail buyer. It excludes added components, so ask us about chiller coverage before you buy. Kohler’s sheet lists a two-year limited warranty for the Ice Bath.
How to choose
- One person or two? The S1 packages are 1-person round tubs (124 gal). The S2 packages are 2-person oval tubs (200 gal).
- Wood look or modern cabinet? SaunaLife tubs are Thermo-Pine in natural or factory-painted black. The Kohler Ice Bath is a laminate cabinet in Burnt Umber.
- Power on site? The Kohler runs on a 120 V, 20 A GFCI circuit. The SaunaLife chillers are wired from their nameplates by an electrician.
- Indoors or outdoors? The SaunaLife tubs are outdoor tubs. The Kohler is listed for indoor or outdoor use.
Planning a sauna next to the tub? See our outdoor barrel sauna buying guide and the full outdoor saunas collection. Questions about your site? Email hello@selfcaresaunas.com.
FAQ
Do I need a chiller for a cold plunge?
No, but without one you cool the water with ice and the temperature follows the weather and the ice you add. A chiller holds the temperature you set. Every cold plunge we sell comes with its chiller in the package.
Can the chiller also heat the water?
On the SaunaLife packages, yes. The FDC-1A and AP-1 are chiller/heater units, so you can run the tub cold or warm. The Kohler x Remedy Place Ice Bath lists a 39°F to 104°F range on Kohler’s spec sheet.
How cold does a chiller get the water?
Kohler lists 39°F at the low end for its Ice Bath. For the SaunaLife FDC-1A and AP-1 packages, check the chiller’s nameplate and manual. We don’t print a temperature range we haven’t seen in writing.
Does a cold plunge ship free?
No. Cold plunge tubs are oversize items that ship by freight, with the cost shown at checkout or confirmed with you at order confirmation. Free ground shipping over $75 covers eligible parcel items only.
Can I leave a cold plunge outside in winter?
SaunaLife’s install manual says to drain the tub and chiller before a freeze and leave the drain open. For the Kohler Ice Bath, follow Kohler’s outdoor installation guide.