Though cold plunging has gained popularity recently, people have been seeking the benefits of plunging for hundreds of years (possibly longer), and products — like the Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge — are turning this frigid activity into a luxurious experience. If you aren’t familiar with cold plunging, it’s exactly as it sounds — plunging into water with a sub-59-degree temperature for around three minutes. While it may seem like something only athletes do for muscle recovery, cold plunging can also lead to mental clarity, boost immunity, and help combat anxiety.
The reason people are ditching the “old school” way of cold plunging in the form of a trash can ice bath for a designated plunge bath is the ease of use. We tested the Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 and the Polar Monkeys Portal. Both feature a chiller on the side that allows you to adjust the temperature down to 39 degrees, eliminating the need for ice. Upgraded models can also double as a hot tub with temperatures reaching 102 degrees. And the filter will help keep your water crystal clear, so you don’t need to drain after each plunge. If you’re looking to add a dedicated cold plunge to your home gym, or even if you’re a first-time cold plunger, Polar Monkeys might have you covered with their luxury plunges — especially considering the price points and features.
Main Takeaways
- Polar Monkeys’ cold plunges feature a chiller that allows you to adjust the temperature to 39 degrees (and up to 102 degrees if you upgrade).
- The drain has a hose hookup, so you can drain your water when necessary.
- The included filter will keep the water in your tub clean of any impurities.
This luxury cold plunge is 5.5 feet long, just under 2 feet tall, and a little over 4 feet wide with the plumbing and chiller attached. Polar Monkeys designed the Brainpod out of fiberglass, plus it features water as cold as 36 degrees, and as hot as 103 degrees.
Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge Video Review
Our Reviews Writer, Jake, hopped into the Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge to test it out for himself. In this video, he takes you through this tub’s pros and cons, price points, features, and more.
Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge Highlights
- Price: $3,790 for the Brainpod 2.0, $2,790 for the Portal
- Temperature Control: The included chiller will keep your water as cold as 39 degrees
- Materials: Fiberglass for the Brainpod 2.0, Steel for the Portal
- Dimensions (Brainpod 2.0): 67” L x 22” H x 43” W for the Brainpod. The Portal comes in two sizes — 2’ x 4’ x 2’ and 2’ x 5’x 2’
Unlike a trash can or simply using the bathtub in your home, purchasing a cold plunge tub is no doubt an investment. However, Polar Monkeys offers some of their tubs at a lower price tag than similar competition. While they sell four different plunges, we will be reviewing the two we have tested firsthand — the Portal and the Brainpod 2.0. The steel Portal comes in two different sizes and six different color options and features a starting price of about $2,800; the fiberglass Brainpod 2.0 features three colors but only comes in one size and will cost you around $3,800. It’s worth noting that changing the color of the Portal from the stock steel and the Brainpod 2.0 from Black will increase the price tag, and choosing the larger Portal will also cost more money.
While the stock version of the chiller only features cold water, you have the option to upgrade it to also feature hot water with temps reaching 102 degrees, but this will tack on an additional $400 or so to your purchase. So the most you could potentially spend the Brainpod 2.0 is about $5,000 on the Brainpod 2.0 and about $5,200 on the Portal. These prices are undoubtedly more expensive than models like the Ice Barrel or the Redwood Outdoors Alaskan Cold Plunge, but they’re still cheaper than The Plunge.
The beauty of the chiller is that it allows you to select your desired temperature and keep the water there all day long. This is a major upgrade to purchasing multiple bags of ice for one cold plunge session — we’ve actually had to use 100 pounds of ice before in the summer months. Since these are also plug-and-plunge cold plunges, installation is a breeze. Just plug the plunge into a 120v outlet, fill it with water from your garden hose, and you’re all set. The construction for these plunges varies from fiberglass for the Brainpod to steel for the Portal, but they’re both able to withstand the elements of being outdoors if you choose to place them there.
Pros
- The filter and ozone generator keep your water clean, so you don’t have to drain the tub frequently.
- The option of upgrading your chiller to feature hot water will transform your plunge into a hot tub
- There are multiple models with varying prices, sizes, and materials.
Cons
- While Polar Monkeys offers their tubs at a reasonable price compared to similar models from competing companies, you will still need to spend at least $2,800 — which is still more expensive than models that resemble a barrel.
- These cold plunges may require too much space for some.
- Those who live in regions where the weather frequently drops below freezing will have to worry about the plumbing freezing if they go for the cold water only versions.
Using the Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge
The beauty of a dedicated cold plunge tub is its luxurious nature, which was evident when we installed the Portal and the Brainpod. The chiller and insulated cover work together to keep the water at your desired temperature so your tub is immediately ready. There is also a filter that will remove any impurities in the water, drastically reducing waste.
While we can only speak on the size of the 2’ x 5’ x 2’ Portal and the Brainpod, we could fully stretch our legs while plunging and feel like most people can sit comfortably. However, if these models are too large for your living space, you might want to consider the 2’ x 4’ x 2’ Portal or the Inflatable plunge that you can deflate and store when necessary.
Installation
These tubs are the definition of a plug-and-plunge cold plunge. Simply plug the chiller into a standard 120v outlet, fill it with a garden hose, and you’re all set. Another thing we really enjoy is the hose hookup that allows you to safely drain your water away from all of your electrical components.
Temperature Settings
Since purchasing $50 worth of ice for one single cold plunge session can be an annoyance and take a toll on your pockets, we think spending more money for a cold plunge that regulates your water temperature for you is worth it in the long run.
No matter which model you choose, you can set the water as low as 39 degrees or as high as 102 degrees if you upgrade the chiller.
Filtration System
The chiller on the side of the tub features a filtration system that will remove any impurities from your water and prevent you from draining it once or twice a week.
Materials
The build of these cold plunge tubs varies from steel to fiberglass, polyester, and wood. Regardless of which one you choose, they can all handle the outdoor elements.
Dimensions
Both of these plunges are larger than models that resemble a barrel, with the Brainpod resembling a bathtub and the Portal resembling a steel stock tank. We suggest measuring your available space and ensuring you have enough room to house whatever model you purchase.
What to Consider Before Buying A Cold Plunge From Polar Monkeys
Similar to searching for a new trusty barbell or a set of dumbbells, there are a few factors you must consider before deciding if either of these cold plunges from Polar Monkeys is worth it for you. Aside from the money, we also encourage you to consider the size of each model, the materials used, and if you only want cold water or want to incorporate hot water.
Price and Available Models
Despite their prices being lower than what some other companies charge, these cold plunges are still expensive. The Portal will run you around $2,800, while the Brainpod costs about $3,800. If you want the least expensive option, your best bet would be to snag the 2’ x 4’ x 2’ Portal.
Purchasing an insulated cover is an extra $350, but we found it essential to help keep the water temperature in check and prevent debris from getting in the tub. Upgrading your chiller to the hot water version will also add $400. And if you want to switch the color of your tub, that will also increase your final price.
Temperature Control
What we love about these plunges from Polar Monkeys is that the chiller takes care of the hard part for you and controls the water temperature. We don’t know about you, but we grow tired of adding bags on bags of ice to other plunges, especially during the hot summer months. Regardless of your specific model, your plunge will reach a chilling 39 degrees or a bubbling 102 degrees if you opt for the upgraded chiller.
Dimensions
There might not be anything worse than buying a new product and finding out you don’t have enough room for it. This is why we highly recommend you measure out prior to purchasing.
While the Inflatable model can be stowed away when necessary, the 2’ x 4’ x 2’ Portal is actually the shortest of them all, so if you have enough room but don’t want to be forced to constantly inflate and deflate, it’s probably your best choice. However, if you aren’t short on space, then the Brainpod 2.0 or the 2’ x 5’x 2’ Portal will work well for you.
Polar Monkeys Cold Plunge Vs. Competitor Cold Plunges
Due to the extensive list of cold plunges on the market, we figured we’d take a minute to compare the Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 and Portal to a couple of our other favorite options.
| Polar Monkeys Brainpod 2.0 | Polar Monkeys Portal | The Plunge Cold Plunge | Redwood Outdoors Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub | |
| Price | $3,790 | $2,790 or $3,100 | $4,990 | $2,000 |
| Temperature Control | Chiller | Chiller | Chiller | Ice (optional chiller upgrade) |
| Dimensions | 67” Lx 22” H x 43” W | 24” L x 24” H x 48” W | 24” H x 67” L x 43” W | 40.5” H x 37” W |
| Materials | Fiberglass | Steel | Acrylic | Scandinavian Thermowood |
If size and price are what you’re prioritizing, the Alaskan Cold Plunge Tub will be your best option, but remember, you will have to purchase ice for each use. So, in the long run, it’ll cost you more money than the Portal, and it’s the most wasteful of these four.
Since the Brainpod 2.0, Portal, and Plunge are similar in fashion, it might make the most sense to go for the Portal because it costs less. However, the prices shown are based on the plain Silver model, with the 2’ x 4’ x 2’ version being the cheapest. But if you’re looking for a nice aesthetic, you’ll either want to swap the color, or go after the Brainpod 2.0 or The Plunge since they’re more sleek. You really can’t go wrong with any of these cold plunges; just be sure to prioritize your specific needs.
Warranties
Regardless of your chosen model, your chiller comes with a one-year warranty. Their website has a pretty lengthy warranty section on their website, so it may be best to read it thoroughly before buying. It is worth mentioning that the warranties are only valid for in-home and residential use only, not commercial.
Places to Buy
You can purchase your cold plunge tub directly through the Polar Monkey website.
Company Information
Polar Monkeys sells a variety of plunge tubs that can act as cold plunges and hot tubs. Their goal is to create the most affordable and best quality cold plunges on the market. You can contact their support team via email at info@polarmonkeys.com, or give them a call at (888) 632-2257.
Final Word
From speeding up muscle recovery to combatting anxiety, there are many potential benefits associated with cold plunging. While this is still an investment, Polar Monkeys offers their luxury cold plunges at a lower price than some of their competitors — aside from barrel-shaped plunges. The chiller on the side of the tub drops down to 39 degrees, and the upgraded chillers can create a hot tub with a max temperature of 102 degrees. They’re large enough to fit most people, and the filter will remove impurities from the water. So if you’re in the market for a luxury icy plunge, Polar Monkeys may have you covered.
FAQs
How much does a cold plunge from Polar Monkeys cost?
One of the best things about Polar Monkeys is that you can choose from multiple options regarding size, materials, and price. The most expensive model is the wooden Star Treatment which is also their most luxurious model, sporting a price tag of about $13,000. While none of the other models are necessarily “cheap,” the cheapest option is the silver 2′ x 4′ x 2’ Portal with only cold water, which will run you around $2,800.
How cold can the water get in a Polar Monkeys cold plunge?
All of the chillers from Polar Monkeys can dip down to 39 degrees. However, if you opt for the upgrade, you can experience jacuzzi-like temps of 102 degrees.
Where can I place my Polar Monkeys cold plunge?
Fortunately, you can place these cold plunges indoors or outdoors due to the materials used. However, since you’ll experience condensation from the icy temperatures, we recommend keeping it outside to prevent ruining your floors.
